The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1775-03-18 00:00:00

VIRGINIA
GAZETTE.
With the Freshest ADVICES,
FOREIGN, and DOMESTICK.
IN CIVITATE LIBERA LINGUAM MENTEMQUE
LIBERAS ESSE DEBERE. — Suet. in Tib. S. 28.
PRINTED by JOHN DIXON and
WM. HUNTER, at the POST OFFICE.
ALL Persons may be supplied with this Paper at 12/6 a Year, and have Advertisements (of a moderate Length) inserted for 3/ the first Week, and 2/ each Week after. — Printing Work done at this Office in the neatest Manner, with Care and Expedition.
Advertisements.
NIMROD STANDS at Richard Taliaferro's , near Williamsburg, and covers at 10s. a Leap, 30s. the Season, and 3l. to ensure. He is of a Chestnut Colour, fifteen Hands and a Half high, got by old FEARNOUGHT, out of a PARTNER Mare near whole Blood, and is rising five Years old. Good Pasturage for Mares, but I will not be answerable for Accidents. RICHARD TALIAFERRO, Junior.
HANOVER TOWN, March 14, 1775. WANTED, ON CHARTER FOR Bristol, A VESSEL, BURTHEN about two Hundred and sixty Hogsheds. JOHN & RICHARD BURNLEY.
BY DECREE OF THE COURT OF VICE ADMIRALTY, On THURSDAY the 23d of MARCH, WILL BE SOLD, AT BURWELL'S FERRY, For ready Money, The Schooner SALLY, With her RIGGING, TACKLE, and APPAREL, sixteen HOGSHEADS of TOBACCO, 300 BUSHELS of CORN, and 300 BUSHELS of OATS. JAMES COCKE, Marshal.
The beautiful, high blooded, bay Horse GODOLPHIN,
In full Perfection, stands this Season at Capt. Henry Delony's, in Mecklenburg County, where he will cover Mares for a Guinea the Leap, or 5l. for the Season. Those Gentlemen who send their Mares for a single Cover are desired to send the Money with them; and those that will pay for the Season shall be discharged on Payment of three Pounds by the last Day of August next. He will find good Pasturage gratis, but will not be answerable for any Mares that may be stolen, or stray away.
NORFOLK, January 4, 1775. WHEREAS a Report has been propagated, that I am not duly authorised to act as a Notary Public, but that my sole Warrant for so doing is an Assignment of a Commission formerly granted to Mr. Thomas Burke, late of this Borough, and that, in Consequence thereof, no Credit ought to be paid to the Seal of my Office: My own Character and Interest both call upon me, thus openly, to contradict such Report, by assuring the Public in general, and those in particular whom it may concern, that I act under a Commission issuing from his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, granted to me, and to which I qualified before his Excellency the Earl of Dunmore, and that, being registered as a Notary Public in his Majesty's Office of Faculties in Chancery, all Faith and Honour is due to Certificates under the Seal of my Notarial Office, where Business committed to my Care will be executed with Accuracy and Despatch. — As I continue to transact Business as Insurance Broker, Orders from any Part of the Country for Insurance will be properly attended to, and the greatest Care taken to procure good Men to the Policies. JAMES ARCHDEACON.
N. B. I have for Sale a few Hogsheds of excellent OLD JAMAICA SPIRITS, JAMAICA COFFEE, ANTIGUA RUM, GINGER, LOAF SUGAR, &c.
TO BE SOLD, At public Sale, on WEDNESDAY the 26th of APRIL next, if fair, otherwise next fair Day, for ready Money, on the Premises,
A VALUABLE TRACT OF LAND, containing 373 Acres, situated on North River, in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, whereon Mrs. Letitia Ransone now lives. There is a good Dwelling-House, with two Rooms on a Floor, several convenient Outhouses, and a very good Orchard. It is convenient to Fish and Oysters of the best Sort. — At the same Time and Place will be sold several likely Virginia born SLAVES. — The Widow has her Right of Dower in the Land.
TO BE SOLD, THREE Thousand Acres of well timbered LAND, near Newmarket, in Caroline County, whereon are two Plantations in good Repair, with proper and convenient Edifices for farming or making of Tobacco. For Terms apply to the Subscriber. JOHN BAYLOR.
TO BE SOLD, A TRACT of LAND in Caroline County, contiguous to Matapony, containing about 2000 Acres of well timbered Land, the Property of Mr. Robert Baylor. The Terms may be known by applying to Mr. Nathaniel Burwell of King William, Mr. John Armistead of Caroline, and Mr. John Baylor, Executors.
CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. 29.
THE following is an account of the private treaty entered into between the Grand Seignor and the Empress of Germany.
I. The Sublime Porte agrees to pay to the Imperial Court, for expenses of the preparations for war, 20,000 purses of silver, of 500 piastres each (30,000,000 of piastres) immediately after the signing this convention, in the following order, viz. 4000 purses to be sent immediately to the frontiers, and 6000 more to be sent afterwards to the same place, with all convenient speed, but with the greatest degree of secrecy. The whole sum to be afterwards paid in the same manner. But if the necessity of keeping this matter secret should cause a delay of one month, it shall be no contravention to this agreement. Farther, if the Imperial Court (as well as the respective commissaries on each side) should think proper to employ 2 or 3000 purses to carry on certain secret views, they shall be indemnified, and the Grand Seignor will indemnify them for it. II. The Sublime Porte, to testify its gratitude and acknowledgment to their Imperial Majesties for their generous proceedings, agrees to cede to them all the province of Wallachia and its dependencies.
By another article, the Imperialists are to have a free trade throughout all the dominions of the Grand Seignor. By the last article, the Imperial Court is to deliver, from the hands of the Russians, either by arms or treaty, all the country and fortresses taken, or that shall be taken, from the Sublime Porte during the war.
WARSAW, Dec. 14. They write from Lemberg, that by order of the Court of Vienna all Convents are forbidden to accept of any person as professed, under the age of 14 years. All Canons are forbidden to hold more than one benefice, neither can they any longer write to Rome without leave from the Archbishop of Lemberg.
The city of Dantzick is still blocked up by the Prussian troops. They are raising at Marienburgh, for the service of the King, one battalion of grenadiers, one regiment of hussars, and two pulks of Uhlans. Two thousand workmen are employed, notwithstanding the severity of the weather, in forming lines, and erecting fortifications along the frontiers of Samogitia. There are a number of engineers, &c. at Memel, which seems as if they would fortify that place.
PARIS, Dec. 23. The Archbishop of Paris having received orders to be at Versailles on Sunday, regarding the refusal of the sacrament at St. Severin, his Majesty spoke to him in the following terms, in presence of the first President of the Parliament of Paris: "The King my grandfather exiled you several times for the troubles you occasioned in the state; I sent for you to tell you, that if you relapse, I shall not exile you, but give you over to the rigour of the law."
Jan. 4. It is asserted that Mr. Frances will set out for London to supply the place of Count de Guignes, whose affairs seem every day to meet with difficulties, and consequently less likely to be settled. Something is said to be in agitation between this Court and that of Great Britain, which requires a person of more consequence than a Charge d'Affaires. Lord Stormont has conferences daily with our Ministers, which are thought to be relative to the alliances and treaties with the Emperor, but nothing certain transpires.
PETERSBURG, Dec. 20. Notwithstanding the severe frost, and the extraordinary inconveniences of the Season, our Court will set out on the 6th of January for Moscow; but the true reason of this fatiguing journey is to receive the Turkish Ambassador, and to give him audience at a place remote from the foreign Ministers, so that the most essential part of the treaty may remain a secret to the rest of the Courts in Europe. We now begin to believe that France was the only mediator to that peace, so detrimental to every state of Europe; and that the other two allies of Russia have actually been disappointed.
From the DANUBE, Dec. 14. Some important news is expected to be made public soon, as there are actually some very interesting affairs on the carpet in many Courts, and the tranquillity of Germany seems to be in some danger.
VIENNA, Dec. 21. It is said that the Emperor intends to take a tour to France in the spring, and that six camps will then be formed in the Austrian hereditary countries.
ROME, Dec. 12. The Courts of Vienna, Versailles, and Madrid, have sent instructions to their Ministers, that no Pope shall be proclaimed unless he signs and confirms the late brief for abolishing the Jesuits, to drop the affair of the infant of Parma, and to sign another article concerning the Chevalier Stuart: But as this would totally confine the power of the Pontific Sovereign, the Holy College will not comply with it at any rate. Cardinal Palavicini has had the majority of the votes, but nobly refused to accept of the Popedom, on account of the above-mentioned articles being laid before him to sign.
LONDON, January 5.
THE petition from the American Congress to the King has been presented to his Majesty by Lord Dartmouth, and the same will be laid before both Houses of Parliament at their next meeting.
We are assured a great personage has inspected all the papers which have been received relating to the unhappy transactions at Boston, and that he has made memorandums on the most remarkable passages they contain.
Yesterday, in pursuance of an advertisement for a meeting of the merchants and others concerned in the American trade, there was a very numerous and respectable meeting at the King's Arms tavern, in Cornhill, of the most eminent merchants and traders in this city, to consider of a petition to Parliament on the present alarming situation of affairs with respect to America, the total stoppage of all commerce to those parts, and the present decline of the trade and manufactures of this kingdom. A motion was made by Mr. Alderman Hayley, and seconded, that Thomas Lane, Esq; an eminent North American merchant, be placed in the Chair, which was carried in the affirmative. After the Chairman had informed the company of the intent of the meeting, Mr. Barclay moved, that an address be prepared and presented immediately to Parliament, and a committee appointed to draw up the same. A more respectable meeting was scarcely ever known in the city of London, and every motion was carried unanimously, except one Gentleman, who said that there was no need of petitioning at present, till they had information what the Parliament would do after they had taken into consideration the petition from the Congress of America to his Majesty; which petition his Majesty promised to lay before the House the earliest opportunity, and that it would then be a proper time for the merchants to meet, and to take the matter into consideration; but this was absolutely and unanimously rejected.
The New York mail, which was to have been despatched yesterday from the general post-office, is detained till Saturday next, by order of Government, that it may carry some despatches of great importance.
An American Agent is said to have had an interview with a leading person, when he insisted on the necessity of repealing the American acts; hold, said the statesman, I, for my part, will sooner go to the block than agree that a single clause should be repealed.
Orders are sent to Ireland to take 2000 tons of shipping into government service.
Means are said to be using to keep up the spirit of party against government in France, that their attention may be diverted from our disputes with the colonies by their own nearer home.
His Majesty's Schooner St. Lawrence, Capt. Dundas, from Boston, is arrived at Plymouth.
The French are said to be fitting out with great diligence at Brest, four ships of the line and three frigates, the destination of which is an entire secret.
A small squadron is ordered to be fitted out forthwith, said to be destined to a remote part of the world. The orders and purpose of this voyage are not to be unfolded to those concerned in it, till they arrive in a certain latitude.
Certain advice is received, that the King of France, since the beginning of last month, has raised twenty millions of livres, at eight per cent.
On the 22d of November last the Emperor of Morocco set out for Fez with a respectable train of artillery, 30,000 foot, and 20,000 horse, to lay siege to the garrisons of Peñon and Melilla, on the coast of Africa, situated from 60 to 100 miles east of Tetuan. The Spanish Court has sent Col. Sherlock, an experienced brave officer in the service, over to Peñon to defend it; but it is to be believed that neither of those three garrisons are tenable, the Spaniards having suffered the fortifications to fall into decay for many years past. As soon as Sidi Mehomet makes himself master of those important places, he will turn his arms towards Ceuta and Oran, but all the force of his empire against these two garrisons will prove too weak, there not being stronger fortifications than they are in all Europe.
Letters from Hamburg mention, that an order has been issued out there to prevent the merchants from supplying the piratical states of Barbary with cannon and other warlike stores.
It is said, that in the course of the present sessions of Parliament a petition will be presented, by a body of Scotch merchants, for excluding the Dutch, and other foreigners, from fishing on the coasts of Orkney or Shetland, or subjecting them to pay duty for each vessel employed in said fisheries.
Three gentlemen of Scotland are expected home in the first ships from the East Indies, who have been abroad only six years, and made fortunes of upwards of twenty thousand pounds each.
It has been remarked, that notwithstanding the people of Scotland are only equal to one fourth part of the people of England, yet three fourths of the gentlemen who return immensely rich from the East Indies are Scotchmen.
Letters from Leghorn advise, that the Molly, an English vessel, had been burnt in the port of Alexandria, whether intentionally, or by accident, doth not appear.
Advice is received that the Bourgogne, a French man of war of 60 guns, ammunition, and other warlike stores, is lost within a few leagues of Martinico, and all the crew perished.
Captain Piot, of the Tartar, arrived at Dover, from Nice, the 28th ult. off Sicily, spoke with the Britannia, Ayres, from New-York to London, out 9 weeks, who had lost all her boats, two of her crew drowned, and sprung her foremast.
Friday night died, at his apartments in Henrietta street, Covent Garden, Paul Whitehead, Esq; a gentleman much admired by the literary for his publications. Amongst other whimsical legacies, he has given his heart, with 50l. to Lord Le Despencer.
Jan. 7. Advices from Madeira say, that orders had just been issued by the Intendant of the land forces there, to fill up and complete, immediately, all the different corps of infantry in the provinces of that kingdom. The rupture with the Emperor of Morocco is said to be the occasion.
They write from Gibraltar, that the Emperor of Morocco's squadron has had an obstinate engagement with some Spanish men of war in the Mediterranean, in which the former were repulsed with loss.

At the last Board of Treasury the state of the silver coinage was taken into consideration, when, upon examination, it appeared that the said coin is greatly adulterated and diminished, and it was agreed that application be made to Parliament for redressing this national grievance.
The various accounts received from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Copenhagen, and other places subject to the northern powers, abound with deplores of the inclemency of the season. Letters have been received from Copenhagen of the most alarming kind; the frost and snow continues with a severity unparalleled within the memory of man.
A circumstantial account of the proceedings of the AMERICAN MERCHANTS, assembled on Wednesday, at the King's Arms tavern.
Thomas Lane, Esq; was then placed in the Chair. Mr. Barclay first opened the debate; he went fully into the nature of the meeting, which was to consider of some proper method for stemming those evils that threatened no less than the destruction of the whole empire, by the present unhappy disputes between this country and North America. As this was a subject of the greatest magnitude and importance to the trade of this country, he hoped it would be treated with great temper and circumspection, and that consequently it should be only taken up merely on a commercial ground, leaving the political to those who should best know how to discuss it. He then produced the two following written propositions, which were severally read, and seconded. "That it is the opinion of this meeting that the alarming state of the trade to North America makes it expedient to petition Parliament for redress."
"That a committee be appointed to prepare a petition to the House of Commons, and lay the same before a general meeting, to be held at this place this day se'nnight."
Mr. Bacon (member for Aylesbury) rose after Mr. Barclay; and after joining with him in thinking the present question of the greatest importance to this country, yet thought the mode of petitioning rather premature. There was, he said, a petition from America already presented to the King, and the King had given his answer, it should be laid before the Parliament. Now, says he, let us wait till we hear how this petition is received before we go upon one, the prayer of which might be different from the other.
Mr. Barclay answered him, by saying, the least protraction might be dangerous; and that if they waited for the fate of one petition, the Parliament, by that time, might take some measures which might defeat, in a great measure, the purpose of petitioning at all; that beside, so large a body as the North American merchants of London should not sit idle spectators in so great a struggle as the present; that their not exerting themselves before was made a handle of last session by the Minister, and that their present union and assistance must necessarily strengthen the grounds of an amicable accommodation.
Mr. Samuel Vaughan acquainted the assembly, that having had the honour of attending a meeting of the West India merchants and planters on the night before, at the London tavern, upon the same subject as the present, he would declare to them their resolutions. He then read a letter from the merchants, traders, &c. in the West India business, residing at Bristol, requesting to join themselves to the London meeting of merchants, &c. and that, upon this letter being read at the last night's meeting, they had resolved to accept of the association, and likewise resolved to have a general meeting at the London tavern on the 18th instant for that purpose.
Mr. Hayley read a letter from the Council of Commerce at Liverpool, requesting to know what steps the London American merchants intended to take. He likewise said he had letters from Manchester, Leeds, and other places, to the same purport. These letters urged for the immediate necessity of coming to some determination. Mr. Barclay corroborated this, by reading a letter from Leeds, giving a most pitiable account of the miseries and distresses of the manufacturers in that town, on account of the non-importation article.
After several other Gentlemen had spoken successively to the business of the meeting, in which they all essentially agreed (though two warned them of petitioning in favour of those who had resisted the authority of Parliament) the motions were severally put by the Chairman, and carried unanimously. The committee were then appointed to consist of twenty three , and the names given in accordingly, at the proportion of three to each province, and two over; nine of whom were to constitute a committee. A short debate then ensued on including the tradesmen and others concerned in American commerce in the prayer of the petition, which was finally agreed to. It was unanimously agreed that these resolutions should be inserted in all the news-papers.
The above meeting consisted of between three and four hundred of the most respectable merchants and traders concerned in the American business, and was conducted throughout with much spirit, good sense, and moderation.
It is supposed the petition of the American merchants will be followed by others from Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and by the other manufacturing towns in England.
A private letter from Amsterdam says, that eighty tuns of tea were actually shipped on board a Dutch vessel the middle of last month, for St. Eustatia, in order to be disposed of to the North American vessels, which are continually passing that way.
Jan. 12. Yesterday morning was held the adjourned meeting of the merchants, and others concerned in the American commerce, to receive the report of the committee appointed on Wednesday last, when the petition to Parliament, as drawn up by the committee appointed, was read three times, and gave universal satisfaction. A debate arose from a merchant trading to Quebec, observing that the Canada bill was not enumerated among the grievances in the petition; in answer to which it was observed, the petition was drawn up in as general a sense as possible; and the question being put, whether the petition should stand without addition or amendment, it was resolved in the affirmative, four to one.
Lord North hath publicly declared, that so far from the meetings of the American and West India merchants being disagreeable to him, he, on the contrary, wishes for nothing more than as much information as possible on the American business to be laid before Parliament as speedily as possible.
The Premier has certainly applied to most of the intelligent and experienced men in the kingdom for their advice, in regard to the present posture of affairs between Great Britain and her colonies; and it is as certain (says our correspondent) all are of opinion that Government should persevere in asserting its authority. At a late meeting of Treasury Lords, the same opinion, we hear, was maintained; and many letters lately received from disinterested gentlemen, and merchants, residing in different quarters of America, contain the same sentiments. Upon the strength of such united advice, orders are hourly expected to be sent off to Portsmouth to hasten the preparations which have been making for an expedition to the British colonies.
Some fresh instructions have been lately sent to the Governors of Gibraltar and Minorca, and the fleet in the Mediterranean will be reinforced with several ships, early in the spring.
It was yesterday morning strongly reported, in the city, that the French had sent a powerful fleet into America, which is cruising at the back of the Western Islands; and, that their project might pass undiscovered by the English, the ships of which this fleet is composed are said to have sailed one at a time from different ports in France.
By letters from Jamaica, it appears that the Dutch islands of Curacoa and St. Eustatia are now converted into complete magazines for all kinds of European goods, and that an amazing trade is now carrying on there with the British North American colonies.
Positive orders, we hear, have lately been transmitted to the commanders of the several men of war on the North American station, to be extremely vigilant in their duty against smugglers, and to seize all such goods and merchandise which, by the laws of trade, ought to be exported directly from Great Britain to the colonies.
They write from St. Maloes, that more goods have been shipped off lately from thence to the West Indies and America than for many years past, and that, in return, they receive both corn and cash.
It is now credited that a Governor will be appointed to succeed General Gage.
A letter from Madrid, of very good authority, contains the following paragraph: "The enormous preparations for war, which are carrying on with so much assiduity in this kingdom, seem to have far greater matters in view than to carry on the war with the Emperor of Morocco. A general pardon is just issued from Court, not only granting his Catholic Majesty's pardon to all the deserters of the land and sea troops, but entitling them also to the salary due to them from the time of deserting down to the time of their entering into service again. At all the sea-ports they fit out the vessels of war with the utmost expedition. New orders are given for building ten ships of war more in Sweden; and although the maritime powers seem to be in good harmony, yet it is advisable for every one to be upon his guard, as there was never a period in which less was to be trusted to the faith of treaties and guarantees than the present."
A misunderstanding, it is said, lately happened between two German Princes, which may be attended with very ill consequences.
According to the last advices from Hamburg, the strict union which has hitherto subsisted between the three allied powers is at an end; two of them, viz. the Courts of Petersburg and Berlin, having concluded a private treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, to which it is said the Court of London will accede. These letters add, that the Empress of Russia, and the King of Prussia, are by no means pleased with the cession of part of Moldavia and Wallachia, made by the Ottoman Porte in favour of the House of Austria, and to which the latter has sent eight battalions of foot, and four regiments of hussars, to take possession of.
Throughout Asia the French political missionaries are labouring in and out of season to turn the balance of power and trade in their favour.
By the last accounts from the Mediterranean, we hear that the trade carried on there is greatly interrupted by the swarms of Barbary corsairs which infest the coasts of Spain and Italy.
A report prevails at Pisa, that the Emperor of Morocco hath declared war against the French, and that his corsairs have already insulted the flag of that nation.
They write from Gibraltar, that a Spanish frigate has been sunk off Ceuta, in an engagement with four Moorish cruizers, and two thirds of the crew perished.
They write from Mahon, that the Emperor of Morocco had sent a fleet of seven ships against the Spanish fort of Ceuta, and it was reported that an army of 40,000 Moors were to attack it on the land side at the same time.
They write from Gibraltar, that a Tangier row-boat, with 60 men on board, attempting to board a large Hamburg ship in the Mediterranean, had been run down by the latter, and every soul on board perished.
A violent shock of an earthquake has been felt at Konigsberg, in Norway. It was very distinctly felt during one minute and a half. The tremulation was accompanied with a subterraneous noise somewhat like distant rumbling of thunder. Several of the buildings were damaged, which occasioned the inhabitants to desert their houses, and threw the whole village into the utmost disorder.
Orders are sent to Ireland for 400 tuns of provisions to be shipped off for his Majesty's garrisons of Gibraltar and Minorca, on account of the importation being stopped from the Barbary coast.
Yesterday there was a levee at St. James's; after which a chapter of the Order of the Thistle was held, when his Grace the Duke of Gordon was invested with the Riband, late the Duke of Athol's. There were present the Lord Chancellor, Lord Mansfield, the Earls of Portmore and March, the Duke of Buccleugh, &c. After the chapter was over, the Lords North, Dartmouth, and Barrington, attended the King at St. James's, on business, till near five o'clock.
From what passed at a great man's levee, the other day, it is thought that the first points to be agitated on American affairs will be, whether the Ministry can now hear any petition or remonstrance from a Congress constituted by illegal powers, there being no precedent of Government doing business with any person or persons not legally constituted.
A letter from Paris says that the Marquis de Noailles is appointed Ambassador to England.
For some days past the clerks at the Treasury and Admiralty have been employed in preparing several estimates and accounts to be laid before Parliament against their next meeting, which will be to-morrow se'nnight.
It is the opinion of many in Ireland that the Parliament of that kingdom will meet at the end of the present prorogation, pass a vote of credit, and then be dissolved; so that another Parliament may be chosen against October next.
Last week her Majesty received a very genteel present of sable skins from the Empress of Russia, which are said to be the grandest ever seen in England.
Letters from the continent mention that something is actually fermenting among the Princes of the German empire: The King of Prussia's Sub-Delegate at the Chamber of Visitation at Wetzlar has been grossly affronted at the commission; which affront the King will not give up without having full satisfaction.
Certain agents of France are at present very busy here in secretly enlisting recruits for the Irish brigades in the service of his Most Christian Majesty, and meet with great success in the environs of the metropolis.
It is said that the Spanish Ministry are intent on two points of great utility, to overcome superstition, and to engage the bulk of the people in industry.
The Prussian embassy, it is said, has been refused by both South and North Britains.
The North Star, Archibald Stanfard commander, bound from Madeira to Ireland, deep laden, and several passengers, is lost 30 leagues west of Madeira, in a violent storm, and every person on board perished.
The Charming Nancy, Daverson, from Boston, is arrived at Spithead, with an express, in 24 days passage.
Jan. 14. Thursday a Gentleman arrived in town with letters from General Gage, with which he waited upon Lord North. In consequence of this, we hear most of the leading men in Administration were convened in the evening to deliberate, and take resolutions upon the contents of those letters, which, it is whispered, are not of so unfavourable a nature as other circumstances may give room to imagine.
The Ministry have received advices from Boston that the principal people in the province of Massachusetts Bay have assembled, and put the government of that province into commission.
The Captain of a vessel belonging to Whitehaven, a few weeks ago, when he was clearing out at Norfolk (Virginia) asked the Collector what he thought would be the result of the present disturbances? "Pray (says the Collector) don't you think we are as robite as the Europeans?" "Yes (replied the Captain) I think our complexions are much the same." "Well then (returned the Collector) we will not be slaves while we are so nigh in colour."
A correspondent says the members of St. Stephen's are like school-boys after a breaking up: Having done mischief, they are loth to come to school.
The greatest part of the military, we are told, will soon be removed from the province of Massachusetts Bay, and the blockade by sea is to be continued, with the addition of more shipping.
The duty on hops for the year 1774 amounted to upwards of 158,800l.
On Saturday and Sunday last arrived at Sandwich, seven vessels, with upwards of 3000 quarters of corn from foreign parts.
It is said that the late Lord Middleton has left not less than 400,000l.
A most violent hurricane hath committed prodigious devastation on the coast of Languedoc; two Swedish vessels, laden with pitch and timber, were lost, and a third foundered in the gulph of Lyons. Not a person on board either of these vessels escaped.
On Tuesday died, at his house in Bruton street, Major General Lawrence, in the 78th year of his age, who for the space of 20 years commanded the East India Company's troops, and was the first officer who carried military discipline into India.
Lieut. Colonel Preicot, of the 7th regiment of foot, is arrived in 25 days from General Gage.
Paul Whitehead's bequest of his heart to Lord Le Despencer (who was his patron, and under whom he enjoyed a place in the Wardrobe of 300l. per annum) brings to remembrance something as whimsically similar in the will of King James II. who left his body to the English, his bowels to the Irish, and his heart to the Scotch.
We learn from Oporto, in Portugal, that on Sunday the 11th of last month, the river there rose 15 feet perpendicular in about 7 hours, filling the streets near the quays on both sides; many warehouses were thrown down; pipes of wine, and various other merchandise, were carried away, and in some places the inhabitants had but just time to escape to the tops of their houses. On Monday the torrent was extremely rapid; and about one o'clock the ship Kirby Hall, James George master, with only one man on board, laden with 262 pipes of wine for London, and ready to sail, was forced from her moorings, and dashed to pieces in a few minutes on the bar; however, by the courage and skill of the pilots at St. John's, the man was saved. At night the following ships were driven over the bar, viz.—the George, George Madgson, from Carolina, with rice, bound to Topsham, and had 120 pipes of wine on board; the Bacchus, George Hill, from Hull, with sundry merchandise, bound to Hull, with 107 pipes of wine on board; the Amelia, Hugh Stephen, from Quebec, with wheat, bound to Bristol; and a Portuguese ship called the Saint John, Evangelist Joao Fin-a-da Rocha master, bound to Bahia, laden, and valued at between 30 and 40,000l.—This last struck on a sand near the bar, where she still remains.
On Tuesday night the torrent abated; and though the stream then ran with great rapidity, boats began to pass. Some freshes there have been known as high as this, but they always hitherto came on gradually; none have ever been known so violent and so sudden. The losses are very considerable in wine, sugar, ships, horses, and merchandise of all sorts; though no certain calculation can as yet be made of the amount. However, we do not hear that any lives have been lost. His Britannic Majesty's Consul has taken the necessary measures for the recovery of such part of the wreck and merchandise as can be found, in order to their being restored to the owners.
WHITEHALL, Jan. 18. The King has been pleased to appoint Guy Carlton, Esq; to be Captain General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's province of Quebec, in America.
GLASGOW, Jan. 12. It is with pleasure we can inform the public that the great canal is filled with five feet of water to the Stocking Field, within two miles of this place; and on Friday last a vessel arrived there from Kirkintilloch, with goods.
Upon the 19th of December last died at Plymouth, Col. Archibald Patoun, a Director of Engineers there, Commandant of the citadel, F. R. S., and author of the book entitled Patoun's Navigation; a gentleman of great learning, probity, and humanity, who, in all his offices, most faithfully served the King and Government. He is brother-german to David Patoun, physician in Glasgow. The loss of so worthy a person is now most justly lamented by his relations, and by all who knew him.
Jan. 19. Yesterday the trade of this city had a meeting, and subscribed a petition to Parliament relative to American affairs.
Tuesday the Court of Session sat down at Edinburgh, agreeable to the adjournment for the Christmas holidays.
Same day the Court of Session, upon a report of Lord Gardenston, passed the bills of suspension, in the cause Doddley against McFarquhar, for printing Chesterfield's Letters, whereby the sale of all Scotch and Irish editions of that book is prohibited, until the question of right, as to the property of the book, is finally determined.
On Friday last came on at the Old Bailey, London, the trial of Mr. D. Main, clerk to Mr. Alexander Hart, writer in Edinburgh, accused of breaking open his master's repositories, and stealing a watch chain, and a Confession of Faith. Mr. Justice Ashurst summed up the evidence in a pathetical manner, after which Mr. Main was honourably acquitted by the jury. Several witnesses were taken up from Edinburgh, and it is supposed that this affair has cost each of the parties upwards of 700l. each.
They write from Ricarton, near Kilmarnock, that a pear tree belonging to Hugh Parker, in Burleith, in that parish, produced a crop of pears in summer last; it budded and blossomed in autumn, and what is remarkable the pears are now quite ripe.
ANTIGUA, January 25. WE have received the following melancholy account of a storm which happened at Madeira, by Capt. George Keys, just arrived here, and whose ship was lost in it: On the 8th of December last the gale came on, which obliged all the shipping then in the bay to put to sea, among which a large Dutch ship bound for Surinam was drove ashore, and totally lost; also a Portuguese brig, of which no account has been received since, and is supposed to have foundered at sea.
On the 17th, being fine weather, and the wind easterly, the shipping all returned to anchor in the bay of Fynchall. It continued fair till Sunday the 18th, about 3 o'clock P. M. when a sudden and heavy squall came on from the south, and continued to blow with such unrelenting fury, as to prevent the shipping from getting out, attended with thunder, lightning, and rain.
About midnight six sail out of seven were dashed in pieces, their names as follows: The Aurora, Capt. George Keys, from London; the Captain happily was ashore, but the ship was lost, with three of the crew. The Betty Gregg, Capt. John Griffiths; vessel lost, the Captain, with the whole crew, in number fifteen, perished. The Peggy and Betty, from Maryland, Capt. Lewes; ship lost, the crew saved. A Danish ship, Capt. Bee; the vessel lost, fourteen hands, and one woman passenger, perished; the Captain being ashore, his life was saved. Two Portuguese vessels, the commanders and crews leaving them in the beginning of the gale, saved their lives; the vessels totally lost. Capt. Stewart, of the ship Dawkins, from London, for Jamaica, was the only vessel that rode out the storm, having parted one cable, and the other near going, when the dreadful tempest abated. So terrible and tremendous a gale has never been known in the memory of the oldest man living in Madeira.
FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY. The following is an address presented to General GAGE, from the Selectmen of six towns in the county of PLYMOUTH, occasioned by a number of soldiers being stationed at MARSHFIELD, in said county, in a time of peace.
To his Excellency THOMAS GAGE, Esq; May it please your Excellency, WE his Majesty's loyal subjects, Selectmen of the several towns of Plymouth, Kingston, Duxborough, Pembroke, Hanover, and Scituate, deeply affected with a sense of the increasing

danger and calamities which menace one of the most promising countries upon earth with political extinction, cannot but lament, that while we are endeavouring to preserve peace, and maintain the authority of the laws, at a period when the bands of government are relaxed by violent infractions on the charter of the province, our enemies are practising every insidious stratagem to seduce the people into acts of violence and outrage.
We beg leave to address your Excellency on a subject which excites our apprehensions extremely; and, in the representation of facts, we promise to pay that sacred regard to truth, which had our adversaries observed, we flatter ourselves it would have precluded the necessity of our addressing your Excellency on this occasion.
We are informed, from good authority, that a number of people from Mansfield and Scituate have made application to your Excellency, soliciting the aid of a detachment of his Majesty's troops, for the security and protection of themselves and properties. That their fears and intimidation were entirely groundless; that no design, or plan of molestation, was formed against them, or existed but in their own imaginations, their own declarations, and their actions, which have a more striking language, abundantly demonstrate. Several men of unquestionable veracity, residing in the town of Mansfield, have solemnly called God to witness, before one of his Majesty's justices of the peace, that they not only never heard of any intention to disturb the complainants, but repeatedly saw them, after they pretended to be under apprehensions of danger, attending to their private affairs, without arms; and even after they had lodged their arms, a few miles distant from their respective houses. They frequently declared, in conversation with the deponents, that they were not apprehensive of receiving any injury in their persons or properties; and one of them, who is a minor (as many of them are) being persuaded to save his life by adjoining himself to the petitioners, but afterwards abandoning them by the request of his father, depose, in the like solemn manner, that he was under no intimidation himself, nor did he ever hear any one of them say that he was.
It appears as evident as if written with a sun beam, from the general tenor of the testimony (which we are willing to lay before your Excellency, if desired) that their expressions of fear were a fallacious pretext, dictated by the inveterate enemies of our constitution to induce your Excellency to send troops into the country, to augment the difficulties of our situation, already very distressing; and what confirms this truth (if it needs any confirmation) is the affidavits and pains which we have taken to investigate it! We have industriously and impartially scrutinized into the cause of this alarm, and cannot find that it has the least foundation in reality.
All that we have in view in this address is to lay before your Excellency a true state of facts, and to remove that opprobrium which this movement of the military reflects on this country; and as a spirit of enmity and falsehood is prevalent in the country, and as every thing which comes from a Gentleman of your Excellency's exalted station naturally acquires great weight and importance, we earnestly entreat your Excellency to search into the grounds of every report, previous to giving your assent to it.
[PEMBROKE, Feb. 7.] Signed by a number of Selectmen. NEW YORK, March 2.
WE have authentick advices, of the 22d of last month, from Ulster county, that on Saturday night the 18th Mr. John Schoonmaker, being in bed, overheard the following conversation between his Negro York, and a Negro named Joe, belonging to Mr. Johannes Schoonmaker, viz. York. How many?—Joe. A great many.—York. From where?—Joe. From Keyserack, Hurly, and Kingston.—York. How much powder have they?—Joe. Two pounds.—York. That is not enough, they should have more to go through with it, and drums enough to prevent hearing the cries. They will begin, two at your house, two at John De Puis, and in proportion more at other houses. It will be put in execution between this and Wednesday night; when once begun, we must go through with it. We are to set fire to the houses, and stand by the doors and windows to receive the people as they come out.
The above (in substance) being deposed before a magistrate, the two Negroes were committed to gaol, and, together with several other Negroes, examined next day before four magistrates, who met for that purpose; but no further discoveries could then be made.
A letter from said place names Marbletown as well as the three above-mentioned, and that the Negroes were to be divided into parties, to fire the houses, cry fire, and kill the people as they came out. The motive for this conspiracy was the recovery of their freedom. A large quantity of powder and ball was found with several Negroes, and there are said to be advices in town, that, besides the two Negroes before mentioned, 17 or 18 more have been committed to gaol.
A report has likewise been current in town, for a day or two past, that these Negroes were to be joined by five or six hundred Indians, but it does not appear that there is any good foundation for this report.
Last week orders were received from Virginia for the purchase of as large a quantity of arms as can be procured in this city.
We are informed, by a Captain of a vessel who arrived a few days ago from Antigua, that Admiral Parry, with the royal squadron under his command on that station, has received orders to sail for Boston, where this gentleman will be second in command, as he is a junior Vice Admiral of the blue flag to Admiral Graves. The gentleman who brought this advice added, that he heard Admiral Parry himself declare the above destination of his Majesty's ships.
By Capt. Quill, who arrived here yesterday, in 30 days from the Bay of Honduras, we learn that the inhabitants of that place are about to send a donation of 100,000 feet of mahogany, to be sold in Europe for the relief of the poor of Boston.
Extract from the votes and proceedings of the General Assembly of this colony.
Die Jovis, 10 bo. A. M. the 23d of February, 1775. A motion was made by Mr. THOMAS, in the words following, viz.
Mr. Speaker, "I move that the sense of this meeting be taken, on the necessity of appointing Delegates for this colony, to meet the Delegates for the other colonies on this continent, in General Congress, on the 10th day of May next."
And debates arising on the said motion, and the question being put thereon, it was carried in the negative, in manner following, viz.
For the negative. Mr. Walton, Mr. Jauncey, Mr. Brickerhoff, Col. Seaman, Mr. Brush, Mr. Delancey, Mr. Coe, Mr. Van Kleeck, Mr. Rapalje, Mr. Nicoll, Mr. Billopp, Col. Philips, Mr. Ten Eyck, Col. Wells, Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Gale.
For the affirmative. Mr. Clinton, Col. Woodhull, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Boerum, Capt. Seaman, Col. Ten Broeck, Mr. De Witt, Col. Schuyler, Col. P. Livingston.
To the FREEHOLDERS and FREEMEN of the city and county of NEW YORK.
AS the last Congress, held at Philadelphia, recommended that another Congress should be convened at the same place on the 10th day of May next, and the election of Delegates ought not to be longer delayed, most of the other colonies having already appointed them; and as the committee has no power without the approbation of their constituents to take any measures for that purpose: They therefore request that the freeholders and freemen of the city and county of New York will be pleased to
assemble at the Exchange, on Monday the 6th instant, at twelve o'clock, to signify their sense of the best method of choosing such Delegates, and whether they will appoint a certain number of persons to meet such deputies as the colonies may elect for that purpose, and join with them in appointing, out of their body, Delegates for the next Congress.
COMMITTEE CHAMBER, March 1, 1775. By order of the committee, ISAAC LOW, Chairman.
The FATE OF TYRANNY. ALMET, one of the ancient Kings of Persia, pillaging his subjects of their properties, and exercising every sort of injustice over them, obliged his people to abandon their native country, and seek an asylum among strangers. The kingdom of Persia became a kind of desert, and barren for want of hands to cultivate the earth. In the mean time, it was attacked by foreign enemies: "Those who cry for succour in affliction (say the wise) ought to have acquired friends in the time of prosperity." One day, as this tyrant was reading, in the presence of his Vizar, the history of the fall of the King of Duhac, and the succession of Feridon to the royalty, the Vizar said, "Feridon had neither city, nor castle, nor treasury, nor soldiers, how has he then effected this revolution?" "The majority of the people," replied the King, "were in his interest, as you have heard, and offered him the throne." "And, if royalty is to be acquired and maintained by the assistance of the people," said the Vizar, "how came you to chase away your subjects by oppression? It is better to reign in the affections of your people than by an armed force. A King should protect his subjects from injustice, but you seem to consider royalty only as the means of oppression. A wolf cannot be a shepherd. The King who oppresses his subjects saps the foundation of his throne, and may be compared to the owl, who delights only in ruins."
This discourse displeased the tyrant, who, in his rage, ordered the Vizar to be beheaded. Some time after, another branch of the royal family asserted their right to the Crown. The people who had fled their country supported the claim, and that with so much ardour, that they chased the tyrant from his dominions, and changed the line of succession.
A King who knowingly permits injustice may be said to love his enemies, as he certainly puts himself in their power; whereas he, who, by just government, conciliates the affections of his people, may defy the malice of his opponents. To a good King every subject is a soldier.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 18. A letter to the Hon. the SPEAKER of the House of Burgesses of this colony, from the AGENTS appointed to present the petition of the Congress to the King.
SIR, THIS is just to inform you, that having received the petition of the Congress to the King, we immediately communicated it to Lord Dartmouth, Secretary of State for the American department, as the regular official method, and that by which only we could have expectation of obtaining an answer. His Lordship this day informed us that he had laid the same before the King; that his Majesty had been pleased to receive it very graciously, and to say it was a matter of so great importance that he should, as soon as they met, lay it before his two Houses of Parliament. We can now only add, that we are, with great respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble servants,
B. FRANKLIN. W. BOLLAN. ARTHUR LEE.
LONDON, Dec. 24, 1774. Extract of a letter from LONDON, dated Dec. 24, 1774. "The unanimity, firmness, and moderation of the resolutions of the General Congress, and the universal approbation both these and their addresses meet with here, has roused the merchants, and disconcerted the Ministers. As yet, however, they appear unresolved, unwilling to retract, and unable to proceed. In my opinion, however, the closet power that rules this unhappy country will not permit them to retreat without violence. It is therefore my duty to say, that nothing but a continuance of that union and firmness, which have happily shaken their resolution, will effectually change their conduct, and give us redress. Lord North's late language in the House of Commons is humble to a degree; but he is a very treacherous man, and the political wisdom of the present times being to dupe and deceive by personal falsehood, it becomes us to be upon our guard."
"Three of the Gentlemen appointed by the Congress to deliver their petition presented it through the hands of the Secretary of State, and were answered, that his Majesty received it very graciously, and, from its importance, he would lay it before his two Houses of Parliament as soon as they met. They are adjourned till the 24th of February."
"The buzz of the Court is, that Lord North and Lord Dartmouth will give place to the Lords Gower and Hillsborough, and all the acts complained of will be repealed, except the Admiralty acts and the Declaratory act. The opinion, however, of all our friends is, that firmness and unanimity on your part, in demanding a full redress, and a solemn ratification of your rights, cannot be resisted."
"As the King has declared his intention to lay the petition before Parliament, we have thought that an immediate obedience to the orders of the Congress, for publishing their petition, might be construed by our enemies into disrespect to the King, and factious views, which it has been their constant endeavour to fix upon us. It is therefore determined to defer the publication till it is laid before Parliament. The effect of the addresses upon mens minds needs no addition at present, but may want re-animation at a future day, which the petition is well calculated to effect."
An extract of a letter from a Gentleman of considerable rank in LONDON, to his friend in SUSSEX county, of the 1st of December last.
"I am truly at a loss to know what to say with regard to the unhappy disputes between America and the mother country. Every good man most sincerely wishes that some healing measures may be adopted, and that peace and harmony may be again restored to both countries. Every true patriot admires the courage, the fortitude, and virtue, of the Americans, and cannot but wish them success; for the cause of liberty is, and must be, the same through all the British Dominions: But if the arm of despotism is to prevail, and force is to compel obedience, every man shudders for what may be the consequence. May the God of Peace direct our councils, and avert the impending evil!"
The Martin, Clarke, from Virginia to London, is totally lost near the mouth of the harbour of Milford; the Captain, and part of the crew, drowned.
Arrived at Glasgow, from Virginia, the Crawford, M c Lean, and Bell, Moodie.
The Justitia, Capt. Kidd, from London, is arrived in Rappahannock, with 130 servants on board.
Sunday last died Mrs. REBECCA SHELD, relict of Major Robert Sheild, late of York county.
Upper District of JAMES River.
ENTERED. Schooner Dummore, Thomas Pearce, from Salem, with rum, gin, chocolate, fish, iron ware, and molasses. Ship Peter, Thomas Lang, from Glasgow, in ballast.
CLEARED. Snow Polly, John Gourley, for Liverpool, with wheat. Schooner Betty, Robert Standly, for Salem, with corn, wheat, flour, peas, and beans.
Mr. HENLEY's defence of the Queries would have been inserted this week, but for want of room.
WHEREAS I purchased of Agnes Walsh, of the Province of Maryland, a Lot containing Half an Acre, in the Town of Staunton, with a Wood Lot of 50 Acres belonging to the same, for the Consideration of 541: 10s. current Money of Virginia; for the Payment of which Sum 1 (together with Mr. Felix Gilbert) entered into Bond, payable to the said Agnes some Time in the Month of March next; and whereas, since the said Purchase was made, I have received Notice from a certain Samuel Gay, that he has a prior Title to the said Lot and Land, cautioning me against making any Improvement on the said Lot: These are therefore to forewarn all Persons from taking an Assignment on the said Bond, as I am determined not to pay the same until the Matter respecting the Title is cleared up, or until the said Agnes Walsh doth enter into Bond, together with good Security, in the penal Sum of one Thousand Pounds for the Security of said Title, as I purpose building a Merchant Mill, and other Houses, near to that Value. From under my Hand, this 27th Day of February, 1775.
SAMPSON MATHEWS. THE HIGH BLOODED HORSE MONARCH, NOW four Years old, about 15 Hands high, got by the noted Horse MARK ANTHONY, and his Pedigree of the Mare's Side unexceptionable, stands at my House, and will begin to cover Mares the first of April, at 10s. a Leap, or 30s. the Season. MONARCH paces well, and is as fine a Saddle-Horse as any in the Colony. GEORGE B. POINDEXTER. NEW KENT, March 9, 1775. (1)
WILLIAMSBURG, March 18, 1775. THE Subscriber begs Leave to acquaint the Public in general, and his Friends in particular, that he has engaged a Person, from London, who is a Proficient in PAINTING, PLAISTERING, and PAPER-HANGING, and hopes to give general Satisfaction to all those who please to employ him; which will much oblige Their humble Servant, JOHN LOCKLEY. (211) N. B. Stolen out of my Yard, last Night, a white MUSCOVY DUCK, and a SUMMER DRAKE. Whoever brings them to me shall have 5s. Reward.
JUST ARRIVED, The JUSTITIA, Captain KIDD, WITH ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY HEALTHY SERVANTS, CONSISTING of Men, Women, and Boys; among whom are many TRADESMEN, such as Carpenters and Joiners, Bricklayers and Plaisterers, Shoemakers, Barbers and Hair Dressers, several Weavers, Cutlers, Curriers, and Bakers; a Tanner, a Tailor and Staymaker, a Blacksmith, a Painter, a Printer, a Bookbinder, a Miller, a Stocking Weaver, a Schoolmaster, a Hatter, a Silk Dyer, and others. There are also many Farmers, and other Country Labourers, Gentlemen's Servants, &c. &c. The Sale will commence at Leeds Town, on Wednesday the 22d Instant (March) and be continued till all are sold. A reasonable Credit will be allowed, the Purchasers giving Bond, with Approved Security, to (2) THOMAS HODGE.
FIFTY very likely SLAVES, Some of them very valuable Tradesmen, will be sold at the Richmond Fair, for ready Money, by The SHERIFF of James City County.
THE Apothecary's Business carried on at Petersburg by Alexander Glasi Strachan and Co. being now discontinued, all Persons indebted to the said Concern are desired to make speedy Payment to Mr. Bolling Starke (one of the Partners) who has undertaken the Collection, and who will discharge all just Demands against the said Company.
TWENTY FIVE VIRGINIA born SLAVES, Consisting of Men, Women, Boys, and Girls, to be sold to the highest Bidder, on the 8th of April, for ready Money, Tobacco, or Merchants Notes payable to Mr. Charles Duncan, at my Plantation in the lower End of Amelia County, on Appomattox River, known by Name of Goose Island. ROBERT KENNON. PETERSBURG, March 10, 1775.
AMELIA, March 4, 1775. RUN away, or stolen, the 1st of December last, a Virginia born slave named SAM, about 5 Feet high, pretty well set, has a remarkable Scar on his Breast, which seems as if occasioned by the Lash of a Whip, his Sides and Back are much scarified by Whipping, had a Wart of an uncommon Size on the Top of his left Shoulder, is very dim sighted, and in the Night Season almost entirely deprived of Sight. He had on, when he went away, a Jacket and Breeches made of Blanketing, a very coarse Rolls Shirt, an old patched Hat, but neither Shoes nor Stockings. This Fellow formerly belonged to one Mr. Nathaniel Friend of Chesterfield. I have great Reason to imagine he was stolen; I will give 51. on Conviction of the Thief, and 40s. to any Person who gives me Intelligence of him, so that I may get him again. RULER RICHARDSON.
TAKEN up, in Nansemond, a RED COW, with a white Face, some Red round her Eyes, marked with a Crop and Nick under the right, and a Crop and Halfmoon under the left Ear. JESSE BATTLE.
TAKEN up on Blackwater, in Surry County, a dark gray COLT about two Years old, 4 Feet high, neither docked nor branded. Posted, and appraised to 31. WILLIAM BROWNE, Jun.
A COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF All Kinds of STATIONARY, At Dixon & Hunter's Printing Office: BEST Writing Paper, Imperial, Royal, Medium, Demy, Thick and Thin Post, Propatria and Pot, by the Ream, or smaller quantity; Gilt, Plain, and Black Edge Paper for Letters; Parchment; Inkpowder; best large Dutch Quills and Pens; red and black Sealing Wax and Wafers; Memorandum Books; Red Ink, in small Vials; Red Inkpowder; Pounce and Pounce-Boxes; Black Lead Pencils; all Sizes of neat Morocco Pocket Books; all Sorts and Sizes of Pewter Inkstands; best Edinburgh Inkpots, for the Pocket; best Playing Cards; Legers, Journals, Day-Books, and all Sorts and Sizes of Blank Books for Merchants Accounts or Records. Blanks of all Kinds for Merchants, County Court Clerks, &c. &c. &c. Old BOOKS new BOUND, and all Kinds of BOOK-BINDING done at this Office, either in the NEATEST or CHEAPEST Manner, according to Directions; and where any Thing in the PRINTING BUSINESS is expediously performed, on moderate Terms.

POETS CORNER.
Written at an INN, on a particular occasion.
To thee, fair FREEDOM, I retire, From flattery, feasting, dice, and din; Nor art thou found in domes much higher Than the low cot, or humble inn.
'Tis here with boundless power I reign, And every health which I begin Converts dull port to bright champagne; For FREEDOM crowns it at an inn.
I fly from pomp, I fly from plate, I fly from falsehood's specious grin; FREEDOM I love, and form I hate, And choose my lodgings at an inn.
Here, waiter! take my sordid ore, Which lacquies else might hope to win; It buys what courts have not in store, It buys me FREEDOM at an inn.
And now once more I shape my way Through rain or shine, through thick and thin; Secure to meet, at close of day, With kind reception—at an inn.
Who'er has travell'd life's dull round, Where'er his various tour has been, May sigh to think how oft he found His warmest welcome—at an inn.
TO BE SOLD,
Before Mr. GUNN's Door, in RICHMOND Town,
ALL the personal Estate of WILLIAM RANDOLPH, Esq; deceased, consisting of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, a neat CHARIOT, with four HARNESS, several high blooded COLTS, a fine breeding MARE, and about ten Dozen of old MADEIRA WINE. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed for all Sums exceeding five Pounds, the Purchasers giving Bond with approved Security to
The ADMINISTRATORS.
N. B. At the same Time will be sold two valuable NEGRO CARPENTERS.
THE Meeting of the Treasurer, Trustees, and Subscribers, to the Fund for the Relief of Clergymen's Widows and Orphans, is hereby appointed to be held on Saturday the 6th of May next. The Officers for the present Year are, the Rev. John Cumm Treasurer, the Reverend Messrs. Pryse Davies, Devereux Jarratt, William Blant, John Bracken, Thomas Price, and Alexander Lundie, Trustees; the Rev. William Harrison Forenoon Preacher, and the Rev. Robert Andrews Afternoon Preacher. JACOB BRUCE, Clerk.
FOR SALE,
SEVERAL VALUABLE TRACTS OF
LAND LYING in HALIFAX and PITTSYLVANIA Counties. Any Person inclined to purchase may apply to the Subscriber, near Booker's Ferry, in Halifax County. JOHN SMITH.
For SALE, and very CHEAP,
THE Tract of LAND whereon I now live, in the lower End of Caroline County, that contains 470 Acres, and is known to be very good. The Improvements are, a new Dwelling-House 32 by 28 Feet, with three Dormants on a Side, two Fireplaces below, and one above, a good Cellar, the Kitchen 24 by 16 Feet, with all other Outhouses quite new, and the Plantation in fine Order for Cropping. Its Situation is equal to any Forest Place whatever. I will give Credit till next Christmas, when Possession may be had. LE ROY HIPKINS.
RUN away from the Subscriber, about the first of January last, a very bright Mulatto Man named STEPHEN, 5 Feet 6 or 7 Inches high, about 22 Years of Age, well set, has a remarkable broad Face, with a Mole on the Side of his Nose, and a Scar upon one of his Legs. He was clothed in Negro Cotton Waistcoat and Breeches, Osnaburg Shirt, and a Pair of blue Gambadoes; his Hair is cut close off the Top of his Head, and the Front Part combed back. His Wife PHEBE went away with him, a remarkable white Indian Woman, about the same Age, and was with Child; she has long black Hair, which is generally clubbed, and carried off with her a blue Negro Cotton Waistcoat and Petticoat, a Virginia Cloth Waistcoat and Petticoat, and a Virginia Cloth Bonnet. She can spin well, and I imagine they will both endeavour to pass as free. Whoever apprehends the said Slaves, and brings them to me, in Dinwiddie, near the Courthouse, or secures them in Gaol, so that I get them again, shall have 10l. Reward from HENRY HARDAWAY.
For SALE, or CHARTER,
A BRIGANTINE,
Now on the Stocks, and will be launched in a few days, BURTHEN one Hundred and twenty TUNS. She is well calculated, and built of excellent Materials. Good CREDIT will be allowed, to those who may incline to Purchase, for the greatest Part of the Money. Apply to me in Suffolk. SAMUEL COHOON.
APOLLO
Stands at the Subscriber's, in BRUNSWICK County.
HE was got by FEARNOUGHT, on an imported Mare of the best Blood, whose Pedigree is in my Possession, and will be shewn to any Person inclined to see it. His fine Form, beautiful Colour, and extraordinary Performances on the Turf, strongly recommend him. He will cover Mares the ensuing Season at 30s. the Leap, 4l. the Season, or 6l. to have the Privilege of sending a Mare till she brings a Colt. As the Horse cost me a very large Sum, it is hoped those who put Mares will pay the Money as soon as they can with any tolerable Convenience. Extraordinary good Pasturage will be provided, and the utmost Care taken of the Mares; but the Proprietors must not expect to be indemnified for those which may get away. RICHARD ELLIOT.
Wants Employment,
A SOBER Man, of about 30 Years of Age, who is well acquainted with Business, writes fair and correct, understands the Mathematics, can make a good Translation from the French, and has a fair Character from the Gentlemen with whom he lived for three Years past. Inquire of the Printers hereof.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 4, 1775.
IT being necessary for me to go to England this Spring, I shall esteem it a particular Favour if those who are indebted to me would be as early as possible in discharging their Accounts, without which it will not be in my Power to accomplish my Intention, and will not only be a great Disappointment, but a Disadvantage to me in my Business. I therefore hasten myself this Requisition will have the desired Effect, which will greatly oblige Their humble Servant, MARGARET HUNTER.
BEDFORD Courthouse, Feb. 5, 1775.
THE Creditors of Jeffery Grisey, deceased, are desired to meet at KING WILLIAM March Court, with their respective Claims, properly authenticated, in Order that the same may be discharged. I am offered, by his Mother, a Sum of Money, in Part Payment of her Bond to her Son (which does not become due till her Decease) on certain Conditions. I believe the Sum offered is nearly, or quite sufficient, to pay all the Creditors. In this Case, it will be convenient for me to comply with the Conditions offered, and to draw a Bill of Exchange immediately to discharge the same. JOHN HOOK, Administrator.
CHARLES CITY, February 20, 1775.
THE SUBSCRIBER has on Hand, about FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS STERLING WORTH OF Goods, suitable for a Store, which he will sell for Cash or Tobacco, Wholesale or Retail, on reasonable Terms.
AS I intend to leave the Colony this Summer, all Persons indebted to me are desired to pay off their Accounts; those who cannot pay I hope will give Bond; for which Purpose Mr. Edward Morecock will attend at the Store until the last of April. ROBERT WALKER.
MANCHESTER, Feb. 11, 1775.
THE Subscriber intending for Britain by the ensuing Fall, proposes to sell the following Tracts of LAND, viz.—About 2000 Acres in Bedford County, lying on both Sides of the north Fork of Otter River and Hurricane Creek, about 100 Acres of which are clearer, and produce Tobacco of a fine Quality; there are several Houses upon the Land, large Peach and Apple Orchards, and a good Meadow. The Land lies well, and is a remarkable good Place for raising Stock of all Kinds, having excellent Range upon the Mountains joining it.—Also another Tract of Land containing about 300 Acres, a Mile below the other, with a Grist Mill upon it, lately built, a Stone Dam, and a never-failing Stream. There are little more Improvements upon this Tract, but the Soil is good, and would make a valuable Settlement.—A valuable and well known Tract of Land in Hanover County, called Half Sink, on Chickahominy River, containing, by a late Survey, 667 Acres, a great Proportion of which is rich low Ground, affording a vast Quantity of large white Oak Timber. This Plantation lies 11 Miles from Richmond Town, is in good Order to work ten Hands, and has the necessary Houses upon it, lately built.—Also four LOTS in the Town of Richmond, where Mr. James Vaughan formerly kept Ordinary, with Houses thereon, two of which are new, and the Pasture fenced with Posts and Rails. It is a suitable Place for a Tavern, or would afford Conveniencies for three private Families. The above Lands may be entered upon next Fall, and the Lots at the Expiration of the present Year they are rented for. I shall be glad to treat with any Person who inclines to purchase. ALEXANDER BAINE.
I want to purchase the Half Acre Lot at Rocky Ridge, No. 132, drawn to Ticket No. 373 in Col. Byrd's Lottery. A. B.
The noted Horse
MARK ANTHONY
STANDS at my Plantation in Bute County, on the north Side of Roanoke River, about two Miles below Col. Thomas Eaton's Ferry, and will cover Mares the ensuing Season at 30s. the Leap, 3l. the Season, or 5l. Virginia Money to ensure a Colt. Good Pasturage for the Mares, and Entertainment for Gentlemen's Servants, gratis. Great Care will be taken of the Mares, but I will not be answerable for any that may get away. HERBERT HAYNES.
A FEW BOXES OF
KEYSER'S FAMOUS PILLS TO BE SOLD AT THE POST OFFICE.
STRAYED from a Plantation near William Bumpass's, at the Head of Appomattox River, the latter End of November last, a likely BLACK MARE about 4 Feet 9 or 10 Inches high, with a Star in her Forehead, and a Snip on her Nose, one hind Foot white, has a Switch Tail, paces tolerably, and trots well in a Carriage, but is rather dull. She is defective in the Sight of one of her Eyes (the left I think) by Means of a Film, or something of that Kind, but has no Brand that I remember. It is supposed she will make down towards Warwick. Whoever delivers her to the said William Bumpass, Henry Bagley, at Fine Creek, in Cumberland County, Daniel Wisseker at Warwick, or to me in Henrico, shall have 20s. Reward from ROBERT PLEASANTS.
HANOVER TOWN, Jan. 19, 1775.
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Debts due to Messrs. Andrew Cochrane, Robert Donald, and Co. and Messrs. Murdoch, Donald, and Co. of Glasgow, lately in the Hands of Mr. Alexander Donald and Mr. John Johnson for Collection, and under them Mr. Richard Morris and Mr. John Davies, are now under the Direction of the Subscriber. Great Indulgence having been already given, all those who are still indebted to both, or either of the above Companies, are requested to be very speedy in discharging their respective Balances. Any Payments made to Mr. Malcom Hart will be good. ARCHIBALD GOVAN.
TAKEN up, in Hanover, on Little River, near the Fork Church, a dark bay MARE about 4 Feet 7 Inches high, her near Hip somewhat higher than the other, a few white Hairs on her off Buttock, a long hanging Mane, appears to be about 10 Years old, has on an old Bell, no Brand perceivable, and hath been appraised to 7l. SHADRACH WATTS.
STRAYED, or STOLEN, from Mr. John Dousings, in Warwick County, last Christmas Eve, two Mares, viz. one a sorrel, 4 Years old, about 4 Feet 9 or 10 Inches high, trots, gallops, and paces slowly, branded on the near Buttock I PR (the PR in a Piece, and the P inverted) but hardly perceivable, has a small Ulcer on her right Cheek, caused by a Kick from a Horse some time ago, and appeared to be forward with Foal. The other is a light Iron gray, 5 Years old, about 4 Feet 5 Inches high, trots and gallops, and branded on the near Buttock 3l. They had both hanging Manes and Switch Tails. Forty Shillings Reward will be given on their being delivered to Mr. Dousings, or the Subscriber, in King William, and if stolen, 10l. on Conviction of the Thief. JAMES RUSSELL.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Williamsburg, on Monday the 12th of February last, an undated Servant Man named ISAAC GELDING, a House Carpenter by Trade, a short, well made Man, about 5 Feet 5 or 6 Inches high, wears short brown Hair tied behind, and has several Moles in his Face. He had on, when he went away, a Bearskin Coat and Waistcoat, and a Pair of light coloured Worsted Shag Breeches, with Metal Buttons, brown Linen Shirt, and a new Hat. He took with him a broad Axe, and a Hand Saw. It is suspected he is gone to Suffolk, as he left Norfolk last Monday, intending to go there. Whoever delivers him to me in this City, or secures him so that I get him again, shall have 5l. Reward. JAMES SOUTHALL.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Caroline County, near Capt. James Upshaw's, on Tuesday the 3d Instant (January) a very likely Mulatto Fellow named LEMON, about 26 Years old, 5 Feet 10 or 11 Inches high, had on, and carried with him, a light coloured Wilton Coat, a Beaver Coating great Coat, and a Pair of red Plush Breeches, but may change his Clothes, and have many others with him. As he is an artful designing Fellow, and once before attempted his Escape, and got as far as Hobb's Hole, I suppose he will try to pass for a Freeman, having endeavoured to procure an Indenture. I forewarn all Masters of Vessels, &c. from carrying him out of the Colony. Whoever brings the said Fellow to me shall receive 3l. Reward, besides what the Law allows, and if taken out of the Colony, 10l. JOHN MARTIN.
TO BE SOLD
At BERMUDA HUNDRED, to the highest Bidders, on MONDAY the 17th of APRIL, if fair, otherwise next fair Day, ALL the Household and Kitchen Furniture belonging to the late John Hylton, deceased. Credit will be allowed till the 25th of April 1776 for all Sums above forty Shillings, the Purchasers giving Bond, with approved Security, to FRANCIS EPPES, JOHN HYLTION, Executors.
TAKEN up, on Owen's Creek, in Pittsylvania, a dark bay HORSE, with a Blaze in his Face, about 4 Years old, 4 Feet 5 Inches high, paces naturally, and branded on the off Shoulder I. Also a black MARE COLT, about a Year old, 4 Feet 3 Inches high, with a Star in her Forehead, and branded on the near Shoulder NF. Also a black MARE and COLT, the Mare about 4 Feet 4 Inches high, with a Star in her Forehead, about 16 Years old, and branded on the near Shoulder and Buttock M; the Colt is a dark gray Mare, a Year old, neither docked nor branded, and about 4 Feet 3 Inches high. The said Strays are appraised to 16l. JOHN DAVIS.
JUST PUBLISHED,
And to be sold by DIXON and HUNTER, at their PRINTING OFFICE, in WILLIAMSBURG,
The OFFICE and AUTHORITY OF A
JUSTICE of PEACE
Explained and digested under proper Titles.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
Full and correct PRECEDENTS of all Kinds of PROCESS necessary to be used by Magistrates; in which also the Duty of SHERIFFS, and other PUBLICK OFFICERS, is properly discussed. By RICHARD STARKE, Esquire.
STRAYED, or STOLEN, from the Subscriber in Williamsburg, the first of January last, two BAY MARES, one of them is a dark bay, 14 Hands and a Half high, her hind Feet white to the first Joint, and with Foal. The other a LIGHT BAY, 13 Hands and a Half high. Whoever brings them to me shall receive 20s. Reward. (tf) MILES SELDEN.
TO BE SOLD, or RENTED,
(Preference will be given to the first)
A PLANTATION on Allen's Creek in Mecklenburg, within a Mile of Roanoke, consisting of about 120 Acres of Land, the Property of Messrs. Alexander Donald and Co. and whereon the Subscriber now lives. The Land of itself is valuable, exclusive of the Improvements, which are a good Dwelling-House, with other necessary Outhouses, and a large and convenient Storehouse, 32 by 44 Feet. There are about 20 Acres of the low Ground well set in Timothy and Clover, and notwithstanding this dry Summer, 15 Acres of it have yielded above 30,000 Weight of Hay, which, with about 300 Bushels of Oats in the Straw, some Indian Corn, 40 Head of Cattle, 50 Head of Sheep, and some Hogs, will be sold on reasonable Terms. The Purchaser may have Possession of the Premises as soon as he pleases, and long Credit (if required) will be allowed for the Land, on his giving Bond and Security. It is expected the Store will be continued, and of Course the Purchaser will have the Benefit of the Board of the Storekeepers, and besides the Situation of the Place (being on Taylor's Ferry Road) makes it well calculated for a Tavern. (tf) EBENEZER MACHARG.
PRINCE GEORGE, November 10, 1774.
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Mulatto Boy named SAM, about 16 or 17 Years old, of a very light Complexion, and will endeavour to pass for a free Boy, has gray Eyes, brown Hair, a smooth artful Tongue, is a great Villain, but a very good Barber. In the Month of June last he was put in York Jail, on Suspicion of having stolen some Money in Williamsburg. He made his Escape from thence and got to Norfolk, where he was put in Jail and sent to me by Water. The next Day (September 20th) he made his Escape from my Overseer, and has not since been heard of. He was born in Frederick Town, Maryland, has lived in Fredericksburg, Norfolk, and York Town, and is well acquainted with most Parts of Virginia. He was very meanly clad, having been so long in Jail, but it is probable will procure Clothes. I will give 40s. Reward to have him committed to any of his Majesty's Jails, if taken in the Colony of Virginia, and if out of the Colony 5l. All Captains of Ships, or Masters of Vessels, are hereby forewarned from carrying him out of the Country, or employing him. (tf) JOHN BLAND.
FOR SALE,
MY DWELLING-HOUSE, &c. in York Town. Five Years Credit will be allowed, the Purchaser give Bond (with approved Security) bearing Interest from the Time the Bargain is concluded upon. For Terms apply to me, in this Town. (tf) JOHN H. NORTON.
YORK TOWN, November 23, 1774.