New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1781-04-02 00:00:00

THE New - Hampshire Gazette OR, State Journal, and General Advertiser.
[ Vol. XXV. ]
MONDAY, April 2, 1781.
[ No. 1274. ]
L O N D O N.
At the court at St. James's, the 20th of December, 1780.
P R E S E N T,
The KING's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
H IS Majesty having taken into consideration the many injurious proceedings of the States General of the United Provinces and their Subjects as set forth in his Royal Manifesto of this date, and being determined to take such measures as are necessary for vindicating the honor of his Crown, and for procuring a reparation and satisfaction, is pleased by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered that General reprisals be granted against the ships, goods, and subjects of the States General of the United Provinces, so that as well his Majesty's fleet and ships, as also all other ships and vessels that shall be commissioned by letters of Marque or general reprisals, or otherwise, by his Majesty's Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, shall and may lawfully seize all ships, vessels, and goods belonging to the States General of the United Provinces, or their subjects, or others inhabiting within any of the Territories of the aforesaid States General, and bring the same to judgment in any of the Courts of Admiralty within his Majesty's Dominions. And to that end his Majesty's Advocate Gen. with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are forthwith to prepare the draught of a commission, and present the same to his Majesty at this board, authorising the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral, or any person or persons by them empowered and appointed, to issue forth and grant letters of marque and reprisals to any of his Majesty's subjects, or others whom the said Commissioners shall seem fittly qualified in that behalf, for the apprehending, seizing and taking the ships, vessels and goods, belonging to the States General of the United Provinces and their vessels and subjects, or any inhabiting within the countries, territories or dominions of the aforesaid States General; and that such powers and clauses be inserted in the said Commission as have been usual, and are according to former precedents: And his Majesty's said Advocate General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are also forthwith to prepare the draught of a commission, and present the same to his Majesty at this Board, authorizing the said commissions for executing the office of Lord High Admiral, to will and require the Court of Admiralty of Great Britain, and the Lieut. and Judge of the said Court, his Surrogates, as also the several Courts of Admiralty within his Majesty's dominions, to take cognizance of, and judicially proceed upon all and all manner of captures, seizures, prises and reprisals of all ships and goods that are or shall be taken, and to hear and determine the same; and, according to the course of Admiralty, and the laws of nations, to adjudge and condemn all such ships, vessels, and goods, as shall belong to the States General of the United Provinces, or their vassals and subjects, or to any others inhabiting within any of the countries, territories and dominions of the aforesaid States General; and that such powers and clauses be inserted in the said commission, as have been usual,
and are according to the former precedents: And they are likewise to prepare and lay before his Majesty at this Board, a draught of such instructions as may be proper to be sent to the Courts of Admiralty in his Majesty's foreign governments and plantations, for their guidance herein; as also another draught of instructions for such ships as shall be commissioned for the purposes aforesaid.
BALTIMORE, March 6.
Extract of a letter from Annapolis, dated the 2d, inst.
"We are well assured that Lord Cornwallis is retreating, and that Gen. Greene is pursuing him. The militia of Virginia have turned out in great numbers, and with great alacrity; they have surpassed the expectations of the most sanguine. It is said Gen. Greene is much stronger than Cornwallis; and the Baron Stuben, who was intended to reinforce Gen. Greene, has received orders from him not to join him, but to cross over into North Carolina lower down, to gain a pass on the route to Wilmington, in case Cornwallis should bend his course that way. It is also said that Col. Lee has got round Cornwallis and is animating the militia."
PHILADELPHIA, March 10.
Extract of a letter, dated Dan river, Feb. 18th and 19th, 1781.
"The enemy, after a halt of three days are retreating in the direction of Hillsborough. Our force, from large collections of Militia, is become formidable. I should particularize, but duty calls me on. We are just after the enemy."
March 14. Our latest advices from the Southward mention, that Lord Cornwallis had retreated to Hillsborough, where he divided his army into three divisions; one of which had taken the route to Salisbury, another towards Pee dee, and a third towards Wilmington, to join the body that had landed at Cape Fear. That Governor Nash and Gen. Caswell were at Cross Creek, with a considerable body of Militia. Gen. Greene was in pursuit of Lord Cornwallis, who, by cutting down a number of trees, as if to throw a bridge over the Dan, had suddenly retreated, and stole a day's march of him.
BOSTON, March 29;
By an intelligent person who lately made his escape from St. Eustatia, an island belonging to the States of Holland in the West Indies, a free port, and where a vast traffick was carried on between all trading nations, we have obtained the following particulars of the captures of their imports at place.
On the 3d of February, Admiral Rodney with a British squadron of 13 ships of the line, and with transports that carried, as was laid, 2000 men, arrived at that island. The Governor had no previous notice of the approach of this squadron, or that any hostilities had commenced between the 2 nations; so that Statia was completely surprized. The British Admiral immediately sent a message to the Governor, demanding a total and unconditional surrender of the place, allowing him four hours to consider of the demand; but before a quarter of this time had elapsed he landed his troops and took possession of the fortresses, the town, & all the merchandise and wealth of the place without opposition. The American masters of vessels in the harbour went to the Governor, it is said and offered with their sailors, amounting to 600, to enter and defend the fortresses, or assist in repelling the invaders in any way that
might be pointed out by him: The Governor did not think proper to accept the offer, and no resistance was made. There were upwards of 200 vessels of different nations in the place, all of which fell into the hands of the British. All the stores, merchandise, and money, that could be discovered to a vast amount, shared the same fate. Upwards of 20 Danish vessels were seized by the invaders, some of which had been released; a Porteguese ship was detained by them and the report was, that war had or was already commenced or would soon take place between the Portugal and Britain. The day after the British troops landed, a drum went round the town, notifying all the Jews there to repair to an appointed place, and produce all their money and effects; the summons was obeyed, and the British commander took all in his possession, but gave them 4 Johanness a man, and sent them to St. Christophers.
Two days before Rodney appeared off Statia a Dutch fleet of between twenty and thirty merchant ships, sailed from Statia, under convoy of a man of war of 64 guns. Rodney, as soon as he was made acquainted with it, dispatched two 74 gun ships and a frigate after this fleet, which was soon overtaken by the British. The Dutch commander fought with great valor and obstinacy, and refused to surrender. He was however overpowered, and the British took possession of his ship, and most, if not all, his convoy, though not till after he had received seven balls in his body, of which he soon expired. The brave defence of this officer disabled one of the British ships of 74 guns, that she was obliged after the action to be towed into a near port.
Rodney, by keeping up the Dutch colours upon the fortresses of Statia, after he had taken it, decoyed a number of trading vessels round thither; by which means he has enlarged the advantages gained by him in the capture of the place.
One circumstance deserves particular notice. Three hundred American seamen, finding that the Island was to be surrendered without resistance, retired to an eminence in the middle of it, where they displayed a flag of the United States, and stood upon their defence. One hundred of these men soon capitulated with the British, but were immediately forced into service on board their ships. The remaining 200 continued to defend themselves. A British party was sent to reduce them, which they repulsed, and a number of which they made prisoners; and sent a flag to the British officer for an exchange of prisoners, which it is said took place. These brave fellows kept their station, where the American colours were flying when our informant left there.
We pretend not to give our readers a particular account of the wealth captured in Statia: It is on all heads allowed to be very great.
It is reported that the French squadron has arrived at Newport; and that upon its return from Chesapeake Bay it met and had a smart engagement with the British fleet from Gardiner's Bay, in which the latter suffered much. But no further particulars of this affair have yet arrived.
Last Thursday the ship Hibernia, arrived at Newburyport, from a successful cruise. They informed that the ship Protector, in company with the Deane, have captured a British 20 gun ship, & another valuable prize.

BOSTON, March 29. Last Friday arrived at a safe port, a packet from Jamaica, bound to London, captured by the ship Thorn, who engaged her two glasses, during which the packet had 4 men killed and 14 wounded. The Thorn had not a single man hurt. From several Jamaica papers taken in the above prize, we have extracted the following:
LONDON, November 28. AMERICAN STATE PAPERS. (Discovered in Mr. LAUREN's Trunk) [It may not be improper previously to remind the public, that Mr. Temple, at the time the following letters were written in his favour to the Rebel Congress, was in America, having been sent over by Government to use his boasted influence, to bring about a reconciliation between Great Britain and her Colonies, under the powers of the last Commission. For this purpose he received a considerable sum of the public money: How faithfully he executed that trust, will appear from the following authentic correspondence]
(COPY) Letter of recommendation from the Council of Massachusetts Bay, in favour of the Hon. John Temple, Esq; dated Boston, Nov. 3. 1778. SIR,
T HE Hon. John Temple, Esq; having on his arrival into this State, waited on this board, & given a most explicit declaration of the principles which induced him to return to America, & explained the necessity of coming thro' the channel he did, the board considering the laudable and exemplary conduct of that gentleman during his former residence in this State, in the offices he sustain'd under the crown of Great Britain, & his exertions to counteract the measures of those who were for promoting the tyranny of Great Britain, towards these States, and also his attachment & kind offices exercised to them while in England, to the risque even of his life (not to mention a great sacrifice in the loss of a very profitable commission under the crown, & other sufferings in consequence of his conduct and attachment as aforesaid) induce the board in justice to Mr. Temple's merit, to declare, we have no reason to doubt that gentleman's retaining the warmest affection & regard to his country, which some of the members of your honorable body have had full evidence of in time past; and therefore we, with great satisfaction, take this opportunity to recommend him to the notice of the hon. Congress, as he intends to pay his respects to them. In the name & behalf of the council,
Kam, Sir, with great respect, Your very humble servant, JER. POWELL, President." Hon. Henry Laurens, Esq;
(COPY.) Governor Trumbull's Letter in favor of the Hon. John Temple, Esq; dated Lebanon, 16th of November 1778.
Lebanon, 16th November 1778. SIR; "This letter will be delivered by the Hon. John Temple, Esq;— He hath done and suffered much for the cause of this his native, and much injured country.
"I had the pleasure of coovering with him when returning from Great Britain, via New York, to Boston, and now on his journey to Philadelphia. He is well acquainted with the public men and measures in the British Court. He appears a warm and real friend to our American liberties and independence.
"I recommend him to your regard, trusting he will meet the esteem and respect due to his services, sufferings, and merit.
I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, Your obedient humble servant, JON. TRUMBULL." Hon. President Laurens.
(COPY.) General Washington's letter in favor of the Hon. John Temple, Esq; dated head quarters Fredericksburg, 23d November, 1778.
"Head-quarters, Fredericksburgh, Nov. 23. "SIR, 1778.
"John Temple, Esq; will have the honor of presenting this to your Excellency. I do not know what Mr. Temple's views are; but it seems he has some application to make to Congress. I never had till now, the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with him, but, from the terms in which Mr. Bowdoin speaks of him, as your Excellency will perceive by the enclosed letter, and from other recommendations I have had of him, I consider him as a gentleman of sense and merit, and of warm attachment to the rights of his country, for which he appears to have suffered greatly in the present contest.
I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON." His Excellency Henry Laurens.
Extract of a Letter (found among Mr. Laurens's papers) from Dr. Franklin to the Committee of Congress, for foreign affairs, dated Paffy, May 26, 1779. (COPY.)
"Doctor Price, whose assistance was requested by Congress, has declined that service, as will see by the copy of his letter inclosed."
The following is an exact copy of a paper that was found enclosed in the before-mentioned letter:
Doctor Price's letter to the Commissioners at the Court of France.
London, January 18. 1779.
"Doctor Price returns his best thanks to the Hon. Benjamin Franklin, Arthur Lee & John Adams, Esq; for conveying to him the resolutions of Congress of the 6th of October last, by which he is invited to become a member of the United States, and to give his assistance in regulating their finances. It is not possible for him to express the sense he has of the honour which this resolution does him, and the satisfaction with which he reflects on the favorable opinion of him, which occasioned it. But he knows himself not to be sufficiently qualified for giving such assistance; and he is so connected in that country, and also advancing so fast into the evening of life, that he cannot think of a removal. He requests the favour of the hon. Commissioners to transmit this reply to Congress, with assurances, that Doctor Price feels the warmest gratitude for the notice taken of him, and that he looks to the American States as now the hope, & likely soon to become the refuge of mankind!"
"A true copy from the original, "Attest. W. S. FRANKLIN."
"SIR, "Princetown, Nov. 29. 1778. "Notwithstanding my natural, or rather political jealousy and suspicion, and the reports that were circulated concerning the bearer of this, the † Hon. John Temple, Esq; on his first arrival in America? Yet from the abundant testimonials which he has laid before me, and from the whole course of his conversation, I am so convinced of his attachment to, and sufferings for the cause of America, that I think it but common justice to that Gentleman to declare such my conviction.
"I believe Mr. Temple to be both able and willing to serve our cause, and am sure that Congress has sufficient judgment to distinguish our friends, and sufficient gratitude to reward their merits. I have the honor to be, with the greatest esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient, And most humble servant, WILLIAM LIVINGSTON.
His Excellency Henry Laurens, Esq; President of Congress.
† This Mr. Temple is the particular friend and associate of Mr. Trumbull, now in Clerkenwell Bridewell for treasonable practices against the State.
Extract of a letter from a General Officer, dated West Point, March 26, 1781.
"The Fleet and troops which sailed from New York the last Week, returned last Sunday; it is said they met Intelligence that the Traitor Arnold and all his troops were
taken Prisoners, which caused their return much confused. The Consternation has diffused itself among both Inhabitants & Soldiers in the City."
State of New Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the following delinquent Proprietors or owners of Land in the Township of Piermont, that unless they pay their Continental State & other Taxes, for the Year 1780, with incidental charges, to me the subscriber that so much of their Lands will be sold at Public Vendue at the House of John Poor, Innholder in Greenland on Tuesday the 24th day of April next, at 3 o'Clock P. M.
   Names. No. of Acres. £. s.    Joseph Smith 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Samuel Wentworth 100 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Joseph Newmarch 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Wiseman Claget, undivided Land 35 5  Jonathan Moulton 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Benjamin Stevens 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  John Goffee 100 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Charles Paxton 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Ezekiel Werthen 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Robert Auchmudy 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Nathan Whittings, undivided Land 35 5  Jonathan Church 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  John Hale 100 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Samuel Barr 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Christopher Tappin 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  George Frost 100 35 5  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Rob. Temple No. 11 4. R. 100 35 5  Joseph Blanchard 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  John M'Duffee 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Joseph Page 100 25 5  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Joseph Wright 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Samuel Greely 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Col. Joseph Smith 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  James Nevian 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  House Lot 45 17 13  
Any of the foregoing Proprietors who are still delinquent for their Taxes for 1777, 1778, 1779, as formerly advertised for Sale, which were not then Sold; their Lands will be Sold at the same time.
Benjamin Patterson, Collector.
Piermont, March 20th, 1781.
WANTED to Hire a good Hand, to work on a Farm, within a few miles of Portsmouth, for which a good prize will be given.
Enquire of the Printer, Portsmouth.