The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1771-03-14 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 JEALOUS HUSBAND. A true STORY.
SOTAIN, a French Gentleman, was rich, and of a good Family; and, if Jealousy had not exposed him to Ridicule, he would have deserved the Reputation of a Man of Sense. He had served ten Years in Italy, and had the Character of a brave Soldier. His Conversation was agreeable and solid. He was scarce thirty when he retired into the Country, designing to settle himself there for Life. Among the different Matches proposed to him he thought it advisable to give the Preference to a young Lady, equally beautiful and discreet, whose Wit and sweet Temper promised him happy and peaceful Days, if he had known how to enjoy his Happiness.
He asked her in Marriage, and soon obtained her. He had the Secret of making himself beloved by her, and no Union was at first more happy than theirs. The two first Years of their Marriage passed away as a Dream; and two Children, as beautiful as can be imagined, were, in this short Time, the precious Pledges of their mutual Love. They were every Where characterised as the Model of perfect matrimonial Union; their Tenderness seemed each Day to receive a new Increase. In short, they were happy; and, if the Jealousy of the Husband had not brought Disorder into that respectable Family, Peace, Felicity, and Love, would have shed their pleasing Influence on every Moment of their Life. But the Serenity, sprightly Disposition, and Confidence of Sotain, abandoned him all of a sudden. He became suspicious, dull, and silent. His Melancholy made him seek after Solitude; and if, at Times, he appeared in Society, it was to taunt at his sweet Companion with all the little Reproaches his dark Humour suggested to him.
The poor Lady opposed Nothing to her Husband's Peevishness but Endearments and Tears, and the barbarous Man accused her of Dissimulation and Perfidy. She thinks, at Length, that some internal Malady must have disordered her Husband's Brain, whom she still fondly loves. She would have Physicians consulted; but her tender Anxiety irritates him, and he ridicules it with Contempt. No longer able to bear with his unworthy Treatment, she falls dangerously ill, and Sotain seems alarmed by it. He is lavish of all his Cares on her, and spares Nothing to call her back to Life; yet without renouncing his gloomy Disposition, which he now cannot conquer.
The cruel Passion that laboured him was far from weakening his Love; it may be even said that the more he tormented his Spouse the more he loved her. He therefore no sooner saw her in Danger but his Desperation betrayed the most shocking Symptoms. His Reason was so bewildered that One having imprudently cried out she was just dead he ran to fall upon his Sword, and would have done it, had he not that Instant been hurried into his sick Wife's Chamber. He heaped upon her the most tender Caresses, and made to her a Thousand Protections of Love and Confidence. She, to whom Nothing more was wanting for recovering her Health than the Certainty of being beloved by her Husband, soon began to get the better of her Ailment. But she soon had to suffer the same Persecutions; Sotain became more fretful than ever. Unable to suspect the true Motives of his ill Humour, she at last resolved to ask him what they were. He still dissembled more than three Months, and it was not without the most earnest Entreaties that she at last got out of him his fatal Secret. He confessed to her his Apprehensions that another shared with him the Happiness of her Love, and that this Fear poisoned all the Comforts of his Life. This virtuous Woman, far from upbraiding him with his Distrust of her, thanked him for this new Proof of his Love. She contented herself with mildly asking him if he had observed, in her Behaviour, any Indiscretion that might justify those injudicious Suspicions; and, to pacify him, she promised to be still more reserved, if possible, in all she did. She concluded by her Embraces, conjuring him to prescribe to her the Company he should be pleased she might see. All the Wishes of my Heart, added she, are confined to love and please you, and to subject myself to the least Injunction of your Will.
By this Explication the Husband's Mind was a little more at Ease. He assured her that he would make no Alteration in the Regiment she had hitherto followed; but herself thought it proper to keep close at Home, and to seclude herself from all external Society. She did not stir out of her House, but to go to Church; and, to screen Sotain from the Ridicule of his chimerical Visions, she consented to have imputed to herself the Cause of her Change of Life. Her Father and Mother, whom she scarce visited any more, could get out of her no other Reasons of her Retreat than those she gave every other Person. So discreet a Conduct would undoubtedly have cured Sotain, if the Disease that tormented him had not been entirely incurable. His Mind was not more at Peace; and, as the first Onsets are the hardest to get over, he dared to reproach his Wife that her Domestick were Adults. She then kept only Boys and Girls in her Service. At last, the Suspicions of this Monster of Jealousy falling on the Gardener and the serving Men of the Farm, she took the Resolution of mewing herself up in her Chamber.
Though very sensible of these Affronts of her odious Husband, she was firmly resolved with herself to admit no Person as the Confidant of her Grief, and this particularly with the View of saving the Reputation of the most jealous of Men; but he forced her, by his Extravagancies, to let the Secret be discovered, which she had so long kept.
His Wife's Father, like others, was an Eye-fore to him; he entreated her to forbid him their House, but that the Motion should not appear to come from himself. She begged to be dispensed with obeying on this Occasion, alleging the many Motives of Respect she owed him. Ah! said he to her, flying into a Passion, it is not Respect that hinders you; I see another Cause, that should make you die with Shame. And hereupon he threatened her with Sword, or Poison, if she delayed executing this his last Order.
To avoid the Calamity a Fool's Rage made her foresee, she was obliged to comply with his Desire; and, her Father coming to dine with her, she expressed herself with some Tartness to him, in Presence of her Mother and Husband. Believing what she said to be by Way of Joke, she saw herself constrained to desire him never to appear there again. The Father, fired with just Resentment, told her that she was too happy to have so good a Man for her Husband; that she abused the Love he had for her; and if, pursued he, my Wife had said to her Father the Hundredth Part of what you have said to me, all my Tenderness for her would not hinder me to make her know her Duty. No longer will I own you for my Daughter, continued he, and I never more will set Foot in your House; but your ill Humour shall not hinder me to see your Husband.
Sotain had so much of the deceitful Hypocrite in him as to take, against his Wife, the Part of his Father in Law; and the poor Creature, that was forced to act so disagreeable a Part, saw herself obliged to bear her Father's first Harshness by still greater. She prayed her Husband to correspond no more with him; and, turning to the Father, added, that he did Nothing but trouble the Peace of their Family. She afterwards passed out, as much for hiding her Tears as the Shame of blind Obedience to the Orders of her unworthy Husband.
She left her Father full of the Resolution of never seeing her more. The Mother, who had said Nothing, and who was well acquainted with her Daughter's Character, suspected some Mystery in this Adventure. She had observed Constraint, a malign Joy, and an affected Concern in the Eyes of her Son in Law. Not doubting that this indecent Scene was of his projecting, she resolved to have some Light thrown upon it.
A few Days after, her Husband being obliged to go a Journey, she persuaded him to take with him his Son in Law, under the Pretext that it was a Family Affair, which equally interested both. They set out, Sotain suffering Nothing of his Mother in Law's Design. Knowing they were to be absent the whole Day, she went to see her Daughter, whom she
found sunk in deep Melancholy. She asked her the Reason of it; and as Celenia (such was the Name of this unhappy Woman) would fain have put her off, no, no, Daughter, said she to her, I see clearer into you than you think. I do not upbraid you with what you have said to your Father, because your Character was studied, and you did not, indeed, speak from yourself; but I insist upon knowing your Motives for offering Violence to yourself on that Occasion. Your Husband comes daily, and shows us both constantly an open Countenance; but there is Something hidden under it, and you are free to declare it to me, or not. If it be Fear of revealing a shameful Mystery that deters you, I swear to you an eternal Silence; but, if you leave me to guess what it is, besides making it known to others, you may depend upon it I will never see you more. She folded, at the same Time, her Arms about her Daughter; and, by reiterated Endearments, extorted from her a Part of her Secret.
Judge of the Horror this honest Woman was inspired with at the Thoughts of a Son in Law capable of suspecting his Father in Law and Wife of a Crime so execrable. She consoled Celenia as well as she could, or rather she sympathised in her Distress, and proposed Separation from a Man so unworthy of her; but she, who still loved her Husband, rejected these Offers, and took no other Resolution than lamenting and suffering, in private, her Affliction.
The Mother and Daughter were still together when Sotain arrived. He took Umbrage at it, and his ill Humour broke out against both. The Mother seemed, at first, as if she did not understand him, and stepped out, taking Leave; but, dreading some Mishap to her Daughter, she immediately returned, and stood for a Moment behind the Door of her Chamber. She heard Sotain utter horrible Oaths, asking Celenia if her Mother had properly instructed her to close the Eyes of a Husband; at what Time, with whom, and in what Place, they had agreed to be at the Rendezvous. The Wife answered him that her Mother was too prudent to give her such Advice, and too virtuous to entertain the least criminal Thought. His Anger was now wound up to its highest Pitch; and the Wife, who had born, without murmuring, all the ill Treatment of her Husband, had not the same Patience when she found her Mother abused; and the Brute, meeting now with Contradiction, forgot himself so far as to strike her.
The poor Lady began to weep bitterly; but her Mother, losing all Patience, entered precipitately the Room, and took the Part of her unfortunate Daughter. Her Presence irritated Sotain's Anger, who wanted to turn her out. She stood her Ground resolutely, and made so much Noise that she brought up all the Women Servants to their Mistress's Apartment, where they heard a full Detail of the Injuries of the Son in Law, and the Reproaches of the Mother in Law. Whilst they remained in the House, Nothing transpired; but, Sotain having imprudently expelled them, the whole Affair took Wind, and was in every One's Mouth.
In the mean Time Celenia's Mother sent for her Husband, whose Presence disconcerted Sotain's Fury. He brought Home with him his Wife and Daughter, not choosing to leave the latter at the Discretion of a Madman. But, the next Day, this enraged Husband came to throw himself at his Wife's Feet, and conjured her to pardon him what had happened the Evening before. After embracing her tenderly, she consented to follow him. Love pardons every Thing; and, notwithstanding the Cruelties of Sotain, the Heart of Celenia still sided with the Barbarian. She continued to suffer the Indignities of her Husband, yet her Virtue remained unshaken in the Height of all her Persecutions.
A young Officer, whose Winter Quarters were in Sotain's Neighbourhood, happening to hear, from one of his discarded Servants, of his Wife's ill Treatment and Distress, resolved to be her Deliverer. He asked if it was possible to see her; and being told that she never quitted her Apartment but to go to Mass, which was said in a Chapel of the Castle, he studied with himself how to surmount all Obstacles, which served but to animate him the more in his Enterprize. He disguised himself in the Dress of an Abbé, and the Sunday following he repaired to the Road that led from the Parish to Sotain's Castle. As soon as he perceived the Priest, who was going to say Mass for Celenia, he made up to him and asked him for an Alms, telling him he was a poor Ecclesiastick, newly come from Rome. The Priest proposed his going along with him to serve his Mass, and promised, at his Return, to give him a Breakfast, and Something to bear his Charges farther. This was exactly what the Cavalier wanted. He had the Pleasure of seeing the Lady, whom he found charming; but he could attempt Nothing that Day, and saw himself obliged to withdraw with the Priest, yet without renouncing the Project of introducing himself into Sotain's Castle.
He learned that Sotain had served for a long Time in Italy, and that he understood perfectly the Language of that Country. He did not doubt but that his Jealousy was a Disease he had contracted there; and, as he had already deceived some jealous Husbands of that Nation, he hoped to outwit a Frenchman, attacked with the same Disorder, though unnatural to him. The whole Difficulty consisted in having Access to his House. He devised several Means, which all failed. This at last succeeded: He plucked out what little Beard he had, and, dressing himself as an Italian Woman, took his Station, on one of the Christmas-Holidays, at the Church Door, where he knew Sotain was to come to the Service. He came accordingly; and this pretended Italian Woman having asked him for an Alms in the Italian Tongue, he put several Questions to her. She answered him that she came from Florence, and that she was going in Quest of a Lady of Quality at Paris, whom she had accompanied as far as the Alps, where Robbers had forced her to a Separation from her. She added, that she hoped this Lady would take Care of her, because her Husband died in her Defence. You are therefore a Widow, said Sotain to her. Yes, Sir, answered she, and the Widow of a Frenchman, whose Memory will be ever dear to me, because it is to his Care that I owe the Preservation of my Honour, which these Banditti would have ravished from me, if he had not secured it from their Violence. It was then in defending you that he was killed, replied Sotain. No, Sir, answered she, he was killed before Victory declared for the Banditti. How then, said he, could you owe to him the Preservation of your Honour? Pray excuse my telling you, replied she; these Sorts of Secrets should always be kept by Man and Wife.
Sotain, who was not ignorant of the Precautions of some Italian and Spanish Husbands, guessed shrewdly at what she meant, asking her if her Husband had made her a Present of a Girdle of Chastity. She seemed abashed, as it were, at these Words, and, with modest and downcast Eyes, made him no Answer; so that this jealous Gentleman was delighted to know that he should not be the first Frenchman that had given into the extravagant Insult, which from that Moment he projected against his chaste Wife. He made this pretended Italian Widow a Present, and desired her to wait till Mass was over; which the Officer was very glad of, promising himself all possible Success from so fortunate a Beginning.
Occasion, and seemed quite disconcerted, till the supposed Widow charged herself with the Commission. She was two Days absent, and procured a new Padlock, with two Keys to it. One of these Keys she delivered to Sotain, the other she carefully kept herself. She was presented to Celenia, who received her without Opposition.
Sotain, fancying that the pretended Italian Woman understood very little French, laid himself under no Restraint before her in his Conversations with his Wife; and therefore did not desire her to go out of the Room, when he communicated to Celenia the Secret he had found for curing himself of his Suspicions. The virtuous Wife consented to all his Desires, in Hopes that this new Injury would free her from worse Behaviour for the future. But Jealousy can trust to Nothing, and Sotain's singular Precaution could keep him only a few Days quiet.
In the mean Time, Julia (this was the Name the Officer had taken) insinuated herself, by different Means, into the good Graces of the Master and Mistress. He never spoke a Word of French before him, and seemed only to show Coldness and Indifference to her; but, so soon as Sotain was out of the Way, the fondest Care, and strictest Attention, prevented Celenia in Favour of the young Gentleman, whose Sex she had not yet the least Suspicion of. He could have wished to discover it, but could not do it without running great Risks. The jealous Husband, at Length, facilitated the Means to him.
By unrelenting Persecution, the Barbarian had alienated from himself the Heart of Celenia. His Endearments became loathsome to her, and she had not the Constancy to dissemble it. He pretended that she was in the wrong, and that Nothing proved better the Love of a Husband than those pretended Indignities which she was pleased to exaggerate. This Moral disgusted Celenia; she dared to turn it into Ridicule, and, for the first Time of her Life, she showed some Tartness in the Reproaches she made the Tyrant. Sotain imagined that his Wife regretted the Liberty which the Girdle had deprived her of, and, believing himself to be vulcanised in Idea, if he was not in Fact, he rudely fell upon her with many Blows; and, if it had not been for Julia, he would, perhaps, have proceeded farther in his Russian Treatment. When he was gone Celenia shut herself up in her Closet, where she shed a Torrent of Tears.
This was a fine Opportunity for the Officer. He followed his Mistress into the Closet, and, throwing himself on his Knees, and embracing her's with an Ardour that surprised her, offered to take Vengeance for her on her unworthy Husband. Seeing Celenia did not interrupt him, he embraced her with Transports, which she was obliged to restrain. The Lady's Astonishment was still greater when the pretended Italian, speaking good French, made himself known for a tender and passionate Lover. He availed himself of the Confusion the Intelligence threw Celenia into, to inform her of the different Stratagems he had used to get Admittance into the House and gain Sotain's Confidence. He pleaded his Cause so well that he destroyed the little Love she still retained for her hated Husband. He concluded by proposing to her an honest Retreat, if she would but trust herself to his Guidance; he added, that his Life was in her Power; that he well knew he was a dead Man if she would deliver him over to her Husband's Revenge; and begged her to examine if Sotain was deserving of that Sacrifice, and if she had purposed to wear down her Youth and Life amidst the bitter Sorrows the Monster would still afflict her with. In short, he made her see Things and Consequences in so many different Lights that he drew Tears from her; and new Protections of his Love fully convinced her that Sotain was the most detestable of Men.
The Cavalier thought it advisable not to bring Things to a farther Issue; he hoped that, at another Time, it would be easy for him to complete his Conquest. But he had to do with a Woman whom the ill Treatment of her Husband might disgust without giving her a Right to revenge herself, otherwise than by Contempt.
In the mean Time, our jealous Husband saw himself obliged to undertake a pretty long Journey. He gave Notice of it to his Wife, but the Moment only of his Departure. She had not yet formed a Resolution how she should behave to her Lover; but, all of a sudden, took up one quite worthy of her Virtue. She begged Sotain to rid her of Julia before he set out. This was enough to make Julia shudder with Fear, had not this Fear been instantly dissipated by the Husband's absolute Refusal. He believed that his Wife had no other View in this Demand than to remove from her a too vigilant Argus. He answered her with his usual Fury, that she was but little expert in the Art of concealing her criminal Designs. He added, that not only Julia should abide with her, but lie in her Chamber, and no more quit her than her Shadow. Without giving her Time for an Answer, he had a Bed brought directly and set up by the Side of that of Celenia, whom he recommended more than ever to Julia's Vigilance.
Sotain was upwards of a Month absent, and during this whole Time our Heroine had to sustain all the Attacks which a passionate Lover could make on a Woman's Virtue. The young Officer made Use of the Privilege the Husband had given him of lying in Celenia's Chamber, and did not doubt but she would at Length surrender; but he found her unshaken, impregnable. She contented herself in owing to him that she was charmed with his Perseverance, and that, having banished from her Heart the Love she had for her undeserving Husband, she could love him if she was capable of making a false Step, but that her Virtue was what was dearest to her in the World; she therefore begged he would desist his Importunities, and, as it was neither consistent with her Honour or Duty to remain in a State of continual Temptation, she entreated him in the Name of God to fly from her, and think seriously of making no more Assaults on her Virtue. The young Gentleman still urged many cogent Reasons, but always ended in promising her that he would never alarm the Virtue of Celenia, whom he admired to Veneration.
The Love, however, he fostered in his Heart was too violent for him to moderate its Transports. Each Day he became more enterprising, and the virtuous Lady began to dread being alone with him. She threatened several Times to complain of him, but he laid no Stress on her Threats, as seeing she delayed to realize them. His Importunities tired her out at Length; to such a Degree, that she begged her Husband a second Time to deliver her from Julia. The Earnestness of her Request brought upon her a second Refusal. Sotain imagined that her Aversion had no other Foundation than the Vigilance of the pretended Widow, whose Presence broke the Measures she had concerted for betraying him. Full of this Notion, he reproached her in the most bitter Manner, and treated her as an infamous Prostitute. Then he brought back Julia to her, saying it is enough to hate her that she should remain with you. If again you oblige her to retire, depend upon it a close and well barricaded Room will draw my Revenge down on you, as a wild and dangerous Beast.
With these Words he went out, leaving the Officer in the Room, who, falling at Celenia's Feet, you are doing all you can to ruin yourself, said he to her; in the Name of God, have pity on yourself. It is you that seek to destroy me, replied she, shedding Tears. Go from me, I say again to you, and if you do not this Day take that Resolution be assured that tomorrow my Husband shall know that you are a Man; and, though I might die, I shall at least have the Satisfaction of having done my Duty. So saying, she entered her Closet, drawing the Door close on herself.
The Officer, having new Reason to dread that Celenia would put her Menace in Execution, resolved at last to yield to her heroic Virtues. He came to her Closet, and precipitating himself on his Knees, it is all over, Madam, said he, you have conquered; your Virtue triumphs, and I have Nothing more stored up for you than Love, Admiration, Compassion, and Obedience. You would have me leave you; I will do so to-morrow; but consider to what Perils my Retreat exposes you. What have you not to fear from the Fury of your Husband? Doubt not but he will require of you the Reason of my Departure. I will leave you, but it is only with the Design of procuring your Liberty; and I am resolved to die by the Hand of your executioner, or to revenge, by mine, the innocent Victim of his Cruelties. Pity me, and Celenia to him, with Tears in her Eyes;

love me, or at least let me believe so, but attempt Nothing against my Husband, I do command you in the Name of your Love, and of the Gratitude I have from Pleasure to acknowledge on my Side. I promise you Nothing, Madam, replied he, my Situation is too painful not to seek a Deliverance from it. You love, and drive me away from you! I love you, and abandon me to the Horrors of your Destiny! My Heart cannot bear up against so much Violence! Thus speaking, they fell into each others Arms, and Words, interrupted by Sighs and Sobs, which Love put into their Mouths, found Utterance on y by Intervals. But Celia did not yield to the last Instances of her Lover; all that he could obtain was to remain still four Days with her. During these four Days, which they consecrated to the Transports of their mutual Love, they were contriving Means to establish a secret Correspondence between them. No Hopes of succeeding seemed to offer, when they saw come to pass the Unravelling of their Adventure. The young Officer, who was studying some specious Pretext for going away, and to keep Celia from being suspected as the Cause of it, pretended to quarrel with one of the Domestic who had the greatest Regard for his Master. Two Days were now elapsed, and the two Lovers delivered themselves over to the Grief the Thoughts of so near a Separation must occasion in them. They were together in a close Embrace, and their Tendernefs was never before to lively nor so affecting; but their Endearments were, all of a sudden, interrupted.
Sotain had perceived, for four or five Days past, that Celia and Julia were both depressed by deep Melancholy. This, he was sure, proceeded from Hatred on one Side, and ill Treatment on the other. Yet, before breaking out, he would fain know if his Suspicion were well grounded; and, for this Purpose, he hid himself so as to overhear their most secret Conversations. So soon as he was assured that the pretended Julia was a Man, whom Celia loved, he rushed into her Chamber, Sword in Hand, and addressing his Wife, perfidious Wretch! thou shalt die, cried he. The Cavalier, furious to see all that he loved in Danger of losing Life, darted before Sotain, whom he knocked down after disarming him. Celia had Recourse to Flight, and the victorious Lover threatened his Enemy to kill him that Instant if he made the least Noise. Take my Life, said the furious Husband; you will only be beforehand with me. The Officer, who had no Desire to take his Life away, broke forcibly from his Hands, leaping to him a Pocket, out of which he could not readily get the other Key of the Padlock. The Sight of this Key completed his Desperation. The young Man followed his Mistress, and conducted her to some remote Convent, where he left her in Safety, and in a few Days after rejoined his Regiment.
The deserted Husband had the Indiscretion to produce, in publick, the Evidence of his Shame. Not one pitied him, and he became the Ridicule of the whole Neighbourhood. The Elopement, however, of his Wife, made a great Noise. She was in vain sought after, during upwards of three Months that her detestable Husband still lived. At Length, unable longer to resist his jealous Rage, he died, amidst the Agitations of an inflammatory Fever, which carried him off. As he had made no Complaint in Justice, Celia met with no Disturbance. She appeared again in publick, more beautiful and more honoured than ever, and entirely devoted herself to her Lover, whom she married, on his Return from the following Campaign.
From Baron BIEFIELD'S LETTERS (lately published)
Secretary of Legation to the King of Prussia.
To his Friend at Berlin, from London, March 2, 1741.
THE English have a strong Resemblance to the ancient Romans. They cared for Nothing but Bread and publick Shows, and the English seem to me to have no other Desires. It is to procure the Necessaries and the Comforts of an easy Life that they urge their Industry, that they pursue with so much Ardour Commerce and Navigation, and that they nourish a little Fund of Avarice, which makes them fond of Gaming of every Kind. Even the Arts and Sciences are here cultivated only with a View to Interest. The second capital Object of an Englishman is the publick Shows, and these cannot be sufficiently varied or multiplied. There are, during the Summer, all over England, Horse Races, which is a Kind of Diversion that unites a publick Show with Gaming; and with which, consequently, the rational Taste can never be satisfied. I saw, on my first Journey, these Races, both at York and Newmarket; and I confess to you that the Sight struck me, though I less admired the Thing itself, the Force and Velocity of the Horses, than the Circumstances that attended it: The innumerable Quantity of Spectators, the Number of Equipages of every Kind, and of Gentlemen mounted and attended by Domestic, many of them with led Horses; the Galleries filled with Ladies in the most splendid Dresses, and adorned with the richest Diamonds; in a Word, every Thing that could possibly contribute to render such a Sight brilliant.
I shall not mention the Combats of wild Beasts, of Dogs, and all Sorts of Animals, that are here to be seen. These Entertainments are frequently given to the People, who are very fond of them. I cannot avoid, however, saving a few Words of those between Men, which are a Disgrace to Humanity. Sometimes these Champions are naked to the Waist, and fight with their Fists, giving each other horrible Blows, and throw their Adversaries with Violence on the Earth; when their Seconds raise them up, wipe off their Sweat, and encourage them, like Dogs, to renew the Combat; and sometimes they strangle, or suffocate, each other. There are also Champions who fight with Broad-swords, but with their Feet so fastened to the Scaffold that they cannot move from the Spot. Their Swords are remarkably sharp and light towards the Point, so that the Wounds they give are never very deep; but the Blood presently gushes out, and the People shout Applause. There is also another Set of Gladiators, armed with Sticks, whose Ends are bound round with Iron, with which they knock each other down, or give terrible Contusions. What, in my Opinion, is most scandalous in this Affair, is that these Combats should be authorized by the Government, under the Sight of an Officer of the Police, upon a publick Theatre, where they pay regularly to be admitted, and where the Pit, and, what is more, the Boxes, are filled with as good Company as at an Opera. They carried me, the other Day, to one of these Exhibitions, at the little Theatre in the Haymarket. Never have I seen so disgraceful a Sight, and so disgraceful to the Understanding and to the Heart of Man. My Conductors gave me some sorry Reasons in Excuse for such Barbarity, but they were so very trifling as not to deserve to be repeated or refuted.
We say that Cockfighting is a Diversion that belongs to Children, but here it is a serious Affair. Theatres are constructed for these Exhibitions, and sometimes they are the Entertainment of Persons of Consequence in the State; and, as they give Opportunities for Gaming, they do not want for Partisans. There are many People employed in raising and nourishing this Sort of Cocks, and preparing them for the Ground on which they are to combat with their Fellows. I have been surprised at the Courage of these Animals. No sooner were they out of the Bags than they suddenly flew at each other, and fought, without any Objeet, until one of them was left dead on the Spot. Before the Battle begins the Connoisseurs judge of the Force and Value of the Cocks by their Looks, especially by their Eyes; after which the Bets are made, and the Battle begins. Being drawn, the other Day, by Curiosity, to one of these Entertainments, I had an Orange in my Hand, when one of the Cocks laid his Adversary, in Appearance, dead upon the Ground. He remained in that State for a short Time, during which a Stranger, who was next to me, cries out eagerly, Sir, I lay five Guineas to your Orange that this Cock wins the Battle. I replied, Done, Sir. The dead Cock immediately sprang up, recovered his Force, attacked his Enemy, and gained the Victory. I kept my Orange, but refused to take the four Guineas of my Neighbour, who appeared equally sensible of his Loss and my Generosity.
They tell me that an industrious Italian contrived a very singular Exhibition, a few Years since, in London. The first Part was a Concert of Cats, whom he had ranged according to their several Ages, their Size, and the Compass of their Voices, on the Benches of an Amphitheatre. All the Cats were dressed with Ruffs, and Ruffles, made of Paper. They had before them Bells, to which their Feet were fastened. Each Cat had also a Musick Book, and two Wax Tapers. They assured me that this Assembly afforded a most comick Appearance at the Instant the Curtain was drawn up, that there were among them Cats of a very droll Physiognomy, that all of them seemed to roll their Eyes in different Manner, that the Musick and the Instruments that accompanied the Voices were equally fantastick, and that all their Tails being placed between Lines the Master of the Chapel had Nothing to do but draw them together in Order to make his Performers exert their vocal Faculties at the proper Intervals.
The second Part of this burlesque Entertainment was performed by Turkeys, who were made to dance in a Kind of circular Enclosure on a Platform, the Bottom of which was made of Iron or Brass; and under it were placed Pans with hot Coals, which gradually heated the Iron. The Turkeys at first made hot and grave Steps, to the Sound of Instruments that played Sarabands, Louvres, &c. As the Floor increased in Heat the Turkeys quickened their Steps, and the Musick its Time, till at last, the Iron becoming almost red hot, the poor Birds could no longer preserve any regular Step, but hopped, skipped, jumped, and made a Thousand extravagant Contortions, to the infinite Satisfaction of these wise Englishmen, who were frequently in Danger of being suffocated by Laughter. They say that this Italian made his Fortune in London, by these droll Exhibitions.
But what will you say to the Infatuation of a People who, seduced by their extravagant Fancies for Shows, suffered themselves to be imposed by an arch Rogue, who advertised that on such a Day, at such an Hour, and on such a Theatre, a Man would get into a Quart Bottle; and yet, Sir, none of the most sensible People in England repaired to this Exhibition, and paid for Entrance. The House was presently as full as an Egg. But they were all out, for, after waiting about an Hour, the drole Impostor came to the Front of the Stage and told them the Exhibition could not possibly take Place then, because they had not been able to find, in all the Taverns of London, a Bottle that contained an exact Quart; but that he was sorry for their Disappointment, and their Money should be returned. He disappeared instantly. The Pit, finding themselves cheated, became outrageous, tore up the Benches, and destroyed all the Decorations; and the Riot was so great that some lost their Swords, others their Hats and Wigs, &c. But the Money was never returned; the Author of the Bubble made his Escape, and was never after discovered.
I relate these Trifles merely to let you see the extravagant Taste of the English for every Thing that can be called a Show. Their great Multiplicity seems to me to occasion too much Dispation among the People, and to rob them of much of that Time which should be given to Industry. The Horse Races, especially, are of a dangerous Consequence; because they engross the Attention of the common People, and give, both to those of high and low Condition, a licentious Disposition, and a Disgust for that Life of Application which is necessary for their several Employments.
LONDON, December 11.
IT is now reported that the Earl of Bute has left the Court of Madrid, and is on his Journey to Paris, where it is said a Person will be sent to him to receive any Intelligence he may have gathered for the Benefit of England.
The Minister now declares he will preserve Peace; and in Order effectually to do so, he will, for the future, keep our Forces, by Land and Sea, on such a Footing as to let our Neighbours see we are always prepared for War.
It is now confidently said that the Kings of England and France, the two leading Princes in Europe, are determined, as far as possible, to preserve Peace during their mutual Reigns; and as Humanity seems to be the Characteristick of both Monarchs, there are great Hopes that they will be able to maintain their benevolent Design.
Letters from Paris advise that his Catholic Majesty has demanded a free Gift of thirty Millions from his Clergy, which exceeds any that ever was before demanded of them, on which Account they intended to petition to have them moderated.
According to recent Letters from Paris, it is rumoured that in Consequence of a Treaty, now on the Carpet, between the Courts of Versailles and Turin, the Island of Corsica will be ceded to her Sardinian Majesty.
Extract of a Letter from Calais, December 4. "We have here a remarkable Instance of the fair Sex's being easily decoyed, early or late, in Love's Snare. An English Maiden Lady, whose Name is Miss Benson, was left here, at the Benedictine Convent, when a Child, and continued as such for upwards of thirty Years, always averre to Men; but in one of her Visits in Town she met accidentally, at her Friend's, an Irish Gentleman, Mr. Callwell, a Captain in the English Service, struck Acquaintance with him, left the Convent, took a private Lodging in Town, and the Gentleman pushed his Point so well that on Friday last they sat out for the Town of Furnes, to be joined in Wedlock by the Dutch Protestant Minister there. By this he acquires a Fortune of ten Thousand Pounds Sterling, which the Lady has at the Bank, at her own Disposal."
December 19. Notwithstanding the Ministry would not allow of an Address to a great Personage, to advise the putting our Mediterranean and West India Stations in a proper State of Defence, in this alarming Conjuncture, yet they have adopted the Hint, and are forwarding the necessary Measures for that End.
The Differences between the two great Assemblies, so far as regards the Admission of Strangers into the Lower Room, it is now talked, will be settled in the following Manner. The Area, or Floor, of the said Room, comprehending the Space between the two Galleries, is estimated to contain about three Hundred Persons. The Seats, on both Sides, under the Galleries, are supposed to contain about seventy Persons each, which makes in the Whole four Hundred and forty; a greater Number, it is said, than ever appeared in the House at one Time, even in the voting Days of Sir Robert Walpole. As the whole Number of Members, however, is five Hundred and fifty eight, should more than as is aforesaid attend the two Side Galleries above Stairs are to be allotted for them; and Strangers are to be confined to what is called behind the Clock, that is, to the Front Gallery, where they will be permitted to hear the Debates as usual.
Admiral Geary's Flag is hoisted on Board the Namur Man of War, at Spithead.
Yesterday the Committee for paying the Bounty to Seamen sat at Guild-hall, when upwards of fifty Men were entered.
It is affirmed, by those who have made Calculations, that impressing costs more Money than manning our Fleets by Bounties to Sailors. Thus is this Practice every Way a Grievance.
The Reverend Mr. Berridge, of Everton, near Cambridge, preaching on the Death of the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield, from the first Verse of the twelfth Psalm, took Occasion to give the following Account of Mr. Whitefield's Worth in Money. "The fifteen Hundred Pounds of which he died possessed was left him, in several separate Legacies, lately. Eight Hundred Pounds came to him by the Death of his Wife; one three Hundred one two Hundred, and two of one Hundred Pounds, have been bequeathed to him by Friends not long deceased."
We hear that a great many Welch Gentlemen are to be appointed in his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's Household.
The Spanish Ambassador, we hear, has delivered a Memorial, within these few Days, demanding why we are making such vigorous Preparations at present. The Answer that has been given to him, we are told, was twofold, "first, to defend our own Rights and Properties; and secondly, because we had a Right to do as we pleased."
Yesterday a Motion was made in the Lower Assembly that no Member of that House should go to the House of Lords, whilst sitting, without Leave. The Motion was put off till that Day three Weeks.
It is said that a Motion will be made, soon after the Holidays, by a Noble Lord, in Favour of a more equitable Distribution of Prize Money on Board the Royal Navy.
Sir Edward Hawke spoke on Monday; in the Lower Room, much in Favour of augmenting the Navy to sixty Thousand Men.
Lord Howe's Squadron is to consist of six ships of the Line, three Frigates, and two Sloops, as Tenders, which are to be victualled for four Months.
It is said that Sir Charles Saunders, in the Royal William of ninety Guns, with six other Ships of the Line, now lying at Portsmouth, and Provisions for six Months, will sail for the West Indies the Beginning of February.
In Consequence of an Augmentation to be made in his Majesty's Land Forces, Orders have been sent to the Colonels of the respective Regiments to complete them with all Speed.
Letters from the Frontiers of Poland advise that the Austrian Troops have entered that Kingdom, and advanced within two Miles of Cracow.
An Evening Paper of last Night says that in Consequence of some Expressions made Use of by Governor Johnstone, in a certain House, last Friday, and applying them, by Insinuation, to Lord George (Sackville) Germaine, the latter being informed of what passed (for he was not in the House that Day) followed Governor Johnstone out of the House on Monday, and called him into the Court of Requests, and there demanded Satisfaction; which Mr. Johnstone seemed to decline, by saying, "he was Order, he was quite parliamentary, &c." Lord George said he had no Right to asperse his Character, and insisted upon his meeting him, at four o'Clock that Day (it was now two o'Clock) at the Ring, in Hyde Park. As Governor Johnstone could not use the Sword, Pistols were agreed upon. Lord George took the Right Honourable Thomas Townshend with him, as his Second; and Sir James Lowther, Baronet, was Governor Johnstone's Second. Governor Johnstone's Pistols were fired first, and the Combatants having missed each other (though the Distance was very small between them) they had Recourse to his Lordship's Pistols. Lord George missed his Antagonist again, but Mr. Johnstone's Ball struck against the Cock of his Lordship's Pistol. After this second Firing the Seconds immediately interposed, and the Affair ended. Neither was hurt. It was agreed, by all the Persons who are acquainted with the Circumstances, that Lord Germaine behaved with much cool and real Courage.
Yesterday the Right Honourable Lord Sandwich had a long Conference with his Majesty at St. James's, and afterwards dined with Lord Hillborough, at his House in Hanover Square.
The Land Tax Bill, and the Bills for the better regulating the Marine and Land Forces, &c. &c. will receive the Royal Assent on Friday next, when both Houses of Parliament will be adjourned till after the Holidays.
A Draught of Seamen is ordered from the Guardships at Portsmouth, for the more speedy equipping the Ships at Chatham, which are shortly to sail for the Mediterranean, under the Command of Lord Howe.
This Morning, about a Quarter before one, a whole Range of the east Battlement of Westminster Hall gave Way, the Binding and Cement being thoroughly decayed. The Stones fell upon Oliver's Coffeehouse, broke through the Ceiling, though of Lead, choked up the Stairs, and some even
tumbled upon the Area before the east Gate of the Hall, which is now shut up, so that the Members are obliged to pass through the new Way in St. Margaret's Street to their respective Houses; but no Lives were lost.
Last Night, and this Morning, a great Deal of Damage was done to the Shipping in the River, by the great Storm. Several ships flipped their Cables, and unmoored; and it is feared that we shall hear of some Damage done to Ships in the Downs.
Dr. Rotheram, in a philosophical Inquiry into the Nature and Properties of Water, lately published, says: "One Effect of Snow, which I can assure my Reader of, is that a certain Quantity of it, taken up fresh from the Ground, and mixed in a Flower Pudding, will supply the Place of Eggs, and make it equally light. The Quantity allotted is two Table Spoonfuls instead of one Egg; and if this Proportion be much exceeded, the Pudding will not adhere together, but will fall to Pieces in boiling. I assert this from the Experience of my own Family; and any One who chooses to try it will find it to be fact."
December 22. Yesterday the Earl of Sandwich kissed his Majesty's Hand on being appointed Secretary of State for the northern Department, in the Room of Lord Rochford, who takes the southern, left by Lord Weymouth.
The same Day Lord Weymouth kissed Hands on being appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in the Room of Lord Townshend; as did Henry Frederick Thynne, Esquire, on his being appointed joint Postmaster General, in the Room of Lord Sandwich.
The Amendment mentioned in the Resolutions of the Lower Society, as intended to be made in the Mutiny Bill, is certainly a very proper one; since, as the Magistrates are to be thereby directed to send a Requisition in Writing, whenever they call on the Military to assist them, so the Magistrate, it is to be presumed, will be cautious how he calls for such Assistance wantonly, and will not venture to make a Custom of calling out a Force so dangerous to the Liberty of the Subject, unless he is convinced that the absolute Necessity of the Case will justify him in the Minds of the People. This Regulation must, at the same Time, be more agreeable to the Gentlemen of the Army likewise; not only as it will probably prevent their being called out upon any trifling Matter, but as the written Requisition will be also a Kind of Sanction to them for any Occurrence which may happen in Consequence thereof. The Motion for this Amendment was made, we are told, by a late American Governor.
We hear the Duke of Bedford has remitted one Year's Rent to all such of his Grace's Tenants as have suffered by the late Floods, which have damaged his Estates to a very considerable Value.
Yesterday Sir Thomas Salusbury, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, made a Report to his Majesty of Captain David Ferguson, who was convicted on Tuesday last for the Murder of his Cabin Boy; when his Majesty was pleased to order a Respite for him until to-morrow Se'nnight, the 25th Instant.
Yesterday his Majesty, being perfectly recovered of his late Indisposition, appeared in the Drawing Room at St. James's.
Yesterday Lord Sandwich did Business as Secretary of State for the northern Department, and Lord Rochford for the southern.
It is said that Lord Viscount Townshend will be appointed Master General of the Ordnance, soon after his Arrival here from Ireland.
An Evening Paper says: "We are well informed that Lord North declared, on Sunday Night last, at a ministerial Meeting in Bloomsbury Square, that War was now inevitable."
If every Sea Officer would imitate Sir Charles Saunders, in declaring his Resolution of giving up his Share of the Prize Money, we should soon have the best manned Navy in the Universe.
Wednesday Sir Edward Hawke, in the Lower Room, declared thirty Thousand Seamen and Marines were scarce sufficient to protect our Coasts.
It is said a Motion for an Inquiry into the Causes of the present ruinous State of a great Number of capital Ships of War, in the several Dockyards of this Kingdom, will be made soon after the Holidays.
Among the eighteen Sail of the Line now (or were very lately) ready for Sea at the Port of Ferrol, ten of them are entirely planked with Cedar and Mahogany Beams, all built since the Peace at the Havannah, chiefly by English Artists. They are modelled after the Plan of our most improved new seventy four Gun Ships, and are looked on, by those who have seen them (well versed in maritime Affairs) as fine Ships, and as completely fitted out, as any in Europe.
They write from Dunkirk that the Land Floods had broke down the Sluices of the Back Waters and Canal, which had done immense Damage.
It is talked of that an Examination will soon be made into the present Practices of some of the publick Offices under the Government.
It is said that the Attorney General has been again offered the Seals, but that he has declined accepting them, unless his former Terms are complied with.
The King George, of Whitehaven, laden with Tobacco, was lately lost off the Isle of White, and all Hands perished.
By Accounts from Liverpool we learn that on the 6th Instant a most violent Storm of Wind from the south west set in with the Tide, and kept increasing until about high Water, when it shifted to the north west; doing, on that Day, and the two Days following, incredible Damage to the Ships both in and out of the Docks. A Sloop from Scotland, with refined Sugar, being driven among the Flats and small Craft, was bulged, and sunk. At Noon Tide the Water rose over the Key, opposite the Customhouse, and washed away upwards of two Thousand Deal Planks, besides great Quantities of Barks. Several Casks of Butter and Tallow were driven on Shore near Formby, with the Cork Mark upon them; and as two Vessels are expected from Cork, it is feared that at least one of them is lost. Several Coasters to Preston, Lancaster, and Carlisle, are lost, and three Pilot Boats are missing. The Whale, Ashburn, from Liverpool, for Carlisle, drove ashore near Formby Land Mark; the People are all saved, but the Cargo is entirely lost.
Tuesday Night the People on the Coast of Norfolk heard the firing of Guns, as from Ships in Distress at Sea, which continued for several Hours.
By the high Wind on Wednesday Morning fifty Feet of the Garden Wall of the Earl of Holderness, at Sion Hill, was blown down, and many of his Trees were destroyed.
Wednesday Morning a Lodging House in Wapping, full of People, was blown down, and all the Persons in it buried in the Ruins; they were all dug out alive, though much bruised, except an old Man, who was unfortunately crushed to Death.
There is a Paper at Lloyd's Coffeehouse, signed by Captain Griffin, of the Elizabeth, from Poncedvedro, in Spain, setting forth that it was published in the Spanish Gazette, of the 25th Ultimo, that all Matters between Great Britain and that Court were amicably settled, and in Consequence thereof eight Thousand Soldiers, and eight Thousand Seamen, were discharged, and returned to their respective Habitations; and he farther adds, that before that Time seventy Sail of the Line were all ready for Sea at Ferrol. But an eminent Spanish Merchant has declared that he has Letters from Spain, of a much later Date than the above Affidavit, wherein he is advised that the Spaniards are still going on, with great Diligence, in all Manner of Preparations for War.
However desirous the Spanish Court may be for a War, they will be very cautious in declaring it; because, should they act thus, they can not, consistent with the Treaty of Peace, have the least Claim upon the French for Assistance.
Some Jesuits, in Return for the Favours shown them by the House of Bourbon, being well acquainted with the Weakness of Spanish America, are said to have offered a Plan immediately to distress the Spaniards, so effectually as to render the ensuing Spanish War of very short Duration.
We hear that it has been moved, by a Member in the Privy Council, to send a respectable Squadron into the South Seas, it being imagined such a Measure would more intimidate the Spaniards than any other Step we could take.
At a Board of Admiralty, held this Day at the Admiralty Office, some important Matters, relative to the Destination of the Ships now fitting out at his Majesty's different Docks, were the Subject of Consideration.
Sir Charles Saunders, it is said, will hoist his Flag on Board the Royal William, at Portsmouth, immediately after the Holidays.
We are informed from the Mediterranean that the Fortifications of Fort St. Philip, &c. in the Island of Minorca, are in a much better State of Defence than they were before the Beginning of the last War.
Letters from Constantinople, dated November 2d, advise that they were under the greatest Consternation, the Russians having retaken the Island of Lemnos, again blocked up the Dardanelles, and begun to bombard the first of the Castles there.
There are Letters in Town from Poland, which assure us that since the settling of the Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners between Russia and the Porte the Balance appears to be very much short of what was hitherto apprehended.
They write from Chatham that great Damage had been done there by the late high Winds; the Reasonable broke from her Moorings, and fell on Board the Barkleur, and damaged her in her upper Works.
One Thousand and seventy five Men were impressed below Bridge last Wednesday Night, three Hundred and fifty seven of whom were furnished with Protections.
December 24. On Account of their Majesties being indisposed with a Cold, there was no Court or Drawing Room Yesterday at St. James's.
It was confidently asserted on Saturday last, at the west End of the Town, that Lord North had at last determined to resign.

We hear, from good Authority, that Mr. Commissioner Bathurst will certainly have the Seal before the Commencement of next Term.
The Honourable Mr. De Grey, Attorney General, will be appointed Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, in the Room of the present worthy Chief Justice, who wishes to retire; and Mr. Wedderburn will be appointed Attorney General, in his Room.
Lord Mansfield will certainly no longer appear as Speaker in the Upper Assembly.
An Account of some important and very extraordinary Occurrences, relative to the hostile Intentions of the Enemies of Great Britain, was, we hear, received on Wednesday Night last at the Secretary of State's Office.
We have the Pleasure to hear that the Name of Sir Charles Saunders is added to that of the other Admirals, How, Dennis, Bogle, &c. who are to command the most important Stations abroad.
Extract of a Letter from a young Gentleman at Cadiz, to his Uncle in London. "The Spaniards have here a great Number of Ships with their full Complement of Sailors, and a great many Land Forces in Readiness; but such miserable Creatures, in Point of Appearance and military Discipline, sure never were seen. One English Battalion would beat six of theirs. If there is a Probability of War, pray, Sir, get me a Commission in your Service, that I may have the Pleasure of doing my Part towards giving them a Drubbing."
"There has been no Kind of Attempt to stop English Vessels in this Harbour; and I think, of late, the Preparations for War seem much abated."
It surprises many that a great Prince should, at this Time, as we are supposed at the Eve of a War, neither have the Curiosity nor real Happiness of his People so much at Heart as to have one Conference with Lord Chatham, to hear from his own Mouth those many bold Truths and Informations he has advanced, in a certain Club, concerning the Situation and Preparations of his Enemies abroad and at Home.
At the Playhouse, last Week, one of the House Cats got into the Boxes, and gave no little Trouble to the Audience before it could be drove out. Soon afterwards Lord D—h came into a Box where Lady Bridget L—e was sitting, who immediately accosted him thus: "I am extremely sorry your Lordship came in so late." "Why, my Lady?" replies the Peer, "Because, says her Ladyship, you were just now wanted to move to have the House cleared."
December 25. Sunday Night a great Number of the Nobility, and Persons of Distinction, with the foreign Ambassadors and Secretaries of State, were entertained in a most elegant and sumptuous Manner by his Excellency Count de Guignes, the French Ambassador, at his House in Great George Street.
Saturday some Despatches were sent to Chatham and Portsmouth, for Lord Howe and Sir Charles Saunders, said to contain some important Resolutions taken the preceding Day at the Admiralty Board.
Several American Agents are to wait upon Lord Hillsborough, in a few Days, to learn his Lordship's Sentiments on the Subject of some Particulars concerning the Protection of the Colonies, in Case of a War.
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, December 23. "His Majesty's Ships Ranelagh and Centaur are waiting at St. Helen's for a fair Wind to sail to Ireland, accompanied by several large Transports, to take in Troops for Gibraltar and Mahon."
"His Majesty's Frigate Emerald is failed from St. Helen's, full of Officers of Distinction, for Gibraltar."
"Last Friday Morning began, and still continues, the hottest Press known here in the Memory of Man, at which even the Captains assisted. Every Thing in the maritime Department is getting ready with the utmost Expedition."
"At Spithead, twenty four Ships of War." It is said that if the Ships fitting out should be ready before Hands sufficient are got together to man them, all Protections, of every Kind, will be recalled.
Five Officers from each Regiment of Guards are ordered down on the recruiting Service.
It is asserted that the Jews have formed a Plan to distress the Spaniards. It was always thought dangerous to trifle with the Sons of Ignatius.
It is observable that no less than eighteen Churches in the City only have been beautified this Year, so at least we have the Outside of Religion.
A most superb Suit of Crimson Velvet Clothes is making for his Majesty, with the Diamond Buttons which were worn by the late King. His Majesty will appear in them, for the first Time, to-morrow.
We are told of seven Millions of the national Debt to be paid without Half a Million raised by Taxes. Who will say that Lord North is not an able Financier?
It is said that Sir Edward Hawke has declared, within these few Days, that a Ship, answering the Description of the Aurora, Captain Lee, with the Supervisors on Board, has been heard of at the Manilas, by which pleasing Intelligence the Minds of several Persons connected with them have been made easy for the present, as they have farther been encouraged by Sir Edward not to give up the Hopes of their Safety until the End of next Month.
BRISTOL, December 1. Early Wednesday Morning there was a very warm Press in this City. The Constables were all engaged for the Purpose, and in a few Hours upwards of three Hundred Persons, that were taken indiscriminately, were lodged in the Guildhall; about a Third of which were deemed proper Persons for the Service of the Navy, and ordered immediately on Board a Tender. Many of them, having no Prospect of getting off, entered themselves, and were entitled to the Premium allowed by Government.
EDINBURGH, December 5. We hear that a Bill is framing here, with Regard to Bankrupts in North Britain, and for a more equal Distribution of their Effects, which must be of the highest Consequence to all the Subjects of the British Dominions, as by the present Law the Effects of Bankrupts are seized upon by the first Claimants, in Prejudice of all the other Creditors.
We hear from Aberdeen that on Saturday Morning died at the Cove, in the 108th Year of her Age, Margaret Maurice. She spun, about three Years ago, very fine Worstled for a Manufacturer in this Place, and retained her Senses to the last.
On Thursday last died, at Leith, Alexander Caldwell, a Journeyman Cooper, aged one Hundred and four. He laboured for his Bread until he was ninety, and walked abroad until a few Weeks before his Death.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 14.
We hear from King William that the Dwellinghouse of Mrs. Langburne, in that County, was burnt down a short Time ago, and that the Overseer's House shared the same Fate in four or five Days afterwards. It is suspected they were wilfully set on Fire.
Yesterday was married, in Henrico, Mr. William Carter, third Son of Mr. John Carter, aged twenty three, to Mrs. Sarah Ellyson, Relict of Mr. Gerard Ellyson, deceased, aged eighty five; a sprightly old Tit, with three Thousand Pounds Fortune.
The Mary, Fox, from London, is just arrived in James River. He had eleven Weeks Passage, and we have seen no later Papers by him than the 25th of December, in which there is no News of any Consequence.
Some Letters by Captain Fox mention War as dubious, and others say it is inevitable. Captain Power was to sail in January, and Captain Peterfon in February, if there was no War; otherwise all the Ships for Virginia were to wait for Convoy, which would not be till March. The Liberty, Kerr, was to sail in about a Fortnight after Captain Fox. The Reward, Necks, was just arrived.
[DEATHS.] Mr. GEORGE NICHOLAS, Clerk of Dinwiddie; a Gentleman of an amiable Character.
Mrs. JAMESON, Relict of Mr. Thomas Jameson, of York Town, Merchant, lately deceased.
Advertisements.
ALL Persons indebted to the Estate of Drury
Sirb, late of the County of Brunswick, deceased, are desired to make speedy Payment; and all Persons who have any Claim against the said Estate are desired to signify their respective Demands to me, by the first Opportunity, that Preparation may be made for Payment thereof. As there are several Tracts of Land subject to the Payment of the Debts, I believe there will be sufficient for that Purpose without selling any of the Slaves; therefore hope the Creditors will wait a reasonable Time for their Demands.
THOMAS STITH, Administrator.
MARCH 5, 1771.
WE hereby give Notice to Nathaniel W.
Dandridge, Esquire, and his Creditors, to meet at Hanover Town, on Friday the 22d of this Instant, when we will render an Account of our Transactions, and make Dividends, agreeable to the Deed of Trust made to us by the said Dandridge in Behalf of his Creditors.
JOHN WAYLES. WILLIAM MACON. ROBERT ANDERSON. JOHN JOHNSON.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 14, 1771.
IMPORTED in the CHATHAM Frigate,
Captain Anderson, a Box of GOODS marked M D, No. 2, which has never come to Hand. I will be obliged to any One who will let me know where it is; and if Captain Anderson has not already sent it, he is desired to take Notice of this Advertisement.
MARY DICKINSON.
BRUNSWICK County, March 1, 1771.
WHEREAS I bargained with one John
Walters, late of this County, for a certain Tract of Land therein, and accordingly gave him two Bonds, one for thirty two Pounds nineteen Shillings, payable the 25th of December 1769, the other for the like Sum, payable the 25th of December 1770; and as the said Walters has removed out of this Colony, without making me a good Right to the said Land, I do hereby forewarn all Persons from taking an Assignment of the Bonds; as I will not pay either of them until a good Right is made me to the Land.
JOHN GRESHAM.
To be SOLD at YORK Town,
THE Subscriber's STORE, and STORE GOODS, with Half an Acre of Ground belonging to it, upon which are a Kitchen, Stable, and other Conveniences; it is well situated, and suitable for a new Beginner. Credit will be given (upon Bond and Security) by
GEORGE WILSON.
STOLEN from the Subscriber, about the
15th of January last, a dark bay HORSE about four Feet seven Inches high; he has one hind Foot white, several large Saddle Spots, and branded on the near Buttock R. Whoever brings the said Horse to me, in Sussex County, near the Courthouse, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward; and on Conviction of the Thief, FIVE POUNDS.
WILLIAM JONES.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 7, 1771.
THE Subscriber, who has lately entered into
the RALEIGH Tavern, begs Leave to solicit the Customers of that House for a Continuance of their Favours, and the hereby acquaints the Gentlemen who lodged there in publick Times that their Rooms will be still kept in Order to receive them. He flatters himself that he will be able to give Satisfaction; as no Pains, nor Cost, shall be spared for that End.
JAMES SOUTHALL.
As the excessive Severity of the Weather for
a few Weeks past, and the late great Frosts, will, in all Probability, prevent many, who would choose to become Purchasers, from attending on the 28th Instant, we think it proper to delay the Sale of our Lands in Culpeper until the 25th of March.
CHARLES GRYMES. BENJAMIN GRYMES, Junior.
FEBRUARY 20, 1771.
FREDERICKSBURG, February 20, 1771.
MR. Daniel Warden, of North Carolina,
is desired to take Notice that it is necessary I should see him soon, relating to his Suit against West.
JAMES MERCER.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 7, 1771.
THE Subscriber begs Leave to inform the
Publick that he has taken the House lately occupied by Mr. Robert Anderson, where Gentlemen may be accommodated in the best Manner; and hopes, by his Care and Affiduity, that he shall be able to give Satisfaction to all who may please to favour him with their Custom.
CUTHBERT HUBBARD.
N. B. He still carries on his Business of Peruke making, Shaving, and Hair dressing, in a Shop nearly opposite Mr. James Cocks's Store.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 7, 1771.
THE Subscriber begs Leave to acquaint the
Gentlemen who favoured him with their Custom that he is now removed to Colonel Johnson's House, behind that of Mr. Waller; where they may depend upon the best Accommodation for themselves, Servants, and Horses.
RICHARD HUNT SINGLETON.
NORFOLK, March 4, 1771.
IMPORTED in the Ship Fairfield, Captain
Gavin Hamilton, from London, and lodged with us, a Package of Goods marked ABML in a Piece, No. 1, for which no Bill of Lading was given. Any Person claiming it, and proving his Property, may have it on paying Charges to
WILLIAM & JOHN BROWN.
ROBERT STEELE, STAYMAKER,
At Mr. JOHN RICHARDSON's, Tailor, Church Street, NORFOLK,
CARRIES on his Business in all its Branches. He returns Thanks to all Ladies that have honoured him with their Custom, and hopes for a Continuance of their Favours. All Orders from the Country shall be punctually executed.
FOUND in Williamburg, by a Negro, a
Pinchbeck WATCH with a Shagreen Case. The Owner may have it on proving his Property, paying the Charge of this Advertisement, and giving a small Gratification to the Finder.
CHARLES BARHAM.
I AM willing to dispose of a Tract of LAND
containing about one Thousand Acres, two Hundred Acres (Part thereof) low Grounds, lying on Meberin River, nearly opposite to Donaldson's famous low Grounds, together with (or without) the Negroes thereon, Stocks of all Kinds, Utensils of Husbandry, and every Thing appertaining to the Plantation. Amongst many Things that may be justly said in Favour of the Land, it is well situated for a Negro Quarter, being convenient to Mills, and remote from Courthouses and very publick Roads. The Terms of Sale are reasonable, and the Credit shall be extended from one to five Years, as will be most convenient and agreeable to the Purchaser. The Premises will be readily shown to any Person inclined to treat for and view the same by William Ellis, Overseer thereon.
JOHN RUFFIN, Junior.
To be SOLD at Jamestown, on Friday the 15th of this
Instant, for the Benefit of the Ensurers,
ALL the Rigging, Sails, Cables, and Anchors, belonging to the Brigantine Industry; also her Cargo which was saved, being about three and thirty Hogheads and Tierces of very good St. Christopher's RUM. Credit until the 10th of December next will be allowed for all Sums above fifty Shillings, the Purchasers giving Bond and Security. At the same Time will be sold a Quantity of Jamaica RUM; several Tierces of double and middling refined SUGAR, a large Quantity of British OSNABRUGS, &c. The Time of Payment for these Articles will be agreed on at the Day of Sale.
EDWARD CHAMPION TRAVIS.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Prince
Edward, some Time in June last, 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 Negro imprisoned with him, broke the Prison. He has since been seen about Williamburg, 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 Oldnabrug 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 TEN POUNDS to any Person that will contrive him to me, and FIVE POUNDS for such Intelligence that I may get him.
WILLIAM WATT.
Pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Mr. John Harris, deceased, will be exposed to publick Sale, on Wednesday the 20th of this Instant (March) if fair, otherwise next fair Day, at his late Dwellinghouse, in Surry County,
TWO valuable Tracts of LAND, viz. One whereon the said Mr. Harris lately lived, containing upwards of two Hundred Acres, on which there is a convenient Dwellinghouse with two Brick Chimneys, a Kitchen and a Quarter, with a Brick Chimney to each of them, and all necessary Outhouses. There is a good Apple and Peach Orchard, and seventeen Bushels of Wheat sown on the said Tract. The Land is kind for Grain, and, with a little Dung, very suitable for Tobacco. The other Tract, which almost joins it, contains about the same Number of Acres, is light Land, and very kind for Grain; there is enough cleared, under a good Fence, to work three or four Hands. Each of the said Tracts is very convenient to Church, Courthouse, Mill, and Landing. The Purchasers may have eighteen Months Credit, and enter upon the Land on the Day of Sale, giving Bond, with approved Security, for the same. At the same Time and Place will be sold all the personal Estate of the said Mr. Harris, except the Slaves. The Purchasers may have twelve Months Credit for all Sums above twenty five Shillings, on giving Bond, with Security, to
CHRISTOPHER MACRAE, } Executors. MICHAEL NICHOLSON. }
N. B. All Persons indebted to the above Estate are desired to make immediate Payment, and those to whom the Estate is indebted to make their Claims known to the Executors.
FIVE POUNDS REWARD.
RUN away from the Sloop Tryal, in Rappahannock River, on the second of December last, a bright Mulatto Man Slave named SAM, the Property of Mr. Charles Yates of Fredericksburg, who bought him last May of Colonel Warner Lewis of Gloucester County, since which Time he has been constantly with me, until he ran off. He is about twenty five Years old, six Feet two Inches high, strong limbed, well made, and a very likely Fellow; he has a Scar on his Forehead over one of his Eyes, I think it is the left, some Colour in his Cheeks when warm, and has a long Shock of Wool on his Head, which he often wears about the Crown. He was bred partly to the Plantation and Farming Business, and sometimes, as he informed me, was employed as an Axe Man and Sawyer, about Ship building. His Dress was such as Sailors wear, and was imported ready made, an under Jacket of spotted Swankin, or Cotton, and is too short for him in the Arms; he had also a milled double Yarn Cap, of two Colours, and took with him his Bedding, a new spotted Rug which he had stolen, and several Yards of mixed coloured Broadcloth, cut from a whole Piece that he had stolen, the Remainder of which he distributed amongst the Sloop's Crew to bribe them to Secrecy. His Theft was certainly the Cause of his Flight, to avoid the Gallows; for he was never punished whilst with me, nor ever complained, neither had he any Cause to be dissatisfied at his Treatment; and it is probable his Apprehensions will make him endeavour to escape out of the Colony, under the Character of a Seaman. I have heard he was at Norfolk on Christmas Day, and there pretended to have belonged to a Vessel lately wrecked on the Sea Coast. With such a Story some Person in Want of Hands might be induced to engage him. Should it have been so, any One knowing it shall be well rewarded for the Information; and, if he is yet in the Colony, whoever apprehends him shall receive FIVE POUNDS on Delivery to me, or to his Master at Fredericksburg, besides what the Law allows for conveying him from the Place where he is taken up.
STAFFORD LIGHTBURN, Junior.
YORK County, March 7, 1771.
FORTY SHILLINGS Reward will be given
to any Person who will take up, and deliver to the Subscriber, an outlawed Negro Slave named GABY, that has been run away several Months. He is a tall, black, ill shaped Fellow, stoops much, and has generally sore Legs. His Wife is hired by Mr. Lewis in Williamburg, where, in all Probability, he may be taken, as he was seen in that City about three Weeks ago. When he went off he had on the usual Clothing of labouring Negroes. If taken up there he may be committed to Jail, and Notice immediately given to
JAMES BURWELL.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 26, 1771.
WILLIAM R. DRINKARD begs Leave
to inform the Publick that he intends to open TAVERN in the House lately occupied by Mr. William Holt, nearly opposite the Post Office, by the ensuing April Court. Those Gentlemen who please to favour him with their Custom may depend on good Accommodation.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 28, 1771.
THE Subscriber has taken the House lately
occupied by Mr. Southall, where he hopes to be prepared, by the ensuing General Court, for the Accommodation of Gentlemen. He returns Thanks to those Gentlemen who have formerly frequented his House, and hopes to merit a Continuance of their Custom.
ROBERT ANDERSON.
N. B. A single Man, well recommended, who understands the Business of a Bar, will have Employment by applying to me.
SOUTHAMPTON, February 23, 1771.
THE Subscriber hereby gives Notice that he
has lately removed to Southampton County, where he proposes to continue the Hospital, and the Practice of SURGERY and PHYSICK, in the same Manner it was conducted by his Father, the late Colonel Jesse Browne, and hopes to give the Satisfaction, to all Gentlemen who will favour him with their Commands, as was generally given by his Predecessor.
SAMUEL BROWNE.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 28, 1771.
I WILL give the best Price, and ready
Money, for any Kind of OLD LEAD.
JOSEPH KIDD.
SOUTHAMPTON, February 23, 1771.
NOTICE is hereby given to all Persons in-
debted, on open Account, to the Estate of Colonel Jesse Browne, late of Southampton County, deceased, that every Person so indebted who shall fail to settle his Account by the 15th Day of April next, either by discharging the same, or giving Bond, with approved Security, if required, that such Accounts, after that Date, will immediately be put into the Hands of an Attorney. And all those indebted by Bond to the said Estate are requested to discharge the same by the said Date, it being necessary to settle the Estate as speedily as possible; and in Order thereto it is requested of those who have any Demands against the Estate to make them known, that they may be discharged.
SAMUEL BROWNE, } Executors. JOHN ATKINSON, } THOMAS JACK, }
As I have declined my Practice as a Physi-
cian, &c. in the County of King William, and intend settling in the Town of Blandford, I think it necessary to give this publick Notice to those who have any Demands against me to make them known; and those indebted to me are desired to make immediate Payment to Mr. William Lewis, of the aforesaid County, whom I have appointed my Attorney.
ALEXANDER GLASS STRACHAN.
SUFFOLK, February 12, 1771.
AN ANCHOR, about a Thousand Weight,
was lately taken up by the Subscriber, a few Miles the lower Side of Smith's Point, Chesapeake Bay; which the Owner may have, on proving his Property.
JONAS MIRUR.
For SALE,
TWENTY Thousand Acres of LAND, in
the Counties of Frederick and Hampshire, which was advertised some Years ago in this Colony, and the neighbouring Provinces, and its Situation and Qualities then described; therefore think it necessary to repeat them now. It will be sold very cheap, and reasonable Time of Payment will be allowed the Purchaser, or Purchasers, for one Half of the Purchase Money; who may be shown the Premises by applying to the Subscriber, in Winchester.
BRYAN BRUIN.

POETS CORNER.  An ELEGY written on the Approach of SPRING.
S TERN Winter hence, with all its Train, removes, And cheerful Skies and limpid Streams are seen; Thick-sprouting Foliage decorates the Groves, Reviving Herbage robes the Fields in green.  Yet lovelier Scenes shall crown th' advancing Year, When blooming Spring's full Bounty is display'd; The Smile of Beauty every Vale shall wear, The Voice of Song enliven every Shade.  O Fancy, paint not coming Days too fair! Oit, for the Prospect sprightly May should yield, Rain-pouring Clouds have darkened all the Air, Or Snows untimely whiten'd o'er the Field.  But should kind Spring her wonted Bounty show, The Smile of Beauty, and the Voice of Song, Eloquy Thought the human Mind o'erpower, Even vernal Hours glide unenjoy'd along.  I shun the Scenes where maddening Passion raves, Where Pride and Folly high Dominion hold, And unrelenting Avarice drives her Slaves O'er prostrate Virtue in Pursuit of Gold.  The grassy Lane, the Wood-surrounded Field, The rude Stone Fence with fragrant Wallflowers gay, The Clay-built Cot, to me more Pleasure yield Than all the Pomp imperial Domes display.  And yet o'er here, amid these secret Shades, These simple Scenes of unprov'd Delight, Affliction's Iron Hand my Breast invades, And Death's dread Dart is ever in my Sight.  While genial Suns to genial Showers succeed, The Air all Mildness, and the Earth all Bloom, While Herds and Flocks range sportive o'er the Mead, Crop the sweet Herb, and sniff the rich Perfume:  O why alone to hapless Man deny'd To taste the Bliss inferior Beings boast? O why this Fate that Fear and Pain divide His soon short Hours on Earth's delightful Coast?  Ah cease, no more of Providence complain! 'Tis Sense of Guilt that wakes the Mind to Wo, Gives Force to Fear, adds Energy to Pain, And pulls each Joy by Heaven indulg'd below.  Why else the smiling Infant Train to bless, Ere dear-bought Knowledge ends the Peace within, Or wild Desire inflames the youthful Breast, Or ill Propension ripens into Sin?  As to the bleating Tenants of the Field, As to the sportive Warblers on the Trees, To them their Joys sincere the Seasons yield, And all their Days and all their Prospects please.  Such Joys were mine when from the peopled Streets, Where on Thamesis' Banks I liv'd immur'd, The new blown Fields that breath'd a Thousand Sweets, To Surr's Wood-crown'd Hills my Steps allur'd.  O happy Hours, beyond Recovery fed! What share I now that can your Loss repay, While o'er my Mind these Gloom of Thought are spread, And veil the Light of Life's Meridian Ray?  Is there no Power this Darkness to remove, The long lost Joys of Eden to restore, Or raise our Views to happier Seats above, Where Fear and Pain, and Death, shall be no more?  Yes, those there are who know a Saviour's Love The long lost Joys of Eden can restore, And raise their Views to happier Seats above, Where Fear and Pain, and Death, shall be no more.  These grateful share the Gift of Nature's Hand, And in the varied Scenes that round them shine, The fair, the rich, the awful, and the grand, Admire th' amazing Workmanship divine.  Blows not a Floweret in the enamell'd Vale, Shines not a Pebble where the Rivulet strays, Sports not an Insect on the spicy Gale, But claims their Wonder and excites their Praise.  For them even vernal Nature looks more gay, For them more lively Hues the Fields adorn; To them more fair the fairest Smile of Day, To them more sweet the sweetest Breath of Morn.  They feel the Bliss that Hope and Faith supply, They pass serene th' appointed Hours that bring The Day that waits them to the Realms on high, The Day that centers in eternal Spring.
GENERAL POST OFFICE, New York, January 22, 1771.  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, at 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.
THE Subscribers, who live within eight Miles of Bedford Courthouse , have about five Thousand Acres of LAND for Sale, on reasonable Terms, whereon are several valuable Improvements. The Generality of the Land is very good for Tobacco, and is convenient to the Courthouse; about two Thousand Acres of it lies within five Miles of James River , where Tobacco is carried to the Inspection by Water. Short Credit will be given for Half the Purchase Money, and long Credit for the other Half. The Land will be laid off to suit the Purchasers. The Prices are from fifteen to fifty Pounds a Hundred Acres.  MICAIAH MOORMAN. MICAIAH TERRALL.
GEORGE III. by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. to the Sheriff of Southampton County , greeting: We command you that you summon Claplain Williams , and Heir at Law of Captain Williams , deceased, to appear before our Justices of our said County Court, in Chancery, at the Courthouse of the said County, on the second Thursday in February next, to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against him and Stephen Williamson , by Thomas Williamson , and John Hyndman , Merchants; and this he shall in no wise omit, under the Penalty of one Hundred Pounds; and have then there this Writ. Witness Richard Kello , Clerk of our said Court, at the Courthouse, the 10th Day of January , 1771, in the eleventh Year of our Reign.  RICHARD KELLO.
SMITHFIELD, February 21, 1771.  COMMITTED to Isle of Wight Jail, on the 29th of January last, a Negro Man who says he belongs to Thomas Nelson , and lived close by York Town . He is a likely black Fellow, a little pockmarked, and an outlandish Negro. The Owner may have him, on paying Charges, of  JOHN TAYLOR, Jailor.
RUN away from the Subscriber, some Time in the Month of January , a Negro Fellow named OCTER . He is about five Feet seven or eight Inches high, very slim, has very small Legs, and walks a little lame. He was sent to my Plantation by Frederick Leigh . Whoever will bring the said Runaway to me, in King William County , or will secure him so that I may get him again, shall have a Reward of FORTY SHILLINGS .  WILLIAM CLAIBORNE.
TAKEN up, in King William , a dark bay MARE about four Feet four or five Inches high, with a hanging Mane and Switch Tail, and branded on the near Buttock 1P. Posted, and appraised to FIVE POUNDS .  THOMAS BLACKWELL.
To be SOLD,  THE Plantation well known by the Name of Pond Marsh , in New Kent County , four Miles below the Brickhouse Ferry , beautifully situated upon York River , commanding a large and extensive Prospect of the River and adjacent Country. The Land is good for Corn, Wheat, and Tobacco, is well timbered, and has a fine firm Marsh enclosed with a good Fence, containing three Hundred Acres, which will maintain two Hundred Head of Cattle, without feeding, in Winter. There are good Buildings on the Premises, a very good Garden, Apple and Peach Orchards, a good Tide Mill on a Creek near the House; every Thing in good Order for Cropping, and a great Plenty of Fish, Oysters, and Wild-fowl. Whoever inclines to purchase the above will be shown the same, and may know the Terms by applying to the Subscriber, on the Premises.  JOHN TOWNES.
Pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Mr. Anthony Hay, deceased, will be SOLD, on TUESDAY the 7th of MAY, before the Raleigh Door, in Williamsburg,
NINETEEN NEGROES belonging to his Estate, among them a very good Cabinet Maker, a good Coachman and Carter, some fine Waiting Boys, good Cooks, Washers, &c. Six Months Credit will be allowed, the Purchasers giving Bond and Security to  WILLIAM TREBELL, ROBERT NICOLSON, } Executors.
N. B. All Persons who have Demands against Mr. Hay's Estate are requested to make them speedily known, that Provision may be made for discharging them; and those indebted thereto are desired to make immediate Payment. It is hoped none of the Creditors will put the Estate to any unnecessary Charge, by Suits, when we assure them the best Means will be used to pay the Debts with all Speed, and when it is considered that Mr. Hay has left a large Family, whose tender Years entitle them to some Indulgence.
RICHMOND, February 6, 1771.  I INTEND to leave this Place by the first of April next, and to settle in Williamsburg ; where I shall open a Shop on the main Street, near the Capitol, to clean and repair CLOCKS and WATCHES , and to make and sell all Sorts of GOLD and SILVER WORK , at the most reasonable Rates. Those who please to employ me may depend on their Work being done well, and expeditiously.  JAMES GALT.
RUN away from the Subscriber, on Saturday the 26th of January , an indentured Servant Man named WILLIAM READ . He is a well set Fellow, about five Feet ten Inches high, and speaks the West Country Dialect pretty broad; had on, and took with him, a dark coloured Duffel short Frock Coat, a Pair of blue Plains Breeches with a spotted Cotton Waistband, a Pair of Yarn Stockings, Check Shirt, and Virginia made Shoes. He is a Farmer, and understands Something of making and laying Bricks. Whoever delivers the said Servant to me at West Point , in King William County , or secures him so that I may get him again, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward.  JOHN WEST.
Wanted on CHARTER, to load Tar and Turpentine in NORTH CAROLINA,
A VESSEL of about fifteen Hundred Barrels Burthen. For Terms apply to James Marsden in Norfolk , or the Subscribers at Richmond ; who have for Sale a Quantity of good SEINE TWINE .  STORRS & ELLIS.
RUN away from the Subscriber, at the Falls of James River , the Middle of last Month, a Negro Man named DAVY , belonging to the Hon. William Byrd , Esquire, about thirty Years old, five Feet eight Inches high, and very stout made; he is of a yellow Complexion, has a down Look, and a Defect in some of his fore Teeth. He is supposed to be lurking about Hanover Town , Petersburg , or gone towards Carolina . Whoever will apprehend the said Fellow, and bring him to me, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward; and if taken out of the Colony, FIVE POUNDS .  DAVID PATTESON.
A CATALOGUE of BOOKS, &c. to be SOLD at the POST OFFICE in Williamsburg.
A NSON's Voyages. Afric on Venereal Diseases. Armstrong on the Diseases of Children. Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Atkinson's Epitome. British Zoology. Butler's Remains. Birch's Life of Henry Prince of Wales. Baxter's Saints Everlasting Rest. Bennet's Christian Oratory. Buchanan's Dictionary. Brown's Sunday Thoughts. Beveridge's Thoughts. Brooke's Introduction to the Practice of Physick. British Plutarch. Baron Bielefeld's Letters. Bartlet's Farriery. Barclay's Apology. Biographical Dictionary. Boston's Fourfold State. Bunyan's Holy War. Complete Letter Writer. Chandler's Life of King David. Campbell's Present State of Europe. Crevier's Roman History. Chefelden's Anatomy. Churchill's Poems. The Connoisseur. The Complete Gamester. Chaubaud's Geography. Commentaries of Marcus Antoninus. Calissus, or the Man of Fashion. Castle of Otranto. Cambray on Charity. Crosby's Navigation. Cocker's Arithmetick. Dictionarium Rusticum. Drelincourt on Death. Dryden's Fables. Works. Du Fresnoy's Chronological Tables. Du Fresnoy on Charity. Duke of Wharton's True Briton. Dindale's Isocrates. Dittion on the Resurrection. Derham's Astro-Theology. Don Quixote. Doddridge's Pleasing Instructor. Doddridge on Religion. on the New Testament. Dilworth's Arithmetick. Emerson's Mechanicks. Fluxions. Erkine's Sermons. Edinburgh Dispensatory. England's Gazetteer. Edinburgh Medical Essays. Epistolary Correspondence, being the third Volume of Letters on Theron and Aspasio. Farmer's Guide. Fox on the New Testament. Fordyce's Art of Preaching. Fenning's Arithmetick. Book of Knowledge. Female Spectator. Fielding's Works. Fergusson's Astronomy. Lectures. Tables and Tracts. Family Companion for Health. Farrier's Dictionary. Grand Tour. Goldsmith's Roman History. Guthrie's Epistles to Atticus. Gerard on Taste. Gordon's Geographical Grammar. Gentleman's Dictionary. German Spy. Gay's Fables. Gould on Ants. Harrison's Practice in Chancery. History of Cape Breton. of California. of Greenland. of Lewis XI. of the Germans. of Kuli Khan. of Classic Authors. of Miss Pittborough. of Persia. of the Civil Wars in Ireland.
History of the Spanish Settlements in America. Hume's History of England. Harris's Life of Cromwell. Hunter's Observations on Tacitus. Hurd's Dialogues. Harris on the Globes. on the Diseases of Infants. Howell's History of the Bible. Howell's Letters. Helsham's Lectures. Heister's Surgery. Huxham on Fevers. Historical Companion. Hogarth Moralized. Hogarth's Analysis of Beauty. Hervey's Meditations. Letters. Hughes's Poems. Impartial Inquiry into Faith. James's Dispensatory. James on Gardening. James's Exposition of the Pentateuch. Joseph Andrews. Kettlewell's Companion for the Penitent. Kenrick's Epistles, Philosophical & Moral. Love's Surveying. Ledran's Observations. Operations. London Medical Observations. Lind on the Scurvy. on Diseases in Hot Climates. Life of Charles XII. of Duke of Marlborough. Lord President Forbes's Works. Langhorne's Letters. Consolations. Solyman and Almena. Letters on Physiognomy. Lives of the Spanish Painters. Lewis's Church Catechism. Maxwell's Husbandry. Miller's Gardener's Calendar. Models of Conversation. Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws. M'Laurin's Algebra. Melmoth's Translation of Cicero's Letters. Monro on Diseases. Mihles's Surgery. Mackenzie on Health. M'Bride's Essay's. Martin's Philosophical Grammar. Memoirs of Ladies of Great Britain. Milton's Works. Morgan's Physico-Theology. Marquis D'Argens's Philosophical Dissertations. Mariner's Compass Rectified. New Calendar. Mair's Arithmetick. Introduction. Messiah. Noah. New Whole Duty of Man. Practice of Piety. Week's Preparation. Newgent's Account of Italy. Nelson's Festivals. The 5th, 6th, and 7th Volumes of Yorick's Sermons. Dr. Swift's Posthumous Works, in three Volumes. The 33d, 34th, and 35th Volumes of Voltaire's Works. SCHOOL BOOKS. Ainsworth's Dictionary. Gradus ad Parnassum. Castalio's Latin Bible. Dialogues. Mair's Tyro's Dictionary. Lilly's Grammar. Ward's Grammar. Christie's Grammar. Ruddiman's Grammar. Rudiments. Clarke's Introduction. Grammar. Cordery. Ænop. Eutropius. Florus. Erasmus. Ovid's Metamorphoses. Duncan's Cæsar. Cicero's Oration. Davidson's Virgil. Horace. Hutchinson's Xenophon. Profotia Confuted. Sterling's Ovid. Perseus. Florus. Phædrus. Maittaire's Homer. Virgil. Horace. Ovid. Salust. Justin. Cicero's Oration. Juvenal, and Florus. Pearce's Longinus. Trapp's Praelationes. Martial's Epigrams. Latin Common Prayer Book. Greek Testament. Sententiae. London Vocabulary. A great Variety of History and other Pretty Books for Children. Spelling Books of all Kinds. Church Bibles. Prayer Books. Family do. Pocket do. School Bibles. Testaments. Psalters. Morris's Pocket Books, of all Sizes. Pounce and Boxes. The Beggars Opera set to Musick. A great Variety of Musick, by the best Masters. Blank Musick Books. Musick Ruling Pens. Crommel and Steiner's Violins, with best Screw Bows. Silver Bases and best Roman Strings. German and Common Flutes, of different Sizes. Surveyors Instruments. Best Temple Spectacles, green and plain. Common Spectacles. Instructions for the Flute. Reading Glasses, for different Ages. Best Penknives. Pewter Ink Chests and Stands. Edinburgh Inkpots. Message Cards, plain, gilt, and mourning. Broad and narrow red Tape. Ivory Memorandum Books. Ivory Folders. Best Wafers. Dutch Sealing Wax. Slates and Pencils. Sand Boxes. Black and Red Lead Pencils. Ink Powder. Gold Leaf. Best Dutch Quills and Pens. Hudson Bay Quills. Playing Cards. Blank Books, and Alphabets, of all Sorts and Sizes. Paper, of all Sorts and Sizes. Parchment, and every other Kind of STATIONARY.
Also the following MEDICINES, from Dr. Bateman's original wholesale warehouse in London.
Dr. Bateman's Pectoral Drops. Dr. Hooper's Female Pills. Dr. Fraunces's Female Strengthening Elixir. Squibb's Grand Elixir. Pike's Patent Ointment for the Itch and all Cutaneous Eruptions. Batten's True and Genuine British Oil. Dr. Stoughton's Great Stomachick Elixir. The true Daffy's Elixir. Dr. Radcliffe's Famous Purging Elixir. Squibb's Grand Elixir. Pike's Patent Ointment for the Itch and all Cutaneous Eruptions. Madden's Sovereign Oil for Bruises and Strains. Turlington's Original Balsam of Life. We have a few of the late REVIVAL of the LAWS , neatly bound, more than what were printed for the Use of the Country, to dispose of. Also MERCHANTS, COUNTY COURT , and a Variety of other useful BLANKS .