The New-Hampshire gazette and historical chronicle (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1772-01-24 00:00:00

NEW-HAMPSHIRE AND HISTORICAL
CONTAINING the FRESHEST ADVICES
Friday Jan. 24, 1772.
GAZETTE, CHRONICLE, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
NO. 796 { Weeks since this Paper was first Publish'd.
B O S T O N, January 16, 1772. Since our last arrived here the Brig Paoli, Capt. Cazneau, and the Brig Marquis of Rockingham, Capt. Daverson, junr. by whom we have the following Advices, viz.
L O N D O N, October 8. THE following extraordinary account of the Fire at Portsmouth, & a most horrid conspiracy having just appeared in a periodical Paper, we thought it our duty to lay the most remarkable passages of it before our Readers, leaving it to themselves to decide what degree of credit it ought to obtain.
Jonathan Britain was born in the north part of Yorkshire; his father and mother were Roman Catholics, and declares that he secretly professed that Religion himself, but appeared openly as a Protestant. About four years ago he entered as a common man in Mordaunt's Dragoons; he was soon after made a Corporal, and in a short time Serjeant, from that he was raised to Serjeant Paymaster. Some time after he was placed in this station, he was sent into Gloucestershire upon a recruiting party, where he got acquainted with one Pierre Rogers, who has a Commission in the French service, and was employed to enlist men here for the use of the King of France, by order of C—de G—, the late Ambassador. Britain and Rogers entered into a long conversation together; the later soon found the former was of the same religion as himself, and therefore opened his mind without any sort of reserve; he made him large promises, and told him he would introduce him to the French Ambassador, and that he should receive one shilling a day, pay from the French King, and two guineas and a crown for every man he got; he was at length prevailed upon to undertake this dangerous business, and accordingly beat up for volunteers with redoubled vigour; he prevailed on many to go to France, who were immediately sent to Rogers, and he took care of them till there was a proper opportunity for shipping them off.
Britain, after he had been acquainted with Rogers some considerable time, was introduced by him to one Le Jeune, a Roman Catholic Priest, and one Jean Caleane; they had frequent meetings together, and when Britain became a little intimate with them, Le Jeune said he had a matter of great importance to communicate, and begged they might all meet at a certain time he then mentioned, at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, which they did; Le Jeune told them as soon as they met, that before he could open the business, he must enjoin them in an oath of secrecy, and administer the Sacrament to them, this was directly complied with, and as soon as done, (though they all knew the design of meeting before, except Britain,) Le Jeune, after a short introduction, addressed them nearly in the following words: "The purpose of this meeting, Gentlemen, was, to acquaint you, that a design is formed of setting fire to Portsmouth Dock Yard, afterwards to the Governor's house, and then to the town in different parts; for this purpose I have got a certain number of balls made of pitch, tar, rosin, and other combustible matters, hollow within, and in order to shew you the execution these balls will do, I will burn one now before you." Le Jeune then put a little tow into the hole, touched it with the candle, and it burnt a full quarter of a hour.
This matter being finished, their next business was to fix the place of rendezvous, which they did; the first was at Havant, a
market town in Hampshire, where they met on the 21st of July 1770; but not having balls enough ready, as they imagined, to put their diabolical scheme effectually into execution, it was deferred till the 27th, the fatal morning, and they proceeded to Chichester, to the White Swan, where they staid till late in the evening of the 27th, and then made the best of their way to Portsmouth. They arrived there a little after one in the morning. Caleone went to Broker's Point, and prepared a boat in order to convey them all off; Britain, Le Jeune, and Rogers, set fire to the Dock-Yard in thirty one or thirty two places; the flames came out in a few minutes with great violence; upon seeing that, fear soon got the better of their resolutions, and their design was carried no further into execution at that time, and they made the best of their way to London. Rogers set off directly from thence, the 28th, to the seat of a Gentleman, in the south part of Yorkshire, who is a Roman Catholic, by whom he was harboured for some time. This daring paper, after accusing some people of the first rank in England of being concerned in the above affair, proceeds thus:
"They then form'd a scheme for shooting a Great Personage; the day fixed was the 4th of June last the King's Birth Day; Britain was to be the principal agent in this shocking business: an Ambassador's servant was concerned with them. In the morning of the fourth of June, Rogers went to Count de G—, and soon after returned to his accomplices at a house by Charing Cross, where he brought in a green purse between forty and fifty guineas, which was equally divided amongst them: they then began to drink pretty freely of brandy, in order to prepare themselves with new spirits for the execution of this horrid deed; Britain was to fire at the Great Man; Rogers was to walk at a small distance with more ball and powder, in case the first did not take effect. Britain now makes no scruple to declare, that he went with a design to kill the K—; for that purpose he took a large Horse pistol loaded with ball, and Rogers & he went into St. James's Park, in order to wait his M—'s coming out of the Court to go to Buckingham House, which he did; soon after they were there in a chair attended by a few Yeomen & Footmen only. Britain walked as near to the chair as he possibly could; he had the pistol concealed under his coat, which he cocked and drew out so carefully as not to be seen; he pulled the trigger; the lock snapped, but there was no flash; he turned round immediately to get more powder of Rogers, whom he found (instead of being close behind) at more than two hundred yards distance; this led him to suspect that they all designed to escape and leave him to fall a victim. Rogers and he proceeded to the house from whence he came; they examined the pistol, found the pan did not shut close, and that the powder had run out in carrying it along. From this time Britain's suspicions increased: this, with some remorse of conscience, determined him not to trust to them any longer, but to make a full discovery of the whole affair, which he did a few weeks after; and desired Lord S—, in a letter, not to suffer Count de G— to leave the kingdom 'till he was brought before him; if this had been done, which it was undoubtedly the duty of Lord S— to do, the other incendiaries might have been secured, & brought to condign punishment." [Whisperer.]
In the inconsistent account of the firing the Dock-Yard at Portsmouth, given by Jonathan
Britain now in Reading-Goal, he mentions his associate Rogers having been concealed at the seat of Earl Falkenbridge, a Roman Catholic Nobleman in Yorkshire; now we are well informed, there is no persons of that title in the county. There is indeed an Earl Fauconberg, but he is a Protestant, and was created to the rank, in the year 1756, by his late Majesty King George II.
By authentic accounts from Reading we hear, that a person concerned in the publication of a violent periodical paper, lately had a conference there with Britain, who boasted he could furnish particulars that would sell 5000 papers in a day, provided he could receive an adequate reward for his trouble.
I understand there is an extraordinary number of Whisperers published, said to be my deposition concerning the late fire at Portsmouth. I beg leave to inform the public, "That the publication is spurious, it is not my deposition neither was I acquainted with its being published." One Moore, who lives at No. 32. in Chancery-lane, came down to me and desired I would give him an explanation, to the blanks of my late letters, which I did, and, he minuted them down; but for any other particulars, he is totally unacquainted with. The public will be presented with a true and genuine copy very shortly, & once more I assure them, that Moore's story is most of it his own invention. Reading-Goal, October 8.
JONATHAN BRITAIN, Tuesday last; about two o'clock, after Major Rogers had passed through Dartford, the post-chaise man who drove him, told him a highwayman hovered round the chaise. As soon as the fellow came to the Major, he seized him by the hand and pulled him into the chaise. The highwayman answers the description in an advertisement of Sir John Fielding's. The Major carried him to the Mayor at Gravesend, and after an examination there, sent him to the Rotation-office, in Bow Street.
Oct. 8. A dispute happening at a West-Indian's at Epsom, where there was a great company, about the spelling of the name of a certain Governor of the Leeward Islands, a wager was laid, and agreed to be determined by a Court Calender: the servant, (a Negro, who has long been in England was sent to Doctor —, with his master's compliments for one: but not understanding what he was sent for, returned to the no small diversion of the company, with a large pewter Cullender, and said, "the Doctor gave his compliments to massa, he have no quart Cullender, but he send the smallest he have."
By letters from Leghorn of the 20th of September we are informed of the death of Dr. Smollet, after a very long and painful illness, which he sustained with invincible firmness and resolution.—The weakness of his body could not prevail over the vigour of his mind, as appears from the last publication that bears his name, a work composed during his avocations from more important studies.—He has left to the care of a literary friend several original pieces and translations, which will make their appearance in due time. His character in private life, was that of a warm, benevolent and sincere friend. The public has already pronounced judgment upon his abilities as an Author, as his writings are in the hands of every man of taste and imagination.
Acre, in Syria, July 18. Aly Bey has ordered some new pieces of money to be struck, in which he assumes the title of Lord of two Seas, two Countries, and two holy Cities, implying the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, the Countries of Asia and Africa, and the Cities of Mecca and Jerusalem.

By the Earl of Halifax Packet, Capt. Bolderfyn, arrived at New-York, we have the following Advices, viz.
L O N D O N, November 1. PRIVATE Letters from Holland by the last mail say, that the French and Spanish Ambassadors seem very solicitous to know the States-General what party they intend to take, in case a war should break out between England and either of those Powers, but that they have refused to declare their intentions at present, excepting that it is their hearty desire to remain a spectator. Since the above Ambassadors have been so urgent upon that head, the States have given fresh orders to augment their forces both by sea and land. The letters also say, that the Prussian Ambassador has sent an express with dispatches to acquaint the King his master with the above particulars, and that he has often a private conference with the Hon. Mr. York, the English Ambassador.
Nov. 3. Private letters from Holland, by Tuesday's mail, say, that they have just received advice that the King of Prussia is raising Forces in every part of his dominions, from which it is conjectured that his Majesty intends soon to strike some important blow. The same letters say, that the Queen of Hungary, jealous of the designs of his Majesty, has ordered all her frontier towns to be strongly garrisoned, and has taken every necessary step to prevent any part of her kingdom being suddenly attacked.
Nov. 6. The last letters from the Continent advise, that his Prussian Majesty has actually marched an army of 30,000 men into Polish Prussia, which are to penetrate as far as the borders of Silesia.
Nov. 7. Lord Sandwich, when he heard that the Hawke's sloop of war, was seized by the Spaniards and carried into Calbergena, cried out, "Well done Spain, but if we don't make you pay for this insolence, there is not a spark of courage remaining in England."
It is asserted that satisfaction will be immediately demanded of the Court of Spain, for the insult lately given to the British flag, by two guards coasts off Carthergena.
The King of Sweden has given orders for a considerable augmentation to be made in his forces both by sea and land.
From the Isle of Zante, in the Gulph of Venice, we are informed, that in the night between the 18th and 19th of September last, the Russians attempted the passage of the Dardanelles, but that they had been so pressed by the strength of the current, & an incessant fire from the batteries, that they were obliged to give up the attempt.
Nov. 9. It is said Mr. Townsend's refusal to pay the Land Tax has greatly embarrassed the present Administration, as the law must now decide upon the legality of the Middlesex Election.
We are assured that a very spirited Remonstrance is preparing, and will be sent to the Court of Spain in a few days, demanding a categorical answer respecting their designs in South-America and the West-Indies, and to know whether they countenance the proceedings of guards-coasts in that part of the world.
We are told that an exact list of the French and Spanish Marine Force has lately been procured by great trouble and expence; and that in consequence thereof a more steady attention is resolved to be paid to the Navy, the bulwark and guard of these kingdoms.
Nov. 12. A squadron of ten sail of the line is preparing to be sent to guard our settlements in the West-Indies; two regiments are also to be embarked for Jamaica.
Advice is received from Leghorn, that his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester is again terribly afflicted with an Inflammation in his side, attended with the usual symptoms, faintings, languor and hiccup, which seems to threaten a confirmed Syncope or Convulsion.
Certain advice is received that the French King has raised within these few months past, twenty Millions of lives at ten per cent.
'Tis said that within these three days the Earl of Harcourt has disappeared, and it is shrewdly suspected he is set off again for Paris, on some particular News received from thence.
A Council is appointed to be very speedily held at St. James's, when Matters respecting some recent Differences between the Courts of London and Madrid will, it is said, be the Subject of Consideration.
We hear that a very Great Personage, at the Intercession of his Consort, intends to set apart an Hour three Times a Week for receiving all Petitions that may be presented to him.
The Canada Paper-money being now certainly recovered, as we hear, from France, it is confidently asserted, that Lord North is determined to make the Spaniards pay the Manila Ransom, and to convince his countrymen, that under his administration, no Potentate on earth should offer an injury with impunity to England. Pray Heaven the intelligence may be true! As a Minister who acts upon the qui vive with foreign enemies, must take care to give satisfaction at home, and speedily terminate the dissensions which at present distract this miserable country.
We are assured that a Bill for the preventing the Migration of British Artificers to foreign Kingdoms, or even the Colonies, which has been long in agitation, will be brought in and passed the ensuing Session of Parliament.
The prospect of a War seems to increase daily, as the usual dissimulation is kept up by Ambassadors, while military and naval preparations go forward with great vigour.
The moment the Hawke Schooner was taken by the Spaniards, Sir George Rodney demanded an immediate reparation from the Governor of Catherine: A sufficient time has not yet elapsed for us to receive the governor's answer, and our Ministry cannot proceed to a declaration of war, before they know whether there is a necessity of commencing hostilities. The preparations made previous to our convention with the Spanish Court, will enable us, on the shortest notice, to act with all due spirit and propriety.
It is said that Couriers are frequently passing between London and Berlin, on secret affairs of the greatest importance.
Letters received yesterday from Dublin, give an account, that on the 5th instant died there the celebrated Dr. Lucas, Member of Parliament for that city.
Whereas No. 26 of the Whisperer has made a great noise in the kingdom, and since some commend and others condemn it, I think it my duty to inform the public that I am now writing the whole account of the late Fire at Portsmouth, &c. &c. to Mr. Moore, to be by him published weekly in the said Paper; and as I intend to stick as close to facts as possible, once for all I here desire every person who can contradict me in the least of this deposition, to do it in a public paper, sign their names, and I will answer them; if not, they must expect no answer, but 'tis I shall treat them with the contempt such villains deserve; and I assure the public, that nothing will be advanced but what will bear the strictest scrutiny, and no person, however exalted, will escape where I have proofs of the facts. I am, the public's most obedient humble Servant, JONATHAN BRITAIN.
Leghorn, Oct. 3. All that we know of the Muscovite Fleet is, that on the 4th of last Month it was preparing to sail from Paros on a grand expedition, leaving for the Defence of that Island, four Ships and a strong Garrison.
L O N D O N, October 17. A celebrated Irish Orator has entirely exculpated himself to a Great Personage, with respect to being the author of the Letters signed Junius, and the suspicion is now said to fall in-
tirely on a late Secretary to a Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was distinguished in that country by the name of one Speech H——n, in consequence of his never having spoken but once in the national Assembly there.
Very extensive orders are now executing at Bristol, Liverpool, and London, for goods to be shipped to North-America.
A considerable quantity of stores are shipping in the river for Nova-Scotia.
Letters from the Continent of the 20th ult. advise, that the Prince of Brunswick, & some other Volunteers of the Russian Army, had very near fallen with their Escorte, into the Hands of the Confederates near Warlaw; but, after a sharp Contest, they beat them off with considerable Loss. His Royal Highness and his Retinue are since arrived safe in Gen. Romanzow's Camp.
Among the Livery of London are now to be found a Doctor in Divinity, a Councillor at Law, a Capt. in the Army, and a notified patriot Apothecary, if not a Physician. Yet with all their preaching, advising, fighting and quacking, the City still remains much out of order, and diseased in mind, body, and estate.
Extract of some of the latest letters from the duchy of Wurtemberg.
From Stuttgart, (the capital of that country) Aug. 28th. "Our harvest in the country is, God be thanked! happily got in, and now the price of corn and bread falls daily."
From Tubingen, (a town and University in the above said duchy) Aug. 21st. "On the 4th inst. after we all had suffered very much, especially the Magistrates, on account of the general dearth and want of bread, a fire broke out at 12 o'clock at night, in Ammer-street, and before any body could give their assistance, set three houses in a blaze at once. The occupier of the houses, as also his man and maid-servant, just saved their lives by jumping out of a window, and thus were also the lives of four small children preserved, whom they threw out of a window on some pieces of bedding; but the man's wife and eldest child, of eleven years became the prey of the flames. In not quite four hours time, 15 houses, two barns, and three workshops were reduced to ashes. The loss is computed to be 15,000 florins, (Pennsylvania currency 2,500) Eight days after the fire, the bones of the unhappy persons who lost their lives in the flames, were interred."
L O N D O N, Octo. 18.
The 11th of Sept. in latitude 38d. 30m. N. longitude 62d. 11m. Capt. Manly, of the New Elizabeth, from South-Carolina, (who is arrived in the Downs in six weeks and four days) was obliged to cut away his main and mizen mast, when the ship immediately righted; after the gale he saw several sail, and most of them dismasted; the 17th spoke with the Carolina Packet, M'Carthy, from North-Carolina to Cadiz, who had cut away his main-mast, lost his fore-top-mast, damaged all his bread, and was in great distress; Capt. Manly relieved him: the 22d spoke with the Beaufort, Hunt, who had been 28 days from South Carolina for Corke, is arrived at Cowes, Capt. Hunt said Capt. Manly's was the sixth ship dismasted he had spoke with since the gale.
The Cato, Copner, from Casco Bay to Biddeford, is on shore near Biddiford.
The Hope, Baxter, from North Carolina is arrived at Poole, dismasted.
Octo. 19. The Diana, Taylor, from Goldsborough to London, is lost off Barnstaple, & all the crew perished.
The Ofterly, Lizard from New-England, will be totally lost: the cargo of Masts, yards &c. with the ship's materials will be saved.
The Rose man of war, Capt. Caldwell, from Halifax, is arrived at Portsmouth.
Oct. 24. We are informed from good authority, says an evening paper, that Lord North requested yesterday of his Majesty to resign, which was absolutely refused.
Oct. 28. Capt. Boyd, the master of a merchant trader lately returned from Tunis, has brought over some Barbary sheep, which are of a size so enormous, that the tail of a small one newly killed weighed no less than seventy pounds.
The London Papers contain Accounts of Damages sustained by Vessels on the Coast of England in the Month of October last. One Letter from Suffolk says, Every Tide affords us a shocking sight of the Bodies of poor Sail-
ors which are thrown on shore, some Dutch, some French, and some of almost all Countries.
DUBLIN-CASTLE, October 8.
THIS day the Parliament having met, according to Prorogation, his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant went in State to the House of Peers; and being seated on the Throne with the usual solemnity the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod was sent with a message from his Excellency to the House of Commons, signifying his pleasure that they should immediately attend his Excellency in the House of Peers. The Commons being come thither accordingly, his Excellency made a Speech to both Houses.
Dublin Oct. 10. The House of Lords & Commons having resolved upon humble Addresses to his Majesty, the same, together with Addresses from both Houses to the Lord Lieutenant, were this day, presented to his Excellency, and, with his Excellency's Answers.
Wednesday last there was a very long and warm debate in the Commons, upon the addresses of thanks to his Majesty, and another to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, for his speech from the Throne. The Court party met with a very strong opposition, and able speakers, who vehemently protested against every paragraph in the address to Lord Townsend, except one, which expressed their loyalty and duty to the King. Dr. Lucas, Henry Flood, Esq; Mr. Hussey, Sir William Mayne, Mr. French, and others, particularly exerted themselves on this occasion, especially in their debate on the fourth paragraph of the Address, respecting the large arrear which has been incurred on account of the parliamentary deductions made from the revenue, for the payment of different grants for premiums, bounties, and public works.
Early in the debate, a motion was made by Mr. Flood, that one of the lights in the Dome should be taken out, in order to admit a greater quantity of fresh air. Some Members opposed it, on account of the danger of catching cold. Dr. Lucas immediately replied that he hoped the Speaker, nor one of the honourable Gentlemen would think him pedantic if he presumed in that case to give his advice, as he was always ready to prescribe for the good of his friends. That, if the North light was taken out, the wind being about South West, the foul air, (he was sorry to say there was foul air in the House of Commons) would go out, and the fresh come in without endangering the health of any gentleman present.—This stroke of wit occasioned much laughter for a considerable time.
After debating on the question, Whether an Address should be presented to the Lord Lieutenant, about half an hour after three in the morning it was resolved in the affirmative; which Address, the Speaker, attended by a numerous train of dependent members, presented on Thursday (the 10th) to the Lord Lieutenant, at the Castle.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Hillsborough took his Seat in the House of Peers.
Octo. 11. By an account from Lyons in France, we hear that a silk manufacturer, being at dinner at the house of a friend, a little girl brought him a box tied with packthread, which she pressed him to open, as it required an answer; accordingly he opened it, and having pulled off the string which bound something in it, two pistols loaded with ball went off, and set fire to some gun-powder in the box; the balls did no damage, but the gun-powder set fire to his cloaths, and scorched his face. Enquiry has been strictly made after the contrivers of this plot, but to no purpose. A similar affair to the above happened about ten years ago at the same place.
TO BE SOLD A valuable Lot of Land in Nottingham, in the Third Division; also, a Lot of Land in Goffe's Town. For further Particulars enquire of Philips White of Southampton, or Nathaniel Morel of said Nottingham. Said White desires those of his Customers whom he has had Account open with, several Years, to call and settle the same.
TO BE SOLD One Half of a 360 Acre Lot of
Land, No. 10. in the first Range of Lots in Barrington, Esquire of the Printers.
Bryen Sheehan's dying Speech, Character, &c. &c. may be had at the Printing-Office, to-Morrow.

Portsmouth, January 24, 1772.
SATURDAY last, being the Birth Day of our most gracious Queen CHARLOTTE, was observed here in a manner suitable to the Occasion. At Twelve o'Clock his Majesty's Castle William and Mary, and the Ships of War in this Harbour, fired Royal Salutes, and a Number of Loyal Healths, as usual at these joyful Events, were drank by the Gentlemen at the Castle, and on board said Ships. On Monday Evening, his Excellency Governor WENTWORTH and LADY, gave a grand and elegant BALL at the new Assembly Room, to the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Town; at which were present also, the Officers of his Majesty's Ships the Swan and Canceaux, and a number of Strangers then in Town. The Splendor and Brilliancy of the Ladies, the Grandeur and Elegance of the Room, and the Harmony and Festivity which reign'd among the numerous joyful Guests, all conspired to give this Entertainment the Preference to any of the kind, ever before given in this Province.
Yesterday sennight his Excellency the Governor, was pleased to adjourn the General Assembly, to the 30th of March next, after giving his Assent to a number of Acts and Bills, one of which is as follows and here publish'd by Order of Court.
Anno Regni Regis Georgii Tertii, Magnæ, Britanniæ, Franciæ & Hiberniæ. Duodecimo. An act in addition to an act or law of this province, passed in the seventh year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George the second, intitled an act for the better regulating highways.
WHEREAS by said act the highways are to be repaired by labour; but the surveyors not having any stated rule to direct them in each person's Proportion of the labour, the burthen thereof is not equitably divided among the inhabitants.
For remedy whereof, BE IT ENACTED by the GOVERNOR, COUNCIL and ASSEMBLY, That every town and parish invested with town privileges within this province, shall at their annual meetings in the month of March, or at any other legal meeting, vote what sum of money they shall think proper for making, mending and repairing the several highways and bridges in said town or parish for that year. And the select-men of said towns and parishes are hereby ordered, to make an assessment upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, of their respective towns or parishes in the same manner as for the province tax; And the said towns and parishes, may at their said meetings, make choice of as many surveyors of highways as they shall think proper, and the select-men shall within a convenient time after the choice of such surveyors, limit the several districts, and give to each surveyor a list of each person belonging to his district, and of their respective proportions of the Sum voted to repair the highways as aforesaid. And the said towns and parishes may at the time of voting said money, affix the price of the several sorts of utensils and materials to be employed about said highways for that year, as also the price of labour, and if they neglect it, the said prizes shall be set by the select-men. And the said Surveyors are directed to warn the several inhabitants of their respective districts, to work on said ways, each man according to his part or proportion of said sum at the prices affixed. And every Surveyor shall give four days notice, (which notice shall be personal, or left in writing at the party's last and usual place of residence) to every person he shall warn of the time, place and tools, when, where, and with which he shall attend; except in cases of sudden emergencies, as the repair of bridges, and making paths in deep snows, which may require immediate remedy, in which cases it shall and may be lawful for the Surveyor to warn them, or any of them to attend forthwith. And if any person shall refuse or neglect to work or send a sufficient hand (unless he make a reasonable cause to said Surveyor within four days after the time set for said labour, in which case he shall be notified to work at some other time) the said Surveyor is hereby authorized and required to levy the delinquents parts or proportions of said money by distress in the
same manner as the several constables and collectors are enabled to do by law in collecting the province tax: and the said Surveyors are hereby directed to settle accounts with and pay the ballance if any there be in their hands, to the select-men or town treasurer, agreeable to the warrants or directions given them by the select-men for that purpose, and if any of the Surveyors refuse or neglect their duty herein, the said select-men or treasurer are hereby authorized to proceed with them in the same way and manner as they are by law authorized to proceed with constables or collectors, who are delinquent in collecting and paying the taxes committed to them to collect. And whereas it may happen that by some unforeseen accident as the decay of bridges or their being carried off by freshets, the sum allotted to any particular district may prove insufficient.
Be it therefore ENACTED, that in all such cases, the select-men may order the surveyor or surveyors of any other district or districts with such persons in his or their list as have not worked out or satisfied their respective rates, to work where such accident shall happen.
And whereas a very unjustifiable practice hath prevailed in many places of persons when at work on high-ways, offering liquors to travellers and demanding money of them; for prevention whereof, be it further ENACTED by the authority aforesaid, that all persons working on the high-way that shall offer or cause to be offered any liquor to any travellers or other person or persons whatsoever and receive or cause to be received any money of such persons to whom liquor shall be offered as aforesaid, shall be liable to the penalties inflicted by law on persons for selling spirituous liquors without licence, and the surveyors of high ways are hereby required to inform of all breaches of this Act.
This Act to continue, and be in force for the term of two Years and no longer, from January the 2d, 1772.
Messrs Fowles. Please to insert in your next the following Reply to a second astronomical Publication in Draper's Gazette, of January 16th.
THE seeming disagreement of the late remarkable Appearance in the Eastern Hemisphere with the known Laws of celestial Motions, is intirely owing to the great Distance of the Phenomenon from the Eye of the Observers, and their inattention to the regular Causes of apparent irregularities. By the latest Observations made in those Eastern Parts, where the Erratic Star has been most visible for several Years, the general Course of it has become remarkably conformable to the known Laws of the Solar System, & very similar to the Orbits of the primary Planets. The Eccentricity seems to be annually decreasing, and the former terrifying Aspects vanishing. Tho' it was very nearly in Conjunction with some of the well-known Planets in this Hemisphere, not long since, and on Account of this Temporary Appearance, some Astronomers have blundered, and taken the latter for it's Satellites; yet better judges may easily discover that the Sun was their only Centre, that they have followed this Star no farther than was consistent with their invariable Respect to the grand Luminary of the World, and that there was no proper Gravitation towards the Erratic. Astronomers in these Parts are of Opinion that the Harmony of the System could not easily have been preserved by any other Motions. A real Phenomenon in Nature presented itself about three Weeks ago in the Western Hemisphere. The Moon was attended by no less than three of the brightest primary Planets. Perhaps some distant Observers might take them for her Satellites, & value themselves in the public Prints upon this new Discovery.
COPERNICUS. CUSTOM-HOUSE, PISCATAQUA, January 23, 1772.    Inward Entries,  NONE.    Cleared Outwards  FOR.    Brig Dolphin, Monsieur Benbury,  West-Indies.    Brig Hannah, William Trefethen,  Ditto.    Brig Apollo, Thomas Manning,  Ditto.    Sloop Molly, Moses Hale,  Ditto.    Ship Flora, Edward Smith,  Ditto.    Ship Pepperhill, William Moore,  Ditto.  
BOSTON, Jan. 20. On the 12th Inst. the Ship London, Capt. Folger, from Providence, bound for London, in going out of the Harbour of Newport ran on a sunken Rock, about a Quarter of a Mile South from the Light House, and was beat almost to Pieces, and drove ashore on Narraganset, where also a considerable Quantity of Oil was driven up, with which she was principally loaded. She was reckon'd worth 20,000 Dollars.
Lately died at Stratford, the Rev. Samuel Johnson, D. D. Missionary for propagating the Gospel in foreign Parts, and late President of New-York College.
On the 3d Inst. a Bitch Wolf was killed at Richmond in Rhode Island Colony, which weighed 75 Pounds. It is said she had destroyed near Three Score of Sheep in and near that Town.
Saturday last was celebrated here the anniversary Birth Day of our most gracious Queen Charlotte.
The Brig Sally, John Fletcher, Master, bound from Salem to Virginia, is put into South-Carolina, after being 36 Days at Sea.
John Shoals, one of the Seamen that was concerned in the Act of Piracy on board the Black Prince, taken up here some Time, since and sent to England, was tried there for the same the 8th of November, found guilty, and immediately received Sentence of Death.
SALÉM, Jan. 21. Last Thursday, between 3 and 4 o'Clock, P. M. Bryan Sheehan was executed here, pursuant to his Sentence, for committing a Rape, in September last, on the Body of Abial Hollowell, Wife of Benjamin Hollowell, of Marblehead. He frequently declared to divers Persons, since his Condemnation, (what he asserted at his Trial) that his Behaviour to Mrs. Hollowell was in Consequence
of a mutual Agreement; and continued to persist in the same at the Place of Execution. But he was so notorious for uttering Falshoods, even while under Sentence of Death; together with his denying, to the last, that he was ever sensible of wounding Mrs. Hollowell, notwithstanding his Cruelty to her was very plainly proved on Trial, independent of her Evidence; that is very difficult to give any Credit to what he declared. He exhorted the Spectators to avoid bad Company, and to take Warning by his untimely End. He prayed very earnestly before, and at the Time of his being turned off; his Neck was heard to snap, and he seemed to die in an Instant, without the least Struggle. He desired that if any Person took his Body for Dissection it might be Dr. Kass. He was born in Ireland, and was about 39 Years of Age.
The Concurrence of People, who attended the Execution, was very great, amounting to the Number, as is thought, of 12 or 12,000.
George, a Mulatto, at the same Time sat on the Gallows, with a Rope round his Neck, for the Space of one Hour, and afterwards received 20 Stripes under the Tame, for being concerned in a Riot at Cape Ann, some considerable Time since he was sentenced to receive 39, but his Excellency the Governor was pleased to remit nineteen.
TO THE PRINTERS. A Melancholy Account we had, some Time ago, in your Paper from Tewkesbury, of the gross Mistake of a young Man in destroying his Sister by the Discharge of a Gun, imagining her Head (when in the Bushes) to be a Hen-hawk; a Matter which undoubtedly must, in future Time, sensibly bear upon his Mind. However, if this Head had made its Appearance in the Woods in the modern Taste, with a high Crown'd Cap, and a Horse-Collar for a Roll, and the young Man being uncertain what it could be, had discovered the same Presence of Mind, and had done the same Execution, it would have been an Instance of Heroism which would have highly recommended him to a considerable Post in the King's Service, justly intitled him to a Coat of Arms, and given him a Right to a Place in the Annals of History.
Those Customers for this Gazette
who receive the same, by Mr. Benjamin Leatherbe the Rider from Amherst to Dartmouth College, are desired to send Pay by him, for one Year, and Receipts shall be sent for the same, which will prevent any after disputes, as we do not allow him, nor any other Post-Rider, to give Receipts, except for the Postage, having suffered much, and had many Disputes on that Head, particularly with the Eastern People of York, Wells, Scarborough, Falmouth, &c. where the late Mr. Libby rode, notwithstanding our Advertisements Years ago, forbidding Riders to give Receipts in their own Name, and keeping the Money, and so of Course, no Credit is given in the Books. The Printers now take this Opportunity, to inform all such, that it is expected they immediately settle the same, which will prevent unnecessary trouble, and needless Charge. This must also serve in answer to a Number of Letters on the Subject. Any Person of Sense, will at once see the propriety of our not suffering Posts to receive Money, and give Receipts, for this Reason, Suppose a Man at a Distance, appears to ride, we know nothing of him, any further than he is said to be honest, he rides several Years, goes on receiving Money, then breaks, or perhaps dies worth nothing, must we loose our Papers, surely no! he is only sent to carry them.
Some of our Customers in and near to Portsmouth, Exeter, &c. it is fear'd never propose to pay, or else think we never design to call on them, such are desired to take notice, that the Printers instead of spending their Time in drawing out and sending about Accounts, are now striking off a number of Justices Writs, for the benefit of the Attorney's, and it's hop'd none will pretend they had not proper Notice.
Printing Office, Portsmouth, January 23d, 1772.
Province of New Hampshire, Rockingham, ss.
WHEREAS Application has been made to me the Subscriber by Owners of more than one sixteenth Part of the Rights or Shares in the Township of Lancaster, in said Province, to notify and warn a Meeting of the Proprietors of said Lancaster to be held at the House of David Page Esq; in said Township, on Thursday the thirteenth Day of March next, at Ten of the clock, in the forenoon to act on the following Particulars. First, To chuse a Moderator, also Clerk, Collector and Assessors. Second, to see if the Proprietors will pass a Vote, for ratifying and confirming all, or any of the Votes past at a proprietors Meeting held the tenth Day of March 1767, or at their last Meeting by Adjournment, Dec. 5, 1771; or to pass any other Vote or Votes, which the Proprietors may Judge necessary for making a full Settlement of the Affairs transacted at the abovementioned Meetings. Thirdly, To see if the proprietors will pass a Vote to ratify the Agreement made with David Page, Esq; respecting Building a Sawmill and Gristmill in said Township, by him to be kept in good repair, for four Years at his own Cost and Risque: and to pass a Vote to raise Four Dollars on each proprietors Right for paying said Page, according to said agreement. Forth, To pass a Vote for raising any Sum of Money, which may be thought needful by the Proprietors for clearing Roads, and to chuse a Committee to inspect, and see the same effectually done; or any other Matter which may appear to the Proprietors to be necessary, and also to pass such Votes as may be necessary for accepting or establishing of any Roads in said Township, or respecting the Mills in said Township or accepting of any Plans; or for settling any Accounts relative to said Proprietors. I do hereby notify and warn said Proprietors to meet at Time and place abovementioned to act on the abovementioned Articles.
Jan. 22d, 1772. Moseb Weeks, Just. Pas.

A N O L D WOMAN'S REMONSTRANCE.
To one of the best of sublinary BEINGS no doubt true, and, perhaps, more important than any, or all, presented by the loyal Citizens of London.
H IS faithful Subject, Martha Bird, Begs Leave to tell K. George the Third, How good, how blest the Times have been, Which she and Thousands more have seen: How in the Days of George the Second, (As she has not the Time mis-reckon'd, 'Tis right she should herself explain,) She means the first Part of his Reign; Rent then was low, and Taxes few, And all our Poor had Work to do: Provisions too were cheaper than Can now be bought by any Man: Then Butchers Meat (Amazing Rise!) Was little more than Half the price Of what, your Majesty was told, In London is at this Time sold. An Half-peck Loaf was then (I vow) As cheap as is a Quarter now. A Pound of Butter then was bought, (Yea, wholesome Butter) for a Groat. Permit me, Sir, to add to these, Pounds have I sold of Cheshire Cheese At Pence per Pound, not more than Three, (What Roguery must somewhere be!) The strong-Beer-sellers too were willing To sell Five Quarts for One good shilling. Coals, too were cheaper, so were Shoes, And most Things which your Subjects use. If Things go on at this bad Rate, Your People, Sire, will emigrate. The useful ones won't here remain, But some will go to France and Spain: And others to America (For who to starve will choose to stay?) They who are, any how, distress'd, Hate those by whom they are oppress'd. Because you don't our Burdens move, You daily lose your People's Love. And 'tis one Reason, Sir, that Wilkes So easily the Vulgar bilks. Rouse, mighty George, ere 'tis too late, And save the British sinking State. Let Porter Beer again be got, At Half a Penny less per Pot. And all Provisions rated so, As they were Forty Years ago. Each useful Art and Science nourish, And make our Trade and Commerce flourish. And from those TAXES deem'd most grievous Be it your Study to relieve us. Means to this, when you have lit on, Then, "glory in the name of Briton." Near Hoxton, C. THOMASON June 1.
TO BE SOLD BY Joshua Wentworth At his Ware-House near the Long-Wharfe, BOHEA TEA , by the Chest, half Chest, or smaller Quantities, cheap for Cash only.
NOTICE is hereby given to the delinquent Proprietors of Monadnock No. 6, in the County of Cheshire, and Province aforesaid, who have not paid a Tax laid on the Rights of Land in said Town, Sept. 1st, 1771,—That so much of each delinquents Rights, as shall be sufficient to pay the Tax, and all Charges, will be sold on Tuesday the 18th, of February next, at 10 o'Clock, A. M. at the House of Mr. Breed Batchelder, Innholder in said Monadnock No. 6. The Names of Delinquents are as follows, with the Sums annexed in Lawful Money.     One Share each,  £.  s.  d.      Jah Hutchinson,  2  10  0    Thomas McCleuglan  2  10  0    Joseph Danforth  2  10  0    Two Shares each.       John Kindle  5  0  0    Sampson French  5  0  0     BREED BATCHELOR, Collector. Monadnock, No. 6, Jan. 13th, 1772.
WHEREAS MARGARET FOWLER, Wife of me JOSEPH FOWLER, of Newtown, has Eloped from me, and has unjustly refused for a long time to live with me, and threatens to run me in Debt: This is therefore to Notify all Persons not to Credit the said Margaret, for I will not from this time pay any such Debts. JOSEPH FOWLER. Newtown, Dec. 24th, 1771.
Northumberland.
Four or five GOOD Families are wanted to settle in the Township of Northumberland which is reputed equal to any in the Government. Industrious well disposed Persons may meet with suitable encouragement from THOMAS MARTIN. Portsmouth. January 15th, 1772.
The delinquent Proprietors of SALISBURY , lately called Steven's Town, in the County of Hillsborough and Province of New Hampshire, are hereby Notified that unless they pay the taxes due on their respective Rights to the Subscriber at Kingstown forthwith, so much of their Rights will be sold as will pay the said Taxes with incidental Charges without any Respect of Persons. Kingstown, Jan. 16, 1772. JOHN CALEF, Collector.
PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, Cheshire ss. Monadnock No. 6. To THOMAS FRINK, Esq; one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid. These are to request and desire you to warn a Meeting of the proprietors of Monadnock No. 6, in the County aforesaid, to meet at the House of Esq. Breed Batchelder Innholder in said No. 6, on Wednesday the fifth Day of February next, at ten o'Clock in the Forenoon, to act on the following Articles, viz. First, to chuse a Moderator to Govern said Meeting. 2dly, to see if the Proprietors will dismiss the former Proprietors Clerk, and chuse another in his Room. 3dly, to chuse a proprietors Treasurer. 4thly, to see if they will accept of any Accounts that shall be laid before them. 5thly, to chuse a Committee to Settle the Town Lines. 6thly, to see if the proprietors will raise any Money to defray proprietors Charges, and for the Use of the High Ways. 7thly, to chuse a Collector to Collect the Money, if any should be granted. 8thly, to see if they will agree upon any Method to clear the Meeting House Place, and to build the Meeting House. 9thly, to see if the proprietors will agree upon any Method, to call proprietors Meetings for the future. 10thly, to act upon any other Matters, as may be thought serviceable to the Propriety.
Breed Batchelder John Frink Nathaniel Breed Monadnock, No. 6, Dec. 30th, 1771. Cheshire, ss. THESE are therefore to Notify and warn the proprietors of said Monadnock No. 6, aforesaid, to meet at time and place above mentioned. Given under my Hand at Keene, this 30th Day of December Anno Domini, 1771. THOMAS FRINK, Just. Pacis.
WHEREAS The Proprietors of the Town of Acworth in the Province of New Hampshire at sundry legal Meetings voted and laid Eight Dollars on each original Right or Share in said Town, and chose me the Subscriber Collector of said Taxes. This is therefore to give Notice, to all said Proprietors that unless payment thereof be made to me at my House in Merrimack, by the 10th Day of February next, so much of each original proprietors Right or share of Land in said Acworth, will be advertised for Sale, agreeable to Law, as will answer the Demand aforesaid and Charges. Jonathan Blanchard, Collector. A Mistake happening in a former Advertisement, makes this other necessary. Jan. 7.
Province of New Hampshire } A Petition having been presented to the General Assembly, by John Plummer Esq; Agent for the Inhabitants of the Town of Rochester, setting forth that there have been two new Roads ordered to be laid out, by his Majesty's court of General Sessions of the peace, the one to East Town extending thirteen Miles, and the other to the Gore (so called) extending about four Miles. That there are likewise daily Complaints of the Insufficiency of the Roads heretofore cleared, leading to New Durham and Middleton. That there are upwards of thirty nine thousand Acres of Land in said Rochester unsettled, thro' which said Roads chiefly run which are owned by non-resident Proprietors; and praying that a Tax of one half Penny per Acre may be laid annually on all the Lands in said Rochester for the term of four Years next ensuing for the Purpose of cutting and clearing the said Roads. These are therefore to give Notice that a hearing is granted by the General Court on said Petition on the third day of their sitting next after the 10th Day of February next for any Person to show cause why the prayer of said Petition may not be granted. GEO. KING Dep. Secy. Portsmouth, Dec. 10th. 1771.
BLANKS of most Sorts, for the respective Counties sold at the Printing-Office.
Ames's Almanack, for 1772, may be had at the Printing-Office.
The Managers of Newmarket and Stratham Lottery , began Drawing the Fifth Class, on the Day appointed, but not having satisfactory Answers from the several Persons at great Distances, in whose hands Tickets were left for Sale, obliged them to Postpone the further drawing for a Fortnight or three Weeks, during which Time proper Return they expect will be made, and the drawing go on.—A few Tickets may till then be had of the Managers, and at the Printing-Office.
All Persons Indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of Capt. Samuel Nutter, late of Newington, Yeoman, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts Immediately to Sarah Nutter of Newington, Administratrix on said Estate, in order for a Speedy Settlement.
To be SOLD at Public Vendue , by Wentworth Cheswell, on Monday the 27th Day of January current, at 4 o'Clock P. M. at the House of Mr. Jonathan Taylor, Innholder at Stratham Ferry, four Lots of Land, in the second Division of New-Durham, Numbered as follows, viz 29, 39, 42 & 52, Containing about 130 Acres in each Lot: Conditions of Sale to be known at Time and Place of Sale, or by enquiring of said Cheswell, at Newmarket.
PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. Whereas the Proprietors of the Township of Leavitt's Town , have been legally notified to pay an Assessment on each Proprietor's Right or Lots of Land in said Township to me the Subscriber, and several of them being yet delinquent in the whole or Part, this is therefore to notify such Persons that those delinquent Proprietors Lands will be exposed to Sale at public Vendue, at the House of John Leavitt Esq; Innholder in North Hampton on the first Monday in February next, at two of the Clock in the Afternoon, to pay said Taxes, with incidental Charges: the delinquent Proprietors Names are as follows, with the Sums due.
   First Division. Second Division.   Lawful Money.    Benjamin Johnson 0 3 6 0  Daniel Sandborn 0 3 6 0  David Wedgwood 0 3 6 0  David Knowles, 0 3 6 0  Ebenezer Smith 0 3 6 0  Ebenezer Smith 0 3 6 0  Ebenezer Roffal 0 3 6 0  John Weeks 0 3 6 0  Jonathan Wedgwood 0 3 6 0  John Wingate junr. 0 3 6 0  Joshua Windgate 3d. 0 3 6 0  John Johnson 0 3 6 0  Joseph Tawle 0 3 6 0  Jeremiah Avery 0 3 6 0  John Dearborn 0 3 6 0  Joseph Towle junr. 0 3 6 0  Nathan Geokin 0 3 6 0  Nathaniel Hobbs 0 0 0 0  Simon Leavitt 0 3 6 0  Thomas Marston 0 15 6 0  Thomas Robie 0 3 6 0  Thomas Marston 0 3 6 0  William Weeks 0 3 6 0  Walter Bryant 0 0 0 0  James Marston 0 3 6 0    JOHN DEARBORN Collector. Leavitt Town January 14th 1772.
Oliver Whipple Late a Practitioner of Law in the Colony of Rhode-Island, Having been duly admitted and sworn, At November Court last, in The County of Rockingham, GIVES NOTICE , To the Public, that he has opened his Office at Portsmouth, opposite the Post-Office, and near to the Honorable DANIEL RINDGE, Esq; where he will give faithful Attendance on Gentlemen, at all Times, who shall have Occasion for an Attorney to transact their Business in the LAW. Portsmouth, December 16th, 1771.
Newmarket Lottery Tickets, to be sold at the Printing Office.