The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1774-05-12 00:00:00

VIRGINIA GAZETTE.
With the freſheſt ADVICES,
FOREIGN and DOMESTICK.
IN CIVITATE LIBERA LINGUAM MENTEMQUE
LIBERAS ESSE DEBERE.— Suet. in Tib. S. 28.
Printed by ALEX. PURDIE , and JOHN DIXON , at the POST OFFICE.
To the Reverend Mr. H E N L E Y. WILLIAMSBURG, May 5, 1774.
SIR,
 YOU can have no just Reason to complain that I once more take the Liberty of addressing you through this Channel; it was a Walk of your own choosing, in which I was not only invited, but repeatedly dared to meet you. It seems therefore a little contrary to Rule that you should shift your Ground, and expect my Attendance wherever else you may be pleased to lead. In this enlightened Age of free Inquiry the Author of any extensive Work, decorated with the various Parades of Learning, must unquestionably make a conspicuous Figure. You, no Doubt, will receive the cordial Thanks of those different Booksellers , for whom you write, for contributing, by your last Performance, so very liberally to their Emolument, and, if, amongst the Reviewers, there should be found some Kindred, some congenial Spirits, we may expect to see it passed off with every flattering Encomium. After saying thus much, I need not tell you, Sir, that I have, at last, seen your long expected Pamphlet. The Dexterity, with which it has been distributed and the Pains taken by you, and several of your Friends, to give it the most favourable Impression, furnish an additional Reason for this Mode of Address. Would not your Title have carried with it some few Marks of Modesty and Respect for your Readers, had it been left to them to judge of the Candour of your Work, and whether it contained a Refutation or not? This, indeed, might have kept you too long in Suspence; the Event, at last, might have been too uncertain, and therefore it was better, perhaps, at once to anticipate their Judgments and pronounce their Sentence in your own Favour. That Aversion to a farther Discharge, as hinted in your prefixed Advertisement, would have been laudable, had it been sincere; but, is it to be collected from your Intimation that some other Circumstances might have been mentioned, which seem to have escaped my Memory? An Insinuation of this Sort was the most likely to lay a broad Foundation of Discord, were I prone to harbour Resentments. How strange must it appear that any other Circumstances should be reserved in Petto, after every Topick of Rancour and Abuse had been long since exhausted? The great Appearance of Candour, with which you declare to have “admitted the Facts upon my own Representation,” might have had the desired Effect on some of your Readers and I might also have been taken in by it, had not Experience taught me to view whatever drops from your Pen with some Degrees of Suspicion. But how great must have been their Surprise to find you, in an early Part of your Pamphlet, denying some of the most material Facts and endeavouring to explain away others, which you pretend to admit; and how must this Surprise be worked up to Astonishment, should I be able, I be able, in the Sequel, to detect you in several palpable Misrepresentations? Did your Production really carry with it any of those Marks of a lusty Composition , which, with so much Humility, you endeavour to persuade us you think it does, your Apology for any slight Errors or Mistakes might be admitted; but, when we find it impregnated with the rankest Oils of the Lamp, we shall be apt to conclude it to be the Offspring not only of much Deliberation, but of the hardest Labour. I know it is so great a Darling that I shall not be surprised, if, hereafter, we find the Merit of its Birth claimed by different Pretenders; and the World, perhaps, at last, to do Justice to the right Owners, will be obliged to ascribe it to some original Genius, who first trod that unbeaten Path, in which you became an humble Follower ; or else to a certain Junio , with whom, your principal Office seems to have been that of Amanuensis . I hazard this Peradventure with the less Scrupple, as I find so many of your Quotations in Languages, with which I have many Reasons to believe you have but a slight Acquaintance. I shall not question the Propriety of your Division of polemical Writings in general; but which of us, in the Course of this Controversy, with its several Concomitants, hath displayed the greatest Affection of Wit and Buffoonery, or dealt most profusely in personal Abuse, I will not trust to your Decision, but submit to the impartial Reader. After complimenting yourself for that Moderation, Civility and Disidence in Argument, which form the leading Characteristicks of all your Compositions, you have given us an admirable Specimen of each in a few quick succeeding Words, by which, in Contrast, you would transform yourself into an Archangel and degrade me into a Devil. So much for Civility, Politeness and your pompous EXORDIUM. 
 Should I now take a Stride to the Close of your Pamphlet, I hope you will not suspect me of a Design to fly from my Colours; you will presently find me returning to receive your hottest Fire, from which I hope to escape without being totally annihilated. Had I, unacquainted with the Occasion of it, read your Conclusion, it must have melted me into Compassion and Pity; but having been taught by your Friend Hoadleianus how to sustain and repel an Attack of the same Sort (your Sentiments being only a little diversified in Expression) I must own to you that I became quite callous. But pray, Sir, if "I have so liberally sacrificed to the Mob," or, if "I have tried Expedients to excite a popular Odi-um," to what have you offered up these your Sacrifices? It is sometimes of great Advantage warmly to solicit the Passions of our Readers; they may interest them in our Favour; and, if by such Means, they can be diverted from the principal Object, their Resentment may be roused against an Opponent. Pompous Professions of Regard for the Liberties of Mankind have often been vociferated from the Mouths of the arrantest Pseudo-Patriots , that ever existed upon Earth; but what hath been the Upshot in many Instances? Like some Generals, of old, they have wheedled themselves into the good Graces of the Multitude, and, after establishing their own Importance , have rode triumphal on the Necks of the People. " Hæc tibi erunt Artes. " Opportunities are laid to make Men's Fortunes. Some devious, soaring Geniuses observing the good old Tract already beaten and possessed by others, find there is little left to gratify their Ambition; and then, per Fas aut Nefas , they attempt to strike out something new and extraordinary, without regarding Consequences. Were I disposed to boasting, I could tell you of my ardent Love of Liberty ; but, at the same Time to be ingenuous, I must own I hate Licentiousness and that I am a Friend to a just Government, both in Church and State; since, upon this, must depend the Preservation of the true Liberties of the People, religious as well as civil . That the civil Liberties of America have, of late Years, been greatly infringed, is a Truth much to be lamented; but, as to our religious Liberty, point out an Encroachment upon that. In this Country we have hitherto thought ourselves happy in an established Church; a Church, which I will venture to pronounce the most charitable in the known World. We have, it is true, Dissenters amongst us; do not they all, who behave orderly and peaceably in Society, enjoy their own religious Sentiments? If the Toleration hitherto allowed is not sufficient for this Purpose, have you not had abundant Reasons to be convinced of the Inclination of our Legislature to make it as extensive as they can reasonably desire or wish, even much more so than is known in Great Britain? But it seems that this "Mob, to which I have so liberally sacrificed, will undoubtedly recompence my most sanguine Expectations; the Resolution of my Conduct is to be echoed back with Applause, whilst you as a devoted Heretick, with consecrated Curses are to be delivered over to the Devil. " For Shame, Sir, recall these Words, as indecent and unwarranted. I observe you are very fond, at every Turn, of sounding in our Ears the Word Heretick ; have I ever used it? May not I disapprove of a Gentleman's religious Principles, especially, if he will propagate them, so far as to think him an improper Person 
 duct should alter, without branding him with an opprobrious Name, to which you affix the Ideas of Fire, Fagot, &c. By the Bye, I should suppose you can have no very dreadful Apprehensions of the Devil, since you can so easily prove his Non-Existence. I have very truly and plainly declared the sole Motives and Views of my Conduct; beyond which I never indulged a Wish, unless it was that you might see and be convinced of your Error. You say, "it is not for me to impute to you the Propagation of Heresies, which Numbers would not have heard of but from me and my Friends." But, I beseech you, Sir, how did I propagate them? As a Vestryman, urged by the Duty I owed the Parish, and by this solely, I objected to you for Reasons, which you compelled me to publish to the World; otherwise they might, for me, have been confined to the Steeple of Bruton . You have repeatedly charged me with being actuated by private Pique, Envy, Malice; and what not? I have as often denied it, and called upon you to shew a probable Ground for such Accusations. I envy you nothing; and never had the smallest Difference with you, that I can recollect, except upon this Occasion. I know you were displeased at my refusing to vote for you, upon the first Vacancy of our Parish; this occasioned a Coolness on your Part, which I disregarded, and, as Mr. Henley, would willingly have lived with you on the usual Terms of Civility, though I must acknowledge that I could not continue to respect you as a Minister of our Church. Too much is it to be feared that "the Infidel will smile at this Dispute, and gather fresh Laurels to deck the Trophies he hath already won," from those striking Inconsistencies and Prevarications, which, perhaps, with pleasing Triumph, he observes in some Characters. From first to last, Sir, it hath been your Endeavour to divert our Readers from that material Object, which should have been kept in View, as the only Point, that could properly have been drawn into this Debate. This Artifice you have now practised to a greater Extent, than ever. You contend for the Rights of private Judgment, I allow them all, with the utmost Latitude you can reasonably desire. No Man ought to be forced into any particular Church; his Judgment and Choice should be left to him as free as Air. Did you not freely exercise this Right of private Judgment, when you offered yourself a Candidate for the Ministry? "Those sacred Records," which you boast to have "investigated" with all the Accuracy of the profoundest Critick, I should presume must have been sufficiently understood to fix the principal Articles of your Creed, previous to your receiving Holy Orders. Had you entertained any Doubts or Scruples about the Terms of your Admission, you ought to have declined engaging in the Service of our Church; or, if, by the Addition of a few Years laborious Study , your Judgment hath been matured and you think that you have discovered any material Errors in those Doctrines, you had so very solemnly engaged to teach and inculcate, you still have your Liberty and may withdraw to any other Society you better approve. This surely is all fair; but still it is not enough for Mr. Henley. You, as well as some others, with to enjoy a large Share of the Provisions made for our Clergy; but, at the same Time, would claim an Exemption from the Duties of their Office. 
 In viewing the argumentative Parts of your Work, I find there is such a Versatility in your Method of reasoning, if it can with Propriety be called so, that it is difficult to know how to fix you to a Point. Such of the Doctrines of our Church, as you are pleased to question, you oppose by mutilating and perverting certain Texts of Scripture, and justify yourself under the Rights of private Judgment and what you call an Exercise of your "best Reason;" on the contrary, when you think fit to dispute other Points of Doctrine, which, tho' throughout the whole Scriptures are taken for granted , and which, because of their Admission by the general Consent of Mankind, our Church thought it unnecessary to make express Parts of her Articles, you then fly to these very Articles, as a Criterion, by which you profess yourself willing to be judged; and here you triumph with an affected Willingness to appeal to the Scriptures, though it is evident that, as to these particular Topics, you rely chiefly, if not solely, on the Articles themselves. These you, no Doubt, consider as secure and excellent Subterfuges; it shall be my Business, in the first Place, to endeavour to draw you out of them. 
 That you have publicly questioned the Authority, by which our Church and its several Ordinances were established, I think was clearly proved in my Observations on some of your former Publications, particularly your printed Sermon on “ The distinct Claims of Government and Religion. ” That you have done the same Thing in your Pamphlet is evident; else, what can mean those long Quotations from the different RETAILERS of Passages from the immortal Gillingworth , Bishop Headley and the present Bishop of Oxford ; all of which, especially the last, are very far, according to my Conceptions, from being Authorities in your Favour. Both you and your Friend have said a great Deal about the glorious Reformation, without seeming to attend to the peculiar Advantages, we have derived from it. What were they but a Deliverance from Popish Superstitions and the Tyranny of a Church, which had presumptuously assumed a Power of lording it over Men’s Consciences, in Virtue of that Infallibility, which she had exclusively arrogated to herself? And can you be so blind as not to see clearly how much we are indebted to our Establishment for securing us against those numberless Mischiefs of Popery? I will most chearfully agree with you in what you call “the chief Corner Stone of all Protestant Churches,” namely, “that Jesus Christ hath by his Gospel called all Men unto Liberty, the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, and restored them to the Privilege of working out their own Salvation by their own Understandings and Endeavours.” The several Protestant Churches you must allow grew out of the Reformation, and, I think, you cannot deny but that it was necessary, for preserving Decency and Order, to establish certain Regulations in each of those Churches. Though all Men had a Right to judge for themselves, yet few, in Comparison, were capable of doing it with Propriety, without proper Instructors and Teachers. Amidst the Variety of Sectaries, which sprung up in the World, it was judged prudent and necessary by our Forefathers to establish one uniform Mode of Worship and to fix the principal leading Articles of Faith. How was this to be done? Not, I own, by the cunning Devices of Man’s Wisdom, but from the Holy Scriptures and from them alone; so that the “Bible” I say “the Bible” only was the Religion of the Church of England. “The Church of England,” saith the Bishop of Oxford, according to your Quotation, “protesteth to found all her Doctrines upon the Holy Scriptures alone; so that, whatever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not required of any Man that it should be believed, as an Article of Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to Salvation; and her Ministers act agreeable to this Principle; they do not affect a Dominion over the Laity; they do not pretend to lord it over God’s Heritage; to dictate Doctrines, to which the People are bound to give an implicit Assent; or Precepts, to which they are to yield a blind Submission; they send you to the Law and to the Testimony; they exhort you to search the Holy Scriptures, which lie open before you, and to make a diligent and impartial Inquiry into the Truth of what they themselves deliver; to see with your own Eyes and to judge with your own Understandings.” I have repeated the Passage, at large, as well because you strenuously rely upon it, as because I am very willing that the learned Bishop’s Opinion should decide this Part of the Controversy. From hence it is evident that our Church doth not presume to impose any Doctrines; she even recommends none, but such as may be proved by Scripture. Reason, as well as a proper Regard to their greatest Interest, demands of the Laity, of whom you must allow the Bulk are little capable to judge for themselves in Matters of Difficulty, that they should pay a due Respect and Deference to the Opinions and Instructions of their spiritual Teachers, though they are, by no Means, obliged to yield a blind Submission to them. But how is it with the Ministers them- 
selves and what Obligations are they under? They were by no Means obliged to enter into the Service of the Church; but are cautioned against it, unless upon a thorough Conviction; the good Bishop must be considered as taking it for granted that they have received this Conviction; and therefore, as their Duty requires, teach and inculcate the Doctrines of the Church, as they have received them from sacred Writ. Can you, Sir, in your cooler Moments of Reflection, help admiring the Candour and Wisdom of the Church in this whole Procedure? If these long Quotations are not enough, you next command my Attention "to what the Church herself hath declared;" but, to what Purpose, unless to prove that the Church, at the same Time that she required your Subscription to her Articles, previous to your Ordination, designed to invest you with a Power of absolving yourself from that Subscription and rendering all the Articles nugatory and of no Effect? I will venture, Sir, to pronounce that there is not a Jesuit or Sectarist in the whole World, who might not, with a safe and quiet Conscience, subscribe the Articles of our Church upon the Terms, you must have done, if you are serious in your Manner of arguing. I could venture to subscribe almost any Thing with the like mental Reservations. Establish but your Doctrine upon a firm and permanent Foundation; then return to your own Country and I will be Security that you will be received with open Arms by Dissenters and Sectarists of every Denomination; Applications to Parliament to be relieved from Subscriptions will be unnecessary, and perhaps you will have a much better Provision made for you, than this Country can afford. The plain Inference you make from the three Articles you have quoted appears to be this; that, if any of the other Articles contain Things contrary to the Constitution, which you, in your private Opinion, put upon certain Passages of Scripture, you are not bound by them, but by these Articles are set at Liberty. Let us view them in the Order of your Arrangement.
The first that occurs is the 6th, "Holy Scripture, it affirms, contain- "eth all Things necessary to Salvation; so that whatsoever is not read "therein and may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any Man "to be believed, as an Article of the Faith or be thought requisite or ne- "cessary to Salvation." Had you quoted this whole Article and menti- oned the Design of it, a Comment would have been unnecessary. The Church had in the preceding Articles pronounced her Creed and esta- blished the grand Pillars of her Faith; you must remember, Sir, that there had been Disputes in the World about certain Tenets, which had nothing for their Support, except mere Traditions of Men; you must also recol- lect, that Disputes had been agitated, as to what Books were truly cano- nical and what not; the Church therefore, to shew that she rejected all Sorts of Traditions and relied solely on the Holy Scriptures for the Arti- cles of her Faith, and at the same Time, to fix what she judged to be the true Canon of Scripture, adopted this Article; which is evident from the Words following your Quotation; "in the Name of the Holy Scriptures "we do understand those canonical Books of the old and new Testament, "of whose Authority was never any Doubt in the Church," such as Genesis, Exodus, &c. The 20th and 21st Articles will serve your Pur- pose just as much as the 6th; they appear chiefly to be levelled at the Church of Rome; one Passage of the 20th is worth your particular At- tention, which I shall take Occasion to observe upon hereafter. "Neither "may it, that is, the Church, so explain one Place of Scripture so that it "be repugnant to another." When you subscribed these three Articles, did you not give your entire "Assent and Consent" to all the rest, with- out which you could not have been admitted as a Minister of our Church? Next succeeds your Quotation from the Office "for the ordering of "Priests." May I venture, without being thought too presumptuous, to look into this Office and examine it a little? Here I shall find that, according to your Custom, you have overlooked some material Parts, which I take the Liberty of transcribing.
 The first Question put by the Bishop is, "Do you think in your Heart that you are truly called, according to the Will of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Order of this Church of England, to the Order and Ministry of Priesthood?" Answer, "I think it;" then follow the second Question and Answer, as you have quoted them. The third Question is "Will you give your faithful Diligence always so to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments and the Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded, and as this Church and Realm hath received the same, &c." Answer, "I will so do by the Help of the Lord." A material Part of the next Question is, "Will you be ready with all faithful Diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange Doctrines contrary to God's Word, &c." Answer, "I will, the Lord being my Helper." Before this Ceremony you must have subscribed the Articles of the Church, which both the Bishop and you must have had in Contemplation, when he spoke of the "Order of the Church of England and what this Church and Realm had received." You both must likewise have alluded to what was contained in the Articles, when you engaged to "banish and drive away all erroneous and strange Doctrines." What now is the Question that you have laboured to establish by these Authorities, as you are pleased to call them, except that you, and consequently every other Minister of our Church, have a Right to oppugn and explain away all or any of her Doctrines, if they do not coincide with your private Opinions, notwithstanding the most solemn Engagements to the contrary. But it seems "the Question they are brought to establish is a Plea that you stand not in Need of;" why then, I pray, did you produce them? Had you considered the Consequence of allowing all our Clergy, some, perhaps, with but a moderate Share of your profound Erudition and great Depths in Divinity, to broach and inculcate their own Conjectures in Cases of the last Importance, and this, in express Contradiction to the Church, whose immediate Ministers they are? Should they fall into any material Errors, you may not be always at Hand to correct them; or can you seriously think it more safe for the Generality of Men to be influenced by your carping at Words and torturing the plainest Texts of Scripture, than to listen to the Church, by whose Wisdom the Articles of our Faith were established upon the surest and most sacred Foundations? If we admit the Authority you assume and set every One at large, what will become of that Uniformity, that Decency of good Order, which you undertook to maintain? Instead of this, we should have a mere Babel of Religious introduced into our Church. But it seems to be enough with you, that while Men reason it is no Matter whether they reason right or wrong; "let them but reason; afford us Light and in that Light let us perish;" of these Positions your own Example furnishes an admirable Illustration. Will you be obliging enough to tell the World what you mean by wrong Reasoning ? That Fallacies in Argument, especially when decorated with the brilliant Ornaments of Language, too often carry with them, in the Eyes of the Illiterate and Ignorant, some Semblance of Reason, I will not deny; but is this reasoning in the Sense, that you, assisted with all the dialectick Powers , ought to represent it? That "Superstition Arrogance and Hypocrisy" too often assume the sacred Garb of Religion, is much to be lamented; but whoever pretended that this was true Religion? According to your Doctrine, we may safely follow any Kind of Light, every Ignis fatuus , since this will afford us some Sort of "Light," till we are drawn into a Quagmire and sink up to our Chins; we may, with the utmost Security, take every wrong Reasoner for our Guide, even though he may lead us to Perdition. This is not the first Time you have broached a Doctrine of pretty much the same Complexion. In your printed Sermon you told us that "the more any Community abounds with Persons, whose Sentiments are the Efflux of Sincerity and Devotion, aljud as those Sentiments might be, the better that Community would become. " But did you, at the Time of penning that Sermon, or upon the present Occasion, consider the Tendency of this " exivick Faith "? I have been taught that it is one of the greatest " Defiderata " that Mankind should be rescued, and saved from Error, as much as possible, both on a civil and religious 

Account. Be pleased to reflect how many Evils have flowed in upon the World, partly through the Ignorance of some and for Want of proper Attention and due Consideration in others; this is not likely to be corrected by that Supineness, Indifference and Self-sufficiency , which you repeatedly recommend. I will admit the warmest Enthusiast, the most inveterate Bigot in Error to be sincere; that he thinks he sees the true Light; and persuades himself that he reasons; it is to be feared that some of the most abominable Deeds have been committed by those, who thought they did God Service, and were even zealous in so doing; can Men of this Stamp be useful either in a civil or religious Society? Or is there any Prospect of their Amendment upon your Principles? Multiply them to your Extent; let them abound more and more and tell me what will be the Consequence. Of the Dissenters in this Country, you must allow some to be of a strange Turn; the chief Cause of their Increase is much to be lamented by the true Friends of our Establishment; I believe they are sincere, they think that they reason; that they are in the right Way; and God forbid that they should meet with any Kind of Persecution from us. What, in this Situation, have we a Right to expect of our Clergy, but that they reason with and exhort them upon proper Grounds; to speak to them in your Language is, according to my Ideas, to recommend Perseverance in Error. It is much to be wished that all Mankind would drink largely at the pure Fountain of Benevolence (you may call it the "pure Well-Head," if you please) and that none of us would think or speak of our Neighbours, but with Charity; this with me is a fine qua non in Religion; but is it sufficient to instruct the Ignorant and reclaim Men from an erroneous to the true Faith? According to what seem to be your Notions, founded on a Scrap of Latin said to be taken from Tacitus, our Church hath committed an egregious Blunder in recommending those Means for preserving Decency and Uniformity within her own Pale, which are most likely to render her desolate.
Having thus far attempted to remove those Prejudices, which you have laboured to excite, and endeavoured to beat down that grand Fortress, in which you have exerted the boldest Efforts to intrench yourself, I should now proceed to take a View of some other Parts of your Work, which appear to me just as harmless , as they are candid and ingenuous ; but, to avoid too great a Trespass at once upon your own and the Reader's Patience, for the present, I take Leave, proposing to pay my father Respects, when Health and Leisure will permit.
I am with as much Truth and Sincerity, as you can expect me to be, Reverend Sir, Your most obedient, and most humble Servant, R. O. C. NICHOLAS.
To Mess. PURDIE & DIXON. By inserting the following in your useful Paper, you will oblige a Number of your Readers.
IN two late Papers of Mrs. Rind's, I perused with Satisfaction the Productions of Iatrus. His Wishes seem pointed towards a MEDICAL COLLEGE, the Expediency of which, in a Colony so flourishing as this, is obvious to every thinking Mind. Among the Number of Advantages attending such an Institution, that of discouraging ignorant Pretenders to Medicine would not be the least. The Practice of Physick, in such Hands, calls aloud for the Legislative Attention; nor would it be possible to prevent this Evil any other Way than by making the Recovery of their Fees precarious. Interest is their prevailing Motive. Take away the Prospect of Gain, their mischievous Talents are destroyed on the Instant. I would suppose it impracticable to form a Law to prevent Individuals from employing whom they please; but such a one as I have already hinted at would, I fancy, have an exceeding good Effect. For Instance, "Let it be put out of the Power of any Person practicing Physick in this Colony to recover their Fees, by Course of Law, unless properly qualified for the Business." It is the Opinion of many, who with well to Mankind, that this Measure would be exceedingly salutary. I am not ambitious of appearing in publick, but the Duty I owe to Society induces me to offer a few Hints on a Matter of so much Importance to the Community, of which I am a Member.
I am told there is a Person in Louisa, infinitely more bold and daring in the Exhibition of Medicine than the Genius of Caroline celebrated by Iatrus, with an Understanding vastly below the Level of Mankind, and a Study of not more than two Months under a Country Practitioner, who has set himself up as a Physician, and strikes, indiscriminately, at every Disorder incident to the human Frame—Gout, Rheumatism, Dropsy. These are his favourite Diseases, either of which he undertakes to cure with the most consummate Assurance, and never failing to flatter his Patients with a Certainty of Success, until Death, in Compassion to their Sufferings, snatches them from his Clutches. I beg Leave to recite one Anecdote whereby the World may judge of his Abilities. Not long since one of his Neighbours had a valuable Wench, on many Parts of whose Body grew a Number of Excrescencies, commonly called Wens. Her Master was somewhat uneasy about them, and applied to the Doctor for his Advice. He proposed Extirpation, as the most eligible Method of Cure. Accordingly he prepares his Instruments, Dressings, &c. &c. and at length proceeded to Business. After cutting off several, with some Success, he was emboldened to attempt another, of a larger Size, on some Part of her Neck. But mark the Catastrophe! an unlucky Artery, which the Doctor never dreamed of, sheltered itself behind the Wen, and in cutting rather too deep he made an Acquaintance with it not much to the Advantage of the Patient. She bled amazingly, nor were all the Stypticks in his Shop of any Avail, the Blood continuing to rush out at the Orifice. By Turns he raved, sung, capered, cursed his hard Fortune, and, quitting the Bistory in Despair, left the Victim to her own Fate. In a few Hours, she expired.
This Feat, for some Time, checked the Ardour of his chirurgial Pursuits; but he still keeps on in the more gentle Walk of Medicine, and when he chances to lose a Patient (which by the Bye is pretty often the Case) he consoles himself with having discharged his Conscience, that he did the best he could, and laments that the Medicine he gave had not a more salutary Effect. Shocking Consolation, indeed! But we will take Leave of him for the present.
Should the Wishes of Iatrus, with Regard to a Medical Institution, prove abortive, or should these Hints, in which I am joined perhaps by two Thirds of the Colony, prove of no Avail, there is still another Method, which, if followed, would tend in some Measure to reform the present Practice of Physick in this Country; I mean that of forming MEDICAL SOCIETIES. Those who, from a Consciousness of their Inferiority in the Art of Medicine, did not choose to become Members, would at least lie under such a Stigma as would deter Gentlemen of tolerable Understandings from employing them. Their Example would most probably be followed by those of the meaner Sort, and thus, in the End, prove of infinite Service to the Community in general. Should this ever be the Case, we shall probably see some of our highest physical Characters returning to their old Trades of Barber-Surgeons, Blacksmiths, Joiners, &c. &c. &c. That it ever may be the Case, is very warmly the Wish of CLEOMENES.
P. G. April 26, 1774.
Mr. PURDIE. AS there is no Inconvenience which seems to be a more universally complained of in this Country than the Want of proper Education for our Youth, certainly no Improvement or Regulation ought more immediately to demand our Attention; for, as Education forms the Minds of Men, it is a Duty incumbent on every Person, who either wishes well to his Country or Family, to contribute every Thing in his Power which can add to the Instruction of his Children, because on their Well-doing will depend the Happiness and Success of the succeeding Generation. It is confessed, on all Hands, that we have not either a sufficient Number, or proper Kinds, of Seminaries for the Education of Youth. We have no publick Schools, nor any Thing which can justly bear the Title of a Seminary, except the College of William and Mary; and even that, upon its first Institution, was so injudiciously established as scarce, in any Degree, to answer the Intention of its Founders. The Plan upon which the Charter was granted appears to have been so very contracted and defective, owing perhaps to the Smallness of the Funds appropriated at that Time for its Maintenance,
that it becomes the Duty of the present Age to rectify every Inconvenience which our Ancestors may have laboured under, either from the Want of sufficient Funds or Information. The Wealth and Populousness of this Country have increased so prodigiously, since the Foundation of the College, that I think a Neglect of such general Benefits as proper Seminaries, amply endowed, becomes highly criminal, especially when it is so very obvious that our Circumstances will fully enable us to make every Improvement, which, upon a full and candid Examination, may be found requisite. The Charter of the present College, being, as I said before, granted upon too contracted a Plan, it must of Course become necessary to apply for a new one, upon a more liberal and enlarged Bottom. I could wish to have it converted entirely into an University, upon exactly the same Principles as Oxford and Cambridge, where the Youth should be admitted after they had obtained a classical Education elsewhere. Fellowships, Professorships, and Scholarships, might be erected for young Gentlemen from a publick Grammar School, which would be comfortable Retreats for Men of Science, where they might pursue their Studies with Ease and Independence. The Fellows would act as private Tutors to young Gentlemen, upon their Entrance into the University, for very moderate Compensations; which, with the Revenues arising from the College, would afford them a comfortable Support, until they should think proper to remove to other Employments in Life. Those Vacancies might readily be supplied, by the most able of the Scholars, and the Number of such Scholars filled up from the publick Grammar School, which I would recommend the Establishment of in some principal Town, as Fredericksburg, upon nearly the same Plan as Eton or Westminster, where Youth might be commodiously boarded and provided for, and when properly qualified sent to the University; and Persons of the smallest Prospects and Fortunes, only, should be admitted on the Foundation of this School. I should hope that the supposed Expense might not alarm, or prevent the Legislative Body from adopting some Scheme of this Kind. I myself was educated in publick, and think I can form a tolerable Conjecture as to the Disbursements immediately necessary on this Occasion; and, from the Calculation I have made, I believe I am not mistaken when I assert that 5000l. per Annum will fully answer every Purpose. For, in the Scheme I have projected, I do not suppose any Persons are to be educated at the publick Expense but such as, by the Narrowness of their Fortunes, are absolutely unable to maintain themselves. Nor can, I think, any reasonable Objection be made; because, from what I have been told, by many Gentlemen who have an Opportunity of being well acquainted with the Revenues of the present College, I am induced to believe they will be nearly adequate to the Purposes proposed: For that Table which, I am informed, is now so burthensome, would be applied to the Support of the Members on the Foundation; and the young Gentlemen, whose Parents should approve of those Places of Education, would be maintained in the same Manner as Youth are maintained in the Seminaries in England. Thus, for the trifling Sum of 5000l. per Annum (for trifling it certainly is in Comparison either with the Wealth or Extent of this Country) we should have it in our Power to educate our Children to Advantage: We should avoid the certain Expense of foreign Education, and by frequently seeing them be able to judge what Employments in Life might be best adapted to their respective Dispositions: Our Youth, by living at the University, would be under decent and manly Restrictions; and, residing in our Metropolis, would become gradually introduced into Life; and, instead of roving about in Idleness and Dissipation, would find their Residence in the University honourable, where they would be considered as young Men, and treated with a Respect and Distinction unknown in the present College. In short, the Advantages arising from a Plan of this Sort are so numerous, and obvious, that it is unnecessary to urge it any farther. I have, Mr. PURDIE, through the Channel of your Paper, delivered my Thoughts on this Subject, in Hopes that the Legislative Body, and Visitors of William and Mary College, will co-operate in their Endeavours to make such Establishments as in their Wisdom they shall think will most effectually promote that great publick Blessing, THE INSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF OUR YOUTH. B. R.
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE EXTRAORDINARY. DANTZICK, September 5.
WE have long wondered here at the Supineness of the English Nation under the Prussian Impositions upon its Trade entering OUR Port. WE did not, till lately, know the Claims, ancient and modern, that hang over that Nation, and therefore could not suspect that it might submit to those Impositions from a Sense of Duty, or from Principles of Equity. The following Edict, just made publick, may, if serious, throw some Light upon this Matter.
"Frederick, by the Grace of God, King of Prussia, &c. &c. &c. to all present and to come, Health. The Peace now enjoyed throughout our Dominions having afforded US Leisure to apply OUR-SELVES to the Regulation of Commerce, the Improvement of OUR Finances, and at the same Time the easing OUR domestick Subjects in their Taxes: For these Causes, and other good Considerations US thereunto moving, WE hereby make known, that/ after having deliberated these Affairs in OUR Council, present OUR dear Brothers, and other great Officers of the State, Members of the same, WE, of OUR certain Knowledge, full Power, and Authority Royal, have made and issued this present Edict, viz. "Whereas it is well known to all the World that the first German Settlements made in the Island of Britain were by Colonies of People Subjects to OUR renowned Ducal Ancestors, and drawn from their Dominions under the Conduct of Hengist, Horsa, Hella, Uffa, Cerdic, Ida, and others, and that the said Colonies have flourished under the Protection of OUR august House for Ages past, have never been
emancipated therefrom, and yet have hitherto yielded little Profit to the same; and whereas WE OURSELVES have in the last War, fought for and defended the said Colonies against the Power of France, and thereby enabled them to make Conquests from the said Power in America, for which WE have not yet received adequate Compensation; and whereas it is just and expedient that a Revenue should be raised from the said Colonies in Britain towards OUR indemnification, and that those who are Descendants of OUR ancient Subjects, and thence still owe US due Obedience, should contribute to the replenishing of OUR Royal Coffers, as they must have done had their Ancestors remained in the Territories now to US appertaining: WE do therefore hereby ordain, and command, that, from and after the Date of these Presents, there shall be levied and paid to OUR Officers of the Customs, on all Goods, Wares, and Merchandises, and on all Grain and other Produce of the Earth exported from the said Island of Britain, and on all Goods of whatever Kind imported into the same, a Duty of 4 1/2 per Cent. ad Valorem, for the Use of US and OUR Successors. And that the said Duty may more effectually be collected, WE do hereby ordain, that all Ships or Vessels bound from Great Britain to any other Part of the World, or from any other Part of the World to Great Britain, shall, in their respective Voyages, touch at OUR Port of Konigsberg, there to be unladed, searched, and charged with the said Duties.
"And whereas there have been, from Time to Time, discovered in the said Island of Great Britain, by OUR Colonists there, many Mines or Beds of Iron Stone, and sundry Subjects of OUR ancient Dominion, skilful in converting the said Stone into Metal, have in Times past transported themselves thither, carrying with them and communicating that Art, and the Inhabitants of the said Island, presuming that they had a natural Right to make the best Use they could of the natural Productions of their Country for their own Benefit, have not only built Furnaces for smelting the said Stone into Iron, but have erected Plating Forges, Slitting Mills, and Steel Furnaces, for the more convenient manufacturing of the same, thereby endangering a Diminution of the said Manufacture in OUR ancient Dominion: WE do therefore hereby farther ordain, that, from and after the Date hereof, no Mill, or other Engine for slitting or rolling of Iron, or any Plating Forge to work with a Tilt Hammer, or any Furnace for making Steel, shall be erected or continued in the said Island of Great Britain; and the Lord Lieutenant of every County in the said Island is hereby commanded, on Information of any such Erection within his County, to order, and by Force to cause, the same to be abated and destroyed, as he shall answer the Neglect thereof to US at his Peril. But WE are, nevertheless, graciously pleased to permit the Inhabitants of the said Island to transport their Iron into Prussia, there to be manufactured, and to them returned, they paying OUR Prussian Subjects for the Workmanship, with all the Costs of Commission, Freight, and Risk coming and returning, any Thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
"We do not, however, think fit to extend this our Indulgence to the Article of Wool; but meaning to encourage not only the manufacturing of Woollen Cloth, but also the raising of Wool in OUR ancient Dominions, and to prevent both, as much as may be, in OUR said Island, WE do hereby absolutely forbid the Transportation of Wool from thence, even to the Mother Country, Prussia; and that those Islanders may be farther and more effectually restrained in making any Advantage of their own Wool in the Way of Manufacture, WE command that none shall be carried out of one County into another, nor shall any Worsted Bay, or Woollen Yarn, Cloth, Says, Bays, Kersays, Serges, Friezes, Droggets, Cloth Serges, Shalloons, or any other Drapery Stuff or Woollen Manufactures whatsoever, made up or mixed with Wool in any of the said Counties, be carried into any other County, or be Water-born even across the smallest River or Creek, on Penalty of Forfeiture of the same, together with the Boats, Carriages, Horses, &c. that shall be employed in removing them. Nevertheless, OUR loving Subjects there are hereby permitted (if they think proper) to use all their Wool as Manure for the Improvement of their Lands.
"And whereas the Art and Mystery of making Hats is arrived at great Perfection in Prussia, and the making of Hats by OUR remote Subjects ought to be as much as possible restrained; and forasmuch as the Islanders before-mentioned, being in Possession of Wool, Beavers, and other Furs, have presumptuously conceived they had a Right to make some Advantage thereof, by manufacturing the same into Hats, to the Prejudice of OUR domestick Manufacture, WE do therefore hereby strictly command, and ordain, that no Hats or Felts whatsoever, dyed or undyed, finished or unfinished, shall be loaded or put into or upon any Vessel, Cart, Carriage, or Horse, to be transported or conveyed out of one County in the said Island into another County, or to any other Place whatsoever, by any Person or Persons whatsoever, on Pain of forfeiting the same, with a Penalty of 500l. Sterling for every Offence. Nor shall any Hatmaker in any of the said Counties employ more than two Apprentices, on Penalty of 50l. Sterling per Month; WE intending hereby that such Hatmakers, being so restrained both in the Production and Sale of their Commodity, may find no Advantage in continuing their Business. But lest the said Islanders should suffer Inconvenience by the Want of Hats, WE are farther graciously pleased to permit them to send their Beaver Furs to Prussia; and WE also permit Hats made thereof to be exported from Prussia to Britain, the People thus favoured to pay all Costs and Charges of manufacturing, Interest, Commission to OUR Merchants, Ensurage, and Freight going and returning, as in the Case of Iron.
"And lastly, being willing farther to favour OUR said Colonies in Britain, WE do hereby also ordain and command, that all the Thieves, Highway and Street Robbers, House Breakers, Forgers, Murderers, Sodomites, and Villains of every Denomination, who have forfeited their Lives to the Law in Prussia, but whom WE, in OUR great Clemency, do not think fit here to hang, shall be emptied out of OUR Jails into the said Island of Great Britain, for the better peopling of that Country.
"We flatter OURSELVES that these OUR Royal Regulations and Commands will be thought just and reasonable by OUR much favoured Colonists in England, the said Regulations being copied from their own Statutes of 10th and 11th of William III. Ch. 10, 11th George II. Ch. 23, 23rd George II. Ch. 29, 4th George I. Ch. 11, and from other equitable Laws made by their Parliaments, or from Instructions given by their Princes, or from Resolutions of both Houses entered into for the good Government of their own Colonies in Ireland and America. And all Persons in the said Island are hereby cautioned not to oppose, in any Wise, the Execution of this OUR Edict, or any Part thereof, such Opposition being High Treason, of which all who are suspected shall be transported in Fetters from Britain to Prussia, there to be tried and executed according to the Prussian Law. Such is OUR Pleasure. Given at Potsdam, this 25th Day of the Month of August, 1773, and in the 33rd Year of OUR Reign. By the King, in his Council. RECHTMESSIG, Secretary."
Some take this Edict to be merely one of the King's Jeu d'Esprit ; others suppose it serious, and that he means a Quarrel with England. But all here think the Assertion it concludes with, "that these Regulations are copied from Acts of the English Parliament respecting their Colonies," a very injudicious One; it being impossible to believe that a People distinguished for their Love of Liberty, a Nation so wise, so liberal in its Sentiments, so just and equitable towards its Neighbours, should, from mean and injudicious Views of petty immediate Profit, treat its own Children in a Manner so arbitrary and tyrannical!
REVENGE hateful to GENEROUS SOULS.
NOTHING more distinguishes a great and noble Soul than the regarding Injuries with Contempt, and despising every Opportunity for Revenge. A generous Mind will ever find more Pleasure in forgiving than resenting Ingratitude. The ungrateful Man, who is made sensible of his Error by Reason and Kindness, is doubly conquered; for he is then deprived not only of the Ability, but even of the Will, to be farther hurtful, and he sinks into himself with Shame and Confusion. I was led into these Reflections from the following Passage in a celebrated French Historian, and, though it may not be new to many of your learned Readers, yet I shall venture to trouble you with it in English, as I presume it will not be unacceptable to the many who have not read it.
Demetrius Poliorcetes, who had been of infinite Service to the Athenian People, on his Departure to conduct the War, submitted to them the Care of his Wife and Children. Unfortunately, he lost the Battle, and was obliged to seek Safety in Flight. He determined, as the most prudent Method, to take Refuge among his good Friends the Athenians; but those ungrateful People refused to receive him, and even sent to him his Wife and Children, pretending there could be little Security for them in Athens, from whence the Enemy would soon be in a Condition to take them.
The Behaviour pierced Demetrius to the Heart; for nothing so sensibly affects generous Souls as the Ingratitude of Friends, made such by repeated Acts of Kindness and Generosity.

Some Time after, when Fortune had given a happier Turn to the Fate of his Arms, and placed him at the Head of a powerful Army, he turned his Attention towards Athens, and laid Siege to that City. The Athenians, concluding they had no Mercy to expect from Demetrius, resolved to die Sword in Hand, and published an Edict, declaring it instant Death to those who should propose surrendering to that Prince; but they forgot that they had no Corn in the City, and that they should soon be in Want of Bread.
After having a long Time suffered the most cruel Hunger, the most reasonable of the Besieged declared, as their Opinion, that it was better for Demetrius to kill them at one Stroke than to die a lingering Death by Famine. Perhaps, said they, Demetrius may save our Wives and Children. This Advice prevailed, and the Gates of the City were thrown open to the Conqueror.
Demetrius then ordered that all the married Men should be assembled in some spacious Place, that his Soldiers, Sword in Hand, might surround them. Nothing was then seen in that City but Horror and Confusion; Wives embracing their Husbands, Children their Fathers, and taking the last Farewell of each other.
When they were all assembled, Demetrius, who was placed on an Eminence, reproached them for their Ingratitude in the severest Terms, and could not restrain himself from Tears. The Multitude kept Silence, expecting every Moment he would order the Soldiers to massacre them; but how great was their Astonishment when they heard the good Prince say, "My Design is to convince you of your Ingratitude towards me; it was not to an Enemy you refused Assistance, but to a Prince who loved you, who loves you still, and who seeks no other Revenge but in pardoning you and making you happy. Go each of you home; while you have been standing here, my Soldiers, by my Orders, have furnished your Houses with Corn and Bread."
Notes of Mr. SAMUEL JOHNSON'S Tour to SCOTLAND and the WESTERN ISLES.
BEING asked how he liked his Entertainment in the Highlands, he said, "the Sauce to every Thing was the Benevolence of the Inhabitants, which cannot be too much commended; I love the People better than their Country."
He was a Week at the Seat of the Laird of M'Leod, in the Isle of Sky. This young Chieftain is not yet one and twenty, but is an Honour to his Country, by his generous Regard for his People; he stops their emigrating to America, by which, while he preserves the Consequence of his own Family, he does an essential Service to the State, by keeping so many brave Men at home for its Defence. Mr. Johnson said, "he never met with a Man who, at his Age, had advanced his Understanding so much, who had more Desire to learn, or who had learned more."
In the Island of Rasay, he found the Laird of that Island a most agreeable and hospitable Gentleman, with a Family of three Sons, and ten Daughters, all by one Lady. He said that he here saw a patriarchal Scene, just what he had come to see.
When he was at St. Andrew's, somebody happened to ask where John Knox was buried. Mr. Johnson, whose High Church Principles are well known, and who never disguises them, said, "I hope in the Highway. I have been seeing some of the Effects of his Reformation."
He went to see Hawthornden, where his Name sake, Ben Johnson, visited the ingenious Mr. Drummond. He saw the Place by Moonlight, and the Caves by Candle Light.
When in the Isle of Sky, he paid a Visit to the celebrated Lady so well known by the Name of Miss Flora Macdonald, whose heroic Adventures in 1745 have rendered her Fame immortal with the Generous of all Parties. She is now the Wife of Mr. Macdonald of Kingsburgh, at whose House Mr. Johnson stayed a Night.
He was at great Pains to inquire into the Authenticity of the Poems published to the World as the Works of Ossian, an ancient Highland Bard; but it is said, that he is confirmed in his Disbelief.
These few Notes we have offered to our Readers as a Wet , before the instructive and entertaining Account of this extraordinary Expedition of Mr. Johnson, which is impatiently expected from that admirable Writer.
B O S T O N, April 18.
Extract of a Letter from St. Croix, March 14, 1774. TO complete the Ruin of this Island, we have a Stamp Act, which has just taken Place, and is perhaps the most oppressive Order ever imposed, even in oppressive Governments. Every Man in common Business is obliged to use Stamp Paper: A running Account is forfeited if on common Paper, and the Party rendering it severely fined; Receipts are not valid unless stamped; Paper for Obligations are excessive high, some Sheets costing 200 Pieces of Eight; a Sheet for a Bill of Sale is four Pieces of Eight, for an Account four Ryals. At this Rate, the Country will soon lose all the English Inhabitants; for no true Englishman will ever live under such Oppression. These Stamps are not all we are to expect; a few Months will convince us that the Expenses of that Kind of Paper will be trivial to other Burthens and Taxes we shall be made to pay, such as a heavy Poll Tax on the white People. All Dry Goods are, and must, be stamped, and such as are not are forfeited; also an additional Duty on Produce is expected. These are great Hardships on the Continent, as well as us here; and I do not know what Way to bring our Tyrants to Reason, but by your withholding your Trade from us one Year. I believe the Inhabitants would suffer a temporary Inconvenience for a lasting Establishment, on a good Footing; for by a Stagnation of Trade from America, even for a few Months, little or no Money would go into the King's Treasury, and then our Governor would see the Dependence of this Island was on the Continent both for the Means of Subsistence and Money."
Captain Kennedy, arrived at New York in 43 Day from Madeira, informs, that a Brig belonging to Liverpool, bound for the Coast of Africa, late commanded by Captain Spencer, arrived at that Island a few Days before he failed, and that the People on Board gave the following Account, viz. That in the Month of February the Boatswain and Part of the Crew had formed a Plan to run away with the Vessel; to effect which, in the Night, the Watch upon Deck went below and murdered the Captain, chief Mate, and Carpenter, and threw them overboard, when the Command was taken by the Boatswain, who ordered out the Boat with a Number of Hands to look out for Madeira, there being too many on Board to his Mind, the Number 35. But one of the Crew left behind being in the Captain's Interest, and who expected to share the Fate of his Master, soon gave the Boatswain his Quietus with a Hammer, assumed the Command of the Brig, followed the Boat, took out those concerned in the Murder, secured them, and arrived safe at Madeira a few Days after.
We hear that a Whaling Sloop belonging to this Town, and another owned by Mr. Gideon Almy of Tiverton, as they were watering in a Harbour at Hispaniola, were seized by a French Frigate, carried into Port au Prince, and condemned.
PORTSMOUTH, April 15.
THE Establishment of a constitutional Conveyance of Intelligence, publick and private, proposed by Mr. William Goddard of Philadelphia, and so warmly seconded by our Southern Brethren, appears, to the Friends of Freedom in this Capital, as necessary and useful as it is honourable, safe, and practicable. The Letters brought by the above mentioned Gentleman from the Southward, we find, have been received at Boston, &c. with that cordial Satisfaction which Brethren united by common Interest, and common Danger, experience in finding each Part of such combined Interest generously sharing its full Proportion of the common Service; and the Letter from the Boston Committee, to that of this Town, hath met with every possible Mark of respectful Attention. At the last Meeting of our Committee, with the Merchants, Traders, and other Inhabitants of this Town, a Subscription was unanimously agreed upon, similar to one already opened at Boston; and we doubt not, from the glorious Beginning, but it will be soon filled up with the Names of the principal Inhabitants of all Ranks, or their Proxies. Mr. Goddard having been furnished with Letters from the respective Committees of all the Southern Colonies, set out from hence on Wednesday last, via Newbury Port, Salem, and Marblehead, after expressing the respectful and grateful Sentiments he entertained of the patriotic Spirit and Urbanity of those to whom he had the Pleasure of being introduced in this; and it is generally thought he will have such Report to make, of his Doings, and their Success, as will gratify every Friend to the Rights of America.
Precious to Mr. Goddard's Departure, he transmitted his Plan, with a Number of Letters, to the Friends of Liberty at Casco Bay.
We hear that the spirited Inhabitants of Newbury Port have warmly patronized the Plan for establishing a CONSTITUTIONAL POST OFFICE in America. At their last Meeting on the Business, they agreed to raise a Fund sufficient to bring the Mails from Boston to that Place, at least.
PHILADELPHIA, April 25.
Extract of a Letter from LONDON, dated February 2, 1774. FROM the general Spirit of all Ranks of People, the Conduct and Imprudence of the Bostonians is much censured; and, if Fame proves true (which God forbid) coercive Measures are intended. Yesterday the Earl of Buckinghamshire made a Motion in the House of Peers, when the Colonists were declared to be in open Rebellion. A Fleet of fourteen Sail of the Line was proposed to be sent out, to put a Stop to all their Commerce; six of those to be sent to Boston, three to New York, three to your Place, and the other two to be stationed at Halifax, to wait the Admiral's Directions; also 10,000 Land Forces, under the Command of an able General. The Massachusetts Charter to be forfeited; and, as a Stigma on that Province, that all the Ships hereafter must call and discharge their Cargoes in Britain, and reload them before they can proceed to a foreign Market. This Motion was withdrawn till such Time as all Letters and Papers from the different Governors were regularly laid before the House, which it is said is to be done to-morrow. I am sorry to add, that in those forcive Measures not only the Court but the Country Party joins. Such is my Information, which I pray to God may prove false."
Extract of a Letter from LONDON, dated February 18, 1774. "Six Ships of War, and seven Regiments, are ordered for America, with all Expedition; for what Purpose, Time must discover. The Premier is much perplexed, on Account of the Behaviour of the Bostonians; and Great Britain is determined to enforce due Obedience to her Laws, as the Mother Country. The Letters sent to Boston by Dr. Franklin have made much Noise here, and he has been roughly handled by the Ministry for the same; but it is pretty well known, with us, that the said Letters were given by Mr. Whately to the late Honourable George Grenville, at whose Death they fell into the Hands of Lord Temple, who gave them to the Honourable Mr. Fitzherbert, and they were by that Gentleman given to Dr. Franklin."
Extract of a Letter from LONDON, dated February 18, 1774. "Your American Affairs are so much the Subject of Conversation here, that your Letter by Captain Ayres was doubly acceptable. I showed Part of it to some of our East India Folks, who seem a good Deal mortified at the Spirit of the People on your Side, though they affect to treat the Disappointment they have met with very lightly. If I can believe them, it is a ministerial Piece of Business, yet the Ministry say not. However that may be, it comes at such an unlucky Time that it must embarrass them. No less than three Councils are said to be held in one Week in Consequence, and some of the Trumpeters in the House have attempted to found an Alarm; yet, after all, there are many here who applaud your Resolution, though, if the Tea from Boston had been sent back as yours was, you would have had more Advocates here. Notwithstanding all the Threats of the Ministry, it is probable the Whole will vanish in Smoke, for it does not seem probable they will risk any very violent Measures."
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in LONDON, dated February 19. "The ministerial People here are outrageously angry with Dr. Franklin. They took Occasion, when he was attending the Committee of Council with the Petition of the Massachusetts Bay, to set the Solicitor General upon him; who, leaving the Business that was before their Lordships, in a virulent Inuendo of an Hour, filled with Scurrility; abused him personally, to the great Entertainment of 35 Lords of the Privy Council, who had been purposely invited as to a Bull-Baiting. Not one of them had the Sense to reflect on the Impropriety and Indecency of treating, in so ignominious a Manner, a publick Messenger, whose Character in all Nations, savage as well as civilized, used to be deemed sacred, and his Person under publick Protection, even when coming from an Enemy; nor did one of them check the Orator's Extravagance, and recall him to the Point under Consideration, but generally appeared much delighted, chuckling, laughing, and sometimes loudly applauding. I did not before think it possible for any Persons, in their Stations, to behave in a Manner so extremely unbecoming, especially when sitting in a judicial Capacity. I never was in America, but I do not believe that any Judges or Justices of any of your Inferiour Courts, in the back Counties, would have conducted themselves with so little Dignity, or have disgraced themselves so much, as to suffer a Lawyer to treat even a Criminal at their Bar with such Outrage. Luckily, however, for the Doctor, those Actions of his, which they pitched upon to vilify him for, in the Opinion of all good and sensible Men here, were as truly virtuous and good as any which dignify human Nature; the first being an Endeavour to lessen the Resentment of New England towards Great Britain, by convincing that Country that the sending of Troops, and other Measures they complained of, did not take their Rise from an inimical Disposition towards them here, but were originally planned and recommended by some of their own People. This he effected, by returning thither the Governor's Letters. The other was the Doctor's endeavouring to prevent Bloodshed between two private Persons, by avowing publicly that Transaction. Had Administration been really disposed to a Reconciliation with America, they might have made a good Use of the first Discovery, dismissed the two Mischief Makers, reversed the Measures, and restored Harmony between the two Countries; but, instead of thanking him for giving them so good an Opening, they seem ready to crucify him. It was formerly said, Blessed are the Peace Makers, and the saving of a Citizen , among the ancient Romans, was thought to merit particular Honours; but the Morals of our Court, it seems, are different, and the very reverse of those taught by Philosophers and the Gospel. Being, however, satisfied within, the Doctor stood the Abuse extremely well, and felt the Advantage of a good Conscience, which wonderfully supports a Man on such Occasions, beyond what could be imagined, without Trial; and he has had the Satisfaction to find that he has lost no Friends by this Attempt to disgrace him, his House having ever since been filled with Visitors, who come purposely to show their Regard for him, and express their Indignation at the unworthy Treatment he received. Some, who could not come, have written him Letters to the same Purpose. Wedderburne's Speech is printed, to spread the Defamation wider; but being a little ashamed of it, they have left out of it much of the Ribaldry, so that, compared with what it was, it is now a very decent Performance. The Doctor intends, however, before his Departure, I hear, to give it a full Answer. It was with great Reluctance, I am told, that the Postmasters General despatched him from his Office, as they knew his long and faithful Services in that Department; but the Orders they received, from the Ministry, were so positive, that they could not refuse obeying them, without giving great Offence. When People give weak Reasons for strong Resentment, One is apt to suspect they are not the true Reasons; so I fancy, sometimes, that the Doctor's returning those Letters could not be the Foundation of all this Fury, and that possibly the Preface to the Boston Pamphlet, the Prussian Edict, and the Rules for diminishing a great Empire, are suspected to be his, and yet not mentioned, left the Attention of the Publick should be more turned towards those Pieces, which are thought to expose the late Measures too poignantly. Fleets and Troops are talked of to be sent to America, but what they are to do when they come there I am at a Loss to know, except it be to seize Individuals, and send them here to be punished. God give us all a little more Wisdom!" [AMEN.]
The Arrivals in York and James River have furnished us with the following Intelligence.
PETERSBURG, February 11.
IN the few Skirmishes which the advanced Parties of General Bibikow's Army have had with the Rebels, the latter have hitherto been always defeated. The Troops appear so animated against them, that, notwithstanding the strictest Orders to give Quarter to those who are willing to surrender, it has hitherto been impossible to oblige them to do so.
From the DANUBE, February 18. The Turks have made some Movements which seemed to show some intended Enterprise against the Russians this Winter. We learn from Yassy, that from the 18th of last Month the Pacha of Widdin had sent several Detachments into Valachia, who had passed the Aluta, near Krajova; but as the Russians are posted in such a Manner that they can soon assemble in great Numbers, it will be very difficult for Hassan Bey to attempt any Thing against them. What, however, puts a Stop to any Enterprises of the Turks, is, that the Grand Visar and Hassan Bey are declared Enemies to each other, each attributing to himself the Honour of driving the Russians from before Silistria, and constraining them to repass the Danube.
WARSAW, February 19. According to our last Advices from Petersburg, a Person of Distinction, accused of having taken Part in the Rebellion, has been beheaded. General Bibikow, whom the Empress has sent against the Insurgents, finding the Number of Troops under him too small to attempt any Thing against them, who are greatly increased in Number, has demanded a Reinforcement, which is to be immediately sent to him; and some Regiments from the Frontiers of Finland, Livonia, and Poland, are on their March to join him. Another Nation of Tartars has joined the Revolters, who have destroyed the new Establishments at Casan.
L O N D O N, March 3.
THEY write from Ratibon, in Silesia, that an Earthquake happened there in the Night between the 26th and 27th ult. in which the Paul Church, which had stood 500 Years, fell down, and ruined several Houses in the Neighbourhood. The Fortress, on the opposite Shore of the River Oder, was likewise greatly damaged. In the Ball which was fixed upon the Head of the Church Tower an Iron Chest was found sealed up, which was sent to his Russian Majesty.
The present Grand Seignor, it is said, proposes to submit the Differences between the Porte and Russia to the Mediation of Great Britain.
By the last Holland Mail, Advice was received of a dreadful Fire at Geneva, by which the great Church, with many other publick and private Buildings, have been destroyed.
This Day, at twelve o'Clock, the Adelphi Lottery began drawing, at the great Room formerly Jonathan's Coffeehouse, in Exchange Alley; when No. 5599 was drawn a Blank, but, being the first drawn Ticket, is entitled to 5000l.
Advices from Rome, dated February 5th, informs us that Mr. Hamilton hath discovered in the Territory of Civita Lavinia a subterranean Chamber walled, into which an Opening has been made, and eleven remarkable antique Statues were found therein, almost entire.
DIARY of the PROCEEDINGS of the HOUSE of COMMONS. March 7. The Earl of Dartmouth presented to the House of Lords a Message from his Majesty, wherein his Majesty was most graciously pleased to recommend to their most serious Consideration the late Disturbances in America, particularly the unjustifiable Outrages lately committed by the People of Boston; to which most gracious Message an humble Address was immediately moved for, and ordered to be presented to his Majesty by the Lords with white Staves.
Lord Dartmouth likewise presented to the House of Peers several Papers relative to the late Disturbances in America, which were ordered to be taken into Consideration on Thursday se'nnight, and the Lords to be summoned.
This Day Lord North presented a Message from his Majesty to the House of Commons, and desired Leave to bring it up. The Members were all desired to be uncovered, and it was read; setting forth, that of late several unhappy Disturbances had arisen among his Majesty's Subjects in America; that he had ordered such Papers as could give any Information of the Proceedings to be laid before both Houses of Parliament, hoping to have their Assistance in seeing the Laws duly executed. Lord North then presented a Bundle of Papers respecting America, the Heads of which were read over, purporting to be Letters to and from the Massachusetts Bay, Boston, New Hampshire, &c. Letters from Lord Barrington, Lord Hillsborough, Mr. Gray, Cowper, &c.
Mr. R——e moved, that an Address be presented to his Majesty for his great Goodness in ordering his Message and the American Papers to be laid before that House, and to assure his Majesty that his faithful Commons would, without Delay, exert every Means in their Power to see the Laws duly executed in America. He prefaced his Motion with a long Account of the Rise and Progress of the American rebellious Proceedings, and was much for using spirited Measures to bring them to a Compliance.
Lord C——e said, he agreed with the Honourable Gentleman, and hoped he should see this Measure carried through with Unanimity; he should therefore second the Motion.
Mr. D——ll spoke greatly against the Propriety of Measures that had been heretofore adopted; and said, let those wise Heads who brought us into Trouble now extricate us. He was very severe on Administration throughout his whole Speech.
Col. J——gs said, he would object to the Words "every Means," and should move an Amendment, that "proper Means."
Mr. E——is said nearly the same as Mr. R——e, and was for spirited Measures being used.
Mr. E. B——ke desired his Majesty's Speeches from 1763 to 1770, and the Answers, might be read, all which tended to America; and the last Answer was nearly the same as the present Address proposed, setting forth, that his faithful Commons would, without Delay, exert every Means, &c. He said he had looked carefully over the Journals, and could not find one Measure that Parliament adopted that Session, notwithstanding their Promise to his Majesty; he should therefore be against their promising again, unless he was sure they meant to perform.
The S——r G——l said, it was not right to recriminate on Persons that had done wrong heretofore; that the only Way to settle this Business would be all to go about it unanimously.
Mr. E. B——ke, in a Speech of an Hour and a Half, set forth the Absurdity of the Proceedings concerning American Affairs heretofore; saying, were we to expect any Good from the same Person who adopted those Measures? He said, we wanted a Change of Governors, both at home and abroad; and was extremely severe on the Noble Lord (North) and Administration, and arraigned the Whole of their Conduct. On recapitulating the Whole of the Stamp Act, he said, before they presented their Address, promising to redress Evils, it would be more parliamentary to inquire whether those Abuses existed. As to recriminating, it was very proper, as we might then see and learn, from Experience, what Good might be produced.
Lord G——e said, in his Opinion, our repealing the Stamp Act had made the Americans think we had no Right to tax them, and in a great Measure was the Cause of our present Misfortunes.
Mr. E. B——ke replied to him.
General C——y set forth the Nature of the Proceedings heretofore, and said, in his Opinion, had the Stamp Act not been repealed, we should entirely have lost America. He said, we must now come to a Resolution, either to tax or not tax America. In his Opinion, we had no Right to tax them; that they were a loyal People, as might be seen by their former Conduct.
Lord N——th said, the Time allotted for the reading of the Papers was Thursday; but as there were more of them than he first imagined, he had no Objection of postponing the reading of them till Friday next, and on Monday to resolve upon them.
The Question concerning the Address was put, and carried.
March 9. This Day the Right Honourable Sir William Meredith, Baronet, Comptroller of his Majesty's Household, and the Right Honourable Jeremiah Dyson, Esq; Officer of his Majesty's Household, were, by his Majesty's Command, sworn of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and took their Places at the Board accordingly.
March 10. Two Methods are proposed to be laid before Parliament, in Order to bring back the Americans to their Duty. One is, to new model their several Governments and Constitutions; the other, to enforce the last Act for raising the Revenue in its full and literal Extent.
The Lords of the Admiralty have ordered ten Vessels, from 550 to 600 Tons Burthen, to be taken up in the River on Government Account.
Orders are despatched to Ireland to prepare six Regiments to be ready to embark at a Week's Notice.
It is said that some Bomb Vessels are ordered to be fitted out for America.
It is whispered that the Bostonians are to have their Charter taken from them, and that they are to be made a King's Government.
The following Regiments are ordered abroad: The 20th, 23rd, 25th, and 37th, are to go to Ireland; the two former embark at Plymouth, on the 5th of April; the two latter, which are in North Britain, embark at Port Patrick, on the 14th of the same Month.
The 4th, 5th, 38th, and 43rd, are to go to America, to relieve the 10th, 14th, 33rd, and 50th. The 4th, and 43rd, embark at Plymouth, on the 5th of April; and the 5th, and 38th, at Cork, at the same Time.
A Letter from Petersburg, dated February 26th, says: "The Report of a Peace with the Turks again prevails here very strongly, and we have the more Reason to believe the Court will now adopt pacifick Measures, by the grand Preparations which are making for the Reception of a Plenipotentiary from Constantinople, who is daily expected here. An Assertion gains much Credit, that the Emperor of Germany, together with the Kings of Prussia and Sweden, will meet at this Court in the Month of June next, when the Armistice with the Ottoman Porte will be finally settled, and the Affairs of Poland undergo a new Arrangement."
They write from Constantinople, that the Ottomans have a most pleasing Prospect under the Reign of the new Sultan. He is about 33 Years of Age, and has spent the most of his Time in Study, as he is Master of several Languages and Sciences. He has translated Belisarius (of the celebrated Monsr. de Marmontel) into the Arabick. His particular Study is Natural Philosophy, in which Science they say he has wrote several Works. He has likewise an extensive Knowledge of Politicks and the Art of War. In short, they assert that there never was before such a learned Man upon the Ottoman Throne.
A Letter from Petersburg, dated February 4th, says: "The Beginning of last Month General Bibikow set out at the Head of 15,000 Men, against the Rebels in the Oronbourg Government; and in Order to hasten his March, he put the whole Army into Sledges, Officers, Soldiers, Artillery, and Provisions. They filled 20,000 Sledges, and set out, with the usual Velocity of those Conveyances, to the Mutick of the whole Army. They had 500 Miles to go before they arrived at their Journey's End."

***** P O E T S C O R N E R. *****
Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur: The Man is wise who speaks little.
[The POEM, for want of Room, must be deferred until our next.]
***** We hear that the most vigorous Measures are resolved to be taken with the turbulent and refractory Colonies. Four Regiments of Foot are to be sent to Boston, and six Men of War are to block up the Harbour.
A Plan has been proposed for suppressing all the Royal Plates given for the Encouragement of Running Horses throughout the Kingdom, as this particular Breed of Animals is without Use, and too often tends to the Destruction of the first Families of the Kingdom.
It is now talked, that all the old Guineas will be called in, and that such of this King's as were of prior Date to 1766 will be received by the Revenue Officers at their full Value; and that the Loss will not fall on Individuals, but the Publick at large.
On Friday Morning, about one o'Clock, Lord Stanley and his Brother, coming in a Post Chaise and four from Chelsea to Town, were stopped by four Footpads, two of whom seized the Horses, and put Pistols to the Breast of the Postillions. The other two went on each Side of the Carriage, and presenting their Pistols, were resisted by the Honourable Mr. Stanley, whom one of the Villains fired at; on which Lord Stanley seized the Man on his Side by the Arm, and wounded him on the Back of the Head with a Scimetar. The two Ruffians at the Heads of the Horses then went to the Assistance of their Comrades, when the Postillions driving furiously on, the Nobleman and his Brother escaped unhurt, though one of the Villains fired a second Pistol.
March 12. The King has been pleased to appoint the Right Honourable Frederick North, commonly called Lord North, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the Right Honourable George Onslow, Charles Townshend, Esq; the Right Honourable Francis Seymour Conway, commonly called Lord Viscount Beauchamp, and Charles Walfan Cornwall, Esq; to be his Majesty's Commissioners for executing the Office of Treasurer of his Majesty's Exchequer.
The general Opinion seems to be that the Bostonians will be punished with a Deprivation of their Charter, and the Burthen of a military Establishment, for their late Proceedings.
An Express was sent on Thursday Night from the Admiralty Office, to Portsmouth, with Orders for fitting for Sea immediately several Frigates, which are intended to go with the Men of War already appointed for the American Station.
Extract of a Letter from Vienna, February 28.
"We find the greatest Part of our Troops are marching, with the utmost Expedition, towards the Turkish Frontiers. The Death of the Grand Signior seems to be very advantageous to the House of Austria; for, as it will be impossible for the Turks to maintain a War against the Emperor and Russia, they will be obliged to restore to the Emperor all the Provinces that have been wrested from the House of Austria in former Wars, and we are informed that the Emperor is resolved not to renew the Truce until all these Provinces are restored. But, as the present Sultan is known to have an uncommon Inclination for War, our Court has taken the Precaution to put their Troops and Fortresses in the best Situation."
"We hear that the Grand Signior is to take the chief Command of his Armies himself, his Highness having declared, that at this Juncture, when nothing less than the Fate of the Ottoman Empire is depending, he can trust no Person with that important Post."
They write from Moldavia, that the Turkish grand Army has been augmented with 45,000 Men since the Russians repassed the Danube, and that the Troops are obliged to exercise every Day, though in Winter Quarters.
Resolutions are forming to encourage, in the most effectual Manner, the different Fisheries in Scotland and Ireland.
A Letter from the Hague says: "The Proposal for an Augmentation of the Marine and Land Forces is deferred, sine die. "
Extract of a Letter from Vienna, February 24.
"All the Troops in Moravia, Bohemia, and Austria, are ordered to march towards Transylvania."
"By a Letter from Hamburg, we are informed that Orders have just been issued in the Electorate of Hanover to register every Man that is able to bear Arms. They add, that the same is done upon the whole Continent; and that a French Army is assembling near the Rhine, in an invisible Manner. This Intelligence may be depended upon."
Letters from Lisbon say there have been several Shocks of an Earthquake lately at Algarva, which has much affected the Buildings, but no Lives were lost.
The King of Denmark, by Advice of his College of Economy and Commerce, has promised a Reward of fifty Rixdollars to any one of his Subjects who shall fabricate the best Piece of Work, in Imitation of that called Manchester Velvet.
Proceedings of the HOUSE OF COMMONS.
About Half an Hour after three, the American Papers were taken into Consideration, when the Clerk read a great Number of Papers and Letters to and from America.
It appeared, from some of the above Papers, that the Town of Boston had such a Share in the Transactions relative to the Tea Ships as was quite rebellious; that the People of that Town and Country had actually made and levied War on the legal Authority of his Majesty, derived not from Custom or Prescription only, but from the explicit Letter of various Acts of Parliament; that this Rebellion had proceeded to such Lengths that it flowed from avowed Principles of Resistance, Superiority, and Independence; that it was the Opinion of Governours, and other Writers of those Letters and Despatches, that if Affairs in that Part of the World were left to their present Situation all legal Government would be subverted, and the Independence of the Colonies established.
No Debate ensued; and the House adjourned the farther Consideration of the American Papers until Monday next. No Stranger was admitted into the Gallery of the House of Commons.
It is a very common Error in political Disputes to confound the Date of Events, and to blame one Administration for the Errors of another. If there is any Thing either unjust or inexpedient in agitating the Question of a Parliamentary Power to Tax the Americans, People should at least recollect that the Question did not originate in the present Ministry. Lord North is only labouring to remove the Inconveniences introduced by the discordant Systems of his Predecessors, and is therefore entitled to every Support which the Nation can possibly give him; and when it is recollected that the very Mr. George Grenville, who no more than a Fortnight ago was revered by all Parties in the House of Commons, not only as one of the wisest but one of the most upright Ministers that ever lived, gave Birth to the identical Principle now adopted by Lord North, People must be astonished to see the foremost of Mr. Grenville's Workshippers in Opposition to a Measure which he judged so essentially necessary for the Existence of this Kingdom.
A Correspondent says, that had Mr. Grenville been now alive his Triumph would have been equally in the extreme with the Mortification of those abject Foes to Old England (the able Marquis, and the rest of them) whose dastardly and most shameful Repeal of the Stamp Act, not only the Mother Country, but even the Americans themselves, will be bound, with their utmost, to execrate for ever.
Lodgings are taking in Pall Mall for Lord Chatham, who is expected in a few Days, and will continue in Town the Remainder of the present Session, in Order to attend the House of Peers.
An Express was sent on Thursday Night from the Admiralty Office to Portsmouth, with Orders for fitting for Sea immediately several Frigates, which are intended to go with the Men of War already appointed, for the American Station.
Letters from the Danube advise that the Russians seem preparing to open the Campaign early, and that Count Romanzow has received express Orders for that Purpose, and in Consequence is calling in his Detachments from the Pruth to enter Valachia; but others attribute these Movements to Advices received that the Turks had greatly harassed such of the Russians as are posted at Bucharest, Tergovist, Buczani, and Jalniza, whom the Badness of the Roads had hindered from receiving the Reinforcements ordered to join them from Kiow. The Russians have also greatly suffered from the Badness of the Weather, which prevented
their receiving Supplies in proper Time; but the Cavalry fared the worst, being in the greatest Want of Forage.
Some Gentlemen have been voluntarily sacrificed by the Tergiversation of the Bank Directors, in the Months of May and June 1772, but more particularly in July 1772, intend, in Justification of their own Conduct, to inquire, at the next Quarterly Court, whether no unusual or imprudent Credit was given to particular Persons, to answer partial Ends, against the fair Result of regular Transactions. It is thought this necessary Inquiry will not only produce a full Court, but will prove a Check for the future against such ungenerous and seemingly unwarrantable Transactions, as ruining the Innocent to cover the Guilty.
It is said that yesterday se'nnight a Treasury Warrant was issued for the Payment of 6000l. placed to the Account of secret Service Money.
It is expected that there will be a very great Congregation at the King's Chapel to-morrow Morning, to hear the Bishop of Bath and Wells, whose Sermon, considering the Place he comes from, must be a very affecting Performance. What Effect it may have upon that polite Audience we cannot pretend to say, as the greatest Authority, that ever existed, has told us, that "if they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be converted if one rose from the Dead."
The Translation of Dr. Mose to the See of Bath and Wells, which will take Place soon after Sunday, we now know was postponed, not on Account of Lord North's Indecision, as his Enemies would insinuate, but for the very important Purpose of checking the Progress of the new Heresy concerning the intermediate State. The Reverend Club of Clerical Reformers, at the Feathers Tavern, consider the Appointment of a dead Man to preach as a pious Fraud of the Orthodox Establishment, to confute their favourite Doctrine of the Sleep of the Soul.
GLASGOW, March 3. On the agreeable News that the great Cause of Literary Property was decided in Favour of the Appellants, the Printers and Booksellers here testified the greatest Joy, and had their Windows illuminated, and spent the Evening at a Tavern, where many Healths were drank, particularly the Friends to the Liberty of the Press.
WILLIAMSBURG, May 12.
ACCOUNTS from various Parts of the Country give a melancholy Description of the Injury done by the late Frost, which was the severest, at this Season of the Year, ever remembered. The forward Wheat is greatly injured every Where, and in some Places ruined; the same may be said of the Tobacco Plants. The Corn, which was generally come up, is demolished in such a Manner that it is feared it will never shoot out again, but must be all replanted. The Fruit, of all Sorts, is destroyed every Where but upon the Rivers; Vines, of all Kinds, are killed; and many of the Forest Trees have received such Injury that their Leaves are turned black and withering, so that there is but a bad Prospect of any Mast this Year.
The Brilliant, Miller (with Servants) and Martin, Clark, from London, the York, Role, and —, Benfon, from Whitehaven, are arrived in York River; and the Donald, Ramsay, from Glasgow, in James River.
To his Excellency the Right Honourable JOHN EARL of DUNMORE, his Majesty's Lieutenant and Governor General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and Vice Admiral of the same:
The humble ADDRESS of the COUNCIL.
MY LORD, WE his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Council of Virginia, now met in General Assembly, beg Leave to return your Excellency our most cordial Thanks for your Speech at the Opening of this Session; and to acknowledge that your Lordship, as well upon this as every other Occasion, since the Commencement of your Administration, hath consulted the Ease and Convenience of the People committed to your Care.
To promote the Service of his Majesty, and to advance the Interest of our Country, ever have been the first Objects of our Wishes. Actuated by these Motives, we will concur with the House of Burgesses in framing such Laws as shall be for the Welfare and true Interest of this Colony, and with that Despatch the Importance of the Subjects will admit of.
Permit us to take this Opportunity of congratulating your Excellency on the safe Arrival of the Countesses of DUNMORE, and your Family, in this Country; an Event which, while it adds greatly to your Lordship's domestic Felicity, gives us a pleasing Earnest of your Intention of continuing among us.
To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following ANSWER,
GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL, THE faithful and united Assistance which I have constantly received from you fully convinces me of your Zeal for his Majesty's Service, as well as of your firm Regard to the Interests of your Country; and makes this fresh Declaration of both extremely grateful to me, as it must be likewise to your Sovereign and Country.
I thank you, very heartily, for your kind Congratulation upon the Arrival of my Family; the Happiness of which will increase to me as it proves more agreeable to you, from whom I have received every Mark of Regard and Attention.
To his Excellency the Right Honourable JOHN EARL of DUNMORE, his Majesty's Lieutenant and Governor General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and Vice Admiral of the same:
The humble ADDRESS of the HOUSE OF BURGESSES.
MY LORD, WE his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Burgesses of Virginia, now met in General Assembly, beg Leave to return your Excellency our unfeigned Thanks for your kind Speech at the Opening of this Session.
Sensible as we are of the Importance of that Variety of Business which will probably come before us, we shall esteem it our bounden Duty to proceed in the Discussion of it with Coolness, Deliberation, and as much Despatch as Circumstances will admit; and we flatter ourselves that every Resolution, we may find it expedient to adopt, will be marked with that Prudence and Moderation which you are pleased to recommend.
The fatherly Attention of our most gracious Sovereign to the Happiness of his Subjects, in making the Good of his People the first Object of his Thoughts, cannot but impress our Minds with the liveliest Sense of Duty and Gratitude; and it is with great Satisfaction that we receive from your Excellency those earnest Assurances, that you will heartily concur with us in all Measures, and assent to all such Laws, as shall be for the Welfare and true Interest of this Country.
It will, ever, my Lord, afford us much Pleasure to observe an Increase of your domestic Felicity: We therefore, with the greatest Cordiality, embrace this first Opportunity to congratulate your Excellency on the happy Arrival of the Right Honourable the Countesses of DUNMORE, your Lordship's amiable and most respectable Lady, with so many promising Branches of your noble Family; an Event which we consider as having brought with it the surest Pledges of our mutual Happiness.
To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following ANSWER.
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES, THE Terms of Duty and Gratitude in which your loyal Address is conceived afford me the highest Satisfaction, and must ensure his Majesty's most favourable Countenance and Protection to this faithful Colony. I shall ever retain a cordial Remembrance of the Part you take in my domestic Happiness, and of your obliging Manner of expressing it on the Occasion of the Arrival of my Family, which Event I shall be much pleased to find considered as a Pledge of my Regard and Attachment to this Colony.
To Mess. PURDIE & DIXON.
Please to insert the following QUERIES in your next Gazette.
 1. WHETHER the absolute Power given by the Militia Law to the Lieutenant of every County, to appoint all the Officers under him, is not productive of too great Influence?  2. Whether this Influence does not extend to the Men under the Command of these Officers? Whether the People can then be free, or whether they are not in some Degree of Slavery?  3. Whether the absolute Exercise of this Power in the Lieutenant is not the principal Cause of that Indifference and Ignorance of the military Discipline too often seen in many of the Officers of our Militia, while Merit and Qualification are quite disregarded?  4. Whether the Legislature would not more effectually remove this Error if the several Officers to supply Vacancies, or to command new Companies, were to be chosen by and in the Courts Martial respectively, or the major Part of them then present, with the same Reason that Magistrates and Vestrymen are to be elected by a Majority? 
WILLIAMSBURG, May 10, 1774.
THE Plan of the Lots, and Common, at
Princess Anne Port, within this City (commonly called the College Landing) being lost, the Court of Directors have ordered that they be re-surveyed and laid off anew; but that the new Plan may conform, with all possible Exactness, to the Original (which more probably may be effected if those who claim any of the said Lots would attend, and give all the Light they can with Respect to their Location) I am directed to give publick Notice, that the Gentlemen appointed to superintend the Survey will proceed on that Business on Wednesday the 1st of next Month, at ten o'clock in the Morning, when all Persons concerned in Interest, or able to give useful Information, are requested to meet them.
(II) MATT: DAVENPORT, Town Clerk.
AMELIA, May 2, 1774.
ALL Persons indebted to the Estate of
Jacob Morgan, deceased, are hereby desired to pay off their Accounts, or they may depend on being sued in a very short Time, as the Estate is so involved that Indulgence cannot be given; and those who have Demands against the said Estate are desired to make them known before the 1st Day of November, as I shall not look upon myself answerable for any that shall come in after.
WILLIAM FITZGERALD, Administrator.
NEW KENT, May 11, 1774.
THOSE Persons who have any Demands
against the Estate of Mr. Richmond Terrell, of this County, deceased, are desired to bring in their Accounts before the 25th of this Month, that they may be discharged, as we intend to settle his Estate, before the Gentlemen appointed by the Court, on that Day, at the Court-house.
(2) WILLIAM CLAYTON, } Executors. RICHMOND ALLEN, } RICHARD ALLEN, }
PUBLICK Notice is hereby given, that the
Partnership of James Henderson, Thomas Griffin Peacock, and Co. of Amelia County, is dissolved; and all Persons whose Accounts with them were closed the 1st Day of September last are hereby required to pay off, or give Bonds for their respective Balances, before the 10th Day of June. No Indulgence can be given to those who fail.—The Store kept by Mr. Henderson, at his House, will be continued by him, on his own separate Account.
Just imported, and to be sold by the Subscriber, on very reasonable Terms, in Williamsburg,
AGENTEL Assortment of MILLINERY in the newest Taste, Brussels, Minionet, and Blond Lace, a Variety of Coloured and White Silk Stockings, Thread and Cotton Do. Plain, Striped, and Sprigged Mullins, Jewellery, Childbed Linen, Robes, Didsbury's Shoes, Grahams's Satin and Calimanco Do. Ladies Riding Hats, Childbed Do. with Feathers, Satin Quilts, Gentlemens Embroidered Waistcoat Patterns, White Quilting for Ladies Petticoats, very fine Hylon Tea, Burls of the late Lord Botetourt, and many other Articles.
MARGARET HUNTER.
WARWICK, May 10, 1774.
HAVING a Deed of Trust from Hexekiah
Coleman, for eighty five Acres of Land in Amelia County, to secure a Debt due by him to James and Robert Donald, and Co. which Land Coleman purchased of William Tucker, and as a Deed from Tucker to Coleman has not been recorded, but is destroyed since passing the said Deed of Trust, I give this Notice, to prevent any Person purchasing the Land without knowing of this Encumbrance. ROBERT DONALD.
On the 1st of July will be sold at Warwick, to the highest Bidder, a Lot of Land adjoining the Town of Chesers, containing twelve or fifteen Acres, most of which is well paled in, and has on it a large new Storehouse. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed, the Purchaser giving Bond and Security.
NORTHAMPTON, May 3, 1774.
I INTEND to leave the Colony soon
ROBERT POLK.
FOR SALE.
A VERY valuable Tract of Land in King William County, on Mattapony River, a little above Frazer's Ferry, which was lately the Property of Mr. Roger Gregory, and contains about 300 Acres. There is a very genteel two Story Brick House, with three Rooms below and four above, which is pleasantly situated upon a high Hill near the River, and commands a wide and extensive Prospect. It is acknowledged, from some Years Experience, to be one of the most healthy Seats in the lower Parts of the Country, as few of the People residing on it have ever had the Fever and Ague. There are Apple and Peach Orchards, and it is a celebrated Place for Fish and Wildfowl. Mr. William Frazer, at the Ferry, will show the Land, and the Terms made known by him in Behalf of (II) CARTER BRAXTON.
For SALE, by the Subscriber in NORFOLK,
SINGLE and double refined London SUGAR; Madeira WINE of the London, New York, and Virginia Qualities; Jamaica and Barbados SPIRITS; Barbados and Leeward Island RUM; Muscovado SUGARS; Coffee, Ginger, Pimenta, Molasses, Liverpool bottled Beer, Cheetes, Anchors, Sail Canvass, Irish LINENS in small Packages, &c. &c. (7) JOHN LAWRENCE, & Co.
ON Wednesday the 14th of April last ran
away from the Subscriber, in Westmoreland County, THOMAS PUTTRELL, an indentured white Servant Man, by Trade a Butcher, but understands Gardening and Farming, and says he is acquainted with the Business of a Bricklayer and Plaisterer. This is the third Time of his running away, and when he went off before he was near two Months in the Neighbourhood of Richmond Town, and lived with one Isaac Parker, and probably may be in that Part of the Country now. In July last, he was taken up in Bedford County. He is a trunchy well made Man, of a fair Complexion, has Hazle Eyes, brown Hair, which curls in his Neck, is round faced, has very white Teeth, which he shows when he speaks or grins, and speaks sharp and quick. He had the common Apparel of Servants, and he has a forged Pass, signed by James Mosely, Master of the Schooner Nancy, discharged from Alexandria, and is called a Native of old Nansemond Town in Virginia. There went off with the said Thomas Puttrell an indentured white Servant Man belonging to Thomas Atwell of Westmoreland, who has likewise a forged Pass, signed by the said James Mosely, and is therein called John Underwood, although his right Name is EDWARD DUBERG. He is a slim well made Man, near six Feet high, was a Sailor, and has been in Spain, Portugal, and France. He says he was brought up at Cambridge, and pretends to understand Latin, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch. He came in the Suez's Increase, Captain Curtis, into Rappahannock, and was sold for a Schoolmaster. He robbed one Mrs. Hume of about 20l. worth of Wearing Apparel, among which were some Jewellery, Caps, Aprons, Handkerchiefs, &c. which he and Puttrell sold as they went along. The above Servants were seen on their Way to Gloucester Town, between York and Rappahannock, and it is supposed they will pass for Sailors and go to Norfolk, or make for Carolina. Whoever apprehends them, so as they be delivered to their Masters, shall have a Reward of FOUR POUNDS for each, besides what the Law allows. RICHARD LEE. THOMAS ATTWELL.
STOLEN, or STRAYED, from Porto
Bello, on the 2d of this Instant (May) a large BAY MARE, about fifteen Hands high, with a black hanging Mane and Switch Tail, has a Saddle Spot on her Back, and branded on the near Buttock C. TWENTY SHILLINGS Reward will be given for bringing her to Porto Bello, or the Palace.

NANSEMOND, April 20, 1774. WHEREAS the Concern of the Subscribers, by the Death of one of the Partners, is now dissolved, it is most earnestly requested of all those indebted to them, either in this Colony or North Carolina, to make immediate Settlement, by Payment or Specialty, as those who fail to comply need expect no Indulgence; and all those who have Demands against the said Concern are desired to make them known, and they shall be adjusted. The Books, &c. belonging to their Store in this County, are put into the Hands of Mr. John M c Dowall, who is properly authorised to collect and grant Receipts, and will settle with all those who have Demands against the said Company. The Business will be carried on at their different Stores in this Colony and North Carolina, with the same good Usage, and Indulgence given as usual, under the Firm of Archibald Hamilton and Co. and the Management of Mr. John Hamilton. (tf) JOHN HAMILTON, & Co.
DUMFRIES, May 2, 1774. THE Members of the Dumfries Jockey Club are desired to meet here on Saturday the 11th of June, to settle the Time of the Races. Such Members as cannot conveniently attend, and want to fix them at any particular Time, will please to signify the same by Letter to me, and their respective Proposals shall be laid before the Club. RICHARD GRAHAM.
OSBORNE'S, May 2, 1774. LOST at Amelia Courthouse, on Thursday the 28th of last Month, a Bond granted by Thomas Bolling Munford, of Amelia, to Messrs. Burnley & Braikenridge (dated in May 1772) for the Sum of 1201. This is to forewarn all Persons from taking an Assignment of said Bond, no One but the Subscriber having a Right to make Use of it. (2||) JOHN M c KIE.
Just imported, and to be sold at a low Advance, on Credit, A QUANTITY of SHOES, well assorted, in Calks from 201. to 351. Sterling Value. For Terms inquire of Mr. David Russell in Blanford, Mr. Robert Burton in Richmond, or the Subscriber in Warwick. JOHN LEITCH.
For CHARTER, THE Ship Caesar, William Wetberald, has made only one Voyage, Burthen 450 Hogheads, now lying at Norfolk. For Terms apply to the said Master, or (tf) GREENWOOD, RITSON, & MARSH. N. B. On Board said Ship is a Quantity of Whitehaven COAL, of the best Quality, which will be sold very cheap. Apply to Mr. Joseph Kidd, in Williamsburg.
To be let on CHARTER, to any Part of Europe, or the West Indies, THE Brigantine Hamilton, Burthen about 300 Hogheads, a new Vessel now on the Stocks, and will be ready to take on Board by the first of June. For Terms, apply to me in Norfolk. (tf) ROBERT GRAY, & Co.
Five Pounds Reward. RUN away from my Plantation near this Place, last Night, two Servant Men, named GEORGE and JOHN ALLEN, very lately imported in the Justitia, consigned to Mr. Thomas Lodge at Leeds Town. George is a likely young Fellow about 25 Years of Age, five Feet ten or eleven Inches high, stoops much, and is remarkably round shouldered; had on, when he went away, a dark coloured Bearskin Jacket and Breeches, and a small round Hat with a black Riband and Buckle. John is Brother to George, slender made, and two Inches under his Size; had on the same Sort of Clothes, only a Pair of old Shoes cut open at the Toes. Any Person who will apprehend the said Servants, and secure them so that I may get them, shall be entitled to the above Reward; and all Persons are hereby forewarned, as they may probably pretend to pass for Sailors, from carrying them out of the Country. (4) THOMAS MONTGOMERIE. DUMFRIES, April 25.
HANOVER TOWN, May 6, 1774. RUN away from the Subscriber, in March, last, a likely Virginia born Wench named BETTY, about 22 Years of Age, stout and well set, wears Silver Earrings set with white Stone, and carried with her several Suits of Clothes. She was formerly the Property of Mr. James Mitchell, deceased, at York, and has been used to attend in a Publick House from her Infancy. She has been seen at several Places on James River, but last at Captain William Acritt's, in Charles City, where I am informed she has several Relations. Any Person that will secure the said Slave, so that I get her again, shall have THREE POUNDS Reward. HARDIN BURNLEY.
THE Treasurer, Trustees, and Subscribers to the Fund for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Clergymen, collected last Sunday, from the two Audiences, 251. 14s. 5d. for which they have Leave to return their Thanks to the generous Contributors. On the Day following they ordered 801. to be distributed among six Widows and the Orphans of four Clergymen, and appointed Officers for the ensuing Year, namely, the Reverend Messrs. John Camm, Treasurer, Price Davis, Devereux Jarratt, William Bland, John Bracken, Thomas Price, and Thomas Lundie, Trustees, William Harrison, Morning, and Robert Andrews, Evening Preacher. The Clergy have a most grateful Sense of the Presents of 201. and 31. 2s. 6d. from two unknown Persons, by the Hands of the Reverend Mr. Henley. This Acknowledgment would have been made last Year, had not the said charitable Contributions come some Days too late to be inserted in our last Year's Advertisement.
WILLIAM THACKSTON, of Lunenburg County, takes this Method to forewarn all Persons from taking an Assignment of a Bond, bearing Date July 1772, given by him to one John Coles, late of the said County, as he is determined not to pay any Part of said Bond, the said Coles not performing the Conditions for which the said Bond was given. (2||)
GLOUCESTER, April 27, 1774. THE Subscriber has for Sale a few Hogheads of good old RUM, also a few Pipes and Hogheads of old Madeira WINE of the London and New York Qualities. (2) JOHN SEAWELL.
GLOUCESTER, May 4, 1774. INTEND for England shortly. JOSEPH DAVENPORT.
LAMB'S Creek, May 2, 1774. INTEND to leave the Colony immediately, and shall return in a few Months. (2||) ANDREW WODROW.
AMELIA, May 2, 1774. INTEND to leave the Colony immediately. (||) HEZEKIAH FORD.
KING WILLIAM, May 1, 1774. INTEND to leave the Colony in a few Weeks. JAMES BROWN.
To be SOLD, the first Thursday in June, at Gloucester Courthouse,
A TRACT of fine LAND lying on Gwyn's Island, containing about 420 Acres. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed, upon the Purchaser giving Bond and good Security to THOMAS NELSON, Junior.
MOST of the Bonds due to the Estate of George Christopher White, of Amelia County, deceased, having been due a considerable Time, it is expected that Payment will be made the ensuing Meeting of the Merchants in Williamsburg, after which Time no Indulgence can be given. BALFOUR & BARRAUD.
CAROLINE, April 30, 1774. AS I intend soon to remove to North Carolina, I shall be glad that every Person who thinks he has a Claim against me would make it known. Those that are indebted to me, by Account, are desired to settle the same. Mr. John Taylor, of this County, will finish the Suits that I am engaged in; and any Payments made to him for me will be allowed. (2||) JOHN PENN.
Just Imported, and to be Sold by the Subscriber, on very reasonable Terms, in Williamsburg, A GENTEL assortment of MILLINERY in the newest Taste, Mecklen, Bruskels, and Minionet Lace, Blond Ditto, a Variety of White and Coloured Silks, Plain, Striped, and Sprigged Mullins, Jewellery, Childbed Linen, Robes, Ladies and Gentlemen's Silk and Cotton Hose, Didbury's Shoes, Gspan's Satin and Calimanco Ditto, Ladies Black and White Riding Hats, and many other Articles. JANE CHARLTON.
ANY Person who has a good Negro COOK WENCH to dispose of may be informed of a Purchaser, by applying at the Post Office.
Just imported from London, and sold by the Subscriber, at her Store opposite the Raleigh in Williamsburg, on reasonable Terms, for ready Money only,
A WELL chosen Assortment of the neatest Goods, consisting of fine Thread and Blond Lace, white Satin and Lustre, blue Satin and Sarcenet Petticoats, white Do. for Weddings, Satin and Queen Silk Shoes, Muslin, Gauze, Catgut, and Wire, worked Linen, Ribands, plain and ribbed Silk, Cotton and Thread Stockings, small Do. for Children, Patent Net Aprons equal in Beauty to Joining Lace, Silk Gloves and Mitts, Rolls and Curls, Tambour Sword Knots, Boys Beaver and Huffer Caps, Ladies Riding Hats, Feathers, and Whips, Childrens Sashes and Stays, a large Quantity of Didbury's Shoes, Shencal, fine Chip and Cane Hats, Fans, Cloaks, Gauze Handkerchiefs, Purses, Bags and Puffs, Pearl for Work, Turban, Punch, and Pap Ladies, Stone, Silver, Gilt, and Pinchbeck Buckles, both Shoe and Knee, Paste, Garnet, Gold, and Black Stock Do. India Plate Salts, Do. Snuffers and Snuff Pans, Silver Tea Spoons, Tea Pongs, Salt Shovels, Do. Coral and Bells, Paste, Marcasite, Pearl, and Bead Necklaces and Earrings, Gold Wires, Silver bowed Scissors and Silver tipped Sneaths, Lancet Cases, Watch Chains and Keys, Combs, Pocket Knives and Etwee Cases, Freemason and other Brooches, Paste Sprigs and Pins, Tooth Brushes, fine Irish Wafers, Sword Canes and Pen Knives, black Bags and Rofes, black Pins, Stay Hooks, Thimbles, Silver Shoe Claps, Fruit Knives, Dolls and other Toys, with many other Articles too numerous to insert. C. RAITHLL. N. B. At the same Place may be had an exceeding fine SILVER WATCH, capped, and runs on Diamonds; also a beautiful GOLD WATCH, with Gold Hands, and an engraved Case.
YORK TOWN, May 2, 1774. THE Ship PLANTER, bound for London, which now lies off York Town, has on Board 500 Hhds. of Tobacco, and Craft out for 100 Hhds. more, will take in that Quantity, on Liberty of Consignment, at 31. Sterling a Tun. I shall be much obliged to Gentlemen, who may incline to ship, to send their Orders immediately to me here; the Reason for my now wanting such a Number of Hogheads being occasioned by fair Promises, and the Tobacco afterwards given to other Ships. There is exceeding good Accommodation for Passengers on Board, and I shall certainly sail directly after the ensuing Merchants Meeting. THOMAS LILLY.
THE Subscriber intending to settle over the Mountains, makes him offer his Land in Amelia for Sale. There are near 800 Acres (a little more than 100 thereof subject to a Widow's Dower) with a very good Dwelling-House, and all necessary Houses, lately repaired, an extraordinary fine Apple and Peach Orchard of the best Kinds of Fruit, and Cherries of all Sorts. There are near 100 Acres of Low Ground very suitable for a Meadow, on which is great Abundance of fine Timber. The Purchaser may know the Terms by applying to Joseph Eggleston in Amelia, adjoining the Land, Richard Eggleston in Cumberland, or the Subscriber in Frederick. WILLIAM EGGLESTON.
JUST arrived in Rappahannock from London, the Planter, Captain Bowers, with 76 healthy intended SERVANTS, most of whom are very useful Tradesmen, Farmers, Husbandmen, &c. The Sale will commence in Fredericksburg, on Monday the 16th of this Instant (May) and continue until all are sold. The Planter is to load with Tobacco at Port Royal, in the Interest of Mr. Samuel Gift. Those Gentlemen who please to favour him with Consignments are requested to send their Orders to Edward Carter, Esq; in Fredericksburg, Thomas Jett, Esq; in Leeds Town, the Captain on Board, or the Subscriber in Hanover. (2) WILLIAM ANDERSON. N. B. The Brilliant, Captain Miller, in the same Employ, is expected into York River within a few Days.
FOR SALE, ONE Thousand six Hundred and sixteen Acres of LAND, lying in the lower End of Pittsylvania County, on Banister River; the Land is good for either Tobacco or Grain, but particularly Grain, it being very level. It lies convenient to two Water Mills, not above three Miles from either, and within the same Distance of a Church, and is thought by good Judges to be one of the best Situations in the County for raising a Stock of Cattle, Horses, &c. being within a Mile of Lightfoot's Meadows, where grows such a vast Quantity of Forage that the under Grass continues green the whole Winter, there being a constant Verdure, so that there is no Occasion to lay up much Winter Provision for your Cattle, &c. There is also Plenty of Fish to be caught at the smallest Expense and Trouble, by Means of a small Stone Dam across Banister River. I will sell it altogether or in Parcels, and give long Credit for the best Part of the Money. The Land will be shown by Mr. William Todd, or Mr. John Cox, living near the Premises, and the Terms known of the Subscriber, in King William County. (||) WILL. PETERS MARTIN.
To be SOLD, THE HOUSE and LOT in the back Street in Williamsburg, now in the Possession of Robert Highland. The Terms may be known by applying to James Shield in York County, or to the Subscriber in Charles City.
(2) JUDITH B. ARMISTEAD.
By SUBSCRIPTION. A PURSE of SEVENTY FIVE POUNDS. To be run for at Cabin Point on the fourth Thursday of this Instant (May) by any Horse, Mare, or Gelding, carrying Weight for Age, according to the Rules of Racing; two Mile Heats, the best two in three. A Non-Subscriber to pay 11. before he has a Right to start, as Entrance Money. All Subscribers, starting a Horse, are to enter the Horse, the Day before the Race, with Francis Moreland, and to pay 20s. Entrance Money, also to bring proper Certificates of the Horses Age. The Entrance Money to be run for the next Day, by the losing Horses of the preceding Day; the same Distance, and carrying the same Weight. The above Purse to be run for annually, during the Term of four Years. Any Person may become a Subscriber, by applying to Francis Moreland, who wants a Man as a WAITER that understands Accounts. Such a One coming recommended will meet with Encouragement, for about eight Days. (2)
To be SOLD, A VALUABLE Tract of LAND, lying in the lower End of Amherst County, on James River, containing upwards of 1000 Acres, nearly adjoining the Land of Dr. William Cabell, running near three Miles on the River, with an Island adjacent, containing between thirty and forty Acres, to be sold with or without the said Tract. There is a Plantation thereon in good Order for Cropping, sufficient for ten or twelve Hands, a White Shad Fishery, and Plenty of Lime Stone for building. Any Person inclined to purchase may know the Terms by applying to the Subscriber in Henrico, who is one of the Trustees of Mr. John Howard. THOMAS PROSSER.
To be SOLD, A TRACT of LAND on Mayo Creek, Halifax County, containing 364 Acres, about 150 of which are rich Low Grounds. One Half of the Money to be paid at Christmas, the other Half twelve Months after. JOHN SULLENS.
To be SOLD, on Friday the 27th Instant (May) before the Raleigh Tavern, EIGHT Hundred Acres of very valuable LAND lying in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, near New Point Comfort, which is well timbered with Pine and White Oak. Upon it there is a Dwelling House with two Brick Chimneys, all convenient Houses, one Peach, and three Apple Orchards. At the same Time will be sold thirty likely Virginia born SLAVES. GEORGE W. PLUMMER.
Wants Employment, ONE who understands keeping a COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, and can be well recommended. Any Person in Want of such a One may know the Terms, and the Advertiser's Name, by Application to Mr. John Tanshall, Clerk of King & Queen. (||)
ON the 30th of March made her Escape out of the Jail of Prince George (in Company with a Wench belonging to Mrs. Poyse) a Negro Woman named BETTY, about five Feet three Inches high, twenty one Years old, of a yellow Complexion; had on a Virginia Cloth Gown, white Dimity and striped Virginia Cloth Petticoat, and Osnaburg Shift. She had a Pass when committed, and was endeavouring to pass for a free Woman. I will give 20s. Reward, besides the Allowance by Law, to any Person who brings her to me in New Kent, near Bottom's Bridge. JOHN MOSS.
MAY 3, 1774. RUN away from the Subscriber, living at Cabin Point in Surry County, on the 27th ult. a Negro Fellow named TOM, about 33 Years of Age, has something of an Impediment in his Speech, has followed the Sea for about eight or nine Years, and is well known by many of the Gentlemen in Norfolk and Portsmouth. I will give 51. Reward to any Person who shall apprehend and convey him to me, or 31. to have him secured in any of his Majesty's Jails and Notice given me thereof, or 151. if apprehended out of the Colony and conveyed to me; and as I imagine he will endeavour to make out of the Country, I forewarn all Masters of Vessels from carrying him out, as they must answer the contrary at their Peril. JOHN AUSTIN FINNIE.
TAKEN up, in Isle of Wight, a RED STEER marked with a Crop, Slit, and Nick, in the left Ear, and a Crop in the right, and appears to be about six Years old. Posted, and appraised to 31. 10s. (||) JEREMIAH GODWIN.
FOR SALE, A VALUABLE Tract of LAND in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, containing 500 Acres, lying on a large Creek which makes out of Fast River, a fine Place for Fish and Oysters. There is Land cleared sufficient for six Hands, an Overseer's House, and other out Buildings. The uncleared Land abounds with a great Quantity of White Oak and Pine Timber; the Timber supposed, by good Judges, to be worth 20001. WILLIAM PLUMMER.
STOLEN from the PALACE, about four Months ago, a BULL DOG of a dark brown Colour, with some White on his Neck and Breast, had an Iron Collar, and answers to the Name of Glasgow. A Reward of 20s. will be given upon his being brought to the Post Office, Williamsburg.
WILLIAMSBURG, April 28, 1774. AS I intend leaving the Colony about the last of next Month, and to return some Time in October, I think it necessary to acquaint my Customers that the Business in the Meanwhile will be carried on by my Son William Nicolson, whom I flatter myself will use his best Endeavours to give general Satisfaction. ROBERT NICOLSON.
This Day was published, and to be SOLD at both Printing Offices, Price 2s. 6d.
A CANDID REFUTATION of the HERESY imputed by Ro. C. NICHOLAS, Esq; to the Reverend S. HENLEY.
HANOVER, March 24, 1774. I SOME Time ago purchased a Tract of Land in Spatysylvania County of one Joseph Hendon, and have paid him all the Consideration Money, except 1001. which becomes due in April next, for which the said Hendon has my Bond with Mr. Garrett Minor Security, this is therefore to forewarn any Person from taking an Assignment of the said Bond, as I am assured he cannot make me a good Title to the Land. AARON FONTANE.
HANOVER TOWN, April 20, 1774. GERMAN OSNABRUGS, ROLLS, and several Bales of RUSSIA DRILLINGS, to be sold at a low Advance, for ready Money or short Credit, by THOMAS SIMPSON.

Reverend SIRS, THINKING this a very proper Season for taking into Consideration certain Matters in which the Clergy are most immediately and deeply concerned...
THE DELAWARE LOTTERY. FOR RAISING THE SUM OF 5625 POUNDS (OR 15,000 DOLLARS) FOR THE USE OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY. THE SCHEME.
Table with 4 columns: Prize, Amount, Number, Total. Includes prizes of 6000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 10 dollars, and 7087 Prizes, 12,913 Blanks.
THE growing Importance of the COLLEGE of NEW JERSEY, for the Use of which the above Lottery is designed, is now generally known through every Province of America.
N. B. The above Lottery was intended to have been drawn in the Month of December, but is postponed till the 23d of May next...
** A few TICKETS are left for Sale at the POST OFFICE in WILLIAMSBURG, where the Prizes (after deducting 15 per Cent. for the Purposes of the Lottery) will be paid to the fortunate Adventurers who purchased from thence.
VIRGINIA, &c. At a General Court held at the CAPITOL the 23d of April, 1774.
George Riddell and Jaquelin Ambler, Plaintiffs, against Perkins, Buchanan, and Brown, late of London, Merchants, William Gosley, Thomas Adams, Sampson & George Matthews, Patrick Courts, Ames & James Ladd, William Acritt, Ryland Randolph, Major Wilcox, & Co. Thomas Stewart, James Watt, Merchants, William Smith, Carter Braxton, Corbin Griffin, Samuel Griffin, and William Griffin, Defendants.
THE Defendants, Perkins, Buchanan, and Brown, being beyond Sea, on the Motion of the Plaintiffs, by their Counsel, it is ordered that the other Defendants, who have Effects of the said Perkins, Buchanan, and Brown, in their Hands, as is confessed, do not pay the said Effects to the Defendant Gosley, or any other Person, nor convey away or secrete the same...
BEN. WALLER.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder at Henrico Court-house, in Richmond, on Monday the 6th of June,
THE TENEMENT lately occupied by Mr. James Buchanan, on Part of which Byrd's Warehouses now stand. It may, with Convenience, be divided into three separate Tenements...
JAMES MILLER. All those indebted to the said Messrs. James and Robert Donald, and Co. for Dealings with Mr. James Buchanan, at their Stores in Richmond, Allemarle, and Anker's, are once more requested to make speedy Payment...
To be SOLD by the Subscriber, at Stafford Courthouse, on the second Monday in June, if fair, otherwise first fair Day,
THREE TRACTS of LAND adjoining each other, and lying in Stafford County, on Potomack Creek, on one of which is a very commodious Tavern, and other necessary Houses, Garden, &c. within a few Yards of the Courthouse.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Number of Vessels will be wanted this Summer to bring about 6000 Tons of STONE from Mr. Brooke's Quarry on Rappahannock, and land the same on Cape Henry, for the Lighthouse.
THE Subscribers beg Leave to inform the Publick that they have lately opened Shop next Door below Mr. Anderson's Tavern, where they make and sell all Kinds of JEWELERY, GOLD and SILVER WORK, MOURNING RINGS, &c.
THE Subscriber has for Sale on the most reasonable Terms, and to be entered upon immediately, a valuable Tract of LAND lying on both Sides of Turable Creek in Halifax County...
TAKEN up, in Dinwiddie, a SORREL HORSE about four Feet ten Inches high, four Years old this Spring, has some white Hairs in his Forehead, paces slow, but has no Brand perceivable.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, before the Raleigh Tavern, at the Meeting of the Merchants in Williamsburg,
A TRACT of LAND on Chickahominy River, in James City County, containing upwards of 650 Acres, just above Barrett's Ferry, and about twelve Miles from Williamsburg.
RUN away, on Thursday the 21st of April, two indentured Servants, one named CHARLES BUTLER, an Englishman, by Trade a Saddler and Harness Maker, five Feet nine Inches high...
TAKEN up, in Dorchester County, Maryland, a likely Virginia born NEGRO WOMAN named DOLL, has a Scar under her left Eye, the Toes which ought to be largest are smaller than the others...
TAKEN up, in Halifax, two WHITE SOWS, with some black Spots, marked with a smooth Crop in the left Ear, and a Crop and a Slit in the right; also five SHOATS unmarked, spotted black and white, and about a Year old.
TAKEN up, in Prince Edward, a GRAY HORSE about ten Years old, four Feet five or six Inches high, a hanging Mane and Switch Tail, and branded on the near Buttock, as near as can be made out, C M in a Piece.
TAKEN up, in Bedford, a BLACK HORSE about six Years old, about four Feet five Inches high, a Star in his Forehead, hanging Mane and Switch Tail, paces, trots, and gallops very well, and branded on the near Buttock K.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, at Goochland Courthouse, on Monday the 20th of June, being Court Day,
A TRACT of rich well timbered Land lying opposite to Elk Island, in the said County, belonging to the Estate of Mr. John Smith, deceased, containing 2000 Acres, which will be put up in four separate Lots.
** The Purchasers at the different Sales of the Negroes and personal Estate of Joseph and John Smith, deceased, are desired to take Notice that their Bonds will, in a very short Time, become payable, and that no Indulgence can, or will, be allowed to any Person.
NEABSCO FURNACE, April 1, 1774.
RUN away from the Neabsco Furnace, on the 16th of last Month, a light coloured Mulatto Man named BILLY or WILL, the Property of the Honourable John Taylor, Esquire. When I tell the Publick that he is the same Boy, who, for many Years, used to wait on me in my Travels through this and the neighbouring Province...
THE Subscribers have lately received from the CARRON MANUFACTORY, in Scotland, a small Consignment of NAILS, from 4d. to 3d. which they will sell on short Credit, at a very moderate Advance...
Who will be in Want of a very large Quantity of the WHITE HOMINY BEANS next Year, and will give good Encouragement for the Cultivation of them? They have to Charter, to any Part of Britain, a NEW SHIP now lying at Baltimore in Maryland, which will carry 7 or 800 Hogheads of Tobacco...
ROCKY MILL, HANOVER County, April 14, 1774. RUN away from the Subscribers, on the 27th of March, two indentured Servant Men, namely, JOSEPH GOTHARD, by Trade a Cooper, has a Scar over one of his Eyes and Ankles...
TAKEN up, in Amelia, a DARK GRAY MARE about thirteen Hands high, two Years old, a Star in her Forehead, and branded on the near Buttock. Potted, and appraised to 51.
TAKEN up, in Prince Edward, a DARK BROWN STEER about three Years old, marked with a Crop and Half Crop in the left Ear, and a Crop, Hole, and Slit, in the right. Potted, and appraised to 30s.
ESSEX County, April 2, 1774. IN Consequence of the Death of Mr. James Campbell of Essex, who was acting Attorney for Messrs. John, William, and James McCall, McCall & Elliott, and McCall, Elliott, & Snodgrass, in the Business formerly under the Management of Mr. William Snodgrass...
To be SOLD, together or in Parcels, THAT fertile and well timbered Tract of Land lying in Princess Anne County, known by the Name of GIBBS'S WOODS, whereon are several Settlements, and whereof Jeremiah Tinker, Esq., Grandson of the late Governor Gibbs now stands seized...
FOR SALE, A TRACT of LAND in Amelia County, containing 500 Acres, about four Miles below the Courthouse, it is remarkable fine Land for Grain, and will bring good Tobacco. The Plantation is in good Order for Cropping, sufficient to work six or eight Hands, with all necessary Houses.
FOR SALE, A VALUABLE FARM of 1500 Acres, within sixteen Miles of Petersburg. The Terms may be known on Application to the Subscriber. HENRY SKIPWITH.
NEWMARKET (Caroline) December 3, 1773. RUN away from the Subscriber, the latter End of October 1772, a likely Mulatto Man named RANDOLPH, about thirty Years of Age, and five Feet eight or nine Inches high; he had on, when he went away, a Suit of Green, with red Livery.
For SALE, ABOUT twelve Thousand Acres of exceeding rich TOBACCO LAND, in Amherst County, whereon are several Plantations and Improvements sufficient to work forty or fifty Hands. There is on the said Land for Sale a very valuable GRIST MILL, lately built, with a Stone Dam and a Pair of good Colonge Millstones...
To be SOLD, SEPARATELY or TOGETHER
TWO TRACTS of LAND. One lies in Albemarle County, on Hardwarer River, about five Miles from the great River, containing 370 Acres, 100 of which are the best Kind of low Grounds, and situated so as always to have the best Range for Stock of any Land between the Capes and Little Mountains.