New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1781-08-06 00:00:00

New - Hampshire Gazette State Journal, and General Advertiser.
[ Vol. XXV. ]
MONDAY, August 6, 1781.
[ No. 1292. ]
PHILADELPHIA, July 18.
SIR, Camp, before Ninety Six, June 9, WROTE your Excellency on the 29th of May, and inclosed the capitulation and surrender of the garrison of Fort Dreadnought, and on account of a small action at Augusta. On the 5th of this instant Fort Cornwallis surrendered. Inclosed is Gen. Pickens and Lieut. Col. Lee's report of the capitulation and an account of the stores and prisoners.
The very great exertions that were made by Gen. Pickens and Lieut. Col. Lee, and the troops under their command, particularly the legion, deserve the highest honour, and I hope will meet the approbation of Congress.
Inclosed is Gen. Marion's report of the evacuation of George Town. The enemy now have no fortified posts either in South Carolina or Georgia, except Charlestown, Savannah and Ninety Six, which we are now at. I have the honour to be with greatest respect,
Your Excellency's obedient humble serv't, NATHANIEL GREENE.
His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq;
"SIR, Camp in Augusta, June 5, 1781.
"In our separate dispatches of the last month we communicated the events which led to the siege of Fort Cornwallis. From that period the most vigorous exertions have been used; attended with incessant labour, to advance our approaches with rapidity.
"A perfect circumvallation were nearly completed, with three issues from it, communicating with the enemy's losses. Several batteries were erected, one near 30 feet high, which gave us entire command of the works and two rifle citadels we formed within 30 yards of their parapet. In this situation, it was our determination to have forced a lodgment in the different curtains, from which establishment we might with readiness and certainty of success have referred the issue of the contest to the bayonet. The judicious vigilant and gallant conduct of the garrison deprived us of many advantages which we wished to have seized in the course of our operations, and which would have tended to have shortened the siege. At nine in the morning proposals were received from Col. Brown, which we have the honour to transmit, with the capitulation which took place and all other official communications. Returns of the public stores, artillery and prisoners, are also enclosed.
"It is out of our power to do justice to the efforts of the officers of every rank, and to the chearful patience with which the exertions were supported by their faithful soldiers. The Cols. Clark, Harding & Hammond, with their militia, were essentially serviceable.
"Capt. Rudolph with the officers of the infantry of the legion, have distinguished themselves as usual. Capt. Smith, who commanded the North Carolina corps, was especially useful by his activity and attention, and the gentlemen under him behaved perfectly soldier like. We derived every possible aid from the artillery under Capt. Finley, and beg leave to express our obligations to that gentleman, his officers and soldiers.
"The legion cavalry have participated fully in the variety of service, & have been essentially serviceable, by the animation & zeal with which they performed their share of the toil.
Our loss is not very considerable; & by no means proportionate to the warmth of the contest. The amiable and gallant Major Eaton fell in our first advance; the regret which we feel on this occasion is very distressing, & can be experienced only by those who knew his worth. What adds to our sorrow & excites our indignation is, that we have reason to be-
lieve that this patriotic soldier fell a sacrifice after surrender. A very pointed correspondence took place on this subject between Lt. Col. Lee, under whose command the Major was, and Lt. Col. Brown; a further enquiry will now commence, and atonement shall be made for the impious deed.
"Dr. Erving, of the Legion, has the honor to bear this letter. During the important operations in this State, by the issue of which the capital of Georgia, with a large extent of territory, is recovered from its late subjugation; we have experienced great utility from this gentleman's zealous exertions, and take the liberty to recommend him to your particular notice. We have the honor to be, Sir, with the highest sentiments of respect,
Your obedient humble servants,
ANDREW PICKENS, B. G. of Militia. HENRY LEE, Jur. Commandant of Continental troops.
RETURN of Prisoners taken at Fort Cornwallis, June 3, 1781.
Total. 1 col. 1 lieutenant-col. 1 major. 9 captains. 4 subalterns. 1 adjutant. one Quarter-master. 4 surgeons. one assistant-commissary. one sergeant-major. one drum-major. eleven serjeants. 4 drums and fife. 255 rank and file.
SIR, Georgetown, May 29, 1781.
"In my last I acquainted you with my intention of marching to this place; yesterday I arrived, and immediately began to open an intrenchment, but the enemy tho't proper to slip on board of their vessels at 9 o'clock at night, and sail down towards the bar. They had a galley, two gun-boats, and an armed schooner. I immediately took possession of the redoubt and town. In the first were three nine-pounders & a carronade, their trunnions knocked off and spiked, and their baggage carried off.
"I shall only stay to level the works, when I will immediately cross Santee River, take post near Monks Corner, & wait your orders.
"The enemy's leaving this post, has saved a great deal of provisions, will prevent the Tories from destroying our friends, and leave them at leisure to pursue their planting.
"It cannot be conceived the joy this event has given our friends. I have the honor to
be, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS MARION."
Honorable Major General Green.
Published by Order of Congress.
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Extract of a Letter from Standing Stone, Bedford County, dated July 4.
"We are continually alarmed by the savages. There have been within a month past, 47 inhabitants killed and scalped on Bushy-Run, Raccoon-creek, Frankstown, and some near Bedford & Susquehannah, North Branch. With the help of some of my good neighbours, we shall have this week a good block house, which will contain 30 men, besides women and children, which I trust will be a safe retreat."
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in the neighbourhood of Williamsburg, dated July 9, 1781.
"The enemy have plundered several people in this neighbourhood. They are now encamped at James Town, and we daily expect a general engagement, if it has not already happened. Gen. Wayne was engaged with them the 6th instant, & had 200 men killed and wounded, 12 officers missing. They took two field pieces from him, one of which was re-taken, and the other would have been recovered, but the horses were shot down. The battle was fought in the old field by James Town church. We had only three brigades engaged. The enemy's loss cannot be ascertained; some accounts say 3 or 400 kill'd and wounded."
Extract of a letter from Fredericksburg, July 10.
"It is this day reported, that a very smart action happened on Friday last near William-
burg, between the British and Gen. Wayne wherein both sides lost a number of men, but as the particulars which have come to hand, cannot be depended upon, must wait for a confirmation, which we hourly expect. It is also said our army was skirmishing all Saturday, that the enemy have crossed James River, and that our army was on their march to Richmond."
Extract of a Letter from an officer of the American army in South Carolina, dated Camp, before Ninety Six, June 17, 1781.
"After a laborious siege of 27 days, and having prosecuted our approaches to the very ditch of the enemy, we are upon the point of being interrupted by the advance of Lord Rawdon; the skill of both armies will be put to test, and I have the hopes of a soldier, that our labours here will be rendered more important by a spirited victory in the field. His Lordship has been induced to take the move from the small reinforcement received by the Cork fleet. We have a numerous and respectable body of cavalry and may fight generally without risking a total defeat. A few days must produce the event, an event upon which the happiness of this country in a great measure depends."
Extract of a letter from an officer of rank who was in the late action in Virginia, dated July 8, 1781.
"The slowness of the enemy's pursuit was remarkable, and must be owing to the great loss they sustained; ours does not exceed 120 killed and wounded; no officer among the former, but a great many among the latter. Almost every field officer's horse killed or wounded, one of the Marquis's horses was killed; not a man in the whole detachment was more exposed than him. The enemy have precipitately crossed the river leaving our wounded on this side. They are apparently leaving the State."
Extract of a letter from St. Thomas's, dated June 26, 1781.
"I was in hopes to have informed you a decisive action between the two fleets; but Mr. Rodney reflecting on the riches he had robb'd the Statia Inhabitants of, thought it better to postpone the action, till he had enjoyed or squandered a little of that ill got self. He accordingly ran for Barbados, where he now is; the French fleet are at Grenada, and much superior; therefore I hope they will be active. Tobago is certainly taken; as is Pondicherry in the East Indies, by Hyder Ali; the British lost a great many men, as all were put to the sword, being stormed. The fleet that sailed from Statia for England was captured in the channel by the combined fleets. — There is no Congress to be held in Vienna, as reported, the Dutch would not agree to it; the cry with them is war, war; & they are active in preparing."
Congress have received from France a large packet of public dispatches, from the British ministry to Sir Henry Clinton, and other of their officers in America found in the mail of the Media Theresa packet lately carried into l'Orient. These letters are under examination, and in our next paper we expect to begin on the publication of them.
CHATHAM, July 18.
Gen. Washington, we are told, put the army in motion last Sunday, and moved towards King's Bridge; and, as a very heavy cannonade was heard most of last Sunday night and Monday morning, it is supposed Fort Washington was attacked.
SALEM, July 31.
Since our last arrived here, the Privateer ship Marquis, Capt. Cowell, from a cruiser of 12 weeks, during which he has captured a brig from Portsmouth, bound for Newfound-

land; her cargo consists of dry goods, salt, cordage, &c.
Capt. Cowell in lat. 48—50, fell in with a British ship from Liverpool bound for New-York (on the 29th ult. about 1 o'clock, P.M.) and engaged her yard arm and yard arm upwards of two glasses; but he finding the British ship to be of much superior force, she mounting 32 guns four's, six's & nine pounders, after the Marquis had 8 men killed and 14 wounded, her hull, masts, yards, rigging and sails being much damaged, Capt. Cowell thought proper to leave her, he not having men enough to give her another broadside. He supposed the loss of the British to be very great, as there was a continual run of blood from the ship's scuppers.
We have been favoured with a number of London papers which came in the Marquis, one of which mentions, That the Dutch fleet consisting of 27 sail, which was captured at St. Eustatia, and ordered for England, has been retaken by la Motte Piquet, and have all arrived at Brest.
By a gentleman from the Eastward, we have received the following intelligence from Penobscot (which may be depended on) That the enemy continue to fit out their small privateers daily: That 15 sail of which were nearly ready for sea, including those which have lately sail'd from that place. That their orders were, to cruise along the Eastern shore chiefly, with intent to take all coasters, or other vessels which may not be armed; therefore coasters, &c. may through timely notice, prevent themselves from falling into the hands of their most inveterate enemies. It is said that one Mowet is at the head of the above plunderers. The infamous Long, who lately made his escape from this place, had a vessel fitted immediately for him upon his arrival at Penobscot; & has often threatened, that if ever he has it in his power, he is determined to burn and sink all vessels that he may hereafter fall in with belonging to the Americans.
NEW HAVEN, July 25.
A few days since a vessel with ordinance stores, coming down the North River, was attacked by a British frigate, near Dobb's Ferry; the people to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy, set her on fire and quitted her, when the frigate man'd out several boats to take her, but were prevented by the fire of some well directed shot from some artillery on shore, under cover of which Capt. John Miles, of this town, swam on board the vessel, extinguished the fire & recovered her; for which hazardous enterprize we hear, he received the public thanks of his Excellency the Commander in Chief.
Sunday last, in the afternoon, a party of the enemy surprised the congregation of the parish of Middlesex between Norwalk and Stamford, while attending divine service in the meeting house, and made prisoners of about 40, including the Rev. Mr. Mather, minister of the parish. The surprise was so complete, that only 4 or 5 escaped, one of them a son of Mr. Mather, who was slightly wounded in the leg, as he was running off. They were carried to the water side, and put on board two armed vessels, which at that instant came too, supposed by previous appointment. The enemy also took away a number of horses, with saddles, &c. A few of the inhabitants collected, who exchanged some shot with the enemy, and one or two were seen to fall, but whether mortally wounded is not known. One prisoner was taken.
The enemy's party consisted of about 40, who came over the night before, from Lloyd's Neck, in seven boats, which they carried into a thick swamp, near the meeting house, where they concealed themselves, until they rushed out, and surprised the congregation, as above. This is the second time that Mr. Mather has been a prisoner with the enemy.
May 19. An express was received yesterday morning at the Admiralty from Plymouth, with an account of the arrival of one of the government cutters, the maker of which has brought intelligence, that he saw the whole of the French ships, with their prizes, in the entrance of the British channel, long. 5. 35. lat. 48. 30, steering with a fair wind for Brest harbour, where they must have arrived in the common course of probable events, a week ago.
State of New Hampshire, Exeter, June 25, 1781. CHARITY WELCH, Wife of Benjamin Welch, late of Portsmouth, in the County of Rockingham, and State aforesaid, Marriner, having petitioned the General Court, sitting forth, that about fourteen Years ago,
she was married to the said Benjamin, who about seven Years last past left her destitute of any support, went to sea, entered on Board a British Man of War, and has continued with the Enemy ever since. She is informed, and expects to prove, that the said Benjamin is married again in England, and has a Child there: wherefore she prayed, that the Bond of Matrimony between the said Benjamin and her may be dissolved.
Upon which Petition, the General Court Ordered, that the Petitioner be heard thereon before them on the second Tuesday of their next Session; and that in the mean time the cause the Substance of the Petition and Order of Court thereon, to be published three weeks successively in the New Hampshire Gazette, that any person may then appear, and show cause (if any they have) why the prayer thereof should not be granted. Attest. Joseph Pearson, D. Sec.
TO BE SOLD,
By Richard Champney,
At his Store on Mess. Sherburne's & Langdon's Wharfe, the following assortment of Goods, at a low Advance by Whole-Sail, and many of them by Retail.
A Beautiful Assortment of high polish'd Knives & Forks, Penknives with Cates, Scissors with dit. Razors with dit. Cut-toes, Jack Knives, Carving dit.—A great Variety of Tortoise, Horn and Leather Ink-Pots, Brass Pocket dit. Temple-Spectacles, high polish'd Snuffers, Tea & Table Spoons, 6d Nails, Sweeds and Spanish Iron, Steel, Russia Duck, Oznabrigs, Ticklinburgs, Seamen's Hats & Ruggs, Cod-Lines,—Striped Linnen, Women's ready made Petticoats & Scarlet Cloaks—Shalloons, Tammies, Durants, Calamancoes of all Colours, superfine Cotton Denims, blue and white red and dit. crimson and dit.—Turkey Stripes, Men's Worsted and Thread Hose, superfine Cotton and Linnen Checks, Dimothys, striped Camblets, Poplins, Silvers, Missinets, Calicoes, Broad Cloth, Lamskins, Beaver Coatings, Duffs, Flannels, Quality & Shoe Bindings, Princes Stuff, spotted Velvets, Cord-duroys, Janes, Pound Pins, Needles, Threads, sewing Silks, Lawn Aprons, Modes, Bilboa and Barcelona Handkerchiefs, Linnen & Cotton dit. Men's green and black Hats.—Loaf Sugars, English Cheese, the best of Hysan TEA, Irish Pork, St. Martin's and Lisbon SALT, Candles per Box, Chocolate per Dozen, West-India and New England RUM per Hogthead and Barrel, Molasses per dit. Cotton Wool, &c.
TO BE SOLD,
By William Knight,
The following Articles viz. Blue, Scarlet, and Cloth Colour'd Broad Cloaths, Linnen Handkerchiefs, Buff plush, Thicksets, Buttons, Womens & Mens white Lamb Gloves, Womens and Mens Shammy ditto, Corks, Sickles of different sizes, various sorts of Files, 4d. 1od. 2od. & Scupper Nails, Nail rods, small Bar-Iron, very neat Shoe & Knee-Buckles, Ballast-Shovele, Garden Spades, hull'd Barley pr. Cag, Loaf-Sugar, Carrot-Tobacco, Snuff pr. doz. Beef in Tierce or Barrel, Pork pr. Barrel, Tongues in half Barrels, Butter in Finkin, Soap & Candles pr. Box, Port Wine pr. Cask, (or dozen) containing 7 dozen bottles each, French Wine pr. Tierce, Green Tea by the Cannister, with sundry other small articles. Also West India Rum by the Hhd. or Barrel, Muscovada-Sugar pr. Hundred, Molasses, Cotton, Lisbon Salt, &c. &c.
Many of said Articles may be had at Retail.
[ Middleton, ]
State of New Hampshire, Strafford, ff. NOTICE is hereby given, to the proprietors of Middleton, in said State and county, that a proprietors meeting of said proprietors is to be held in said Middleton, on Tuesday the 21st day of August next, at the house of Mr. Francis Mather, at two of the clock in the afternoon of said day, then and there to act on the following articles, viz.—1. To choose a moderator to regulate said meeting.—2 To see if the proprietors will chuse a suitable person for a pro-
prietors collector in the room of the last collector who refuses to collect the proprietors taxes they have voted to be raised; and to act any thing relating to the above, as the then convened proprietors shall think proper. All concerned, are desired to attend at time and place aforesaid, by order of the assessors. Dover, July 18, 1781. JOHN GAGE, Pro. Clk.
State of New Hampshire, Strafford ff.
NOTICE is hereby given to the delinquent Proprietors and owners of Land in Middletown that unless they pay their several taxes with Incidental charges for Year 1779, hereafter mentioned, to me the Subscriber by the 10th of August next so much of each Proprietors Land will be Sold at public Vendue at the House of Nathan Hanson, in said Town, as will pay said Tax with Incidental charges.
NATHAN HANSON, Collector.
Middletown, July 16, 1781.
   1st Division 2d Division   No Names. £. s. d. No Names. £. s. d.     38 Benjamin Roberts 3 17 6 3 17 6   31 Law Lot 0 0 0 4 2 6   86 Capt. W. Chamberlain 0 0 0 3 6 0   94 Benjamin Mason 3 7 0 0 0 0   90 John Heard 2 9 6 4 2 6   12 James Guppy 0 0 0 1 13 0   50 Daniel Hanson 0 0 0 1 16 3   61 Love Roberts 2 9 6 2 9 6   89 Thomas Varney 3 6 0 0 0 0   43 Thos. Wallingford El. 0 0 0 4 2 6   88 Edward Ellis 0 0 0 4 2 6   100 Ebenezer Varney 0 0 0 5 0 0   82 Job Clements 0 0 0 1 18 4   42 James Filpot 0 0 0 4 3 6   39 Andrew Marshall 4 18 3 4 18 3   61 Law Lot 0 0 0 5 0 0   52 Nath. Willand 4 3 3 0 0 0   84 Capt. W. Chamberlain 0 0 0 2 9 6   46 Stephen Roberts 0 0 0 4 4 0   5 Job Hufsey 0 0 0 3 8 0   8 Joseph Varney 5 0 0 0 0 0   99 Benja. Wentworth 3 8 0 0 0 0   26 John Perce 2 10 3 3 6 0  
PORTSMOUTH, JUNE 25, 1781.
THE Proprietors of the Township of BATTEN-WOODS having been legally Notified to pay the Taxes due on their respective Rights, & several being yet delinquent, they are hereby Notified, that unless their said Taxes be paid to me at my House in Portsmouth on or before the 15th Day of October next, with incidental Charges, so much of their Lands will be sold at the House of Mrs. Tilton, Innholder in Portsmouth, on the said 15th Day of October, at 4 o'Clock in the Afternoon, as shall pay the same, with incidental Charges. The Delinquent Rights in the Name of the original Proprietors, with the Taxes due, in Specie, are as follows.
   Original Proprietors Names.   £. s. d. £. s. d.     S. Hall of Medford 2 16 1 John Rand 1 18 7   James Grouard 2 16 1 Edward Rand 1 18 7   Joseph Moulton jr. 1 1 1 Nathaniel Austin 1 18 7   Richard Jennels 2 16 1 Mark Langdon 1 18 7   Nicholas Pickering 2 16 1 Mark Nelson 1 18 7   Francis Jennels 1 1 1 Mark Rogers 6 3 0   Isaac Rand 1 18 7 Thomas McDonogh 6 3 0   Isaac Rand, jun. 1 18 7 John Sprague 18   Isaac Rand 3d 1 18 7 Sam. Bowles, Col!  
List of Letters remaining in the
Post Office, in Portsmouth, July 27th.
Joseph Adams, Exeter. Robert Anderson, Londonderry. Adonah Crain, Chesterfield. Susanah Church, Exeter. Thomas Cuits, Portsmouth. Samuel Campbell, Windham. Doctor John Dusen, Chester. Monsieur Fouquet, Exeter. Joel Furnell, Kittery. Daniel Fisher, Portsmouth. Daniel Gilman, Exeter. Abraham Gibbs, Hinfidel. Joseph S. Gilman, Hampton. James Hersy, Newmarket. Samuel Leighton, Kittery. William Moore, Londonderry. Sarena Moore, Berwick. Nathaniel Peabody, Plaistow. Anthony Potter, Concord. William Patten, Merremack. Henry Parkinson, Londonderry. Mary Smith, Durham. Samuel Sayer, Exeter. Doctor John Sweet, York. Elizabeth Teel, Dover. Timothy Weymouth, Eppin. Richard Woods, Portsmouth.
Cash given by John Gooch,
FOR old Pewter, Brass or Copper. One Pound of new Pewter for two Pound of old. Also, New Pewter made and sold by him in Portsmouth.