New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1779-04-13 00:00:00

BOSTON, April 8. GENERAL ORDERS.
Head Quarters, Boston April 2, 1779.
THE General thinks it his duty to acknowledge, before he leaves Boston, the highest esteem which the regular behaviour and good discipline of the corps of invalids, and of this State's Regiment of Artillery, lately commanded by Col. Crafts, and now by Lieut. Col. Revere, have inspired him with.—He has observed with great satisfaction and soldierlike appearance of the companies of militia, now doing duty here; and trusts that whenever circumstances shall make it necessary to call upon them they will encounter danger with the same applause, which many of the brethren of the Massachusetts Bay have already obtained.
All Orders from Major General HEATH, who now takes the Command are to be obeyed.
The Council last Saturday received authentic intelligence, that a Fleet of One Hundred and Twenty Sail of Vessels lately sailed from Newport Harbour, with Troops on board, and a large number of flat bottom Boats, and were seen on the Evening of the 31 March, off Seconet Point, that it was apprehended they were destined for some Part of the Massachusetts Bay.—That a Fleet of Tory Privateers had also sailed from Newport, with Orders to Burn and Destroy all before them.—It is also supposed that they were bound for some Part of this State.—And we are informed that the Council have taken the necessary Means to frustrate their barbarous and savage Designs.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman at Martinico, dated Feb. 22d. 1779.
Count D'Estaing has remained at Fort Royal, with his 12 ships of the line, ever since his expedition to St. Lucia: he received 4 other ships of the line from France five days ago, and is now 16 strong and we hourly expect 4 more ships of the line, several frigates and 5000 troops. Byron on the other hand, is at Lucia, and has been joined by several ships of the line from Europe, so that we suppose him to have 20 or 22 ships of the line and 6 frigates and he hourly expects a large fleet with a number of ships of the line and troops. In short it appears that there is such a force in those seas, that nothing will be done on either side. The English will probably have the superiority by sea, the French by land, which will secure all the French islands, and the English fleet will secure theirs. If there is any thing done, we expect the first manœuvre will be to attempt to retake Dominica; therefore, let all vessels call at Trinity to know the situation of affairs and which channel to come down to St. Pierre.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman of Providence, to his friend in this town, dated March 31.
For three days past there has been a considerable Fleet in the Sound: By the best intelligence we are certain, from the enemy's late movements on the island of Newport, that they are determined on an evacuation or an Expedition.
Extract of a letter dated March 30, 1779.
The enemy in the late storm lost twenty or upwards of their vessels, at Gardiner's, Plumb and Long-Island. The Renown a British ship of 50 guns, and a Tender came last week and anchored at the entrance of New London, lay there till Thursday last, she then sailed westward, and returned again to the same place and anchored on Friday evening.—She is gone out again to the westward, it is very probable the storm hath disconcerted them.
We hear that last Saturday a number of the enemy's privateers and small vessels, made several attempts to land at Falmouth at the Cape, but were beat off by the militia with great Spirit.
Tuesday arrived at Newbury a vessel from Bilboa in 39 Days. A gentleman who came passenger in her informs, that there has been a violent storm on the coast of England, in which 60 or 70 sail of vessels were lost; and that a large combin'd fleet of France and Spain were fitting out with the greatest expedition.
Same day arrived at Newbury a ship from Guadalupe.
A gentleman lately from the South-ward informs that several persons who had come out of the city of New-York reported, that an account had been received there which led them strongly to apprehend that a fleet of Spanish and French Men of war, would soon appear off the Hook: These apprehensions, it is said, were increased, by the arrival of a vessel at New York which had fallen in with a large fleet, but could not ascertain what nation the ships were.
Two days ago a vessel arrived at Newbury Port in 17 days from Bilboa, in Spain. She brought a great number of letters. From those that have been opened, we can only learn, that Admiral Keppel was like to be acquitted with honour by the court martial appointed to inquire into his conduct in the naval engagement of last summer: That there had been a great storm upon the coast of England, and much damage done to the men of war and merchantmen, in the Downs and other places: That great naval preparations were still going on in the port of Spain as well as France. We can find no mention of peace, nor do the letters speak of any number of men of war or land forces bound to the American Continent.
To the advices brought by the vessel from Bilboa, we may add—That the parliament of Britain had voted 20,000 men this year for America; that Governor Johnstone was strenuous for persevering in the design of conquering America, but that his brother commissioner, Eden, opposed him and said it was impossible.
Notwithstanding the repeated Accounts we have lately had of a large Fleet of Transports, amounting to 120 Sail, being in the Sound, we cannot learn with certainty that such a fleet ever appeared there. Had the enemy tho't proper to have made a descent upon us, we doubt not they would have met with a reception that would have damp'd their ardor for such kind of Enterprize.
A Number of American Levies and other Tories in the British service, lately sailed from Newport in 8 or 10 small Vessels, in quest of provisions, it is supposed of which they are in great want at Rhode Island. They attempted to land at Dartmouth, but our brethren there being provided with cannon, and mustering with alacrity upon the occasion, prevented their design and beat them off. Afterwards went to Falmouth, and effected a landing; but the spirited Militia in that place and the vicinity, obliged them to embark with precipitation and some loss; what course they then steered is not certain; probably to the Den from whence they issued: Such Activity and Spirit in the militia, with a good look out, would pall the appetite of this predatory Gentry for such attempts.
Capt. Butler arrived here Yesterday in a Schooner in nine Days from Edington (North Carolina.) By this Vessel we learn, that after the small advantage gained by the Enemy at an Action with General Ash, of which we gave our Readers an Account in a late Paper, and in which the Son of the Governor of N. Carolina was killed, the Governor himself turned out at the Head of the Militia of that State, which marched with great Spirit upon the Occasion, and soon amounted to near five Thousand Men, impatient to meet the enemy and drive them from their Country: Many in the same Spirit were on their March from Virginia to join Gen. Lincoln; a Number of the Continental Forces, and particularly Powel's with his Legion, were advancing to our Head Quarters. In short, the Vigor and Alacrity of the Southern States were such as to afford an happy Omen that the enemy would soon be obliged to leave Georgia, and abandon their boasted Enterprize.
A letter from a gentleman of observation in the West Indies, acquaints, "That France and Britain are continually augmenting their forces in that quarter; which is now like to prove the chief theatre of the war on this side the Atlantic; so that tho' no accommodation take place, North America may soon have a comparative peace."
It is said, that the vacancies in the Hessian troops alone, now at New York, require upwards of 4000 to fill them up.
On the 14th ult. sailed from France, on a homeward bound cruise, the armed brigantine Hazzard, Capt. Williams; the 16th she fell in with and engaged a privateer brig from Antigua, mounting 18 carriage guns, which, after a smart action, for 35 minutes, yard arm and yard arm, she struck, having 13 men killed and upwards 20 wounded. The Hazzard had 3 killed and 7 or 8 wounded. The prizes arrived in port yesterday. On the 17th the Hazzard took a large brig laden with fish, and ordered her for port.
The master of the Hazzard's prize, arrived yesterday, reports, that the Count d'Estaing was still at Martinico; that his squadron had been reinforced, and now amounted to 18 sail of the line, and 35 frigates; and that Admiral Byron was still at St. Lucia, his force consisting of upwards of 20 sail of the line. The British soldiers and seamen are extremely sickly in that unhealthy place, and many are buried there in a day.
The fleets watch one another, and neither have tho't proper of late to put to sea.
The Antigua privateer taken by the Hazzard, had been out 5 weeks and made no capture; hearing of a number of vessels from Martinico under convoy of the Hazzard, her design was, to have taken the convoy, and then the merchantmen.
It appears, by a paragraph in a London paper of the 3d of December, that Gen. Sir Henry Clinton has desired leave to return home.
We are informed, that the uncommon operation of amputating the arm at the joint of the shoulder, was lately performed in this town, and notwithstanding three other very dangerous wounds, all of them into the substance of the skull, yet the patient is totally recovered.
Extract of a letter from Martinico, dated February 4. "A French vessel coming hither from Dominico, met Capt. Baitard, who left France the 25th of December. Among other intelligence he gave, we have the pleasure to announce the happy delivery of the Queen of France, who has brought into the world a Princess. Capt. Baitard informs also, that our naval preparations at Brest and other places, do not all abate of their vigour, and that it may be depended on that our maritime force will be upon the most respectable footing, before the opening of the next campaign. Beside the squadron of M. de Fabry, which continually cruizes in the Mediterranean, where it totally intercepts the British commerce to the Levant, there are many cruizers from Bayonne, of 20 and 30 guns, who have lately taken a number of very rich prizes. The privateers of Guernsey and Jersey do not come out of their ports with quite so much assurance as formerly, inasmuch as our frigates keep a good look out upon those Islands; and have taken a great number of armed vessels. The last week many vessels arrived here from different parts of America; among others a brigantine, who left Boston the 16th of January. She arrived on the 31st, having on board 124 French prisoners."
The following foreign Intelligence is translated from a Martinico Paper of Jan. 1779.
Cadiz October 1. It is publicly said here, that two deputies of the United States of America have concluded a secret treaty with the Court of Madrid, and that after this they went to Coruna, where they embarked. We are also assured, that a vessel of war has actually sailed from Ferrol, for North America, on board of which was a minister of his Catholic Majesty, for Congress; and it is expected that the two powers will soon send to one another their respective ministers plenipotentiary. The Court has given orders to Don Etienne de Miralles, who is now at the Havannah, to pass to Boston, and to reside there in quality of Consul of Spain, and charge d' affairs to his Catholic Majesty.
CHALESTOWN, (S. C.) February 29.
Yesterday morning Groundwater, William Tweed, David Remington, and Robert Dewar (carpenter) arrived in town, escorted by a detachment of the country militia. It seems that by the vigilance of Capt. Duharty's company, stationed near Skull Creek, these people were apprehended in a boat making for Savannah, charged with dispatches to the British officers there, containing a full and circumstantial (if not a true and exact) account of our posts, stores, forces &c. &c. together with a honourable tender, it is said, of reducing to ashes that part of Charleston which the humanity of the former incendiaries suffered to be preserved; kindly offering some plan to relieve the different garrisons of the trouble of guarding their respective posts, &c. On their being hailed and brought to by the sentry, they fixed a weight to the packet, and threw it overboard, but the tide leaving the Creek dry, it was very luckily observed the next morning, and by proper care became plain and legible. The writer appears to be a Captain Constable, a Highland officer, now here, who was lately taken on his passage to Georgia from New York, and was in this town admitted on his parole, the terms of which, however, in this instance, have been grossly violated. Some interesting discoveries may now perhaps be expected of our most secret enemies.
PHILADELPHIA, March 23.
We learn from Baltimore, that three British men of war, and several privateers, are now in Chesapeake Bay.

State of New-Hampshire Rockingham ss. To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened at Exeter March 22 1779.
W E the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Portsmouth, in Town-Meeting legally assembled, humbly beg Leave to address your Honors on a Subject which to us appears of the greatest, and most lasting Consequences. We are informed, that a BILL is now on the Point of passing both Houses, for confiscating the Property of British Subjects, and the absent Members of this State, supposed to be with the Enemy. We understand this is to be done immediately, without Notice, without a Hearing, without a Trial! Alarm'd as we are, at so important, so sudden a Procedure, we would in the Sincerity of Truth and Uprightness, with all the Openness and Zeal natural to the Members of a Free State, but with the most respectful Deference to the Supreme Authority thereof, humbly beg Leave to remonstrate against said ACT, and offer some Reasons in Support of our Opinions.—We shall consider the Act in a two-fold View. First, As it respects British , then as it respects American Property. First, Of British . This consists of Personal and Real. And first of Personal Property. This is chiefly made up of Debts due from Individuals in this State, to Persons in Great Britain . To seize these, would immediately prompt them to a Retaliation, (for as yet they have not touched a Farthing of this Kind of Property.) And what should we gain by the Bargain? Why the nominal Sum due to this State from Great Britain , being vastly greater than our Debt to them, we should not only lose the nominal Balance, but the Difference of Exchange between Silver and Gold—and Paper— And this Loss must be borne by the State at large, or many of its worthy Members be ruined. As to the Real Property of British Subjects here—tho' that hereafter may, and probably will belong to this State—yet there seem at present stronger Reasons against confiscating this, than the Personal Interest—As 1st. The permanent Nature of Real Estate which cannot be remov'd or jostled out of Sight, while the Earth itself remains—whilst personal Estate is liable to be embezzled and lost. Real Estate is also the most solid and lasting security. The value of that will continue or rather, augment—while personal Estate, is at best extremely precarious. But besides all this—the confiscating the Real Property only, will have the same ill Effect; it will produce a Forfeiture of all our interest in England, equally with confiscating both the Real and Personal Interest of the Subjects of that Country. Lastly, it is a Measure not only unprecedented in all the other States—but it is also without the Sanction of a Recommendation, or even a Hint from Congress—and may probably interfere with the most important Designs & Engagements of that Body—some of which, to wit, the future Grant of Lands to the American Soldiery, is one. And it may also equally interfere with any future Treaty with Great Britain , and our present Alliance with France . The second Point is with respect to the confiscating the Property of absent Members of this State. We are far from thinking that there are not many of these whose Guilt may not be made apparent, and which on the most impartial Trial with the fullest Defence they cou'd make, wou'd not be sufficiently so to forfeit not their Estates only, but their Lives. But on the other Hand, there are many whose Characters and Conduct are at most only suspicious—& some in whose Favour much might be urg'd—who stand as fair, at least as some now among us who are consider'd as firm Friends of the State. To involve these in one promiscuous, undistinguishing Condemnation with those—cannot but appear to every impartial Mind as unjust, unequal and impolitic. To remedy which we are all humbly of opinion—That to give all an Opportunity of Defence is the most certain Way—by which means those who are guilty will be legally proved so—and the Innocent (if there are any among 'em
Innocent) will by making it fully appear, be acquitted, and received into Protection and Favour. And in so doing, the Legislature of this State, will not only evince their firm and steady Adherence to Magna Charta ,—the Bill of Rights —the common Principles of Justice & Equity —and their own express Statutes, particularly that against Treason —but they will also fully approve themselves to the Eyes of other Nations—to the World—their own Consciences—& to his Eye—who is greater than their Hearts, & knoweth all things. We have thus humbly suggested to your Honors some of the Reasons which appear'd to us of weight against the Before-mention'd Act—All we beg of your Honors is an impartial Consideration of them—and we trust we shall rest satisfied with the Result; for which Indulgence your Petitioners, as in Duty bound will ever Pray.
Portsmouth, April 3, 1779.
A true Copy Attest, JOHN PENHALLOW, Town Clerk.
To WOODBURY LANGDON, JOHN LANGDON, and GEORGE GAINS, Esqrs; Representatives for the Town of Portsmouth. GENTLEMEN,
T AKING it for granted, that your Constituents have at all Times an undoubted Right to instruct their own Representatives; and considering the Nature, and realizing the immediate Consequences, of some Measures (we understand) the General Court of this State, are like to adopt concerning the Confiscation of the Estates of the Inhabitants of Great Britain , and others, by Act of the Legislature, without even the Formality of a Trial—We are greatly alarm'd, conceiving such a Procedure, not only subversive of Magna Charta , and the Bill of Rights , sealed with the Blood of Martyr'd Patriots , transmitted as a sacred Deposit to us, by our venerable Ancestors; and interwoven with our own Constitution; but at this Juncture of our Public Affairs, highly impolitic, and big with fatal Consequences to many of your Constituents:—
WHEREFORE, We instruct you to oppose, to the utmost of your Power, any such BILLS, and prevent, if possible, their being passed into LAWS; and if any such have passed, that you exert your utmost to get them repealed.
Portsmouth, April 3d, 1779.
A true Copy. Attest JOHN PENHALLOW, Town Clerk.
BOSTON, April 1.
Notwithstanding the reports that part of the Continental army had been, or was like to be dismissed; from whence some have ventured to prognosticate that a truce might be at hand; it is certain, that on Saturday last the Council of this State, received a letter from Congress; calling upon us to fill up our quota of men for the Continental army. Letters of the like tenor, it is said, have been directed to all the confederated States. Our deficiency, however, is not great, as the army was remarkably healthy, and well supplied the last winter. This demand therefore may soon and easily be complied with; for we have brave men enough, ready to join the brave, and put the finishing hand to the deliverance of our country. Whether our enemies mean to negotiate, or prosecute another campaign, the completion of the army is a dictate of prudence. By arms we have hitherto successfully opposed, and by arms we must finally defeat the unprovoked and cruel invaders of our country. The Treaty that confirms our Independence, and Liberties, can be written only by the bayonet.
A gentleman who made his escape from persecution informs us, that he was one of 36 American prisoners who broke goal at Portsmouth in England, on the 6th of September 1778,—and that the following 25
of the number were re-taken and (if living) are probably now under a languishing confinement, partaking of the lenity of their British persecutors, whose tender mercies are cruelty.—Their names are, Joseph Merodith, Christopher Clark, John Smith, Benjamin Hicks, John Wardale, Robert Roberson, Thomas Greenleaf, John Auther, H. Murison, Tobias Oakman, James Bryant, Thomas White, David Arnold, George Thompson, John Conner, Samuel Hayward, James Tyler, Robert Wilcox, Joseph Leviner, Anthony Wibert, George Smith, William Howard, Robert Walker, John Campbell, and Moses Lord.
A letter from Lisbon hath the following article
“The American privateer which was stopped here, with her prize, are released by an order from the Court. Their releasement procured by the French Ambassador, who has been very active in the affair; and it is generally believed here, that the Americans will soon find as much favor shewn them in every port belonging to Portugal, as they have in the ports of France and Spain.”
From the London Packet.
Some account of the rise of that part of America, in which those disputes began that are now so likely to prove of the most serious consequences to the Mother Country:—New England.
A S early as 1606, James the First had, by letters patent, erected two companies, with a power to send colonies into those parts, then comprehended under the general name of Virginia , as all the north east part of America was sometimes called. No settlements, however, were made in New-England by virtue of this authority. The companies contented themselves with sending out a few ships to trade with the Indians in furs, and to fish upon their coast. This continued to be the only sort of correspondence between Great Britain and this part of America till the year 1621. By this time the religious dissensions, by which England was torn to pieces, had become warm and furious. Archbishop Laud, with his unrelenting zeal, punished all sorts of non-conformists with the utmost severity. Those unhappy people, rather than give up those favourite tenets, which they considered as essential to their eternal happiness, were desirous of leaving their native country, and all its charms, to fly to any land where they might enjoy their own opinions unmolested. America opened wide its hospitable arms to receive them. The design, besides, had something in it noble, and admirably adapted to the enterprising spirit of innovators in religion. With this view they purchased the territory which was within the jurisdiction of the Plymouth company, and having obtained of the king the privilege of settling in it, in whatever way they had a mind, 150 persons embarked for New-England, and built a town, which, because they sailed from that place, they called by the name of Plymouth. Notwithstanding the severity of the climate, the unwholesomeness of the air, and the diseases to which, after a long sea voyage, and a country new to them, they were exposed; notwithstanding the want of all sorts of conveniences, these resolute adventurers, supported by that vigour which was then natural to Englishmen, set themselves to cultivate this country, and to take the best steps for the advancement of their infant colony. Other adventurers, encouraged by their example, and finding themselves uneasy at home from the fame

persecuting spirit, passed over into this land of civil and religious liberty. In the year 1630 they had built four towns—Salem, Dorchester, Charles Town, and Boston, now the capital New England. How astonishing is it to consider that, in little more than a century, the inhabitants of this province alone are increased to the amazing number of six hundred thousand; and that their trade should have arrived to such a height, that in the year 1768, one thousand two hundred sail of vessels were entered and cleared at the custom house of Boston; and their consumption of English and India goods amounted to the yearly sum of three hundred and ninety-five thousand pounds.—Such are the natural effects of that active and frugal industry, which raises a people from the most inconsiderable beginnings to the most flourishing empires; and as certain is it, that an uninterrupted flow of prosperity and success occasions that luxury which too often subverts the best founded establishment, and ends in the ruin of the greatest kingdoms.
A. B.
Mr. PRINTER,
I would inform the Writer, who takes upon himself the signature of "Veritas," and makes so very free in using his scandalous epithets, respecting the peace sign'd A. Z., that the Author of which, is not easily intimidated or frightened, by such an indelicate wretch as he is supposed to be; neither can he wink truth out of sight by all the art or address he or his abettors belonging to the well known Junto , are capable of. This genius, in one of his odd fits , introduces his publication with saying—"that at first view your peace appears too contemptible to merit the least notice; but on the other hand, 'tis so impudently insolent, such a gross insult upon reason, virtue, and even common probability, that I cannot forbear giving you a slap or two as I would a hungry Bug that should waken me with a bite"—Does this smutty language denote him to be a person of such great consequence, as to view the piece with contempt?—Don't it rather indicate that he is even contemptuously contemptible?—The answer I'm positive, will be by every friend to decency, as well as sense, in the affirmative; and he would be convinc'd of it himself, were he to view his own Phiz in a glass, provided he had but the common dictates of reason to determine; which I think is apparently visible that he has not,---, therefore his cannot be insulted. As to virtue, he is, without doubt totally a stranger to, otherwise he would not in respectable companies, so degradingly express himself against our very good and great Ally, to whom this country (which he pretends friendship for) owes the strongest obligations—which instance alone, shews very plainly his want of both gratitude and virtue. The biting of hungry Bugs, I must acknowledge myself not so well acquainted with, as every person must suppose him to be—Filth and nastiness are the natural causes of introducing such companions.
In the course of his pitiful performance, he (by perverting the piece alluded to) endeavors to prove the author, one of the detestable characters pointed out, viz. "a two-faced go-between," or rather a Tory , either of which is, thank God, very far from truth, being at all times from the beginning of the dispute, invariably firm; which is more than can be said of him; however new the epithet ( two-faced go-between ) may seem, it will much better befit his profession than mine, not but it's possible there may be many honest men in my profession. I recollect, we were once in a learned, that it was a Whig infomuch that it had been I can't say, but that he must have would prove it to ocular demonstration. This Hero of defamation, why I was "astonished" to tell the truth, it is a remarkable figure—but the facts appearing there
that had not been to a Town Meeting for 3 or 4 years before; indeed, they appear'd to me like their rising from the dead, in which state they actually are, in regard to the good they do—or cause to be done for the public.—There is now a requisition for a number of men for the Army immediately from this State, and as the Town of Portsmouth undoubtedly will be call'd on for their quota, it is to be hoped those gentry will be exemplary in stimulating men to enlist, by freely contributing their money &c.—especially since they pretend to be good friends to our cause, and have broke the way to attend Town Meetings ; when they can make it manifest they are really true converts, then they can with a much better grace, ask mercy for their friends, who basely deserted to the enemy in the time of our greatest difficulty.—He is also inquisitive to know, how I could make such assertions as were contained in that " dismal " piece?—there can be no other reason assigned, than that they were Facts , which need no delicate flourishes to gain credit—plain simple truths will do without, and if he or his adherents don't choose to believe them as such, it will give me no kind of uneasiness.—I again repeat that contemptuous sneers (or rather horrid grins) were frequent to be seen at the meeting, and characters were obliquely insulted, let him think as he pleases about it; perhaps he was so intent upon the cause he had to manage, that he does not well remember what he said or what was said by others.—I did not (nor do not) pretend to say that the young ones "voted," but such were certainly there belonging to the Stigmatist's tribes, and therefore served to fill the meeting.—He further says, that I have "the insensibility of a German, or the impudence of the Devil"—As to the sensibility or insensibility of Germans, I am not enough acquainted with them to determine, perhaps he may be (and I dare say he is) as many who have either deserted or were captivated are now servants in town; and as for impudence, it is well known he has a very great share of, indeed I should think much more than the Devil has.—He goes on to say that the meeting was called at the request of all the most respectable inhabitants of the town, these attended the meeting, and voted in favour of the petition, which was to implore the General Court, not to pass an Act which the petitioners thought subversive of the Constitution, and "those invaluable privileges which the State had purchased with its dearest blood." While he was upon the subject, it would have been not only honest, but highly proper to have explain'd the matter fully, in order that the people might the better understand it; but as he did not, I will attempt it.—The truth is thus, the majority of the house of Representatives judged it expedient that all those who have absented themselves during the present war with great Britain (many of whom having taken up arms) should forfeit their estates both real & personal (excepting certain provision for supporting their families) which some knowing persons (against such an act) in the house, finding would unavoidably take place, insisted that all British property (whether real or personal) that could be found within the state including private debts, should be couched in the bill, in order to mar the whole,--- they knowing at the same time, every man of principle would naturally oppose that part; which circumstance of British property , was industriously propagated by the Friends of the absentees, as a terrible affair, & that all their money in England, would be irrecoverably lost, and their dearest and most valuable rights and privileges annihilated; which lamentable story, produced the effect they wished for, which was, to call a Town-Meeting ; for they presently, under that pretence, muster'd a Meeting with a witness, and what made it
indeed! Pray how long would our enemies be determining whether our property, (or lives) should be forfeited, or not, were they to conquer? I am inclined to think very little lenity or ceremony would be used by them or those newfangled Whigs , in our favor—their tender mercies would be cruelty with a vengeance.—The British property is the part of the Bill which this champion alludes to being struck out by the House of Representatives, which every honest man would wish to be done; but he goes on and says, "the whole have been since rejected by the Council." It's very true so far, that it's nonconcurred for the present, the reason of which, I don't pretend to assert, altho' it might be easily guess'd at; but please to take notice, that it went through the house the second time by a large majority, on its being sent back from the council, which was accordingly sent up again, where (I am told) it now remains for their consideration.---This contradicton further observes that among the persons, who join'd in calling the meeting and voting the petition, were some present & past elected members of Congress; which assertion, I aver to be utterly false—neither of them was, for calling the meeting or voting the petition. He likewise asserts that present and late members of the general assembly was there, it's true so far that one of the present ones join'd in the measure, but the others did not:—What he calls late members, have not serv'd for near three years past, to say no more of them; however—I don't deny but some respectable characters did petition and vote, altho' I am apt to believe they were actuated from very different motives to what the Junto were, from whence the meeting originated.—I don't mean to be understood a match for this high flying writer, neither shall I attempt to follow him through the labyrinth of his scurrilous catalogue of Epithets, but drop the subject with assuring him, that his broad hints respecting a late much injured gentleman, are indecent, illeberal, and unjust, as he was not, nor is the author of A. Z.
P. S. It is recommended to that despicable person who signs "a freeholder" to be very cautious in future about calling the present government "the mock liberties of a boasted American constitution" as it is apprehended he will be indicted for high treason, if he should persist therein, notwithstanding he plumes himself on being one of that select number of voters. A. Z.
To VERITAS.
POOR misguided Veritas , how couldst thou, In a Fit so mad, prostitute thy Pen To such ignoble Use?—sure some Daemon Invaded then thy Melancholy mind, And in that gloomy Hour, did'st it turn all Thy noble Flights of Fancy, to Railing And Abuse, to please but wretched few Harpies and Parricides, that daily suck The vital Blood from their wounded Country; Say, poor hapless Thing, how could'st thou descend So very low, to re-wound the Character Of an injured Man, who ne'r hurt thee; No!—it was not Poverty and Distress That tempted thee to do a Deed like this— Sure thy Poetic Soul, is above accepting A Bribe, or Fee, from such bad wicked Men, But shouldst thou, mistaken, be come as bad,— Alas!—I fear—I doubt—but—will not condemn: Go hence, deluded Man, and shut thee in From the Face of Day, and the Haunts of Men Until some lucid Intervail shall bring Repentance to thy mind, ————— The Lord rebuke thee, wretched-- Veritas .
To be let, a Genteel House,
Barn, large Garden, & every necessary Conveniences, pleasantly situated in the Town of Portsmouth— Enquire of Jonathan Wescott.

State of New Hampshire April 2d, 1779. THOMAS PACKER having petitioned the Council and Assembly of this State, sitting forth that his Father Thomas Packer , late of Portsmouth, in said State, Esq; deceas'd, a little before his death, being very aged and weak, apprehending his death drew nigh, sent for a person to write his last Will and Testament—who came for that purpose, and immediately the said Thomas Packer deceas'd began to give directions how he would dispose of his Estate; and desired doctor Langdon's plan of the Province might be brought to enable him to go thro' the business properly. After several attempts for this purpose, the person told him it was impossible to compleat it then, for he had cut out work enough to last him 'till next day, and, despairing to draw a Will in the manner he was directed then,—he never even put pen to paper upon it, 'till the next day—nor did he then, nor would he, had not repeated messages been sent to him, that the said Thomas was dying; he then objected the difficulty of drawing it in the manner directed, in proper season, to have it executed and published in the manner such Instruments should be—but after the most pressing solicitations, he said he had drawn a short Will, and had left it to the Executor to make the donations and distributions propos'd; and the said Thomas was too near his end to waste time upon it. Accordingly, such a Will was presented to the Testator, but not 'till his Faculties were so impaired and lost, that it was impossible he could have any idea how his Estate was thereby devised—for he could with difficulty be kept awake while three lines could be read—nor indeed was it even read to him at all. And it was with great difficulty he could be instructed to make any kind of publication of it, and it bore no kind of resemblance to the directions given twenty-four hours before, how it should be drawn, as the writer there of himself declared.—That the instrument, now in the probate office, for the county of Rockingham, executed as aforesaid, differs entirely from the Will he directed to be written—That it was the general sense of the people, who were about the Testator's person at that time, that he was wholly unfit for such an Act.—Yet, by some means or other, the Will was by the Judge of probate for said county, the hon. John Wentworth, Esq; proved and allowed—which said Judge was uncle to John Wentworth, Esq; then Governor of the province, sole executor of said Will, and Devisee of all the Estate of said deceas'd, both real and personal, excepting the use of some of it to his Widow, during her natural life, and to the exclusion of the petitioner his only Child, and rightful heir,—except the improvement of a small part of said Estate:—That he the petitioner had always demeaned himself as a true Friend to the States of America, their union and their cause; that he has paid taxes for the support of the War assessed on these very lands, which would otherwise have been sold:—And prayed leave to bring in a Bill for a re-hearing of said Will, before the Superior Court of Judicature for said county—in the manner Appeals are sustained and tried by that Court, from the present Court of probate—
On which petition, the Council and Assembly ordered that the Petitioner be heard thereon before them on the first Tuesday of the next Session of the General Assembly; and that any person or persons concerned, might then appear, and show cause, why the prayer thereof may not be granted.
By Order of the Council and Assembly. Attest, E. HOMPSON , Secretary.
LOST a Double Bitted BRIDLE, with double Reins, in this Town, about three Weeks ago. Whoever will bring said Bridle to the Printer, shall be well Rewarded for their Trouble. Portsmouth, April 13, 1779.
WHEREAS Jeremiah Glover, an Indented Apprentice, hath a long time past deserted, and now absents himself from his Master's service, this is to caution all persons from harbouring, concealing or dealing with said servant, as they would avoid the penalty of the Law provided in such cases. York, April 13. NATHANIEL BARRELL
To be sold at Public Vendue, At the North Meeting House in Portsmouth, on Tuesday the 20th Day of April Instant, at three o'Clock in the Afternoon, A choice Lot of LAND on the
ALL Persons having any Demands against Robert Robertson late of Portsmouth, Merchant, are desired to apply to his Wife Abigail Robertson immediately for payment: As she expects to depart this State to her Husband soon. Portsmouth, April 5, 1779.
To be Sold at Public VENDUE On Wednesday the 21st Inst. on Sherburne's Wharfe, Ten o'Clock, A. M.
ABOUT 900 Dry Hides in Lots.— Broad Cloths of various Qualities, by the Piece.—Serge Denims by dit. Cross bar'd Camblets, & Cambleteens by dit. Calamancoes, by dit.—A Quantity of Rum and Molasses in Barrels.— Clay'd Sugars in Boxes.— Some Logwood, &c. &c. JOHN PARKER, V. M. Portsmouth, April 5, 1779.
ALL Persons that are Indebted to the Estate of Capt. Samuel Warner, late of Portsmouth, deceas'd, are desired to make payment; and those who have any accounts against said Estate, are desired to bring them in immediately for settlement, Jonathan Warner, Administrator. Portsmouth, April 6, 1776.
To be sold by Public VENDUE On Thursday the 15th Instant, at Capt. Wentworth's Store, near Liberty Bridge, 10 o'Clock, A. M. 500 Bushels of Foreign SALT. To accomodate Customers, it will be put up in Lots of 10, 20 and 30 Bushels. And at three o'Clock P. M. will be Sold on Capt. Moffat's Ware: Sundry Boxes of Capers, Olives, Anchovies, Liquers, also Cordials, preserved Fruits in Brandy, and many other articles. Portsmouth, April 3, 1779.
To be sold at Public VENDUE On Thursday the 22d of April Instant, at the House of Moses Ham in Dover,
A choice Lot of LAND; In the second Division of Rochester, No.—containing 240 Acres: said Lot lies within one and half Mile of a Grist and Saw Mill, and has a valuable Parcel of Timber on it; and is very suitable for to make any Gentleman a Grand Country Seat, or for two or three small Farms. Any Gentleman, who shall incline to purchase part thereof, for further Intelligence, enquire at Moses Ham's at Dover: sufficient Time will be given for payment.
To be sold a Right of Land in the following Townships, viz. Plainfield, Harwich, Haverhill, Thomplinson, Ackworth, Cockermouth, Dummer, Chesterfield. Enquire of the Printer.
State of New Hampshire. Exeter, March 16, 1779.
A PETITION having been preferred to the Council and Assembly, in their present Session, by Dr. Samuel Haven, of Portsmouth, in the County of Rockingham, setting forth, "That he holds divers Tracts of Land in said State, within Mason's Patent, together with Mehetael Odiorne, Widow, William Earl Treadwell, Merchant & Mehetael his Wife, in her Right, Peter Pierce, Merchant, and Mary his Wife, in her Right, all of said Portsmouth, and Daniel Odiorne, of Kittery, in the County of York, and State of Massachusetts Bay, Yeoman, in common and undivided, in which Lands, Stephen Holland, late of Londonderry, in the County of Rockingham, Esq; was also interested at the time of his Escape to the enemy." —And praying, for divers reasons set forth at large in said Petition, that a Committee, by Resolve, or Act of the General Assembly, may be authorized to divide and apportion said Lands, according to each Owner's Share, or Proportion of Interest therein, and that after such Apportionment or Division of said Land, by such Committee, he the Petitioner may be permitted to draw his share, and hold the same in Severalty: These are therefore to notify all Persons concerned that a Hearing is to be had on said Petition, before
To be sold at Public VENDUE, On Tuesday the 27th Instant, at 10 o'Clock, A.M. SUNDRY CANNON, 3 & 4 pounders, with their Carriages, Hawits, Swivels, Blunderbuses, Small Arms, Pistols, Bayonets, Cutlasses, Powder, Grape and Musket Ball, sundry sorts Men's Cloathing, Women's Stays; a small Cable; Sails; Sheet Lead; some Wollens; Linnens; and a Quantity of old Silver, &c. &c. Portsmouth, April 11, 1779. JOHN PARKER, V. M.
ALL Persons Indebted to, or that have any Demands on the Estate of MATTHEW LIVERMORE , late of Portsmouth, in the County of Rockingham, and State of New Hampshire, Esq; deceas'd, are desired without Delay, to come and settle with Mary Livermore, Widow, Executrix of the Last Will and Testament of the said deceas'd. N. B. There is two Lots of LAND in Rochester, he Original Right of Nicholas Harford, to be sold by said Executrix. Portsmouth, April 2, 1779.
Loft on the 30 March between Greenland Meeting-House and Packer's Bridge, a Locked Black Leather Pocket Book, with sixty Dollars non current Continental Bills; also, about Ten Dollars of other Continental Money—Whoever will deliver the same to the Printer, or George Packer at said Greenland, shall have Ten Dollars Reward.
Public VENDUE. BY an Act of the General- ASSEMBLY of this State impowering the Executors of the Last Will and Testament of JOHN GRIFFITH , late of Portsmouth, deceas'd, to sell his Real Estate for the Benefit of the Devisees in said Will,—NOTICE is hereby given, That Two Dwelling HOUSES, two Pieces of MOWING GROUND and one PEW upon the Lower Floor in the South Meeting House, in said Portsmouth,—WILL BE SOLD by PUBLIC VENDUE, to the highest Bidder, on Wednesday the 21st of April Inst. Three o'Clock P. M. at the late Mansion House of the said deceas'd—The Premises may be view'd any Time before the Sale, and the Conditions known at Time and Place of Sale. Portsmouth, March 29, 1779.
BOSTON, April 1. The enemy must have forgotten their grubbing at Monmouth; or they never would have ventured, after sending off so large a part of their army to the West-Indies, to make another detachment under Campbell, sufficient to take possession of Georgia; and threaten that brave and valuable State, South Carolina. Since which, and notwithstanding the season, they are menacing us from the east end of Long-Island. But we doubt not they will soon be made to repent their apparent contempt of the strength of this whole Continent, in the present greatly diminished state of their numbers. There can be no doubt, we shall soon turn the tables upon them. We know they have some vulnerable parts. They will be harrassed themselves, instead of finding leisure to harrass us: They will soon be glad to keep their whole force collected, to guard their own vitals, instead of spreading it to an immense distance, and attacking the United States in their extremities.
Extract of a letter from Charlestown (S. Carolina) to a gentleman in this town, dated March 12, 1779.
"Commodore Parker in the Phoenix, (to be replaced by some other ship) with Col. Campbell, sailed from Georgia yesterday, for England, probably to represent the practicability of their late success to keep possession of this State, their connection with Britain—and to solicit the aid of this State have ap-
the 6th of May next, to of Humiliation, Fast- throughout the same.
D. FOWLER 1779: