The Freeman's journal, or, New-Hampshire gazette (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1776-11-12 00:00:00

Greenwich Journal
OR
New-Hampshire Gazette.
[ Vol. I. ]
TUESDAY, November 12, 1776.
[ No. 25. ]
Hoc vincite, cives, et probibete nefas.
My FRIENDS and COUNTRYMEN :
WHILE the sword of injustice is drawn, and it's envenom'd point aimed at our breast ; while the agonizing cries of our dear friends echo in our ears, shall we remain stupid, insensible and careless, of our peace and tranquility ? shall we longer see (without resentment) the triumph of our enemies within, and their feigned friendship to the liberties of America ? Be aroused ye inhabitants of Portsmouth, from your long lethargic state of inactivity, and gird on the sword of justice ; prove yourselves friends to your oppressed country ; harbour no longer enemies to the liberties of bleeding America ; suffer no more internal broils to divert you from the public interest ; but let us my countrymen, animate each other, in the glorious cause of liberty ; contemning frivolous objects, which seem to impede our progress ; and be determined to venture all, for the salvation of our distressed land.— Let the motives which influence us, be equal to the merit and importance of the cause, and exemplary to posterity ; and instead of private and interested views, let benevolence to mankind, a generous, public, and disinterested spirit direct our steps to the restoration of our infringed rights ; for without the dictates of such a god-like, noble spirit, we must long continue amidst the clash of arms and din of war. Exclamat juvenis, my Countrymen, can you indulge yourselves in sleep at this conjuncture ? Infatuated ! not to see what dangers in a moment beset you ; environed on every side, by piratic, oppressive instruments of a despotic King and abandoned ministry, who contaminate our land with their infectious breath. My countrymen, the repeated injuries received ought to have united us by indissoluble bonds of Friendship ; the conflagration of towns, and the cruel effusion of human blood as in our land, are sufficient inducements to cement us together by the most endearing ties ; but alas ! dissention and jargon among ourselves, some occasion of which I shall endeavour to point out and illustrate.
Occasion first. The unequal representation (exclaimed against by some, especially by our friends in the western parts of this unhappy divided state) demands a most speedy redress : This is a grievance that requires mature consideration, as it is one cause of our division ; is not the arbitrary imposition of taxes the grand foundation of the American contest ? If it is, why do we delay removing a known occasion of internal dissention, that is so introductory to anarchy and confusion ; so there may be some inlet for future union and peace among ourselves.—
Second, the blending the legislative and executive powers together : the inevitable injuries consequent to such a toleration, ought to guard us against it ; because length of time will make it past remedy. We want a legislature, that will endeavour to multiply the benefits and mitigate the sufferings of the people ; that have no selfish views to serve, no wish but what tends to the honor, welfare and happiness of the people ; instead of a legislature grasping after unlimited authority, seeking their private interest and preserving it to the public emolument.— Tbird , the abolition of the civil law : no curb, no restriction or prohibition of private injuries, ending in open ruptures, thereby disturbing the good peace of society ; no check to the prophane swearer & drunkard ; alas ! (those) who ought to bear testimony against (proclaim no law) the violators of the peace, and consequently vice and prophane go unpunished, and dissensions among ourselves greatly prevail.
Now, my dear Countrymen, how numerous are the events incident to the human race ; in some countries are enjoyed the sweets of liberty and repose, and in others the most abject slavery : where a prince aims at tyrannic power the subjects are in continual fear, dreading the loss of liberty, the dearest of all blessings ; here let us sympathize, who are involved in the calamities of war and bloodshed, which overspread this whole continent.
See civil rage torment this bleeding land, Rais'd and supported by a monarch's hand ; The orphan'd son, the helpless mother see, Plung'd in the depths of awful misery ; Youth and hoary age lie weltring on the [ plains ; And desolation and destruction reigns.
Such scenes as these must sure your soul appal.
These, my friends, are the desolating judgments of heaven against a people, degenerated from the virtuous and laudable examples of their forefathers : these ought to excite us to a reformation & amendment of life, that the storm, gathered over our heads, and threatening every moment to burst upon us, might be dispelled.— We assert the infringement of our religious liberties : and just is the assertion : but, my countrymen, are not our sins of a very aggravating nature, and comparatively numerous as the sands on the sea shore, and as ponderous as the mountains ? Are not vice and immorality more predominant than before the commencement of this destructive war ? If this is our true state and condition, let us return to God, from whom we have revolted.—To conclude ; we are forced to the sword as our alternative.—The sword is
drawn, and hellish discord roars— our soldiers ought then to be exhorted to virtue, temperance and religion, and instructed as to the nature and importance of the public cause in which they are so gloriously embarked, that they may front with bravery and resolution their enemies, and with an implicit confidence in the God of armies, fight valiantly for their country.
Inspire your children, O ye patriot band, To rush on death, and save a sinking land, And my dear countrymen, are there not some in this town, who not long since, ap- peared to be zealous asserters of their rights, now lost that patriotic spirit, and striving to add to their fortune by the ruin of their country ?
Is there not some chosen curse, Some bidden thunder in the stores of heaven, Red with uncommon wrath, To blast the man, that owes his greatness to his country's ruin ? CATO.
Mr. Dearborn,
PERMIT me, through the channel of your paper, to mention one or two indecencies much practiced in this degenerate age ; the first I shall mention is, the general custom of standing round the meeting house doors on the sabbath, previous to the public services of the day (and too often after it is begun) conversing on affairs wholly foreign to the business of the sanctuary, and it is well if not seasoned with obscenity and prophane : Has not this pernicious practice a tendency to draw down the judgments which this unhappy country labours under ? We are all apt enough to complain of our troubles, but who is there that cries, What have we done ? The other Indecency I beg leave to mention is, Sleeping in time of divine service. How often do we see persons (who would be very loth to be thought despisers of God's worship) setting themselves down to sleep in the house of God, while their fellow mortals all around them are employ'd in the service of that Being who constantly upholds them, even while they are thus affronting him ; how unbecoming, yea, how impious is such conduct ! Have not those who wilfully indulge it, reason to tremble, least they one day feel the dreadful meaning of those solemn words, "Behold ye despisers, and wonder and perish." The public may be surprized at an address of this sort from the press, & may think it would come with a better grace from the pulpit, but in this unhappy day, more attention is paid by many to the News Paper than to Sermons , besides, reproof from an unexpected quarter often has the most effect.
A Friend to Decency County of Strafford, Nov. 4. 1776

A Gentleman has favoured us a British Print, from which is extracted the following excellent
S P E E C H.
L O N D O N, May 25.
LAST Wednesday the debate in the House of Commons was very interesting; — General CONWAY, possessing many offices under the Crown, a personal favourite with the King, and all his near relations in high offices of government, made a motion for an Address to his Majesty, to know the particular instructions given to Lord Howe, and his brother, General Howe, on which peace was proposed to be restored between Great Britain & North America, according to what was announced in the Gazette. He recapitulated all the blunders, inconsistencies, contradictions, and absurdities, of the present jarring administration. He showed the indignity offered to Parliament, in making them the instruments of vengeance against the Americans, and concealing the terms and the means by which peace was to be restored. He demonstrated, from the different acts of oppression to which Parliament had been induced to consent, that no peace could possibly be made between this country and America, without their previous participation, concurrence, and sanction. He complained loudly of the ignorance in which the representatives of the people had been kept, and the various deceptions that had been practised upon them to incline the people to join in so unnatural a war. — He showed the imminent danger in which we stood in every alternative. If we failed, said he, in forcing the Americans to submit to our unjust claims, ruin, disgrace, desolation, loss of credit, national bankruptcy, the death of many thousands, must be the consequence. If we succeed, the loss of American liberty was only a prelude to the loss of our own; that they both stood on the same principles, and were connected in the same foundation; that despotism, with all the corruptions and animosities it constantly engenders, were the inevitable consequences; that the immediate safety of this country itself, depended on immediate reconciliation with America; that we had no defence against invasion; that our contracts were disgraceful and the means inadequate; that we had no resources left against a foreign war; that such extraordinary efforts, with such waste of treasure, had exhausted our strength in a quarrel, where no man on the side of administration could rise up and state, for two days together, the precise cause of difference, or the object proposed in the pursuit of such horrid measures; that the ground had shifted every day, nay, every hour, in the course of the various debates; that the face of foreign affairs gave every thinking man reason to foresee, that we must soon have other enemies to contend with besides America; that no man would say we were a match for both; that it were the height of political stupidity, to believe the House of Bourbon would be so insensible to their interest and aggrandizement, as to permit us to get out of this inglorious scrape, if we got further entangled by the operations of this campaign; that our late defeat at Boston had happily offered a lucky pause; that it became the ancient Genius of Britain to resume her dignity, and seize the happy moment; that the same spirit which had rescued the characters of Hampden, Sidney, Russel, and many illustrious patriots, who had resisted power in support of constitutional liberty, should rouse in time, and view the conduct of the Americans through the medium that had established their own rights, without losing the dignity of Great Britain, which consisted chiefly in extending the principles of freedom through the whole empire; that no taxation, without representation, was the corner stone in this fabric; without this, said he, every other privilege flies from the imagination; yet this was the for which three millions of people were
delivered up to the desolation of foreign mercenaries; that we might call them Rebels, for his part he would not dispute on terms; that, however, he would maintain they were respectable Rebels, and posterity would regard them as such, whatever might be the issue of the present contest; that they were not disputing for the idle right of a single individual to tyrannize over them, they were contending for the privileges of the human species, without which they could not exist as freemen; that he pitied the narrow minded Rebels of fifteen and forty five, but he admired with enthusiastic passion the Rebels of seventy six; that wild, romantic ideas had been thrown out by speculative warriors, and vain glorious politicians, declaring it would be disgraceful to treat with the chiefs of so high tempered a community; that such a sentiment could not proceed from true pride or real dignity; that three millions of men, doubling their numbers every twenty five years, was an awful object; that the chiefs they had selected, had proved themselves by moderation, fortitude, and prudence, worthy of the choice; that it became honourable to treat with such men; that even the Romans, who stood on military achievements, had thought it no disgrace to grant concessions in the first social war; that Lewis the XIVth had wrote to Marshal Turenne, then a Rebel, with his own hand; that Charles the First had treated with such Rebels; that the history of every nation showed the practice; that the nature of civil society showed the constant necessity and expediency of it; that his own motives could not be misconstrued; his defeat of judgment might be alledged, but with respect to motives, as far as private interest or connection could operate, he had every inducement to act a different part; he could receive no benefit from the step he was pursuing, except a conscientious discharge of his duty, when his country stood in jeopardy; that some men might blame him, and he confessed his conduct was old fashioned, but he was still simple enough to think a man ought to have an opinion in Parliament, for which he was answerable to God and his country; that this should be superior to all the considerations of pecuniary advantage, or even family, friends, or connections; that a peevish opposition be disclaimed and derided; that he loved his Majesty, and was a friend to his administration, but it was that love which forced him to stand forth with his feeble abilities to open the eyes of his Majesty to the inextricable difficulties in which his present servants were involving both him and the nation; that his Majesty's sacred name had been abused, and his faith sported with, in Lord Hillsborough's circular letter; that the breach of the engagements contained in that letter, was a principal foundation of the present motion; that after such a notorious violation of public faith, so apparent on comparing that letter, and the conciliatory proposition (as it had been ridiculously called) be despaired of any thing being done effectually, but through the faith of Parliament; that nothing could otherwise be offered, but the engagement of one Secretary of State, which was no better than the faith of another, and this (according to his construction of plain language) he should ever have been shamefully broken. [Here he read Lord Hillsborough's letter, and Lord Böttetour's explanation, which he said he had read on a former occasion, and ever should read on every American question.] He then showed, that nothing could remove the grievances complained of, which were acts of Parliament, but the Parliament itself. He contended strongly, that no reasonable objection could be stated, and much good might accrue from his propositions. He next gave an alarming detail of the different armaments in France and Spain, with a minute account of the change in the French
Ministry, and the equipment of Monsieur Denneroy, with a large force, for the West Indies; also the ticklish situation of Portugal. And then having made some very manly, pathetic observations on the corruptions of Parliament, the hardened dissipation of young men, the cool, systematic iniquities of the old, he concluded with his motion.
News from the Armies.
B O S T O N, Nov. 7.
Extract of a letter from Camp at Miles Square in East Chester, dated 23d Octo. 1776.
Friday morning last, we were alarmed by the drums beating to arms, and the enemy landed at Rodman's point (a place about 4 miles from our encampment) with their whole force; the brigade under the command of Col. Glover consisting of about 700 men, one regiment being absent for guard. We marched down towards the place where the enemy were advancing with a body of 16,000, with a very large artillery. The first attack was made by a small party, on their advanc'd guard, which were effectually routed and forced to retreat to their main body, who when they came up were fir'd upon by two regiments advantageously posted by Col. Glover and Major Lee, (who behav'd gallantly) which bro't many of them to the ground. Thus we continued fighting them and retreating the whole afternoon, until they came to a stand, where they now remain, except, stretching down along the sound towards Connecticut, suppose for forage. Our men behaved like soldiers, conform'd to the orders of their officers and retreated in grand order, which is the life of discipline. Our loss is about 9 or 10 killed, and about 30 wounded; the enemy, a defector says, lost 200 killed on the spot, and a great number wounded. People may think what they please of the regular and spirited behaviour of the British troops, but I that day was an eye-witness to the contrary. I saw as great irregularity almost as in a militia; they would come out from their body & fire single guns. As to their courage, their whole body of sixteen thousand were forc'd to retreat by the fire of a single regiment, and many of them old troops; the 4th regiment was one that run, and had we been reinforced with half their number, might have totally defeated them; the shot from their artillery flew very thick about our heads. The next day Gen. Lee (under whose command we are) came and publickly returned his thanks to Colonel Glover and the officers and soldiers under his command, for their noble spirited and soldier like conduct during the battle, and that nothing in his power should be wanting to serve those brave officers & men; and Gen. Washington has since expressed himself much in the same words in his general orders. G. Lee says we shall none of us leave the army, but all stay and be promoted, but how that will be is uncertain. Yesterday one of the corporals and 2 men in our regiment, by leave from the Colonel, went out to see what they could pick up, and by going in the mouth of the enemy they bro't off a number of fat cattle; flush'd with their success, they went again this afternoon, & going directly in the rear of the Hessian camp, went into a house where they wash'd for the British officers, and were bringing off three tubs of shirts, but the man of the house informed the camp; they turn'd out 400 that oblig'd our lads to retreat; but meeting with some of their comrades they attacked, and drove the Hessians, killed their Major, took his commission and ten guineas out of his pocket, and have taken three of them prisoners, besides a number killed; many of our officers who saw them, say they are ugly devils; they are in camp, but I was too busy writing to go and see them: the enemy have so far quited York, that our people have been down as far as a place called Bower Lane, which is but one mile from the extent of the city."
Extract of a Letter dated Sanford, Oct. 30.
"I wrote you on Saturday from White Plains, by a man who goes post thro' Boston, but suppose the action on Monday has detained him. I am here taking care of some sick, and how long 'twill be before I join the regiment again, is uncertain. I am about 16 miles from camp, in the colony of Connecticut."

out; but if you would write me, direct for me with the regiment who are now in White Plains. They had a very smart engagement on Monday, but no great advantage gained on either side. We had about 15 or 20 killed, and a small number wounded. Whether my brother was in the battle or not, I can't tell, but believe he was not; by enquiry, I can't find any but continental troops were engag'd. The day before, they sent some of their ships up North River to attack Fort-Washington; at the same time they attack'd the lines by land, but were so warmly received, that they retreated four times; and finally quitted with great loss: The commanding officer having wrote General Washington he had buried a great number, and had still a great number more to bury. We lost one man only, and sunk one of their ships, & drove the rest off." Extract of a Letter from Ticonderoga, Oct. 27. "The two men I wrote you that were taken out of our regiment by savages, Carlton has discharged, they got into our Camp last night, they were very well treated. I do not know what his great lenity means, without it is to poison the minds of our ignorant people, which I hope he will be disappointed in. We expect him every moment here with all his army, and I think we must defeat him. We are now in an excellent state of defence on both sides the Lake, and a Boom quite across the Lake to prevent their shippings passing by our works, with what armed vessels we've left drawn up in a line of battle before it. Troops, Continental and Militia coming in upon all quarters, to the amount of ten thousand. It will be a grand affair, come when it will. (I hope he will meet with Abercrombie's fate in the year 1758, at this place against the French) Our army in high spirits, & with to see their enemy, determined to a man to die upon the spot or conquer. We have received the new arrangement and establishment of our standing army, which seems to please every body; they pay us like soldiers now, and we may live like gentlemen upon it. We look for your committee every day. We have begun to enlist without them (by Gen. Gates's Orders) and go on very well."
HARTFORD, November 4.
Our advices from the lines are—that on Sunday last night a number of ships from the enemy's fleet came up the north river, and anchored opposite Fort Washington, and began a most furious attack upon it, which continued for some time, but the fire was so warmly returned from the fort, that they were at length obliged to slip their cables and make off, having received considerable damage. At the same time a large body of the enemy attacked the fort by land, but were beat off three times and drew to a considerable distance when many were killed on the side of the enemy 15 Hessians taken prisoners together with one field piece; the Hessian prisoners were soon after sent off under a guard to Philadelphia. That on Monday afternoon a large body of the enemy advanced near the White Plains about 10 miles from the shore, when General Lee, with a body of our troops marched to attack them, which soon brought on a smart engagement, which lasted about an hour, in which we had about 150 men killed and wounded, the loss of the enemy is not known, but it ought to be considerable. The regiments engaged were Col. Silliman's, Col. Cleeves, and Col. Douglass from this State, and a regiment from the Southward.
Two or three men belonging to this town were killed in the above engagement. Since the battle on Monday last six of the enemy have deserted and come over to our army.
NEW LONDON, November 1.
Since our last, a French vessel from Cape Francois, arrived here with molasses, the master informs that three Jamaica Privateers are out cruising for northward vessels. He says he was brought in by one of them but upon his telling them that he was bound to Miquelon, they acquitted him: He also informs that three privateers are fitting out from Hispaniola, by gentlemen from this Continent, to be carried over Continental commissions for that purpose.
PROVIDENCE, November 2.
Extract of a Letter from an Officer in the American Army, dated near New Rochelle (in the Neighbourhood of New York) October 20, 1776. "The great the important day is at hand: perhaps to morrow may decide the fate of America. Read's and Shepard's regiments performed wonders; they killed and wounded 1000 of the enemy at least, and had not more than 27 men killed and wounded. The enemy have proceeded to New Rochelle, and he about four miles in length. Express informs us, that 4 or 5000 of them are landed below. We are all well prepared, & our men in high spirits. I fear General Sullivan's zeal and activity will destroy his constitution, already shocked by hardship. The enemy are endeavouring to encamp as if possible,
and are also endeavouring to out-flank us; but we are stretched eastward, keeping possession or command Hudson's River. We determine to keep the command of said river, and prevent them from out-flanking, till we can get them in a proper situation for an attack. I am more and more convinced that war is the greatest science upon earth. Those regiments which are best disciplined make the best stand. Our Massachusetts boys fought them in open field."
Capt. Peirce, in a privateer belonging to East Greenwich, has taken a brig laden with sugar, rum, cotton, salick, &c bound from Tortola to Liverpool. Another prize we hear is taken by a Greenwich privateer, both of them safe arrived.
We just learn that the brig Cabot, Elisha Hinman, Esq. commander, in the service of the United States, has taken and sent into a safe port, a ship from Jamaica, bound to England, mounting 16 carriage guns, with 700 hogsheads of sugar on board.
BOSTON, Nov. 4.
Sunday Evening arrived here from a month's cruise, Capt. Williams in a sloop belonging to this State; in which he took the Ship Julius Cæsar, of about 400 tons burthen, Azariah Uzuld, mounting 10 carriage guns, besides swivels, and 25 men, bound from London for Halifax, laden with some woolens, linnens, provisions, &c. the amount of her cargo is near 11,000 l. sterling, which arrived safe in this harbour Tuesday evening. Also a Schooner, Atkins, master, bound from Annapolis for the West Indies, laden chiefly with Fish, which is also safe into port. Capt. Williams bro't in with him a large bag of London Letters that he took out of the ship, which were chiefly for the Tory Refugees at Halifax, some of which we have obtained for the amusement of our readers. The papers to the 17th of July are very barren, but we have selected the few following articles from them, viz.
L O N D O N, July 1st. Notwithstanding Governor Tryon was pleased to inform the Ministry, that "General Lee is taken prisoner to the Southward, and is in the hands of General Clinton."—vide his last letter to Barrington, if his Lordship will shew it—there is an article in the New-York Gazette of April 25, which says, "General Lee is at Williamsburgh;" and other accounts of a later date say, that "General Clinton is with Gen. Martin of Carolina, waiting for Lord Cornwallis." His Excellency has lately been several times mistaken. His account of raising the siege of Quebec, and of killing 1600 men one day, and upwards of 5000 the next, was founded on falsehood, which somebody must have told him for the joke's sake; for his letter is dated April 28, and the siege was not raised till May 6, and there was not one man killed.
July 8. It is confidently affirmed, that advice is received by the Hillsborough packet, which is a rivet at Falmouth from Halifax, that the General Congress finding there was no hopes of reconciliation between them and their Mother Country, have declared war against her as a common enemy, and a violator of all their valuable rights and liberties, and have set up their standard inviting all their countrymen to enter under their banner, to oppose the designs of the English Ministry and their hirelings, and have also opened their ports for all the European powers, except England, to trade with them. The same advices say, that the Provincial army is near 150,000 strong, which is stationed in the following manner: 30,000 at Boston, 30,000 at New-York, 30,000 along the coast to prevent the King's forces from landing, and the rest in Canada to guard their several small forts.
Letters from Cork say, that the contractors for provisions for the use of Government, have found it very difficult to load the last ships which arrived there from England, bound to North America, that kingdom having been so much drained, that the poor in many parts of it are in a starving condition; that fresh orders were just arrived there, to get ready a considerable quantity, more immediately to supply some ships that were there just ready to sail from Spithead for that place; but the contractors have been told, that if they endeavour to send off any more, that the country people would rise, and it would bring on an insurrection in the kingdom: and they would run the risk of having their houses, &c pulled down, and they and their families murdered.
July 11. A negotiation is said to be on foot for employing a considerable body of Russian forces, to be ready, if they should be wanted, to go to America early in the next spring.
July 15. The following letter was received on Friday from Mr. Charles Barns, commander of the Snow Blake, in the service of government, dated Cadiz Bay, June 20—"Yesterday morning I chased an American ship, of about 150 tons, into this Bay, but cannot take her, it being a foreign port. I never was more surprized in my life, when I found there were three American privateers riding here at single anchor, and a number of their merchant vessels loading and unloading at the quays. A large Spanish fleet of men of war are sailed from this place, but to what part I cannot learn, all manner of business being conducted here with the greatest secrecy."
LONDON, July 9, 1775. Dear Sir, THIS day I received your kind letter of the 9th of June. It gave me great pleasure as it seems to carry with it a degree of satisfaction and contentment with your present situation. Happy I am that you did not leave Halifax, to encounter the expences of this extravagant place. Every article of expence is increased four fold, since you knew it. What the many poor people will do who have steered their course this way, I cannot tell. Government, however disposed to relieve their necessities, will not be able to answer their numerous claims. Every province of America affords its petitioners, and I apprehend the number of them will prevent the gratification of any.
I think it my duty, in point of friendship, to give you this hint; but keep it to yourself, least it may be construed to a kind of reflection, which I do not mean. Upon the same score of secrecy let me hint to you, that your friend Gen. G. is entirely in the private walk of life; he could not serve you; therefore, my good friend, you must be content to wait with patience the event of things. If any opening occurs, I will not fail to advise you of it.
I found Mrs. Oliver well, and settled in a little snug house at Brompton, in the neighbourhood of London. But I shall continue here no longer than I am able to find a more economical retreat. I have not had time to look about me yet; some cheaper part of England must be the object of my enquiry. Col. Vassall is at present in our neighbourhood, but he means to take a house in London, at the court end of the town, and enjoy the comforts of a plentiful fortune; at least for one winter.
We received the account of our successes in Canada, before the arrival of your letters about 10 days. It would have given me great pleasure to have received them first from you. You know it would have given me an opportunity to have shown them to your advantage: a word to the wise. If any thing occurs which you think important, let me have it by the first opportunity. Direct to Lieut. Gov. Oliver, London, it will be sufficient.
"I hope this will find you, Mrs. P. and family well, and as happy as your circumstances will admit; in which I shall ever take the part of a sincere friend and well wisher. THO OLIVER."
David Peirce, Esq; Halifax. [More of these Letters in our next.]
Public Vendue.
THIS DAY, Three o'Clock Afternoon, will be Sold, at the Vendue Room adjoining the Printing-Office in the pay'd Street leading to Spring-Hill,
Variety of Household Furniture, Among which are the following Articles; Red bottom'd Mahogany Chairs, Hair bottom'd ditto, a Mahogany Bureau, a Cheese Tray, all very neat. Feather Beds and Bedsteads, Looking Glasses, Tables, &c. Also, A compleat Chaise and Harness.
THE Creditors to the Estate of Thomas Buswell late of Sandford, Yeoman, deceased, represented insolvent, are hereby notified that the subscribers appointed by the honourable John Bradbury Esq, Judge of the probate of Sandford &c. and for the county of York, to receive & examine their claims, (six months being allowed for that purpose) will attend that business at the dwelling-house of Nathaniel Cunnicut of Sandford, on the last tuesday in this instant November, and the last tuesdays in the four next following months, from one to six o'Clock in the afternoon. Daniel Coffin, Benj. Barrons, Sandford, Nov. 8. 1776. Isaac Coffin.
RUN away from York a Negro Man named Cæsar, about five feet six inches high. Had on when he went away a yellowish homespun Coat, blue plush Breeches, a light bound Hat, about forty years of age, speaks very good English—Whoever will take up said Negro and convey him to his Master or secure him and give him Information thereof shall have eight Dollars reward and all necessary Charges paid by York Nov. 9th, 1776. Richard Talpaz.
LOST from the South-End of this Town a Black CANOE, about 18 Feet long, and about three and half Feet wide, with a square Stern and Stem, with a Chain to it. Whoever takes up said Canoe, and returns her to Peter Shores of Portsmouth, shall receive THREE DOLLARS Reward. 5-7
TO BE SOLD,
At Public Vendue,
At Sherburne's Wharfe, on Thursday next Ten o'Clock, by ROBERT PARKER. IX Chests with Seamen's Cloaths

The KITE; a FABLE.
MY waking dreams are best conceal'd ; Much folly, little good they yield. But now and then I gain when sleeping, A friendly hint that's worth the keeping : Lately I dream't of one, that cry'd, " Beware of self, beware of pride ; When you are prone to build a Babel, Recall to mind this little fable :" Once on a time a paper Kite Was mounted to a wond'rous height; Where giddy with it's elevation, It thus exprest self admiration ; See how you crowds of gazing People Admire my flight above the steeple : How would they wonder if they knew All that a Kite, like me, can do ? Was I but free I'd take a flight, And pierce the clouds beyond their sight. But ah ! like a poor prisoner bound, My string confines me near the Ground. I'd brave the Eagles tow'ring wing Might I but fly without a string." — It tugg'd and pull'd while thus it spoke, To break the string—at last it broke. Depriv'd at once of all it's stay, In vain it try'd to soar away ; Unable it's own course to guide; The wind soon plung'd it in the Tide. Ah ! foolish Kite, thou had'st no wings ; How could'st thou fly without a string ? — My heart repli'd, " O Lord I see How much this Kite resembles me ! Forgetful that by thee I stand, Impatient of thy ruling hand, How oft I've wish'd to break the lines Thy wisdom for my lot assigns ? How oft indulg'd a vain desire, For something more, or something higher ; And but for grace and love divine, A fall thus dreadful had been mine !"
From the Continental Journal, Oct. 31. 'TIS a common saying, Every thing has two handles ; the meaning of which is, every thing is capable of being improved to a good or bad purpose. Should we suppose any thing ever so well adapted in its nature to produce good, its tendency to this end may be prevented by misapplication, as to be productive of evil. Innumerable instances might be mentioned to confirm this truth. But I shall at present select only one. 'Tis that of commerce.
The design of this, if grounded on the principles either of reason or religion, is the good of mankind ; and, if managed as it ought to be, the good of mankind would be the effect. But 'tis capable, through the influence of an unreasonably private spirit, of being as great a curse as it might have been a blessing, if every one sought his own in union with the weal of others. Of this we have a most striking illustration in the management of commerce in this town and land.
A self-seeking spirit appears to have taken an universal spread. Those who are employed in carrying on trade, seem to have totally forgot that eternal rule of righteousness, Do to others as you would they should do to you ; and to have placed as unrighteous an one in its room, Get what you can, no matter how nor who is oppressed and distressed thereby . 'Tis, without all doubt, reasonable and fit, that merchants and traders should consult their own interest, and endeavour to promote it ; but, at the same time, 'tis unreasonable and shameful in them to do this in opposition to the interest of others ; taking occasion from their necessities and sufferings to turn oppressors & extortioners , that by this means, they may enrich themselves. If the
traders in this town and land had managed their commercial business with any tolerable regard to the good of the public, as they might have done, in consistency with seeking their own profits so far as it was fit & proper they should, being members of one and the same political body, we should have been at this day in happy circumstances, compared with what we now are. Our Traders, considered in general, are, in the view of all considerate persons, as GRAND OPPRESSORS , and as truly and extensively so in proportion to the sphere in which they move, as our ministerial oppressors in England ; and unless they are soon retrained, either from a virtuous principle within, or from some extensive power, they will be the DESTROYERS of the poor, the widow, the fatherless, and all others whose situation in life is such as renders it impossible for them to do justice to themselves. To what can it be attributed but the excessive love traders have to their own precious selves, that they put such an extravagant price upon the commodities they have to sell ? And what an unspeakable damage has this been to the public ? It has occasioned the undue rise of every thing we depend upon for the support and comfort of life. Farmers, manufacturers in their several occupations, and labourers in all their kinds, excuse their high demands for what is wanted in their way, from the still higher demands of traders for what they have to sell.
In very truth, our traders , both in town and country, are the real cause of the monstrous high price of every thing ; and the love of their own interest, in opposition to the interest of all others, and to the subversion of it, if they may get by it, is that shamefull principle by which they are governed in this whole affair : Monopolizers , in this day of common calamity, are our worst oppressors ; those among them in special, are so, who, not content with the thousands they are righteously entitled to, in consequence of the prizes the commissioned vessels they own have brought in, have been unduly influenced, from an avaricious disposition, to make a monopoly of as much of the effects of those prizes as their cunning would enable them to do, that, by an excessively enhanced price, they might by and by get that from others, however poor and destitute, which both reason and revelation unite in calling the gain of oppression . These extortioners are not only sordidly unjust, but basely wanting in gratitude to that providence which has distinguished them from most others in this day of general distress ; and they ought to be restrained by government within the limits of what is right and fit ; and unless some measures are soon authoritatively come into to effect so righteous and valuable an end, it may be feared whether undesirable consequences will not take place, as a general clamour begins to be loudly heard.
Needham, Octo. 29. P. W.
THE Creditors to the estate of John Royal Boston , late of Wells, Mariner, deceased, represented insolvent, are hereby notified that the subscribers appointed by the Hon. John Bradbury, Esq; judge of the probate of wills, &c. for the county of York, to receive & examine their claims, (six months being allowed for that purpose) will attend that business at the dwelling-house of John Cole, Innholder in Wells, on the second Monday in November next, and the first Monday in the four next following months, from 3 to six o'clock in the afternoon.
Wells Oct. 5, 1776. Nathaniel Wells, Joshua Clark. 3 5
SNUFF
Manufactured and sold by the Barrel or smaller Quantity, by Thomas Thompson, at his Shop in King-street, near the lower Long Wharfe, Newbury Port. 25—27
THIS is to desire all Persons, having Accounts with the Estate of Lieutenant Ebenezer Dameritt, deceas'd, to bring them to Mrs. Hannah Dameritt, in order for Settlement. Madbury Nov. 8. 5—7
State of New-Hampshire, Rockingham ff. A LIBEL being filed before me against the ship named the Hero, about one hundred and eighty tons burthen, her cargo and appurtenances commanded by Charles Harford. Also against the ship named the Live Oak, about one hundred tons burthen, her cargo & appurtenances lately commanded by Mompesson Duncan, but when taken by — Leslie. Also against the Brigantine named the Three Friends, about seventy tons burthen, her cargo and appurtenances lately commanded by Thomas Russell. All which vessels are said to have been the property of some inhabitant or inhabitants, subject or subjects of Great-Britain and Ireland, (other than the inhabitants of the Bermuda and Bahama islands) and taken, and brought into the county of Rockingham in the State of New-Hampshire ; This notice is given agreeable to the laws of said State, that the maritime court erected to try and condemn all vessels found infesting the sea-coasts of America, and brought into the said State, will be held at Portsmouth, the 27th day of November inst. at 10 o'clock before noon, to try the justice of 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. J. BRACKETT, Judge of said court. 4—6
THE Creditors to the Estate of Samuel Bourn late of Wells, Shipwright, deceased, represented insolvent, are hereby notified that the subscribers appointed by the honorable John Bradbury, Esq; Judge of the probate of wills, &c. for the county of York, to receive and examine their claims, (six months being allowed for that purpose) will attend that business at the dwelling-house of John Cole, Innholder in Wells, on the second Monday in November next, and the first Monday in the four next following months, from three to six o'clock in the afternoon. Nathaniel Wells, Wells Oct. 5, 1776. Joshua Clark. 3 5
State of New-Hampshire, Oct. 22, 1776. WANTED for the use of the troops in the Continental Army from this State, sundry articles of cloathing, viz. Cloths for waistcoats, shirts and breeches ; also shoes, hats and stockings; whoever can furnish any of said articles in a short time upon reasonable terms, are desired to apply to the committee of safety, or either of them, who will agree and pay for the same, said Articles being immediately wanted for the soldiers now engaged in the defence of our lives and properties ; it is hoped that every friend to the cause will exert himself in order to procure as many of them as they can. 3—5
A black stray Cow
IS in the possession of the subscriber ; she has a white spot in her forehead, the top of each ear cut off, and one slit in one, and two in the other. The owner may have her again by applying, and paying charges to Joseph Tucker of Portsmouth. Oct. 28. 3-5
A Second-Hand CHAISE, To be sold cheap.
Enquire of WILLIAM MARSHALL.
TO BE LET
Two convenient Chambers, in a commodious part of the town. Enquire of the printer.