The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-07-13 00:00:00

Freeman's Journal
O R
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
SATURDAY, July 13, 1776.
[ No. 8. ]
DEAR COUNTRYMEN,
SUPPOSE America peopled by as many millions of inhabitants, as the continent could contain; suppose a demand made of it by the remote heirs of the first grantors, at so distant a period of time from the original grant, for non-compliance with the unreasonable, iniquitous, and unlawful terms of the agreement; could not the wise heirs of the imprudent grantees, very modestly, justly, and reasonably, demand another place of subsistence, and where in any plan of geography, could such a vacant place in the other 3 quarters of this little ball of earth be found, as would be sufficient, to support the future inhabitants of America? Admit that the distant heirs of the original grantors, were perishing for want of these habitations, or the fulfilment of the conditions of the original grant; would not the present possessors (from the law of necessity) have a right to hold their possessions, as a man drowning may take a plank from another, though in his possession, and which is his property; a fortiori —may he keep one in his own possession, which belongs to the other? If it be answered, fulfil the promise and keep the possession, I reply, that the terms being slavery, are worse than the forfeiture or death itself, (which would be the consequence of such forfeiture,) which we have a right to avoid, by keeping the possession, without performing the condition, which being, I say, worse than death, ought to be shun'd, upon the same principle of self preservation in a higher degree. If any grantees in America have stipulated, the entire legislation over them, to be vested in the parliament of Great Britain, to me it is most evident, that they ought by no means, to stand to the engagement. As no man has a right to sell or part with his life, so neither can he lawfully dispose of his liberty absolutely, entirely, and in the most extensive sense; without which, life is less desirable than death, and without which a man had better never been born. Hence it appears that if an original deed could be produced from the King, or if you please, from the King Lords and Commons, to the original grantees of America, or from any one else except the Almighty himself, (who has a right to dispose of our possessions, conditions, and persons, as he thinks fit) containing the terms of absolute slavery to our ancestors, and to devolve from them to their posterity, it would not be lawfully binding upon the latter, nor even upon the former, in its full extent, there being certain rights, a man can't lawfully and authentically divest himself of; for though every bad promise,
(that is every unprofitable agreement) is not better broke than kept, yet an unlawful promise ought not to be performed: Who doubts this in the case of Herod's promise, (which he bound by an oath) to the daughter of Herodias, concerning the head of John the baptist? much less can an evil obligation be annexed by ancestors to posterity, and become binding upon their consciences to perform it, but just the contrary. Absolute slavery includes every thing spiritual and temporal, for time and for eternity; if humane laws could extend so far to be disposed of by the master for the servant.—A most shocking state and condition this! but it is to be hoped that durest in religion will eventually fall heaviest, upon the heads of tyrants, and lightly, if at all, upon their conscientious, constrained and oppressed subjects. Be this as it may, how terrible is the lot and portion of that people; whose King is a tyrant; and wo be to that nation whose King, tho' in his own disposition may be as innocent as a child, or in the present court language the best of princes, yet is rendered tyrannical by evil counsellors (his ministry) who are impious lawless and cruel oppressors. But to return from this short, natural, and necessary digression, I would add a few words more, on our American possessions; which we have sought and found in the midst of the wilderness; which we have improved by the sweat of our brow, and secured by our blood and treasure. The superior value of these possessions by improvement, (standing on the shoulders of creation) enhances their native value, and demonstrates the inequity, of their ever reverting to the crown, or to any body on this side heaven & many other things might be wrote to this purpose, on the present question, so I say as to swell the subject to a volume; all tending to prove, that neither such forfeiture nor such condition, as has been mentioned, ought to take place to be perform'd either by posterity or even the original grantees, if they had made so unlawful and unrighteous a contract; which my next letter will shew they never have done.
ORTHODOXUS.
Mr. Alderman Bull's Speech, to refer to a Committee of the House the Consideration of the Treaties for taking into British pay 17,000 foreign Troops to be sent to America.
I cannot, Sir, at this time, forbear to express my astonishment & concern, that early in the present session so many gentlemen should have been prevailed upon, by any considerations, to stand forth in the most
serious and solemn manner, to approve and sanctify those cruel and arbitrary measures which were recommended, and have been fatally carried into execution, by an unfeeling and unrelenting administration, who have dared to abuse the throne by their wicked & sanguinary councils, & whose whole conduct has proved them entirely destitute of every principle of justice, humanity, and the religion of their country. Their insatiable thirst for Protestant blood has been long evident; & cries aloud to Heaven for vengeance, as well as the just indignation of a long abused, insulted oppressed people. To exult in the destruction of our most valuable commercial friends, and protestant fellow subjects; to pray that the same horrid scenes may be repeated; that war, bloodshed, and desolation may pervade the whole Continent of America, unless it shall bow its devoted head to Popery, to Poverty, & the most abject and ignominious Slavery, were not the fact on record, would be tho' incredible! That record, Sir, to a nation professing a regard to liberty, and the rights of humanity, will remain an eternal monument of reproach.
Sir, is it certain, is it probable, that the exertions of ministerial tyranny and revenge will be much longer permitted? that there will be no appeal to stop the further effusion of Protestant blood? Or can it be expected that the people of this country, reducing by thousands to beggary and want, will remain idle spectators till the sword is at their breasts, or dragoons at their doors? God forbid. I am not insensible how much professions of patriotism are become a subject of ridicule. To the astonishment of the world, the love of our country has been ridiculed within these walls! and yet, Sir, this shall not restrain me. While I uniformly withhold the offer of my life and fortune in support of ministerial despotism, I wish to be understood, that whenever an occasion may call for it, I will chearfully sacrifice both in defence of the liberties of the people.
The war that you are now waging, is an unjust one; it is founded in oppression, and its end will be distress and disgrace. Let not the historian be obliged to say the Russian and the German slave was hired to subdue the sons of Englishmen & of freemen; and that in the reign of a Prince of the House of Brunswick every infamous tool was made use of to extinguish the spirit which brought his ancestors to the throne, and in spite of treachery & rebellion seated them firmly on it.
I shall not now trouble the House any further than to declare my abhorrence of all

the measures which have been adopted against America; measures equally inimical to the principles of commerce, to the spirit of the constitution, and to the honour, to the faith, & to the true dignity of the British nation.
WILLIAMSBURG, (Virginia) June 15. Copy of a letter addressed to the frontier inhabitants, by Mr. STUART, the British Superintendant of Indian affairs in the southern district, which was delivered the 18th of May last, by a messenger sent by him expressly for that purpose.
"Sometime ago Mr. Cameron and myself wrote you a letter by Mr. Thomas, and inclosed you the talk we had with the Indians respecting the purchase which it was reported you had lately made of them, for the rivers Wattaugah and Nolachuoky, &c. We are since informed that you are under great apprehensions of the Indians doing mischief; but it is not the design of his Majesty to set his friends and allies the Indians, on his liege subjects. Therefore whoever of you are willing to join his Majesty's forces, as soon as they arrive at the Cherokee nation, by repairing to the King's standard, shall find protection, and their families and estates be secure from all danger whatever. Yet that his Majesty's officers may be certain which of you are willing to take up arms in defence of the King's just rights, I have thought fit to recommend it to you, every one that is desirous of preventing inevitable ruin to himself and family, immediately to subscribe a written paper, acknowledging their allegiance to his Majesty King George, & that they are ready and willing, whenever called upon, to appear in arms in defence of the British rights in America; which paper, as soon as it is assigned, send to me by some safe hand. Should any of the inhabitants be desirous of knowing how they are to be kept free from every kind of insult, or danger, inform them, that his Majesty will immediately land an army in West Florida, & march them through the Creek nation to the Chickasahs, where 500 warriors from each nation are to join them, and then come by the Cherokees (who have also promised their assistance) then take possession of the frontiers of North Carolina and Virginia, at the same time that his Majesty's forces make a diversion on the sea coasts of those provinces. If any of the inhabitants have cattle, pack horses, or flour, to spare, by applying to us, they shall have a good price for them, as soon as his Majesty's troops are embodied."
N E W - Y O R K, June 24. Extract of a letter from Philadelphia June 21.
"Mr. James Caldwell is returned, Belkew treated him well, and sent him off to return a Man in his place as soon as possible."
He informs, that the men of war are well supplied with live stock by the tories at Indian River, the Liverpool having all her coops and sheep pens full; that four of those tories were on board at the time he was there; that the Liverpool, Orpheus and Kingfisher had been on a cruise for some days, and brought in with them two ships, one of which is the Suffolk Indiaman; they are last from Antigua, and go to New York under convoy of the Liverpool, and may possibly be arrived, as they intended sailing on Sunday last. Col. Mill's battalion arrived at Dover last Monday, and next day intended to visit the Sussex tories; so we hourly expect some account of them. John James, pilot, who was taken on board Mr. Mifflin's vessel, made his escape from the Roebuck by swimming two miles; he was on board the time of the action with the gondolas, and says that the Roebuck had one man killed,
and several wounded; one of the guns dismounted, and hulled in seven places.—he says Lord Duamore looses nine or ten of his black regiment every day by the small-pox, &c."
A great number of entrenching tools and mantlets arriv'd here from Boston last Thursday. They are part of the cargo taken by the brave Capt. Mugford.
We hear that one of our cruizers has taken a large ship on the south side of Long Island, and carried her safe into port. It is said she is a very valuable prize.
June 27. Last Friday morning at three o'clock, 300 of our troops, under the command of Col. Tupper, with Major Brooks, attacked the enemy at Sandy Hook, our party had two field pieces under the care of Capt. Drewry of the train; the enemy repaired to the light-house, which was so strongly fortified, and cemented, that the shot from the field pieces made no impression, though not more than 150 yards distance; the Phoenix and Liverpool, with springs on their cables, poured in a heavy fire on our men in flank and rear, while those at the Light-House did the like in front, for two hours. The Colonel finding his party somewhat fatigued, and very much exposed to the fire of the said ships, retired about two miles to refresh his men, after which he sent out small parties to tempt them on shore, that he might attack them on a more equal footing; but it seems they chose to keep where they were more safe. At evening, finding the provision nearly spent, the party returned, without the loss of a man, & only 2 very slightly wounded: Our men were in very high spirits, wishing for an opportunity to meet the enemy on equal ground.
N E W - Y O R K, June 29.
Last Thursday week the privateers Montgomery and Schuyler, of this port, retook & carried safe into a port to the eastward, two whaling brigs from Brazils, belonging to Nantucket, a schooner belonging to Cape Ann, with sugar and molasses, and a sloop from Rhode Island, with lumber and flour.
On board one of the whalers, (Capt. Barker) came passenger, William Halloch, of the whaling brig Elliot, of this port, who on the 19th of May, was taken & carried into Antigua, having on board 150 barrels of oil, & gives us the following account, viz. That Capt. Holnis, with 400 barrels was carried into Antigua also; and Capt. Jenkins, into Dominico, with 150 barrels; that Capt. Jagger with 400 barrels had got into Gaudaloupe; and Capt. Darling with 400 more, had arrived at St. Luce; that Capt. Pinkham, with 220 barrels was left on the Brazil coast, and he supposed all the other whalers were well.
One of the above mentioned vessels was taken by the Greyhound frigate, Captain Dickenson, from Halifax for New York, having Gen. Howe on board. The ship sailed from Halifax the 9th of June, in company with a fleet of 130 sail.
July 3. On Sunday last one of our cruizers, on the South side of Long-Island, took a large Bermudian built sloop from Halifax, laden with entrenching-tools, &c. bound for this place; in which a number of the Boston refugees are on board, among whom it is said, Robert Auchmuty, Esq; late Judge of the Admiralty at Boston, and brother to the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, (of this city) is amongst them.
Last Saturday arrived at the Hook (like the swarm of Locusts, escaped from the bottomless pit;) a fleet said to be 130 sail of ships and vessels from Halifax, having on board General Howe, &c. sent out by the tyrants of Great-Britain, after destroying the english constitution there, on the plot of enslaving the British colonies and plundering their property at pleasure, or murdering them at once, and taking possession of all, as Ahab did of Naboth's vineyard.
On Monday about 1000 of them landed on the west end of Long-Island, but soon embarked again, and seeing a party of rifle-
men, said to be about 1000, gave them three huzzas, which they returned with the indian war whoop. On Tuesday morning some of them appeared coming up, and before night about 45 sail came above the narrows, and anchored at and near the watering-place, where they fired about 50 cannon shot, of which we have not heard the occasion, and landed many of their men, whom we could plainly see exercising and parading.
It was apprehended they intended to penetrate into the interior parts of the island, or to some of the neighbouring towns, but it does not appear that they have yet attempted it, or done any thing on shore, except taking up a little bridge on the causeway between the landing and the Highlands, at the ferry. We hear General Mercer, with a detachment, was yesterday dispatched to watch their motions, and act as occasion might require.
We have undoubted authority to assure the public, that Major Lamb, Captain Olwald, (late Aid de camp to General Arnold) and Capt. Burr, who were taken prisoners at Quebec, when that most worthy assessor of our most noble rights and privileges (General Montgomery) fell a victim to ministerial vengeance, are on board the ministerial fleet at Sandy-Hook.
HARTFORD, June 24. Part of a Letter from Capt. Seth Harding, Commander of the Brig Defence, in the Service of this Colony, to the Hon. Gov. Trumbull, dated, June 19.
"I Sailed on Sunday last from Plymouth; soon after we came to sail, I heard a considerable firing to the northward. In the evening I fell in with 4 armed schooners, near the entrance of Boston harbour, who informed me they had been engaged with a ship and brig, and were obliged to quit them. Soon after I came up into Nantasket Road, where I found the ship and brig at anchor. I immediately fell in between the two, and came to anchor about 11 o'clock at night. I hail'd the ship, who answer'd, from Great Britain. I ordered her to strike her colours to America. They answered by asking, What brig is that? I told them the defence. I then hail'd him again, and told him I did not want to kill his men but would have the ship at all events, and again ordered them to strike, upon which the Major (since dead) said yes, I'll strike, and fired in a broad side upon me, which I immediately returned, when an engagement began, which lasted three glasses, when the ship & brig both struck. In this engagement I had nine men wounded, but none killed. The enemy had 18 killed, and a number wounded. My officers and men behaved with great bravery, none could have out done them. We took out of the above vessel 210 prisoners, among whom is Col. Campbell, of Gen. Frazier's regiment of Highlanders. The Major was kill'd in the engagement."
"Yesterday a ship was seen in the Bay, which came towards the entrance of Boston harbour; upon which I came to sail, with 4 schooners in company; we came up with them, and took them without any engagement; there were on board 112 Highlanders. As there are a number more of the same fleet expected every day, and the General here urges my stay, I shall tarry a few days, and then proceed to New London. My brig is much damaged in sails and rigging."
I am, with great respect, Your Honor's most humble servant, SETH HARDING.
Last Wednesday passed through this place, Gov. Franklin of New Jersey, on his way to Gov. Trumbull at Lebanon. Mr. Franklin is a noted tory, and ministerial tool, and has been exceedingly busy in perplexing the cause of liberty, and in serving the designs of the British king & minions. The people of the Jerseys, on account of his principles,

connexions, abilities & address, viewed him as a mischevious enemy in that province, & consequently thought it expedient to remove him, under a strong guard, to Connecticut. He is safely arrived, and will probably have leisure to reconnoitre his past life. He is son to Dr. Benjamin Franklin, the genius of the day, and the great patron of American liberty. If his excell'cy escapes the vengeance of the people, due to the enormity of his crimes, his redemption will flow, not from his personal merit, but from the high esteem and veneration which this country entertain for his honor'd father. Last Saturday he returned from Lebanon to Willingford, where he is stationed.
Friday last a lousey pack of tory prisoners, 49 in number, taken some time since at Johnstown were brought to this town under guard from Albany, and delivered to the committee for the disposition of prisoners in this colony. We hear a number more of the same clan are on their way to this place.
Since our last, several regiments of foot, ordered to be raised in this colony, together with three regiments of the troop of light horse, have marched for New York, to assist in the defence of the capital of that invaded Province.
PROVIDENCE, June 15. 1776.
Tuesday last arrived here a fine prize ship, taken by the continental brig Cabot, Capt. Hinman; she was bound from Jamaica to Lancaster, in England, and has on board the following valuable cargo, viz. 115 puncheons of Rum, 22 hogheads ditto, 84 Hogheads of Sugar, 20 Tierces Ditto, 18 Barrels Ditto, 200 Bags of Ginger, 10 Casks Ditto, 20 Casks of Coffee, 60 Bags of Pimento, 2 Casks Ditto, 182 Bags of Cotton and 48 raw Hides. She is pierced for 14 Guns, but mounted only 6 when taken.
Last Week one of the Enemy's Tenders drove several small Vessels ashore up the Western sound, and burnt one schooner.
On Sunday the same tender took a small sloop from Surinam, bound to this place, Mowry Potter master. The Hands escaped in their boat.
June 22. Monday last a young man was apprehended at Newport, and committed to goal, for signing and passing a thirty shilling bill, of the money emitted by this colony in January last. It appears by his own confession, and other circumstances, that he stole a half sheet of paper, on which were printed four bills of said denomination, from the house of a gentleman who was appointed by the general assembly to superintend the press while the money was printing, and who had taken home some imperfect sheets, in order to burn or destroy them. The signers names are badly imitated, and two of them Joseph Clarke & Thomas Greene are written Clark and Green, which may serve as a mark to detect the other three false bills, should they be passing.
Wednesday last Capt. James Munro, of this port, in a letter of marque sloop, arrived here from Hispaniola. On the 7th instant he retook two sloops loaded with lumber, from Edentown, in North Carolina, which had been taken by the Acteon Frigate, and ordered to Antigua. Capt. Munro sent the Prizes to Hispaniola, and has brought home with him a person taken on board one of them, who calls himself a brother to the present Lord Cranston.
We learn that a Frigate from Halifax has joined the Cerberus at Block Island. They have taken a sloop, and a ship, supposed to be one of the transports lately taken by the Andrew Doria, Capt. Biddle.
Tuesday last one of the above mentioned frigates ran in with a small breeze, and fired two broadsides into the Columbus, Capt. Whipple, as she lay becalmed near Newport, which killed one man, and cut some of her rigging. As soon as the wind struck
the Columbus, Capt. Whipple returned the compliment with a broadside, when the frigate sheared off.
BOSTON, July 11, 1776.
We are assured that on July the 2d, the Congress voted for INDEPENDENCY, not one colony dissenting; but the delegates of New-York remained neuter, for want of being instructed on the head.
Last Saturday were carried into Cape Ann, two ships taken in the Gulph of Florida, by Capt. Henry Johnson of this town, in the Yankey privateer; and last Tuesday they were brought round to this place. One is a fine ship 300 tons burthen, commanded by James Hodge, bound from Jamaica for London, with upwards of 400 Hogheads of sugar, 200 puncheons rum, 16 Packs Cotton, and a quantity of Pimento. The other is upwards of 200 Tons, commanded by George Ross, from Antigua for General Howe at Halifax, with 439 puncheons of rum, &c.
Major Rogers was taken up at South-Amboy ferry on the 26th of June.
By advices from Martinico, we learn, that the French General and Admiral in the West Indies, will commence hostilities against G. Britain the moment that the Independence of the American Colonies is authenticated to them.
On Friday the 28th ult. was executed in a field at New-York, between the Colonels M'Dougall and Huntington's camp, near the Bowry-Lane, (in the presence of 2,000 spectators) a soldier belonging to his Excellency General Washington's guards, for mutiny and conspiracy; being one of those who formed, and was soon to put into execution, that horrid plot of assassinating the staff officers, blowing up the magazines, and securing the passes of the town, on the arrival of the hungry ministerial myrmidons: It is hoped the remainder of those miscreants, (now in our possession) will meet with a punishment adequate to their crimes.
We hear from Jamestown, (Virginia,) that Capt. Barron has taken and carried in there, a transport ship with 220 Highlanders on board, being part of Frazer's battalion, mostly recruits, and part of the 42d Regiment or Highland Watch.
The General Court have past an Act allowing of Inoculation with the Small Pox in the Town of Boston 'till next monday the 15th instant, after which time it is forbidden on severe penalties both on the inoculator and inoculated. And the Selectmen are empowered and directed to remove all persons sick of the Small-Pox on the third of August next, in order that the town may be cleared of all infection immediately after. The Court have also past an Act allowing of Hospitals for inoculating the Small-Pox in each County in this Colony.
Thursday the first day of August next is appointed by Authority to be observed as a day of humiliation, Fasting and prayer throughout this Colony.
Extract from a late London Paper.
A great number of the soldiers of the 3d regiment of guards, who are draughted out to go to America, have got themselves arrested for debt, and are now in Fleet-prison; the Judges have been applied to, but all the assistance these venerable sages of the law will prove ineffectual, as the soldiers have declared their resolution, rather than go abroad to imbue their hands in the blood of their fellow subjects, they will die in imprisonment. This has discouraged the ministry much, as it is feared this example will be followed by others of the soldiers destin'd to this unnatural service.
PORTSMOUTH, July 13, 1776.
LAST Monday the first Regiment of Militia, in this Colony pursuant to orders from Lt. Col. JOSHUA WENTWORTH, made a genteel appearance upon the Plains in this town; almost every person upon the alarm-list, indiscriminately appeared in the Ranks to stand a chance of draughting 115 Men, for the Canada Reinforcement, if found necessary; but the alacrity with which the men insisted, prevented any disagreeable impressions: such an ardor was discoverable in all ranks, by their encouragement, that they seemed to emulate with each other who should most promote the service.
The INDEPENDENT COMPANY commanded by Col. SAMUEL SHELBURNE,
and the COMPANY of LIGHT INFANTRY commanded by Col. JOHN LANGDON, in their uniforms, attended the regimental muster, and performed the manual exercise and evolutions to universal acceptance, and did honor to the solemnity. A cold collation was made by Col. WENTWORTH, for the refreshment of the officers of the regiment, and other officers who were occasionally present. The whole order of the day was conducted with great decency and decorum: contentment sat on the countenances of all at least 3000 present. As this was the first appearance of this regiment for years past, it is hoped that the officers will form a company from themselves to instruct each other in the military art, at least once a week; and that sub-divisions of companies will meet with their officers at such times as they can attend them for the same useful design: with such an emulation throughout the continent, America may expect to support her Independancy.
Wednesday last was bro't into Falmouth, by Capt. Crabtree, a sloop from Anapolis, bound to Halifax, taken off the Grand Passage, loaden with Lumber, Hand Spikes, Butter, Cheese, Potatoes, &c.
By the Halifax Paper of the Fourteenth of May, it appears, that the Price of Provisions is stated by a resolve of a Court of Special Sessions for the Peace, held there on the Tenth of the same Month, at the following Rates, viz. Beef, Pork, Mutton, Lamb, or Veal, at One Shilling Currency per Pound, equal to a Piscareen; Dung hill Fowls, dead or alive, Two Shillings each; Chickens in Proportion; Hares or Rabbits, One Shilling and Six Pence each; Tame Ducks, Two Shillings each; Wild Ducks, One Shilling and Six Pence each; and Partridges One Shilling and Three Pence each, Flour is sold at Twenty-eight Shillings per Hundred.
Portsmouth July 10, 1776.
List of Letters remaining in the Post-Office. C. Cochran Isaac, Windham. Cochran Thomas New-Boston. Cunningham Samuel and others, Select-men of Peterborough.
E. Ellis Sarah, Keen.
G. Gold Jeremiah, Woolborough.
H. Hunter John, Londonderry. Hutchins Phinehas, Fitzwilliam.
K. Kinsman Aaron, Bow.
M. M'Gregore James, Londonderry. Moss Moody Doctor, Salem. Macklewen, Mrs. Coldrain. M'Lean John, Newbury-Cohasset.
N. Nute Jotham, Dover.
P. Page John, Haverhill Cohasset.
S. Sewall Jonathan M. Esq; Greenland.
W. Wentworth John Esq; Dover. Willard Josiah Major, Keen.
Colony of New Hampshire, Rockingham. ff.
LIBEES being filed before me, against the ship named Susanah, burthen about one hundred and eighty tons, her cargo and appurtenances, commanded by John Frazer. Also against the schooner named the Rainbow, about thirty tons burthen, her cargo and appurtenances, commanded by John M'Monagle, which vessels are said to have been improved in carrying supplies to the fleet and army employed against the united colonies, and brought into the county of Rockingham. This notice is given agreeable to the laws of the colony, that the maritime court erected to try and condemn all vessels found infesting the Sea-Coasts of America, and brought into the county of Rockingham, will be held at the court-house in Portsmouth, on Tuesday the sixth day of August, 1776, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, to try the justice of the said Captures, that all persons concerned may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the said vessels, their cargoes and appurtenances should not be condemned. JOSHUA BRACKETT Judge of said Court.
Portsmouth July 11, 1776.
N. B. All Claimants are by law to file their claims before the Judge five days before trial.
8-10
A GENTEEL NEW CHAISE
To be sold cheap for CASH. by WILLIAM MARSHALL, at his shop in Queen-Street.

POET'S CORNER.
F REEDOM's Charms alike engage Blooming Youth and hoary Age; Time itself can ne'er destroy Freedom's pure and lasting Joy: Love nor Friendship ever gave Half their Blessings to the Slave; None are happy but the Free, Bliss is born of Liberty, Which from fair America Tyrants strive to take away.
WILLIAMSBURG, June 15.
We learn from Gloucester, that Lord Dunmore has erected hospitals on Gwyn's island; that his old friend Andrew Sprawle is dead, and that they are inoculating the blacks for the small pox. His Lordship, before the departure of the fleet from Norfolk harbour, had two of those wretches inoculated and sent ashore, in order to spread the infection, but it was happily prevented.
The men of war have made prize of a Spanish brig that was bound to Philadelphia reported to have on board 12,800 dollars. Some deserters from the Fowey, it is said, give this account; likewise, that they are very weak upon the island as to number, fearful of being attacked, & chiefly depend upon the fleet for protection.
Mr. Robinson, late of York town, who has been a prisoner on board the fleet for some time past, but escaped from Gwyn's island, confirms the above accounts with respect to Andrew Sprawle's death, and the capture of the Spanish brig, which was from the Havannah, taken off the Capes of Delaware, and sent in by the Liverpool; but that Capt. Bellow had retained the dollars. This Gentleman further says, that there are not now above 200 blacks alive, 75 at least having died within six days after they left Norfolk, and that the number of whites on shore was very inconsiderable.
We hear that the Hon. Continental Congress have appointed Col. Hugh Mercer, of the 3d regiment, to the rank of Brigadier General in the service of the United Colonies, and that he will set out immediately for New York.
One day this week a small vessel belonging to the enemy, five hands on board, ran aground on the Gloucester shore, within musket shot, and was taken. The crew jumped overboard, two swam to Gwyn's island, one was shot, and the other two drowned.
PROVIDENCE, June 29.
Extract of a Letter from Major Henry Sherburne of Newport, to a Gentleman in this Town, dated New-York, June 18.
"On my arrival at Montreal from New-York. I was informed that a Detachment of 140 Men was ordered from our Regiment to reinforce the Cedars, a Fort about 45 Miles S. W. from Montreal, which was then attacked by a body of Regulars, Canadians and Savages: I offered my Service to take the command of this Party, & was honored with the thanks from the two commissioners from Congress on the occasion. On the 16th of May I marched off my Detachment from Montreal, but meeting with many Difficulties in procuring Boats, rendered it impossible for me to cross the Lake till the 18th. The Enemy had then got so near, that while Capt. Bliss was out in Pursuit of Teams, not two Miles from the landing Place, he was taken by some Savages & Canadians: from him I received a Letter the same Evening, acquainting me with his unhappy Situation; also that 500 Canadians and Savages had collected, who had determined to attack
me that night. This Information I thought sufficient to occasion a Retreat, and by Two o'Clock in the Morning got our Men & provision safe back over the Lake. Next Day, being the 19th, began the embarkation again, but the Wind being very violent, could cross only one boat that Day; Capt. Sullivan, Brother to General Sullivan, went in her, and with a small Party landed near a Priest's House whom he compelled to go with him to the House in which Capt. Bliss was confined, released him, and safely returned him to me that Day.
"On the 20th I again passed the Lake with my Party, and immediately began my March for the Cedars, nine Miles distant. When we had advanced five miles on our way, at the entrance of a wood we discovered the enemy, who immediately attacked us from all quarters. We stood our Ground, openly exposed to the enemy, while they were under Cover of Trees, &c. one Hour, when finding they were endeavouring to get in our Rear, I immediately ordered a Retreat which was done with the greatest Order, still keeping up our Fire for about forty Minutes longer, when, on passing a Bridge, a large Body of them rushed on our Front and made them Prisoners, while the rest of the Enemy, about 500 in Number, seized the Rear and Centre. Some of them were immediately employed in stripping us almost naked, whilst others were scalping and tomahawking my wounded Men, some of whom were butchered in my Presence. After they had stripped us, and killed as many as they thought proper, we were marched off to the Cedars, the Place we were destined to reinforce, which had been given up to them the Day before by one Major Butterfield, with near 400 Men, that were ready and willing to fight, together with two Field Pieces, and Plenty of Ammunition; this vile Conduct of Major Butterfield was the unhappy Cause of my Disaster. Being obliged to leave Guards on the Road as we came from Montreal, with some Provision we had seized, together with some taken sick by the Hardship we underwent in getting over the Lake, my Party was reduced to 100 Men. It is with the greatest Pleasure I can say that I did not see a dejected Countenance during the whole Conflict. I lost from my small Party 28 Men, killed in Action, wounded, killed in cold Blood, & carried off by the Savages. From the best Account I can get, the Enemy lost 22 killed and wounded, among them a Chief of the Seneca Tribe, one of the greatest Warriors they had. The Barbarity with which we were treated by the Savages, together with our Sufferings for want of Provisions and Cloaths, is beyond any thing that can be imagined or described. In this deplorable Situation we remained eight Days, when we were released by an agreement entered into between General Arnold & Capt. Foster, who commanded the King's Troops, about 40 in Number. I am now on my Way to the Congress, by Order of General Arnold, to lay before them a State of this unhappy Affair."
Capt. Daniel Bucklin, in the Montgomery Privateer, from this place, has retaken, and sent into Dartmouth, the Brig Betty, formerly of this Port; she had been taken by the Argo Frigate, and condemned at Antigua, from which Place she was bound to Ireland, with 135 Puncheons, & 18 Tierces of Rum.
Yesterday Capt. Samuel Chace arrived here from the West-Indies, having on board 10 Pieces of Cannon, a Quantity of Sail Duck, some Powder, Salt-Petre, Brimstone, &c.
NEWBURY-PORT July 5.
Yesterday was Launched, in the presence of a great number of Spectators from different parts; the second Continental Frigate of 36 Guns built in this town, named the HANCOCK.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Wilmington, (Cape Fear) dated May 30.
"General Clinton, with 3000 men, continue encamped near Fort Johnston, we are
informed, they wait further to hear from Major General How;—that their baggage is going on board the transports, and that the vessels have orders to be in readiness for sailing."—Other accounts say they have failed.
N OTICE is hereby given, that the Brigantine Elizabeth and Cargo, Peter Ramsey late master, bound from Boston to Halifax,) retaken and brought into this port, by Commodore Manly and others, in the service of the united colonies, are to commence invoicing at Portsmouth, the 24th day of this instant July (in preparation for sale, agreeable to a resolve of the honorable Continental Congress) and to continue till the whole is compleated.
All persons legal claimants to any part of said brigantine and cargo, are desired to attend on said day, that their interest may be selected. Those persons interested, and neglecting to attend duly will be deprived the benefit of claiming, as all goods that may not be legally claim'd, will be invoiced for the use of the continent and captors, & sold accordingly. JOSHUA WENTWORTH, Agent.
Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, July 1, 1776.
N. B. There were four negroes taken with said brig, viz. A negro man named Adam, John Rowe, Esq; owner. A negro man named Scip, Harrison Gray, Esq; owner. A negro woman named Belinder, Benjamin Austin, Esq; owner. A negro woman named Brada, a widow Kitcath owner. 7-9
Colony of N OTICE is hereby given to all persons interested in Lot No. 8, in the second division of the Stated Commons in York aforesaid, that Samuel Shaw has petitioned to have his seven shares in said lot that lies in common, to be divided, and set off to him to hold in severality.
So likewise notice is given to those interested in lot No. 6, in the same 2d division, that Samuel Freethy has petitioned to have his 13 shares in the said lot No. 6, which lies in common to be provided and set off to him, to hold in severality, of both which this notice is given to the end that if any person has ought to say why the prayer of the said petitioners should not be granted they may be heard touching the same, at the superior court to be held in Boston (or Braintree) in the county of Suffolk, on the last Tuesday of August next, to which time the consideration of said petitions are refer'd.
By order of the Justices of the Superior Court at York, June 25, 1776. 8-10
WILLIAM PEARNE Has to sell at his store in Portsmouth, excellent good madeira WINE, by the Pipe or Quarter-Cask. 6-8
TO BE SOLD, (for want of employ)
A Healthy likely NEGRO WOMAN, in the twentieth year of her age; born and bred in New-England.
Enquire of the Printer. 6-8
TO BE SOLD,
A N excellent CHAISE HORSE; trots & canter's well; warranted not to be more than eight or nine years old.
Enquire of the Printer. 6-8
A Flock of Geese
Strayed from Ebenezer Johnson of Greenland, about three weeks ago. There were 21 in number, three of them old. Whoever will return said Geese to said Johnson, shall be well Rewarded. 8-10
The Book so much admired, entitled COMMON SENSE; may be had at the Printing Office.
PORTSMOUTH: Printed by BENJAMIN DEARBORN, near the Parade, where this Paper may be had at Eight Shillings L. M. per year, one half at entrance. The Printing-Business, in its different branches carried on with care and fidelity.