The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1774-01-13 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.
"TEA! how I tremble at the baneful Name! Like Lethe, fatal to the Love of Fame."
DR. YOUNG.
CAN Posterity believe that the constitutional Liberties of North America were on the Point of being given up for Tea? Is this exotic Plant necessary to Life? Or does our Health depend upon it? Just the reverse. It was ushered into Europe, A. D. 1679, by the extravagant Encomiums of Cornelius Bentekoe, a Dutch Phylician. The Tyranny of Fashion spread it with amazing Rapidity, though the general State of Health has undergone a great Revolution by it; so that our Race is dwindled, and become puny, weak, and disordered, to such a Degree, that were it to prevail a Century more we should be reduced to meagre Pigmyes.
Physicians soon discovered its Mischief, and wrote against it, at least all the eminent in that Profession.
The great Boerhaave strongly opposed it, as the most pernicious Custom; and all his Pupils, who have been the chief Ornaments of Physick, followed his Example.
Dr. Tissot, Professor of Physick at Berne, eminent for Patriotism, as well as Philosophy, says boldly: "The Teapots, full of warm Water, which I see on their Tables, put me in Mind of Pandora's Box, from whence all Sorts of Evils issue forth; with this Difference, however, that they do not even leave the Hopes of Relief behind them, but, on the contrary, by inducing hypochondriack Complaints, diffuse Melancholy and Despair."
He tells us, in a very late Publication, "that Coffee and Tea are forbidden in Sweden, and that a considerable Province in Germany has voluntarily given up Coffee, as the English Colonies in America have left off drinking Tea." I am sorry we have not so much good Sense, Perseverance, or Self Denial, as to deserve this Character. He alleges, it has so much increased the Diseases of a nervous and languid Nature, in the Countries where it is introduced, that we may, by attending to the Health of any City, discover whether the Inhabitants drink Tea or not; and that it would be one of the greatest Blessings to Europe to prohibit the Importation of these Leaves, which contain an acrid corrosive Gum, and a few astringent Particles, and Nothing salutary at all.
Dr. Cullen, present Professor of Medicine in Edinburgh, who has the Reputation of improving the Theory of Physick, considers both Tea and Coffee as deleterious (of a deadly or destructive Quality) and having mischievous Effects on the nervous System, though Habit abates in some Degree their Effects; that all the Virtues ascribed to them may be fairly attributed to the hot Water, which undoubtedly relieves in Cases of Rigidity; that Tea weakens the Tone of the Stomach, and therefore of the whole System, inducing Tremours and spasmodick (convulsive) Affections; that Water of the same Warmth, impregnated with some of our own Plants, is attended with none of these Harms; that, from botanical Analogy, Tea belongs to an Order of Plants of the narcotick (stupifying) Kind, viz. the Coadunatae; that hence the Asiatics do not use it till it is a Year old, and that its emetick Quality shows its Acrimony is not then dissipated. Hence he concludes Tea and Coffee are Sedatives, weakening the Tone of the System, and diminishing the Force of the nervous Power.
These Effects sensible People of Age and Experience must have observed, in Spite of the Prejudice of Education and Habit; and I am bold to say, I never saw a Man or Woman who from Youth was fond of and practised drinking Tea freely that was not rendered a weak, effeminate, and creeping Valetudinarian for Life.
I cannot hope that the strongest Arguments can prevail with the Slaves of this pernicious Custom to exchange it for Milk, the most easy Nourishment of Nature; but it may be expected, whatever they do themselves, they will entirely deny it to their Children, to whom it is a slow but dangerous Poison.
But if we must, through Custom, have some warm Tea, once or twice a Day, why may we not exchange this slow Poison, which not only destroys our Constitutions, but dangers our Liberty, and drains our Country of so many Thousand Pounds a Year, for Teas of our own American Plants; many of which may be found, pleasant to the Taste and very salutary, according to our various Constitutions. Even drinking
warm Water, in moderate Quantity, like Tea, with Sugar and Cream, has relieved many hysterical Cases; and has cured some, even when attended by considerable Convulsions and Flatulencies, which were the Effects of Green and Bohea Teas, in delicate Constitutions. Here permit me to propose a List of several Kinds of Teas, with a Hint of their Uses; any of which would be more pleasant than Bohea, &c. provided we had used them as long.
1. Sassafras Root, sliced thin and dried, with Raspings of Lignumvitae, makes a Tea exceedingly agreeable, when made weak*. It beautifies and smoothes the Complexion, prevents Pleurises, Scurvies, and Cachexies, &c.
2. Sweet Marjoram, and a little Mint, relieve the Head and Nerves, strengthen the Stomach, help all the Digestions, are good in Catarrhs and Asthmata, and also giving a good Colour to the Skin, prevent Hystericks, and Melancholy.
3. Mother of Thyme, and a little Hyssop, revive the Spirits, and make cheerful; also are good against cold Diseases, Asthmata, Coughs, and Vapours.
4. Sage and Balm Leaves (the first dry, the latter green) are gently astringent, stimulating and strengthening, excellent in Fevers, when joined with a little Lemon Juice; good for weak Stomachs, Gouts, Vertigoes, and Cachexies.
5. Rosemary and Lavender, excellent for Disorders of the Head, and Weakness of the nervous System, occasioned by India Teas, or otherwise; they resolve cold Humours, strengthen the Stomach, and rouse the Spirits.
6. A very few small Twigs of White Oak, well dried in the Sun, with two Leaves and a Half of sweet Myrtle. This so exactly counterfeits the India Teas that a good Connoisseur might be mistaken in them. They are drying and very strengthening, in all wasting Diseases and Fluxes, suitable to Women with Child, and good against Agues.
7. Clover, with a little Camomile. This Tea is pleasant, and has done Wonders in Obstructions of the Spleen, Liver, &c. See Baron Swieten, &c.
8. Twigs of black Currant Bushes greatly relieve Asthmata, and often cure them in Children, with a few Worm Purges.
9. Red Rose Bush Leaves and Cinquefoil recruit the Strength, mitigate Pain and Inflammations, and are beneficial to consumptive and feverish People, healing to Wounds, and serviceable in spitting of Blood.
10. Mistletoe and English wild Valerian. This Tea is not the most pleasant, but tolerable, and is one of the principal Antispasmodicks; has cured many of the Falling Sickness, purging by Sweat and Urine, and destroying Worms better than the narcotick Pink Root.
11. Pine Buds, and lesser Vervain, make a Tea sufficient to cure most Agues, and are very powerful Diureticks, removing Indurations of the Spleen, Liver, Reins, and Mysisentery.
12. Ground Ivy, with a little Lavender Cotton, or Roman Wormwood, or Southernwood, are excellent to open Obstructions, prevent malignant and infectious Diseases, cure Agues and Coughs, and kill Worms in Children.
13. Fennel Seed, and inner Bark of Magnolia, commonly called Spice Wood; this is a powerful Remedy against Agues and hysterick Cholicks.
14. Strawberry Leaves, and Leaves of Sweet Brier, or Dog's Rose, make a Tea agreeably dulco-acid, cooling in Fevers, bilious Fluxes, Sharpness of Urine, and Indispositions of the Stomach.
15. Golden Rod and Betony. A Tea of these, drunk with Honey, are highly corroborative and detersive, to cleanse Ulcers in the Lungs, and Wounds of the Breast, Palsies, &c.
16. Twigs of the liquid Amber Tree (commonly called Sweet Gum) with or without Flowers of Elder. This Tea, sweetened with Honey, is very pectoral, and a Specific with some in Pleurises.
17. Pepper Mint, and Yarrow. These together, or apart, are agreeable enough; the first highly beneficial in flatulent Cholicks, Hystericks, and Depression of Spirits; the latter vulnerary, and good in all Wastings, Hemorrhages, and Fluxes.
Many more might be added, but I fear I am tedious already. However, these are all so safe and innocent, that, except the 3d, 10th, and 12th, a pregnant
* Every Sort of Tea is rendered disagreeable by being too strong.
Lady may drink them with Safety, and many with Advantage. Married Persons may add a little Ginger to any of them.
I see only one Objection that can be made, viz. that in such a Variety different Tastes or Circumstances would require different Sorts, which would take too many Pots for the Tea Table, and some Trouble; but it may be answered, Teapots are not very dear, and (Thanks to Heaven) we have no unconstitutional Tax laid on them yet. Water is plenty, Sideboards may be had; and, if Teapots fail, what Hardship is it for some to make their own Teas in Mugs or Tankards!
If the Gentlemen and Ladies of the first Rank will use their Influence and Example to abolish this pernicious Custom of drinking the Asiatick Teas, and introduce and persevere in using our own, they will have the Self-pleasing Satisfaction of having emancipated their Country from the basest Slavery and Tyranny of Custom, and erecting a Monument to Common Sense, which will merit the Praise of unborn Generations.
PHILO-ALETHEIAS.
P. S. In the low and damp Lands in Maryland and Virginia, where slow and bilious Fevers prevail, with Coughs and Catarrhs, the Author of Nature has plentifully supplied them with a hairy Moss on their Trees, which is very agreeable to the Taste, and an excellent strengthening and pectoral Remedy for their common Complaints.
PHILADELPHIA, December 24.
At two o'Clock this Afternoon arrived here a Gentleman, who came Express from New York, with the following interesting Advices from Boston, which was sent there by Express also.
BOSTON, December 16.
IT being understood that Mr. Rotch, Owner of the Ship Dartmouth, rather lingered in his Preparations to return her to London, with the East India Company's Tea on Board, there was on Monday last a Meeting of the Committee of several of the neighbouring Towns, in Boston; upon which Mr. Rotch was sent for, and inquired of whether he continued his Resolution to comply with the injunctions of the Body assembled at the Old South Meeting House on Monday and Tuesday preceding. Mr. Rotch answered, that in the Meantime he had taken the Advice of the best Counsel, and found that in Case he went on, of his own Motion, to send that Ship to Sea, in the Condition she was then in, it must inevitably ruin him; and therefore that he must beg them to consider what he had said at the said Meeting as the Effect of Compulsion, and unadvised, and in Consequence that he was not holden to abide by it, when he was now assured that he must be utterly ruined in Case he did. Mr. Rotch was then asked whether he would demand a Clearance for his Ship in the Custom-house, and in Case of a Refusal enter a Protest, and then apply in like Manner for a Pass and order her to Sea; to all which he answered in the negative. The Committees having informed their respective Constituents of what had passed, a very full Meeting of the Body was again assembled at the Old South Meeting House on Tuesday Afternoon; and Mr. Rotch, being again present, was inquired of as before, and a Motion was made, and seconded, that Mr. Rotch be enjoined forthwith to repair to the Collector of the Customs and demand a Clearance for his Ship, and ten Gentlemen were appointed to accompany him, as Witnesses of the Demand. Mr. Rotch then proceeded with the Committee to Mr. Harrison's Lodgings, and made the Demand. Mr. Harrison observed, he could not give an Answer till he consulted the Comptroller; but would, at Office Hours next Morning, give a decisive Answer. On the Return of Mr. Rotch, and the Committee, to the Body, with this Report, the Meeting was adjourned to Thursday Morning, ten o'Clock.
Having met on Thursday accordingly, they sent for Mr. Rotch, and asked him if he had been to the Collector and demanded a Clearance. He said he had, but the Collector said he could not, consistent with his Duty, give him a Clearance till all the dutiable Articles were out of his Ship. They then demanded of him whether he had protested against the Collector; he said he had not. They ordered him, upon his
* By the Act, any dutiable Goods on Board a Vessel, after lying twenty Days in a Harbour, become liable to the Payment of the Duties. The People waited till the last Day, and in a few Hours the Ship (to secure the Duties then payable) was to have been delivered to the Custody of the Man of War.

Peril, to give immediate Orders to the Captain to get his Ship ready for Sea that Day, enter a Protest immediately against the Customhouse, and then proceed directly to the Governour (who was at his Seat at Milton, seven Miles off) and demand a Pass for his Ship to go by the Castle. They then adjourned to three o'Clock, to wait Mr. Rotch's Return; and having met according to Adjournment, there was the fullest Meeting ever known, it being reckoned there were 2000 Men from the Country. They waited very patiently till about five o'Clock, when they found Mr. Rotch did not return they began to be very uneasy, called for a Dissolution of the Meeting, and finally obtained a Vote for it; but the more moderate Part of the Meeting, fearing what would be the Consequences, begged that they would reconsider their Vote, and wait till Mr. Rotch's Return, for this Reason, that they ought to do every Thing in their Power to send the Tea back, according to their Resolves.
They obtained a Vote to remain together one Hour longer, and in about three Quarters of an Hour Mr. Rotch returned. His Answer from the Governour was, that he could not give a Pass till the Ship was cleared by the Customhouse; upon which the People, as with one Voice, called immediately for a Dissolution, which having obtained, they repaired to Griffin's Wharf, where the Tea Vessels lay, proceeded to fix Tackles, and hoisted the Tea upon Deck, cut the Chests to Pieces, and threw the Tea over the Side. There were two Ships and a Brig, Captains Hall, Bruce, and Coffin, each Vessel having 114 Chests of Tea on Board. They began upon the two Ships first, as they had Nothing on Board but the Tea; then proceeded to the Brig, which had hawled to the Wharf but the Day before, and had but a small Part of her Cargo out. The Captain of the Brig begged they would not begin with his Vessel, as the Tea was covered with Goods, belonging to different Merchants in Town. They told him the Tea they wanted, and the Tea they would have; but, if he would go into his Cabin quietly, not one Article of his Goods should be hurt. They immediately proceeded to remove the Goods, and then to dispose of the Tea.
It was expected that the Men of War would have interfered, as all the Captains and other Officers were ordered on Board their Ships before Night, and the Day before there were six Dozen of Lanthorns sent on Board the Admiral's Ship; the King Fisher, and several armed Schooners, were rigged and fitted for Sea, and the Gaspee armed Brig arrived that Day from Rhode Island. But the People were determined. It is to be observed, they were extremely careful that none of the Tea should be stolen, so kept a good Look-out, and detected one Man filling his Pockets, whom they treated very roughly, by tearing his Coat off his Back, and driving him up the Wharf, through Thousands of People, who cuffed and kicked him as he passed.
We are positively informed, that the patriotick Inhabitants of Lexington, at a late Meeting, unanimously resolved against the Use of Bohea Tea of all Sorts, Dutch or English Importation; and to manifest the Sincerity of their Resolution, they brought together every Ounce contained in the Town, and committed it to one common Bonfire.
We are also informed, that Charlestown is in Motion to follow their illustrious Example.
Quere. Would it not materially affect the bringing this detestable Herb into Disuse if every Town would enjoin their Selectmen to deny Licenses to all Houses of Entertainment who were known to afford Tea to their Guests?
Our Reason for suggesting this is, the Difficulty these People are under to avoid dishing out this Poison without such a Provision in their Favour.
We have this Moment received Intelligence that Mr. Clarke's Brigantine, commanded by Captain Loring, is bulged at the Back of Cape Cod. The Captain had not landed his Tea there, of which he has 58 Chests on Board belonging to the East India Company.
December 27. The Tea Ship being just arrived, every Inhabitant who wishes to preserve the Liberty of America is desired to meet at the Statehouse this Morning, precisely at ten o'Clock, to consider what is best to be done on this alarming Crisis.
CHARLESTOWN, December 6.
LAST Wednesday Evening came in over the Bar, and the next Morning anchored before the Town, the Ship London, Alexander Curling Master, from London, with no less than 259 Chests of Tea on Board, which were shipped by the East India Company in London, and consigned to Roger Smith, Esq; and Mess. Leger and Greenwood, Merchants here, to be by them received and disposed of in this Province, after the Payment of a Duty of 3d. Sterling a Pound, imposed (in the Year 1767) by the very same Act of Parliament of Great Britain which also laid the since repealed Duties on Paper, Paints, and Glass, for the express Purpose of raising a Revenue in America, without our Consent, and which Duty on Tea was by the Ministry expressly declared to be retained, not for the Sake of the Revenue it might produce, but merely to establish a Precedent, to confirm the Power assumed by the same Parliament, in the declaratory Act, to pass Laws binding upon the Colonies in all Cases whatsoever; which, if admitted in America, will be acknowledging an equal Power to raise Hearth
Money on, and to tax the Colonists for even the Light of Heaven, and render Representatives of their Choice merely nominal.
Handbills being next Day stuck up at all the usual and publick Places, inviting the Inhabitants without Exception, particularly the Landholders, to assemble in the great Hall over the Exchange, at three o'Clock on Friday Afternoon, there was a very great Meeting accordingly, when a worthy and honourable Gentleman was appointed Chairman. After some Time spent in calm Deliberation, it appeared to be the Sense of the People that the Gentlemen in Trade should be requested to enter immediately into a written Agreement not to import any more Teas that would pay Duties, laid for the unconstitutional Purpose of raising a Revenue upon us, without our Consent; which Sense being declared by Mr. Chairman, the Form of a proper Agreement was called for, approved of, and signed, by several of the Gentlemen present, and runs in the following express Words: "We the under written do hereby agree not to import, either directly or indirectly, any Teas that will pay the present Duty, laid by an Act of the British Parliament for the Purpose of raising a Revenue in America." It was next proposed, and agreed to, that the Gentlemen to whom the East India Company's Tea had been consigned should be desired to attend, and that Mr. Chairman should acquaint them that the receiving the said Tea, subject to a Duty which they apprehend to be unconstitutional laid, would be exceedingly disagreeable to their Fellow Citizens, and the Body of Inhabitants of this Province, and that therefore it was requested they would not accept the said Commission, but return the Tea to the Proprietors thereof, in the same Bottom that brought it.
Mr. Smith, and Mess. Leger and Greenwood, accordingly attended; and Mr. Chairman having delivered what he had in Charge, those Gentlemen severally showed the Regard they had for their Country by declining to receive the Tea, as the People had requested; and Mr. Smith added, to his lasting Honour, that he had determined, some Weeks before it arrived, not to have any Concern in a Business which his Countrymen conceived to have so fatal a Tendency. This was followed by repeated Thanks, and loud Shouts of Applause.
Captain Curling apprehending himself involved in some Difficulties by this Determination, then desired to be informed how he should extricate himself from them. He was answered, "by keeping all the Tea on Board his Vessel, and returning with it to England."
The establishing of Tea Warehouses in America, by the India Company, it is said, is intended to pave the Way for introducing large Factories for other Goods at all the principal Ports, and then to bring in an Honourable Board of Excise.
BOSTON, December 15.
THE following is a Copy of the Resolves of the Town of Marblehead, enclosed in a very respectful Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for that Town to the Committee for the Town of Boston.
At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Marblehead, qualified to vote in Town Affairs according to Law, duly warned and legally convened, the 7th Day of December 1773, pursuant to Adjournment, Deacon Stephen Philips being Moderator, the following Resolves were unanimously passed:
RESOLVED , as the Opinion of this Town, 1st, that Americans have a Right to be as free as any Inhabitants of the Earth, and to enjoy at all Times an uninterrupted Possession of their Property.
2 That a Tax on Americans without their Consent is a Measure destructive of their Freedom, reflecting the highest Dishonour on their Resolutions to support it, tending to impoverish all who submit to it, and enabling to dragoon and enslave all who receive it.
3. That the late Measures of the East India Company, in sending their Tea to the Colonies, their Tea being loaded with a Duty for raising a Revenue in America, are, to all Intents and Purposes, so many Attempts in them, and all employed by them, to tax Americans; and said Company, as well as their Factors, for these daring Attacks upon the Liberties of America, so long and resolutely supported by the Colonies, are entitled to the highest Contempt, and severest Marks of Resentment from every American.
4. Therefore, resolved, that the Proceedings of the brave Citizens of Boston, and Inhabitants of other Towns in the Province, for opposing the landing this Tea, are rational, generous, and just; that they are highly honoured and respected, by this Town, for their noble Firmness in Support of American Liberty; and that we are ready, with our Lives and Interests, to assist them in opposing these and all other Measures tending to enslave our Country.
5. That Tea from Great Britain subject to a Duty, whether shipped by the East India Company or imported by Persons here, shall not be landed in this Town while we have the Means of opposing it; and that, on every Attempt of this Kind, immediate Notice shall be given to our Brethren in the Province.
6. And whereas the Tea Consignees at Boston, who persist in refusing to reship the Tea lately con-
signed them by the East India Company, have openly trifled with the Forbearance of that respectable Community, and thereby discovered themselves void of Decency, Virtue, or Honour, therefore resolved, that it is the Desire of this Town to be free from the Company of such unworthy Miscreants, and it is our Determination to treat them, wherever to be found, with the Contempt which they merit; as well as to carry into Execution this Resolution against all such as may be any Ways concerned in landing Tea from Great Britain, thus rendered baneful by its Duty.
Voted, that the Committee of Correspondence of this Town be desired to obtain from the Town Clerk's Office an attested Copy of this Day's Resolves, and forward the same to the Committee of Correspondence at Boston.
NEW YORK, December 20.
ON Thursday the following Advertisement was handed about the City: "The Members of the Association of the Sons of Liberty are requested to meet at the City Hall, at one o'Clock to-morrow (being Friday) on Business of the utmost Importance, and every other Friend to the Liberties and Trade of America is hereby most cordially invited to meet at the same Time and Place.
The Committee of the Association."
In Pursuance of this Advertisement, although the Weather was bad, at one o'Clock a very numerous and respectable Number of the Citizens met at the City Hall, when Mr. John Lamb, a Member of the Association, addressed the Meeting, and informed them that he was desired, by a Number of his Fellow Citizens, to communicate to them that there were several Letters received from the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Boston, and a Letter from Philadelphia, relative to the Importation of the East India Company's Tea, which it was desired might be communicated. The Letters were accordingly read; and a Committee of fifteen Gentlemen was chosen to answer those Letters, and to correspond with our Sister Colonies on the Subject of the dutied Tea. The Association of the Sons of Liberty was then read, and is as follows:
THE ASSOCIATION OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY OF New York.
IT is essential to the Freedom and Security of a free People that no Taxes be imposed upon them but by their own Consent, or their Representatives; for "what Property have they in that which another may, by Right, take when he pleases to himself?" The former is the undoubted Birthright of Englishmen, to secure which they expended Millions, and sacrificed the Lives of Thousands; and yet, to the Astonishment of all the World, and the Grief of America, the Commons of Great Britain, after the Repeal of the memorable and detestable Stamp Act, re-assumed the Power of imposing Taxes on the American Colonies, and insisting on it as a necessary Badge of parliamentary Supremacy, passed a Bill in the 7th Year of his present Majesty's Reign, imposing Duties on all Glass, Painters Colours, Paper, and Teas, that should, after the 20th of November 1767, be "imported from Great Britain into any Colony or Plantation in America." This Bill, after the Concurrence of the Lords, obtained the Royal Assent; and thus they, who from Time immemorial have exercised the Right of giving to or withholding from the Crown their Aids and Subsidies, according to their own free Will and Pleasure, signified by their Representatives in Parliament, do by the Act in Question deny us, their Brethren in America, the Enjoyment of the same Right. As this Denial, and the Execution of that Act, involves our Slavery, and would sap the Foundation of our Freedom, whereby we should become Slaves to our Brethren and Fellow Subjects (born to no greater Stock of Freedom than the Americans) the Merchants and Inhabitants of this City, in Conjunction with the Merchants and Inhabitants of the ancient American Colonies, entered into an Agreement to decline a Part of their Commerce with Great Britain until the above mentioned Act should be totally repealed. This Agreement operated so powerfully to the Disadvantage of the Manufacturers of England that many of them were unemployed. To appease their Clamours, and to provide the Subsistence for them which the Non-Importation had deprived them of, the Parliament, in 1770, repealed so much of the Revenue Act as imposed a Duty on Glass, Painters Colours, and Paper, and left the Duty on Tea as a Test of the parliamentary Right to tax us.
The Merchants of the Cities of New York and Philadelphia having strictly adhered to the Agreement, so far as it related to the Importation of Articles subject to an American Duty, have convinced the Ministry that some other Measure must be adopted to execute parliamentary Supremacy over this Country, and to remove the Distress brought on the East India Company by the ill Policy of that Act. Accordingly, to increase the Temptation to the Shippers of Tea from England, an Act of Parliament passed the last Session which gives the whole Duty on Tea that the Company were subject to pay upon the Importation of it into England to the Purchasers and Exporters; and when the Company have ten Million Pounds of Tea in their Warehouses, exclusive of the Quantity they may want to ship, they are allowed to export Tea, discharged from the Payment of that Duty with which they were before chargeable. In Hopes

of Aid in the Execution of this Project, by the Influence of the Owners of the American Ships, Application was made by the Company to the Captains of those Ships to take the Tea on Freight, but they virtually rejected it. Still determined on the Scheme, they have chartered Ships to bring over the Tea to this Country, which may be hourly expected, to make an important Trial of our Virtue. If they succeed in the Sale of that Tea, we shall have no Property that we can call our own, and then we may bid adieu to American Liberty. Therefore, to prevent a Calamity which of all others is the most to be dreaded, Slavery, and its terrible Concomitants, we the Subscribers, being influenced from a Regard to Liberty, and disposed to use all lawful Endeavours in our Power to defeat the pernicious Project, and to transmit to our Posterity those Blessings of Freedom which our Ancestors have handed down to us, and to contribute to the Support of the common Liberties of America, which are in Danger of being subverted, do, for those important Purposes, agree to associate together, under the Name and Style of the Sons of Liberty of New York, and engage our Honour, to and with each other, faithfully to observe and perform the following Resolutions:
Resolved, that whoever shall aid or abet, or in any Manner assist, in the Introduction of Tea from any Place whatsoever into this Colony, while it is subjected by a British Act of Parliament to the Payment of a Duty, for the Purpose of raising a Revenue in America, shall be deemed an Enemy to the Liberties of America.
Resolved, that whoever shall be aiding or assisting in the landing or carting of such Tea from any Ship or Vessel, or shall hire any House, Storehouse, or Cellar, or any Place whatsoever, to deposit the Tea subject to a Duty as aforesaid, shall be deemed an Enemy to the Liberties of America.
Resolved, that whoever shall sell or buy, or in any Manner contribute to the Sale or Purchase of Tea subject to a Duty as aforesaid, or shall aid or abet in transporting such Tea, by Land or Water, from this City, until the 7th of George III. Chapter 46th (commonly called the Revenue Act) shall be totally and clearly repealed, shall be deemed an Enemy to the Liberties of America.
Resolved, that whether the Duties on Tea, imposed by this Act, be paid in Great Britain or in America, our Liberties are equally affected.
Resolved, that whoever shall transgress any of these Resolutions, we will not deal with, employ, or have any Connexion with him.
Mr. Lamb then put the Question, whether they agreed to these Resolutions, and it passed in the affirmative, nem. con.
The Mayor and Recorder came into the Meeting and informed them that they had a Message from Government to deliver to the People, and to take their Sense upon it; whereupon it was agreed that the Mayor should deliver the Message, which he accordingly did in the Words following: "Gentlemen, I have a Message from Government to deliver to you. The Governor declares that the Tea will be put into the Port at Noon Day, and engages his Honour that it shall continue there till the Council shall advise it to be delivered out, or till the King's Order or the Proprietor's Order is known; and then the Tea will be delivered out at Noon Day. Gentlemen, is this satisfactory to you?" This was answered with a general No! No! No!
Mr. Lamb then read to the People the Act of Parliament, that imposes the Duty on Tea imported into America; and after making some pertinent Remarks on the Commons of Great Britain giving and granting the Property of the Americans, and that the Duty was due on the landing of the Tea, put the following Question: "Is it then your Opinion, Gentlemen, that the Tea should be landed under this Circumstance?" This was carried so generally in the negative that there was no Call for a Division.
Whereas this Body is informed, from unquestionable Authority, and the Letters that have now been read, that the patriotick Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, and the Town of Boston, have determined that no Tea subject to a Duty by a British Act of Parliament, for the Purpose of raising a Revenue in America, should be landed in either of those Places, resolved, nem. con. that this Body highly approve of that spirited and patriotick Conduct of our Brethren, of the City of Philadelphia and the Town of Boston, in Support of the common Liberties of America.
The Question was then put whether this Meeting should be adjourned till the Arrival of the Tea Ship, or be dissolved; and it was carried that the Meeting should be adjourned, till the Arrival of the Tea Ship.
Voted, that these Proceedings should be published, and transmitted by the Committee to the other Colonies.
The following is an authentick and circumstantial Account of the Victory gained by the Russians over the Turks, on the other Side of the Danube, on the 14th ult. near Hirsowa.
SERASKIER Niman Bassa, whose Troops were defeated by the late General Weisman at Bodziack, had, after that Battle, reinforced his Corps, by taking most of the Men from the Garrison of Silistria, so that he had under his Command 10,000 well disciplined Foot, several Regiments of Horse, with a sufficient Train of Artillery. He no sooner discovered General Ungar to have passed the Danube, and encamped near Hirsowa, but he marched to attack him. To facilitate these Operations, he ordered the Bassa Digafer, who encamped near Karlow with 8,000 Men, to march and attack the Castle of Hirsowa; and, while the Russians were putting themselves in a State of Defence, it was so planned that Digafer Bassa should fall upon them, and, after fighting some Time, they were to make a sham Retreat, and so enclose the Russians between two Fires. After the Attack, the Russian General saw through this Design,
which was chiefly managed by Frenchmen, and he therefore prepared to meet them in a proper Manner. He kept his Troops in a firm Posture, and gave Notice of his Apprehensions to General Suwarow, who with some Troops was on an Island in the Danube, very nigh to him, and who was ready to assist, when called for, in less than two Hours Time. Bassa Niman thought it was then high Time to attack the Russians, as judging they had a favourable Opportunity to put their Plan in Execution, as they were busy in defending the Garrison. For this Purpose Bassa Arnant was sent by Bassa Niman to attack the fore-Posts of General Ungar, and so put the Russians into Confusion; but this Scheme of the Turks was entirely frustrated by the great Skill in warlike Affairs of which General Ungar is possessed, for when he saw them coming to attack him he ordered three Regiments to make a sham Defence against the Bassa, to keep him busy till he could have Succours from General Suwarow. This was happily effected, and before Niman arrived with his whole Force General Suwarow arrived, and most valiantly attacked the Army of Niman from behind, and General Ungar in the Front. The Enemy thus were caught in their own Net, being between two Fires, and, after a brisk Onset on both Sides, the Turks were put into the greatest Confusion, and in less than an Hour upwards of 2000 Turks were slain, and 500 wounded. The Enemy, finding themselves so badly situated, betook themselves to Flight, with the greatest Precipitation. The Russians took 300 Prisoners, among whom were three Bassas; they likewise made themselves Masters of all their Ammunition, Equipage, and Artillery, and they were not returned from pursuing them when the Courier came away, so that a more particular and circumstantial Account of this Victory is daily expected.
"This Courier adds, that General Romanzow, as soon as he was acquainted with this Victory, despatched General Potemkin with 20,000 Men to pass the Danube, and to join the Generals on the other Side of the River; and it is expected that General Romanzow himself will pass the Danube, and make another Attempt upon Silistria."
"The Reports of the Peace being concluded are quite subsided, and it seems that an entire Stop to their Proceedings has taken Place, occasioned by an Event most advantageous to the Russians; which is, that all the Asiatick Troops in the Turkish grand Army received immediate Orders to turn back and go home, by which the Turkish grand Army is rendered defenceless, and hardly able to withstand the Russians, so that we expect very soon to hear more from that Quarter."
VIENNA, October 16. A Courier has just arrived here from Moldavia, since which a Report prevails that the main Body of the Russian grand Army, under the immediate Command of Count Marshal Romanzow, has repassed the Danube, and is on the full March for Silistria, in Bulgaria; which City is now invested by a Body of Russian Troops under the Command of General Ungar, which passed the River at Ismael.
CONSTANTINOPLE, September 17. By Letters from Aleppo, we are informed that the Plague had carried off 250,000 of the Inhabitants of Bagdad, and 140,000 at Bassora.
SMYRNA, September 3. The 16th of last Month the Russian Fleet arrived before Bodroun, and bombarded that Town and the Castle, Half of which is destroyed; they also burnt a new Man of War and a Galley in the Port, which was ready to put to Sea. This Expedition cost the Greeks very dear, for they were almost all massacred by the Turks before the Departure of the Russian Ships.
The Master of a French Merchantman, arrived here the 23d of August last from Alexandria, after having been visited by the Russian Fleet, he deposited in the French Chancery the following Report: "Admiral Spiridow has charged me to present his Compliments to the French Consul, and to tell him that his Excellency intended to come here to pay him a Visit in a very little Time." This News occasions the greatest Uneasiness among the Christians in this Port, who are afraid of meeting with a Fate similar to that of the Greeks of Bodroun.
L O N D O N, October 28.
IT is reported that the Prussian Ambassador has lately notified, in Form, to our Court, his Master's Claim to the Sovereignty of all the Ports on the Vistula, and of his taking them entirely under his Direction.
A private Letter from the Hague says, that the general Opinion there is that there will be a War throughout Europe before the Month of April 1774.
The King of Prussia, it is said, hath demanded of the Jews throughout his Dominions a free Gift of six Millions of Florins, about 500,000 l. Sterling.
The Isabella, Pennock, from Liverpool to Havre de Grace, and the Wilmington, Paterson, from Cape Fear to Glasgow, are put into Bangor in great Distress; the former having sprung a Leak in the Channel, and the latter having struck on a Rock before they got into the Bay, lost her Anchors and Cables, but, as far as it is known, the Cargo had sustained no Damage.
We are informed, from undoubted Authority, that a very eminent Wholesale Dealer in the City of London, of the Name and Family of the late Duke of Kingdon, claims, as being next in Succession, the Titles, Honours, &c. of that noble Family; though the Estate, so necessary to support the Splendour of Nobility, goes to the Sister of the deceased, Duke and Heirs.
Extract of a Letter from Leeds, October 26.
"On Tuesday last was committed to our Prison, and on Saturday was sent under a strong Guard to York Castle, Jacob Johnson, a private Soldier in the 31st Regiment of Foot, now quartered in this Town, charged, on his own Confession, with the barbarous Murder of his Comrade, with a Cutlass, in a small Sloop on the high Seas, near St. Augustine, in Florida, about two Years ago; which Fact, he said, his Conscience would not suffer him to conceal any longer, nor could he have a single Moment's Peace of Mind, either sleeping or awake, till he had made the above Confession, and delivered himself up to Justice, that he might suffer for it, as the Law shall direct."
The Affair of the Jesuits, many think, is finally ended; but some say it is but beginning yet, as it appears. This very Circumstance will be the Cause of reducing the Holy See, and giving the last Blow to Popery. It is universally known that the higher Ranks of People in Europe have been wearied with an Ecclesiastical State, and the Princes have long wished for an Opportunity of effecting another Reformation in the Romish Church; but as the Jesuits had great Influence over the Minds of the People, and especially those of the lower Ranks, any Attempt of this Kind has been frustrated by their Means, but since the Pope's last Bull, abolishing the Order of Jesuits, the unthinking Part of the People, who have hitherto been the chief Support of the Holy See, are turned its greatest Enemies. Even in the Ecclesiastical State itself the People publicly cry out in the Streets, "The Pope is turned out the Antichrist!" A Cardinal scarcely ventures to appear in the Streets of Rome, for Fear of being killed; and as the Parts and Learning of the Jesuits are known to be superior to all the Ecclesiastical Orders, there is no Doubt but this will soon begin a Work of Reformation in the Church, and open the Eyes of the Ignorant, to show them how they have been kept in the utmost Darkness. Should this prove true, it will be the Cause of propagating the pure Doctrine of the Gospel throughout all Europe.
We are informed from Dunbar, in Scotland, that a few Days ago, in levelling a Piece of Ground, for the Purpose of making a new Street there, the Workmen dug up 290 Silver Coins, mostly of Queen Elizabeth. These Pieces are supposed to have been buried by some of Oliver Cromwell's Soldiers, before the Battle of Dunbar, fought with the Scots, commanded by General Leslie, on the 3d of September 1650.
Wednesday's Mail brings a Confirmation of the Victory gained by the Russians over the Turks at Hirsowa.
October 30. A Correspondent says: "When the House of Brandenburg is a maritime Power, commercial Settlements will be made from the Vistula to the Ganges."
Extract of a Letter from Dantzick, October 19. "It is expected every Hour that the People of this City will rise in a general Body to free themselves from the Oppressions which now lie heavy on them. The various Accounts, which have been circulated over Europe, do not give a Recital of Half the Cruelties and arbitrary Proceedings of the Prussians; especially in the late Monopoly of Corn, which is severely felt by all Ranks of People, as none of the Factors will bring their Corn down the River, for Fear of having it seized by the Officers." Ten Commissions of Bankruptcy passed the Great Seal yesterday Morning.
WILLIAMSBURG, January 13.
A CORRESPONDENT writes: "That he hopes the Virginians, celebrated for their Patriotism, will immediately follow the illustrious Example of the People to the Northward, and totally decline the Use of all East India Tea, which is pregnant with Mischief to the Health and Liberties of the People of America."
Captain Lee, from Glasgow, on the 18th ult. in Latitude 25, Longitude 58, spoke the Black Prince, Robert Allan Master, from Norfolk, bound for the West Indies, eighteen Days out, all well.
Marriages. Mr. HENRY TAZEWELL, of Brunswick County, to Miss DOLLY WALLER, third Daughter to Benjamin Waller, Esq; of this City.
Entered in the Upper Dist. of JAMES RIVER.
January 8. Schooner John, Atticus Sinclair, from Nevis, in Ballast.
13. Brigantine Christie, Andrew Lee, from Glasgow, in Ballast.
Mr. HENLEY'S Address to the Reverend Mr. BRACKEN came too late for this Week's Paper, but will have a Place in our next, as likewise the Piece signed L. H. from Cosmopolit.
Advertisements.
Notice for the MERCHANTS.
THE Merchants from Norfolk, Nansemond, and the lower Parts of the Country, hereby give Notice that they will meet precisely on the first Day of February in Williamsburg, in Order to transact their mercantile Affairs, and will continue there three or four Days, waiting the Appearance of their Acquaintance from above.
LOST on the Road between Harwood's Mill and Williamsburg, a Chair Box containing sundry Wearing Apparel and SURGEONS INSTRUMENTS. Whoever delivers them to the Subscriber, in Williamsburg, shall receive 40s. for their Trouble. JOHN M. GALT.
THE Copartnery of Kerr and Wodrow, dissolved the 1st of this Instant, January. Those indebted to the said Copartnery, for Dealings with the Subscriber, at Martin's Warehouse, are requested to come and settle their Accounts, and either pay off or give Bond for their Balances. Those who have any Demands against the said Copartnery are desired to make them known, that they may be settled.
I have opened Store at Mr. John Camp's, where Colonel John Camp, deceased, formerly lived, and have for Sale a complete Assortment of European and West India Goods, on the most reasonable Terms. (2||) ANDREW WODROW.
ALL Persons that have any Demands against the Estate of Mr. Wade Netherland, late of Cumberland, deceased, are requested to send them, properly proved, as soon as possible, that Provision may be made for Payment; and all those indebted to the Estate are desired to make immediate Payment. (2||) ANNE NETHERLAND.
PETERSBURG, January 4, 1774. THE Subscriber having removed to Peter- burg, begs all those indebted to him for Dealings at the Store lately kept by him at Osborne's Warehouse, and whose Accounts are still open, to come immediately and close them by Bond, if not by Payment. The Necessity he is under of fulfilling his own Engagements will oblige him to bring Suits against all who disregard this Advertisement. JOHN FISHER.
NORFOLK, January 11, 1774. ON Saturday the 23d Instant will be sold by publick Auction, at this Place, the Brig BETSEY, a fine strong Vessel, well found, Burthen about 100 Tons; also a NEW SLOOP, just launched, that will carry about 2000 Bushels. Credit will be allowed until the 25th of July, the Purchaser giving Bond and Security to ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL.
LOUISA, January 1, 1774. WHEREAS a Person who goes by the Name of James Foster, and says he is blind, was some Time ago conducted to my House, near the Courthouse, purposing to go with me into Brunswick County, to buy an Estate there, but took the Liberty, at Burgess's Ordinary (by some surreptitious Help) to go off with a bay Mare of mine, about eight Years old, four Feet five Inches high, and branded on the near Buttock T T, with Saddle, Bridle, and Bags, in which were some of my Clothes. I do hereby offer a Reward of 50s. to any Person who secures the said Villain Lumen adeptum, upon Notice being given to me. N. B. He had on a blue Coat and Breeches, with a gray Waistcoat. (||) THOMAS FREEMAN.
NORFOLK, January 6, 1774. THE Subscribers have received, by the last Ships from Britain, some Bales of GERMAN OSNABRUGS, BROWN ROLLS, RUSSIA DRILL, and SHEETING; which they will sell at a low Advance, in the Wholesale Way, for short Credit. AITCHISON & PARKER.
KING and QUEEN, January 6, 1774. I HAVE for SALE, an OFFICER'S CLAIM to Three Thousand Acres of Land. (2) MATTHEW ANDERSON, Junior.
WARWICK, January 4, 1774. THE Subscriber has for SALE two exceeding good Negro BLACKSMITHS. One Half of the Money will be required at the ensuing April General Court, and the Remainder in October. PATRICK HUNTER.
JUST arrived in the Antibuscade, Captain John Munns, in York River, from London, about seventy indentured SERVANTS, mostly Tradesmen. The Sale will commence at Newcastle, on Friday the 21st Instant (January) and continue until all are sold. (2) JOHN SYME.
By Virtue of a Deed of Trust from Charles Pattison, of Buckingham, to Mess. George Kippen and Company, will be SOLD to the highest Bidder, on Friday the 28th of this Instant (January) at the Plantation whereon the said Pattison lives.
THE following LANDS, and nine NEGROES, consisting of Men Women, and Children. A Tract lying in Buckingham, near Slate River Mountain, containing about 500 Acres, on which are good Improvements, and is that on which Mr. Pattison lives. Another Tract containing 500 Acres lying in Amherst, near Berry's Mountain, uncultivated. Six Months Credit will be given for one Half, and twelve Months for the other Half of the Land; for the Slaves, Half payable in April, the other in October. (2) WILLIAM MITCHELL.
To be SOLD, pursuant to a Decree of Henrico Court, on Monday the 7th of February, at the Courthouse.
EIGHT likely Virginia born SLAVES. Six Months Credit will be allowed, on giving Bond, with approved Security, to bear Interest from the Date, if not punctually paid when due, to CHARLES LEWIS. (2)
KING WILLIAM, January 8, 1774. RUN away, in July last, MATT, a tall slim Negro Man, by Trade a Carpenter, and about forty Years old; he walks badly, having been Frost-bit in Prison some Years ago, by which he lost one of his great Toes, and the Print of the Irons he then had on may be seen plainly on his Legs. Whoever delivers him to me shall receive 3l. if taken within twenty Miles of my House, and 5l. if at a greater Distance. (||) NATHANIEL BURWELL.

POETS CORNER. A SOLILOQUY ON MAN.
HOW swift those Moments bring to End The Days in which our Time we spend! How soon the Glass runs out the Sand!
SURRY County (CABIN POINT) December 27, 1773.
THIS is to inform the Publick, and those Gentlemen in particular who were so kind to assist me in my Plan for executing my FULLING MILL...
I am the Publick's most obedient Humble Servant, WILLIAM SIMMONS. N. B. It is to be observed, that I work for ready Money only...
CHARLES CITY, January 3, 1774.
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Negro Man named SHARPER, about five Feet seven Inches high, pitted with the Smallpox...
ANY Person that understands the Business of a DRAWER (if well recommended) will meet with good Encouragement by applying to me, in Richmond Town. JAMES GUNN.
We have lately imported from London, in the Royal Exchange, Captain Woodford, and the Hope, Captain Holmes, a fresh Assortment of DRUGS and MEDICINES...
WILLIAMSBURG, December 29, 1773.
STRAYED or STOLEN, a BAY HORSE about fourteen Hands high, with a hanging Mane and Switch Tail, and both hind Feet white.
RUN away from the Subscriber, last October, an English Convict Servant, named JOSEPH LLOYD, by Trade a House Carpenter and Joiner...
AS I intend to move down the Country in a few Years, I would sell, at almost any Credit (the Purchaser giving Bond and Security) sixty Acres of Land in Bedford County...
For SALE in the Town of Richmond, on the Main Street,
A LARGE well finished STORE HOUSE, WHEAT HOUSE, LUMBER HOUSE, KITCHEN, and STABLE, with one Acre of LAND enclosed...
To be SOLD, and Possession given in February next, or sooner, if required.
THE FURNACE situated in the Township of Salisbury, and Province of Connecticut, New England, having been lately rebuilt on the most approved Plan...
Also to be SOLD, a complete DOUBLE FORGE, with four Fires and two Hammers, now at Work, together with all necessary Utensils...
To be SOLD at Cumberland Courthouse, on Monday the 24th of January, by Virtue of a Deed of Trust from Mr. Joseph Calland to Robert Watters, Esq; of Whitehaven.
A VERY valuable TRACT OF LAND in the aforesaid County, known by the Name of the Long Ordinary, containing about 800 Acres.
For SALE, the LOT and HOUSES near Cabin Point Warehouses, at present possessed by the Subscriber.
THE Lot consists of four Acres well enclosed, a good Dwellinghouse with all necessary Outhouses, a Storehouse, Counting Room, and two Lumber Houses...
A TRACT OF LAND in Surry, about six Miles from Cabin Point, containing 335 Acres, on which there is a Dwellinghouse, a small Apple and Peach Orchard...
TWENTY POUNDS REWARD.
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Mulatto Man named ABEL, about forty Years old, near six Feet high, has lost several of his Teeth, large Eyebrows...
KING & QUEEN, November 16, 1773.
FOR SALE,
THE HOUSES and LOTS, in the Town of York, where the Subscriber now lives. The Dwelling-House is a very commodious One, with four Rooms above and four below...
NEW MARKET (Caroline) December 1, 1773.
RUN away from the Subscriber, the latter End of October 1772, a likely Mulatto Man named RANDOLPH, about thirty Years of Age...
For SALE, at our Store in Norfolk,
OSNABRUGS, SADLERY, low priced HATS and CHECKS in assorted Packages, Cadiz SALT, Barbados and Grenada RUM, Barbados SPIRIT...
N. B. Our Brig Betsey, Captain Salomon Eddy, will sail for Madeira in fourteen Days, and return directly to Norfolk.
For SALE,
ABOUT twelve Thousand Acres of exceeding rich TOBACCO LAND, in Amherst County, whereon are several Plantations and Improvements sufficient to work forty or fifty Hands.
To be SOLD, SEPARATELY or TOGETHER,
TWO TRACTS OF LAND. One lies in Albemarle County, on the Rivanna River, about five Miles from the great River, containing 370 Acres.
The other Tract lies in Goochland County, on Lickinghole Creek, near the Three Notched Road, and contains 700 Acres. The high Land is equal to any in these Parts, fine for Tobacco and Wheat...
To be RENTED for a Life, or Term of Years, as may be agreed upon, or the Interest of my LEASE to be SOLD,
HOG ISLAND FERRY and ORDINARY, to which there is a fine Plantation, in excellent Order. For the Crop of Wheat now growing thereon I will oblige myself to allow to a Purchaser one Hundred Pounds...
TO BE SOLD,
FIVE Hundred and fifty Acres of LAND in the County of Charles City, with a convenient Dwellinghouse and other Improvements.
Two Thousand five Hundred and twenty Acres in the County of Cumberland, commonly known by the Name of Saint James's.
And one Thousand four Hundred and twenty one Acres in the Counties of Goochland and Cumberland, on both Sides of James River, opposite to Elk Island.
The above TRACTS of LAND were of the Estate of the late John Wayles, deceased, devised to the Subscribers, and are now offered for Sale. Persons disposed to purchase may be informed of the Terms, on Application to any one of the Subscribers...
THOMAS JEFFERSON, FRANCIS EPPES, HENRY SKIPWITH. YORK Town, June 9, 1773.
THE Subscribers being very solicitous to
comply with the Will of their Testator, the late Honourable William Nelson, desire that all Persons who were indebted to him will endeavour to make as speedy Payments as possible.
THOMAS NELSON, THOMAS NELSON, Junior, HUGH NELSON, RO. C. NICHOLAS.
TO BE SOLD,
ABOUT fourteen Thousand Acres of exceeding good LAND in the County of Pittsylvania. For Terms apply to Mr. Hugh Rose of Amherst, who will treat with any Person inclined to purchase, and be empowered to make a legal Title.
THOMAS LOMAX. CAROLINE, May 1, 1773.