New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1778-09-01 00:00:00

New Hampshire Gazette. OR State JOURNAL and General ADVERTISER.
T U E S D A Y, SEPTEMBER 2, 1778.
L O N D O N, April 11.
An authentic account of the Duke of RICHMOND's series of motions in the House of Lords, on Tuesday the 8th instant.
H O U S E O F L O R D S, April 8, 1778.
M OVED, That an humble address be presented to his Majesty to inform his Majesty, that in the serious situation in which we found public affairs at the opening of this session of Parliament, this House thought it an indispensable duty to take into consideration the state of the nation.
That we have examined in a committee of the whole House, a great number of returns, accounts and papers, respecting the forces both by land and sea, which have been employed in North America during the three years respectively, that the present civil war has continued.
That we have also enquired into the number of lives which have been lost in this unhappy contest.
That we have considered the advantages which have been gained, and the disadvantages which have been suffered by his Majesty's armies and those of his allies; the progress which has been made and what yet remains to be done, towards reducing by force of arms the thirteen revolted provinces in North America.
That we have further considered the present state of his Majesty's forces in that part of the world, how far they are deficient from what they were in the course of the last campaign; and how it may be possible to render them adequate to the reduction of the Colonies by force of arms.
That we have informed ourselves of the number of old corps, and of their strength, which are left in Great Britain, Ireland, Gibraltar, Minorca, and the West Indies for the security of these several parts of the empire.
That we have also weighed the resources which may be expected from the new levies his Majesty has thought proper to direct; how far it may be safe to spare any more of the old corps, or how far the new levies, as yet only raising, can be a recruit for the army in North America.
That we have given much attention to the state of the navy, at all times the great bulwark of defence for these kingdoms, but particularly so while so great a part of our land forces and those of our allies, are on the other side of the Atlantic.
That we have examined respectable merchants upon oath as to the losses sustained by the people of Great Britain from captures made by the Americans, and touching effect which the present war has upon the commerce of this kingdom.
That we have considered the expences already incurred and those which necessarily must attend the further prosecution of this war.
To assure his Majesty, that in the investigation of these various, great, and extensive objects, we have spared no pains to obtain just and true information; that our enquiries have been conducted with that temper and fairness, which is most likely to obtain truth, to produce wise counsel, and to give weight to our opinions.
That as it is our peculiar province to watch over the conduct of his Majesty's Ministers, and to lay before his Majesty such salutary opinions as the exigency of affairs may require, we are necessitated to offer his Majesty the following dutiful representation resulting from facts, as they have appeared to us in this great enquiry.
That according to the returns laid before this House, the effective numbers of his Majesty's land forces in North America in 1774, consisted of six thousand eight hundred and eighty-four men; in 1775, of eleven thousand two hundred and nineteen men; in 1776, of forty five thousand eight hundred and sixty five men; in 1777, of forty eight thousand six hundred and sixteen men.
That these forces had the assistance of a very great and well appointed train of artillery.
That in the course of the said years, there were employed no less than eighty three men of war and armed vessels, whose complement of men amounted to twenty two thousand three hundred and thirty seven.
That no grants were spared by Parliament to enable his Majesty's Ministers to render these armaments as compleat and effectual as possible, and certainly this country never sent out a greater number or more respectable force.
But great and respectable as it was, yet after three years trial and various successes, (among which have been victories obtained by his Majesty's troops over the chief American army) the acquisition we have made consist only in two open towns, difficult to be maintained, and a few islands on the coast, while all the continental parts of Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania and the whole provinces of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, the three Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia still remain to be subdued.
That there have been sent from Great Britain upwards of sixty thousand land forces, and twenty two thousand seamen.
That the loss of men by death, desertion, otherwise in North America, according to the last returns, laid before this House, had in the land forces amounted to nineteen thousand three hundred and eighty one, besides five thousand three hundred and thirty six prisoners, and that there were at that time four thousand six hundred and thirty nine sick.
That the loss in the navy appeared to have been four thousand three hundred and fourteen men; so that there had been already loss to this country, at the time when those returns were sent to England, no less than twenty nine thousand and thirty one men, exclusive of the sick.
That it appeared that the remains of the army divided in Philadelphia, New York, Rhode Island, and Canada, consisted all together of no more than thirty six thousand seven hundred and thirty one men, fit for duty, officers included.
That to recruit this army to what it was last year, will require a reinforcement of at least eleven thousand eight hundred and eighty five regular old troops.
That the numbers in old corps in Great Britain, Ireland, Gibraltar and Minorca, together with the new levies which are raising, appear to us, on a full examination of all the various services to be such as not to render it in any degree prudent or safe to remove any part of the said troops to America, at a time when so great a part of our land and sea forces is already in that remote part of the world at too great a distance to assist this country in case of a sudden emergency.
That it appeared that the navy in North America would also want a very great reinforcement of ships and men.
That from this view of things we are led to conclude, that if the whole force in North America (which for these last two years has been so greatly superior to what there seems to be any possibility of making it in the course of this year) has made so little impression towards the reduction of the provinces by arms at a time when they were very deficient in military preparations of all sorts, had neither money, arms, ammunition, magazines, clothing, discipline, or government, when the assistance they might receive from foreign nations was far less than it has been since and is likely to be in future by the avowed part which France has taken it, is not reasonable to suppose that they may now be reduced by a force, which we cannot make even equal to that which has failed under circumstances in every respect more favourable.
That with regard to our naval strength in Europe, it appears that far from being in that respectable condition, which it has often been officially represented by the first Lord of the Admiralty in the course of this session, that essential part of our strength is no ways answerable to the vast sums expended on it, or to the various and extensive services which it may be called very shortly to fulfil.
That the value of the captures made by the Americans on the merchants of Great Britain, amount to upwards of two millions six hundred thousand pounds.
That the African trade is almost annihilated, having suffered a diminution of no less than one million four hundred thousand pounds per ann.
That the West India islands are much distressed, and that the great increased price of many essential articles of trade, and particularly of naval stores and insurance, are such a burthen to the commerce of this kingdom as must greatly affect its prosperity.
That the expences on account of this war, over and above the ordinary high expence of the peace establishment, as it has been voted of late years; would, with the extraordinary charges not yet provided for, amount to near twenty four millions if peace was instantly concluded; but if the American war is continued only for one campaign more, the additional
expence will probably amount to nine millions, making in all thirty three millions expended in this contest. Such an increase of debt, the interest of which is equal to the nett produce of the land tax, at three shillings in the pound added to our former burthens, will, we fear, with our diminished trade be difficult for this country to support with national faith.
That we have made some enquiry into the manner in which certain parts of this expenditure have been conducted; and we are sorry to find that the mode of contracting and engaging for the transports and supplies of the army has been unusual and prodigal; and such as affords ground for suspicion of corrupt management.
That the state of public credit is truly alarming. The small decrease of the national debt amounting scarcely to ten millions in the course of sixteen years peace, bears no proportion to the vast increase in times of war. It requires no calculation to prove, that a debt continually augmenting, must end in a manner we are unwilling to think on. The national debt has increased an hundred millions in the memory of many of us. The natural period and inevitable consequence of this system, appears to be at hand. As one principal foundation of credit, is a confidence in government, we have much to apprehend under ministers who have justly forfeited the good opinion of the nation. The want of confidence, complicated with the effects of this enormous, and enormously growing debts appears from the low state of the public funds; and from the discredit of the new loan, which sells considerably under par, although the terms given this year for six millions, are higher than those which were given for twelve millions in the year 1761, in the seventh year of a war with the house of Bourbon, and although we have hitherto had no foreign war whatsoever.
That from this melancholy state of facts, we see it impossible to carry on the present system of reducing America by force of arms.
That we conceive this impossibility not to have arisen from the accidents of this war, but to result from the very course of nature; to be the necessary consequence of an attempt to reduce to servitude a numerous people united in the defence of their liberties, in a distant, extensive and strong country.
That we conceive that his Majesty and the parliament, could not have been induced to prosecute so fatal a war, but from the misled information they received of the disposition of the people in America; of their delusion and the possibility of reducing them by force of arms to UNCONDITIONAL SUBMISSION, and to the acknowledgment of the supreme authority of Parliament before a complaint even of just grievances should be listened to.
That it was the peculiar duty of his Majesty's Ministers to procure correct information on matters of such high importance and to have laid the whole of such information before his Majesty, and before Parliament, previous to their proposing such steps, as have led us into our present calamitous situation.
That we cannot but lament, that when propositions of a similar nature to those lately proposed and enacted, were three years ago repeatedly offered to Parliament in both houses, his Majesty's Ministers, the very men who now have advised greater concessions, did, upon delusive arguments, and false representations, prevail on Parliament to reject these propositions at a time when they would probably have been successful, and might have prevented the prodigal and we fear, fruitless waste of so much treasure, and the still more to be lamented effusion of so much blood.
That under these circumstances, we can give his Majesty no other advice, than instantly to withdraw his fleets and armies from the thirteen revolted provinces where they are decaying and wasting; where they subsist with difficulty; cost immense sums of money, can answer no good purpose; particularly at this time, when they are much wanted for our security at home; to effectuate conciliation with the Colonies, on such terms as may preserve their good will, on the preservation of which the future greatness of this nation may in a great measure depend.
That the armaments long since preparing in the ports of France and Spain, and the late declaration of the French Ambassador, although natural, are melancholy consequences of the measures that have been pursued, and make it indispensably necessary to view our situation in a new light: That we are no longer to consider ourselves as contending solely for

Union ever others: we are to look to our own safety; we are to rescue, if possible, what remains of this empire from the further effects of those measures by which it has been reduced to its actual limits. And as we apprehend, that the present calamities have arisen in a great degree from the degeneracy of the times, and a departure from the true principles and spirit of our constitution, it would be highly expedient to endeavour at some sober, well directed plan of public reformation, in order to restore the antient morals, & revive the original character of the nation.
That we think it our duty, on offering to his Majesty this unhappy, but true representation of the state of his dominions, to express our indignation at the conduct of his Majesty's Ministers, who have caused it, who by abusing his confidence, have tarnished the lustre of his crown; who by their unfortunate councils have dismembered this empire, wasted the public treasure, sunk the public credit, impaired the commerce of his kingdom, disgraced his Majesty's arms, and weakened his naval power, the pride and bulk of this nation; which by delaying to reconcile the difference which they had excited amongst his people, they have suffered such an alliance to take place, between the former subjects and the antient rivals of Great Britain, and have neither taken measures to prevent, nor formed alliances to counteract so fatal a union.
That in this calamitous, although they trust not desperate situation of public affairs, this House reposes its ultimate hope in his Majesty's paternal goodness. That we have no doubt, that he will look back to the principles both political and constitutional, which gave rise to the revolution, from whence we have derived the happiness of being governed by Princes of this illustrious House. That he will reflect on the examples of his predecessors from that auspicious period, during which the prosperity, the experience, the power, the territory, and the renown of his throne and nation have flourished and increased beyond all example. That he will particularly call to mind the circumstances of his accession to the crown, when he took possession of an inheritance so full of glory, and of the trust of preserving it in all its lustre. That deeply affected with these considerations, he will be graciously pleased to put an end to a system too well understood in its nature, and too surely felt in its effects, which by the acts of wicked men have prevailed in his Court and Administration, and which, if suffered to continue, will compleat the miseries which it has begun; and leave nothing in this country which can do honour to his government, or make the name of an Englishman a matter of that pride and distinction, in which his Majesty and his subjects had so much reason to glory in former happy times.
The question being put it passed in the negative:
Dissentient
Because we think the rejection of the proposed address, at this time, may appear to indicate in this House a desire of continuing that plan of ignorance, concealment, deceit and delusion, by which the Sovereign and his people have been already brought into so many and so grievous calamities. We hold it absolutely necessary that both Sovereign and people should be undeceived: that they should be distinctly and authentically made acquainted with that state of affairs, which is faithfully represented in this proposed address, at a time when our existence as a nation may depend upon our conceiving a just idea of our real situation, and upon our wisdom in making a proper use of it.
RICHMOND, PORTLAND, ABERGAVENNY, EFFINGHAM, THANET, RADNER, ABINGDON, ROCKINGHAM, HARCOURT, STAMFORD, DEFERRARS, MANCHESTER FITZWILLIAM, PONSONBY, J. ST. ASAPH, CRAVEN, DEVONSHIRE, SPENCER, BOLTON, HEREFORD.
HOUSE OF LORDS April 10.
After the division was over on Wednesday, upon the Duke of Richmond's motion, for an address to the King the Earl of Abingdon got up, and made the following speech.
My LORDS,
THESE dead majorities will be the ruin of this nation. Let the question be what it will, though the salvation of the country depend upon it, if it be moved by the minority, it is sure of a negative. And, my Lords, we are told that this is the only way in which his Majesty will receive our counsel: It may indeed my Lords, be the only way in which his Majesty will My Lords, we are the hereditary counsellors of the crown, and have a right to and sense of his Majesty at all times, to lay our humble services before him. Therefore move, my Lord, that we of the minority do, in a body, wait upon his Majesty, with the address that has been this day made by the noble Duke: It contains information, worthy the royal ear: What effect it may produce is not for me to forejudge.
[The Duke of Richmond assented to the proposal of the noble Lord, and said, that, if it was agreeable to other Lords, he himself had no objection; but that that was a matter which would be best settled out of the House]
ENGLISH GOODS, Board and Shingle NAILS to be sold by SAMUEL SAW- YER; cheap for Cash, at the Store of the Hon. NICHOLAS GILMAN, Esq; Exeter.
LONDON, June 24. His MAJESTY's most GRACIOUS SPEECH, to both HOUSES of PARLIAMENT.
My Lords and Gentlemen, AFTER so long and laborious an application to the public business, I think it proper at the season of the year, to give some respite. I come at the same time to return you my particular thanks for the zeal you have shown in supporting the honour of my crown, and for your attention to the real interest of all my subjects, in the wise, just, and humane laws which have been the result of deliberations, and which I hope, will be attended with the most salutary effects, in every part of the British empire.
My desire to preserve the tranquility of Europe has been uniform and sincere; I reflected, with great satisfaction, that I have made the faith of treaties and the law of nations the rule of my conduct and that it has been my constant care to give no just cause of offence to any foreign power; let that power by whom this tranquility shall be disturbed, answer to their subjects and to the world for all the fatal consequences of war.
The vigour and firmness of my Parliament have enabled me to be prepared for such events and emergencies as may happen; and I trust that the experienced valour and discipline of my fleets and armies, and the loyal and united ardour of the nation, armed and animated in the defence of every thing that is dear to them, will be able, under the protection of divine providence, to defeat all the enterprizes which the enemies of my crown may presume to undertake, and convince them how dangerous it is to provoke the spirit and strength of Great Britain.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I thank you for the cheerfulness with which you have granted the large and ample supplies for the service of the current year, and for your care in raising them in a manner the most effectual and the least burthensome; and my warmest acknowledgments are due to you for the provision you have enabled me to make for the more honourable support of my family.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Your presence in your respective counties may at this time be of great public advantage. It is unnecessary for me to recommend to you to do your duty in your several stations: On my part, I have no other wish or object but to deserve the confidence of my Parliament, and the affections of my people.
Then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majesty's command, said;
My Lords and Gentlemen,
It is his Majesty's royal will and pleasure, that this Parliament be prorogued to Tuesday, the fourteenth day of July next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament, is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the 14th day of July next.
The following ADMIRALS have their flags now flying at Spithead, viz.
  Admiral Keppel, 90 guns, Prince George   Hartland, 90 Queen,   Paliser, 92 Ocean,   Pye, 82 Princess Amelia.   Barrington 74 Prince of Wales,   Parker, 74 Royal Oak,   Montague, 64 Europe. 
This morning, at seven o'clock, their Majesties set off, by land for Portsmouth; to review the grand naval fleet, now lying at Spithead; and which, when joined by some ships ordered round from Chatham and the Nore, it is said, will consist of 42 sail of the line. As their Majesties were to travel at the rate of twelve miles in an hour, and only one hour allowed for the changing of horses, they were expected to arrive there by two o'clock. They are to lie at the Commissioner's house, and return to town on Monday evening.
Thursday orders were sent down to Portsmouth, for no foreigner of any nation, to be suffered to go into any of his Majesty's docks; and the same orders were likewise sent to Chatham.
On Thursday Admiral Keppel went to Spithead, to take upon him the command of the fleet and was saluted at the platform with 15 guns. The same day all the small vessels, transports, and merchant ships, that lay at Spithead, were ordered to remove into Stock's Bay, and the Motherbank, in order to make room for the men of war to form themselves into a line of battle.
B E R L I N, April 5.
The King reviewed all the regiments of our Garrison on the plain of Charlottenbergh, and expressed the highest satisfaction at the appearance they made.---After the review he addressed all the General officers present, among whom were his Royal Brother and Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, in the following manner:
Gentlemen,
Most of us have served together from our earliest days, and are grown grey in the service of our country, and consequently know each other perfectly well; we have borne our share in the fatigues and troubles of war, and make no doubt but you are as unwilling to shed blood as I am. But my dominions are now threatened; my duty, as a King, oblige me to protect my subjects and to take the most speedy efficacious measures to disperse, if possible, the storm that hangs over them. To effect these important purposes I rely upon that zeal for my services, and that attachment to my person, which you have always expressed and which I never yet failed to experience at your hands; and you may rest assured, Gentlemen, that I shall ever acknowledge, with a heart felt satisfaction, the service that I am sure you will render to your King and Country.---But let me treat you, never to lose sight of humanity, even when your enemies are in your power, and to cause the most exact discipline to be observed by the troops under your command. For my part I will not travel like a King; rich and gaudy,---equipage have no charms for me: But inform as now I am, I cannot travel as I formerly did, when in the vigor of youth.---I shall be obliged to use a post chaise and to leave you at the liberty to do the same; but in the day of battle you shall see me on horse back and I hope that my Generals will not fail in that, to imitate their King.
After his Majesty had finished this address, the Minister of the war department declared that the King had been graciously pleased to order the presents to be made in the following proportion to all officers in the army, to enable them to equip themselves for the camp. To every General 500 Rix dollars; and Colonel 200; to every Major 150; to every Capt. 100; to every Lieut. 80; to every Ensign 60; and that he pay effectually the troops from the day they take the field, shall be augmented one forth, as well in money as provision. The King's departure is fixed for the seventh.
I N C O N G R E S S, August 6, 1778.
According to order the Honourable the Sieur Gerard being introduced to an audience by the two Members for that purpose appointed, and being seated in his chair his Sec'y delivered to the President a letter from his Most Christian Majesty, which was read in the words following:
Very Dear Great Friends and Allies, THE treaties which we have signed with you, in consequence of the proposals your commissioners made to us in your behalf are a certain assurance of our affection for the United States in general and for each of them in particular, as well as for the interest we take, and constantly shall take, in their happiness and prosperity. It is to convince you more particularly of this, that we have nominated the Sieur Gerard, secretary of our Council of state, to reside among you in the quality of our Minister Plenipotentiary; he is the better acquainted with our sentiments towards you, and the more capable of testifying the same to you, as he was entrusted on our part to negotiate with your Commissioners, and signed with them the treaties which cement our union. We pray you to give full credit to all he shall communicate to you from us, more especially when he shall assure you of our affection and constant friendship for you. We pray god, very dear Great Friends and Allies, to have you in his holy keeping. Versailles, 28th of March, 1778.
(Signed) L O U I S. (Directed) Gravieras Vergennes
To our very Dear Great Friends the President and Members of the General Congress of North America.
The Minister was then announced to the President and the House, whereupon he arose and addressed Congress in a speech, which when he had finished, his Secretary delivered the same in writing to the President, as follows:
Gentlemen,
THE connection formed by the King my master with the United States of America is so agreeable to him that he could no longer delay sending me to reside among you for the purpose of cementing it. It will give his Majesty great satisfaction to learn that the sentiments, which have shone forth on his occasion, justify that confidence with which he hath been inspirited by the zeal and character of the Commissioners of the United States in France, the wisdom and fortitude which have directed the resolutions of Congress, and the courage and perseverance of the people they represent; a confidence which you know, Gentlemen, has been the basis of that truly amicable and disinterested system, on which he hath treated with the United States.
It is not his Majesty's fault that the engagements he hath entered into did not establish your independence and repose without the further effusion of blood and without aggravating the calamities of mankind, whose happiness it is his highest ambition to promote and secure. But since the hostile measures and designs of the common enemy have given to engagements purely eventual, an immediate, positive, permanent and indissoluble force, it is the opinion of the King my master that the allies should turn their whole attention to fulfil those engagements in the manner most useful to the common cause and best calculated to obtain that peace which is the object of the alliance.
It is upon this principle his Majesty hath hastened to send you a powerful assistance which you owe only to his friendship, to the sincere regard he has for every thing which relates to the advantage of the United States and to his desire of contributing with efficacy to establish your repose and prosperity upon an honourable and solid foundation. And further it is his expectation that the principles which may be adopted by the respective governments will tend to strengthen those bonds of union, which have originated in the mutual interest of the two nations.
The principle object of my instructions is to connect the interests of France with those of the United States. I flatter myself, Gentlemen, that my past conduct in the affairs, which concern them, hath already convinced you of the determination I feel to endeavour to obey my instructions in such manner as to deserve the confidence of Congress the friendship of its Members, and the esteem of the Citizens of America.
To which the President returned the following answer.
S I R,
THE treaties between his Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America, so fully demonstrate his wisdom and magnanimity as to command the reverence of all nations. The virtuous citizens of America in particular, can never forget his beneficent attention to their violated rights; nor cease to acknowledge the hand of a gracious

Providence, in raising up so powerful and illustrious a friend. It is the hope and opinion of Congress, that the confidence his Majesty reposes in the firmness of these States, will receive additional strength from every day's experiences.
The assembly are convinced, Sir, that had it rested solely with the Most Christian King not only the independence of these States would have been universally acknowledged, but their tranquility fully established. We lament that lust of domination, which gave birth to the present war, and hath prolonged and extended the miseries of mankind. We ardently wish to sheath the sword and spare the further effusion of blood; but we are determined, by every means in our power, to fulfil those central engagements, which have acquired positive and permanent force from the hostile designs and measures of the common enemy.
Congress have reason to believe that the assistance so wisely and generously sent, will bring Great Britain to a sense of justice and moderation, promote the common interests of France and America, and secure peace & tranquility on the most firm and honourable foundation. Neither can it be doubted, that those, who administer the powers of government within the several States of this Union will cement that connection with the subjects of France, the beneficial effects of which have already been so sensibly felt.
Sir, from the experience we have had of your exertions to promote the true interests of our country as well as of your own, it is with the highest satisfaction Congress receive as the first minister from his Most Christian Majesty, Gentleman whose past conduct affords a happy pledge, that he will merit the confidence of this Body, the friendship of its members, and the esteem of the citizens of America.
In Congress, HENRY LAURENS, President. August 6, 1778.
The Secretary of Congress then delivered to the Minister a copy of the foregoing reply signed as above; whereupon the Minister withdrew, and was conducted home in the manner in which he was brought to the House. Extract from the minutes, CHARLES THOMPSON Secretary.
Friday last Capt. Orr, in a brig from the Mole of Cape Nicholas, arrived here after 13 days passage, laden with West-India Goods. On the coast of Virginia, he first learned the evacuation of this city. The passengers tell us, that European intelligence to the 10th of June had reached Hispaniola; that a British fleet of nine sail of the line sailed from Spithead under Admiral Byron, but from insufficiency of the vessels, returned; — that nineteen sailed again, under Admiral Kepple, who, on hearing a French fleet from Brest were at sea, had also put back; and that no declaration of war between France and Britain had appeared.
BOSTON, August 27, 1778. The French ship Theodore, Capt. Bowdin, bound from hence to Virginia, foundered on the 13th inst. about 70 leagues from Cape Cod, when the hands 23 in number, took to their boats; one of which, with 8 hands on board, 'tis feared is lost; — the others, with great difficulty, got to Cape Cod the beginning of last week, and the hands have since came to town.
Friday last arrived in a safe Port, a prize brig, taken by the Mars. She was from Scotland, bound to Halifax, and laden with wine, porter, cheese, &c. &c.
Last Saturday afternoon arrived in this Port the Cæsar of 74 guns, commanded by Mons. —, one of the Fleet under the command of his Excellency the Count d'Estaing, in the service of his Most Christian Majesty, our faithful Ally, who with the above Fleet left Rhode-Island about 16 days ago, in pursuit of the English Tyrant's Fleet, commanded by Ld Howe, which appeared off that place; but in a severe gale separated from them. — She met with one of the British ships of 64 guns, when a severe engagement ensued, in
which, the Captain lost his right Arm, a Lt. his Leg. 13 were killed, and 29 wounded. The British ship, 'tis said struck to her, and would have been brought into port, had not two more British ships hove in sight, and greatly overhauled them, they being both damaged. Nineteen on board the British ships were seen to be thrown overboard, during the engagement.
By an officer from the Westward, we learn, that the Trial of Gen. Lee was compleated last week; but the result of the Court Martial is not yet made public.
All our accounts from Rhode-Island agree, That our Batteries were compleating with the greatest Dispatch. — On the 22d the Enemy threw 2 or 300 Shells, but to little Effect, having wounded two of our Men only. — Our army in high Spirits and healthy. — Our Batteries continue playing briskly on the Enemy, Works with intermissions.
PORTSMOUTH, Aug. 22. Extract of a Letter, Dated Plymouth Mill Prison, in England, April 25, 1778. to a Gentleman in Kittery.
Dear Sir, "We embrace this opportunity to write you that we are well, and in good Health, hoping it will find you and all our Friends so, we hope upon sight of this, you will be so kind as to acquaint our Friends and Relations of the Contents of this Letter. There are some People here belonging to most parts of America, and we whose Names are here subscribed belong to Kittery Point, & thereabouts. — Since the beginning of this Year we have lived very well and want for nothing but Liberty: Remember us to all inquiring Friends; so no more at present, but we remain your Loving Friends, and Countrymen 'till death. Samuel Fletcher John Gunnison Sam. Stacy Richard Sowards Geo. Trefethrn Thos. and Daniel Knight John Perkins Timothy Harris Ichabad Lord Will. Lewis Joseph Shillabar Ebenezer Libby Peter Toby Aaron Goodwin Nathanjel Kennard Geo. Furnel John Down Thos. Hammit Joshua Kearswel John Burbanks Benja. Stubbs Thomas Mahany Hugh Kenniston Stephen Laller Nathanjel Slopley Winthrop Willey John Foster Tobias Weymouth James and Tobias Seller Ebenezer Libby: All in good Health
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, Rockingham, ss. To all whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, That LIBELS are filed before me, against the following vessels, their cargoes and appurtenances, v. z. In behalf of John Hill commander of the private armed Brigantine Pluto , of about 20 tons burthen, William Fox late master. — And against the sloop Two Brothers , of about 90 tons burthen, Christopher Worster late master. — In behalf of John Mendum, commander of the private armed Schooner Fortune , and all concerned therein, against the Schooner George Yard , of about 50 tons burthen, Thomas Mann late master. — And against the brigantine Little Robin , of about 25 tons burthen, George Babb late master. — And against the Schooner Catharine , of about 40 tons burthen, Edward Power late master. — In behalf of Thomas Manning, commander of the private armed Schooner Rambler , & all concerned therein, against the Schooner Diamond , of about 20 tons burthen, James Vinson late master. — And against the Schooner Jenny , about 30 tons burthen, Francis B. Dreaux late master. — And against the Schooner Experience , about 20 tons burthen, Claude Arcineau late master. — And against the Schooner Charlotte , about 20 tons burthen, Isaac Dugas late master. — Also against the Schooner Prosperity , burthen 18 tons, Joseph Verg late master. — All which vessels, and their cargoes, so libelled, are said to have been taken, and brought into the Port of Piscataqua, in the state aforesaid: — And for the trial of the justice of said captures, a Maritime Court for the said state, will be held at the Court House in Portsmouth, on Monday the 21st day of September next, when and where the owners of said captures, or any persons concerned therein, may appear, and shew cause (if any they have) why the same should not be condemned. J. BRACKETT, Judge of said Court. Portsmouth, August 29, 1778.
ALL Persons Indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of Benjamin Randal, late of
Hampton, Mariner, deceased, are once more earnestly desired to bring in their Accounts to Thankful Randal and John Weeks, Administrators on said Estate, who will attend at the House of Mr. Andrew Wiggin, Inn-holder in Greenland, on the two last Tuesdays in September next, from two to five o'clock, P. M. of said Days, for the above purpose. Thankful Randal, Greenland, Aug. 27, 1778. John Weeks.
STOLEN about three Weeks ago two STEERS from Epping and brought down to Greenland: one a Red Steer of two years old, the other a dark Brindle, of three years old. The Owner by applying to William Bell of Greenland, may have the Steers, paying Charges. Greenland, August 28, 1778.
Wanted a suitable Person, That can be well recommended, to take under his Care the Tuition of Thirty Children, to teach them LATIN and ARITHMETICK. — Such a Person will meet with a suitable Encouragement, provided he strictly adheres to his Engagements. — For further Particulars, enquire of the Printer. Portsmouth, August 24, 1778.
All Officers, Seamen, & Marines That have any Demands against THOMAS THOMPSON, Esq; late Commander of the RALEIGH , for Prize-Money, are desired to call at his House in Portsmouth.
MARK LORD Has for Sale at his Shop on Spring Hill in Portsmouth, cheap for Cash, RUM, Sugar, Coffee, Chocolate, Tea — Cotton Wool, English Wool, Cards, Rice, Indigo, Otter, Allum, Whalebone, — Nutmegs, Raisins, — Also, Broad-Cloths, Serges, Coating; red, blue, green and yellow Baizes, Shaloons, Hairbine, Camblets, Sergedenim, Lasting, Droyboys, Cotton Jean, Calamancoes, Flannel, crossbar'd Stuffs, Ratteen, black Handkerchiefs, Linnen dit. Muslin, sewing Silk, Linnen Cloth, fine Thread, Pins, Needles, Knives, Razors. And a Number of other Articles, too tedious to mention.
TO BE SOLD very cheap, a FARM well situated in Rochester, containing about one hundred and Twenty Acres, whereof Twelve Acres is improv'd Land, and about Twenty Acres of fell'd Land: Likewise a one Story House, by Twenty Eight, and Thirty Eight, very Convenient for Trading, for which Purpose said House was Built, together with a Barn Frame, wherewith is sufficiency of Boards, Shingles, Nails, Glass, and all other Necessaries, suitable for said building. — Said Farm is within Thirteen Miles of Dover landing.
Whoever inclines to Purchase the above describ'd Farm, with its Appurtenances, is desired to apply to Thomas D. Tripe, Owner, living upon the Premises, or the Printer in Portsmouth. August 13, 1778.
THESE are to warn the following original Proprietors of the Township of Surry, that they pay the Sums affixed to their several Names. It being a State Tax for said State, for the Year 1777: By the 20th Day of September next, viz.
  John Downing 4 10 Ebenezer Hubbard 7 4   Tim. Herrington 4 10 Amos Davis 4 10   Samuel Miner 4 10 Allin Willy 2 5   Rich. Willard 2 5 Wolf. Brockway 3 8   John Taylor 2 5 Seth Hays 2 5   William How 4 10   Three Meadow Lots the owners not known £. 1 10 0   10 Shillings each Joshua Fuller Constable.   Surry, August 10th, 1778. 27—29 
Imported in the ship Return, From St. Croix, now lying at the Long Wharfe in Portsmouth. TO BE SOLD on Board, v. z. WEST INDIA RUM by the Puncheon, West-India Rock SALT. TEA — Old Iron. Lead. Saddleary Ware, Knives and Forks, Coat and Vest Buttons Ten six Pounds, with all belonging to them, Small Arms — Powder, — Men's Gloves, half worn Cable thirteen Inches, Sails, Cordage that has been used; a few Tons of Lignum Vita; Copperas; and a Chest of Carpenters Tools. August 21, 1778.

Rochester.
State of New Hampshire, Strafford ss.  P UBLIC Notice is hereby given to the proprietors of the Township of Rochester, and to all persons whom it may concern, to pay their proportion of taxes, with incidental charges, for the year 1777, to me the subscriber in said Rochester, within eight weeks from the date of this advertisement, to prevent further proceedings thereon according as the law directs.—Each proprietor's respective proportion that remains unpaid, is as follows, viz.
   2d div. 3d div. 4th div.   s. d. s. d. s. d.    Joseph Kent. 2 9 4 3 4  John Thompson 7 3 4 3 0  William Leather 0 0 1 10 4  John Doe 0 0 4 3 0  Thomas Drew 0 0 1 11 0  Joseph Jenkins 6 0 0 0 0  James Bunker 7 3 0 0 4  Thomas Roberts 7 3 4 3 0  Lt. John Weedman 7 3 4 3 4  Lt. John Smith 3 8 0 0 0  Ebenezer Varney 7 3 2 9 4  John Buffell 3 8 0 0 0  Thomas Young 5 0 0 0 0  En. Israel Hodgdon 6 0 0 0 0  Lt. John Knight 0 0 3 4 0  Benjamin Gambling 0 0 4 3 0  Capt. Francis Mathes 7 4 4 3 0  Lt. Joseph Jones 3 8 0 0 0  Des. Gen. Wentworth, jun. 7 3 4 3 0  Ephraim Wentworth 1 10 3 8 0  Benjamin Westworth 7 3 0 0 4  En. John Waldron 1 6 4 3 4  Capt. Paul Wentworth 7 3 4 3 4  Lt. John Ham 5 5 0 0 4  Archibald McPhedras 7 3 4 3 0  Peter Varney 2 5 4 3 4  Ephraim Tibbetts 0 0 1 3 4  Benjamin Beckford 4 3 3 2 0  John Dams 7 3 4 3 0  George Walton 7 3 0 0 0  John Wills 6 10 3 10 4  Capt. Paul Gerrish 2 9 4 3 4  Capt. Stephen Jones 7 3 0 0 0  Lt. William Heard 0 0 3 0 4  Lt. Joseph Roberts 6 0 0 0 0  Capt. Samuel Tibbetts 7 3 0 0 4  Capt. John Dewaling 7 3 4 3 0  Col. James Davis 2 5 0 9 3  Col. Richard Waldron 7 3 0 0 0  Samuel Perhallow Esq. 5 3 0 0 4  Richard Wibird Esq. 0 0 2 2 0  Thomas Packer Esq. 7 3 4 3 4  Col. Mark Husking 4 3 0 0 4  
Shares between two Men.
  Lt. Joseph Beard 4 8 0 0 4  John Burnham 3 8 2 2 0  Henry Tibbetts 7 3 3 4 4  Nicholas Hartford 7 3 4 3 0  
Shares between three Men.
  Thomas Hanson 7 3 2 9 0  John Hayes 0 0 1 5 0  Samuel Hayes 2 5 0 0 0  Job Clements 0 0 0 0 0  Phillip Chaffe 4 0 2 10 4  Silvanus Nock 4 3 0 8 0  Richard Hufsey 4 10 4 3 0  Gerrish Dowas 7 3 3 4 4  Samuel Downs 4 10 4 3 0  Nathaniel Perkins 7 3 0 0 4  John Ricker 3 4 1 9 4  Joseph Ricker 4 10 1 4 4  Valentine Hill 2 5 0 0 0  Daniel Horn 3 8 0 0 0  Solomon Pickham 3 8 3 8 4  John Trickey 4 10 4 3 4  Edward Evans 7 3 4 3 0  Thomas Layton 4 0 0 0 0  Peter Cook 2 5 0 9 0  Benjamin Mason 4 7 4 3 3  Nathaniel Rendel 3 8 3 0 4  Joseph Small 2 5 1 5 4  John Beckford jun. 7 3 4 0 4  John Sias 5 8 2 10 3  Joseph Dams 4 10 3 3 0  Moses Davis jun. 4 10 0 0 3  John Hall 7 3 0 0 4  Samuel Alley 7 3 2 2 4  Samuel Heard 7 3 4 3 4  James Hobbs 7 3 3 8 3  Ebenezer Gartin 0 0 1 8 4  Samuel Wills 4 0 1 5 3  John Drew 2 5 1 6 0  Joseph Stevenson 6 0 4 3 4  John Albin 3 8 0 0 3  
  Joseph Chaffe 2 5 2 11 0  Salathiel Denslow 7 3 4 3 4  Nathaniel Lemmas 0 0 3 7 4  John Williams 7 3 3 5 0  Lt. Abraham Bennick 6 0 4 3 4  Nicholas Follet 3 8 4 3 4  Shares between four Men.  John Twombly 7 3 2 2 0  Benjamin Pierce 6 4 2 4 0  James Conner 1 10 3 2 0  John Gray 0 0 2 2 4  John Munly 1 10 1 1 0  Morris Fowler 3 8 2 6 4  
BARNABAS PALMER, Collector. Rochester, Aug. 12, 1778.
State of New Hampshire, Grafton ss.  W E the subscribers being appointed by the Hon. Israel Morey, Esq; Judge of the Probate of Wills, &c. for said county, Commissioners to examine the Claims of the Creditors to the Estate of John Webber, late of Rumney in said county, Husbandman, deceased, represented insolvent, (nine months being allowed for that purpose) do hereby notify said Creditors that we shall attend on the business of our appointment, at the dwelling house of Major Alexander Craige in said Rumney on the first Monday of September next, and on the first Mondays of the next five following Months, from two to five o'clock in the afternoon.
Alexander Craige, Commissioner. Charles Clark, Commissioner. N. B. No Accounts will be allowed unless properly attested. Rumney, May 26th, 1778.
State of New-Hampshire.  This may certify that Samuel Gregg of Peterborough, in the County of Hillsborough in said State, Gentleman, has petitioned the General Assembly of said State, setting forth, That in the Year 1773, he bargained with Abijah Willard, late of Lancaster, in the State of Massachusetts, Esq; as Attorney to Thomas Flucker, late of Boston, Esq; for a certain Lot of Land in Peterborough, aforesaid, containing ninety-six Acres of Land, and is Lot No. 113, on the East Side of the River, which Lot of Land the said Willard as Attorney to said Flucker, promised to convey to said Petitioner at the Rate of Eight Shillings Lawful Money per Acre.—Upon which he paid said Willard twelve pounds like Money towards the Price of said Lands, and the Petitioner realizing that said Willard would give him a Deed of said Lot upon his paying the said Willard the price agreed on, went to work on the said Lot, has made considerable Improvements on it. Soon afterwards the present Contest between Great-Britain and America came on, when the said Willard and Flucker, went over to the Enemies of the United-States, and have continued with them ever since, by Means whereof he has never been able to obtain a Deed of said Lot, and is likely to lose his Money and Improvements made on said Lot, wherefore he prayed the said General Assembly to interpose, and give him a Title to said Lot, upon his paying the Remainder of the Sum agreed on, for the use of said State.—Whereupon the General Assembly voted that the Petitioner be heard thereon, before the General Assembly on the second Wednesday of their next Session, and that in the mean Time he cause the substance of the said Petition, and order of Court thereon, to be printed, three Weeks successively in the New-Hampshire Gazette, and in one of the Boston News-Papers, that any Persons concerned, may then appear and shew Cause if any they have, why the Prayer thereof, may not be granted.
Attest, E. THOMPSON, Sec'y. Exeter, August 19th, 1778. 29
Strayed sometime in Sept. last, one red Steer, marked with an halfpenny cut under both Ears; also a red Haffer, has white spots about her, and a Star in her Forehead, and a halfpenny cut under both ears, both two years old last spring. Whoever will take up said Steer and Haffer, or inform the Subscriber so that he may get them again, shall have fifteen Dollars Reward, and all necessary charges paid by Exeter, August 22d, JOSEPH LEAVITT.
Deserted from my Company, in the Continental Army, and Col. Cilley's Regiment, Robert and James Atkins of Chester in the State of New-Hampshire; said Defectors are of a light Complexion, about five Feet, seven Inches high. Whoever shall take up said Defectors and secure them, so that they may be returned to their Duty, shall have ten Dollars reward for each of them, and all necessary Charges, paid by me, Brunswick, July 28, 1778. AMOS EMERSON, Capt.
All Persons indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of Tho's Langly, late of Durham, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts unto Edes Langly, Executrix of the Estate of said deceased, in order for a speedy settlement. Durham, August 15, 1778.
All Persons that have any De- mands on the Estate of Jedediah Robinson, late of Brintwood, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts immediately for Settlement: And all those indebted to said Estate are desired to make speedy payment to Jonathan Robinson, Administrator to said Estate. Brintwood, August 15th, 1778.
A LL Persons indebted to the Estate of Gregory Purcell of Portsmouth, Esq; deceased, either by Bond, Note, Book Account, or in any other manner, are desired to make speedy settlement and Payment to me the subscriber, attorney to Mary Purcell, administratrix to said estate, or otherwise they may expect to be sued without distinction. OLIVER WHIPPLE. Portsmouth, Aug. 10, 1778.
State of New Hampshire, Hillsborough, ss.  W HEREAS the under mentioned Non-resident proprietors lands, have heretofore been advertised for payment of the Tax due thereon, in the Town of Peterborough aforesaid, according to law, these therefore are to notify the delinquent proprietors that unless they pay the following sums annexed to each person's name, to me the subscriber at Peterborough aforesaid, on or before the 11th day of September next, so much of said lands will be sold at public sale as will pay the same, with incidental charges, agreeable to the law of said State, at the house of Robert Wilson, Innholder in said Peterborough. Samuel Cunningham, Collector for Peterborough.
Peterborough, August 21, 1778.
Original Proprietors Names. Original Proprietors Names.
   John Hill, Esq; Jeremiah Gridley, Esq;   Lots number'd. Tax. Lots number'd. Tax.   No. £. s. d. No. £. s. d.    30 0 3 0 104 0 6 0  74 0 6 0 100 0 6 0  75 0 6 0 99 0 6 0  19 0 3 0 97 0 6 0  20 0 3 0 87 0 12 0  22 0 3 0 88 0 9 0  28 0 4 6 89 0 9 0  17 0 4 6 78 0 9 0  18 0 4 6 79 0 1 0  105 0 6 0 82 0 12 0  118 11 5 69 0 0 9 0  106 6 0 70 0 0 9 0  48 17 1 59 0 0 6 0  43 17 1 58 0 0 9 0  91 6 0 46 0 0 17 0  95 6 0 45 0 0 17 0  84 9 0 51 0 0 6 0  85 12 0 FARM N. A. 3 0 0 0  
   The Assigns of Peter Prescott   Lots number'd. Tax.   No. £. s. d.    64 6 0  54 12 0  41 0 6  55 0 11 0  55 0 12 0  
   John Fowle, Lots drawn to the Right of Selley and March.   Lots number'd. Tax. Lots number'd. Tax.   No. £. s. d. No. £. s. d.    101 0 6 0 17 0 6 0  102 0 6 0 18 0 9 0  110 17 1 Nathan Meserve & others  93 6 0 No. £. s. d.  90 6 0 98 6 0  96 6 0 76 9 0  86 12 0 81 12 0  98 6 0 83 12 0  76 9 0 73 9 0  81 12 0 60 6 0  83 12 0 61 6 0  73 9 0 65 9 0  60 6 0 53 9 0  
State of New-Hampshire, Strafford ss.  This is to give Notice to the Non-resident Proprietors or Owners of Lands in the Town of Meredith, in said State and County, to pay the Tax on said Lands, it being the State Tax for the Year 1777, to me the Subscriber, at my Dwelling-House in said Meredith, within eight Weeks from the date of this Advertisement otherwise so much of said Lands will be advertised for sale, as will pay the same, with incidental Charges.—The original Names of the Delinquents are as follows, viz.
 Names.
1st D.
2d D.
3d D.