The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-09-21 00:00:00

THE Greenwich Journal
O R
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
SATURDAY, September 21, 1776.
[ No. 18. ]
Mr. DEARBORN, If you think the following worthy a place in your useful paper, you have the liberty to give it one.
It's astonishing to see daily, the insults offered by the TORIES , and unnoticed by the Committee, in a more particular manner, since the news of the skirmish on Long-Island, on the first report, they had their meeting and a dinner provided, to congratulate each other on the importance of the day; and if common fame speaks truth, they have their particular toasts on such occasions; their significant nods and smiles at each other as they pass by, and in their very countenances it is as plain to be seen as the sun in its meridian: they have the effrontery to assert, that it is much worse than reported, that it's so bad, that the sons of Liberty are afraid to let it be known, least the people should be discouraged.— Is not this intollerable? It's a matter of fact, that they have the first news on every event, and that they propagate every intelligence they receive, taking care to calculate it, so as to serve their own turn; it's beyond a matter of doubt that they keep up a secret correspondence thro' the colonies in order to comfort one another, to keep up their sinking spirits, and to propagate fallhoods.
The committees of the county of Middlesex in the Massachusetts have done honor to themselves, and have set a noble example, in their resolves, at their meeting at Concord a few days since, and are worthy of imitation, which breath nothing but spirit, firmness and humanity, for which they have ever been distinguished, and 'tis the wish of every honest upright man, that their laudable resolves may be universally adopted.
M c . NAMORA.
Portsmouth Sept. 18, 1776.
From the Leyden Gazette of April 12, 1776. Translation of a letter from Lord Viscount Mahon to the Printer of the Leyden Gazette, dated London, April 5th, 1776.
S I R,
"I have seen in your paper of the 19th of last month an article from London, which might induce those who are uninformed, erroneously to believe, that the Earl of Chatham had, in a private conversation, expressed himself in a favourable manner towards administration; and I am not at a loss to conceive from whence may have arisen a report as false as it is injurious. But surely it is not from the advice that Lord Chatham gave, to recall our troops from America; not from the plan of accommodation which he proposed last year in the House of Lords, and which administration would not even suffer to lye upon the table; nor from the present threatening situation of our public affairs; and surely it is not from the blind rancour and
infatuation of our ministers, which has engaged them to reject every idea of accommodation with the Colonies, short of unconditional submission, and even to hire foreign mercenaries to butcher our fellow subjects on the other side the Atlantic; neither is it the universal spirit of resistance which inspires the whole continent of America, almost driven to despair by the unjust treatment they have received; nor the enormous and most ruinous expences of this civil war, that can have given occasion to so groundless a report, much less is it the step which Lord Chatham has so lately taken, of resigning the commission which his son Lord Pitt, as yet a minor, held in the 47th regiment now at Boston, that he might not be sent to serve against the Americans.
"The Earl of Chatham is even now (though he never did it upon any other occasion, not even when he was minister) going to prosecute the printer of the Public Advertiser , for having in his paper the extract of a letter, pretended to be his, in which are attributed to him, sentiments favourable to the total measures that are now carrying on by administration. Lord Chatham's state of health not having allowed him to attend parliament this session, opinions, which he disapproves, and ideas which he abhors, have been impudently ascribed to him. And I am authorised Sir, to inform you, that all the sentiments, and conversations, which the enemies of America, and the tools of government, have ascribed and are daily ascribing to the Earl of Chatham, are gross and scandalous impositions upon the world."
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 31. The following LETTERS and ORDERS are published by order of the Hon. Congress of the American States.
Head Quarters, New-York, 17th Aug. 1776.
My Lord,
BEING authorised by Congress, as their Commanders in every department are, to negotiate an exchange of prisoners and, presuming as well from the nature of your Lordship's command, as the information Gen. Howe has been pleased to honor me with, that the exchange in the naval line will be subject to your Lordship's direction, I beg leave to propose the following mode of exchange for your Lordship's consideration, viz.
"Officers for those of equal rank, and sailors for sailors."
If the above proposal should be agreeable to your Lordship, I am charged, in a particular manner, to exchange any officer belonging to the British navy, in our hands, and of equal rank, for Lieutenant Josiah, who was lately made prisoner in a ship retaken by the Cerberus frigate.
The reason my Lord, of my being charged to propose the exchange of Lieut. Josiah in preference to that of any other officer, is that authentic intelligence has been received, that, regardless of his rank as an officer, he has not only been subjected to the duties of a
common seaman, but has experienced many other marks of indignity.
As a different line of conduct, my Lord, has been ever observed towards the officers of your navy, who have fallen into our hands, it becomes not only a matter of duty, but of right in me to mention this to your Lordship, to the end that an inquiry may be made into the case above referred to.
From your Lordship's character for humanity, I am led to presume, that the hardships imposed on Lieut. Josiah are without either your knowledge or concurrence, and therefore most readily hope, that upon this representation, your Lordship will enjoin all officers, under your command, to pay such regard to the treatment of those that may fall into their hands, as their different ranks and situations may require, and such as your Lordship would wish to see continued by us to those who are already in our power, or who may hereafter, by the chance of war, be subjected to it. I have the honor to be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Howe, Admiral and Commander in Chief of the British navy in America.
(Copy.)
Eagle off Staten-Island, 19th Aug. 1776.
Sir,
CONCURRING with the proposition you have been pleased to make in your favor of the seventeenth for an exchange of prisoners in my department, viz. "Officers for those of equal rank, & sailors for sailors." I will take the liberty to propose an officer of the same rank with Lieut. Josiah, when he arrives.
The Cerberus being absent, I have no other information respecting the situation of Mr. Josiah, than what is communicated in your letter. But the matter, you may be assured, shall be inquired into, and every attention paid to the rules of propriety, as well as the dictates of humanity, on all such occasions.
Principles and conduct form the true distinction of rank amongst men; yet, without a competent habit in the manners of the world, they are too liable to meet with unmerited disregard. But insult and indignities to persons of what ever rank, who are become parties in these unhappy disputes, cannot be justified, and are, I persuade myself, as much disapproved of by every officer under my command, as they can never cease to be by me. I am, with great personal respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant.
HOWE
To General George Washington &c. &c.
THIS may inform the Public, that Caleb Sanborn, who has for some time past been in Hampton-Falls, is determined to resign that business into the hands of others, and live a more retired life in future.
CALEB SANBORN.
Hampton-Falls Aug. 30 1776. 16—

PORTSMOUTH, Sept. 18.
Last Thursday arrived here Capt. Thomas Conway in 38 days from St. Luce, brings no late intelligence: On his passage spoke a fishing Schooner, which gave him a Halifax paper of the 3d inst. from which is extracted the following articles, viz.
H A L I F A X September 3.
Yesterday afternoon arrived the Sloop Lady Gage, from the Bay of Fundy, in her voyage to this place, has taken a sloop going from the capes to New England, in whom was Mr. Coffin, a quaker and one Mr. Adamson, whose vessels were lately taken and brought in here and made prizes of, and sold.
E D I N B U R G, June 18.
Extract of a letter from Quebec, May 28.
"The defence of this place against the rebels, and our success, is owing in a great measure to the bravery of Col. Allen M c Leau, who suffered the greatest fatigues with a spirit and resolution almost unparalleled. Much praise is also due to captain Hamilton of the Lizard who prevented the Lieutenant Governor from delivering up Quebec which he was about to do before Gen. Carlton arrived from Mountreal.
LONDON June 1, 3 & 4.
The Hon. Capt. Waldegrave is appointed by the Lords of Admiralty Captain of his Majesty's ship Rippon, of 64 guns, on board which ship Sir Edward Vernon is to hoist his broad pendant, bound to the East Indies.
Yesterday Lord Bruce was at Court and kissed his Majesty's hand on being appointed Governor to their Royal Highnesses the prince of Wales and the Bishop of Osnaburg; his Lordship was afterwards sworn in one of his Majesty's most Hon. Privy Council, and took his seat at the board.
The same day Dr. Hurd, Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, kissed hands on being appointed Preceptor to their Royal Highnesses.
Same day the Marquis of Camarthen kissed hands on being appointed one of the Lords of the Bedchamber, in room of Lord Bruce.
Yesterday Capt. Page, of the corps of engineers, was presented to the King by Lord Viscount Townsend, and most graciously received. His Majesty was pleased to say much in his favour of his conduct at Bunker's Hill on the 17th of June, under General Howe.
The recall of Sir Joseph York from the Hague, it is reported, is on account of the multitude of obstacles that the States daily make in furnishing Administration with the three Scotch regiments for the American service, which have been repeatedly solicited, and like wise to deliver his sentiments respecting the Dutch commerce with our colonies.
A Patent of Creation is said to be preparing for Lord Hyde, to create him and his heirs mail Earls of Clarendon.
Letters from Paris of the 20th inst. mention two considerable Bankruptcies there one for 800,000 livres, and the other for a much more considerable sum. They are in the West-India trade.
On Saturday morning some experiments were tried at Woolwich before Lord Viscount Townsend, Lord Amherst, Generals Harvey, and Desagultiers, and a number of other Officers, with a rifle gun, upon a new construction, by Capt. Ferguson, of the 70th regiment; when that Gentleman, under the disadvantages of a heavy rain and high wind, performed the four following things, none of which had ever been done with any other small arm: first, he fired four or five minutes at a target, at the rate of four shots a minute. He fired six shots in a minute. He fired four times per minute at the same time at the rate of four shots in the hour. 4thly. He poured a pint of water into the pan and barrel of the gun when loaded, so as to wet every grain of the powder, and in less than half a
minute she fired as well as ever, without extracting the ball. He also hit the Bull's Eye at 100 yards, laying with his back on the ground; and notwithstanding the unequalness of the wind and wetness of the weather, he only missed the target three times during the whole course of the experiments.
There are now two recruiting parties at Hamburg, beating up for volunteers for Great Britain, and as they gave a large bounty, they get more than any other nation, there are no less than sixteen parties here. The above recruits are to form a corps called the German volunteers.
By a private letter from Dublin last past, we are informed, that the independent spirit of electioneering gains ground daily; and that even in those boroughs which were before entirely at the devotion of government, in the little town Drogheda, for instance, which was always held a rottenborough, Messrs. Ogle and Singleton have been invited to stand candidates, which they have accepted. Their whole expenses are borne, nor are they even at the trouble of a single solicitation. They have published a Test, which is invariably to do the best for their country, independent of court or country faction. This perhaps is one of the first instances of so uninfluenced an election in the annals of this country.
June 8. A number of Folkstone cutters, which are to mount from ten to twelve guns each, besides swivels, are going to be built for the service of government; they are intended for service in America, and are to be commanded by Lieuts. in the navy.
By the Robert, Hall, arrived at Bristol, from Dominica, a gentleman writes to his correspondent, that there are no less than 50 sail of American vessels loaded with provisions and lumber, which have been taken by the King's ships, and carried into the Islands, condemned, and sold; which captures have proved a very seasonable supply to the inhabitants.
Advice was yesterday received from Cadiz, that three of Admiral Rodney's squadron are cruising off that place, to intercept some American vessels which are expected there; but that some principle merchants have dispatched some advice boats to stop their coming to that port, and for them to sail to some other Spanish port near the Mediterranean.
BOSTON, Sept. 12.
Extract of a letter from Horn's Hook, near New York, dated September 1, 1776.
"It was in my power I would inform you of the transactions of the army here, but it is impossible. I will attempt in part. I arrived here the day the troops landed on Long-Island. After the armies skirmished for seven days; General Washington commanded the four last in person; made the grandest retreat perhaps ever made, not a man lost. And although we were surrounded by the enemy, they did not discover our movements until sunrise. We have lost about eighty, killed, one hundred and thirty wounded and between four and five hundred taken prisoners; among whom is Major General Sullivan, Brigadier General Lord Sterling and one Field Officer. Capt. Johnson of the Artillery died of his wounds; he behaved like a Hero, as did most of the Officers and Soldiers.
"I am now within musket shot of the enemy's encampment, and in hourly expectation of an attack—General Sullivan left off for the Congress yesterday, with proposals for a conference between a Committee of them and Lord Howe: They begin to see our importance, and consider us an Independent STATE. Seventeen hundred and sixty three is done with.—An alliance and our trade is what they propose—Our eagle-eyed General says it may be only a finesse to lull us into obscurity; but by this time they ought to know that they have not the ministry of Great little Britain to deal with, but the wisdom of the AMERICAN STATES, and their Generals.—The army is now formed in three Grand Divisions, & in never better situation."
Thomas Martin
Has for Sale at his Shop on the Parade, a small quantity of English Goods, amongst which are some linnen handkerchiefs, mullin ditto—blue flower'd sattin—farsnet & persians—velvet caps,—carpeting—fine lawn, Room papers, &c. &c.
A small parcel of Hard Ware—7 by 5 and 6 by 8 window glass,—jappand waiters, pound beads, Frying Pans, &c. &c.
Rum,—Sugar,—Molasses,—Rasins,—Cinnamon,—Cloves,—Mace,—Mustard, Snuff,—Almonds,—Pepper,—Flour and Redwood—Madder; Fustick—Whalebone—Exceeding good Porter by the barrel or dozen—White Lead—Spanish Brown, dry and ground in Oil,—Spanish Yellow—Umber, &c. —He has also for sale,—
A large English built Long Boat of 22 feet in length, which will answer well for a Fishing Boat; laying on Messrs Sherburne's Wharfe, and will be sold on Thursday next at 10 o'clock A. M. at public Auction.
NOTICE is hereby given, that on Thursday the 3d day of October next, at three o'clock in the afternoon, at the dwelling house of Mr. Robert Calef in Chester, in the county of Rockingham, will be sold at public VENDUE, by James Calef, administrator of the estate of James Calef, late of Haverhill in the county of Essex, and colony of Massachusetts-Bay, deceas'd, Forty Acres of Land, laying in said Chester, being part of the real estate of said deceas'd, in order to pay the demands on his estate, pursuant to a licence from the Judge of the probate of wills, &c. for said county of Rockingham—Conditions of Sale will be made known at the time & place abovemention'd.
James Calef, Administrator: Sept. 16, 1776. 18—20
TO BE SOLD,
GOOD Brown SUGAR, Pomatum, &c. by Moses Safford, at his House near the County House in York—Cash given for good live brown human HAIR, by said Safford. 18—20
Five Dollars Reward.
5 Dollars Reward.
DESERTED from on board the Ship War Raleigh, commanded by Thomas Thompson Esq; Edward Thorp, an Englishman five feet six inches high, dark complexion, has a cast with one eye.—William M c Daniel, an Englishman, five feet eleven inches high, dark complexion,—And Michael Brown an American, five feet eleven inches high, dark complexion.—Benjamin Gerrish, five feet eight inches high, dark complexion,—Joseph Howard, five feet 4 inches high, brown complexion—John Allen, five feet nine and three quarter inches high, dark complexion. Whoever will apprehend said deserters, and return them on board said ship Raleigh, or secure them in any of the colony gaols shall receive FIVE DOLLARS REWARD for each, and necessary Charges allowed.
PETER SHORES.
Portsmouth Sept. 18, 1776.
ALL Persons indebted to or that have any demands on the Estate of Lieut. Jacob Sethel, late of Hampton-Falls Saddler deceased, are desired to bring in their accounts to the Widow Sarah Sethel, and Abner Sanborn jun. administrators to said estate, in order for a settlement.
Hampton-Falls Sept. 4, 1776. 17—19
Rockingham ss. Exeter Sept. 6, 1776.
THE Superior Court of judicature, is adjourned the third Tuesday in November next, then meet at this place, when all business heretofore pending may be entered. GEO. KING, Cle.
By order of Court. 8—30

NEW-HAVEN, Sept. 11.
Last Sunday Morning, the Enemy opened a Battery on Long Island, when they began a most furious Cannonade on our Fortifications at HELL GATE, which was returned with Spirit on our Side, and was still going on last Monday Noon, when our last Accounts came away, at which Time we had only one Man killed, and three slightly wounded.
We have advice from Long Island, that General Howe has ordered the militia there to muster, from which draughts are to be made, if a sufficient number of volunteers do not appear to fight against their American brethren.
A LIST of the Names of the Officers that are Prisoners with the Enemy and bound by Flag of Truce, sent for their Baggage and Cash, viz,
First Pennsylvania Battalion.
Col. Miles, Col. Piper, Capt. Brown. Capt. Peebles, Lieutenants Scott, Gray, Spear, Dausbach, Macpherson, Lee, Broadhead Davis, Wert, Topham. Doctor John Davies. Doctor Joseph Davies, Col. Lutz, Capt. Crawl, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Young, Major Bird, Capt. Heiden.
Of Col. Kacline's Regiment.
Captain Graff. Lieutenants Lewis, Milder, and Shoemaker.
Of Col. Lasher's Battalion.
Adjutant Hoogland, Lieutenants Troop and Dunscomb, Mr. Van Waggenau, a Volunteer, Mr. Gilliland, ditto.
Of Col. Smallwood's Battalion.
Mr. Wright, Capt. Bowie, Lieutenants Butler, M c Le, Ridgely, Stennit, Dent; William Coot and James Fernandez.
Of Col. Huntington's Regiment.
Lieut. Makepeace, Capt. Brester, Ensigns Lyman, Chapman, Hinsman, Bradford, Orcutt, and Higgins. Capt. Bissell, Lieutenants Gillet and Gay, Adjutant Hopkins, Doctor Holmes, Col. Clark.
Of Col. Atlee's Regiment.
Col. Atlee, Captains Howell, Nico, Herbert, and Murray. Lieutenants Houston, and Henderson. Dr. Young.—Volunteers, John Potts; of Col. Johnson's Regiment, Mr. Callender, Cadet to Artillery, Mr. Kearns, Delaware battalion, Major Welles of Col. Wyly's regiment.
HARTFORD, Sept. 16.
Our last verbal intelligence from New York is as late as Thursday noon—a constant and heavy cannonade was kept up from the enemy's fortifications near Hell-Gate, which was as warmly returned from our forts on the opposite shore. No material injury had been sustained on our side.
NEW PORT, Sept. 13.
A vessel lately arrived at Dartmouth, from Hispaniola, brings a confirmation of a WAR between Spain and Portugal.
The sloop—Capt. Lever, belonging to New-York, arrived at Dartmouth last Thursday, in seven weeks from France, by whom we learn, that American vessels find a very free trade there, and that the French only waited for a Declaration of Independence from this country, when they were determined to strike some capital blow.
We learn by the above vessel, that the carpenters were so closely engaged in the ship yards, she could scarcely procure a single hand to do one day's work on her, that Mr. Dean from the most Honorable General Congress was at the French court; and that letters for the Congress from him came in the vessel, which were dispatched forward last Friday morning.
The Continental Cruiser, Andrew Doria, Captain Nicholas Biddle, has taken four prizes since he sailed last viz. one large ship with near 15,000 bushels of wheat, which the Negro-catcher, Dunmore, loaded at Virginia, and ordered for Halifax, a brig from Dunmore's fleet bound to the West-Indies, with a number of other vessels, and their household furniture, out of which he took some of the most valuable articles, and seven Negroes, and let her go: two brigs from the West-Indies, loaded with rum and sugar; the two latter are safe arrived in a neighbouring port, and the ship is hourly expected.
Capt Jabez Whipple, in a privateer of Providence went up the east passage last Thursday, with a fine large prize ship, bound from St. Vincent, with between four and five hundred hogheads of sugar, 200 puncheons of rum, and 40 casks of indigo; also a brig loaded with sugar and rum, and a sloop loaded with molasses.
We have from undoubted authority, that 20 English officers sold out at Halifax before the fleet sailed from thence for New-York; that the English troops in general were much averse to the expedition; but that the Hessian & Scotch troops were very bitter and violent; and 'tis hoped they will meet their just rewards.
Last Saturday arrived here the schooner Elizabeth and Hannah loaded with sugar and rum, taken by the Connecticut Spy, Capt. Niles.
PROVIDENCE, September 7.
Thursday last arrived here a Prize Schooner taken by the Joseph Privateer, Capt. John Field, in Company with a Letter of Marque, commanded by Capt. Joseph Tillinghast, both of this Port: She was in Ballast, and bound from Grenada to Liverpool, in Nova Scotia.
WATER TOWN, September 16.
All Military Commissions bearing Date in the Year of the King's Reign, were by two Laws of this State to have ceased on the 19th Instant, unless altered in Regard to such Date, &c. But we hear the General Court, to prevent a Delay in the present Military Movements, is passing a Resolve for continuing in Force for a farther limited Time, all such Commissions, the aforesaid Stile notwithstanding.
A Letter from New London mentions, that Dr. Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge, Esqrs are appointed by the Congress, in consequence of General Sullivan's message, to wait on Lord and General Howe.
By the Post from Ticonderoga we learn, that they are in daily expectation of an attack from General Burgoyne.
BOSTON, September 19.
We have the Pleasure to find, that Capt. Johnson, of this Town, belonging to the Train, is not among the slain as was mentioned in a Paper the last Week, It is true he fell gloriously but it was by being badly wounded as he was bravely fighting for his Country. By the last Accounts he is like to do well.
Last Thursday the General Assembly of this State passed a Resolve for raising every fifth Man in the same (a few sea Port Towns excepted) to march for New York to the immediate Assistance of our Brethren there.
Monday last the new-raised Company of INDEPENDENTS commanded by Henry Jackson, Esq. made their first Appearance in their Uniforms (black turned up with red) on the Green in this Town; where they were reviewed by the Honourable Major-General WARD, and his Suite; some Members of the Honourable Council of this State; a Number of other Gentlemen, and many Ladies &c. were present.—They performed the Exercise, various Manoeuvres and Firings, to the universal Acceptance of the numerous Spectators.
Last Saturday was sent in to Cape Ann, by the Schooner Warren, Capt. William Coot, a Ship of 400 Tons Burthen, called the Piety, commanded by Breckhoff Cleaveland bound from Tago for London, having on board 325 Hogheads Sugar, 161 Bales Cotton, 113 Pips, 29 Hogheads and 10 Quarter-Casks Madeira Wine, and some Indigo. And, On Monday Evening last was also sent into Cape Ann, By the Warren, a Brig of about 120 Tons, mounting 8 Carriage Guns and 10 Swivels. She was from the Coast of Guinea but last from Tobago bound for London, with some Elephants Teeth and Gold Dust.
When the above Brig left Capt. Coot, he was in Pursuit of a Ship.
Yesterday arrived in this Harbour from Swanzey, (where they were lately built) two armed Sloops in the Service of this State, having 12 Carriage Guns, 6 Poundsers, 20 Swivels, and 75 Men each.
Dobb's Ferry Sept. 12.
"Seven hundred of the enemy have landed at Fort Olwego; and half the militia of Albany county are ordered up to Fort Stanwix."
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman, dated Mount Independence, opposite Ticonderoga, Sept. 7, 1776.
"We are full of rumours here concerning slaughter at New York, but wait the Post for particulars—Last evening an express brought intelligence from Crown Point, that firing had been heard for several hours that day on the lake; upon which the General, eleven at night, issued orders, that we should hold ourselves in actual readiness for an attack; but we are all still to day, and hear nothing from the fleet; what boats the enemy have we know not, and are at a loss to determine what occasioned the firing. We cannot suppose that the enemy have sufficient naval force to contend with us, and unless they pass our fleet they cannot approach us. Upon a moderate calculation we have now eight thousand men, which are effective; and should they come, they would meet with a warm reception. Colonels Whitcomb and Phinney's regiments arrived here last week; it was really reviving to numbers of our men, emaciated with sickness, and wore out with fatigue, to see the likeness of what they once were. We hear there are two more regiments hard by.
Our works go on briskly. We lack vegetables, but have plenty of good bread, fresh beef, and salt pork."
Two days after Governor's Island had been abandoned by our people, which lay much exposed to the enemy, the train went and brought off every thing, tho' a heavy fire from their batteries on Long Island, and the men of war which had by this time hauled up nearer the town. It is very extraordinary that the enemy should let forty eight hours elapse without going on the Island, after we had evacuated it. It was certainly a lucky circumstance for us; for had we lost the cannon there, which were some of the best we had, it must have been felt. This loss was prevented by the intrepidity of the train.
PORTSMOUTH.
Married] Col. JONATHAN MOULTON of Hampton, to Miss SARAH EMERY, only Daughter of ANTHONY EMERY, Esq; of that Town—A Lady very agreeable, and of a very worthy Character.
The Hon. Mathew Thornton, Esq; of Londonderry, is chosen a Member of the Honorable the Continental Congress, in the room of Col. John Langdon of this Town, who has resign'd.
Peirce Long, Esq; of this Town, is appointed Colonel of the Battalion stationed here,
Col. Jonathan Burnam, is appointed Lieut. Colonel, and Mr. Mooney, Major of said Battalion.
Thursday the tenth day of October next, is appointed as a day of humiliation, fasting & prayer, throughout this State.
Mr. Printer,
IN looking over your useful Paper, I observed a resolve of the Committees of Correspondence, inspection and safety for the County of Middlesex in Massachusetts Bay, purporting, that they were determined to use their best endeavours to prevent all persons, inimical to the Country, from assembling together, that they were judged to be forming Confederacies against the United States, a Committee was chose, who had full Power for preventing such Persons, having any Intercourse with each other; the said Resolve is worthy of Imitation, and it is wished that the several Committees in this State, would follow the same in every Respect, as it is well known, that Persons inimical, assemble frequently at a House called Tory Hole, in this Town; the Consequences of their Consultations may prove more Dangerous, than we are at present aware of.
Portsmouth, September 20 1776.
Two Dollars Reward.
RAN away from me the subscriber, the 26th of Aug. last, a Negro man named Cato, about 25 years of age, 5 feet high, speaks good English; carried with him a light coloured fustian coat, grey homespun breeches, striped woolen shirts, &c. Whoever takes up said negro, and conveys him to me, shall have two dollars reward, and all necessary charges paid by
WILLIAM HALEY.
Kittery Sept. 13, 1776.
7-19
Two Dollars Reward.
STOLEN out of the house of the subscriber, the 31st of August last, a silver CAN, marked with
the Letters S E the makers name Potwine, if the same should be offered for sale, it is hereby desired that it may be stop'd, that the thief may be detected or brought to justice, and whoever shall discover said thief, shall receive a reward of TWO DOLLARS and all necessary charges paid by
EBENEZER SAYER.
Wells Sept 6, 1776.
17-19
Clean Linnen RAGS
Taken in at the Printing-Office.

POET'S CORNER.
ON HONOUR.
NOT all the threats, or favours of a crown, A prince's whisper, or a tyrant's frown, Can awe the spirit, or allure the mind Of him who to strict honour is inclin'd. On higher springs true men of honour move, Free is their service, and unbought their love: When danger calls and honour leads the way, With joy they follow, and with pride obey. Honour, that spark of the celestial fire, That above nature makes mankind aspire; Ennobles the rude passions of our frame, With thirst of glory, and desire of fame: The richest treasure of a generous heart, That gives the stamp and standard to the rest; Wit, strength, and courage, are wild dang'rous force, Unless this soften and direct their course.
Copy of a letter from a gentleman in Boston, to his friend in London.
Nantasket Road, near the entrance of Boston Harbour, March 24, 1776.
The Rebels having possession of the whole country near Boston, and most of the heights near the town occupied by them, and with their numbers it is in their power to throw up many works that would most effectually hem us in; on the night of the fifth, they erected two new and very strong redoubts on Dorchester Neck, which would not only distress the troops and the inhabitants in the town, but would, if they pleased, damage the king's ships in the harbour; there was an intention to attempt to dispossess them of that ground, and 2000 men were actually embarked for that purpose on board seven transports, four of which, and the artillery, fell down to the Castle, when the troops landed on the Neck; the horse was to have gone out through the lines at Roxbury, and the General had ordered another body of troops to land on Foster's Hill, a part of Dorchester, and directly opposite to, & within a very small distance of the lines at the entrance of the town. — A very violent storm came on, which prevented any part of the plan being put into execution, except the embarkation of the troops; a lucky circumstance this is as they (the Rebels) had drawn all their force to defend these redoubts, which had been made very strong: This work was framed of timber, at some distance in the town of Dorchester, and carried to the heights in pieces, the frame being double: The vacancy was filled with screwed hay: If this post had been taken, to have maintained it, would have required a number of men; and the other heights near the town, and those which commanded the passage to and from the Garrison by water would have required the General's doing something to make a safe passage between this place and Boston. The Garrison and ships of war being thus circumstanced, and short of provisions, the army being obliged to the naval department for great part of their subsistence, it was thought proper by the General to evacuate the town of Boston, and for want of a sufficient number of vessels to transport the troops, stores &c. &c. &c. recommended to those who were to embark, to take with them such of their effects only as they could not possibly do without; and we accordingly embarked on board the Helleport Victualler, with little more than necessaries for the voyage, leaving behind most of our furniture & valuable effects. I had packed up most of what was in my house in hopes that there might be room and opportunity to put it on board some vessel; but unfortunately the Helleport on board which we were destined to embark, could not be unloaded before she got here, and of consequence no place to receive packages; the order for sailing was given the ninth, and we left the town the tenth; I with little more than necessaries for the voyage; the Helleport having no men belonging to her, nor any way fitted for sea, it required all my attention to forward her departure; the morning we set sail there was not a drop of water in the vessel, but what I myself got
on board a few hours before the anchor was weighed. Several of the ships who attended the embarkation of the troops, brought off more than one thousand persons. Though this measure may add to the rebellious army, yet I think it will have a much better effect than the hazard there would be, waiting for a reinforcement, which must have been very considerable to maintain the garrison, and penetrate into the country, & dispossess the enemy of their several posts. — The severe winter has bro't many distresses on this garrison, but had the masters of transports been acquainted with this coast, most of them would have been avoided, & in the General's power to have made other dispositions of the army than embarking them for Halifax. Our 1st division is to sail to day, under convoy of the Foy; the remainder of the fleet in a few days.
The misfortunes in this country are owing to the base dispositions of many great men in England: they have not only countenanced but supported the rebellion; the news papers in America abound with inflammatory pieces; none but such are published. The Speeches in the House of Lords and Commons have done great mischief, but nothing has done such injury as the Lords Protest. Good God! can those gentlemen ever expect any pleasure in this world, or happiness in that to come? That Protest has made some thousand Rebels in this country. During the several nights cannonading and bombardment of the town of Boston, most of the shot either fell close to, or passed very near my house; the morning we embarked, a twenty-four pounder struck the building. — By the first opportunity from Halifax I shall be more full as to the disposition of the army,
I am dear Sir, &c.
It is said of the celebrated Mr. Hancock, that when some of the Rebel officers complained of the partiality shewn by the Congress to a great General, he replied, that the Congress could make a hundred Generals in a day, but that Washington was the work only of Heaven.
An Authentic List of the Naval and Military Force in the province of Nova Scotia, August 13th, 1776, collected from the best authorities in said province.
IN the harbour of Halifax, the Milford and Liverpool Frigates of 28 guns; the Brig Hope, of 12 guns; the new Sloop of war, fitting out, called the Albany (late the Rittenhouse, belonging to Philadelphia) to carry 16 guns, Mowatt, commander.
August 16. Since writing this list, the Milford and Liverpool Frigates sailed, and the 17th, the Brig Hope will sail for Louisbourg. [And since which (by an honest fisherman) we are informed, that the Milford Frigate is cruizing off this coast again. Look out, Cruizers, &c.]
In the town of Halifax, two battalions of Marines, the whole 900 rank and file, — near 100 Invalids, — 12 Artillery men, — one company of the 14th regiment of Infantry, 47 rank and file, — one company of the royal highland emigrants, — 39 rank & file, — 6 bris field-pieces, 6 & 3 pounders.
Fortifications in the town and suburbs — a 5 sided redoubt about 100 paces W of the dock yard — a redoubt on a hill called Pedley's hill, about 1 and half Mile N. W. of the dock yard — a Redoubt, 4 sides, about 500 paces S. W. of the dock yard — a small breast work on a hill called Still-house-hill, about 40 paces N. of the dock-yard, small block houses to be built in each of the above redoubts — a block house 20 Foot by 30 at the N. W. Corner of the dock-yard, and another of the same dimensions at the S. W. corner — a small block house 15 foot by 8 each side of the dock-yard gate; the foregoing works had no
cannon mounted August 16th!
A large square breastwork for cannon (almost finished) on the top of citadel hill, mounting 12 24 pounders, 3 each way, viz. N. E. S. W. the Eastern side fronts the harbour; a block house, 40 foot by 60, erecting in said works.
In the county of King's county — part of the royal highland emigrants, consisting of 237 rank and file.
In the county of Cumberland, the regiment of royal fenceable Americans, commanded by Col. Gorham, consisting of 272 rank and file (when the last accounts came away) but frequent desertions lessen their number.
The dock-yard is situate upon low land, a mile N. by W. of the middle of the town of Halifax, surrounded with a stone wall, 10 foot high, but is not strong enough to resist the force of a 3 pound ball.
Tories gone to Quebec, from Halifax, viz. Benjamin Mulberry Holmes, peddling rum, — Leonard, Miller. — Barto, Ship-Carpenter, all of this town, and Thomas Foster of Plymouth.
Jonathan Hicks, is appointed surgeon's mate, and young Bliss of Concord, Lieutenant, in the Scotch highland Emigrants, stationed at Halifax.
Tories gone to Staten Island, viz. Ebenezer Bridgham, James Forrest, Capt. Beeman of Peterham (who piloted the ministerial butchers to Lexington) Edward Winflow, secretary to the board of ministerial general officers; Capt. Bowen, — Goldsboro' William Beattie, — Powell, James Asby, — Smith, Tinman; Lewis Grant, Joshua Loring, Sheriff; — Sullivan, Capt. Gilbert, — Curtis, David Black; Thomas Apthorp, Rhodi Thayer, John Perkins, deputy commissary to Charnier; Colonel Gilbert, of Freetown; Edward Foster blacksmith; Josiah Edson, — Sparhawk, — Prout, Fishmonger; John Sargent, of Salem.
Public Auction.
TO be sold at public Auction, on Tuesday the 8th, day of October next, at the wharfe of Mess. Daniel & Samuel Sherburne, 10 o'clock forenoon, the prize-ship Nelly Frigate; burthen about 310 tons (with her appurtenances,) being well found, and has near a double suite of sails, good cables and towlines, with five anchors. Also the Cargo of said ship, consisting of 120,000 feet Mahogany, (from the Bay Honduras) and about forty tons of unchipt and chipt Logwood, two double fortify'd four pounders & four double fortify'd two pounders. The said ship and cargo having been decreed forfeited to the United Colonies and captors, by the court maritime for the State of New-Hampshire.
JOSHUA WENTWORTH, Agent. Portsmouth Sept. 14, 1776. 17—19
FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.
DESERTED from the ship of war Raleigh, under my command, Charles Williams, an Englishman, dark complexion, five feet five inches high — Francis Bennet, a Portuguese, dark complexion, five feet four inches high — Edward Fernald an American, brown complexion, 5 feet 8 inches high, — and Samuel Clark, an American, brown complexion, five feet seven inches high. — Whoever will apprehend the said deserters and bring them on board the said ship, shall have Five Dollars reward for each, and travelling charges allowed.
THOMAS THOMPSON.
Portsmouth Aug. 30, 1776.