The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1777-03-29 00:00:00

The Freeman's Journal, Or, New-Hampshire-Gazette,
[ Vol. I. ] SATURDAY March 29, 1777. [ No. 45 ]
EXETER, March 25, 1777.
Extract of a Letter from the Hon. JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esq; Governor of Connecticut, dated March 3d, 1777; sent to the Committee of Safety for the State of New-Hampshire, viz.
ABOUT the middle of Jan. ult, one John Moore of Peterborough, in the State of New Hampshire, obtained from me a Permit to carry out of this State, Flax to said Town, and likewise his Brother had another, both went to Wallingford; one of them tarried, the other left the Place, and was absent some Time; on his Return was soon sick, which proved to be the Small-Pox, of which he died; had on his Return a considerable Sum of Dollar Bills, which were left with an honest Man when he was removed to the Pest House. After his Death, one Dollar, eight Johannes, and one Guinea were found in some safe Place in his Cloaths—at the House where he returned in Wallingford; a Boy at the Barn looking Hen's Eggs, putting his Hand into a likely Place near the Manger, where this Man put out his Horse, he felt a flat Stone, which he removed, and under it found the Bundle of Letters, which I have inclosed for your Observation and Use; they have been sufficiently cleansed, as I am inform'd.
The Substance of several of the Letters above refer'd to, are as follows, viz.
Extract of a Letter from John Wentworth, late Governor of New-Hampshire, to his Sister Ann Fisher in Portsmouth, dated at Flatbush, Long-Island, eight Miles from New York, January 17, 1777.
I Prevailed with a Man bound on a trading Journey to forward this Letter—Mr. Butler is well and in good Employ, where he saves Money, &c.—Pray remember me kindly to all my Loyal steadfast Friends—The Time of their Rejoicing is at hand—I will not leave America until Peace is restored—Those that love me, and that I love, will be good to Prisoners and Captives—I would sell my All for their Comfort—Be ye steadfast, be faithful, even to death—I know and rejoice is written on many good Souls, who merit my best Love—I love you all, and will be with you either in Peace or WAR, as the Provinces chuse—I send you five Letters, directed to Mr. Russell, they are for you, and you must open them."
An exact Copy of a Letter, sign'd Wm. Stronge, (supposed to be the infamous William Starke, who was lately indicted for altering and counterfeiting Paper Bills of Credit, and passing the same; and to avoid the Punishment due for these flagitious Crimes, he fled from Justice, to the British Troops, as being thereby properly qualified for an Officer in that Department) directed to "Col. Stephen Ash in Nutfield," dated Wallaburgh, January 20th, 1777.
DEAR BROTHER,
I Send this line to inform you that we are all in Good health allow under Ennoklation—your Good friend G— thinks strand that so few friends Appear he Relays mightily on your Vegelance in sending he wishes to shew that it is in his Power to save many lives if they will trust him as he looks upon it his Hounor how money of his own People he Could Cure—A word to the wise is enough from your B. & friend Wm. Stronge."
Copy of a small Note, sign'd J. C. supposed to be wrote by John Cochran, and directed to said Stephen Ash.
"My dear Sir, I think best if possible for you to come here, and bring a long with you as many respectful inhabitants from your
place as possible, it may be the means of saving many poor lives and preventing Bloodshed unless such Measures is adopted of that kind I Dread the Consequences.
I am Sir yours, &c.
J. C.
A Copy of a Letter from said Cochran to his Wife.
"My Dear,
I Would willingly Advise but Knows not how or what to Advise you too at this distance. I shall leave it intirely to your Judgement what you think best to be done in these unhappy days, for I am so puzzled about giving my Advice what to do that I am almost Crazy, however I think upon the whole it would be best to remove farther off in the Country as I am afraid you will suffer where you are before it will be in my power to protect you, as there will be nothing but destruction of Property without any reserve, in that Case would have you send off the most valyable Effects you have left to some safe place, if you know of any—I shall either hope to find you at the Isle Shoals or up at Londonderry—if you intend to Tarry where you are I pray for Gods sake that there be no CLERGYMAN in the House, if there is; your Life is not worth a Farthing as the whole Race of that Tribe, will be spilt—if you see any prospect of the affairs being Given up without Bloodhead I had rather find you at Hampton, than any where Else, &c.
John Cochran."
The Letters whereof the above are Extracts having been transmitted to the Committee of Safety as mentioned in Governor Trumbull's Letter—and there being a violent presumption that one Robert Moore, of Londonderry, a brother of the said John Moore, deceased, as mentioned by Governor Trumbull in his Letter above refered to, was aiding, assisting, and privy to a treasonable Correspondance between persons in the British Army, and sundry inhabitants of this State, inimical to the Cause of America—and a strong suspicion also arising that the Letter signed W. Stronge addressed to Col. Stephen Ash, of Nutfield, was in fact written by the aforesaid W. Starke, & design'd for Col. Stephen Holland at Londonderry [Nutfield being the original name of said Town] and also for other Corroborating Circumstances—The said Committee, Ordered,—That the said Robert Moore and Col. Holland be apprehended & brought before the General Assembly, which was done, & upon a due Examination, &c. it was ordered, that the said Moore enter into Bond with two sufficient Sureties, to appear and answer to such Matters as might be objected against him, on behalf of this, or any of the United States of America, and not to depart this State till further Orders, and in the mean time to be of good behaviour, and be a peaceable Subject of these States &c. and that the said Col. Holland be fully acquitted.
N. B. The Bundle aforementioned contained also a Number of other Letters, which were upon domestic Matters and not worthy public Notice.
WILLIAMSBURG, Feb: 14,
Extract of a Letter from Gen. Washington, dated Morris Town, Jan: 22, 1777.
"It is painful to me to hear of such illiberal reflections upon the Eastern troops, as you say prevails in Virginia; I always have, and always shall say, that I do not believe that any of the states produce better men, or persons capable of making better soldiers. Equal injustice it
was impossible for them, with 1800 or 2000 men & 6 field pieces, to do any thing against an innumerable number of rebels, who attacked them in front, rear, & flank at the same time; it is true they were attacked in that manner, but not by more than 600. The enemy were extremely cruel in their retreat, they searing a poor countryman standing at his door, laid hold of him, he shewed a protection, signed by Gen. Howe's secretary, they damned him and his protection, and said those who had taken protection, were as damned rebels as those who had not, & immediately set a ball through his body which not proving instant death, they stabbed him with bayonets. After such an instance, it is not to be wonder'd at their beating the brain
PHILADELPHIA, March 5. Extract of a letter from Morris-Town, dated March 1. "Last week I informed you of an action which happened the 23d, since which several defectors have come here, who says, and one of them asserts, that he heard Major French tell General Vaughan, that their loss, in killed and wounded, amounted to 509; that
done them by depriving them of merit in other respects; for no people fly to arms readier than they do, or come better equipped, or with more regularity, into the field than they." By the latest Accounts from the City of New-York, we learn, that his Excellency Gen. LEE, is in close Confinement, in that City, in the common Goal, but that he is in good Spirits.

out of our wounded, one of whom they served in that manner last Sunday."
Gen. Howe arrived at Brunswick on Friday night the 21st ult. being sent for to settle a dispute between the British and Hessian troops, which had nearly terminated in blows.
Last Saturday, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock, Brint Debabee, a soldier belonging to the Tenth Pennsylvania regiment, was shot upon the common, of this city, pursuant to the sentence of a General Court Martial.
F I S H - K I L L, March 20.
Extract of a letter from Morris Town, March 15.
"A corporal and 4 privates of British grenadiers came over a few days ago, also a private of the 71st regiment, and since that another grenadier; by information from them and other concurrent testimony from New York, General Howe's plan, is to march to Philadelphia by land and to facilitate the expedition, he has got a parcel of boats ready (to serve for pontoons) to lay a bridge across the Delaware; in consequence thereof, it is conjectured that General Washington will remove Head Quarters soon. His Excellency has been ill for some days, but is now perfectly recovered, and has the satisfaction of his amiable lady's company, who arrived here this day in good health."
N E W L O N D O N, March 21.
Last Thursday Se'nnight, a small Sail Boat, belonging to Mr. Samuel Beebe of Stonington, was taken in the Sound by a Boat from Amazon Frigate, Capt. Jacobs; and the same Day Beebe's Boat being armed with two Swivels, & about 20 Men with small Arms, took the Schooner Oliver, John Bulkley, Master, bound into this Port from St. Thomas's, loaded with 1600 Bushels of Salt, a Quantity of Oznabrigs, Duck, &c.
Wednesday Night Capt. Rensals arrived here from the West-Indies with 1500 Bushels of Salt.
A Sloop from the Isles of Cape, with 80 Hogheads of Rum, belonging to Vanvleck & Son, of the State of New York, was last Tuesday drove on Shore near Watch-Hill, by two Men of War, who after the Sloop was on shore kept up a heavy Fire for several Hours but without doing her any Damage. A Number of People assembled from Stonington, who having two Field Pieces twice hulled the Ships. The Sloop got off the next Day.
HARTFORD, March 22.
Last Wednesday Moses Dunber, who for some time had been under sentence of death in this place for High Treason, was executed agreeable to his sentence. A prodigious concourse of people were spectators on the occasion.
We hear a few days ago, 25 tories from Long-Island, landed near Norwalk and marched some way into the country; they plundered a gentleman's house, and took him prisoner: On their return they came across three American Officers, from the Saw Pitts, whom, they also took prisoners, and after that took a guard of 8 men, who were on the shore, and went off with the whole.
B O S T O N, March 27, 1777.
Last Thursday, a certain David Orrick, of this Town was apprehended, & committed to safe keeping, charged with high Crimes against the United States of America.
Last week arrived at a safe port, a sloop, lately capt- red by Capt. Ishmael Hardy.—She was from Halifax, bound to the West-Indies, laden with Salt, fish, and Lumber.
Extract of a letter from Fish-Kill, March 20.
"Some of our inattentive Militia have suffered themselves to be taken Prisoners, near Kingsbridge a Day or two ago; they were attacked in a House where they were drinking in the evening; 4 were killed and 18 taken prisoners; 3 of the enemy, they say were killed.—Few pity them as they have themselves to blame."
PORTSMOUTH, March 28.
Last Wednesday arrived in Town, the Hon. Major General SULLIVAN, from his Seat at Durham.—He was attended by a Number of Officers and Gentlemen to Greenland, and there met by the Colonels and other Officers of the Militia and Companies of Independents and Light Infantry and other Gentlemen of Distinction on
Extract of a letter from Providence, date March 21.
"The Continental army in this State fills fast—A deserter came off from Newport this week; he proves to be a Hessian serjeant, and says that all their men would desert if they could get away. He says all the Ladies of Pleasure, at Newport, are taken up & confined in the common goal, the officers, both Hessian and British frequently meeting at the houses of those Ladies,
Horseback, who conducted him into Town—At his Entrance he received the unfeigned Acclamations of the Inhabitants, testified by loud Huzzas: the Bells were set a Ringing, and the Train of Artillery discharged several Rounds—An elegant Entertainment was prepared for him and his Suite by some Gentlemen of the Town:—And after Dinner, many patriotic Toasts were drank under the Discharge of Cannon from the Ships: The Day was closed with Joy, which was discoverable in the Countenances of the whole.
The Customs of this PAPER must excuse the Smallness of it this Week, as there was no more to be purchased, which it's hop'd will be remedied the next, and in future fully made up when there is more interesting Intelligence than at present, which is soon expected, and that of very great Consequence.
Advertisements, Speculations, &c. must be omitted.
DESERTED from Capt. James Donnel's company, at Boston, in Colonel Brewster's battalion, John Smart, 19 years old, 5 feet 9 inches high, dark complexion, belonging to Kittery. Whoever will take up said deserter, and secure him in any goal, and send word to me the subscriber at York, shall receive Five Dollars reward, & necessary charges paid, per Henry Sewall, Lt. York, March 26, 1777.
W Hereas I petition'd the Judge of probate for this county, for liberty to divide a tract of land lying in common, between the heirs of John Burleigh, late of Newmarket, and myself, this is to give notice, agreeable to an order of said Judge, to all persons concern'd, to appear at the probate office, in Exeter, on the last Wednesday of April next, to shew cause, if any they have, why the prayer of said petition should not be granted. John Folsom.
Wanted immediately,
For the Continental Service, Men's good Leather Shoes, Yarn Hose, Tow & Wool Cloth, &c. for which the Cash will be given by William Gardner in Portsmouth.
A few barrels of Pitch, Tar and Turpentine to be sold. Enquire at the Printing Office.
NOTICE is hereby given to all the Soldiers who have enlisted under Capt. JABEZ LANE, of Buckstown, that they march immediately to Boston to join the Regiment they belong to. Hereof fail not.
JABEZ LANE, Captain.
STOLEN from Major John Hacket of Exeter, last Thursday night, between 8 and 9 o'clock, a likely red roan Horse, with a white Face, 4 white Feet, 14 hands high, six years old, natural pacer. Whoever takes up said Horse, and conveys him to said Hacket, shall have Four Dollars reward; and if the Thief is discover'd, so as to be brought to justice, shall receive eight Dollars of me, James Hacket.
Exeter, March 28, 1777.
To the Committee's of Safety for the several Towns in the Province of MAIN.
GENTLEMEN,
W HEREAS there is a number of officers recruiting in the several towns in this State of the Massachusett's Bay, and the service requiring the men as soon as they can be rais'd, would acquaint you
quarreled about the beauty of their doxies; which coming to Gen. Prescott's ears, he ordered them all into goal.—Count Knipflatch, a Hessian Major, and a Hessian Captain, lately fought a duel there, about the famous Miss Sally Lake, a first rate Lady of Pleasure, in which glorious cause the Major was run through the body, and is since dead."
So think best to oblige them to join the army. — So that after instituting our quotas of men, we may not lose one quarter part of them in the manner above mentioned. YOU are interested in the manner mentioned. I doubt not but you will lend all the assistance in your power to forward the raising this new army.
TOBIAS FERNALD, Maj.
I THEREFORE desire of you, gentlemen, that you would exert yourselves by every method in your power, or consilant with your station and trust, to detect such soldiers who conceal themselves within the town or district to which you belong, and either consine them, or by some other method which you shall
in the militia, as part of the quota assigned them to compleat the New-Army, the officers who enlisted to them living perhaps fifty or sixty miles from them, & by that means cannot command them, or perhaps when order'd to march, cannot wait long enough to compel them to march:—these things, if tolerated, will greatly retard the raising the troops as well in
that there is a number of men who have enlisted and receiv'd their bounty and now refuse to march when order'd; and there are others who have enlisted and have not receiv'd their bounty, that refuse likewise to march, notwithstanding the bounty has been offer'd them and is still ready for them, and they have been reward'd by the captains of their respective companies