The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-06-01 00:00:00

Greenleaf's Journal
OR
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I ]
SATURDAY, June 1, 1776.
[ No. 2. ]
O fortunati Populi, sua si bona Norint.
WHEN the Inhabitants of BRITAIN shall be aroused from their present lethargic State, and brought to serious Reflections on the Conduct of their infatuated Ministry, in depriving them of their inestimable and invaluable commercial Connection with AMERICA, then will they execrate the Men and their Measures: Lamentations will be heard in their Streets: The Cries of innocent Thousands will ascend to Heaven, for vengeance on the cruel Authors of their Calamities. The starving Labourer and his depending Family, will soon find a horrible Din in the ears of the Rich, whose Coffers must be opened, through the Fears of the leveling Spirit of the provoked Multitude, but their Resources proving too small to satiate the Demands of Insurgents, whom Hunger urges to every Act of Desperation, at length will commence a Scene that will shake the British Empire to its Centre. Then instead of flying to the Arms of Foreigners, they will find the Preservation of their Rights the Security of their Properties, and perhaps the very Existence of Britain, as a State, will depend upon her Friendship and Alliance with America. What are ye then doing, YE INFATUATED MINISTERS OF BRITAIN? And whose Destruction are ye seeking? Why do YE suffer YOUR Fleets and Armies again to be sent against America? Are YE not yet convinced that the GREAT JEHOVAH is on her Side? and that GOD helping her, the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against her: Take a retrospective View of YOUR last year's Campaign, & then say, what have ye had to boast of but Famine, Slaughter and Disgrace. YOUR Arms have been more tarnished, and YOUR Honors more sullied in the year 1775, than the British Arms were victorious and illustrious in 1759; the Reason is obvious—then the Cause was just and honorable; now it is base and contemptible; then Britain fought in defence of her natural Rights, and the preservation of the Empire, against her natural Enemy; now you are fighting to destroy those very Rights, even in her American Friends, and are bent upon the Destruction of their Colonies, by subverting all their charter Privileges: Then her Soldiers died in beds of honour, and their Souls ascended; now yours die in beds of disgrace, and like Brutes their Souls descend, discouraging Contrast! How have ye supported your Armaments? let your Officers and Soldiers answer the Question and they will condemn you: they have felt every Want, which added to the remording Wounds of conscientious Reflections, on the Injustice of your Errand; they have not had Resolution to attempt what they knew was wrong: they knew that even Victory would be crowned with Disgrace, and that they were not fighting the national Cause, but only to satisfy your unbounded Lust of Power. I must acknowledge I believe you have been misinformed, you have been prompted to the Commission of these Ills by the villainous Parricides of their Country. Let such Traitors repent before they go
hence, or surely great must be their Punishment. I have no doubt they have at this Hour a living Worm gnawing within them, the Wounds of a guilty Conscience, which is insufferable.
If, ye deluded MINISTERS of BRITAIN, you have been deceived, and thereby have deceived your King, why do you persist in a Series of Schemes that only discover your own Weakness and the Weakness of the Nation, and that too to her foreign Enemies? Turn ye from your Ways, nor longer court your destruction; and O BRITAIN strive to regain the Friendship of America, which must finally support your Existence, unless you are lost to every Feeling of Humanity for others, and Love for yourself, for Why will ye die O House of Israel. AMERICANUS.
L O N D O N. H O U S E of L O R D S.
Die Martis, 5 o Martij 1776.
THE order of the day was read for the Lords to be summoned.
It was moved, That the following address be presented to his Majesty, viz.
Most gracious Sovereign,
WE, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, humbly beg leave to represent to your Majesty, that it is with the utmost concern we have seen the treaties which your Majesty, by the advice of your ministers, has been pleased to enter into with their serene highnesses the Duke of Brunswick, the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, and the Count of Hanau, and which your Majesty has been graciously pleased to communicate to this house.
We beg leave humbly to represent to your Majesty, the sense we entertain of the danger and disgrace attending this inconsiderate measure, when it has been judged necessary in the first exertions of Great-Britain to subjugate her colonies, to hire an army of foreign mercenaries, acknowledging to all Europe, that these kingdoms are unable, either from want of men, or disinclination to this service, to furnish a competent number of natural born subjects to make the first campaign: And it's a melancholly consideration, that the drawing off the national troops (tho' feeble for the unhappy purpose on which they are employed) will yet leave these kingdoms naked, and exposed to the assault and invasion of powerful neighbouring and foreign nations.
We further beg leave humbly to submit to your Majesty, that if the justice and equity of this unnatural war was not questioned by so large a part of your Majesty's subjects, yet a reconciliation with the colonies, though attended with some concessions, would be more agreeable to sound policy, than to intrust the prosecution of hostilities to foreigners, in whom we cannot confide, and who, when they are at so great a distance from their own country, and suffering under the distresses of a war, wherein they have no interest or concern, with so many temptations to
exchange vassalage for freedom, will be more likely to mutiny or desert, than to unite faithfully and co-operate with your Majesty's natural born subjects.
We ought not to conceal from your Majesty the anxiety we feel on the latitude of the articles in the several treaties, which stipulate the power in your Majesty of employing these troops in any part of Europe. Means are hereby provided for introducing a foreign army even into this realm; and we cannot so far confide in your Majesty's ministers, as to suppose they would be very scrupulous in advising such a measure, since they have already introduced foreign troops into two of our strongest fortresses, and have offered to bring four thousand more foreigners into the kingdom of Ireland, without the consent of a British Parliament.
That we have moreover just reason to apprehend, that when the colonies come to understand, that Great-Britain is forming alliances, and hiring foreign troops for their destruction, they may think they are well justified by the example, in endeavouring to avail themselves of the like assistance; and that France, Spain, Prussia, or other powers of Europe, may conceive they have as good a right as Hesse, Brunswick, and Hanau, to interfere in our domestic quarrels. And if the flames of a war from these proceedings should be kindled in Europe, which we fear is too probable, we reflect with horror upon the condition of this country, under circumstances wherein she may be called upon to resist the formidable attack of powerful enemies, which may require the exertion of our whole force, at a time when the strength and flower of the nation is employed in fruitless expeditions on the other side of the world.
That the treaty, by stipulating not only to give the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, in case of attack or disturbance in the possession of his territories, all the succour which shall be in your Majesty's power to give, but likewise to continue such succour until the Landgrave shall have obtained entire security, and a just indemnification, lays this kingdom under a necessity of taking part in every quarrel upon the continent, in which his serene highness may happen to be engaged, and that without any equivalent consideration to make the contract reciprocal; as this island can expect no assistance from an inconsiderable sovereignty in the heart of Germany, from which more troops are already drawn than she is able to replace for her own defence, & whose revenues are not sufficient to maintain even those she has lent without the aid of subsidy. We conceive therefore, that this engagement of Great-Britain to defend and indemnify, must be considered as part of the price she is to pay for the hire of those troops. If this article of charges (which cannot be estimated) be added to the enormous expenses of levy money, charges of making good the losses of the several corps, ordinary and extraordinary subsidies, and their continuation after the troops are returned to their respective countries, and can be of no use to

Great-Britain, we may say with truth that Great-Britain never before entered into a treaty so expensive, so unequal, so dishonorable, and so dangerous in its consequences.
We therefore humbly implore your Ma-jesty to give immediate orders for stopping the march of the Hessian, Brunswick, and Ha-nau troops, and for a suspension of hostilities in America, in order to lay the foundation of a speedy and permanent reconciliation be-tween the great contending parts of this dis-tracted empire.
It was mov'd to agree with the said motion. Which being objected to, after a long de-bate, the question was put thereon. It was resolved in the negative.
Contents — 29 } 32 Proxies — 3 Non Contents — 79 } 100 Proxies — 21
Dissentient.
Abingdon. Ponsonby. King. Fitzwilliam. Archer. Portland. Effingham, Abergavenny. Cambden. Richmond.
From the Pennsylvania Journal.
THOMAS WALKER of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, merchant; upon oath, testifieth and saith.
THAT being at his own house, in the parish of Assumption, on the 5th of October, last past, it was surrounded about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning, by a party of armed men, viz. A detachment of about 20 soldiers, commanded by Lieut. John M'Donnell of the Royal Emigrants, together with seven Captains of militia and several other Canadians; who began the attack by firing a musket shot, and then, without calling to this deponent, immediately proceeded to break-open his doors with axes, &c. which they effected so suddenly, that he had but just time to slip on his coat and waistcoat, & put his pistols in his pockets, in order to retreat with a short rifle gun in his hand into the garret, where his wife had fled in her shift, but a moment before, this deponent being determined to defend the stair-head to the last extremity. As soon as the soldiers entered the house, they lighted a candle, and instantly searched the bed chamber, which this deponent and his wife had just quitted; and then in order to have light in the other apartments, they set fire at the foot of the stairs to some oakum, mixed with pitch or rosin, and immediately a number of them, armed with muskets & fixed bayonets, rushed into the room, which was overlooked by this deponent from the top of the stairs, setting up the indian yell; the deponent hearing this, and observing their actions, made not the least doubt that it was Col. Johnstone's party of Mohawk Indians sent down to murder him and his family, as bad been oftentimes threatened; whereupon he fired his rifle gun among the thickest of them, and in a moment afterwards made another shot from a double pistol, but before he could discharge the other, they had all quitted the room with great precipitation and dismay; an officer and grenadier having been dangerously wounded by those different shots, the rest retired for some time to bind up their wounds, and to plunder the other part of the house: they then returned and began a general fire of muskets all round the house, which they kept up briskly for a long time, calling out to this deponent to come out and surrender himself; but finding that they could make no impression, and not daring to enter the same room again, whence they had been driven, they proposed to uncover the roof of the house in order to get at the deponent, but drop the design, it is presumed for the same reason:— Therefore the commanding officer called out to his party to set fire to the four corners of the house, which orders were repeated several times by serjeant David M'Fall, and which they executed soon after. This, the deponent perceiving at the window, and being terrified therewith, and imagining that a torch lifted up at the end of a pole had been a man upon a ladder, setting fire to the roof, discharged a pistol from the window, which it is said shot a Capt. of militia through the chin, with a buck shot: thereupon they began a second attack, firing all round the house for a considerable time, till they had expended three or four hundred musket shots.
When the flames had increased to a great head they left off firing and fell to plundering the house; which being from the ground floor, built of wood, burnt now with great violence: and this deponent finding no succour come from the neighbours, who by this time were all on foot at the village, and for many miles round the country, remaining at a distance quiet spectators of the dismal scene, as he has since learned, and Mrs. Walker crying aloud several times, "we shall both be burnt to death!" the terror of which made her in despair, begging this deponent would shoot her; and she having been almost suffocated in an attempt to go down the stairs, he laid down his arms and carried her to the garret window, furthest from the fire, where she called out for quarters, and begged for mercy to the soldiers below, at the same time getting out of the window, with her face to the wall, she hung by her hands, supported by the deponent, under both her arms, till a soldier named COX brought a ladder, by which she got down, being much scratched and bruised. The soldiers at the same time seeing this deponent, called out to him, and promised him good usage if he would surrender; he seeing the floor burning under his feet, and no further defence to be made or possibility of escape, after a resistance of more than three hours surrendered himself; and was instantly seized by six men, some of whom handled him very roughly. Lieut. M'Donnell came up to him with his arm in a sling, and at first offered to strike him with his fist; and then attempted to draw a pistol out of his belt to shoot him, but was prevented from doing him any hurt by serjeant Mc'Fall; to whom he had at first surrendered himself; then the pockets of the deponent were searched and rifled, and a loaded pistol, among other things taken out of them.
In the mean while the deponent's cellars (being an out building) were broke open & pillaged; and the heads of several hogheads were staved in, and others had forced open the pot ash works, and brought out three negroes, with divers kinds of plunder: during all which the deponent and his wife were kept standing in the mud with naked feet, to behold their house and goods burned and plundered; trunks opened, & pieces of goods from the store divided among them, whilst neither himself, nor his wife were allowed any cloaths to cover or defend them from the cold. At length Serjeant David McFall took off his blanket coat and put it upon Mrs. Walker, whilst the deponent wrapt himself round with a coverlid which he had hastily snatched up: Thus equipt they were marched to the end of the road leading to St. Sulpice, where a cart was pressed, and they were carried therein to a battoe lying in the river St. Lawrence, a league from his house being guarded all along the road by this party of twenty soldiers, and flanked in the woods by the Canadians, with his 3 negroes, on foot, part of the plunder, and the wounded Grenadier in one of the deponent's carriages. Several armed battoes were sent down from Montreal to give us the meeting, commanded by Lieut. Leslie; and when we arrived at the landing opposite the barracks, General Prescott in great wrath came down upon the beach, and commanded the prisoners to be bro't forth; all the troops were marched out of the gate and formed in two divisions, and the deponent enclosed in the center, where he ordered him to be pinnioned, and then marching into the barrack square he spoke these words, "You are a traitor and a villain, you scoundrel! to betray your country; but the laws of your country have overtaken you at last; you shall have the justice of this country; for, to you, you villain! is owing the loss of all the blood of those brave men, that has been, or shall be spilled at St. John's, or in other parts of Canada." To which this deponent replied, I perceive that you know very little of my real character, but pray who are you Sir, that treat me thus unworthily; for I have not the honour to know you: Not having seen him before. What do you think of last night's work, continued he; and of that brave man — which you have so desperately wounded? I think, Sir, that it was a very poor exploit to send fifty men on purpose to murder one, & burn his house, whilst he and his family were asleep in their beds. He replied by calling
to the provost martial, and the smith to put the deponent in irons; which were much heavier than ordinary; being made by the particular orders of Major Hughes; who also gave the dimensions, as the smith has since informed this deponent; and whilst he was putting them on, Gen. Prescott called out to him to rivet them well (in doing which he jarred the bones of the deponent's legs, so as to give him inexpressible pain) & then with a loud voice cried out your crime is high treason and rebellion: And added he, give that poor unhappy man, a straw bed and a blanket, in No. 4, in the barracks, and keep sentries over him, that no body speaks to him, but the town major (Mr. Hughes) unless before the Serjeant of the Guard.
There this deponent lay confined and alone, in irons for thirty-three days & nights, without fire or candle for a long while, or the consolation of a friend, at any time; Mrs. Walker, being absolutely forbid to see him; and for many days made a prisoner in her own house, with six sentries round about it, and the persons who came and went to and from the barracks with victuals were searched for letters, &c.
At length St. John's being taken, this deponent was carried by soldiers, in a weak & low condition, and in presence of Capt. Anstruther, and Mr. Hughes under pretence of going to General Prescott's room, in a very rainy day, to a boat, which conveyed him on board an armed Schooner, in the service of government, commanded by Capt. Lisote, who had the humanity to order his irons to be knocked off, placing a sentry at the cabin door with a drawn sword, and orders not to let the prisoner receive or send any letters, papers or messages, without examination & leave of the Lieutenant. It seems, notwithstanding these precautions that the Generals were offended at Capt. Lisote, for having rec'd from letters this deponent, without positive orders from them; & told him that he must answer for his prisoner corps pour corps .
Two days afterwards the deponent was hurried from on board Capt. Lisote to another armed Schooner, commanded by Capt. Bouchet; where he remained under the same kind of confinement for twelve days; nine of which were spent in the attempt the vessels made to escape to Quebec, which began with precipitation immediately upon the appearance of General Montgomery's Van guard, at St. Paul's island. However, they durst not venture to pass the point of Sorel river, there being Continental troops, cannon and an armed Gundola, which drove the ships back again to La Velterie, having killed one man on board the Gaspée, where the capitulation was signed by General Prescott on Sunday evening, to surrender eleven sail of vessels, in which were, viz. * three Majors, five Captains, and several subalterns, conductors, & inferior officers, together with one hundred and seventeen regular soldiers, rank and file, with their arms and accoutrements, besides St. Luc La Corne, one of the legislative council of Quebec, Capt. Jonathan Fraser, judge of the common Pleas and Counsellor, and several Canadian Volunteers. Governor Carleton having quitted the Gaspée, with
* Brigadier General Prescott, Major John Campbell, Major Dunbar, Major Hughes, Capt. Anstruther, Capt. Crawford, Capt. Swan. Capt. Brice, in the 7th regiment, Capt. Gamble, Lieut. Cleveland, Lieut. Leslie, Lieut. Duncan Campbell, Lieut. alias Ensign, John Macdonnell, Royal Emigrants, Doctor Beaumont. Mr. Cooper conductor of artillery stores, Mr. William Jones, provost martial; Canadian volunteers, Messrs. Launiere, Magnan, Cagnet junr. prisoners.
N. B. We are well assured that the whole force of the Continental Troops then at Sorel, did not exceed 135 men: The vessels given up were, viz. His Majesty's brigantine Gaspée, commanded by Lieut. Royal: Also, —, Capt. Lisote; a large Schooner, two nine pounders in the waist, besides quarter deck guns and swivels, 24 seamed, each armed with a musket, bayonet, and broad sword: Capt. Bouchet, another large Schooner, armed like the other beforementioned, compliment 20 sailors, besides several other large Schooners fitted with swivels, &c. All the vessels towed after them, a batteau with 1 or more canoes or small boats, in order to make a descent or escape by flight as occasion should offer.

Messrs. Niverville and Lanaudiere at midnight on Thursday, was conducted in a whale boat, with muffled paddles, by Capt. Boucher, a secret way to three rivers; and arrived at Quebec on Sunday following.
The deponent was set free on Monday morning by his friend Major Brown, who delivered him from the cruel hand of tyranny and oppression and from the tools of military and arbitrary power.
Over and above the indignity and sufferings imposed on this deponent and his wife, who was denied the liberty of seeing him, by Gen. Prescott and taking his last adieu, at the instant of his departure , when it was exultingly given out, that he was to be sent home in irons, there to be * * *. He had his apprentice imprisoned for about sixty-seven days, and his other servants and slaves put under confinement, to his very great damage, in his interest & ruin of his health; besides the loss sustained by burning, destroying and plundering his house, manufactory store, household goods, cash, plate, books, notes, furniture, cloaths, utensils of manufacture and husbandry: likewise a considerable quantity of fine pearl ash in casks, &c.
THOMAS WALKER.
Philadelphia. Sworn the 24th of April 1776. Before SAMUEL MIFFLIN,
PHILADELPHIA, May 20.
Extract of a Letter to the Congress, dated Montreal, May 10, 1776.
SIR,
BY Col. Campbell, who arrived here early this morning from Quebec, we are informed, that two men of war, two frigates, and one tender, arrived there early on Monday the 6th Instant. About eleven o'clock the enemy sallied out, to the number, as is supposed, of one thousand men. Our forces were so dispersed at different parts, that not more than two hundred could be collected together at head quarters. This small force could not resist the enemy. All our cannon, 500 muskets, and about 200 sick, unable to come off, have fallen into their hands. The retreat was made with the utmost precipitation and confusion. However, Col. Campbell informs us, that he imagines we have lost very few men, except the sick above mentioned.
General Thomas was last Tuesday evening at Dechambeau. At a council of war, it was determined to retreat to the mouth of the Sorrel. This day Gen. Arnold goes down there, and if he can get information of the enemy's real strength, and it should be found inconsiderable, perhaps a council of war, on reconsideration, may think proper to march the army back to Dechambeau, which is now strengthened by Cols. Greaton's, Burrel's and Sinclair's regiments. Besides the above losses, one batteau loaded with powder, supposed to contain thirty barrels, and an armed vessel, which the crew were obliged to abandon, were intercepted by one of the enemy's frigates.
Published by Order of Congress, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
NEW YORK, May 23.
By an express from our army in Canada, who left it the 9th inst. at Point Dechambeau, about 45 miles above Quebec, we are informed of the following further particulars relating to the situation of our affairs in Canada, viz. That the Small Pox being in our army at Quebec, occasioned so many of them to be sick, and the rest dispersed at different posts for the convenience of quarters, so that there were but about 200 effective men at head quarters, where there was no intrenchment, nor breast work, nor proper tools to erect any, and but about 6 days provisions: That in a council of war it was determined to leave the place in two or three days; and that General Wooster with
his own baggage, Capt. Mott, and many others, had set out on the return a day or two before the enemy's ships and vessels (said to be seven in all) appeared in sight.—That it was supposed General Carleton had notice by spies or deserters of the resolution to abandon the siege, and the situation of our camp; and on that information concluded on the sally, which was made on the 6th (the same morning the ships came up) with about 1200 men and 6 field pieces.—That by the dress of the men, they were supposed not to be regulars, but the people from the town; that on the unexpected appearance of the ships and this force, our people quitted the place with precipitation and confusion, leaving their provision, baggage, cannon, about 200 sick, and every thing else behind them. That the cannon consisted of two 24, two 12, several 6 and 4 pounders, some mortars, cohorns, howitzers, all of brass with some iron pieces, of various sizes; that it was thought about 100 of the sick went off with the small pox on them, and that they were generally the better for going out; also that most of our people from the out posts escaped and got together;—that there was no firing on either side, but that as our people proceeded up the river on shore, the men of war followed, till near the Point DeChambeau, where our people made a stand, and the ships went down the river. That on account of the scarcity of provisions, and to avoid sickness. General Thomas kept with him but about 500 men, intending to proceed up or down, according to his strength and accommodations; and that the Canadians in general were well disposed in our favor.—Great numbers of our troops, with provisions, ammunition, &c. were on the way, having been retarded by the badness of the roads, which had been for some time impassable, and prevented the arrival of recruits and necessaries; but that a powerful army well appointed & provided, will this campaign, probably retrieve our affairs, and crown our important enterprize in that country with success.
NEW LONDON, May 10.
By Capt. Stephen Tinker, arrived here in 12 Days from Newbern, in North Carolina, we learn, that the people of that province & of South-Carolina are very generally for the independence of the colonies; and that they would scarcely be willing to continue the war with the court of Great-Britain on any other principles.
Capt. Tinker informs, that a large schooner from Bermuda arrived at Newbern, just before he sailed, and brought in between 20 and 30 guns, from four to nine pounders, a number of small arms and a quantity of shot, which were taken from a fort at Bermuda, in order to sell for provisions (which at that Island had become exceeding scarce). They took on board 43 guns, some of which they mounted in the vessel, with a view of securing themselves against the King's cutters on this coast, but being chased by a frigate near the land, they were obliged to throw over the guns they had mounted (in order to lighten their vessel so as to run over a bar) after being chased twelve hours.
BOSTON, May 30.
Thursday last the freeholders and other inhabitants of this town, qualified as the law directs, met at the Old Brick meeting-House, in order to choose their representatives for the ensuing General Assembly, when they made choice of the following Gentlemen, viz.—WILLIAM PHILLIPS, JOHN PITTS, JOHN BROWN, WILLIAM COOPER, BENJAMIN AUSTIN, OLIVER WENDELL, NATHANIEL APPLETON, DAVID JEFFRIES, JOSEPH GARDNER, and ARNOLD WELLES, Esquires, Mr. CALEB DAVIS, and Mr. WILLIAM POWELL.
Mr. Welles and Mr. Powell having declined the service, Mr. SAMUEL ALLYNE OTIS, and Mr. HENRY HILL, have been chosen in their room.
PORTSMOUTH, June 1, 1776.
On the first of last Month departed this Life, in the 76th Year of his Age, JOHN NEWMARCH, Esq; eldest Son of the late Rev. JOHN NEWMARCH of Kittery—He was a Gentleman well respected by his Neighbours and Acquaintance—of a free and affable Disposition, a kind, tender Husband, and indulgent Father—He was married three times, and so happy in his Choice as to be the Partner of three agreeable Companions, (by Means whereof, and his own Industry and Frugality, he obtain'd a Competency of the good Things of this Life) the last of which, and two Daughters, with several Grand-Children, now survive, to lament the Loss of so worthy a Friend—He, from time to time sustain'd several Offices, both in a civil and military Capacity, which he discharg'd with Fidelity and good Acceptance, and obtain'd the Character of an honest, religious Man.
By Capt. Randall, in fourteen days from South-Carolina, we are informed that the inhabitants of that colony discover the greatest spirit of patriotism; as a proof of which, are erecting a 90 Gun battery on Sullivan's island, and preparing Chevaux de Frizes to stop Ship Channel—That four thousand of the Popish Party , had arrived at St. Augustine, and there, on an allowance of 8 oz. meat, pr. man, pr. day, it's supposed were waiting for reinforcements.
Capt. Randall also informs us, that on May 13th 15 transports anchored between Winyah and Cape Fair, on which intelligence, our people pursued them in two privateers from Charlestown, but after a short stay the transports weigh'd anchor & went off; what course is not known.
The S. Carolina paper contains the following paragraph; together with the most animating congratulations of the people there, on the appointment of JOHN RUTLEDGE, Esq; as President , and Commander in Chief , and WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, as Chief Justice of that colony, and their answers, both which discover an undaunted determination to support the grand American Cause , and a mutual confidence reposed in, and firm reliance on the patriotic exertions, & disinterested behaviour of each other.
Charlestown, (S. Carolina,) May 1.
The report of General Clinton's having left North Carolina is void of foundation, he being still in that province. It is said that two transports lately arrived there from England with troops, supposed to be part of those under Lord Cornwallis's command. The North Carolinians, by the last accounts were not in the least dismayed at these hostile appearances in their own country, but were making every preparation for a vigorous resistance, should they be attacked.—General Lee was arrived there.
RAN AWAY on the evening of the 29th inst. a NEGRO MAN, named Seneca, about five feet eight inches high, 47 years of age; a stout thick sett-fellow, talks good English; he carried with him two coats, one red the other blue; one blue pea Jacket; one brown lappell'd, and one strip'd homespun dit. 2 pair leather breeches; 2 pair worsted, and 2 pair yarn stockings; 2 pair shoes; a mill'd cap turn'd up with fur, &c. Whoever will return said Negro, or confine him so that his master may have him again, shall have FOUR DOLLARS reward, and all necessary charges paid by SAMUEL HALL.
Portsmouth, May 31st.

POET'S CORNER.
In looking over the town and country Magazine for Oct. 1774, a few lines appeared, entitled "ODE to INDEPENDENCE," which with a few alterations, deserves a place in Poet's Corner.
F REEMEN, if you pant for glory, If you sigh to live in story, If you burn with patriot zeal; Seize this bright auspicious hour, Chase those venal tools of power, Who subvert the public weal. C H O R U S.
Huzza! Huzza! Huzza! See freedom her standard display; Whilst glory and virtue your bosoms inspire. Corruption's proud slaves shall with anguish retire.
Would traitors base with bribes beguile you, Or with idiot scoffs revile you, Ne'er your sacred trust betray: Hancock, Adams nobly pleading, Never from the truth receding. Then North's Vengeance can't dismay! Chorus.
See, their glorious path pursuing, All Britannia's troops subduing, Patriots whom no threats restrain; Lawless tyrants all confounding, Future times their praise resounding, Shall their triumphs long maintain. Chorus.
The following may be of service in confuting the arguments of some of our modern Sticklers for Popery.
Six Sins, of all others accounted the most deadly by the Church of Rome.
1. R EJECTING transubstantiation, or denying that bread and wine is flesh and blood. 2. Rejecting the pope's infallibility, or denying that a fallible man is infallible. 3. Rejecting image worship, or refusing to be guilty of idolatry. 4. Eating flesh when allowed by heaven, because prohibited by the ordinances of man. 5. Denying that the clergy of the christian church ought to live in open fornication or adultery, rather than enter into the holy state of matrimony. 6. Shewing any signs of pity on beholding an innocent person inhumanly broiled to death, for presuming to believe for himself, and that too frequently on a groundless accusation.
N E W-Y O R K, May 16.
We hear, that several persons, by virtue of a resolve and order of the Congress, have by the general Committee of this city and county, been committed to prison, for refusing to deliver up on oath, to the order of the Committee, all their arms, ammunition, & accoutrements, which were demanded of them, after they had refused to sign an association prescribed by Congress, to defend, by arms, these United Colonies, against the hostile attempts of the British fleet and armies.
Extract of a letter from Coracoa, April 13. 1776.
"By the accounts we have here, the French are determined to strike a blow some where, but it is not yet known where. I was at Port au Prince about five weeks ago, & they had upwards of 3000 soldiers there, and as many more at Cape Nichola Mole, and 5000 at Cape Francois; God knows their intent. Hispaniola is made a free port to all nations to take in sugars and coffee. The French people in general are sorry for the unhappy times; their constant toasts, are, Generals Washington and Lee."
PROVIDENCE, May 11, 1775.
The House have ordered a monument to be erected over the remains of the Hon. SAMUEL WARD, Esq; late a Delegate from this colony in the Continental Congress, in testimony of the respect due to his memory, and in grateful remembrance of his public Services.
WILLIAM ELLERY, Esq; is chosen a Delegate for this colony, to attend the Continental Congress, in place of the Hon. SAMUEL WARD, Esq; deceased.
NEW-PORT, (Rhode Island,) April 29.
Last Wednesday a ship, supposed to be the Scarborough or Cerberus, and a black brig, were standing off and on, a little without the entrance of this harbour great part of the day; they were twice close in with the light-house; two American brigs, and three sloops, the same day, were chased by the above black brig, but got clear and went in the east side of this island.
Last Thursday night, the Continental ships Alfred and Columbus, and the brig —, arrived in our bay, and anchored near Hope; a station occupied by British pirates a considerable part of the winter.
L O N D O N, Feb. 20.
Orders are sent to Cork to get ready immediately provisions for victualling fifty sail of transports which will arrive there, if the wind permits, by the 10th of March; the rest of the transports which are ordered for America will take in their provisions in England, to prevent the Irish from being distressed by so great a consumption of the necessaries of life in that country.
A new regiment of light infantry is now raising to be sent to America; a serjeant in the said regiment in a new uniform, was presented to his Majesty on Friday last, & went through the whole manual exercise on an entire new plan before his Majesty and several general officers, in the King's riding-house which gave universal satisfaction.
All the transports that have arrived here from Boston are to be docked and got ready as soon as possible, in order to take on board a quantity of porter and other fresh supplies, which are to be sent to the men of war stationed at America.
Several of the Captains have complained by letter to the A——, that their respective ships were too weakly manned to proceed to sea, which has been taken no notice of; in consequence of which they have had private surveys, and attestations signed by several officers of the exact state of their complements, in order to exculpate themselves, in case of accidents that may arise from the scandalous manner in which they have been sent to sea.
Upon an average, the ships of war now equipping for America, have not more than 6 seamen to 90 others in their complements.
By extracts from the London Public Ledger, dated, Feb. 14, as inserted in the Halifax Paper of the 23d ult. it appears, that the Tyrant of Britain intends, the ensuing campaign, to have in America an army composed as follows, viz.
43 Regiments of foot. 2 — of dragoons. 2000 Marines. 3 Battalions of Highlanders, raising in Scotland, to consist of 1000 men each. Gorham's and McLean's corps, raising in America, to consist of 4 or 500. 1000 of the guards to be drafted from the three regiments, and commanded by Col. Matthews. 9 Companies of artillery.
WENT a drift one day last week on flood tide (from the wharf of Geo. Boyd Esq;) a fifteen feet MOSES-BOAT, marked G. B. in several places, with marking irons. — Whoever hath taken up said boat, and will bring her, or leave information at said Boyd's where she may be found, shall receive SIX SHILLINGS reward.
Portsmouth May 28th, 1776. 2 4
TO BE SOLD BY
JOSHUA WENTWORTH.
MOLASSES by the Hoghead—STEEL the manufacture of New-England, (very little inferior to German,) by the pound or hundred, at eighteen pence per. pound—NAIL RODS suitable for making rod, 2od, and DECK NAILS. 2 4
ALL persons that have any demands against the estate of JONATHAN GOSS, late of Rye, yeoman deceased, are hereby desired to bring in the same well attested to me the subscriber, executor of the last will of the deceased, in order for payment—and all that are indebted to the said estate are desired to make speedy payment.
2 4 MERIFIED BERRY. Rye, May 27th, 1776.
TO BE SOLD, THE HOUSE FURNITURE of a person intending soon to remove out of the Province, among which are some very genteel—a beautiful Table set of enamel'd China—Also a large Beam and Scales—For further particulars enquire of the printer hereof. 1—3
ON the Memorial and Petition of JOHN MURRAY, in behalf of the Town of Boothbay, humbly shewing, "That from a thorough examination of the claims of said persons, and of the difficulties under which many of the inhabitants have held their possessions for forty-seven years, the Hon. Court will see sufficient cause to support the inhabitants in the rights they have so dearly acquired; and therefore pray your wise consideration of the case, and that an act may pass the Hon. Court, for quieting the inhabitants in the possession of their lands."----
In the House of Representatives, March 28th, 1776.
READ and ordered, That the petitioner publish in the Watertown, Cambridge and Portsmouth news-papers three weeks successively, as soon as may be, that part of his petition (praying for an Act of this Court for quieting the inhabitants in the plantation of Boothbay in the possession of their lands) also an attested copy of this order: That all persons claiming lands there, may have an opportunity to shew cause (if any they have) on the second Wednesday of the session of this Court in May next, why the prayer of said petition should not be granted.
Sent up for concurrence, WILLIAM COOPER, Speaker Pro. Tem. In Council, March 28th. 1776. Read and concurred.
JOHN LOWELL, Dep. Sec'y Pro. Tem. A true copy. Attest. JOHN LOWELL, Dep. Sec'y Pro. Tem. 1—3
TO BE SOLD,
A Quantity of good FRENCH INDI-GO—By JOSEPH BASS, at his shop in Portsmouth. 1—3
FOUND a pair of SADDLE-BAGS; the owner may have them, by applying to the printer and paying for advertizing and describing the contents. 1—3