The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1771-12-05 00:00:00

VIRGINIA
GAZETTE,
With the freest 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.
The late Installment at Windsor of some new Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter having given Occasion, as it generally does, to publick Accounts and Conjectures concerning the Design of the Institution of that Order, we shall here attribute it to its real Cause, though disclaimed by most of our Historians, the Love of our Edward III. for the Countess of Salisbury. England, in these Times, was a Country fruitful in Heroes and Heroines; and, among the latter, the Countess of Salisbury may be said to have exhibited a perfect Example, her Virtue having been put to the strongest Test, and tried like Gold in the Furnace. Few may have the Courage to imitate her; still it will not be amiss for a Model to all our Ladies, and wish they may copy it, even at a Distance. To give this History of the Countess the Air of an instructive Novel, we have prefixed to it the Title of
THE TRIUMPH OF VIRTUE over ILLICIT LOVE.
EDWARD, King of England, Father of that famous Edward who, under the Name of the Prince of Wales, conquered the French near Poictiers, and took their King John Prisoner; Edward, I say, Father of that Edward whom he had, by his first Marriage, with the Daughter of the Earl of Hanault, had a long War to support, not only against the French, but also against the Scots, his Neighbours, who, observing his Embarrassment, strove to make themselves Masters of a Part of his States, which obliged the King to send General William Montague, with a considerable Force, to secure his Frontiers.
Montague repelled the Enemy, and by a Thousand illustrious Actions merited the Title of Earl of Salisbury, which his Majesty conferred upon him, accompanying that Reward with his Consent to marry the Daughter of his first Minister, who was one of the greatest Beauties of his Court. Some few Days after his Marriage the King sent him into Flanders with the Earl of Suffolk. This Voyage was unprosperous. The two Earls were taken, and brought into France, and the Scots, imagining Salisbury Castle was defenceless, suddenly laid Siege to it, and set an Army on Foot, with which they pretended to penetrate into the Heart of England; but their Design was made abortive, for the Earl at parting had left Things in such good Order, having provided against every Contingency, that the Garrison repulsed the Affailants with considerable Loss.
The King, apprised of this Irruption, set out with an Army to succour the Place. On his March, News was brought him of the Siege being raised; but being pretty near, he would not return without seeing the Countess of Salisbury, and paying her a few Compliments on the Alarm the Scots had given her. This Politeness cost him dear.
The Countess, having Notice of the intended Honour, went out to meet the King, accompanied by her Ladies, and escorted by the valiant Men who had so well defended her. Whatever was precious and magnificent in those Times was an Implement of her Attire; and this, added to the joy of having escaped the Danger she was threatened with, gave new Lustre to her Beauty, which was still more exalted by the modest Graces of her Countenance.
In this Manner it was that she presented herself before Edward, who found her more beautiful than any Thing he had ever seen before, and more redoubtable than all the combined Forces of the French and Scots. The first Civilities over, he said to her, with the most gracious Air imaginable, "I believe, Madam, that, without arming all these brave People, who have so nobly defended you, it would have been fully sufficient to have placed yourself on the Ramparts of the Castle: Your Enemies, respecting your Charms, would never have dared to attack you; at least, you would have made a greater Impression on their Hearts than their Arms could have made on the Place."
"Sir (answered the Countess, blushing) I hardly believe I should have been safe where your Majesty fancies I ought to have placed myself; for in the Way the Scots battered the Castle in which they knew I was, for twelve Hours without Intermission, it might be reasonably thought I had Nothing to expect from their Courtesy."
The King knew by this Answer that the Countess was desirous the Conversation should turn to any other Subject than Gallantry; wherefore, admiring her Discretion, and not willing to give her Pain, "Come, Madam, said he, let us go and see the Breaches your Enemies have made in the Castle, which, perhaps, it will be more easy to remedy than those I perceive you have no Mind to take Notice of."
The Countess had prepared a magnificent Feast, which was served up as soon as his Majesty had entered the Castle. He eat but very little, so much was his Mind taken up with the Merits of the beautiful Object before him, and the Conflicts this new Passion had raised in his Heart; for, besides the Difficulties he foresaw in gaining an Ascendant over the Countess, he was sensible that Generosity forbade his having Recourse to his Authority for seducing the Wife of a Man whose Services deserved a quite different Reward, and who was actually the Captive of his Enemies. "Shall I aggravate his Troubles (said he to himself) by robbing him of the only Thing that can alleviate them? No, I will not consent to it. The Countess's Virtue ought, on this Occasion, to help me to call forth my own, and fortify me against the Impression her Charms have made on my Heart."
Such was his Situation, when the Countess, surprised at his Reverie, and under some Uneasiness about his not eating, imagining that it was, perhaps, because the Regale was not to his Liking, excused herself to him with a modest and disconcerted Air, that she had done her best; but that not accustomed to have so great a Monarch at her Table, his Majesty ought to have the Goodness to excuse her, especially at a Time when the Disorders of a Siege had caused a good many in her Mind and Family.
This I find no Fault with, answered the King, fetching a deep Sigh; it is the Disorder of my Heart I have Reason to complain of. The Countess, little accustomed to Speeches of Gallantry, did not understand what he meant; and, believing he was full of Resentment against the Attempt of the Scots, humbly represented to him that he should forget that Injury, content himself with his Victory, and be glad that it had not cost him much Blood.
"Ah! Madam (said the King, rising from the Table, and taking the Countess by the Arm to a Window) I cannot longer hold out; my Virtue is reduced to its last Ebb; it has fully resisted the Evil I endure, and which you only can remedy." "Ah! Sir (cried she, believing that the King indeed felt some great Pain) tell me your Ailment; and if it was my Blood that could relieve you, I would shed the last Drop of it for the Preservation of my Sovereign, my Benefactor, and my Deliverer."
"Here your Blood will be of no Service (answered the King precipitately) it is too dear to me to desire it to be shed, or your Person exposed to the least Danger; all I require is your Pity, and, if it be true that you with my Preservation, a little Tenderness on your Side must repair the Harm your Eyes have done me. Even Generosity engages you to do so. I am come here to defend you against an audacious Attack, and in Return for my good Will and Services find myself detested, and conquered by the Force of your Charms."
He would have continued still longer in the same Tone, and the astonished Countess would not have thought of interrupting him, had he not interrupted himself, to tell her, with a passionate Air, "Well, Madam, you make no Answer; speak, if you please, for it is from your beautiful Mouth that I wait the Sentence of my Life or Death."
"I confess, Sir (answered then the Countess) that what your Majesty has said has filled me with Surprise, and that, not knowing how to notice it, I could not otherwise behave than by Silence, which I full would have kept, had not your Majesty ordered me to break it. No, Sir, I can hardly recover out of my Surprise. Can you on the same Day mingle so
great an Affront with so much Goodness, and make me purchase, at the Expense of my Honour, that which I receive in the Visit your Majesty is pleased to make me? Have you forgot, Sir, how much all my Family has been devoted to you, and does your great Heart permit you to think of seducing the Wife of a Man now in Chains among your Enemies? Ah! rather suffer me to weep for the Loss of my Liberty, suffer me to bewail his Absence, without imbiting my Grief, by Proposals I should not listen to with the same Moderation, if any other than my Sovereign had dared to make them. Yet, Sir, quite the Sovereign as you are, your Power is limited; and as you require a positive Answer, I must tell you, without departing from the profound Respect I owe you, that you may deprive me of Life and all its Pleasures, but that you cannot make me forsake that Innocence without which Life and Fortune would be detestable to me, and which alone can comfort me amidst all the Disasters your Anger might heap upon me. But can my Innocence exercise the Anger of your Majesty? On the contrary, ought not the Quality of Father of your Subjects, the Services of my Relations, those of my Husband, his Captivity, all, in fine, engage you to chastise me, if I was capable of dishonouring the one, by being wanting in Fidelity to the other. I must therefore think that it was only to try me your Majesty did so speak to me; yet this Trial is an extreme Mortification to me, as it indicates a Doubt of my Virtue."
Here the Countess let drop some Tears; and the King, deeply affected by her Sorrows, enchanted by her Charms, and still more by her Virtue, passed, without making any Reply, into the Apartment which had been prepared for him, that he might there hide the Disorder the modest and spirited Remonstrance of the Countess had just thrown him into. He admired the Solidity of her Answers, her Firmness, and could not help finding that Reason was on her Side, and that his own had gone much out of its Bias.
He did, all he could to recover it from its Wanderings, and spent the rest of the Day and the following Night in the greatest Agitations of Mind. At length, unable either to conquer his Passion or to come to a Resolution of gratifying it by criminal Violence, he believed that Flight was the most eligible Measure he could pursue, and, having giving Orders for his Departure, he declined seeing the Countess till the Moment of setting out.
It was then, in taking Leave of her, he beseeched her to have Pity upon him, and to reflect a little on what he had said to her the Day before; to which this virtuous Lady answered, that her warmest Wishes should always be for his Majesty's triumphing over all his Enemies, as well internal as external.
Whilst this Monarch was retiring from a Place that had been so fatal to him, his Thoughts still taken up with his new Passion, and the Means of conquering or gratifying it, the Countess received a Courier who brought her the melancholy News of her Husband's Death. He had got out of Captivity, but, falling ill as he was coming home to his dear Wife, he died on the Way.
The Countess grievously lamented his Death, and at length, having settled her Affairs, returned to the House of Earl Varuccio, her Father; for, as she had no Children, the Earldom of Salisbury reverted to the Crown.
The King, hearing of her Return to London, fancied that Fortune seconded his Happiness, and, flattered by new Hopes, ceased to resist a Passion that created him so much Uneasiness. But the Countess's Behaviour made him soon relinquish his vain Hopes; for, finding him renew his Suit as before, she cut off from him all the Opportunities of seeing her, and voluntarily condemned herself to a Retreat to which her State of Widowhood served as a specious Pretext, but little suitable to a Widow of twenty six, and one of the most charming Women in the World.
The King, seeing immediately into her Intention, did all he could to induce her to appear in publick, and for this Purpose gave the most gallant Entertainments; but he never had the Pleasure to see her shine at them, and Nothing was capable of making her appear out of her Father's House, who, as first Minister, usually resided in London.
So discreet and regular a Conduct could not be relished by the King, who, tired out by so long a Resistance, perceived that his Virtue was ready to abandon him; so that, following the Advice of a more interested than scrupulous Confidant, he resolved to devote himself blindly to his Passion. However, before proceeding to the last Extremities, he was desirous to have Recourse again to Entreaties, and to assume the Character of a Suppliant in a Letter he directed his Confidant to deliver to the Countess. She read it without the least Emotion. "You will be pleased, Sir, to acquaint the King (said she) that he may spare himself the Trouble of writing to me again on this Business, the Answer I gave him at Salisbury Castle being the only One he can have from me." This was all the Confidant could obtain.
The King, dissatisfied with this Message, and not knowing what Course to take, ordered him to go for the Countess's Father, who, ready to execute his Master's Will, repaired that Instant to him. He found the King on his Bed, who, as soon as he had entered, desired him to shut fast the Door, and sit down near him at the Bed Side. Then looking at him with an Air of Dejection, "My Lord (said he) knowing you to be of approved Fidelity to me, I was glad to confer with you without Witnesses on an Affair where my Life is concerned, my future Peace depending on it, and it being decisive of my good or bad Fortune. I expect from you not only Advice in Regard to it, but also Assistance, which none but you can give me; and if you refuse me, I can have Recourse to Nothing but my Despair."
"Sir (cried Earl Varuccio) why this desponding Situation of Mind, and why should your Majesty indulge it, if it be in my Power to apply the Remedy? Can you doubt of my Zeal and Affection? What must I do? Speak, Sir, and think I shall find Nothing difficult to procure the Tranquillity I see you deprived of, were I for that Purpose to make a Sacrifice to you of myself and all that is dearest to me in the World. Yes, Sir (continued he, raising his right Hand towards Heaven) I swear by all that is most sacred that I am ready to do all that your Majesty shall command me, whatever Risk I may run in doing it."
"My Lord (said the King) now does your Promise bring me to full Life; I never made the least Doubt of your Zeal. But I presumed not entirely to depend on an Assistance which in some Measure I dared not to ask you for, and which yet you can grant me, without exposing your Life, or that of your Relations." He then told him, greatly embarrassed, and faltering in his Speech, all that had happened between him and the Countess his Daughter.
Whilst the King spoke, Varuccio could not help betraying all the Symptoms of equal Horror and Amazement. "Sir (said he abruptly) I took an Oath, and as rash a One as was formerly Jepthah's Vow. My Zeal for serving your Majesty has been a little too precipitate. It is true it never once entered my Thoughts that you would have required from me a Proof of this Nature, and that, not content with having a Design upon the Honour of my Daughter, you should likewise make me the Contriver of the Shame of my Family, and believe I could be made to swallow down the Shame by the Hope of Reward, and a Fortune that cannot tempt such a Heart as mine. The Respect due to royal Dignity does not permit me to say to your Majesty all that my Integrity of Heart might suggest; but, without a Moment's Hesitation, I shall keep my Oath, how rash soever it may be, and shall say to my Daughter all that I possibly can to engage her to answer your Love. I will place in a very favourable Light your tender Contenance, and I will awake her Attention to the Fortune she may make by loving you. I will speak to her, not as a Father, but as the Confidant of your Majesty; still I declare to you, that, after saying all your worthy Heart could wish for, you must not think of my using Violence, or any other Right but that of Representation. I hope her Virtue
will not permit her to yield to my Eloquence; but if I was to be unfortunate enough to persuade her, by playing the unworthy Part your Majesty obliges me to, in such Case I should reserve to myself the Right of acting the Father, and should chastise her as she deserved. These, Sir, are my Sentiments; keep your Benefactions and Promises for safe Souls. Remember that during our last War with the Scots you had reproached a certain Lord, that, from a Barber, he became an Earl for having favoured the Amours of the late King, your Father. No like Reproach shall ever be made to me. The noble Blood that runs in my Veins shall ever inspire me with Sentiments, looking down with Contempt on high Fortune, when it is to be acquired at the Expense of my Honour." The Earl stepped out, speaking these last Words, and left the King in the greatest Consternation and Confusion in the World.
He went directly to the Countess, to whom he said, "Daughter, you are going to hear the most extraordinary Proposal a Father ever made to a Daughter, especially such a Father as I am, who always have had Honour at Heart, and always preferred it to the most illustrious Fortune. Know then, Daughter, that notwithstanding these Sentiments in which I have brought you up, and which I have with Joy marked in your Heart, and though I should much rather see you dead than capable of others, I find myself this Day constrained, by the Fatality of my Star, to make to you a Declaration of Love on the part of the King, and to give you Advice contrary to my Inclination, by soliciting you to make a Return of Fendernes to that amorous Prince, who offers you, with the most splendid Fortune, the most constant Love. An Oath, too light made, oblige me to speak to you in his Favour, and even to entre you to comply with his Passion; but I am bound no farther, and ye are free to act as you shall judge most advisable. I promised to request that you would comply, but not to command nor to force you. So, dear Daughter, to satisfy my Oath, I now pray you once for all to satisfy the King; his Life depends on it, and it ought to be precious enough to you for making a Sacrifice to it of your Honour."
"I never, indeed, expected (answered the Countess) a Proposal of the kind; and still less from the Mouth of my Father. Could the King have made Choice of so strange a Confidence, and given you the unworthy Commission you have now acquitted yourself of? But, dear Father (wiped the, burning into Tears) can you doubt one Moment of my Intentions; and, though you might be capable of adding Force to Counsel, you should find me ready to resign the Life I hold from you, rather than renounce the Sentiments of Honour I have imbibed from your Blood. Tell then the King, what I have told himself and others, that I shall sooner relinquish Life than cease to be a Woman of Honour. If my Constancy still irritates him, if it appears to him criminal, I am ready to expiate it in the most cruel Punishments; but his Power neither extends over my Honour nor my Conscience, and I would rather consent to Death than to his criminal Desires. This, Father, is my last and firm Resolution."
Earl Varuccio, charmed with his Daughter's Answer, embraced her tenderly; and, having related to her how the King had surprised his Oath, he went to give an Account to that Monarch of the Success of his Commission, protesting to him on his Conscience that he had acquitted himself of it, and that he had not only counselled his Daughter to Submission to his Will, but had also used Entreaties for that Purpose. He likewise assured him that his Counsels and Entreaties were ineffectual, and delivered to him Word for Word the Answer he had just received from the Countess.
The King had been extremely perplexed, waiting his Return; and had even made new Efforts to conquer his Passion. He found Varuccio's Reasons very just, and blushed at thinking he could give him so shameful a Commission; but, when informed that he had fruitlessly proceeded to that Extremity, all his Virtue deserted him; he lost Patience in losing Hope, and, abandoning himself to Desperation, said all that the most vehement Passion was capable of inspiring him with.
The Earl, foreseeing that the Matter would not terminate here, and apprehensive that there would be no farther Occasion for his Ministry, said, "Sir, I have fulfilled what I engaged to do; and I hope that your Majesty, in its Turn, will perform the Promise it made me of granting whatever I should ask. I ask neither for Wealth nor Posts of Honour; to one of my Years Nothing but calm Repose is wanting; so that all the Favour I wish for is Leave to spend the Remainder of Life on my Estate. The King consented to his Requisition, and he set out the same Day with his four Sons, leaving at London his Wife and Daughter, with the rest of his Family."
The King had no Difficulty to see into the Motive of his Retreat, judging he declined making himself a Party in the Affair; and that, secure of his Daughter's Virtue, he had left her to herself, not being able to leave her in better Hands, that it might be seen she was Mistress of her Conduct and Actions, and that none could impute to him her Way of Behaviour to his Majesty.
It was then that this amorous Prince, losing all Hopes, kept no longer any Measure; and, from being entirely occupied by his Passion, was observed to neglect the Care of Affairs, and to forsake the Pleasures he had been most addicted to. So extraordinary a Conduct surprised the whole Court; and, as the King's Amour was now no Secret, the Courtiers made loud Complaints of the Countess's Rigours, and the dismal Situation she had reduced her Sovereign to. Some said that she deserved Punishment, and others, flattering the Monarch's Passion, pretended to prove to him, by substantial Arguments, that he could, to satisfy himself, make Use of his whole Authority, and make himself happy by Force, as he could not succeed in becoming so by his Cares and Tenderness.
The King, persuaded by these Speeches, so flattering to his Passion, and infatuated by the Passion itself, determined to gratify it; but, before using Force, he was willing once more to cite that haughty Beauty in Form, and to give her Warning for the last Time, after which he was to expect to be treated as a Place taken by Affault. He charged one of his Secretaries of State to serve this Summons on the Countess, and to declare his Intentions to the Mother.
The Secretary acquitted himself punctually of his Commission. The Countess was not in the least moved; and, still answering in the same resolute Manner, she told the Envoy that the King might, if he thought it agreeable to the Laws of the Kingdom, and of his own Conscience, as he was to answer for his Conduct before God, take away her Goods, Liberty, and Life, but that she was ready to sacrifice all to preserve her Honour. So saying, she passed into her Closet, leaving the Secretary with her Mother, who, more easy to be intimidated, and trembling and dismayed at all this Minister of the King's Will made her to dread from the Effects of his just Resentment, begged for Time to speak to her Daughter, and promised to induce her to comply with the King's Desires.
Her Request being granted, she ran to her Daughter's Apartment, and, dismissing her Attendants, thus spoke to her, amidst a Profusion of Tears, "Believe me, dear Daughter, a Lover that wears a Crown ought not to be treated as a private Person, and Sovereigns have always a Right to make us know that they are our Masters. On this to Day you will be made sensible, unless, yielding to Necessity, you gain an Ascendant over yourself, by consenting to what you cannot hinder. By so doing it is in your Power to prevent the Ruin of our Family, and to avert the dreadful Storm ready to pour down on our Heads. It is a melancholy Thing for me to see myself forced to give you an Advice so opposite to the Sentiments of Virtue, which I inculcated into you from early Youth. And I even swear to you that I give you this Advice in Spite of myself, for I would not give it, did I see the least Appearance of sheltering your Honour from the Violence intended against you; but, once more, we must suit ourselves to Times and Circumstances, and give Way to Force. Can I procure a numerous Band to defend you against those who

set his House, and take you out of it by an arm's Force. Alas! I am sure to them Nothing but my Tears, which they will pay no Reward to. Shall I call my Women to my Aid, and call their Ditties ward off Pikes and Halberds? It would be ridiculous to think so. So, my dear Child, there is no Probability of being able to save your Honour; and, if I believe I might, without hurting mine, counsel you to guard against other Misfortunes that threaten us, because you remedy Nothing by bringing them upon us."
The Countess, who had listened attentively to all her Mother said, here interrupted her by her Sobs, and, overwhelmed by the Grief that pierced her Heart, fell in a Swoon at her Feet. The good Lady was extremely alarmed. She called out for Help, and her Cares had soon the wished for Effect. They recalled that Beauty to Life, who, come to herself, and thence round her Heart anew with its noble Resolution, turned to her distressed Mother, and said to her, with a dry Eye and serene Aspect, "Be comforted, Madam; it shall not be said that I was born to cause the Ruin of my Family, and to open to you an inexhaustible Source of Tears. It is more just I should alone feel that Calamity which my Destiny is pleased to impose on me. I must, as you have said, suit myself to Time, yield to Force, and to Necessity, and suffer only what cannot be avoided. I have taken a Resolution to see the King, in Order to secure my Family from the Effects of his Resentment. Wipe away then your Tears, and let us go off quickly to prevent the Orders he may give for taking me away by Force."
The Mother, charmed to find in her Daughter a Dexterity which, in a great Degree, she had despaired of, embraced her tenderly; and getting into a Calash with her, without other Company than two of their waiting Ladies, drove in Haste to the King's Palace, where the first asked for the Secretary of State, who, a few Hours before, was at her House. This Minister, overjoyed to see them, ran to announce them to the King; and said, introducing them to him, "Sir, I here bring Company your Majesty has long wished to see."
The King stepped forward to salute the Ladies, and gave them a most gracious Reception; after which the Mother, ordering her Attendants to withdraw, said to him, in tremulous Accents, "Sir, I here bring with me my Daughter, to make Reparation for all the Trouble she has given your Majesty. I beg you would forget it, and not impute it to the rest of the Family." "Be assured, Madam (replied the amorous King) what you have done this Day in my Favour defaces all that is past; and I am more than indemnified for all the Rigours of your Daughter, by her voluntary Condescension to see me, as it has prevented the cruel Necessity of Compulsion. I hope that neither will ever have Room to repent of this Effort of Compliance, but on the contrary will applaud themselves for it." The good Lady retired, and left her Daughter in the King's Power.
It was then that this enamoured Prince, confining over his Heart entirely to Joy, said to the beautiful Countess every Thing Love could inspire that was tender and gallant; and, throwing himself at her Feet, laid aside for a Moment the Character of King to assume that of the most submissive Lover.
At length his Fondness not permitting him to moderate his Desires, or defer longer the Gratification of them, the Countess prayed him first for a short Audience, and then said to him, "You may believe, as that I am not come here to oppose your Will, or to continue to Sustain by persisting in my Resistance. No, Sir, I am in your Power; I pleased my Star, and my nearest Relations were themselves willing to deliver me up to it, though they should, on the contrary, have foreseen it in the Sentiments of Virtue, which they force me to renounce. But your Majesty, I hope, will be persuaded that my Virtue is the only Consideration that has made me culpable in your Eyes, Nothing being so certain that, equally sensible of your Goodness and Merit, I a Hundred Times wished the Distance was less great between us, that I might find Means to satisfy you without incurring the Guilt of a Crime. Having now made known to you my Sentiments, take it not amiss, Sir, if I should endeavour to examine into yours, and to be assured, if you do me the Honour of loving me in Reality, or if you have only a Desire to satisfy yourself, and that, piqued by my Refusal, you made it a Sort of Point of Honour to yourself to triumph over my Resistance. My Delicacy requires this Explanation, which I beg you would give me."
The King protested that he loved her more than he had ever loved any One in his Life. "It is not by Words, Sir (replied the Countess) I can be persuaded, but by Facts. I have a Favour to ask of your Majesty; swear to me that you will grant it, and then, but not till then, I shall be convinced of your Tenderness." The King swore, by all that was most dear and sacred to him, that he would grant the Countess all she should ask, were it the Half of his Kingdom, in this imitating the Compliance that Ahafuerus had formerly for Queen Esther; but how great was his Surprise, when, bound by an Oath which it was no longer in his Power to violate, he saw the Countess's Face lighted up with Smiles, and an Air of Confidence, on taking from under her Gown a Dagger, which she had the Precaution to carry about her ever since she was threatened with Violence. Firmly grasping it, "Sir (said she) the Favour I have to ask of you is to make no Attempt on my Honour. You cannot now do it without falsifying your Oath, in which Case I will inviolably keep that which I make to you in my Turn, of burying this Dagger in my Bosom. It is your Business, Sir, to choose, and to tell me which of these two Oaths you would have performed." With these Words she threw herself on her Knees, and endeavoured by her Tears to determine him to what was right.
Heaven seconded her Wishes; for the King, moved to find so much Virtue and so much Courage in the Soul of the Countess, after remaining for some Time fixed in Admiration, and a Surprise hard to be expressed, said to her: "Rise, Madam, I can no longer hold out against so much Virtue. You triumph over me, and this Day I am resolved to make your Triumph authentic by crowning your Virtue. It is the only Resource that remains to me for contenting my Love, without violating my Oath, and without exposing myself to create Displeasure in you; it is the only One that can make me perfectly happy, and the only One that suits you, because you are worthy of the Throne. Prepare yourself, therefore, to share it with me, to reign over the English, as you reign sovereignly over my Heart."
The King hereupon gave Orders for calling to him the Lords then in Waiting at Court, and having at the same Time sent for the Countess's Mother and the two waiting Ladies, he commanded them all to salute the Queen, on whose Finger he put a very beautiful Diamond Ring, after giving her a Kiss as a Mark of his Engagement. He next ordered a Bishop, distinguished by his Learning and great Reputation, who was then present, to prepare for giving the Benediction to his Marriage, after acquainting the Assembly of the secret Scene that had passed between him and the Countess, and showing them the Dagger, that might be justly called the faithful Witness of her Virtue.
The Countess thanked the King in the most affecting Terms for this Return of Fortune to her, as surprising as it was illustrious. The Mother testified her Gratitude by Tears, which her Joy made her shed in Abundance; and there was not one but was touched by so tender a Scene. Counters were despatched to the Countess's Father and Brothers to assist at her Nuptials, and the King embraced them with as much Tenderness as if the one had been his Father, and the others his Brothers. He heaped on all Wealth and Honours. The Marriage at first was private, the King's Affections not permitting him to wait for its Solemnization, which his Majesty reserved for the Day on which it was to be publicly celebrated.
This was the first of July. All the Peers of the Kingdom were summoned to appear in their respective Ranks, and assist at the Coronation of the new Queen, who, having been carried the Evening before incognito from the King's Palace to her Father's House, was thence conducted to Westminster Abbey, where his Majesty entered into new Engagements with her, declaring her publicly Queen.
The Ceremony of her Coronation followed that of her second Espousals, after which she was led to the Palace, dressed in royal Robes, with the Crown on her Head, and followed by all the Lords and Ladies in the Kingdom, who made the most magnificent Appearance imaginable.
It was then were heard the joyous Acclamations of the People; and, by a strange Alteration, those who had some Time before censured the Countess were forced to render Homage to her Virtue, by bestowing on her a Thousand Praises. The Women and Maidens were assiduous in strewing the Streets with Flowers through which she was to pass; and these Streets were ornamented with the finest Pieces of Tapestry, and the Air resounded with Cries of Joy, from all Parts, "Long live our beautiful Queen, whom her Virtue has crowned!" Nothing but Feasts and Balls were held for several Days; and it was in one of these Balls that Edward created the Order of the Garter, which is considered in a very distinguished Light in England, that in all Ages the greatest Lords might reputed it a singular Honour to wear the Livery of that beautiful Queen, and that the Gift of her Garter might be to them the constant Object of their Ambition.
And HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, whence a Consequence may be drawn of more Advantage to the Countess than that which has been drawn in Favour of Pons; for if it is said, in Regard to that brave
fell from her, and was picked up by the King at one of those
Indian, that Virtue pleases, though conquered, we may here conclude that Virtue is invincible, that of the Countess having triumphed over all the Assaults formed against it, and having opened to her the Way to the Throne, by triumphing over royal Authority. A great Example to invite all to the Imitation of so engaging and triumphant a Virtue!
But alas! it may be said, to the Shame of the present Age, that it is an Example little followed. How many has the indulged Propensity to Vice led to the Precipice of Destruction, if not on Gibbets and Scaffolds, at least by signal Punishments from the venging Hand of Providence, and the bitter Remorse of Conscience; whereas the Testimony of a good Conscience is alone sufficient to make us support the Weight of the most adverse Shiftings of Fortune.
A TURKISH SENTIMENTAL NOVEL.
IN the thirteenth Verse of the seventeenth Chapter of the Alcoran, the Doctrine of Fatality, or Predestination , is established in the strongest Manner, for Mahomet makes the divine Being utter these Words, And we have suspended a Bird about every Man's Neck . The best Interpreters of the Alcoran understand, by the Symbol of the Bird, the Destiny of Man, either good or bad, in the same Manner as the Latins, by the Word good or bad Bird , expressed good or bad Fortune. According to this Interpretation, Moghreb, one of the Commentators of the holy Prophet, adds the following Note to this Verse, on which that grand Article of Faith amongst the Mahometans, Predestination , is founded. "All Men at their Birth have a Paper (invisible to mortal Eyes) hung about their Necks, upon which is written their good or bad Fortune." The original Decree, of which this Paper is a Copy, they believe is written in Heaven by the divine Pen , on the sacred Tablet . That our Readers may readily comprehend the Force of the particular Sentiments in the following Tale, and in Order to avoid the Trouble of referring frequently to Notes, we prefix the necessary Explanations, and must therefore request them to remember "that the divine Pen is said to be created by the Finger of God; its Substance consists of the richest Pearls; a Horseman, mounted upon the swiftest Courser, would hardly be able to ride the Length of this wonderful Pen in five Hundred Years; it has the Virtue to write of itself, without the Assistance of any Hand, the past, present, and future; and the Ink in this Pen is composed of subtle Light; the Angel Seraphael is the only Person who can read the Characters traced by it; it has fourcore Nibs, which will be constantly writing, till the Day of Judgment, every Thing that is to happen in the World."
"The sacred Tablet is suspended in the Middle of the seventh Heaven, and is carefully guarded by Angels, for Fear evil Spirits should alter or erase its Records; its Length is equal to the Space between Heaven and Earth, and its Breadth from east to west. This marvellous Table is of one single Pearl, formed of exquisite Whiteness."
Strange as these absurd Articles of the Mahometan Faith may appear, yet, if we look into the Systems which have obtained amongst the Secretaries of Christianity, such as the Papists, the Moravians, Muggletonians, Sandimanians, &c. &c. or scrutinize the Tenets of the Deists and Freethinkers, we shall not be deterred by these Illusions from pursuing the Thread of an entertaining Tale.
A young Sultan of Persia, who had been shut up in a Castle, and debarred the Advantages of Education by a jealous Father, being desirous of improving his Understanding, soon after he ascended the Throne sent for an ancient Dervise to converse with him on the Subject of the different Destinies or Fortunes of Mankind. "How comes it to pass (says the Sultan to the Priest) that wise and prudent Men most frequently groan beneath the Weight of Poverty and Affliction, while, on the contrary, Madmen and Fools are most commonly surrounded with Pleasure, Riches, and Honours? Wisdom, which is the Lot of the first, is not sufficient to enable them to foresee or prevent the Ills that befall them, while the latter, in Spite of their Rashness and Imprudence, enjoy constant Happiness." Sire (replied the Dervise) God alone is the sovereign Dispenser of Good and Evil; Men ought to submit to their Fate, such as it is written with the divine Pen on the sacred Tablet of eternal Decrees; Nothing can derange the Order of Events marked on this miraculous Tablet , which is suspended in the Middle of the seventh Heaven.
The History I shall have the Honour to relate to your Sublime Highness will serve as an unanswerable Proof of what I have advanced.
Asfendiar, the youngest Son of a Grecian King, discovered, from his Infancy, Tokens of an uncommon Genius, and a pensive meditating Disposition, which, as he grew up, gave his Father Suspicions that he would become the Favourite of the People, and perhaps usurp the Throne destined for his eldest Brother, for whom the King had a most extraordinary and partial Affection; but not being of that tyrannick Temper which prompts some Monarchs to put to Death the Children they hate, or to exercise a more barbarous Cruelty by putting out their Eyes, he banished him his Dominions, leaving the Care of his Subsistence to Providence.
A Disgrace so little merited did not throw the young Prince into Despair, nor yet greatly surprise him. Convinced, by his deep Meditations in the Law of the Prophet Mahomet, of that Fatality which Nothing can resist, and which links Events together, in such a Manner that human Prudence cannot separate or break the Chain of them, he resolved to submit patiently to his Lot. As he was travelling on without any fixed Design, and meditating on his Misfortune, he met a young Man remarkably handsome in his Person, whose Politeness was equal to the Beauty of his Countenance. The young Man, prepossessed in Favour of the Prince by his external Appearance, desired his Permission to travel with him. Necessity, Opportunity, and Conformity of Fortune, so closely united these two Adventurers, that the Day was not passed before they placed an entire Confidence in each other.
The next Morning they met with a third Traveller, who was the Son of a Merchant, and seemed to be thoroughly versed in the Profession of his Father. The Conversation of the new Comer pleased our Travellers, and they requested him to associate himself with them.
A Countryman, robust and active, whom they met with the third Day, telling them that he was going to look for Work in the City of Laodicea, which was at no great Distance, the three Pilgrims admitted him into their Society, which did not abound with Money, and the little that this slender Troop could furnish was soon exhausted to supply their Necessities.
"Behold (says the Peasant to his Companions) the critical Moment for employing the Talents that God has given to each of us, if we would not become the sorrowful Victims of extreme Poverty."
"My Friends and Companions (replied Asfendiar) why should we trouble ourselves about the future, which we can neither foresee nor alter? Our Lot is recorded upon the sacred Tablet . If Providence has destined us any Relief, we shall become the quiet Possessors of it without Pain or Labour; but if it is decided that Indigence shall be our Lot, all our Efforts will prove fruitless, for Nothing can revoke its eternal immutable Decrees."
The handsome young Man then took up the Subject, and opposed the Sentiments of the Prince, at the same Time asserting that an agreeable Person was one of the most advantageous Means to succeed in the World. "You make the Eulogium, exclaimed the Merchant briskly, of a very fragile Benefit. Beauty is a Capital which easily slips through the Hands of the Possessor, and its Revenue is uncertain; but Genius is the true Source of Riches, he alone can fix the Inconstancy of Fortune who unites Prudence and Activity with a profound Knowledge of Business. For my Part, resumed the Countryman, I insist on it, that whoever has Hands, and will make Use of them, is sure not to die of Hunger; Labour is the most assured Resource against Indigence; all the rest are uncertain. Asfendiar saw with Regret that his Companions relied more upon their several Talents than upon Providence; he therefore spared no Pains to convince them of their Error, and for that Purpose cited several Passages of the Alcoran. The Peasant did not understand these sublime Lessons; he was hungry, and he knew that he who talked so well could not give them a Dinner. While the Prince was continuing his Discourse, our Rustick repaired to a neighbouring Wood, gathered together a Quantity of dry Sticks, which he found in great Abundance; and, having great corporal Strength, he loaded his Shoulders with Faggots, which he carried to the City, to which they were now approached, sold them, and brought back some Provisions, unperceived by his Companions. And thus this little philosophick Troop were refreshed by our Countryman, who had the Satisfaction of feeding those who thought they were much wiser than him. The comely young Man being now desirous to exert his Talents, went to the City; and as he was musing on the Means to render some Service to his Companions, an old Woman called to him, and told him that a rich Lady, who had seen him through a Window, desired he would favour her with a Visit. Our young Indigent was not in a Situation to refuse an Intrigue; he therefore cheerfully accepted the Offer. He had the Happiness to please, and was dismissed with several rich Presents, with Part of which he purchased a greater Variety and Abundance of Provisions than the Countryman, and returned to his Companions with a joyful Countenance.
The Merchant's Son now began to take Shame to himself, for having amused his Companions with the most ample Details of the Advantages of Commerce, and the sure Means of making a Fortune, while he had, at the same Time, remained an idle Spectator of the Works of their little Society, without availing himself of his fine Maxim, be in the least
useful to them. He began to think it high Time to be serviceable in his Way, and with this View he borrowed a few Pieces of Money from the young Man, and set off for Laodicea.
From this feeble Resource our young Merchant knew how to draw considerable Profits. He made directly for the Harbour, and inquiring amongst People of Business what Commodity was particularly scarce in the City, and being informed that the Olive Trees, being struck with a Blight, had failed that Year, and that the Inhabitants were in great Want of Oil, he watched his Opportunity, and seeing a Ship cast Anchor off the Port, he went off in a Boat, without imparting his Design to any One, and being put on Board, he desired to speak with the Master in private, of whom he inquired if he was not the Ship expected to arrive with a Cargo of Oil, as an Adventure upon his own Account; to which the Master answering in the affirmative, our Adventurer told him that he was in Partnership with Ibrahim, the greatest Merchant in the City, who had sent him off Express to acquaint him that he would give him an advanced Price, and instantly furnish him with a full Freight for another Voyage, if he would let him have the whole Cargo of Oil. The Price tendered being very advantageous to the Master, he accepted the Offer, took Earnest, and signed an Agreement to deliver the Oil to Ibrahim and Company.
The Bargain concluded, our Adventurer repaired to Ibrahim's without Loss of Time, and thus accosted him, "Sir, One who is an entire Stranger to you comes to offer you more Wealth than your best Friends have ever tendered you. Knowing that you had no Oil remaining in your Warehouse, I thought I should do you a signal Service by contracting, in your Name, at a moderate Price, for a Cargo that is just arrived in the Harbour." Ibrahim, quite enchanted, embraced the young Merchant, ran with him to the Port, went on Board the Vessel, now surrounded by Merchants, who were greatly chagrined at being forestalled, paid the Money for the Oil, and liberally rewarded his skilful Agent, who, quite satisfied with his Adventure, returned to the Society with still more abundant and delicate Provisions than the Peasant or the young Man; and having reimbursed the latter, the Company had still a moderate Capital in Hand for future Exigencies.
"My Friends (said the Prince) you have all three been very fortunate, every One in your own Way; but you strangely deceive yourselves if you imagine you have done any more than execute the Decrees of Providence, which had ordained all this to happen. We are only blind Instruments; I have not the Talents you possess, but who knows what this great Workman may make of me? To-morrow I will go to the City, resigned entirely to the Fate that awaits me there."
Early the next Morning, after a fervent Prayer to him who governs all Things with unerring Wisdom, the Prince sat out under the Guidance of his Star. He soon arrived at Laodicea, and the first News he heard was that the King was just dead, and had left no Heir to succeed him, which was the more regretted as their late Sovereign was one of the best of Princes. The Mourning appeared as sincere as it was general; some wept, some tore their Hair, others their Clothes, in the Eastern Manner; and all exclaimed, "who shall we find to govern us so well?"
Asfendiar paid great Attention to all he saw and heard; but not being affected, he did not think it his Duty to shed Tears. His serene Countenance and Unconcern displeased some zealous Servants of the deceased Monarch, and soon rendered him suspected. Grief is often unjust. He was taken for a Spy, and loaded with Irons, in the very instant that they were carrying the Corpse of the late King to the Sepulchre. Providence, whom the Stranger constantly acknowledged as his Protector, suffered him to be conducted to a most horrid Dungeon in the common Prison, where he was forgot for two Days, and left without Nourishment. The poor Prince, in this melancholy Situation, reasoned thus with himself, "God, who employs so quietly the Instruments he makes Choice of, may destroy those which he judges to be useless;" and he supported his Misfortune with the Remains of a philosophical Courage, to which his empty Stomach was ready to revolt, when he heard the Steps of Men, who, approaching his Dungeon, ordered him to appear before the Divan.
Asfendiar followed his Guards resigned to Death, which he had already seen at no great Distance. The Grandees of Laodicea were assembled in the Presence Chamber round the empty Throne, and could not agree in the Choice of a proper Person to fill it. One amongst the rest, terrified by the Apprehensions of a civil War, represented to them, that their Enemies kept Spies in the City; that one of them was already in Chains; that several others might have escaped the Vigilance of the Magistrates, and that the Intelligence they would give to their Masters of their present Disagreement about the Election of a King might be attended with fatal Consequences to the State. The Grandees, intimidated by this Recital, had determined to interrogate the Prisoner in Custody, and in Consequence of this Resolution Asfendiar was brought before them.
The Prince appeared composed and undaunted, addressed them with a noble Air and manly Eloquence, and did not conceal a single Circumstance of his Life; neither disguising his Name, his Birth, the Reasons of his leaving his native Country, his Adventures since, nor the Reflections which had occasioned them.
The ingenious Manner in which he related his Story, his Constancy, his Sagacity, the Rigour of his Fate, the Purity of his Conduct, and, above all, his firm Reliance on the Supreme Being, sensibly affected the whole Assembly. Some of the Grandees, who had seen him at his Father's Court, recollected his Features; and to put an End to the great Confusion and distress they were in by being reduced to choose one of their own Body for their Master, which is generally productive of Jealousies, Feuds, Animosities, and Bloodshed, they unanimously agreed to elect Asfendiar. "Heaven, without Doubt, cries one of the Senators, has sent us this Stranger to terminate our Differences; he alone is worthy to reign over us who sprung from royal Blood, has the Virtues of his Ancestors to imitate, and their Steps to follow. The Misfortunes that this young Prince has undergone, the Experience they have taught him, his noble and majestic Air, all announce to us that he will be a great King, solely occupied in promoting the Glory and Happiness of his Subjects." The whole Assembly by after this Speech acknowledged him for their Sovereign, and he passed in a Moment from a Prison to a Throne. His Coronation was precipitately prepared; he was clad in a costly Robe; and being seated on a white Elephant, according to the Custom of the Place from Time immemorial, he was led through the principal Streets of the City attended by his Court, that he might receive the Homage of his new Subjects, which was carried almost to Adoration.
Three Days had passed since Asfendiar had quitted his Companions, who affectionately regretted his Absence; and apprehending for a Stranger the Fate which had really befallen him at first, full of Inquietude, they repaired to the City to get Intelligence concerning him. On their Arrival they learned that a new Sovereign had been proclaimed; and not doubting that a Coronation Day would be a Day of Grace for all Criminals, they secretly rejoiced at this Event, which gave them Hopes of recovering their unfortunate Fellow Traveller. As the new Monarch descended the high Street of Laodicea, the three Strangers resolved to have a full View of him, and placed themselves so advantageously that it was impossible he should avoid seeing them, at the same Time that they indulged their Curiosity in fixing their Regards upon him.
As soon as Asfendiar saw them, though become a Monarch, he instantly acknowledged his old Companions, desired them to approach his Person, and as soon as they were recovered from their extreme Surprise he thus addressed them, amidst the Crowds of People that surrounded them:
"My Friends, behold one of the most powerful Operations of Providence. Will you believe that I have been able to make myself Sultan of Laodicea! Or, when I shall have bestowed on you those Favours which Gratitude exacts from me, will you imagine that it is me who confers on you those Benefits which Providence has reserved for you! No, my dear Companions, we are all the Servants of the Supreme Being, but none of us knows the Fate to which he is destined."
In Fact, this Prince confided solely in Providence, on which he firmly relied, by which Means he became one of the best Monarchs in the World; his former Companions he dismissed, loaded with Presents, to pursue their different Occupations, and he governed his People with Wisdom and Clemency.
Sire, added the old Dervise, let this History dissipate your Doubts, and convince you that all is for the best ; that whatever is is right ; or, in other Words, that no Man can avoid his Destiny .
WILLIAMSBURG, December 5.
LAST Saturday being St. Andrew's Day, which is appointed by the Charter of this City for the Election of a Mayor, THOMAS ELLARD, Esquire, was chosen into that Office for the ensuing Year.
We have received a farther Account of the following Elections:— Albemarle , Mr. JOHN WALKER, and Mr. THOMAS JEFFERSON.— Analia , Mr. JOHN WINN, and Mr. JOHN TABB.— Lisija , Mr. RICHARD ANDERSON, and Mr. DABNEY CARR.— Hanover , Mr. PATRICK HENRY, and Mr. JOHN SMITH.— Carolina , Mr. EDMUND PENDLETON, and Mr. WALTER TALLIAFERRO.— Richmond , Mr. ROBERT WORMLEY CARTER, and Mr. FRANCIS LIGHT LEE.— Lancaster , Mr. RICHARD MITCHELL, and Mr. CHARLES CARTER.— Fflax , Mr. JAMES EDMONDSON, and Mr. WILLIAM ROANE.— Spotsylvania , Mr. RICHARD HENRY LEE, and

RICHARD LEE. —Northumberland, Mr. SPENCER MOTTEUM BALL, and Mr. PETER PRESLEY THORNTON.— King George , Mr. WILLIAM FITZHUUGH, and Mr. JOSEPH JONES.— Middlesex , Mr. EDMUND BERKELEY, and Mr. JAMES MONTAGUE.— Gloucester , Mr. THOMAS WHITING, and Mr. LEWIS BURWELL.— Warwick , Mr. WILLIAM HARWOOD, and Mr. WILLIAM LANGHORNE.— Essex , Mr. WILLIAM WALLACE, and Mr. HENRY KING.— Derbyshire , Mr. ROBERT BOLLING, and Mr. JOHN BANISTER.— Prince George , Mr. RICHARD BLAND, and Mr. PETER POYTHRESS.— Charles City , Mr. WILLIAM ACRILL, and Mr. BENJAMIN HARRISON.— James City , Mr. ROBERT CARTER NICHOLAS, and Mr. LEWIS BURWELL.— York , Mr. DUDLEY DIGGES, and Mr. THOMAS NELSON, Junior.— Isle of Wight , Mr. JAMES BRIDGER, and Mr. RICHARD HARDY.— Norfolk , Mr. THOMAS NEWTON, and Mr. JAMES HOLT.— Norfolk Borough , Mr. JOSEPH HUTCHINGS.
Last Saturday Evening a Fray happened at a House in this City, wherein one John Jones received a mortal Wound, with a Penknife, from a young Man named William Goodchild, it is said in his own Defence. Jones now lies at the Point of Death.
[Marriages.] Mr. JOHN BURWELL, to Miss NANCY POWELL, youngest Daughter of Mr. BENJAMIN POWELL, of this City.
[Deaths.] Mr. PHILIP WHITEHEAD CLABORNE, a few Days after his being elected one of the Representatives for King William, at his House in that County.
To ARISTIDES.
SIR,
I HAVE just read your long Address to me, which contains many Particulars that I am not obliged, in Consequence of my former Publication, to take Notice of. I by no Means intended to enter at large into the Subject of our Disputes, but took up my Pen merely to vindicate a Character which was to me respectable in many Instances where it had been egregiously misrepresented. I flatter myself my Letter has had its desired Effect, since I do not find any of the Facts mentioned in it seriously drawn into Question. It is to me, Sir, of very little Consequence what such a Man as Husband can suggest, since his Conduct has been so treacherous and deceitful, even with his own Party, that his Name is execrated by them, and his Memory held in as much Derision as is compatible with the most fixed Retentment. You are not to expect that scattering Insinuations will be formally refuted; these, when depending simply upon Opinion, had better be left to the several Sentiments of Individuals.
I have read the Newbern Paper you allude to; but it was only cursorily, and I have it not at Hand to re-peruse. I do not recollect how that Fact is there mentioned, but believe it was as I have stated it.
What do you mean by calling Colonel Tryon the Head of a Party? This is a most invidious Imputation, unless you intend it by Way of Contradiction to his not being the Head of the regulating Party. Thank God, he was not, but Spiritually held the Reins of Government, and desired their mischievous Attempts. His Conduct has given Security to our Persons, Lives, and Properties, which were all brought into the most imminent Danger. The malevolent Controul which the Regulators had of every Thing in the back Country, together with their constant Assurance of still greater Desperation, justly alarmed the whole Province, and instantly suggested the Necessity of Self Defence. This was the immediate and the necessary Cause of the Governor's adopting the decisive Method he carried into Execution. I am far, Sir, from exulting with barbarous Inhumanity in its Success; I reflect with much Concern on the incidental Evils of it, but am thoroughly convinced it was a necessary Act, and do say its Success has made it a happy One. The Situation of our Country now admits of milder and more agreeable Councils; most of the unhappy Offenders are in the peaceable Possession of their Farms, and in the Prosecution of their domestic Duties. The Memory, and, as far as possible, the Consequences, of the late Feuds, we are endeavouring to abolish, and do not thank any Man for attempting to revive them.
Your Letter, Sir, consists of many Queries, which I have neither Leisure, nor do I think it material, to answer. Those that appear to me to I will endeavour to satisfy as I go along. That there were many great and unwarrantable Fees taken I do not doubt, but deny that the Evil was so general as it has been represented. There were Laws in Being for the Regulation of Fees sufficient to expose the offending Party to Punishment, or at least to correct Extortion. The Lawyers indeed were not restricted with a Penalty, as they now are; but the chief Ground of Complaint was the Exaction of the Clerks, whose Fees were stated by Law, and who incurred a Penalty if they required more. The Costs of a Suit do not depend upon the Sum of its Demand; so that if the Parties consent to, or covine at, long Continuances, the Costs may perhaps, in Time, exceed the Debt. But for this, surely the Officers are not in Fault. The principal Object of popular Clamour was Colonel Fanning, whom it was determined to prosecute with unrelenting Rigour. He had procured the Office of Register for himself, in Order that he might save a considerable Expense in the Registration of Deeds, which he frequently had Occasion to receive, in Consequence of many Purchases. This I do believe was his express Motive, and he gave up all the Profits of it to a Clerk who did the Business. Many Persons conceived that more Fees were taken in this Office than the Law allowed, and many Grievances of this Kind were the Subjects of several Indictments. The Judges being of Opinion that there was a great Obscurity in the Law, which might seem to warrant the usually received Fees, imputed his Conduct to an Error in Judgment, and consequently imposed a small Fine. It still remains to be inquired whether they acted uprightly. You and I may differ in Opinion about it, but can neither of us form a direct Judgment without a Knowledge of the Facts produced upon the Trial. In the mean Time, the Presumption is in Favour of that Integrity and Uncorruptness which is expected in the Character of a Judge, who is independent of the Principles of Honour, under the Sanction of an Oath. The Freedom with which you treat an amiable Character is highly censurable, since the heavy Accusations which you more than insinuate ought to have a surer and more stable Foundation than circulating Reports and wild Conjectures. The Reputation of a Judge, any more than the Chastity of a Woman, should not even be suspected. You ask whether the Chief Justice's Fees were not connected with the Clerks? They had no other Connection but being inserted in the same Bill of Costs, and there they had a separate Column. Their Fees were both stated and distinct, and had no necessary Participation. The present Establishment of the Chief Justice is by a Salary, without any Fees whatever.
A Report of Grievances, which had occasioned so many violent Seditions in the back Country, was sufficient to excite the Governor's Attention, and he assured the Complainants they should have every Assistance of the Law. They consequently there sought Remedies for Grievances which appeared to be slight upon a real Inquiry, and therefore were so treated. They alleged many others, which neatly affected the Constitution and Policy of the Country. These could not be redressed by the ordinary Courts of Justice; but it has since been known that the Supposition of them was founded upon false Reports, calculated to mislead and abuse them. And however improbable, or inconsistent with Experience, it may appear to you, it is in Reality Nothing extraordinary that Lies reported with Confidence, among Men credulous and attached to each other, and at a Distance from any Means of better Information, should carry all the Appearances, and answer all the Purposes, of Facts. It was not from a Sense of present Oppression, but from an Idea of past Misapplication of the publick Revenue, that their Seditions first took Rise. This was a capital Evil with them, and yet it has been good chimera. An Unwillingness to pay Taxes, and a Spirit of Licentiousness where they thought to have absolute Controll, were perhaps the real Causes of them. These Motives impelled the Leaders of their Mischief, and the others suggested a Pretence for it, and served as a Snare to draw in deluded Men.
I have the most undoubted Authority for asserting that the Governor did not fire until the Hour was elapsed, and that only one Hour was given. I hope, Sir, this will satisfy you, although common Affection in Newspapers are, as to Credibility, upon a Footing, when under the Hands of anonymous Writers. But the Mention of a Circumstance is one Thing, and the making it a Ground of a direct and malicious Charge is another; and a Man who is deliberately guilty of it does deserve severe Reflection.
The Acts of the last Session, which you so disrespectfully mention, were extorted by Necessity, and appeared the only adequate Remedies to the then pregnant Evils which existed. It is but Justice to the Gentleman who introduced the Riot Act to say, his Humanity, Judgment, and Integrity, are to every Man respectable, and that he is not capable of an Action where either may with Propriety be questioned.
I have endeavoured, Sir, to reply to the inquiring Part of your Letter, and have satisfied you to the best of my Ability. We are not completely informed upon every Point which may appear doubtful, neither have we heard perhaps of every Grievance which may have been sustained. They certainly were not really such as to justify the violent Measures taken to redress them. The Persons said to be most affected by them think so too, and all Parties with to bury past Scenes in Oblivion. We think of the past with Concern, and look forward to the future with Hope. I most cordially join in the general Sentiment, and, if I know any Thing of my own Heart, have none of those Party Passions you suppose me to possess. My Principles are entirely independent, and as favourable, as indulgent, to Liberty, as is consistent with a regular Government, which is the only certain Assurance of social Happiness. I abhor all Restrictions that have
any other Tendency than the publick Good, and breathe a general Benevolence to all Mankind. This, Sir, is a Chaplet of my Essex or Retreat which I present to you, whose Address is written with Candour, and with a Degree of good Sense which I am sorry to see so easily susceptible of Prejudice. The violent Security of Leonidas deserved much severer Animadversion than he received from me.
EDENTON, North Carolina, } November 19, 1771.
PHOCION.
Advertisements.
DURING the last General Court I received from my Brother a Letter addressed to the Otis Company, which I delivered to three Members then in Williamsburg ; these Gentlemen, with myself, think a Meeting of the Company very necessary, and as soon as may be. I therefore request a Meeting at St. John's Courthouse , on Monday the 16th of December, on Business, though none done. y.t. of the utmost Importance to the Company. JAMES MERCER.
Any Member who has Letters from my Brother on the Subject of the Company is requested to bring or send them to the Meeting.
THURSDAY, December 4, 1766.
On a Motion made,
Ordered, THAT the CLERKS of the several County Courts in this Colony do transmit to the Clerk of this House, in the first Part of every Meeting of the General Assembly, a List of the Titheables in their Counties, containing the Names of such Titheables; and that they transmit also, at the same Time, a List of the publick Charges of their respective Counties.
Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do cause the same to be published in the VIRGINIA GAZETTE .
By the House of Burgessses, GEORGE WYTHE, C. H.
THE Ship Greenwale, John Bowie Master, lying at Cumberland , will take in Tobacco for London , with Liberty of Consignment, at eight Pounds Sterling a Tun. Notes and Orders will be received by the Captain on Board, or the Subscriber at Newcastle . DAVID COCHRAN.
SMITHFIELD, November 29, 1771.
AS it is out of the Power of the Smithfield Inspectors to collect the Money arising from shipping Tobacco, all Persons are desired to send the Money with their Notes, otherwise their Tobacco will not be delivered. CUTCHIN & SMILLY.
JOURNEYMEN TAILORS will meet with the greatest Encouragement by applying to the Subscriber, in Blandford . JAMES PATTERSON.
BY Decree of the Honourable the Court of Vice Admiralty, to be sold, on Saturday the 14th of this Instant, at Burwell's Ferry , for ready Money, eighteen Hundred Pounds of Jamaica COTTON, eleven Barrels of MUSCOVADO SUGAR, seven Barrels and three Bags of COFFEE, four Hundred Weight of PIMENTA, ninety seven Pounds of COCOA, forty seven HIDES, and Half a Tun of LOGWOOD. JOHN TYLER, Marshal.
WILLIAMSBURG, December 5, 1771.
LOST , last Thursday Night, about nine O'Clock, between Mr. Cocke's Store and Doctor Blair's , a GOLD BROOCH, the Motto Spes mea in Deo est . Whoever will bring it to me shall have a Reward adequate to his Trouble. WILLIAM DAWSON.
For LONDON,
THE Brigantine INNERMAY , William Langston Master, lying in Appomattox River , which will take in Tobacco at seven Pounds ten Shillings per Tun, with Liberty of Consignment. As one Half of her Cargo is already engaged, she will certainly sail by the first of January , Weather permitting. Any Gentlemen inclined to ship are desired to send their Notes or Orders to Mr. William Eccatt at Petersburg , Mr. Patrick Ramsay at Blandford , Mr. James Belches at Cabin Point , or the Captain on Board. WALTER PETER.
To be LET by the Subscribers, at Rocky Ridge , on Saturday the 14th Instant, to the lowest Bidder,
THE BUILDING of a STOREHOUSE forty four Feet by twenty two, ten Feet Pitch, with a Cellar seven Feet deep under the whole House, a Brick Chimney at one End, and a Compter, &c. also a DWELLINGHOUSE thirty Feet by eighteen, twelve Feet Pitch, with one Chimney, and a Cellar eight Feet deep, the Length of the whole House. Also a Lumber House forty by twenty, and ten Feet Pitch. These Buildings are to be done by the first of September , and finished in a Workman-like Manner. The Undertaker will be furnished with Cash to carry on the Works, and when they are done shall receive full Payment. We will furnish him with Nails, Locks, Hinges, Glass, Putty, Paint, and Oil, at Wholesale Advance. ALEXANDER & PETERFIELD TRENT.
To be SOLD on the Premises, in Suffolk County , on Wednesday the 18th of this Instant (December)
A very valuable Tract of LAND extending two Miles on the north Side of Nottoway River , containing about eleven Hundred Acres, more or less, and distant from Petersburg about thirty Miles; very little of the said Land is cut down, and a great Proportion of it is deemed very fine for Tobacco. It may be sold altogether, or otherwise, as may best suit the Purchasers, and the Terms of Payment will be made known on the Day of Sale. The Plantation is in good Order for Cropping, a Quantity of Wheat already sowed, and Possession may be immediately had. At the same Time will be sold a Quantity of Corn and Fodder, on six Months Credit. WILLIAM BLACK.
WARRASQUEAK Bay, November 18, 1771.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Isle of Wight , a Negro named JACK, about five and thirty Years of Age, five Feet ten Inches high, a slim, clean made, talkative, artful, and very saucy Fellow. Also a Negro Woman named VENUS, thirty two Years old, five Feet four Inches high, stout made, very smooth tongued, and has been five Years accustomed to the House. They worked in the Dismal Swamp about two Years, under Mr. John Washington, and carried with them several different Kinds of Apparel. Whoever delivers the said Negroes to me, or secures them so that I may get them, shall have a Reward of FORTY SHILLINGS for each. NATHANIEL BURWELL.
RUN away from the Lord Clive, at Norfolk , an indentured Servant named STEPHEN CLARKE, of a fair Complexion, about thirty three Years of Age, five Feet six Inches high, or thereabouts, a Tailor by Trade, scoops a little in his Walk, his Hair of a light brown Colour, and had on when he went away a light coloured Broadcloth Coat. He is supposed to be gone by Water to North Carolina , or to Mr. Peyton Skipwith's Plantation, on the Forks of Roanoke , where his Wife's Brother ( Robert Reader ) lives, who came into the Country in the same Ship upwards of two Years ago. Whoever brings the said Stephen Clarke to me at Richmond , on the Falls of James River , or to Mr. James Marsden at Norfolk , shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward. JOSHUA STORRS.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Bute County, North Carolina , a Negro Lad named GEORGE, about eighteen Years of Age, low built, with a down Look, and a remarkable Scar on one Side of his Nose and Cheek, occasioned by a Kick from a Horse. He went off about the first of June last, was bred a Waiter, is well acquainted with most Parts of Virginia , and is supposed to be gone to Hampden , where he was raised, and formerly belonged to Mr. William Tabb, but since passed as the Property of Miss Sarah Tabb. He is a very artful Fellow, and will impose upon any Person that will credit what he says. Whoever will deliver him to me shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward, besides what the Law allows. WILLIAM PERSON.
TAKEN up, in Dinwiddie , a large brindled BULL with a Bob Tail, marked with a Half Moon under the right Ear, and a Crop and three Slices down the left. CHARLES PISTOLE.
TAKEN up, in Lunenburg , a black HORSE two Years old last Spring, about four Feet eight Inches high, Part of his near hind Foot white, and branded on the near Buttock 3. Potted, and appraised to ten Pounds. WILLIAM PETITPOUL, Junior.
TAKEN up, in Goochland , five Head of HOGS, namely, two Boars and three Sows, two of which are marked with a Crop and Slices in the left Ear, and a Hole in the right; two of them are not marked, three dark coloured Ones, with white Luffs, and two white Ones. Potted, and appraised to three Pounds. JOHN WARE.
TAKEN up, in Amelia , a brown HEIFER marked with a Half Crop under the right Ear, and a Swallowork in the left. Potted, and appraised to twenty six Shillings. MARY WALLIS.
TAKEN up, in Amelia , a small black MARE about four Feet five or six Inches high, branded on the near Shoulder T E or T B in a Piece, both hind Feet and Part of her off fore Foot white, with a Star in her Forehead, a Bunch of white Hair in her Mane, near her Withers, and paces naturally. Potted, and appraised to six Pounds. JOSEPH STEPHENS.
THE Subscriber, residing at Goport , being appointed a NOTARY PUBLICK, will be obliged to those who favour him with notarial Affairs to negotiate, and they may depend that their Business will be done with Accuracy and Despatch, and on moderate Terms. THOMAS MCCULLOCH.
To the PUBLICK,
THE Subscriber having studied and practised MIDWIFERY for some Time past, with Success, under the Direction, and with the Approbation, of Doctors Pastur and Gale , flatters herself she will meet with Encouragement, as Nothing will be spared to complete her in the Knowledge of an Art so eminently necessary to the Good of Mankind. Ladies, and others, are therefore desired to take Notice that they will be waited upon on the shortest Warning, by their humble Servant, MARY ROSE.
M. EVANS,
LATELY arrived from London , at her Store the Corner of Church Street, Norfolk , takes this Method of acquainting the Publick that she WASHES BLOND LACE, and GAUZE, equal to new; likewise WASHES and MENDS SILK STOCKINGS in the nicest Manner. Those Ladies and Gentlemen who please to honour her with their Commands may depend on having the greatest Attention paid to their Orders as if it had been her Study to merit a Continuance of their Favours, being particularly careful to give Satisfaction. N. B. Any Country Orders shall be speedily executed.
WILLIAMSBURG, November 28, 1771.
TAKEN out of my Stable about the 8th of this Instant, a small light gray HORSE about ten or twelve Years old, four Feet three Inches high, with a roached Mane pretty much grown out, a Switch Tail, and trots and gallops but indifferently; his Brand, if any, is forgot. Whoever will bring him to me, or give me Intelligence where he is, shall be allowed whatever may be thought reasonable. RICHARD DAVIS.
VIRGINIA, sc.
At a General Court held at the Capitol October 14, 1771
James Agar, Esquire, of the Kingdom of Ireland, Plaintiff, against Lewis Burwell Martin, of the said Kingdom, and William Harrison, Defendants, In Chancery.
THE Defendant Martin being beyond Sea, and not having entered his Appearance according to the Rule of this Court, on the Motion of the Plaintiff, it is ordered that the other Defendant, who hath Effects of the said Martin in his Hands, as is suggested, do not pay, convey away, or secrete such Effects, except pursuant to former Decrees against him, until the farther Order or Decree of this Court concerning the same; but that he deliver up such Effects, or so much thereof as will be of Value sufficient to satisfy the Demand of the Plaintiff, unto the said Plaintiff, upon his giving Security to the Clerk of this Court for the Return of such Effects, in such Manner, and to such Persons, as the Court shall hereafter adjudge. And it is farther ordered, that the said Defendant ( Lewis Burwell ) do appear here on the first Day of the next Court, to answer the Bill of the Plaintiff; and that a Copy of this Order be, within fifteen Days, inserted in the VIRGINIA GAZETTE , for two Months successively, and published on some Lord's Day, immediately after divine Service, in the Parish of St. Anne , in the County of Albemarle , and posted up at the front Door of the Capitol, in the City of Williamsburg . BEN: WALLER.
To be SOLD at Fredericksburg , on Monday the 13th of January, if fair, otherwise next fair Day,
ABOUT forty valuable Virginia born SLAVES, consisting of young Fellows, breeding Wenches, and Children. Credit will be allowed till the 10th of next May , on giving Bond, with good Security, to John Wayles , Esquire, and the Subscriber. Those who do not discharge their Bonds immediately when due are to pay Interest from the Day of Purchase. THOMAS LOMAX.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, on Tuesday the 10th of December, and to continue till all are sold,
A TRACT of LAND containing about two Hundred Acres, on Rappahannock River , about two Miles above Falmouth , where are two Merchant Mills, one of them in good Repair, with several convenient Houses; also a family Negroes and Mulattoes, Horses, Cattle, Wagons Household Furniture, a good Collection of Books, and several LOTS in the Town of Falmouth . Credit will be allowed till the 25th of October next; the Purchasers to give Bond, with approved Security, to ALEXANDER WODROW, Surviving Partner of Wodrow & Neilson .
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Lewis Davis, deceased, on the Premises, on Friday the 13th of December,
ALL the personal Estate of the said James Holloway , consisting of a Variety of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, and a large Stock of CATTLE, among which are three Yoke of Oxen, Horses, Hogs, and Sheep, Crops of Corn and Fodder, the Plantation Utensils, and many other Articles. Six Months Credit will be allowed the Purchasers, on giving Bond and good Security. At the same Time and Place will be hired several likely SLAVES, consisting of Men, Women, Boys, and Girls; also to be rented, for a Term of Years, a Plantation in good Order for Cropping, with convenient Outhouses. JOHN POYTHRESS, HAMILTON JONES, Executors.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Lewis Davis, deceased, on the Premises, on Friday the 13th of December,
TWO Hundred Acres of LAND on the River Nottoway , about four Miles from the Mouth of the said River, and about Half a Mile from a Landing adjoining the Land of Mr. Richard Williams, in Nottoway . It is well wooded and watered, and a good Hunting Fishery may be cleared thereon. There is a Plantation on the Premises, with a small Dwellinghouse, several Outhouses, and Apple and Peach Orchards. The Time of Payment will be agreed on at the Sale, and Bond and Security will be required. NICHOLAS MACET, Executor.
COMMITTED to Isle of Wight Jail.
A Negro Fellow who say his Name is JACK, speaks bad English and either cannot or will not tell his Master's Name; he is a fine Fellow, appears to be about twenty Years of Age, and has on very coarse Clothes. The Owner is desired to prove his Property.

POETS CORNER.  Means to enjoy a HAPPY LIFE.  SERIOUSLY, my Son, attend, To the Counsels of a Friend; Would you lead a happy Life, Care avoid, and shun the Strife Which from Law must ever rise, Fatal Flame that never dies. If posses'd of moderate Wealth, And more ample Stock of Health, Keep a cheerful Look serene, Void of any haughty Mien; Seek Companions blithe and free, And of equal Rank with thee; Prudence follow, nor advance Into wild Extravagance; By a plain, but wholesome Diet, Sleep you'll purchase sound, and Quiet; Let your Conduct ever run To all obliging, rude to none; Choose a modest, virtuous Wife, Skill'd to smooth the Rubs of Life. With these Blessings well posses'd, Own yourself completely bles'd; And what e'er your settled Spot, Well contented with your Lot, Calmly be resign'd to Fate, When it summons, soon or late. Thus let fiery Death appear, Without a Wisp, without a Fear.
HIS Majesty's Postmaster General having (for the better facilitating of Correspondence between Great Britain and America) been pleased to add a fifth Packet Boat to the Station between Falmouth and New York, Notice is hereby given that the Mail, for the future, will be closed, on the Post Office in New York, at twelve of the Clock at Night, on the first Tuesday in every Month, and despatched by a Packet, the next Day, for Falmouth. By Command of the Deputy Postmaster General. ALEXANDER COLDEN, Secretary.
GEORGE III. by the Grace of GOD of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, to the Sheriff of Northumberland County, greeting: We command that you summon Robert Gordon, Administrator, &c. of Robert Wood, deceased, John Woodrop, his Brother and Heir, both of Great Britain, Esqrs., and Thomas Reid, to appear before our Justices of our Court, in Chancery, at the Capitol in Williamburg, on the first Tuesday of the next Court, to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against him by James McCall, of Great Britain, Merchant, and this they shall not fail to do, under the Penalty of a Hundred Pounds each; and then there this Writ. Witness JOHN Earl of DUNMORE, our Lieutenant and Governor General, at Williamburg, the 5th Day of November, in the eleventh Year of our Reign. BEN: WALLER.
TAKEN up, in Albemarle, a light sorrel MARE about four Feet five or six Inches high, with a hanging Mane and long Tail, some Saddle Spots, a remarkable swayed Back, and yced on the near Shoulder 12. Posted, and appraised to forty Shillings. MATTHEW MAURY.
TAKEN up, in Chesterfield, a black HORSE about four Feet five Inches high, with a Bob Tail and roached Mane, and branded on the near Buttock WE in a Piece. Posted, and appraised to six Pounds. WILLIAM ELAM, Senior.
TAKEN up, in Botetourt, a bay HORSE about fourteen Hands high, thirteen or fourteen Years old, and branded on the Shoulder and Buttock SS. Posted, and appraised to four Pounds ten Shillings. ALEXANDER DALE, Junior.
TAKEN up, in Augusta, three MARES, namely, a black, a dark bay, and a Hip-shoten one of a blackish Colour; the first is branded W M, the second W C, and the third T A. They are posted, and appraised to eleven Pounds ten Shillings. ALEXANDER DALE.
CABIN POINT, November 12, 1771. AS it is out of the Power of the Cabin Point Inspectors to collect the Money that arises from shipping Tobacco, it is desired of all Persons to send the Money with their Notes, or their Tobacco will not be delivered. PUTNEY & HOWARD.
WILLIAMSBURG, November 21, 1771. ALL Persons who are indebted to the Estate of John Blair, Esquire, late of this City, deceased, are desired to make speedy Payment, and thereby enable us to satisfy the Demands against the Estate. We shall take it kind of all those who have any Claims, whether arising on Contracts made by the Testator on his own Account, or as Security for others, if they would make them immediately known to JOHN BLAIR, } Executors. JAMES BLAIR, }
RUN away, a likely Negro Woman called SALL COOPER, belonging to the Estate of John Blair, Esquire, deceased, between twenty and thirty Years of Age, and has lost the first Joint of the Finger next the little Finger of her left Hand. As she has been for some Time past much in the Company of a white Man, who is lately gone to Norfolk, she is probably lurking in that Place. Whoever will deliver her to us in Williamburg shall receive FORTY SHILLINGS, besides all reasonable Expenses. JOHN BLAIR, } Executors. JAMES BLAIR, }
WILLIAMSBURG, November 18, 1771. WHEREAS the Shop lately kept by Mr. Andrew Anderson, in this City, is become the sole Property of the Subscriber, as also the Debts due to the said Shop, I do hereby give Notice that all Balances which remain unpaid by the last Day of next December will have Suits commenced against them, without Respect of Persons, or any farther Notice. I have added the above mentioned Shop to my own, which is kept by Mr. James Russell, the same Person that kept the other; where all Gentlemen, Practitioners and others, may be supplied at the same low Rates, for ready Money only. JAMES CARTER.
WILLIAMSBURG, November 21, 1771. PURSUANT to the last Will of our deceased Father, we purpose, on the 11th Day of next Month, to sell to the highest Bidder four Tenements near the Church, in the said City, and another adjoining the Lot of the late Mrs. Blaikley, on the South. There are Tenants in all of them at present, but we will deliver them to the Purchasers at Christmas next, except one of the said four, which Mr. John Holt is to possess till the 22d Day of next July. Also, on the 5th Day of the same Month, we intend to sell, at Hanover Court, a Tract of Land in that County containing one Thousand seven Hundred and fifty Acres, commonly called Brewer's, having been formerly occupied by a Man of that Name. The Credit to be allowed the Purchasers, and other Conditions, will be particularly mentioned at the Sales. JOHN BLAIR, } Executors. JAMES BLAIR, }
WILLIAMSBURG, November 21, 1771. THE Trustees, not thinking it proper to proceed on the Sale of Colonel Philip Johnson's Land, near this City, on the 31st of October last, according to their former Advertisement, without an exact Survey of the valuable Tract called Totty's Neck, and having the Land contiguous to the Town laid out in small Parcels, now give Notice that they intend to sell those Lands on Tuesday the 10th of December, at four o'Clock in the Afternoon, before Mr. Southall's Door; when the Plan of the Survey and Division will be shown to any who are inclined to buy. The Purchasers will be allowed two years Credit; and it is expected they are to give Bonds, with unexceptionable Securities, which are to carry Interest from the Time they bear Date. PEYTON RANDOLPH, } Trustees. RO. C. NICHOLAS, LEWIS BURWELL, PHILIP W. CLAIBORNE. }
To be SOLD, on the 9th of January next, at New Kent Courthouse, THE LAND whereon Richard Terrell, deceased, lately lived, near the Courthouse, containing about thirteen or fourteen Hundred Acres; the Land will be laid off in Lots. Credit will be allowed to suit the Purchasers, on giving Bond and Security to FREDERICK HARRIS, } Executors. ZACHARIAH LEWIS, GARRET MINOR, }
To be SOLD, very cheap, TWO LOTS, or Half Acres of Ground, on the main Street in Fredericksburg, whereon is a genteel well built Brick House; likewise a LOT on the River, near the former, where Vessels of large Burthen may lie close to the Shore. Inquire of Mr. Roger Dixon in Fredericksburg, or the Subscriber at William and Mary College. JOHN DIXON.
N. B. Credit will be allowed for Half the Purchase Money, on giving good Security, and paying Interest from the Date. ON the 6th of this Instant (November) I took up, near the Mouth of Occoquan Creek, in the County of Northampton, a new SCHONER, not quite rigged, about fifteen Hundred Bushels Burthen. She was overset, and I was obliged to cut away her Masts to right her. She is much wrecked, and it is doubtful whether the Hull can be saved. I have taken off her Rigging, and have saved her Anchors and Cables. It appears, by some Papers found in the Vessel, that the Captain's Name was Joseph Gale. The Owner may be informed of the whole Affair by applying to me, in Northampton. WILLIAM MAJOR.
To be SOLD at the Indianfields, in Charles City, on Friday the 6th of December, ALL the personal Estate of Captain Littlebury Hardyman, deceased, consisting of Household Goods and Furniture, Stocks of Horses, Cattle, Hogs, and Sheep, a Chariot with Harness for six Horses, and a single Chair. Six Months Credit will be allowed, on giving Bond and Security. The Sale will begin at ten o'Clock, and continue from Day to Day till all is sold. All Persons that have any Demands against the said Estate are desired to make them known, and those who are indebted to make immediate Payment to WILLIAM GREEN MUNFORD, } Executors. LITTLEBURY IRBY, }
To be SOLD, to the highest Bidder, on Thursday the 28th of December, at Sussex Courthouse, being Court Day, A Valuable Tract of LAND, on Nottaway River, containing twelve Thousand Acres, or thereabouts, well situated for making Corn, Wheat, and Tobacco. Twelve or eighteen Months Credit will be allowed, if required, for the greatest Part of the Purchase Money, on giving Bond, with good Security, to JOHN SYME.
COMMITTED to Sussex Jail, on the 12th of this Instant (November) a Mandingo Negro Man who cannot, or will not, tell his Owner's Name; he is about five Feet six Inches high, clothed in Negro Cotton, has on an Osnapburg Shirt, and says his Name is PETER. The Owner is desired to prove his Property, pay Charges, and take him away. ROBERT OWEN, Jailer. COMMITTED to the Jail of Chesterfield, a tall thin Negro Man named CHARLES, who I have Reason to believe belongs to Captain Francis Epes of Amelia; he has the customary Clothing of Plantation Negroes. The Owner is desired to prove his Property, pay Charges, and take him away. JAMES BALL, Jailer.
NORFOLK, November 13, 1771. A LAD of fifteen or sixteen Years of Age, with a good Character, who has had a proper Education, is wanted as an Apprentice in the Business of Surgery, Pharmacy, &c. An Apprentice Fee will be expected. RAMSAY & TAYLOR.
RUN away from Richmond, about the Beginning of September last, a Mulatto Wench named JEMIMA, about sixteen Years of Age, remarkably well grown, has a large bushy Head, a flat Nose, a down Look, and a Scar upon one of her Arms. As she was brought up in Williamburg, and has Relations upon Queen's Creek, it is probable she may be harboured thereabouts. Whoever apprehends the said Wench shall have TWO PISTOLES Reward, and Sixpence a Mile for conveying her to me at Goodland Courthouse, or to Mr. Abraham Cowley at Richmond. DAVID ROSS.
For SALE, THE Ship NEW INDUSTRY, William Miller Master, now lying at Portsmouth, built at Philadelphia about eleven Months ago, with a Cedar Frame, fifty eight Feet Keel, twenty four Feet and a Half Beam, eleven Feet and a Half Hold, and four Feet and a Half between Decks, completely fitted for Sea. A Hundred Thousand white and red Oak HOGSHEAD STAVES, equal in Quality to the Philadelphia Staves, will be sold with the Ship. For Terms apply to INGLIS & LONG.
Who have for Sale LOAF, LUMP, and MUSCOVADO SUGAR, West India and Northward RUM, Jamaica SPIRIT, WHEAT FANS, a Parcel of double OIL FLINTS, MARBLE SLABS, a Pair of Cologne MILLSTONES, BOLTING CLOTHS, Madeira WINE of Vintage 1766, MOLOSSES, FLOWER, SHIP STUFF, and SHIP BREAD.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Prince Edward, some Time in June 1770, a Negro Lad named WINDSOR, who for several Years past has waited upon me, and is acquainted with most Parts of the Country. He is a sensible and artful Fellow, about five Feet high, a handsome lively Look, and speaks quick. He was taken up by Mr. William Mitchell of York, and committed to that Jail, at which time he called himself William Florence, and said he was free, and, by the Assistance of some other Negroes, he broke the Prison. He has since been seen about Newbern, near which Place perhaps he is still concealed. He carried away with him a brown Holland Coat, blue Broadcloth Waistcoat, two white Linen Shirts, two Pair of Osnapburg Breeches, and good Shoes and Stockings. As I have Reason to apprehend he will endeavour to get on Board a Vessel, in Order to make his Escape out of the Colony, I do hereby forewarn all Masters and Commanders of Vessels from taking him on Board. I will give TWENTY POUNDS to any Person that will contrive him to me, and FIVE POUNDS for such Intelligence that I may get him. WILLIAM WATTS.
FALMOUTH, October 30, 1771. THE Partnership of William Love, & Co. dissolves on the 1st of January next; at which Time will be sold, on the Premises, to the highest Bidder, the LOT and HOUSES whereon the Subscribers now keep Store. Three Months Credit will be allowed the Purchaser, on giving Bond, with approved Security, to WILLIAM LOVE, & Co.
BALTIMORE Town (MARYLAND) October 10, 1771. THE Subscriber takes this Method to inform the Publick, for the Encouragement of bringing to Perfection the manufacturing of ALCALINE SALTS, and preparing them for the European Markets, in different Forms, namely, Potash, Pearl Ash, Cassoap, and marked off Ashes, he has provided himself with a large Quantity of Kettles, and other Iron Materials, which he has for Sale at present, at the County Wharf in the said Town, or at George Town, on Potomack River (if ordered there) namely, two large Kettles weighing two Thousand three Hundred Pounds, with a Cooler, Damper, Ladle, and a Door and Door Frame, all of cast Iron, which make together a complete Set, and are sold for a Hundred and twenty Dollars. He has several of the above Sets to dispose of, which he warrants to be as good as any in America for carrying on the above mentioned Manufactory.
The Subscriber also instructs Persons to make good Potashes, in a very short Time, with the above Materials, for fifty Guineas; so that they cannot go wrong in any Part of the Process, and that they may make a Tun of Potash out of five Hundred Bushels of Ashes. He also will put the landed Gentlemen in a Method to make out of two Hundred and fifty Acres of good Woodland forty Tuns of Potash in the Course of a Year, with the Assistance of ten Men and two Horses. The Potashes will sell in England from thirty to thirty six Pounds Sterling a Tun. A House, and all other Materials for carrying on the Potash Manufactory (except the Iron as above mentioned) may be built in a Country Place for fifty Pounds Currency. Any Gentleman in this Province, or on the Borders of Virginia, may be instructed in the above Branch by applying to JAMES STEWART.
NORFOLK, October 31, 1771. THE Subscriber having provided convenient Warehouses for the Reception of Goods, purposes selling on Commission, either by private Sale or publick Vendue, and begs Leave to assure the Publick that his best Endeavours shall be used to dispose of any Goods given him for Sale to the most Advantage, and that they may expect the greatest Punctuality in the Payment of the Proceeds, being determined to continue the Business no longer than he finds he can do so; and, in Order to enable him to do this, he hopes every Person purchasing at any of his Sales will be punctual in their Payments, without which he must labour under Difficulties in supporting his own Credit. He has also opened an ENSURANCE OFFICE; any Orders from the Country for Insurance will be as punctually complied with as if the Persons were present, the greatest Care taken to have good People to the Policies, and that they shall be sent by the first safe Conveyance. Gentlemen who do not regularly attend the General Courts, and Courts of Oyer, are requested to forward the Premiums with their Orders, as it is customary here to pay them at signing the Policies; those who attend the Courts may pay the Premiums there. JAMES ARCHDEACON.
WILLIAMSBURG, October 15, 1771. COMMITTED to the publick Jail, from Buckingham, Prison, a Negro Man named SHARPER, a likely well made Fellow, who seems to be about twenty two Years of Age, speaks broken English, and either cannot or will not tell his Owner's Name, or from what Part of the Colony he came. Whoever has a just Claim to him is desired to take him away and pay Charges. PETER PELHAM, K. P. G.
NORFOLK, September 11, 1771. I INTEND for England early in the Spring, and request all those who have any open Accounts on my Books to settle them. Bonds, or Cash, will be required from all indebted, and Payment made to those who have Balances in their Favour. I expect all Persons concerned will pay due Regard to this Advertisement, as all Accounts unsettled, after the first Day of January next, will be put in Suit. My Business here, after that Time, will be transacted by William Marsh and Richard Marshall. JOHN GREENWOOD.
For SALE, or to be RENTED for a Term of Years, and entered upon immediately, THE capital Prize drawn in the Honourable William Byrd's Lottery, consisting of a DOUBLE FORGE and valuable GRISTMILL, with two Acres and a Half of LAND adjoining; also two Thousand Acres of exceeding good LAND, the farthest Part of which is not more than three Miles from the Works. The Land, &c. will be sold, or rented, with or without the Forge and Mill, and laid off in small Parcels to suit Purchasers. Long Credit (if required) will be allowed for greatest Part of the Money, Bond with approved Security being given. I would have no Objection to dispose of one Moiety of the Whole, or the Stream with or without the Land, to a suitable Partner. It is capable of great Improvement, being situated in the Heart of a fine Wheat Country; and, at a small Expense, the Forge may be converted into a good Merchant Mill, which would manufacture a Hundred Thousand Bushels in a Season, besides the Advantage arising from the Gristmill, which is worth, at least, two Hundred Pounds a Year. The Terms will be made agreeable; and the Land and Works may be viewed, at any Time, by applying to Mr. Richard Crump, Merchant at Rocky Ridge. HENRY MORSE.
The UTENSILS, and OLD IRON, belonging to the Forge, will be sold on reasonable Terms. RUN away from the Subscriber, in Lancaster, on the 24th of December last, a Negro Man named WILL, about five Feet eight or nine Inches high, between thirty and forty Years of Age, but looks older than what he really is. He has been at Work in Norfolk for some Time past, and went by the Name of William Moore, as a Free-man. He is a very good Hoster and Gardener; and what may detect him sooner, he is very fond of Liquor, and when drunk very quarrelsome and saucy. Whoever will secure him in any Jail, and give me Intelligence so that I may get him again, shall have FIVE POUNDS, and if brought to me FIFTEEN POUNDS, paid on the Delivery of the Negro. JOHN WORMELEY.
AS I intend to remove up the Country next Fall, I would sell my Plantation in King & Queen County, which consists of six Hundred and fifty five Acres of LAND, pleasantly situated on Mattaponi River, about six Miles above West Point, and has on it a very good neat convenient Brick House with two large Rooms, two Closets, and a Passage on a Floor, with good Cellars under it, two very pleasant Porticoes, one above and the other below Stairs, neatly finished, with Banisters and India-Work, a very convenient Storehouse sixty Feet long, with two Floors and a Cellar, and all other Out-houses necessary, Garden, &c. in good Order. The Land is good for Corn, and with Manure will produce fine Tobacco. There is also belonging to the above mentioned Tract one Hundred Acres of Marsh, lying opposite, on the other Side the River, which is very convenient for getting Hay, &c. Any Person inclined to purchase may be shown the same, and know the Terms, by applying to JOHN MEREDITH. Who has also for Sale another Plantation in King & Queen County, just below West Point, known by the Name of Gough's Point, containing two Hundred Acres, adjoining the Land of Mr. Samuel Meredith, on which is a good Deal of Marsh that with little Expense might be made a valuable Meadow. The Land is well timbered, but no Improvements on it. I have also three LOTS in West Point for Sale, whereon is a neat little Dwellinghouse with two Rooms on a Floor, and an old Kitchen. The above mentioned Land will be sold together, or in separate Tracts, as may best suit the Purchasers. Tf