The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1777-03-15 00:00:00

Freeman's Journal
OR
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
SATURDAY, March 15. 1777.
[ No. 43 ]
L O N D O N, Nov. 5.
Extracts from the SPEECH of the Duke of Manchester, on the motion for an Address, in answer to his Majesty's Speech from the Throne.
THE DUKE OF MANCHESTER opened his speech with a comparison of the present state of the British Empire with that of ancient Rome in its decline. He observed, in one, as the other, the mere forms of the constitution were preserved, while every effort of despotism and arbitrary power were felt in their fullest extent. Imperial Rome oppressed her provinces and dependencies, like Britain; her subjects bowed under the yoke of the most insupportable oppression, like that endeavoured to be inflicted on our Colonists; and he did not hesitate to foretell, that as in one instance the distant subjects of that proud, overbearing mistress of the universe, by the injustice and severity of her Government, forced her Provinces to resist her lawless power; so in the other, this country had alienated the obedience and affection of her American subjects; which would bring on a dismemberment of the empire, and would probably terminate in a total dissolution of this Government.
His Grace remarked on that passage in (the speech the whole of which he imputed to the Minister) relative to the assurances of amity, said to be received from the several courts of Europe, in a very pointed manner. He said it contained the most improbable information that could be well conceived; unless we supposed, that the framers of the speech, and those who advised the present naval armaments, thought differently on the same day; or were not the same persons; for if assurances were given, that they were to be depended on, why have recourse to that mode of manning our navy, a press; which was known to be fraught with so many hardships and inconveniences, and which should never be resorted to but in seasons of difficulty and danger? If on the other hand, those assurances of amity were not to be relied on, why deceive the public and Parliament in so gross and flagrant a manner? Why delude them into a dangerous repose? Why tell them on the eve of a rupture, that we are in a state of perfect tranquillity? But his Grace insisted, that we ought not, in the present situation of affairs, to trust either to assurances, however strong, or reasons, however plausible, when facts were so evidently against them. He had, he said, the most undoubted information, that whatever those assurances might be, they ought not to be relied on: a matter having come to his own knowledge, or at
least it came so well authenticated, that he was perfectly satisfied of its being indisputably true. He should just mention it for the present, presuming if it were false it would be contradicted, in which case he should quote his authority; if it were not, then it would remain at least a strong circumstantial contradiction to that part of the address. The fact was, that a gentleman, on whose veracity he could depend, assured him, that he had been at Havre de Grace, some short time since, where he saw a vessel publicly loading with fire arms and other military stores, for the use of the Provincials. It, in the language of the speech, the Americans were to be esteemed rebels; and if rebels in arms were to be looked upon as open enemies, the fact now alluded to, was an irrefragable proof, that France, at least at present, was in the first stage of open enmity with Great Britain.
His Grace then contradicted the substantial information of the speech, on another ground. He said that it was now no secret, that a fleet had lately sailed from Cadiz, with considerable body of land forces on board. This armament must be destined to carry on hostilities against us in some part of the Western world; or for South America, to be employed against the Portuguese. Supposing the former to be the case, no doubt could be entertained of the latter, which came exactly to the same point; because, if Portugal were attacked, Britain must consequently be involved in a war, unless we broke our engagements to Portugal and sacrificed our dearest interests to the blind rage of making a conquest of our fellow-subjects in America. We were bound by treaty, he insisted, to support and defend Portugal; our interests, as well as solemn engagements compelled us to it. The difference was therefore very little, whether France or Spain broke with us openly, or in this round about, indirect manner, the consequence would be the same; we would in the end find ourselves engaged in a war with the united force of the House of Bourbon — Portugal had already given us the highest instance in their power of their friendship; they had forbid the Provincials from entering their ports. Has France or Spain done so? The contrary was notorious. If, then, taking the question in either light, as an attack of Spain on our ally, or the open encouragement given to our subjects now in arms against us, he wished to know from Administration what requisitions had been made on our part, to bring the Courts of Versailles and Madrid to an explanation on those very important points; what was the
effect of those requisitions; and what we had now finally, at so critical a Period to depend on? His Grace concluded by observing, that no reliance was to be had at any time on the pacific assurances of those Courts; much less when their conduct directly contradicted them; that, therefore a same acquiescence in whatever measures they might think proper to adopt, or an immediate war with those powers, was inevitable; which, considering the present distracted and almost exhausted state of this country, threatened no less than its total ruin. He had foreseen this from the beginning; he had not often foretold. He was in future determined to lament it in silence, as all future efforts, be perceived, would be in vain; however, as the last attempt, he very readily joined in the amendment moved by his noble friend (Lord Rockingham.) The speech was no more than a recommendation of the same ruinous system of measures, which had brought us into our present perilous and tremendous situation; if the amendment was agreed to, it would give the House time to consider and devise some means of averting the innumerable dangers, with which we were now surrounded; the first salutary and effectual step to which would, in his opinion, be the appointing a Committee to enquire into the state of the nation, in order to discover the source of our present calamities, and to devise remedies the best suited to their cure and removal.
L O N D O N, November 15.
Sir Joseph Yorke we are told, has presented a flaming memorial to the States General, by order of his Court, upon receiving undoubted intelligence of five new Indiamen being converted into 50 gun ships and sailing as supposed for India, but being in fact sold to Spanish agents, for the use of the Congress. This transaction, it is said, will occasion no small noise.
Extract of a letter from Quebec, Oct. 6.
“ I take this opportunity to inform you, that the army at St Johns are embarking to go over the Lakes; they consist of about 15,000 men (English, Germans and Canadians.) We expect that they will drive off the rebels from Crown Point and Ticonderoga, &c so on to New-York.
B O S T O N, March 6, 1777.
Last Saturday evening the notorious Moses Dunbar, & more infamous Elisha Wadsworth (the former under sentence of death for High Treason, and the latter confined for treasonable practices against the States, as lately mentioned) broke from their confinement in the goal in this place, and attempted to make their escape; but, by the vigilance and activity of the Goal keeper and his century, they were pursued, soon after taken and re-committed.
The method the above criminals took to make their escape was by knocking down the centuries as they went into the room to make the usual search, Dunbar having previously cleared himself of his shackles.
A few Nights ago a Number of the Enemy landed at Norwalk, from a Tender, and stole away four Persons who were stationed as a Guard, near the Shore;

Passi graviora, dabit Deus his quoque Finem: Revocate animos, moestumque Timorem Mittite, forsan et hæc olim meminisse juvabit. Virg. En. 1.
Tyranny, — a Monster of so frightful Mein, As to be hated — needs but to be seen.
SIN —(that Whore of Babylon, which has nurtured this ugly monster at her im-poison'd Breasts, thro' the Wiles of the grand, primitive Tyrant of Mankind, has devis'd Modes to obtrude itself into the World, with all it's hellish Train of black Attendants, & has converted those otherwise happy Abodes, into a dreadful Theatre, on which has been constantly exhibited the most direful tragic Scenes of ——— "Wars, Famines, Pests, Vulcans, Storms & Furies, Intestine Broils, Oppression, with her Heart Wrapt up in triple Brass, which vex Mankind." These all artfully vye with each other in their malignant Deeds, skilfully playing their fatal Weapons, in the narrower Sphere of human Life, & rendering this World an "Acedama—a Field of Blood"—a "Bokim—a Vale of Tears" indeed. ———
If we turn over the historic Page, & peruse the Annals of past Ages, long ago unnumber'd among by far the Majority of Mankind, we shall find, that Tyranny (that Sporn of the Devil) always has been, and still is, the Hydra—Mischief—the Arch-Fiend—that has, in all Ages, been spreading its baleful Influences among, and rioting on the Spoils, of social Felicity—that heavenly Boon of human Life—To give a Catalogue of those inhuman Parricides, and their dire Enormities, who hereby have attain'd, thro' Fields of innocent Blood, to worldly Wealth, & unbounded Sway, wou'd shock the human Mind, and swell these Lines to an undue Prolixity: therefore, I readily quit myself of so disagreeable a Task—Suffice it only to say, (tho' Fame, with her thousand babbling Tongues, in her false Trumpet of glorious Deeds, has sounded their Names—immortal; yet had Justice wry'd her impartial Rod, they, instead of Trophies of glorious Renown, wou'd have grac'd Haman's Gallows, and their Names been transmitted to Posterity, as dreadful Samples, to what Degree of Degradation the human Mind may be debas'd; and as eternal Monuments (in Terrorem) to arrest others, who basely follow their inglorious Footsteps,—Tho' this Land, thro' divine Goodness, has been the Sanctuary of Virtue's oppress'd Sons, the happy Abodes of Piety, Liberty & Peace; every one setting under his own Vine, & under his own Fig-Tree, having none to molest him, or make him afraid;" yet, alas, the dread Period has too soon arriv'd, when Corruption, Licentiousness, and Injustice (three Sister Furies) have supplanted the heavenly Inhabitants:—Thus we, the degenerate Offspring of our virtuous Ancestors, "regarding not the Works of the Lord, nor the Operations of his Hand," have, by our base Ingratitude, provoked him, in his righteous Indignation, to come out against us, suffering Tyranny, with his Blood-red Eye-balls, to stalk barefac'd in our Land, and to spread Desolation thro' many Parts of this Continent; hereby punishing us for this our dreadful Defection from him, which has been so God-provoking, and Wrath-procuring. Tho' the great Arbiter of Events, "who has made of one Flesh and Blood all Nations of the Earth," may make Use of what Instrument (that, in his infinite Wisdom, to him seemeth best, to reclaim a sinful People; yet, this Instrument, consider'd abstractly, as to the Divine Being, and relatively, as it respects the Party suffering hereby, being unjust; we are authoriz'd, nay more, it is our Duty, founded in the Nature and Fitness of Things, to oppose it by every legal Method; and to resist, even unto Blood.—Great-Britain, and these United-States, are Scourges in the Hands of a righteous Being, mutually to punish each other, for their great Declensions from him; and may we not rationally conclude, from the Analogy of Providence (not impiously, to dive too deep into the Arcana of Heaven) that the final Issue hereof, to them and us respectively, will be quite dissimilar—Have they not attain'd to that fatal Crisis, at which, universal Corruption of Manners, has crept into Court and Country, now rioting on the very Vitals of the Constitution, already reduced to an irremediable Consumption, beyond any human
political Curse.—And is not this the particular Time, and State, at which the mighty Empires of the World ( cæteris paribus ) have been, by Time's enormous Scythe, entirely swept away Root and Branch, and like the "Babylons Fabric of a Vision, leaving not one Trace of their ancient Glory behind." Tho' we, in this Continent are grossly corrupt, yet, I join the Sentiment; that we are not yet arriv'd at this dreadful Pitch; but that our divine Benefacter, like a kind Parent, to an offending Child, is punishing us in "Loving Kindness, & Tender Mercy"—If we prove not incorrigible under his corrective Dispensation, we may reasonably expect, that he is about to do great Things for his New England-Israel, & "make us a peculiar People, zealous of his Service and Glory;" and then will ———
The Lustre of our Father's Actions, Thro' the dark Cloud of Ills that covers us; Break out and burn with more triumphant Brightness, Our Sufferings shine, and spread a Glory round us: For——
Greatly oppress'd, we fight the Cause Of Virtue, Honor, Liberty, America: Our Sword ne'er fell but on the guilty Head; Oppression, Tyranny, and Power usurp'd, Draw all the Vengeance of our Arms upon 'em."
As the Issue of this unhappy Controversy is with infinite Wisdom, and impartial Justice, to whom, as our rightful Umpire, we have refer'd our Cause, let us not fully the Glory thereof, by copying after our vile Oppressions, in indulging a too unmanly and indignant Rage; but let Humanity continue, always to mark the Line of our Conduct, remembering that (tho' their Actions characterize them Devils) still they are but Men: At the same Time, soberly reflecting on those tremendous Words, "Vengeance is mine, & I will repay, saith the Lord."——
To you, who are led to reflect on the cruel Fate of a kind Parent, a tender Husband, or, an only Son, fallen by the Hands of these "vindictive Assassins," I must confess, it must be almost (if not quite) impossible: Especially you, who have this Circumstance, to imbitter the Reflection, that——
Scarce a Tear Embalm'd their Urnes, triumphal Vice beheld With Smiles their Exit; and Oppression rais'd Her Scourge to insult, where the feeling Heart Would swell in kind Moisture to the pitying Eye. But not to dwell too long on these strange Scenes——
Let us, one and all, amend our Ways; and may it be our constant, reiterated Prayer, that these UNITED STATES may be the favor'd of the Lord—— that he would continue to "bless us, in the City, and in the Field; in our Basket, and in our Store;" and, that the Voice of Virtue, Honor, Liberty, and uninterrupted Peace, and Unity, may be heard in this Land, 'till rolling Years shall cease to measure Time.——
PHILOPOLITES—— concluded.
It has been credibly asserted, that they have threatened, & insulted, some of our worthy Officers, and Soldiers, when struggling in the very Agonies of Death: Nay more, (if Fame speaks true) their rancorous Malice has wantonly rioted among the peaceful Mansions of the Tomb.—— ( Quis, talia fando, e Lachrymis temperet! Virgil.
From the Craftsman, or Say's (British) JOURNAL.
ADMITTING the observation of Humanus to be just, "That upon the whole it is the height of folly to shew our prejudice to any country;" who, Sir, can forbear declaring their resentment & indignation to those unnatural beings, who would massacre others in cold blood, even when they are deprived of the instruments of defence? What cowardice, what cruelty can equal this? Can those who are not destitute of natural feelings & sensation read, without the most excruciating horror, the barbarity of the Hessians and German troops, abetted by the Scots, towards the Americans in the late engagement on Long Island? Who, after they had laid down their arms, & submitted to be taken prisoners (being no longer able to defend themselves, as they were overpowered with numbers) were shewn no quarters, and near two thousand were most unnaturally and inhumanly put to death by avaricious foreign mercenaries, who glut their vengeance in the blood of their fellow-mortals.
What glory can there be in such a conquest? Can a man say he has acquired honour by slaying a helpless, defenceless man? Equally the same as that victory, which is now so much boasted of by Government, and all its biased friends. Will such a conquest do honour to the English nation, and shine in the annals of history, or will it not sink this land into contempt, and stamp it for ever with universal disgrace? Such a victory infidels would despise; and can Britons, sons of humanity, boast of glory? Can there be glory in murder? Alas! What disgrace has this land brought upon itself? Would a Judge, before whom a man is brought to be tried for the most atrocious crime (that of murder) acquit that man, and bid him triumphantly depart, assuring him he hath gained much honour and applause thereby? How would justice stand astonished! Would the land cover such a crime?
October 19. AN UNBIASED BRITON.
To the PRINTER:
By inserting the Following in your Next, you may oblige some of your Customers.
I AM no Prophet, nor the Son of a Prophet; yet I believe in the Prophecies of the Old & New-Testament, & also in some other Prophecies; nor can I forbear thinking there is something prophetic and important in the Number Seven —else why do the holy Scriptures hold out the Number Seven so frequently, and so remarkable? There may we read, that GOD rested from his Work the Seventh Day , that the Seventh Day is the Sabbath—of the Seventh Year of Release, of Seven Times  Seven being the Year of the Jubilee; of Seven Vials , Seven Trumpets , Seven Golden Candlesticks , and of the Seven Spirits of GOD. In civil Story too, the Number Seven is distinguished; Witness the Seven Wonders of the World, Seven wise Men of Greece, & the Seven Champions of Christendom. Seven Days make a Week. The Seventh Son is of course a Doctor, and nine Sevens form the grand climacterick Year—If there should be, indeed any peculiar Significancy in the Number Seven , which I believe no one will be hardy enough to dispute; the oftner that Number occurs in any Subject, especially in Dates and Æras, the more significant & important must be the Subject, Date or Æra; from hence the Importance of the present Year, in which three SEVENS unite may be fairly deduced.
I have been led to these Reflections by a Tradition which hath been handed down from the first Settlement of New-England —That when three SEVENS should meet in the Date of the Year, the American Colonies would become Independent States ; & a Prophecy that was some Years ago published,—that in the Year 1777, there would be War throughout Europe .—Whether Appearances favour this last Prophecy or not, let those say who are better acquainted with the European States than I am, and know how the War between the United States of America & Great-Britain will effect them; but a great Number of Circumstances concur to countenance the Prophecy respecting the Establishment of American Independency , which are too obvious to be mentioned.
I cannot, however, leave this Subject without acknowledging my great Obligations to an ingenious Gentleman, who is deeply read in Prophecies, for furnishing me with the following Prophecy, which relates directly to my Subject, and had escaped my Observation. Alexander Pedan an eminent Scotch Divine, not more remarkable for his Piety and Sufferings than his Spirit of Prophecy, hath left it on Record,—that when three SEVENS should meet, a Star of the first Lustre & Magnitude would fall from the Crown of Great-Britain .—Most Prophecies are delivered in enigmatical Terms, which Time only can develop.—However may we not conjecture, that the noted Divine, Alexander Pedan , had in Idea the present Year? And does it require much Skill in enigmatical Learning to see through these Prophecies, & to conclude, with a great Degree of Confidence, that this very Year 1777, will be the grand Jubilee of AMERICAN FREEDOM and INDEPENDENCY ——
May HE that holdeth the SEVEN Stars in his right Hand accomplish the Prophecy!—Thus devoutly wisheth, thus prayeth, BEHMAN.

PHILADELPHIA, March 6, Extract of a letter from Morris-Town, March 2.
"Mr. LOUDON,
"Yours of the 27th ult. is before me. The third number of the Cais is not come to hand yet. Last Sunday the enemy came out from Woodbridge with 1 900 men, and 6 field pieces; the action commenced about half past 9 in the morning, & continued with intermissions, all the day: we killed, wounded, and took prisoners five hundred: some say, seven hundred: however, the first I had from Dr. -----, who was on the field, during the whole affair. We have a farther confirmation of it since by a deserter. The day before yesterday four deserters came over to us, scarce a day passes without some deserters, or prisoners coming in, the Quakers and Tories are coming in daily, with and for provisions. I am, &c."
PROVIDENCE, March 8
Wednesday last a deserter from the British troops at Rhode-Island arrived here, he informs, that the enemy's land forces there consist at present of about three thousand men, one half of them Hessians, and that much discontent prevails among them.
A few days since, Capt. Babson arrived from South Carolina, and brings advice that a brig of 16 guns belonging to that state and commanded by Capt. Pickering of the state of New-Hampshire, went into a port of Jamaica, and brought off three large ships loaded with rum and sugar, two of which had safely arrived. He further says that the state of South-Carolina had compleated their quota of troops for the Continental army, and that they had marched to join Gen. Washington—that rich & poor were in high spirits—that Fort Sullivan was very strong, and that another visit from Sir Peter Parker was earnestly desired.
CHARLESTOWN, (S. C.) Dec. 12
A Gentleman here has received a letter from his friend, an American, settled in Old France, dated October 23d, wherein he informs him, "that the House of which he is a partner, have taken great pains to obtain a possibility of doing the American business from thence without danger to the parties concerned on either side, and has the satisfaction to inform him, that their endeavours have been crowned with such success, as renders it in their power to supply the Continent with whatever they please. We have, says he, already loaded several vessels for the Congress, and several for particular persons, and have others now waiting their despatches. France has been, and now is, making great preparations for war; she has a fleet in Toulon, and another in Brest, ready for sea, besides many other arrangements, which perhaps, would be imprudent for me to mention, being now an inhabitant of France. Some says, her designs are an attack upon Great Britain; others, to assist America directly; others, to join Spain against Portugal; either will be favourable for America; but from all that I can collect I think war will soon be declared against England."
PHILADELPHIA February 19.
By a calculation made last week at head quarters in New Jersey; it is found, that the enemy have lost since Christmas last, in killed, taken and deserters, 3000 men.
By Lord Barrington's account, we find, that England had but 50,000 men last October under Howe and Carleton, out of which the Brunswickers and regiment of Manau, amounting to about 5000, besides ten British regiments, amounting to 4000, at Quebec, are to be deducted, which left Howe only 21,000 men; since which, he has lost at the White Plains, and Fort Washington, at least 1000, and in New Jersey 3000, which together, supposing none to die, or be lost elsewhere, leaves him but 17,000 men, one eighth of which are officers; with which he has to garnison Rhode-Island, Staten Island, Amboy and Brunswick, in each of which places the garrisons can only call their own, a circuit of five or six miles each.
We hear the Transports, mentioned in our last, to have been put into Mountserrat, is since arrived at New-York, and that out of 300 recruits, shipped on board her, she brought in only 90, and those so sick, that the ship is obliged to ride quarantine.
Extract of a Letter from Morristown, Feb. 11.
"We have every day deserters coming in, who all agree, that Provisions and provender are very scarce, particularly the latter, that the duty is amazingly severe, few of them have been undressed since they left Long-Island."
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13.
Last Saturday afternoon, Major Stockton, with a bout 60 men, lately made prisoners in New Jersey, were brought to this city under a strong guard and are now confined in the New Jail.
We hear, Col. Simpson, with 500 of the Accomack country militia, marched the beginning of this month, to Salisbury, on the eastern shore of Maryland, where a large body of Tories were entrenched, under the command of the famous General Gray. Upon the approach of the Colonel, and his militia, the dastards ran away, but several of their ringleaders were taken and sent to Congress.
BOSTON, March 12.
A Letter from a Gentleman in Marlborough, to his Friend in this town, dated March 7, 1777, says, "Since you left us yesterday, I received a letter from Col. Cyprian Howe, February 22d last—News from General Washington to Gen. Maxwell, viz. Ar-
rived a Philadelphia from France, 50 Pieces of Brass Cannon, from 32 to 3-pounders, with a sufficient number of the best artillerymen to manage said pieces, and 90,000 bushels of salt."
The privateer sloop Satisfaction, Capt. Stevens of this port, mentioned in our last to be in chase of a sail, took her, which proved to be the ship Royal George Peter Young, master, from London, for Venice, burthen 300 tons, 24 guns, from 1 to 3 pounders, which is arrived in a safe port; the contents of the cargo is nearly as follows, viz. 128 hhd. allum; 15 bales of woolen goods; 7 casks earthen ware; 40 casks pipes; 12 to 14 bales hard ware; 185 bags pepper, containing 300 lb each; 9 bales empty bags; 2 bales farsaparilla; 6 casks absinth salts; 107 hogheads of tin plates, from 6 to 700 wt. 300 casks pileards; 3 bales canvas, and 20 or 30 bales stores.
Extract of a Letter from Chatham, (New Jersey) March 1. 1777.
"Sunday we had a smart engagement with the British butchers, which lasted for some time, our troops behaved with the utmost bravery, they faced them like Romans, and obliged them to retreat, and our troops pursued them to their lines, they marched out with 2000 men, and attacked our guard of about 200, they retreated 'till were reinforced to the amount of 1400 of our brave countrymen; the loss on their side killed and wounded, are 500. on our side was three killed and eleven wounded. This account you may think surprizing, but you may depend on it being the truth. There is this day come out of Brunswick two deserters, who declare there is in one hospital 40 mortally wounded. They are since the surprizing success our arms have met with lately, struck with such terror at the sight of our troops, that their officers can scarcely keep them in their ranks. We have this afternoon heard a severe cannonad below us, but cannot inform you of the particulars; we are under marching orders this afternoon in consequence thereof."
On Saturday last returned into port, at Salem, a privateer schooner, who in an engagement with a large ship the first of January, had the misfortune to have the captain, Stephen Masket, and a hand, James Masury, killed, just as they were boarding her—The ship's metal proving to be too heavy, the privateer, after the above accident, got off as well as she could.
Since our last several vessels with flour and naval stores are arrived at safe ports, not far from this state. Yesterday a vessel arrived here from the West-Indies, with a cargo of molasses, &c.
By a Gentleman from Head-Quarters, which he left the 3d Instant, we are informed, that on Sunday the 23d February, about 2000 of the Enemy, who went on a foraging Party, from Amboy, attacked our Guards, and drove them five or six Miles; when our Troops were reinforced, by Gen. Maxwell, with about 1400 Men, chiefly Militia, when they, in their Turn, were obliged to retreat, with so much Precipitation, as not to be able to return but two Fires.—We took six Prisoners, and found two of their Dead; but by Deserters, who have come off since, we are told, their Loss was about 500 killed and wounded. Our Loss was three killed and 11 wounded.
The Enemy came out with a large Number of Waggons, with intent to draw in their Plunder; but, Mistaken Fools! returned, to their great Mortification, with their Waggons loaded with killed and wounded.
A large Schooner, laden with Salt, from Turks-Island, bound to Halifax, was taken a few Days ago, by a Coastng Sloop, from the Eastward, to this Port; the Prize was sent into a safe Port.
Last Friday arrived at a safe Port, a prize Brig, with 900 Hogshead of Salt, lately captured by the Satisfaction, Capt. Stevens, of this Port.
Messieurs PRINTERS,
LOOKING over a Sermon of the venerable Doctor INCREASE MATHER'S, preached 100 years ago, there is this remarkable passage—I doubt not it will please many of your readers to see in your valuable paper.
"It was worthily spoken by the blessed Mr. MITCHELL, in a Lecture Sermon, that there is much of Christ in our civil constitution; & it shall be sad for those who shall put their hand to alter it, such dast themselves against that stone, that whoso falls upon it, should be broken to shivers. Therefore that man of God solemnly protested, saying, 'Wo to that man be he old or young church member or non member, freeman or non freeman, that shall go about to destroy or basely betray the liberties of this
people, it were better for him that a mill stone where hanged about his neck, and he throne with it into the midst of the sea."
From the Pennsylvania Journal.
Messrs BRADFORD,
Please to insert the following, sacred to the memory of MAJ. FLEMING, who fell at the battle of Princeton, and you will oblige, your, &c.
MIDST the horrid din of cruel war, The trumpets sound, the cannons thundering roar On Nassau's plains, the mules fast retreat. The school of freedom, learning's awful seat, Where Witherspoon with every virtue fraught, The generous youth his sacred precepts taught, The sage's wisdom and the patriot's fire A noble love of liberty inspire. "Here early try'd and acting but too well, The brave, lamented, much-lov'd FLEMING fell, With gayest hopes of happiness possess'd, With every smile of flattering fortune bless'd. "Just as the spring of life began to bloom, And manly virtues fadder makes the tomb, In all that health and energy of youth, Which promis'd honours of maturer growth, When his full heart expanded to the goal, And promis'd victory had flush'd his soul. —He fell,—his country lost her earliest boast, "His lovely sisters, a fond brother lost. O ever honour'd; ever happy shade, How well hast thou thy debt to virtue paid. Go happy ghost to where the good and blest Enjoy eternal scenes of bliss and rest; While we below thy sudden farewell mourn, Collect thy virtues weeping o'er thy urn; Recall their scatter'd lustre as they pass, And see them all united in the last."
Messrs. BRADFORDS,
The inclosed are the thoughts of a few minutes, which, if you think them severe enough, "Print 'em egad."
GALLWAY has fled, and join'd the venal Howe, To prove his baseness, see him cringe & bow: A traitor to his country, and its laws, A friend to tyrants, and their cursed cause:— Unhappy wretch! Thy interest must be sold, For continental; not for polish'd gold; To sink the money, thou thyself cried down, And stab'd thy Country, to support the crown. Go to and fro, like Lucifer on earth, And curse the Being that first gave thee birth; Away to Scotland; and thyself prepare, Coal dust and brimstone, is their only fare; Fit materials, for such Tory blood, Who wrong their country, and deny their God; There herd with Bute, Mansfield, and his brother,* Bite, twist, sting, and poison one another. * Murry, "confidential Secretary to the Pretender,"
New-Town, Bucks County, Feb. 3. 1777.
LONDON, November 5.
We are assured that every seaman in France is preferred, that the whole French navy is fitting out and in great readiness; that a dish of fish is not to be purchased in the whole kingdom at any Price, by reason of the fishermen being pressed as well as the seamen; and the whole coast of France from Calais to Cherburgh is covered with troops.
Monday night at twelve o'clock in consequence of the above facts, an impress broke out in the river, which carried off about 800 men. All the seamen are pressed out of the fleet of colliers lately arrived; as are all the hands out of the outward-bound East and West India ships. The correspondent who gives us this intelligence assures us, that five men jumped over board and drowned themselves, rather than submit to go on board a man of war; and that nine more were drowned in the confusion, by a boat sinking from being over-loaded; and that the cries of the seamen who were pressed, would have pierced and melted the hardest heart, for they even pressed mates and carpenters of ships, many of whom have large families. One ship in Limehouse-hole engaged the man of war's people, and drove them away, killing the Lieutenant; and also some other lives are lost.
On Wednesday night orders were sent down to Portsmouth, to employ an additional number of hands, and for them to work double tides, 'till those ships ordered for sea are compleated. The like orders were sent to Plymouth and Chatham.
Thursday night upwards of 300 men were impressed in the liberty of Westminster.
Near 900 seamen in the course of last week embarked for Dunkirk and other seaports in France, with an intent to enter into the French navy rather than be impressed.
ALL persons indebted to, or have any demands on the estate of John Griffith, late of Portsmouth, in the county of Rockingham, Esq; deceas'd, are desired, without delay, to come and settle with the subscribers executors to the testament of the said deceas'd.
Portsmouth, Samuel Penhallow'd March 11, 1777 William Knight.

UNITED STATES LOTTERY; 1776.
The Scheme is, that this Lottery consist of Four Classes, of One hundred thousand Tickets each.
F I R S T C L A S S.
100,000 Tickets, at TEN DOLLARS each, are 1,000,000 Deduction, at Fifteen per Cent, 150,000 _____ 850,000
   No. Prizes. Dollars.     1 of 10,000 is 10,000   2 5000 are 10,000   30 1000 30,000   400 500 200,000   20,000 20 400,000   Carried to the Fourth Class, 200,000  
S E C O N D C L A S S,
100,000 Tickets at TWENTY DOLLARS each, are 2,000,000 Deduction, at Fifteen per Cent. 300,000 _____ 1,700,000
   No. Prizes. Dollars.     1 of 20,000 is 20,000   2 of 10,000 are 20,000   10 5000 50,000   100 1000 100,000   820 500 410,000   20,000 30 600,000   Carried to the Fourth Class, 500,000  
T H I R D C L A S S.
100,000 Tickets, at THIRTY DOLLARS each, are 3,000,000 Deduction, at Fifteen per Cent, 450,000 _____ 2,550,000
   No. Prizes. Dollars.     1 of 30,000 is 30,000   1 20,000 are 20,000   2 15,000 30,000   2 10,000 20,000   10 5000 50,000   200 1000 200,000   1000 500 500,000   20,000 40 800,000   Carried to the Fourth Class, 900,000  
F O U R T H C L A S S.
100,000 Tickets, at FORTY DOLLARS each are, 4,000,000 Deduction, at Fifteen per Cent. 600,000 _____ 3,400,000 Brought from the First Class, 200,000 Second ditto, 500,000 Third ditto, 900,000 _____ 5,000,000
   No. Prizes. Dollars.     1 of 50,000 is 50,000   2 25,000 are 50,000   2 15,000 30,000   2 10,000 20,000   10 5000 50,000   100 1000 100,000   200 500 100,000   1000 300 300,000   15,000 200 3,000,000   25,000 50 1,300,000  
42 317 Prizes, 57,683 Blanks.
100,000 Tickets.
Not near one and a half blanks to a prize.
This Lottery is set on foot, by a Resolution of Congress, passed at Philadelphia, the 18th day of November, 1776, for the purpose of raising a sum of money, on loan, bearing an annual interest of four per cent. which, with the sum arising from the deduction, is to be applied for carrying on the present most just and necessary war, in defence of the lives, liberties and property, of the inhabitants of these United States.
The fortunate adventurers in the First Class, and so in the Second and Third, who draw more than thirty or forty dollars, shall, at their option, receive a treasury bank note for the prize or prizes drawn, payable at the end of five years, & an annual interest at the rate of four per cent. or the pre-emption of such tickets in the next succeeding class, as shall not be renewed within the time hereafter limited.
Every adventurer in the first class shall have a right to go through the subsequent classes, but shall not be obliged to do it.
The drawers of twenty, thirty, and forty dollars, in the first, second, and third classes, who do not apply for their money within six weeks after the drawing is finished, shall be deemed adventurers in the next succeeding class, and have their tickets renewed without any further trouble.
If any other shall neglect or decline taking out & paying the price of their ticket for a subsequent class, within six weeks after the drawing is ended, their tickets shall be sold to the fortunate adventurers in the preceding class, or to such as shall apply for the same.
The fortunate adventurers in the last class, who
draw fifty dollars, shall, upon application to the Commissioners of the loan offices, in the respective States, where the drawers reside, receive their money without any deduction, and all who draw above fifty dollars shall receive in like manner without deduction, for the sums drawn, Bank Treasury Notes, payable at the end of five years after the drawing, at the loan office of the State in which the drawers reside. The interest to commence from the last day of drawing, & to be paid annually at the said respective loan offices.
As this lottery is established for the sole purpose of raising a sum of money, for carrying on the present just war, undertaken in defence of the rights & liberties of America, in which every individual, and posterity, will be so deeply interested, it is not doubted, but every real friend to his country, will most cheerfully become an adventurer, and that the sale of the tickets will be very rapid, especially as even the unsuccessful adventurer will have the pleasing reflection of having contributed in a degree to the great and glorious American cause.
The managers appointed by congress are, Sharp, Delany, John Purviance, Owen Biddle, David Jackson, Jacob Burge, Jonathan B. Smith, and James Searle, who are upon oath, and give bond for the faithful discharge of their trust.
The drawing of the First Class will begin at Philadelphia, the tenth day of April next, or sooner, if sooner full.
The public will be advertised as soon as the tickets are ready for sale.
The managers are instructed to sell the tickets for ready money only.
Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1776.
"In CONGRESS, Nov. 27, 1776.
"Resolved, That it be recommended to the legislatures of the United States respectively, to pass such laws as will most effectually tend to prevent the counterfeiting or forging the tickets of the public lottery.
Extract from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec'y."
BOSTON, March 6.
A Letter from Halifax says, Mr. Nathaniel Taylor and Family are gone to Quebec, Mr. John Simpson and Family, Mr. Wm. Taylor and Wife, Mr. and Mrs. Dumaresq, Dr. Gardiner & Family, John Winslow and Wife, Mr. Henderson & Family, Mr. Cunningham and Family, Mr. Black & Family, Parson Walter and Family, are gone to N. York, as are all the Refugees from Boston, either to it or England, except the following, Mrs. Phips and Family, Mr. Phips in England, Mr. George Spooner and Family, Mr. Kitt Minott, Mr. Lovell and Family, Rev. Mr. Byles, Rev. Mr. Wiswal & Sons, Frances Green, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Isaac Winslow and Family, Samuel Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. William Hutchinson, Byfield Lyde's Daughter, he is dead, as Gen. Brattle, Joseph Goldthwait, Mrs. Winslow, Widow to Joshua Winslow, Doctor Goldthwait is dead, George Deblois & Family, Mr. Lewis Deblois, Judge Hutchinson and Family, Henry Smith & Family, Mr. Simmons and Family, Mulberry H. Holmes and Family, Miss Oliver, Mrs. Perkins, Mr. McNeil and Family, Mr. Sparabawk, Mr. Foster and Family, Col. Snelling & Family, Mr. Selby, Mr. John Taylor, himself dead, Miss Cummings, Mrs. Urquhart, Miss Mary Burton, lately married, Mr. & Mrs. M'Fadyen, John Brown & Family, Mrs. Routh, Mr. & Miss Jones, and Widow Taylor and Family, &c.
Some of the above list write their Friends in town, that they expect to be in Boston by the latter end of May or beginning of June.
Yesterday being the anniversary of the 5th of March 1770, an elegant & spirited oration was delivered at the Old Brick Meeting House, to commemorate the bloody tragedy perpetrated by a party of soldiers of the 29th regiment, under the command of Capt. Thomas Preston, by Benj. Hitchborn, Esq; to a very crowded auditory. There was a general collection for the unhappy Monk, who is still languishing under the cruel wounds he received.
A gentleman from Middletown, Connecticut, informs, that there had been seized at New and East Heaven, three hundred barrels of pork and twelve thousand weight cheese, which were procured and designed for General Howe's army; and that no person appears to own them.
The prize ship Venus , from Jamaica, laden with rum, sugar, cotton, &c. taken by Capt. Pierce in a Providence privateer, was unfortunately cast away lately on Great Trip, Nantucket shoals; and the people, twenty one in number, providentially saved their lives by taking to the boat.
Extract of a Letter from Baltimore, Feb. 14.
"A number of men have gone down into the eastwardly part of this State to suppress a gang of tories, who are there in arms. Some of the tory villains, I hope, will now go for it. They are going to hang two, one in the state of New York, the other in Connecticut. Perhaps it would be better for the public, if some were banged among you."
Capt. Samuel Champlin, in a Privateer from New-London, has taken a large Double-Deck Brig, laden with King's Stores and English Goods, from London, bound to St. Augustine, and sent her into North Carolina. This Account we had from Capt. Wilson, of New-London, who arrived here a few Days ago, from North Carolina.
S I R,
IT is the Opinion of our greatest political Writer Lord Bolingbroke, that a King who usurps more Power than is intrusted to him by the Constitution of the Kingdom which he governs, is an Usurper—If so, then a King may be a Traytor to his People, and ought to be subject to those Penalties to which they are obliged to submit when pronounced guilty of Treason: This is hard Doctrine for a Courtier, a Sycophant, & a Tory to swallow, but surely it is very equitable.—For if Millions must suffer for offend no one Man, why should not one Man be punished for injuring Millions? Your's, &c. CASSIUS.
TO BE LETT,
On Reasonable Terms,
THE TAVERN-HOUSE, out houses and twenty acres of land thereto belonging, situate in Greenland on the Post Road from Portsmouth to Boston—being the same house wherein Enoch Clark, Esq; deceas'd, lately kept Tavern— For further particulars, enquire of Mary Clark, administratrix of the estate of said deceas'd.
Greenland, Feb. 21, 1777. 0-2
NOTICE is hereby given to all the Soldiers, who have enlisted under Capt. EBENEZER FRY, of Pembroke, that they appear immediately at the House of Colonel SAMUEL CONNER's, in Pembroke aforesaid, in order to march as soon as possible. Hereof fail not.
EBENEZER FRY, Captain.
WHEREAS some Person, or Persons, do encourage the Seamen belonging to the RALEIGH, to neglect their Duty, by harbouring and secreting them in Houses, for the design'd Purpose of tempting them to spend their Money, thereby making them intoxicated with Liquor; by which Means Disorders are committed against public Peace, to the great Disgrace of this Town, and manifest Disadvantage to the Service of the United States; This is therefore to warn all Persons from harbouring, secreting, enticing or inveigling any Seaman or Marine belonging to the said Ship, from their Duty, as they will be made to answer such Offences as the Law directs. — Likewise to warn them against trusting or crediting any Seaman or Marine belonging to said Ship, as no such Debts will be paid.
THOMAS THOMPSON.
On Board the Raleigh, at Portsmouth, March 3d, 1777.
TO BE SOLD,
A Few Cases of excellent GENEVA, a few Pieces of RUSSIA DUCK, CORDAGE, and two Suits Sloop's SAILS. Enquire of Jacob Sheafe, junr.
BICKERSTAFF's famous Almanack, to be sold at the Printing Office. By the gross, dozen, or single.