The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-05-25 00:00:00

Freeman's Journal
OR
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
SATURDAY, May 25, 1776.
[ No. 1 ]
THE Publisher of the Freeman's Journal begs leave to address himself to his kind Customers on the appearance of this his first Paper.—Encouraged by their patronage, he has ventured thus early to publish it, in the hopes of more supporters to it; at present, he has not near enough to pay the expences, yet he will study to merit the public esteem, by an assiduous attention to the duties of his business, in collecting, extracting and composing every interesting intelligence, foreign and domestic, with such entertaining speculations as he hopes to be indulged with, from Gentlemen of leisure & literature, and whose avails he will thankfully acknowledge: As he presumes to think private disputes can never be agreeable to the public, but rather exposing the parties themselves, he begs to be excused from inserting such disputes, even though attended with a pecuniary reward, as he wishes never to enrich himself upon the disgrace of others. The liberty of the Press has ever been held as one of the most sacred rights of a free people, and when we are abridged of that invaluable privilege, farewell to Peace Liberty, and safety, farewell to Learning, Knowledge and Truth, farewell all that is dear to us; we must ever after grope in darkness, thick darkness, that may even be felt: may Heaven forbid such a deprivation, and long continue to us this invaluable blessing; nor let the press ever be prostituted to indignant Purposes.—Under the auspicious smiles of the worthy encouragers of this paper, the publisher intends to promote the grand cause in which his country is engaged, for the preservation of its inherent rights and privileges, and he will expose oppression, wherever it is to be found, as being derogatory to the human mind: As he is fully convinced of the justice of the public cause, and that the MAJESTY of the people ought ever to be recognized by all, as the origin of power, no power ever so great, shall be suffered to rule with rods of iron, without expecting to be held up to the public eye, as monuments of their indignation and resentment, yet with a cautious circumspection, that Government may be supported with honor and maintained with dignity, and an equilibrium formed between rulers and the people; thus by preserving the balance of power, both may enjoy true felicity, resulting from society and government. A patriotic support of the press will conduce more to the peace of the community and guard the rights of the people from every species of oppression, more than any measure whatever. The Fangs of a bear are not more lacerating than the quills of a goose or the types of a printer.
The Publisher earnestly requests, his Friends who have subscriptions would return the names that papers may be returned and sent, agreeable to directions to be received, and he repeatedly solicits the kind patronage of every Gentleman in town, and country, in subscribing and encouraging this new production, and wishes them the happy enjoyment of PEACE, LIBERTY & SAFETY.
The PUBLISHER,
IT is requested that those who would have advertisements, &c. inserted in this paper will send them before the Post arrives, (which is on Friday afternoon) as it's proposed to publish the paper on Saturday mornings, for the benefit of those gentlemen who are kind enough to encourage it.
ODELUDED BRITAIN! the things of thy peace are hid from thine Eyes:—To what a pitiful subterfuge art thou now flying for Protection? Who could have thought, that the grandeur of the British empire could have so suddenly fallen? and that to so low a degree, as to court the assistance of those wretched mercenaries of Hessians, Hanoverians, Brunswickers, and other petit princes of Germany, whose troops the Americans despise with a contempt even more than of savages: For what ends are those mercenary wretches to be introduced into America? not surely to conquer it—the thought is as contemptible as the attempt: the Americans have withstood the flower of the British troops;—they have fought, and thousands have fallen to the weight of their vengeful swords, and do you think that such infamous hirelings as those you are now taking into your pay for carnage and destruction can strike a damp on their heroic minds? DASTARD THOUGHT! KNOW YE of a truth, that such Desperadoes as are volunteers in this unmanly and unnatural contest, and especially those who are foreigners, must not expect mercy—their blood-thirsty dispositions will meet with a vengeance that they little dream of, and unless they timely make their peace with America and become the happy settlers of her lands, it is easy to predict that few if any, will ever return to their native country again: Nothing can equal the disdain and detestation with which the sons of America are determined to treat them, unless they desert the infamous cause which they have espoused, from no other principle than that for which Judas betray'd his Lord and Master:—These deluded foreigners do not yet know the strength of their Opponents, nor will they know it, till too late; let them reflect one moment and they must know their cause is bad, or surely Britain would never have occasion for foreigners to fight her battles—a most villainous administration have called them in to the aid, and the justice of the cause now gives way to the thirst for conquest: Lord Mansfield confirms this sentiment, in a late speech; the JUSTICE of the cause (says he) is not now to be considered; by which is implied, that their ruinous plans must be prosecuted, let what ever will be the event; for says he, if WE do not get the better of America, she will get the better of US: the monosyllable WE and US are only relatively to be applied to administration, not to the British nation, and may be understood to insinuate his fears, that if WE of the Administration party can't raise such a powerful diversion in our favour, as to subdue America, even unjustly, some of our heads must decorate Tem-
ple Bar, to satiate the resentment of the people; the protesting lords of the minority then have it in their power to destroy root and branch, and restore the peace of Britain, contrary to OUR Plan, which is nothing less than to introduce monarchy, popery and despotism, or a revolution in favour of OUR STUART Line which WE think has been unjustly long deprived of its hereditary claim to the British realms.
AMERICANUS.
PHILADELPHIA May 6, 1776. Yesterday arrived a gentleman from Europe, by whom we have a Dublin paper of the 2d of March, containing the following paragraphs. By him we learn, that a large naval force was coming out for America, and that the armament was ordered to sail the 10th of April.
L O N D O N, February 18. COMMISSIONS are issuing for immediately buying up in Ireland, for the use of the navy, 800 casks of beef, 600 barrels of pork, and great quantities of flour, salt butter and potatoes.
Feb. 19. There will be five debarkations in America in the spring; one at Quebec, one at New-York, one in New-England, & two to the Southward.
Letters from Cassa, by yesterday's mail advise, that the body of 12000 Hessians, taken into English pay, are commanded by M. Heister, Lieutenant-General, and that it will be composed of the regiment of Guards, and that of the Hereditary Prince and Prince Charles, with the regiments of Werguneau, Detfourth, Donop, Losberg, Kniphausen, Trimbach, Mirbach, Rall, Stein, Wisbach, Hayne, and Buneau. The Grenadiers of the above regiments are to form a different corps, commanded by Colonel Donop, and to the above are to be added some companies of Cannoneers, and Foot Chasseurs, and private letters from Hamburg inform us, that they are on their march to embark at Stade.
The Hessians, Brunswickers, Waldeckers, and Hanoverians, are to amount, it is said, to 20,000 men. 20,000 foreign troops, at 45l. per man, comes to 900,000l. Transport service to bring them to America will cost 350,000l. Ordnance and extraordinary may be reckoned at 300,000l. more.
The embarkation in the spring will consist of 45,000 men, English and Foreigners, and to rendezvous at Portsmouth the last day of March. [Oh GEORGE! Are these thy commissioners of peace and reconciliation?]
The transports to bring over 22,000 Germans, Hessians, Brunswickers, &c. are to be at Stade on or before the 6th next month.
Feb. 21. The two frigates that were on shore, and the one who lost her masts, arose entirely from their being so badly manned that they could not manage them.
Feb. 22. Sir Peter Parker, with his squadron, from Corke, bound to America, were spoke with by Capt. Ward, of the John, who is arrived at Bristol from Denia, on the 17th inst. in lat. 50: 30, long. 7, at eight o'clock in the morning, all well.

On Tuesday night in the debate in the House of Commons, on Mr. Fox's motion, Mr. Cruger called the attention of the house particularly to the conduct of administration, respecting the province of New-York, and shewed the expediency of an enquiry why that colony had been so long left neglected and unsupported, and the friends of government there given up to the resentment of their enemies, when by timely aid that province might have been secured to the interests of government, and the chain of American broken. (Is it thus traitor, thou sheweest reward for thy native country; had it not been ingrates, America had still been happy?) 24. This day about twelve o'clock, Col. Graves arrived in town from Plymouth where he arrived, in the Preston man from Boston. He left that place the 10th and has brought an account, that on the 1st of December the Provincials attempted to take Quebec by storm, but were repulsed with the loss of 80 men, and upwards of 100 taken prisoners, amongst whom were Col. Montgomery, his Aid de-Camp, Secy, &c.
Two companies belonging to the regiment of guards laying in the Savoy barracks, yesterday 15 men drafted from each for the American service; and every man who offered himself as a volunteer was to be allowed whatever is paid to recruits on their first listing.
Government have been so distressed for troops (foreigners) that they have actually taken a single battalion of 500 men, in pay from the prince of Waldeck, and another of the same complement from the duke of Mecklenburgh.
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, Feb. 23.
"Arrived the Carcafs bomb, which sailed from Cork the 12th inst. with Sir Peter Parker, and 42 sail of men of war and transports, with whom he parted company on the 18th in a hard gale of wind, when Sir Peter had but 25 sail left with him. The Carcafs has lost her mizen-mast, and thrown many of her stores over-board."
Extract of a letter from Edinburgh, Feb. 17.
"Seventeen thousand German troops are expected here in a few days on their way to Greenock, where they are to embark for America. They are to come in transports up the Firth of Forth and to land in Leith."
Extract of a letter from Cork.
"The following occurrence must give satisfaction to the friends of suffering America: When Col. Ethan Allen, with about fifty other prisoners, arrived in the Solebay, two gentlemen went on board to enquire into their situation, and to assure them of the disposition of several gentlemen in this city to alleviate their distresses. Col. Allen was so affected with this instance of unexpected generosity, that the expression of his gratitude could hardly find utterance."
"His treatment on board the Solebay is far different from the barbarous and cruel usage he experienced in his passage from Quebec, being then handcuffed and ironed in the most dreary part of the vessel, and basely insulted with cruel and unmanly reflections by some officers of the ship, whom he challenged in Cornwall, without receiving satisfaction."
"A subscription was begun this morning among some friends of the cause, and near fifty guineas collected to buy cloaths for his men, and necessaries for his himself; and if liberty can be got of Capt. Williams to put live stock on board, I can assure you, Col. Allen will be exceedingly well provided. We this day sent a hamper of wine, sugar, fruit, chocolate, &c. on board for his immediate use, and to-morrow intend to prepare the sundry articles of which he sent a list. I inclose you a rough copy of his answer to our letter. Should he have permission to come on shore, he will be entertained by some of the first gentlemen of this city. I have not been refused by a single person on the subscription."
Copy of Colonel ALLEN's note.
"Gentlemen, "I received your generous present this day with a joyful heart. Thanks to God, there are still the feelings of humanity in the worthy citizens of Cork towards those of your bone & flesh, who, through misfortune
from the present broils in the empire, are needy prisoners."
"Dated Cove, Jan. 24, 1776."
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Tuesday, Feb. 20.
At about half past three o'clock the Hon. Mr. Charles Fox arose, and having spoken with much warmth and great abilities for upwards of an hour, in which he gave a very full & pointed recapitulation of the mistakes and errors of administration, from the resolutions proposed to the House by Lord North in Feb. 1774, to that day, he concluded by moving, that a Committee should be appointed to enquire into the cause of our present misfortunes, and unhappy situation, relative to the late disputes with America; he was seconded by Lord Ossory, in a short, but sensible speech. He was followed by Lord Mulgrave, who answered Mr. Fox pretty fully, and was replied to by the Hon. Mr. Fitzpatrick in an able and well digested speech; after which a very interesting debate was carried on for several hours. The division was at two this morning, when the numbers were in support of Mr. Fox's motion, 104; against it 240. The principal speakers in the debate, which was ably handled on both sides, were, (besides the above-mentioned) Lord North, Sir Gilbert Elliot, Lord Howe, Mr. Stanley, Sir Edward Derling, Mr. Hay, the Lord Advocate of Scotland, the Solicitor General, Colonel Barre, the Lord Mayor, Governor Johnstone, Mr. Adams, Mr. Cruger and Mr. T. Townshend.
Kilkenny, Feb. 24. Yesterday the first division, consisting of five companies of the 9th regiment of foot commanded by Major General Lord Viscount Ligonier, and this day the second division arrived here from Dublin, on their march to Cork, in order to embark for America.
Extract of a letter from North Carolina, dated Halifax, April 22, 1776.
"A few days past a ten gun sloop commanded by Capt. Wright (the same man who met with so warm a reception at Hampton, in Virginia) and a sloop of ten guns commanded by that infamous old piratical scoundrel John Goodrich, one of the parties of Lord Dunmore and company, came over Ocracoke bar, in this province, and took four vessels outward bound. The ten gun sloop went immediately to sea with two of the prizes. The wind not being fair, Capt. Goodrich's sloop and the other two prizes remained within the bar. Twenty-three men, headed by a brave young man (Benjamin Bonner of Pamptico river) in four whale boats boarded the old pirate sloop of six guns sword in hand, and possessed themselves of her, and the whole crew, with a tolerable cargo of valuable articles. They also retook the two prizes. Seven of Goodrich's Negroes, a Captain, George Blair of the Queen's own royal regiments of Blacks, and a soldier prisoners. The sloop and two prizes are arrived safe at Newbern. Capt. Goodrich, Capt. Blair, the soldier and Negroes, are now within fifteen miles of Halifax goal."
Extract of a letter from Savannah, in Georgia, March 3.
"As the following Resolutions, will, I am persuaded, give you the greatest satisfaction, I have sent you a copy of them, that rather than our enemies should possess our merchant shipping and our capital town, we unanimously resolved, that all shall perish in a noble conflagration, lighted by ourselves!"
Savannah, in Georgia, March 2, 1776. In the COUNCIL of SAFETY.
For the safety of this province, and the good of the United Colonies, it is unanimously Resolved,
That the houses in the town of Savannah, and the hamlets thereto belonging, together with the shipping now in our port, the property of, or appertaining to the friends of America, who have associated and appeared, or who shall appear in the present alarm to
defend the same, and also the houses of widows and orphans, and none others be forthwith appraised.
Resolved, That it shall be considered, as a defection from the cause of America, and a desertion of property, in such persons, who have and shall leave the town of Savannah, or the hamlets thereto belonging, during the present alarm; and such persons shall be precluded from any support or countenance towards obtaining an indemnification.
Resolved, That it be incumbent upon the friends of America in this province to defend the metropolis, as long as the same shall be tenable.
Resolved, That rather than the same shall be held and occupied by our enemies, or the shipping now in the port of Savannah, taken and employed by them, that the same shall be burnt and destroyed.
Resolved, That orders shall be issued to the commanding officer, directing him to have the foregoing Resolution put in execution.
A true copy from the Minutes: EDWARD LANGWORTH, Secretary.
WILLIAMSBURG, (Virginia) April 27.
There have, within these two or three weeks, been taken and bro't into Norfolk, by the tenders, &c. the following vessels, viz. The sloop Congress, with 110 barrels of gun powder, & a large quantity of cloth, linens, osnaburgs, &c. a schooner, with a very large cargo of medicines, particularly jesuits bark. A large new ship from Baltimore, bound to Liverpool, with 1900 barrels of flour and bread, and 5000 bushels of wheat; this last taken by old Goodrich, who commands a privateer, fitted out by himself, and has likewise fitted out two others, one commanded by his William, the other by a certain William Pickett. A brig, outward bound, loaded with provisions. And a New England schooner, supposed to be bound for Maryland. There were taken and brought in, some little time before, three vessels with gunpowder, about 5000 stand of arms, &c. also a New-Englandman, bound for Baltimore, with cheese, cyder, potatoes, chestnuts, &c.
We have advice from Portsmouth, that our troops entered that town without opposition, and have taken a number of waggon loads of effects, viz. rum, sugar, molasses, and a variety of dry goods, belonging to persons who are enemies to the American cause; they have also destroyed two or three houses which were the property of John Goodrich, and brought off some prisoners. Lord Dunmore is very strongly entrenched at Tucker's mills, & has a great number of cannon mounted, defended by about 500 men. His Excellency General LEE, returned here from Portsmouth last Thursday evening, having made several necessary regulations for crushing the Tory interest in those parts.
B O S T O N, May 23.
Early last Friday morning, the Franklin schooner, one of the Continental cruisers, commanded by Capt. James Mugford, of Marblehead, fell in with one of the enemy's transport ships from Cork, bound directly into this harbour, the Captain not knowing that the place had been evacuated by the British fleet & army. Notwithstanding she appeared to be an armed ship, & was in sight of the enemy's men of war laying in Nantasket, Capt. Mugford resolutely bore down upon her, and took her without opposition. She mounted 6 carriage guns, a number of swivels, and had on board 18 men. The Franklin, at that time, had only 21 men.

Capt. Mugford, determining to bring her into this harbour, the inhabitants, on leaving their respective places of worship afternoon's service (it being the day of the Continental fast) had the pleasure of seeing the most valuable prize, taken since the commencement of the war, entering the harbour. But it being ebb tide, she ran ashore in Pulling Point gut, where she lay till the ensuing night. As her cargo was of almost inestimable value to these colonies, it was thought prudent to bring up to town the greatest part of it in Boats; and a large number being immediately dispatched, the same was soon safely landed and properly deposited.
The ship is about 300 tons burthen, Alexander Lumsdale, Master. She had 5 weeks passage; and sailed from Cork in company with 12 or 13 other transports, all bound to this place, from which she parted a few days before she was taken. The others, it is concluded, hearing of the evacuation of the town from one of their cruizers, steered for Halifax. The Captain brings no material advices.
The following is an inventory of the cargo of the abovenmentioned prize ship, taken and brought in here last Friday, viz.
  Carbines, with bayonets, scabbards and steel rammers 1000   Carbine cartouch boxes 1000   Slings 1000   Spare travelling carriages—24 pounder, heavy, 1   12 do.—light 4   Traversing handspikes for do. 8   Handsaws 84   Sandbags—bushel 5000, half bushel, 5000, 10,000   Mantelets of cured hides 100   Broad axes 144   Hand hammers 50   Grindstones, with troughs 15   Felling axes 300   Hand hatchets 500   Hand bills 500   Barrows—wheel 268, hand 150 418   Spades, common 1000, ditching 250 1250   Shovels—shod 750, iron 250 1000   Carpenters tools—sets 6   Handsaws, whet and set, 6; tennant do. 6; turning do. 6; broad axes, helved, 6; adzes, helved, 6; hammers, claw 6, rivetting 6; chizzels, broad helved 6, scribing 6, heading 12, paring 6, firmer 36, mortice 24, and large 12; Gouges, helved, firmer 36, peeking 6, and trunnion 12; piercers or pads, stocks and springs, 6; bitts for do. 72; draw borers, helved, 24; pairs of pincers 6; iron squares 6; brass chalk line, rolls 6; chalk line, knots 12; iron compasses, pairs 6; engineers augurs, 8 to a set, sets 6; thrists for do. 48; two feet rules 6; black lead pencils, dozens 6; stones, rub 6, rag 6, Turkey oil 6; rasps 12; saw sets 6; files for do. 18; gimblets, sorted 124, large spike 12; glue 12lb. copper, glue pots 6; fish skins 6; mallets 6; betties, or small iron crows, 6; planes of all sorts 132; Hambro' line, 50; spikes, from 5 to 8 and an inch, 29C. 3qr. lb. nails, 24d. 38,500; pick axes with helved 500; hammers with helved, sledge, 25; augurs with thrists 75?   Rope, tarred, from 2 to 4 an a half inch, coils 5   Ditto, white, from 1 an a half to 3 an a half inch, coils 4   Powder, copper hooped, whole barrels, 1500 
Office of Ordnance, 4th Nov. 1775.
The enemy, on board the men of war below, intolerably vexed & chagrined that the above ship should be taken and unloaded in
their open view, formed a design of wreaking their vengeance on the gallant Captain Mugford, who took her. The Sunday following, Capt. Mugford, in company with Capt. Cunningham, in the Lady Washington, a small privateer, armed with swivels, blunderbusses & muskets, fell down in order to go out in the Bay. The enemy observed their sailing, and fitted out a fleet of boats for the purpose of surprizing and taking 'em in the night; and the Franklin's running aground in the Gut, gave them a good opportunity for executing their plan. The Lady Washington came to anchor near Capt. Mugford; and between nine and ten o'clock, he discovered a number of boats, which he hailed, and received for answer, that they were from Boston. He ordered them to keep off, or he would fire upon them. They begged him, for God's sake, not to fire, for they were going on board him. Capt. Mugford instantly fired, and was followed by all his men; and cutting his cable, brought his broadside to bear, when he discharged his cannon, loaded with musket ball, directly in upon them. Before the cannon could be charged a second time, two or three boats were along side, each of them supposed to have as many men on board as the Franklin, which were only 21, including officers. By the best accounts, there were not less than 13 boats in all, many of them armed with swivels, & having on board, at the lowest computation, 200 men. Capt. Mugford and his men plied those along side so closely, with fire arms and spears, and with such intrepidity, activity and success, that two boats were soon sunk, & all the men either killed or drowned. But while the heroic Mugford, with out stretched arms, was righteously dealing death and destruction to our bale and unnatural enemies, he received a fatal ball in his body, which in a few minutes put a period to a life, from which, had it been spared, his oppressed country would undoubtedly have reaped very eminent advantages. After our brave men had maintained this unequal contest for about half an hour, the enemy thought proper to retire. The carnage among them must have been great; for, besides the two boat loads killed and drowned, many were doubtless killed and wounded on board the others. Great execution was done by the spears. One man, with that weapon, is positive of having killed nine of the enemy.
The number of boats which attacked the Franklin was about 8 or 9. The remainder, to the number of 4 or 5, at the same time attacked Capt. Cunningham, in the Lady Washington, who then had on board only 6 men, besides himself. This brave little company gave the boats such a warm reception, that the enemy were soon glad to give over the contest, after suffering, it is thought, considerable loss.
The body of one of the Marines, killed in the above engagement, and one of the enemy's 13 oar'd barges, have been taken up at Chelsea.
The remains of Capt. Mugford have been carried to Marblehead for interment. No other life, on our part, was lost.
So rapid is the increase of the manufacture of salt petre in this Colony, that one day last week, was received at the Commissary General's store in Watertown, 12,310 lb. of that excellent article; for which the sum of fourteen thousand three hundred & sixty dollars and two thirds of a dollar, was immediately paid out of the Colony treasury, being at the rate of 7s. per pound.
We have intelligence from Canada, that the enemy have received a reinforcement at Quebec, & reports that our army have been
obliged to raise the siege of that place; but as the accounts are very imperfect, we must defer the publication of particulars till next week.
L O N D O N, January 12
The following intelligence was communicated by an officer of rank in the army. The Government, have sent over to Germany to engage 1800 men, called Jagers, per brought up to the use of the rifle barrel in boar hunting. They are an amazing part. Every petty prince, who hath keeps a number of them, and they allowed to take apprentices, by which they are a numerous body of people men are intended to act in the next c in America, and our ministry plum selves much in the thought of their compleat match for the American
Feb. 19. Yesterday evening recruit, who had been enlisted in the for a soldier when in liquor, in order vent his going to America, at a public near Chelsea, with a large carving knife, chopped off his left thumb and two fore fingers.
P O R T S M O U T H, May 25, 1776
ON Tuesday the 21st inst. the continental Frigate of thirty-two guns, built at this place, under the direction of JOHN LANGDON, Esq; was launched amidst the acclamations of many thousand spectators. She is esteemed by all those who are judges that have seen her, to be one of the compleatest ships ever built in America. The unwearied diligence and care of the three Master-Builders, Mess. Hacket, Hill and Paul, together with Mr. Thompson under whose inspection she was built, and the good order and industry of the Carpenters, deserve particular notice; scarcely a single instance of a person's being in liquor, or any difference among the men in the yard, during the time of her building, every man with pleasure exerting himself to the utmost; and altho' the greatest care was taken that only the best of timber was used, and the work perform'd in a most masterly manner, the whole time from her raising to the day she launched did not exceed sixty working days, and what afforded a most pleasing view (which was manifest in the countenances of the Spectators) this noble fabrick was compleately to her anchors in the main channel, in less than six minutes from the time she run, without the least hurt; and what is truly remarkable, not a single person met with the least accident in launching, tho' near five hundred men were employed in and about her when run off.
ON the 1st instant, died here DEACON MARK LANGDON, in the 78th year of his age, he was a gentleman well respected by all his acquaintance. He discharged the several duties and employments which he had sustained, civil, military, and ecclesiastical with great Fidelity, and was universally esteemed, AN HONEST MAN—he has left a sorrowfull widow and many friends to bemoan his loss.
Friday the 10th, inst. a most violent gale of wind, happened at Wells, Massachusetts Province, which blew down several Barns, & much damaged others. At Kittery likewise about twelve Houses and Barns were blown down and damaged, but happily no lives lost, nor any person hurt, altho' one man was in his Barn, loading a cart with dung, at the time it blew down, and in order to save himself got under the cart, which was instantly broke in pieces, and neither he nor his oxen hurt.
ALL PERSONS indebted to, or that have demands on the estate of Capt. WILLIAM BERRY, late of Greenland, Yeoman, deceased; are desir'd to bring in their accounts to Thomas Berry, jr. administrator on said estate, in order for a speedy settlement.

POET'S CORNER.
A S O N G.
From a new musical interlude called the ELECTION.
WHILST happy in my native land, I boast my country's charter, Never basely lend my hand Her liberties to barter.
A noble mind is not at all By poverty degraded; A guilt alone can make us fall; Well I am persuaded, A freeborn Briton's song should be, Or give me DEATH or LIBERTY!"
All the power which fortune grants, And all the gifts she sends us, By hireling often wants The Freedom which defends us.
PHILADELPHIA.
Extract of a letter from New York, April 29, 1776.
"More troops agoing up to Albany—it is said five regiments; some of them are getting ready to embark. A Gentleman just come down from Albany says nothing new there.—General Schuyler hurrying the troops off as fast as possible.—All the cannon arrived at the Lakes except one. You may depend that the following is a true copy of a letter from Governor Tryon to the Mayor."
Ship Dutchess of Gordon, Sandy Hook, April 19, 1776.
"As the Commander of his Majesty's ship of war on this station, found it expedient for his Majesty's service, to burn down the Pilot-house at the Hook; I am to acquaint, all possible care has been taken of Mr. Adam Dobbs and his property, and that if you will send down a sloop to the Hook, it will be suffered to bring up to New-York Mr. Dobbs, his servants, and effects. I am with regard Sir, ybur most obedient servant,
WILLIAM TRYON.
David Matthews, Esq; Mayor of the City of New York.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman of undoubted veracity, dated North Carolina, April 17, 1776.
"I arrived here, after a tedious journey; as I came through Virginia I found the inhabitants desirous to be independent from Britain, however, they were willing to submit their opinion on the subject to whatever the General Congress should determine. North-Carolina by far exceeds them, occasioned by the great fatigue, trouble and danger, the people here have undergone, for some time past; gentlemen of the first fortunes in this province have marched as common soldiers, and to encourage and give spirit to the men, have footed it the whole time. Lord Cornwallis, with seven regiments, are expected to visit us every day. Clinton is now in Cape Fear with Governor Martin, who has about 40 sail of vessels armed and unarmed, waiting his arrival. The highlanders and regulators are not to be trusted. Governor Martin has coaxed a number of slaves to leave their masters in the lower parts; every thing base & wicked is practised by him. These things have
totally changed the temper and disposition of the inhabitants, that are friends to liberty, all regard or fondness for the King, or the nation of Britain, is gone, a total separation is what they want. Independence is the word most used; they ask, if it is possible that any Colony, after what has passed, can wish for a reconciliation; The Convention have tried to get the opinion of the People at large. I am told, that in many counties there were not one dissenting voice. Four new battalions are directed to be raised, which will make six in this province.
"We are endeavouring to form a constitution, as it is thought necessary to exert all the powers of government, you may expect it will be a popular one."
We hear from Lewis-Town, that the Roebuck man of war returned from a cruise on Wednesday last, having taken John Baldwin's pilot boat, bound from this port for the West-Indies, and a brig, with black sides, no head, and white drifts, unknown; and on Saturday last her boats took a pilot boat, from St. Eustatia for this port. We also learn, that the Roebuck, in chasing some vessels up the bay, on Saturday afternoon, ran ashore on the Brandywine, where she lay till next morning, when she got off and returned to her old station.
L O N D O N March 19, 1776.
Yesterday two Officers, taken at the reduction of St. John's and Montreal, but afterwards released, and lately arrived from the first mentioned place, were introduced to his Majesty at St. James's, and graciously received.
A messenger arrived yesterday morning at St. James's from France, and brought advice, that a squadron of men of war and frigates are sailed from Brest, with a fair wind, for the West Indies.
Several hundred pounds worth of silver, in small casks, is preparing to be sent to Portsmouth, to be shipped on board the men of war bound to America, to pay the troops.
Yesterday morning a draught from the guards, of one thousand men, marched off the parade in St. James's Park, in three divisions, for Portsmouth, in order to embark for America. It was computed there were three females to one soldier assembled in tears on this melancholy occasion.
Another draft will soon be made of 500 men from the guards, who are to embark for America, the latter end of next month.
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
T O B E S O L D, A Quantity of good FRENCH INDIGO—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
T O B E S O L D, 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
P R O P O S A L S FOR PRINTING BY SUBSCRIPTION, At Newbury Port, TWENTY SERMONS, Wherein will be stated, and critically resolved, several important cases of CONSCIENCE, By the Rev. JONATHAN PARSONS, A. M. Minister of the Presbyterian Church, at Newbury-Port.
UPON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS, viz. Ist. On the Truth of the Scriptures, Psal. 119. ver. 130.
IId. On the Excellency of the Scriptures.
IIId. On the Efficacy of the Word applied; IV. On the grand Enquiry viz. how may I know when the Word is powerfully impressed upon me, whether it be by the Spirit of God or another Spirit.
Vth. VIth, VIIth, and VIII. On the saving Knowledge of Christ, and of its Excellency. 1 Cor. 2. 2.
IXth, and Xth. On right Confession of Sin, and the different Treatment Christ met with in the World. Matt. 15. 27.
Xth. On the great and precious Promises, Eph. 2. 12.
XIIth. On union to Christ in the appropriate Sense. Heb. 8. 10.
XIIIth, XIVth, XVth, and XVIth. On the Perseverance of the Saints, John 10, 28.
XVIIth. On the Justice and Faithfulness of God in Afflictions. Psa. 119. 75.
XVIIIth, XIXth, and XXth. On the difference between seeing God through Ordinances, and face to face. Cor. 13. 12.
C O N D I T I O N S.
I. They will be printed on a good Paper and neat Type, to contain about 600 Pages in a large Octavo.
II. Price to Subscribers, Nine Shillings & Four Pence, Lawful Money, neatly bound and lettered, the one half to be paid on Subscribing, the other on delivery of said Book.
III. As soon as 500 are subscribed for, the Book will be immediately put to the Press, and compleated with the utmost Expedition.
N. B. The Books when finished will be sent to the Places where they are Subscribed for.