The New-Hampshire gazette and historical chronicle (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-01-09 00:00:00

The New-Hampshire GAZETTE, and Historical Chronicle
VOL. XX.
Tuesday January 9, 1776.
Number 1601.
To the CONGRESS at EXETER.
Gentlemen, IN Quarrels between Countries as between Individuals, when they have risen to a certain Height, they no longer regard their Interest or Advantage, but the Gratification of their Wrath; when Anger has arrived to this Pitch, the most inflammatory Measures are esteemed the wisest, and Moderation, Prudence, and Virtue are degraded to the Place of Baseness and Cowardice...
If these are not the homely ugly Features of that horrid Monster Independence, Marks and Signs never refer to Originals; - some People may think otherwise, so apt are Mankind to reject every Thing that does not coincide with their prevailing Passions; soon will they see it arise in Order before their Eyes, attended with all its hellish Pageantry, so closely connected with other seeming necessitous Measures; that to oppose the one, you must a Multitude of others; so that no prudent Man can withstand it; it will appear dressed with every Ornament to hide its ugly Form.
"It is a Monster of so horrid Mien, As to be hated, needs but to be seen." Oppose it, Gentlemen, in the beginning, a little Delay may be fatal; and like a neglected Wound, it may mortify, and corrupt the whole Body.
Every Step towards INDEPENDENCY, I said would be ruinous and destructive in its Consequences: now I will prove it. The Question turns on these two Points. 1st. Can we gain INDEPENDENCY? 2d. If gained, can we support ourselves in it? 1st. We have for six or eight Months past opposed but a Part of Great Britain, 6000 Land Forces is not an Exertion of British Power, they have been divided; and consequently irresolute and inconsistent in their Plans: every Man who knows History, must acknowledge, that the ill Success of the British Arms in the opening of last War was in Consequence of popular Clamor against the Ministry; and their Success afterwards to their Union: & as long as we feed this Party, shall we be successful. It is a Party that acts from the noble Principle of INTEREST, they esteem us Part of the same Body, and what affects one Part will extend itself thro' the whole. Every tyrannical arbitrary Measure exercised over us, may in their Turn be exercised over them; they oppose it, not for our Interest, but for their own. But a Disjunction disunites our Interest likewise, and they will not assist us to their own Loss: say they, the Americans are making us an Instrument to ruin ourselves; we heard they had been misrepresented, as captious and impatient of Government: and now it is true, they under a specious Pretence of Liberty, are speaking off that Government they Congress solemnly Sware to support. They are deceitful Men; they told us, they would pay their Quota towards the national Expense, & now will not give a Penny, & we must pay their Taxes, and protect their Trade in War and Peace, and they only rail and revile us afterwards. We have in their Infancy nourished and brought them up, and now they have lost their natural Affection. Then let us one & all unite against these Rebels, & subdue them; else we shall lose all our Debts and Trade. The Ministry, continue they, are right to tax them as they would not tax themselves, and pay any thing towards our defending them thro' this long Peace from any sudden Excursion of the Enemy both Savage & civilized; this will be the united Language of all Great Britain & Ireland. Say France and Spain, if we join in this American Quarrel, Great Britain will offer any Terms to the Colonies, let them alone, they will weaken themselves more by our Neutrality, than Interposition, and be no expence to us neither. That old British Love & the Affection for each other, will rouse itself if we intermeddle, Foreigners always disgust them; and our Finances were so exhausted by the late War, that we are not able (a very able Reason) therefore France and Spain are not for us, consequently according to Squire ----- they are against us: the Case then stands thus, all Great Britain united to subdue us, France and Spain neuter, tho' Esq; ----- says God Almighty never made a neuter----- we depend wholly on ourselves-----that is a Continent of 1000 Miles Sea Coast defending themselves without one Ship of War against 310 Battle Ships completely manned and fitted-----A Country that can pay but 30 Thousand Men, at War with a Nation that has paid, and can pay 150 thousand,---A Country of three Millions of Inhabitants, fighting with a Nation of 15 Millions---A Country that can raise but 1 Mil. of Money at War with a Nation who can raise 20 Mil. in Specie. A Country without Arms, without Ammunition, without Trade, contending with a Nation that enjoys the whole in the fullest Latitude. They have conquered France, can't they conquer America; I said without Ammunition, but the making of Salt Petre has made such rapid progress especially at Portsmouth, where both Clergy & Laity are employed six Days in the Week & the seventh is seasoned with it, that I beg leave to subtract that: Now cast the Balance which Side is heaviest, "we are gone in a Minute" then we cannot gain Independence.
If we can gain Independence, can we support it? Will any Nation protect us for our Trade? no Nation manufacture such Articles as we consume but Great Britain, & these Manufactures are vastly cheaper and better than at Holland; their Manufactures except a few Articles are very dear and coarse; therefore we cannot Trade with any foreign Power sufficiently to reimburse them for their Protection. Can we manufacture for ourselves? We cannot make sufficient of Paper for ready Consumption; and we have least the Art long ago, and we must buy English Paper, except we would chuse to write on Bark or Wax; The Reason is plain, we consist in this Country of Farmers, Planters and Fishermen; we have not Men sufficient for Manufacturing; and Great Britain has made their Emigrations a capital Offence; this is the first Ob-
jection to a State of INDEPENDENCY. A second is, that no Nation would take a great Part of our Produce, because they come so much dearer from us, than other Nations; and to encourage us, Great Britain has given Bounties upon sundry Articles to the Amount of 200,000 Sterl. that we might be able to export them to their Merchants. A 3d Objection is, That was the Continent a Foreign State, we should be obliged to pay what Taxes they please on the Manufactures towards raising Revenue. 4th Objection, We must be obliged to garrison the Provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia in War and Peace, which will cost us 500,000. Sterling, which we never did, nor never can raise. 5th Objection is, We must maintain a Fleet equal to that of Great Britain, to defend our Sea-Coast, and our Trade, which will cost us 2 or 3 Millions; if we cannot raise one now, can we raise three, five Years hence? On a moderate Computation, our Taxes would be tenfold: Now, which is most eligible, to be independent, and pay 15 Dollars Tax, or to be in the Condition we were in 1762 and pay One? who will it please, but ambitious Men? The only Way to make Men do right is to put it out of their Power to do wrong. The Gentlemen of Pennsylvania have given Instruction to their Representatives that no Congress Man should be a Placeman; it is a tempting Bait, the Offices of Treasurer, Recorder and other lucrative Posts to do wrong. I speak this, because I hear there is a Debate, whether the Officers of Government shall be chosen from and by the Provincial Congress; they go all by Scripture Maxims; they condemned a number of People on this Text, "They who are not for us, are against us." On a learned Explanation of it in this Wise, that a Man must approve or disapprove every Measure that is taken altogether, say they; if he likes one Exertion, he must another. Now the Rule fixed for the Choice of Officers is this, "Choose your Governors and Nobles out of yourselves:" The Laws of God are the only Rule since the Dissolution of the Laws of the Land, and they will abide by them, "till they can make better," however, I have digressed too far, it is as certain if you establish a new FORM of Government, as that you will have all the Posts of Profit, that we shall have all the Force of Great Britain, and every Ally, that Interests or Gratitude can gain, on our Backs; and picture to yourselves the Consequences. I know of no more direct Step you could take to answer the Designs of the Ministry; and every Advocate for it is worthy a Pension. I forgot to draw my Consequences from the Things I proposed, but any Man who can distinguish right from wrong may see any Step towards Independence is ruinous and destructive in its Consequences.
Was any Man to see his Neighbours House in Flames, would he hold his Arms and silently sit at Home, it would be Madness; such is my Case; and tho' I burn my Fingers in the Attempt I will try to extinguish it, lest the whole City be in Flames.
JUNIIUS.
By some Gentlemen, who came out of Boston last Week, we have received Prints, brought thither by a Transport from England, containing the following, viz.
L O N D O N, Octo. 27. His MAJESTY's most gracious SPEECH to both Houses of PARLIAMENT, Octo. 26, 1775.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, THE present Situation of AMERICA, and my constant Desire to have your Advice, Concurrence, and Assistance on every important Occasion, have determined me to call you thus early together.
Those who have long too successfully laboured to inflame my People in America by gross Misrepresentations, and to infuse into their Minds a System of Opinions repugnant to the true Constitution of the Colonies, and to their subordinate Relation to Great Britain, now openly avow their Revolt, Hostility, and Rebellion. They have raised Troops, and are collecting a naval Force; they have seized the public Revenue, and assumed to themselves legislative, executive, and judicial Powers, which they already exercise, in the most arbitrary Manner, over the Persons and Properties of their Fellow Subjects: And although many of these unhappy People may still retain their Loyalty, and may be too wise not to see the fatal Consequences of this Usurpation, & wish to resist it; yet the Torrent of Violence has been strong enough to compel their Acquiescence, till a sufficient Force shall appear to support them.
The Authors and Promoters of this desperate Conspiracy have in the Conduct of it, derived great Advantage from the Difference of our Intentions and theirs. They meant only to amuse by vague Expectations of Attachment to the Parent State, and the strongest Protestations of Loyalty to me; whilst they were preparing for a general Revolt. On our Part, though it was declared in your last Session that a Rebellion existed within the Province of the Massachusetts Bay; yet even that Province we wished rather to reclaim than to subdue. The Resolutions of Parliament breathed a Spirit of Moderation and Forbearance; conciliatory Propositions accompanied the Measures taken to enforce Authority; and the coercive Acts were adapted to Cases of criminal Combinations amongst Subjects not then in Arms. I have acted with the same Temper; anxious to prevent, if it had been possible, the Effusion of the Blood of my Subjects, and the Calamities which are inseparable from a State of War; still hoping that my People in America would have discerned the traitorous Views of their Leaders, and have been convinced, that to be a Subject of Great Britain, with all its Consequences, is to be the freest Member of any civil Society in the known World.
The rebellious War now levied is become more general, and is manifestly carried on for the Purpose of establishing an independent Empire. I need not dwell upon the fatal Effects of the Success of such a Plan. The Object is too important, the Spirit of the British Nation too high, the Resources with which God hath blessed her too numerous, to give up so many Colonies which she has planted with great Industry, nursed with great Tenderness, encouraged with many commercial Advantages, and protected and defended at much Expence of Blood and Treasure.
It is now become the Part of Wisdom, and (in its Effects) of Clemency, to put a speedy End to these Disorders by the most decisive Exertions. For this Purpose, I have increased my naval Establishment, and greatly augmented my land Forces; but in such a Manner as may be the least burthensome to my Kingdoms.
I have also the Satisfaction to inform you, that I have received the most friendly Offers of foreign Assistance; and if I shall make any Treaties in Consequence thereof, they shall be laid before you. And I have in Testimony of my Affection for my People, who can have no Cause in which I am not equally interested sent to the Garrisons of Gibraltar and Port Mahon a Part of my Electoral Troops, in order that a larger Number of the established Forces of this Kingdom may be applied to the Maintenance of its Authority; and the national Militia, planned and regulated with equal Regard to the Rights, Safety and Protection of my Crown and People, may give a farther Extent and Activity to our military Operations.
When the unhappy and deluded Multitude, against whom this Force will be directed, shall become sensible of their Error I shall be ready to receive the misled with Tenderness and Mercy: And in order to prevent the Inconveniences which may arise from the great distance of their Situation, and to remove as soon as possible the Calamities which they suffer, I shall give Authority to certain Persons upon the Spot to grant general or particular Pardons and Indemnities, in such Manner, and to such Persons as they shall think fit, and to receive the Submission of any Province or Colony which shall be disposed to return to its Allegiance. It may be also proper to authorise the Persons so commissioned to restore such Province or Colony, so returning to its Allegiance, to the free Exercise of its Trade and Commerce, and to the same Protection and Security as if such Province or Colony had never revolted.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have ordered the proper Estimates for the ensuing Year to be laid before you; and I rely on your Affection to me, and your Resolution to maintain the just Rights of this Country, for such Supplies as the present Circumstances of our Affairs require. Among the many unavoidable ill Consequences of this Rebellion, none affect me more deeply than the extraordinary Burthen which it must create to my faithful Subjects.
My Lords and Gentlemen, I have fully opened to you my Views and Intentions. The constant Employment of my Thoughts, & the most earnest Wishes of my Heart, tend wholly to the Safety and Happiness of all my People, and to the Re-establishment of Order and Tranquility thro' the several Parts of my Dominions, in a close Connection and constitutional Dependence. You see the Tendency of the present Disorders, and I have stated to you the Measures which I mean to pursue for suppressing them. Whatever remains to be done that may further contribute to this End, I commit to your Wisdom. And I am happy to add, that as well from the Assurances I have received, as from the general Appearance of Affairs in Europe, I see no Probability that the Measures which you may adopt will be interrupted by Disputes with any Foreign Power.
Oct. 5. It is said that the King is very much dissatisfied that the Summer is passed away without any Thing effective being done towards subduing the Americans. Lord North's former Opinions, that Conciliation would be effective, have been most severely reasserted on him in the Cabinet.
The great Division that prevails amongst the General Officers at Boston, or at least the principal Cause of it, arose from a difference of Opinion, respecting the wintering of the King's Troops: Gage was for Rhode-Island: Clinton for New-York: Butgoyne and Howe, point blank for Boston itself.
CAMBRIDGE, January 4, 1776. Extract of a Letter from Accomack, in Virginia, dated Dec. 18.
"Our Troops under Col. Woodford entered Norfolk last Monday, without Opposition. The Governor (Lord Dunmore) had drawn his Fleet of Ships from before the Town, and fallen down the River ten Miles. Col. Woodford has not lost a Man in this Expedition, notwithstanding the Governor's Troops attempted to force his Lines at the Great Bridge. Every Man, out of sixty that were killed, wounded, or taken Prisoners: Indeed all those taken Prisoners were wounded, and but ten remained alive when the Account came away. Captain Fordyce and Capt. Lash are among the slain."
We hear that a Gentleman is arrived at Boston from the Molys, who says, that "vast Preparations for War are making there by the Spaniards; and that Jamaica is their immediate Object."
A Gentleman who came Passenger in a Transport, which arrived at Boston, last Week, from London, informs that 16 Sails of Vessels, laden with Stores and Provisions, were, when he left England, sailed or fitted out for Boston, for the support of the Garrison the present Winter; but that no Troops may be expected before the Spring: And that 110 fine large Sheep were brought out in the Vessel in which he came Passenger, but that only two of them were carried into Boston alive.
Last Saturday about 120 more of the Inhabitants of Boston arrived at Chelsea.
It is said Admiral Shuldham is arrived at Boston, to supersede Admiral Graves.
We are credibly informed, that the Ministerial Troops in Boston are dying fast with the Scurvy; that it is judged their Stores cannot hold them many Weeks longer; and that their Fuel cannot last them but about 6 Days."
On Wednesday, the Week before last, Major General Lee set out for Rhode-Island: He was attended from hence by his Guard and a party of Rifle-men; and from Providence, by the Cadee Company of that Place, and a number of Minute-men. He entered the Town of Newport the Monday following, preceded by the Cadets, his Guard and the Rifle-men. While there, he called before him a number of obnoxious Persons, to whom he tendered an oath of Fidelity to the Country, which was taken by all of them, excepting Col. Joseph Wanton, jun. Nicholas Leechman and Richard Beale, two custom house Officers, who refused taking it; upon which they were put under Guard, and brought to Providence. The General, after having viewed the Island, & given Directions, for erecting some Fortifications, set out for Providence on Wednesday, from whence he came to Town on Saturday last.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20.
We are informed that a Camp for 20,000 French Troops is marked out at Hispaniola, and that 7000 of them were hourly expected.
Extract of a Letter from Dominica, Nov. 6 1775. "By a Gentleman from Martinico I am told, that several Thousand French Troops were already arrived and more coming to Martinico, Guadaloupe, and the neighbouring Islands."
Extract of a Letter from St. Eustatia, Dec. 3, 1775. "We have an undoubted Account of the Arrival of 2500 Men at Martinico, and 1800 at Guadaloupe, they are part of a Reinforcement of 10,000 Men, ordered out for those Islands; there is also 4000 ordered out for St. Domingo, part of which is arrived."
We find by Letters from South Carolina, that the Inhabitants of that Province were determined at every Hazard to resist the Attacks of Ministerial Power, and to defend Charles-Town, their Capital, to the last, for which purpose they are making all the Military preparations in their Power.
NEW-LONDON, Dec. 29.
By authentic Advice from Martinico we learn, that on the 4th of October last, Capt. Grant Gordon, Commander of the Argus, an English Frigate, lying in the Harbour of St. Pierre, sent a Boat with 12 Men on Board a French Sloop in that Harbour, in search of Powder, (supposing her to be an English Vessel bound to North-America.) Intelligence of this coming to the Master of the Sloop, who was on Shore, he immediately repaired on board his Vessel to know the Reason of this Conduct; the Lieutenant of the

Frigate demanded his Papers, and on the Master's refusing to exhibit them, a Squabble ensued, which being discovered by the people on board, they went to the assistance of the French Master, in which the Lieutenant and some other Officers and Sailors went on board, where they were soon surrounded by a numerous Mob, which this insult had collected; mean while the People in the Boat were drove from the Shore with showers of Stones which were thrown at them, the Officers at the same time were heated at by numbers of Sailors & Negroes who followed them to the Governor's, where they went to make complaint; but the Governor ordered them immediately to depart, or he would have them punished for their insolence: After much difficulty the Officers of the Frigate, got into their Boat and made off—During the Tumult a Boat was sent on Board the Frigate to know the reason of this Conduct, & the Frigate was soon after ordered out of the reach of their Cannon.
CHARLESTOWN, (South-Carolina) Nov. 17. In consequence of a Resolution to obstruct the approach of Ships of War to Town through Hog Island Creek, the provincial armed Schooner Defence of 12 Guns, & 70 Men, commanded by Capt. Simon Tufts, went there on Saturday with four Schooner Hulks, which were to be sunk in such Manner as to effect the above purpose. Accordingly on that Evening, Capt. Tufts (with 3 of them now withstanding several Shot were fired at him from the Tamer Schooner of War, lying in Rebellion Road, which Capt. Tufts answered with two Shots. The 4th Hulk not having come up early enough in the Tide, he was obliged to remain in the Creek till Morning. The Tamer and Cherokee Men of War had warped much nearer the Schooner in the Night Time, & about 4 o'clock began a heavy Cannonade, which was continued with little Intermission till near 7; however, the Hulk was carried to its Station, scuttled, and there left sinking. Capt. Tufts having thus effected his Purpose, retreated. Two Boats from the Men of War went to the last Hulk, set it on Fire, and towed it from the Place where it had been left; upon which two Guns were ineffectually fired at them from the Schooner. Upwards of 100 Shot were fired at the Defence by the Men of War, only 3 of which struck her, one under her Counter, one in her Side, and the 3d in her Shrouds, but not a Man on board was in the least hurt. The Charlestown Militia, on the Drums beating to Arms, turned out, and continued under Arms several Hours. Since the above, most People have been employed in removing their Families and Effects out of Town. We hear that the Provincial Congress have resolved immediately to raise a Regiment of Artillery, to consist of 3 Companies of 100 Men each, including non-commissioned Officers and Gunners.
WILLIAMSBURGH, Dec. 6. We this moment learn that our People are in possession of the Great Bridge, having drove off the Party which Dunmore had posted for its defence.
A few Days ago Capt. Barton took a Vessel which was clearing out with Wheat. We are told she belonged to Mr. Archibald Gavan. Many Letters were found on her from a pack of Tories to Pique in Scotland, representing this Country in the most odious Colours. A Vessel is just arrived from England, which has bro't a number of ministerial Letters, which we have taken into our Possession. One Ingram writes to his Correspondent here, wherein he mentions that he should be exceedingly glad if his Friend would procure him a valuable Plantation in Virginia, as he learns that all the Lands here are to be confiscated on Account of the Rebellious Spirit which at present prevails in America.
Dec. 9. We learn from Great Bridge, that the Enemy have kept an incessant Cannonading upon our Troops for several Days past, from a Stockade Fort which the Governor has erected there, and that two Men were killed. A Gentleman from thence mentions some part of their Fortifications to be in possession of our Men, and that they had taken several Prisoners, with a considerable number of Arms. It is said the Enemy have met with great Loss from our Rifle-Men, &c. and that Lord Dunmore's Friends are deserting daily.
Part of a LETTER from Col. SCOTT to Capt. SOUTHALL, of this City dated Great-Bridge, near Norfolk, Dec. 4, 1775.
SINCE I wrote you, which was about two Days ago, we are well informed that we killed 16 Negroes, and five white Men, the first Day we got to this Place. The next Day Lieut. Tibbs, who had the command of the Boat Guard, about 5 Miles from this Place, was attacked by a Party of the King's Troops, Tories, and several Negroes. All out People gave Way, except Mr. Tibbs and 4 Men, who kept up the Fire and maintained their Post until I reinforced them with Capt. Nicholas, and 50 Men, who passed through a very heavy Fire on their Way; but before the Reinforcement got to the Place, Mr. Tibbs had beat off the Enemy and killed 7 Men, among whom was the Officer of the Army, whose Name I have forgot. We still keep a pretty constant Fire between us from Light to Light. We have only lost 2 Men, and there is 1 Person shot thro' the Arm. I expect to give you an Account of something further to morrow.
Last Night was the first of my pulling off my Cloaths for 12 Nights past. We are surrounded with Enemies; I do verily believe that nine Tenths of the People are Tories, who are the poorest, miserable Wretches, I ever beheld. Believe me, I do not think there is as much Provision within ten Miles round as would serve us one Day.
The Carolina Forces are joining us; one Company came in Yesterday; we expect 8 or 900 Men To Morrow or next Day, with several Pieces of Cannon, from 1 to 6 Pounds, with plenty of Ammunition and warlike Stores, I am very sorry that I have it not in my Power to write to you oftener, but I assure you it is not my Fault. You may be assured, my good Friend, I never was so fatigued with Duty in my whole Life. I make not the least Doubt, if we do not get into some kind of Winter Quarters soon, it will cost me my Life, which I set but little value on, in Comparison. A Gun is just fired; I must stop. Pray shew this to my Friends; that it may serve me instead of writing several LETTERS. I am, dear Sir, your's, &c.
N. B. Since I finished my Letter, I saw a large Pile of Building at the far end of the Town all in Flames, between which and the Fort we had 4 Centinels, who could give no Account how it happened. As I mentioned above, the Fire was discovered when the Gun went off. By the Time the Men paraded, a Volley of small Arms, fired from the Fort, mixed sometimes with Cannon. About 11 o'clock at Night it ceased for about half an Hour, when, to our great Surprise, we saw several other Houses on Fire, which is just now consumed. It is now one o'Clock.
On the first instant, the Convention, pursuant to an Order of the last, met at Richmond, when they thought proper to adjourn to this Place, in the College.
Another Letter from Col. Scott to Capt. Southall,
dated Great Bridge, Dec. 5. 1775. "Since my last, we have sent a Party of 100 Men under the Command of Col. Stevens, of the Minute Battalion, over the River, who fell in with about 30 Men, chiefly Negroes. They got up to the Centinels undiscovered; the centinels challenged, and was not answered, upon which he fired.—Our People being too eager, began the Fire immediately, without Orders, and kept it up very hot for near 15 Minutes. We killed one, burnt another in the House, and took two Prisoners (all Sick) with 4 exceeding fine Muskets, and defeated the Guard. There is hardly an Hour in the Day but we exchange a few Shot.—I am, as usual, in Haste, &c."
BALTIMORE, (Maryland) Dec. 16. Intelligence just received from the Army at the Great Bridge, near Norfolk. Saturday Morning, the 9th, about 3 o'Clock, the ministerial Garrison at the Bridge, was reinforced with about 200 of the 14th Regiment, under the command of Capt. Leslie, and at break of Day about 500 passed the Bridge to force our Breastwork, but were repulsed with the Loss of Capt. Fordyce, and 12 Privates slain, Lieut. Bette, and 17 Privates taken, all wounded.—The rest returned under Cover of their Cannon from the Fort, and were allowed to return and collect their dead and wounded, supposed in the whole to be about 50. During the whole Action (Thanks be to God) we did not lose a single Man, only one was slightly wounded in the Hand.
NEWBURY PORT, January 5. By Capt. Lee who arrived here last Wednesday from Malaga, we are informed, that on his passage he spoke with a large Store ship, from London, loaded with provisions for the ministerial troops at Boston—the Captain of whom informed, that he sailed in company with a number of other vessels loaded for the same purpose—and that the ministry were to send 40,000 troops early in the Spring to America. Capt. Lee also informs, that the King of Spain has raised another army of 30,000 men, to go against the Moors and Algerines;—and that the Spaniards were greatly in our favour.
The following Advertisement, from the General Post Office, was published in all the London Papers of Sept. 28. "A Mail will be dispatched from hence on Wednesday next for New York, and also one for Charlestown; after which there will be no regular Conveyance for Letters from this Office to North America;—but whenever a Packet may be dispatched to any part of that Continent, proper Notice will be given."
Runaway from the subscriber the 23rd Day of November last, an Apprentice Boy, named John Pinner, about 20 Years of Age, of small Stature. Whoever will take up said Boy and return him to me at Dunsborough, in New Hampshire, shall have One Shilling Reward. Dec. 11. 1775. Caleb Clark.
A Quantity of HONEY is wanted for the Sick belonging to the Army, for which the Cash will be given by Doctor JACKSON in Portsmouth. Also, LINNEN RAGS, suitable for List or Bandages will be thankfully received.
CASH is given for old Pewter by John Gooch, at the Sign of the Plate in Portsmouth. Likewise all Sorts of new Pewter is exchanged for old Brass, Copper and Lead is taken in at said Shop.
STRAYED or Stolen from the Town of Portsmouth, sometime past, a Red Horse, with a small Streak of White in his Forehead, a Scar on his Back, Trotts and goes well in a Chaise, about 6 or 7 Year old. Whoever will bring said Horse or give Information where he may be found, shall be handsomely rewarded by January 1, 1776. Henry Sherburne.
WHEREAS a number of Boats were employed about the Boom, Fire Rats, and mooring Vessels in this River, sometime since, & as several of said Boats are yet missing, This is therefore to desire all Persons who know where any of these Boats are, to give Information thereof unto Jan. 9. 1776. George Gains, Q. M. G.
Richard Wibird Penhallow, Has upon Hand for Sale, at his Warehouse on Long-Wharf, the following Articles, for Cash only, viz. BEST of London Pewter, Warming Pans, Bellows, mill'd Gloves, Stock Locks, Iron plate Handsaws, 4d Nails, pump Ditto, Housses and Marlin, role Brimstone, Grocery Wares, green Oil Cans for Hatts, &c. &c.
STRAYED from Jonathan Gower of Nottingham, a red Stear, one Year old last Spring, with a top Cut in his left Ear, and a Scar in his Forehead.—Said Stear belongs to Jonathan Gower of Portsmouth.—Whoever will give Information, so that this Owner may have him again, shall be well paid for their Trouble by me. DAVID SWETT.
LOST, on Thursday last in this Town, a Gold THIMBLE. One Dollar Reward, will be paid to the Person that brings it to the Office
TO BE SOLD, By MARTHA PACKER, Next Door to Deacon Penhallow's, Several Articles of peace Goods, viz. Calamanco, Russel, Tammy, Shalloon, striped Stuff, Crimson Harrateen—Also Ribbons, Ferrit, Galloons, black Fringe, Pewter, Locks, Hinges, Latches, Pistol Tinter Boxes, Spurs, brass Nails, box Irons, flat Irons, Snuffers, Knives, Scissars, Buckles, Razors, Shoemakers Tools, Handsaws, Compasses, Horse whips, Brass and Horn Ink Pots, with many other Things.
GOODS cheap at Dover TO BE SOLD uncommonly cheap for CASH only, at the Shop lately occupied by Mr. Nathaniel Cooper, at Dover.
English and West-India Goods, Very suitable for the Season, viz. BROAD-CLOTHS, Kerseys, Sarges, Bearskins, Lambkins, Velvets, Crapes, Poplins, Camblets, Cambleteens, Calamancoes, Durants, Tattars, Mens worsted Hose, and night Caps, Castor and Felt, English and American Hatts; Mens and Womens purple Leather Gloves, Womens black worsted Mitts and Gloves, 6 and 4 penny Nails &c. Rum, Molasses, Chocolate and Coffee; Also a few Raisins and East-India Spices, By George Craigie.
HOGS Bristles. WANTED a Quantity of Hogs Bristles for which six pence lawful money per pound in Cash will be given by JOHN BE K.
Province of New-Hampshire, Rockingham ss. THE Creditors of the Estate of John Lamson, late of Exeter, in said County, Physician, deceased, intestate, represented insolvent, are hereby notified, that the Commissioners appointed to receive and examine their several Claims against said Estate, will attend that Business at the Dwelling House of Deacon Samuel Brooks, in said Exeter, on the second Monday of the Eight following Months, from 3 to 6 of the Clock in the Afternoon in said Days. By Order of the Commissioners, Gideon Lamson attorney to the Administration of said Estate. Exeter, Dec. 20th, 1775. All Persons who are indebted to said Estate are desired to make speedy Payment to Gideon Lamson, Attorney, as aforesaid.
LONDON, September 10. A Bill for settling an unalterable Compact between this Country and America, for the future Government & Tranquility of the latter Country, is now under the Consideration of the Cabinet. A certain noble Lord in Office, who has planned the Bill, is to make the Motion the second Week after the Meeting of Parliament. The general Object of the proposed Regulation is to put the Americans on the same footing of Freedom, & under the same Advantages, with the rest of his Majesty's Subjects. The whole Continent is to be divided into large Districts, each of which is to send a Representative to the British Parliament. The Number of Representatives at first is to be rendered proportionable to the Revenue that is expected to be raised by the Introduction of the same Laws of Custom and Excise, and the same Privileges of Trade prevailing in Great Britain. In proportion as that Revenue shall increase, their Number is to be enlarged. But Provision is to be made, that at no Period that Number shall exceed one sixth Part of the House of Commons. In Consequence of this Regulation, all the Governments subsisting in America, except Canada, are to be dissolved. No Governor, no Council, no Assembly for the future! for as all the Inhabitants of the British Empire have (to use a Metaphor) but ONE FOLD, they are to have but ONE SHEPHERD. Boards of Custom and Excise are to be established in Places thought the most convenient; and Courts of Justice possessing the same Powers within their respective Jurisdictions with those of the King's Bench and Exchequer in England, are to be erected in the most central Situations; and the Mode of Appeal, as here, is to be the House of Lords.—In short, every Regulation now existing, calculated to keep up a Distinction, is to be removed. The Acts of the American Assemblies are to be entirely abrogated, and the Law of England is to take Place every where, except in Canada. To prevent Inconveniences, against which the Law of England does not always provide, an Act is to be passed comprehending all the necessary and local Regulations contained in the Acts of the different municipal Legislatures of America. In a few Days all the Particulars of this important Bill, will be printed. Lord Cavan, it is reported, is to go out to America, as Commander of the Foreign Mercenaries, which the Parliament are to take into their Pay, the first Week of the Session. Wednesday Morning four large Ships were taken into the Transport Service, and are ordered to be got ready with all Expedition, to carry over Muskets, &c. for the Troops at Boston. Sept. 22. It is with Pleasure we hear, that Lord Chatham, is so well recovered as to propose constant Attendance in Parliament this Session.
Extract of a Letter from Plymouth, September 17, 1775. "We learn here, by the sick & wounded Soldiers who are landed that there is not above 2000 Soldiers, including Officers, at Boston fit to do Duty, and these are averse to the Service. They declare, that 60,000 Men would not be able to bring the Americans under Subjection. They further say, that the Provincials used the Prisoners so well, that most of them desire to continue where they are. All the Soldiers speak well of the Americans for their great humanity. In short, many who were against the Americans, are now in favour of them." Thirteen Surgeons have received Orders to embark for Boston by the first Ship that sails for that Port.
PORTSMOUTH, PRINTED.