The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1771-04-25 00:00:00

PHILO-DICAIOS to EIRENOPOIOS.
WHEN I first saw the Name Eirenoopolis subscribed to a Paper in Answer to one wrote by Philo-Dicaios, I was in great Hopes then, when a Peacemaker and a Lover of Justice met, a lasting Peace would ensue. But how great was my Surprise when, upon reading your Paper, I found that the Name of Eirenoopolis, or rather Eironopolis, would suit you better! However, as you have not spent your whole Strength in Reticule and Abuse, the common stale Method of replying to Arguments, otherwise unanswerable, but have endeavoured to justify the Act complained of, you are entitled to an Answer.
Observing a material Alteration in the Clergy Law of 1748, not without some Apprehensions of Danger to our Establishment and Properties, I made Use of the Privilege, common to all free born Subjects, of addressing my Brethren of the Clergy, not with a Design to inflame the Resentment, as you falsely construe my Conduct, but purely to excite their Attention to that Object, and put them on considering whether or not, or how far, their Rights may be affected by it. You, indeed, by a Parade of Arguments (though I think them weak and inconclusive) endeavour to justify the Act; not so much with a Design to gain Conviction as to lull the Clergy asleep, and to divert their Attention from what I had proposed to their Consideration.
For this Purpose you tell them, and endeavour to prove it, "that this new Act puts them on a better Footing than they were by the Act of 1748;" even the respectable Footing of Officers, who, it seems, by Virtue of an old Law, can recover their Fees by Motion, while the Clergy lie exposed to a tedious Lawsuit to recover their Salaries. As I have a better Opinion of our Legislature than to think any such Thing of them, I hope you are mistaken. As little can I join with you in Opinion that they intended to subject the Clergy to the other Disadvantages which you say they laboured under by that Act, and which you seem purposely to aggravate; not so much from a real good Will to them, as to reconcile them to the present Innovation, it being natural for Men to choose of two Evils the least. But, as I am no Lawyer, I will not dispute the Point with you; only be assured that if I had ever thought this was the Case I should have been the first to complain of it, and to petition for an Alteration, though not one of the present Kind.
And as to the real and indisputable Injury resulting to the Clergy from the present Alteration in deferring the Payment of their Salaries on Month longer than they were by the Act of 1748, this you counterbalance by the speedy Remedy of a Motion, and the Power this Act will give the Vestries of paying the Ministers Money for their Tobacco at the highest Prices. This, I am afraid, few Vestries will do, though, if they should, I should like the Remedy as bad as the Disease. For I would have no such Power lodged in Vestries; no, not even to do their Ministers a Favour. Their Office I would have so circumscribed by Law as to deprive them of all discretionary Power, because this discretionary Power can answer no Purpose but to make the Minister dependent on them; and, by that Means, to lessen his Weight among his People, and consequently to defeat his Power of doing good. The other Day, speaking of this new Act, I asked a Vestryman, how he would act in Case he was to buy the Minister's Salary; namely, whether he would buy it at those Warehouses, and in those Counties, where Tobacco sold highest, or where he could buy it cheapest. He answered, without Hesitation, that he thought his Duty to the People obliged him to buy it where he could get it cheapest. Now this is a Power that no common Collector ever pretended to, they all declaring that they paid the Minister his Proportion of the good as well as the bad Tobacco they collected. So that what before was unjustly practised seems now established into a Law.
I do not find so much Difference amongst Men as is commonly pretended. As human Nature is the same in all, furnish them with the same Opportunities, lay the same Temptations before them, or come to their Price, and they generally act all alike; and therefore the Clergy need not expect much better Treatment from the Buyers of their Salaries under this Act than from the common Collectors under the old. Add to this, that upon Supposition the Minister does not contract with his Vestry for Money in Lieu of Tobacco, he is left a Prey to the Depredations and Exactions of the Collectors as much now as ever; insomuch, that, if the Vestry should take it into their Heads to use their Influence, and the Collector the Chicanes of his Office and the Chicanes of Law, I do not know but they may force him into what Composition they please. Generous Vestries, I am sensible, will not do this; but your Haggler, as you call them, will be sure to do it, more especially those who think it one Part of their Duty to inspect the Parson's Conduct, for Fear he should cheat or impose on the Parish.
Thus the Buyers of the Ministers Tobacco will always think it their Duty to practise what the Law puts in their Power, and they will be sure to do it when they have the prevailing Motive of Self Interest to spur them on. And therefore, upon the Whole, I cannot see what the Clergy will get by this Act, unless it be out of the Fryingpan into the Fire. I need not mention the other Disadvantages to the Clergy resulting from it. They have been mentioned already by Philo-Dicaios the first, for the second I have not seen. I shall only take Notice of the Absurdity of one Caviller, who perverts the Supposition of the Court's Business being retarded by Rain, Sickness, and other Contingencies, into an Implication of a three Months Rain. One has a Right to make a Supposition, where there is a Possibility; but here, considering the Number of Courts in Virginia, there is more than a Probability that this will be the Case of some of them, and so a partial Inquiry, at least, will result to the Clergy.
Let us now consider this Act as an Infringement of the Clergy's Establishment, by the Substitution of Money instead of Tobacco. The Clergy, perhaps, may look upon this Innovation as an Introduction to a Money Establishment for the future; and their being left a Prey by it to the Rages of Collectors may increase their Suspicion, as their being thus left will be a Means to force them into it.
Jealousy, Sir, is perhaps the best Guardian of Liberty. The History of the English Nation shows this. But what Reason the Clergy of Virginia have to be jealous of their Liberty will best appear from some late Acts which have shifted their Livings from Tobacco to Money, and from Money to Tobacco, again and again.
I learn, from a Publication of Colonel Bland, that a Petition was given in to the Assembly in 1753, and treated as the Act of the Clergy, to have their Salaries settled in Money. Now mind the unequal Dealing: That Year Money was petitioned for, but rejected, and Tobacco forced upon them; in the Year next but one, namely, in 1755, they were deprived of their Tobacco, and Money forced upon them; and in 1758 the same Act was revived, but with greater Aggravations of Injustice.
The Clergy of the Counties of Princess Anne and Norfolk, in one End of the Colony, and of Hampshire, Frederick, and Augusta, in the other End, were deprived of their Tobacco, and forced to accept a Compensation in Money, much to their Loss.
In 1755, upon a mere popular Cry of Scarcity, raised by self-interested and designing Persons, and propagated by others of the same Kidney, the whole Body of the Clergy were deprived of their Tobacco, and forced to put up with Money, about twenty per Cent. under the Value.
In 1758, upon a like Cry, a like Act was made to strip the Clergy of their Tobacco, and to give them only the third Part of the Value of it in Money; and all this by retrospective temporary Acts, calculated for ten or twelve Months, manifestly with a Design that they might have their Effect before a Remedy could be applied, and all contrary to the first Principles of Government, to Justice, to Law, to Royal Instructions and Commands, to Liberty, to Property, and every Thing dear to Man.
These, Sir, are recent Facts, fresh in the Memory of every Body; and Facts are stubborn Things, and will speak for themselves. They will speak out, that if these Acts were not made with a Design to render the Livings of the Clergy uncertain and precarious, and themselves poor and dependent, they certainly look like such a Design. God forbid that I should judge uncharitably; but does not a bad Act imply a bad Intent? It certainly does, in the Eye of the Law and common Sense; and Christian Charity does not gainify it. But how did the Clergy behave under these multiplied Oppressions? Did not they bear them with more than Christian Patience? Did they make any Opposition till Patience and Submission ceased to be Virtues; and they were called upon by a prior Duty to their God, their King, and their Country? And as the present Alteration of the Clergy Law from Tobacco to Money, and that a fluctuating provincial Currency too, wears in their Eye a threatening Aspect, who can blame them for taking the Alarm? More especially as the Alteration was made unsolicited, unpetitioned for, and without being allowed the Honour of a Consultation; a Compliment the Legislature of Maryland did not think beneath them to pay their Clergy, on a similar Occasion. This last Circumstance gives every Clergyman in Virginia a Right to say, with the Poet,
— Timo Danaos, & dona ferentes.
As to the Money Compensation tendered to the Clergy by this Bill, let me remind you, and them, that Money, of all Kinds, is of an uncertain and precarious Value, and more especially a fluctuating provincial Currency. Dean Swift, in a Paper on the Value of Money, proves, to Demonstration, the bad Policy of all publick Establishments in taking Money, instead of the Necessaries of Life; for their Support; and instance in some Colleges, who, by Compositions of this Kind, have impoverished themselves, and quite defeated the End of their Institution. The Reason is, the Necessaries of Life kept up in Value, and always will, while Money fell prodigiously. Mr. Hume also takes Notice of the gradual Decline of the Value of Money, in several Places of his History. Indeed Money, and especially Sterling Money of Great Britain, might suit the present Clergy as well as Tobacco; but it would ruin their Successors. Let no Clergyman then think of any Composition of this Kind, who considers himself as a Trustee not to any the Patrimony of the Church handed down to Posterity in a worse Condition than he found it; because such a Composition may hurt himself, but is sure to ruin Posterity. Tobacco has born a good Price these several Years, and is likely to keep up, from the increasing Demand for it, and the exhausted State of our Lands here; and though no Necessary of Life is a safer Support than any Money whatever, even Sterling Money of Great Britain.
These, Sir, are my Thoughts on this Subject. If they are wrong, impute it to the Score of human Infirmary and Fallibility, but not to any inflaming Design. I would willingly deserve the Name you have assumed. Legislation is a deep Subject. It requires great Forethought and Consideration, a deep Insight into human Nature, and a thorough Acquaintance with civil Policy and the Practice of Statesmen in former Ages; but as in other Things, so in this, Experience must correct all our Reasonings. Perhaps then it would not be amiss for the Assembly to suspend the Execution of some Acts till they learn the Sentiments of the People out of Doors. What escapes one Eye may be seen by another; and more than human Wisdom has told us, that in the Multitude of Counsellors there is Safety.
Before I conclude, let me assure the Reader that Nothing here said is written with a Design to create or renew any Breach between the Clergy and Laity, being very sensible that the Interests of Religion, as well as of civil Society, depend very much on their mutual good Agreement. Let me observe farther, that never perhaps, in any Age, did Religion more need the Countenance of the Legislature than in the present. And how this Countenance is to be shown more properly than by providing for the Ministers of it a decent and suitable Maintenance, and by protecting them in their Rights and Properties, I know not. I plead not for great Wealth, or Power. I only plead for such a Provision, and especially an independent One, as will enable them to do Service to Religion, and encourage Men of Fortune and Family, even the Legislature themselves, to breed up their Sons to the Church. What Pity is it that the best Cause should not have the ablest Defenders! And what a Reflection is it on a Christian Legislature that the Provision made for the Clergy is so scanty as to be deemed, in some Measure, scandalous! so scandalous, that it is often made the last Refuge for Bread!
As you cannot take a more effectual Method to sink a Man in the Esteem of the World than by calling him poor, so you cannot more effectually defeat the End and Design of the Clergy than by keeping them poor and dependent; for such is the Constitution of human Nature, and such the Practice of the World, that Disrespect at least, if not Contempt, inseparably attends Poverty and a mean Appearance. And what Man will regard, or be influenced, by the Example or Precept of such a depreciable or contemptible Object? Nor will it suffice to say that a good exemplary Life will secure them against such Treatment. The Man that asserts this must know little of the World. The Laity themselves know better. They know that Something else is necessary, when they court the Mean to cope with the Great. But such Considerations will have but little Weight with those who look upon Truth to have no Weight when it comes from the Mouth of a Clergyman pleading his own Cause. But I have done with the Subject, and I dare say shall never appear in it again. Others may assume my Name, and provoke fresh Abuse, even personal, as they have done heretofore, but that will be little regarded by PHILO-DICAIOS.
CONSTANTINOPLE, November 15.
NOTWITHSTANDING the Advantages which General Count Tottleben has gained over the Pashas who opposed his Entrance into Armenia, he has been obliged to abandon that Province without attacking the Fortress of Akaliske, to which he had approached within a League. This Retreat has left the Russians all the Advantages which they had obtained in those Parts, during the former Part of the Campaign. The Plague has considerably decreased in this Metropolis. The Russian Fleet has absolutely left our Seas, and the Price of Commodities has been considerably lowered since the Navigation of the Dardanelles has been opened.
November 17. The Chevalier Tot is returned here, after putting the Dardanelles in a good State of Defence; and the Grand Seigneur has made an Offer to pay him a Hundred Scudis a Day, not only during the Continuance of the War, but afterwards, on Condition of his residing at this Place, in Order to teach the Turks military Discipline.
STRALSUND, December 5. Last Wednesday, in the Afternoon, the Powder Magazine in this Town blew up, at a Time when all the Workmen were in it. By this Accident upwards of a Hundred People lost their Lives, and about a Thousand were dangerously hurt. Seventy Houses were thrown down, and all the Windows in the Town were broken.
VENICE, December 12. We hear, by Letters from Constantinople, that the Grand Seigneur will not listen to any Proposals of Peace, and that his Highness has resolved to put himself at the Head of three Hundred Thousand Men next Campaign, to chase the Russians from all the Conquests they have made in his Empire.
WARSAW, December 29. Letters from Lemberg, dated the 23d of this Month, declare that the Turks have surrendered up the Fortress of Schuschewo, the last important Place on the Danube, to the Russians, who have taken Possession of it.
PISA, January 12. This Morning Count Orlow, Minister Plenipotentiary and General of the Russian Troops, arrived here from Leghorn, after having performed his Quarantine. He is accompanied by the English Envoy, and intends to pass Part of the Winter here, and at Leghorn, in Order to inspect the refitting of his Squadron, several of which are ex-
pected from the Archipelago and Messina at Port Ferrajo and Leghorn, where they will be repaired and careened. The Sieur Rutherford, Commissary of the Court of Petersburg, will sell at Leghorn the Prizes taken by the Russians, some of which have lately arrived in the Harbour.
LEGHORN, December 29. A Russian Officer, who is at the Lazaretto, has furnished us with the following Anecdote. Mr. Fort, of Mar-Ship called the Swallow, having entered, since the Beginning of this Campaign, into the Russian Service, was received, in Quality of a first Lieutenant, on Board the Admiral's Vessel, and greatly distinguished himself at Napolia di Romania, in the Sea Fight at Chesme, where he was unexampled Intrepidity on Board a Vessel whose Fate is well known, and where he commanded three Guns on the first Deck. Half an Hour after the Commencement of the Engagement a Ball carried off his Nose, and Part of his Cheek; he only covered his Face with a Handkerchief to stop the Blood, and would neither quit his Gun nor afford any Time for an Application. A Quarter of an Hour after a Ball carried off his right Arm, near the Shoulder, and knocked him down. He yet had sufficient Force to get up, and attempted to take his Sword with his left Hand, when a third Ball cut his Body in two, as he was attempting to rise. He has been greatly regretted, and Count Orlow was much affected at the Loss of this brave Man. The Combat was no sooner over than he inquired if Mr. Fort was married, if he had Children, and where his Family lived; he ordered that Nothing should be neglected to gain that Information, desiring to procure for his Widow a comfortable Pension for the Remainder of her Days.
January 2. All the Letters from Spain say that the Catholick King is firmly resolved to remain sole Master of the Navigation of the South Sea, and consequently not to tolerate any foreign Nation that should establish Settlements there, nor even in the Straits of Magellan.
LONDON, January 26.
Proceedings in the Upper Room of the Robinhood Society on Friday last. THE Ministry laid before the Room the Declaration of the Spanish Ambassador, and our Acceptance of it. Then they sat silent, without daring to utter a Word in Favour of it.
The Duke of Manchester observed, that such Silence was extraordinary; that though, upon the Face of the Declaration, it appeared very inadequate and insufficient, yet he would form no final Judgment without farther Information; and therefore made a Motion similar to that which, on the same Day, had been made in the Lower Room, in Substance being that all the Information which had been received by Administration of the Designs of Spain upon Falkland's Island, and the Papers that passed in the subsequent Negotiation for the Reparation of that Injury, should be laid before the Room.
Lord Rochford, with great Candour, said he wished every Information relative to that Matter to be laid before the Room, and should not therefore oppose the Motion; but would add a few Words to it, to restrain it to the Business of Falkland's Island, which he thought was not sufficiently guarded in the Words of the Motion.
Lord Sandwich was not satisfied with this, and so altered the Amendment as to make it unintelligible, in Order to furnish Pretences upon which Papers of Consequence might be suppressed.
The Duke of Richmond observed, that Lord Sandwich's Words were moved evidently on the Ground of some Reservation; that the Motion confined the Inquiry to the Business of Falkland's Island, which ought to be the only Restriction, and therefore the Amendment was unnecessary, or meant Something that it should not.
Lord Radnor said, that as Lord Rochford had first moved the Amendment there was no Harm in it, though it was unnecessary; but he suspected Something since Lord Sandwich had altered it.
Lord Sandwich then said, his Amendment, instead of narrowing, enlarged the Question.
Lord Chatham remarked, that this Generosity, in giving more than was asked, was very suspicious; that if Administration had no Objection to what was asked, why not give it without making any Alteration in the Motion? People would suspect that Something was meant to be kept back. He said he would not go into the Matter of the Declaration; but that, upon the Face of it, it appeared to be an ignominious Compromise. It was no Satisfaction, no Reparation. The Right was not secured, and even the Restitution was incomplete; that Port Egmont alone is restored, not Falkland's Island.
Lord Littleton earnestly advised the Administration, for their own Sakes, not to create Suspicion; that they ought to begin to inspire the People with some Confidence, the Want of which was the great Defect of the present Age.
Lord Camden said, the Defence of the Amendment proved there was Something meant by it.
Lord Rochford then finding that this plain Meaning lost all Credibility and Effect, by Lord Sandwich's having meddled in it, withdrew his Amendment; and the original Motion was agreed to, without Alteration.
The Duke of Richmond then said, he had another Motion to make. That which had been agreed to would bring out all the Negotiation with Spain; but as the World had strange Suspicion that France had too much to do in this Transaction, it was necessary to clear this Matter, and therefore moved for the Papers that had passed between our Ministers and those of France in this Negotiation.
Lord Rochford said, he had agreed to giving the other Papers, because they existed; but must object to these, because no such were in Being.
The Duke of Richmond said, that though he would not dispute the Veracity of Lord Rochford, the Nation ought not to take the Word of any Minister. Let the Motion go. If no such Papers existed, the King would say so, and then the King's Word, which every Body must believe, would be pleaded; but if any Negotiation with France had been carried on, it was fit the Publick should see it, and punish those concerned, for it would be giving Efficacy to the Family Compact.
As to the Declaration, he said he could not leave the Room without making one Observation upon it, which was distinct from all Information that the Papers might produce; and it was, that he wondered any Minister should dare to accept, in the King's Name, a Declaration in which the Right of Sovereignty of the Island is brought into Dispute; that in the Time he was in Administration the Spanish Ambassador had attempted to make it a Matter of Discussion; but that he, and he believed all other Ministers to this Day, had never suffered it to be so much as made a Matter of Doubt.
Lord Chatham strongly supported the Duke of Richmond's Motion. He said that Society should never take the Word of a Minister, but that the refusing this Motion showed that some Transaction with France had passed, perhaps not Papers or Memorials. As Lord Rochford said none had passed, he believed him; but that France had interfered, he said, he knew to be a Fact that could not be denied.
Lord Rochford got up again, but made no Answer to this Part of Lord Chatham's Charge of verbal Communication and Negotiation with France. He said he would answer all other Charges when the Day of Examination should come.
Prince Pittman, the new Privy Seal, then got up, and said he had the utmost Confidence in the Ministry; that as they said no Negotiation with France had passed, he thought that Assurance fully satisfactory.
The Duke of Richmond repeated, that the Nation had a Right to more; that the King's Word alone would satisfy them; that he would have the Ministers show the Whole of their Conduct to the Publick; if right, they would receive their Thanks; but, for his Part, while they pursued their present System of Oppression at Home, and Meanness to foreign Powers, he should never alter his Opposition to them. The Majority overruled the Question, as usual.

When the Earl of Suffolk accepted of the Party Seal, a great Personage, to whom he said, "he lamented most exceedingly the loss of his Lordship's Friend, that great and good Man Mr. Grenville, whom he considered as an Honour to human Nature." Why did not the Earl of Suffolk lay it upon the Table, and say, he was so affected with the loss of his Friend he could not accept?
We are assured that the late Accommodation with the Court of Spain is not so satisfactory to a great Personage, but that all the Plans lately laid down will be carried into Execution. Lord Howe will proceed as soon as possible to the Mediterranean, Sir George Rodney to the West Indies, Sir Charles Saunders for the East Indies, and Sir Peter Denis for the Newfoundland Station.
It is worth observing that though Falkland's Island was taken from Great Britain, only Port Egmont is stipulated in the Declaration to be restored.
We hear that Lord Bute's Friends disclaim all Share in Mr. Wedderburn's late Promotion, affirming that they very early saw the Duplicity of that Gentleman's Conduct.
It is said that a certain Person (Lord Mansfield) who has some Weight in the secret Councils of the present ruling Association, declared that every Thing must be sacrificed to preserve Peace; and, to give more Force to what he said, painted such a gloomy Scene of Dismissal and Disgrace, if not obtained, as to determine those present to be unanimous in Favour of what he had urged. From this we are to date the Acceptation of the Spanish Declaration.
The Ministry have dispersed their Dependents and Tools about to every Coffeehouse, and Place of publick Resort, to enlarge upon the Advantages gained by Great Britain by the Prevention of War; to argue upon the submissive Words, and derogatory Concessions, on the Part of the Court of Madrid in the Spanish Declaration; and, in fine, to vindicate their Conduct.
The present Lord Bathurst, Father of the Lord Chancellor, was one of the twelve Commoners called up to the House of Lords in Queen Anne's Time; and is the only Survivor of that celebrated Juncto of Wits, Pope, Gay, Swift, &c. that adorned that Reign. His Lordship is now in the eighty eighth Year of his Age, without being forsaken by one of his Faculties, and is otherwise in such a perfect State of Health as encourages his Friends to hope for the Enjoyment of his Company many Years to come. This was the principal Reason why the Lord Chancellor, though Successor to his Father's Title, was created Baron Ashley.
The major Part of the Merchant Ships, from two Hundred to five Hundred Tons Burthen, employed by France in her West India Trade, for four Years past, have all been constructed on the Plan and Model of their famous Frigates of War; that, in Case of an open Rupture with the Enemies of France, those Ships might be easily converted into Privateers, at a trifling Expense.
The Britannia, Daurie, from the Bay of Honduras to Clyde, was lost in October last, on a Ridge of Rocks off the west End of the Island of Cuba. The Master and Crew took to their Boat, and on making the Shore were most inhospitably used by the Spaniards. Instead of assisting them to save what they could of the Ship and Cargo, they rifled and stripped the Wreck of every Thing they could carry off, and threatened to imprison them if they did not immediately depart. They accordingly again took to their Boat, and, after a distressful Passage, in which they suffered prodigiously for Want of fresh Water, they reached the Havannah, where they were used with still greater Severity. They were immediately cast into a most horrid Prison, where they lay till they heard that a British Ship of War was lying in the Harbour, when they applied to the Captain for Relief. He immediately claimed them as British Subjects, upon which they were delivered up; and the Captain of the Ship of War brought them all Safe to Charles Town, South Carolina.
A Lady who arrived a few Days ago from France brought Lace to the Value of more than one Thousand five Hundred Pounds concealed in the Curls of her Hair, which, in the Manner it was dressed, formed a very lofty Pyramid, and had all the Appearance of the true Parisian Taste.
This Morning, at ten o'Clock, the Lords Milton and Poulett finished their Dispute behind Bedford House. Lord John Cavendish was Lord Milton's Second, and Captain Kelly was Lord Poulett's. When they had taken their Ground, Lord Milton desired Lord Poulett to fire first; which he did, and the Ball entered Lord Milton's Belly. Lord Milton then fired, and missed Lord Poulett. Lord Milton being slightly wounded in the Belly, prevented firing again.
When the Party of Horse Guards went into Hyde Park, to prevent the above mentioned Duel, they were desired, by Lord Milton and his Friend, to gallop back again, as fast as they officially came thither, to the Guard Room at Whitehall; and, if they were wanted, they should be sent for.
By a Plan and Profile of the River Thames, made by Mr. Brindley, from a Survey which he took of the River Thames, from Boulter's Lock to Mortlake, by Order of the City of London, it appears that within the Course of forty one Miles of the said Survey there are no less than sixty six Places in the Bed of the River which, by the Shallowness of the Water, want to be contracted. The immense Expense for this Work would exceed the Sum of two Hundred Thousand Pounds; and it also appears that the Expense of taking a Vessel, of a Hundred or a Hundred and twenty Tons, from Ilsworth, is eighty Pounds, and sometimes more, which, by the intended Canal, at the Tunnage proposed, will be sixteen Pounds, and may easily be performed in fifteen Hours, consequently there will be a clear Saving to the Publick of sixty four Pounds out of eighty upon every Voyage. In the present Navigation of the River they are three Weeks in going up, and near as long in coming down, often to the great Loss and Disappointment of the Proprietor, in the Damage of his Goods.
January 31. We are credibly informed that several French Agents have lately been tampering with a Number of our Ship Builders, to whom they offered very high Terms to embark for France, &c.
The Number of feathered Muffs brought from France into Great Britain, for this Winter's Sale, is reckoned to exceed forty Thousand.
An old Politician, at the Smyrna Coffeehouse, being asked what he thought of the present Dispute between Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Horne, replied, I look upon the Quarrel between Wilkes and Horne with as much Indifference as I would view a Combat between a Viper and a Toad; which of the two prevails I don't care a Farthing, whether the Viper stings the Toad, or the Toad poisons the Viper; or if they mutually destroy each other, so much the better: The Publick, by that Means, will get rid at once of two very noxious and detestable animals.
February 16. Thursday the Right Honourable the Earl of Chatham was at the House of Peers, but about nine o'Clock was carried in a Chair to his House in Pall Mall, being so much afflicted with the Gout that he was obliged to be carried up Stairs to his Bedchamber.
People who would cavil, and are clamorous about that Part of the Spanish Declaration where the King of Spain makes a Reservation of a prior Claim of Right to Falkland's Island, would do well to consider that such Reservation is only mere Matter of Form, and is never likely to produce the smallest Misunderstanding between the two Crowns, especially when they recollect, or may inform themselves, that Spain never, to this Hour, has renounced her formal Claim of Right either to Minorca or Gibraltar, in the Treaties subsequent to our Possession of these Places.
The Bets at the west End of the Town are ten Guineas to one that the Parliament will not break up till the Middle of May.
It is now whispered that after all the Expense and Bustle made about Port Egmont, in Falkland's Island, it has been determined to bring home the Stores belonging to his Majesty, and evacuate the Settlement.
February 19. Yesterday the Lords presented their Address of Thanks to his Majesty, on Account of the late Convention with Spain; as did likewise the Commons, and were both most graciously received.
Yesterday a Courier arrived at the Secretary of State's Office, with an Account that his Catholic Majesty absolutely refused to ratify the Convention issued by his Ambassador.
On the 10th instant the following Men of War sailed from Cork for Gibraltar, with the 56th and 58th Regiments on Board, viz. the Ranelagh, Commodore Knight; the Defence, Captain Reynolds; the Ajax, Captain Allen; the Centaur, Captain Bentick; and the Rippington, Captain Breton.
Captain Preston, who was tried at Boston on Account of a late Riot there, has been reimbursed his Expenses for that Prosecution.
February 20. It is now reported that the Convention was Nothing more than a Device of the Spaniards, that the Galleons might get safe home from the South Seas.
It is certain his Grace the Duke of Richmond has refused the Viceroyship of Ireland, or any other Post, on Terms inconsistent with his Honour and patriotic Principles.
It is reported that Lord North will soon resign the Place of first Lord of the Treasury; that Lord Gower will succeed him; and that Lord Camden will be offered to succeed Lord Gower, as President of the Council.
We are told a certain Alderman is to procure a City Address of Thanks on the Spanish Convention. A Correspondent asks, who is to be thanked? The King of Spain, his Ambassador, or Don Bucarelli?
February 22. As the Spanish Ambassador here is recalled, it is presumed, and it was so reported yesterday, that the King of Spain has refused to ratify the Convention.
The following, we are assured, may be depended on. When the British Ministry first made Remonstrances to the Court of Spain for Reparation of the Insult at Falkland's Island, the pecuniary Demand they made was the immediate Payment of three Hundred Thousand Pounds; at the second
Interview they dropped down to one Hundred and fifty Thousand Pounds; and, at last, they signed the Convention.
February 23. We have it, from very good Authority, that the following Law Promotions will take Place before the breaking up of the present Parliament. Sir Fletcher Norton, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, in the Room of Lord Mansfield, who retires with a Pension, yet holds his Office as occasional Speaker in the House of Lords; the Solicitor General to be made Attorney General, in the Room of Thurlow, who is to be called up to the Common Pleas, in the Place of Justice Gould, who retires; and Counsellor Moreton to succeed Mr. Wedderburn, as Solicitor General.
Admiral Pye is going out with a Squadron, to command in the Mediterranean, in the Room of Lord Howe.
Rear Admiral Montague is likewise to command in North America, and to supersede Commodore Gambier.
When the Prince Materano was last treated with about signing the Convention, twenty four hours only were allowed him to come to a Determination. It is farther asserted, that the Despatch which notified this Fact to the Spanish Court prevented a meditated attack upon Gibraltar; which at that Time, it seems, was resolved on.
By private Letters from Madrid, to an eminent Merchant of this Place, it appears that the Spaniards are, at this Moment, with all Diligence and Despatch, carrying on hostile Preparations, both by Sea and Land; in Consequence of which a Blow is very speedily to be given, and Gibraltar is said to be the intended Victim. The above mentioned Letters have been communicated to Lord Sandwich.
Summons are sent to all the Members of the Upper House to attend on Monday next, some extra Matters being to be then discussed.
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, February 14.
"All our golden Dreams are now vanished, for we have no farther Hopes of a War with Spain, as Orders are come down to fit no more Ships out than what the Men are at this Time working upon. It is expected that many of the Hands will be discharged out of the Dockyard. This is a great Disappointment to the Inhabitants of this Place, especially the Publicans, who were in Hopes to share with the Sailors the Spoils of the Enemy. However, the Ministry intend keeping a very considerable Fleet ready to put to Sea at a few Days Notice."
BRISTOL, February 2. Tuesday Evening, about six o'Clock, a Fire broke out in Mr. Ludlow's Sugar House in Old King's Street, which burnt with great Fury for several Hours, and entirely destroyed the Building; but, by the Assistance of several Engines, the Flames were prevented from spreading to the Dwellinghouses adjacent. A Guard of Soldiers, with several Officers, immediately surrounded the Spot; and a considerable Quantity of Sugar was saved.
JUNIUS on the late Negotiations with SPAIN.
IF we recollect in what Manner the King's Friends have been constantly employed, we shall have no Reason to be surprised at any Condition of Disgrace to which the once respected Name of Englishman may be degraded. His Majesty has no Cares but such as concern the Laws and Constitution of this Country. In his Royal Breast there is no Room left for Resentment, no Place for hostile Sentiments, against the natural Enemies of his Crown. The System of Government is uniform. Violence and Oppression at home can only be supported by Treachery and Submission abroad. When the civil Rights of the People are daringly invaded on one Side, what have we to expect but that their political Rights should be deserted and betrayed, in the same Proportion, on the other? The Plan of domestick Policy which has been invariably pursued, from the Moment of his present Majesty's Accession, engrosses all the Attention of his Servants. They know that the Security of their Places depends on their maintaining, at any Hazard, the secret System of the Closet. A foreign War might embarrass, an unfavourable Event might ruin, the Minister; and defeat the deep laid Scheme of Policy to which he, and his Associates, owe their Employments. Rather than suffer the Execution of that Scheme to be delayed or interrupted, the King has been advised to make a publick Surrender, a solemn Sacrifice, in the Face of all Europe, not only of the Interests of his Subjects, but of his own personal Reputation, and of the Dignity of that Crown which his Predecessors have worn with Honour. These are strong Terms, Sir, but they are supported by Fact and Argument.
The King of Great Britain had been, for some Years, in Possession of an Island to which, as the Ministry themselves have repeatedly asserted, the Spaniards had no Claim of Right. The Importance of the Place is not in Question. If it were, a better Judgment might be formed of it from the Opinions of Lord Anson and Egmont, and from the Anxiety of the Spaniards, than from any fallacious Insinuations thrown out by Men whose Interest it is to undervalue that Property which they are determined to relinquish. The Pretensions of Spain were a Subject of Negotiation between the two Courts. They had been discussed, but not admitted. The King of Spain, in these Circumstances, bids adieu to amicable Negotiation, and appeals directly to the Sword. The Expedition against Port Egmont does not appear to have been a sudden ill concerted Enterprise. It seems to have been conducted not only with the usual military Precautions, but in all the Forms and Ceremonies of War. A Frigate was first employed to examine the Strength of the Place. A Message was then sent, demanding immediate Possession, in the Catholic King's Name, and ordering our People to depart. At last a military Force appears, and compels the Garrison to surrender. A formal Capitulation ensues, and his Majesty's Ship, which might at least have been permitted to bring home his Troops immediately, is detained in Port twenty Days, and her Rudder forcibly taken away. This Train of Facts carries no Appearance of the Rashness or Violence of a Spanish Governor. On the contrary, the whole Plan seems to have been formed, and executed, in Consequence of deliberate Orders, and a regular Instruction from the Spanish Court. Mr. Buccarelli is not a Pirate, nor has he been treated as such by those who employed him. I feel for the Honour of a Gentleman, when I affirm that our King owes him a signal Reparation. Where will the Humiliation of this Country end! A King of Great Britain, not contented with placing himself upon a Level with a Spanish Governor, descends so low as to do a notorious Injustice to that Governor. As a Salvo for his own Reputation, he has been advised to traduce the Character of a brave Officer, and to treat him as a common Robber, when he knew with Certainty that Mr. Buccarelli had acted in Obedience to his Orders, and had done no more than his Duty. Thus it happens, in private Life, with a Man who has no Spirit, nor Sense of Honour. One of his Equals orders a Servant to strike him. Instead of returning the Blow to the Master, his Courage is contented with throwing an Aspersion, equally false and publick, upon the Character of the Servant.
This short Recapitulation was necessary to introduce the Consideration of his Majesty's Speech, and the subsequent Measures of Government. The excessive Caution with which the Speech was drawn up had impressed upon me an early Conviction that no serious Resentment was thought of, and that the Conclusion of the Business, whenever it happened, must, of some Degree, be dishonourable to England. There appears, through the whole Speech, a Guard and Reserve in the Choice of Expression, which shows how careful the Ministry were not to embarrass their future Projects by any firm or spirited Declaration from the Throne. When all Hopes of Peace are lost, his Majesty tells his Parliament that he is preparing, not for a barbarous War, but (with all his Mother's Softness) for a different Situation . It would indeed be happy for this Country if the Lady I speak of were obliged to prepare herself for a different Situation. An open Hostility, authorised by the Catholic King, is called an Act of a Governor . This Act, to avoid the Mention of a regular Siege and Surrender, passes under the piratical Description of seizing by Force ; and the Thing taken is described not as a Part of the King's Territory or proper Dominion, but merely as a Possession , a Word expressly chosen in Contradistinction to, and Exclusion of, the Idea of Right , and to prepare us for a future Surrender both of the Right and of the Possession. Yet this Speech, Sir, cautious and equivocal as it is, cannot, by any Sophistry, be accommodated to the Measures which have since been adopted. It seemed to promise that, whatever might be given up by secret Stipulation, some Care would be taken to save Appearances to the Publick. The Event shows us that to depart, in the minutest Article, from the Nicety and Strictness of Punctilio, is as dangerous to national Honour as to female Virtue. The Woman who admits of one Familiarity seldom knows where to stop, or what to refuse; and when the Counsels of a great Country give Way, in a single Instance, when once they are inclined to Submission, every Step accelerates the Rapidity of the Descent. The Ministry themselves, when they framed the Speech, did not foresee that they should ever accede to such an Accommodation as they have since advised their Master to accept of.
The Speech says: "The Honour of my Crown, and the Rights of my People, are deeply affected." The Spaniard, in his Reply, says: "I give you back Possession, but I adhere to my Claim of prior Right, reserving the Affection of it for a more favourable Opportunity."
The Speech says: "I made an immediate Demand of Satisfaction; and, if that fails, I am prepared to do myself Justice." This immediate Demand must have been sent to Madrid on the 12th of September, or in a few Days after. It was certainly refused, or evaded; and the King has now done himself Justice. When the first Magistrate speaks to the Nation, some Care should be taken of his apparent Veracity.
The Speech proceeds to say, "I shall not discontinue my Preparations until I have received proper Reparation for the Injury." It is this Assurance may be relied on, what an enormous Expense is entailed, sine Die , upon
this unhappy Country! Restitution of a Possession, and Reparation of an Injury, are as different in Substance as they are in Language. The very shameful Aggravation of the Injury. A Man of Spirit does not measure the Degree of an Injury by the mere positive Damage he has sustained; he considers the Principle on which it is founded; he resents the Superiority asserted over him, and rejects, with Indignation, the Claim of Right which his Adversary endeavours to establish, and would force him to acknowledge.
The Motives on which the Catholic King makes Restitution are, if possible, more insolent and disgraceful to our Sovereign than even the declaratory Condition annexed to it. After taking four Months to consider whether the Expedition was undertaken by his own Orders or not, he condescends to disavow the Enterprise, and to restore the Island; not from any Regard to Justice, not from any Regard he bears to his Britannick Majesty, but merely from the Perfession in which he is of the pacifick Sentiments of the King of Great Britain . At this Rate, if the King had made a peremptory Demand of Satisfaction, the King of Spain would have given him a peremptory Refusal. But why this unseasonable, this ridiculous Mention of the King of Great Britain's pacifick Intentions? Have they ever been in Question? Was he the Aggressor? Does he attack foreign Powers without Provocation? Does he even resist when he is insulted?
After all, Sir, to what Kind of Disavowal has the King of Spain at last consented? Supposing it made in proper Time, it should have been accompanied with instant Restitution; and, if Mr. Buccarelli acted without Orders, he deserved Death. Now, Sir, instead of immediate Restitution, we have a four Months Negotiation; and the Officer, whose Act is disavowed, returns to Court, and is loaded with Honours.
If the actual Situation of Europe be considered, the Treachery of the King's Servants, particularly of Lord North, who takes the Whole upon himself, will appear in the strongest Colours of Aggravation. Our Allies were Masters of the Mediterranean. The King of France's present Aversion from War, and the Distraction of his Affairs, are notorious. He is now in a State of War with his People. In vain did the Catholic King solicit him to take Part in the Quarrel against us. His Finances were in the last Disorder, and it was probable that his Troops might find sufficient Employment at home. In these Circumstances, we might have dictated the Law to Spain. There are no Terms to which she might not have been compelled to submit. At the worst, a War with Spain alone carries the fairest Promise of Advantage. One good Effect, at least, would have been immediately produced by it. The Defection of France would have irritated her Ally, and in all Probability would have dissolved the Family Compact. The Scene is now fatally changed. The Advantage is thrown away; the most favourable Opportunity is lost. Hereafter we shall know the Value of it. When the French King is reconciled to his Subjects, when Spain has completed her Preparations, when the collected Strength of the House of Bourbon attacks us at once, the King himself will be able to determine upon the Wisdom or Imprudence of his present Conduct. As far as the Probability of Argument extends, we may safely pronounce that a Conjunction, which threatens the very Being of this Country, has been wilfully prepared and forwarded by our own Ministry. How far the People may be animated to Resistance under the present Administration, I know not; but this I know, with Certainty, that, under the present Administration, or if any Thing like it should continue, it is of very little Moment whether we are a conquered Nation or not.
Having travelled thus far in the high Road of Matter of Fact, I may now be permitted to wander a little into the Field of Imagination. Let us banish from our Minds the Persuasion that the Events have really happened in the Reign of the best of Princes. Let us consider them as Nothing more than the Materials of a Fable, in which we may conceive the Sovereign of some other Country to be concerned. I mean to violate all the Laws of Probability when I suppose that this imaginary King, after having voluntarily disgraced himself in the Eyes of his Subjects, might return to a Sense of his Dishonour; that he might perceive the Snare laid for him by his Ministers, and feel a Spark of Shame kindling in his Breast. The Part he must then be obliged to act would overwhelm him with Confusion. To his Parliament he must say, I called you together to receive your Advice, and Love never asked your Opinion. To the Merchant, I have distressed your Commerce, I have dragged your Seamen out of your Ships, I have loaded you with a grievous Weight of Ensurances. To the Landholder, I told you War was too probable, when I was determined to submit to any Terms of Accommodation; I exported new Taxes from you, before it was possible they could be wanted, and am now unable to account for the Application of them. To the publick Creditor, I have discovered up your Fortunes a Prey to Foreigners, and to the vipers of your Fellow Subjects. Perhaps this repenting Prince might conclude with one general Acknowledgement to them all, I have involved every Rank of my Subjects in Anxiety and Distress, and have Nothing to offer you in Return but the Certainty of national Dishonour, an armed Truce, and Peace without Security.
If these Accounts were settled, there would still remain an Apology to be made to his Navy and to his Army. To the first he would say, you were once the Terror of the World, But go back to your Harbours. A man dishonoured, as I am, has no Use for your Service . It is not probable that he would appear again before his Soldiers, even in the pacifick Ceremony of a Review; but, wherever he appeared, the humiliating Confession would be extorted from him: I have received a Blow, and had not Spirit to resent it. I demanded Satisfaction, and have accepted a Declaration in which the Right to strike me again is asserted and confirmed . His Countenance at least would speak this Language, and even his Guards would blush for him.
But to return to our Argument. The Ministry, it seems, are labouring to draw a Line of Distinction between the Honour of the Crown and the Rights of the People. This new Idea has yet been only started in Discourse; for, in Effect, both Objects have been equally sacrificed. I neither understand the Distinction, nor what Use the Ministry propose to make of it. The King's Honour is that of his People. Their real Honour, and real Interest, are the same. I am not contending for a vain Punctilio. A clear unblemished Character comprehends not only the Integrity that will not offer, but the Spirit that will not submit to, an Injury; and whether it belongs to an Individual, or to a Community, it is the Foundation of Peace, of Independence, and of Safety. Private Credit is Wealth; publick Honour is Security. The Feather that adorns the Royal Bird supports his Flight; strip him of his Plumage, and you fix him to the Earth.
January 30, 1772. JUNIUS.
ANECDOTES.
THE Reverend M. H. a Gentleman of singular Humour, and Brother to a no less singular Law Peer retired to Ease and Independence, was Rector of ..., in the County of Kent. Being a Justice of the Peace, he was frequently teazed with some idle Differences among the Inhabitants of the Place. Not being willing to be broke in upon by such frivolous Complaints, when Application was made to him for Redress of some imaginary Injury, his Custom was to dismiss them with saying "he would send for them when at Leisure to attend their Business." The first rainy Day that next happened he took Care to send for the Parties, and received them sitting in the Porch of his Door, which just provided Shelter for himself and Clerk, whilst the Complainants were obliged to stand exposed to the inclement Sky, all the While uncovered, to pay proper Respect to the King's Justice of the Peace. By this Means he entirely cured the Country Folks in his Neighbourhood of a litigious Disposition.
His blunt Manner of enforcing wholesome Truths, as a Clergyman, was as remarkable as his Peculiarity in the Commission of the Peace. One Sunday he was preaching on moral Duties, from these Words, "Render therefore unto all their Due." In explaining his Text, he observed "that there were Duties which a Man owes to himself as well as to others; and, adds he, when they are not attended to, I never have a good Opinion of that Man." For this Reason, he proceeds, turning himself to a particular Part of the Church, "I have never had a good Opinion of you, John Trott, since you sold me those Sheep six Months ago, and have never called for the Money."
One Night, when the Weather was intensely cold, he happened to pass within Hearing of his Kitchen, when John the Footman was stretching himself before the Fire, wishing for Somebody to carry him up to Bed. The Doctor, on entering his Parlour, rang the Bell. The Footman appearing, John, says his Master, where is the gray Mare? At the Farm, Sir, replies the Man. Well, John, fetch me the gray Mare from the Farm. This Commission did not well agree with John's Inactivity at that Time; but as he knew his Master's Commands to be peremptory, it was needless to remonstrate. The Mare was fetched, though at the Distance of two Miles, and John was very ready to acquaint his Master with his Return. Well, then, says the Doctor, let the Mare carry you up to Bed, John, for I have no Occasion for her, or you, this Night.
CHARLESTOWN, February 21.
HIS Excellency Governor Wright, of Georgia, dissolved the General Assembly of that Province by the following Proclamation, dated the 22d of February. Whereas the Commons House of Assembly of this Province have assumed to themselves some very extraordinary and unwarrantable Powers, and have otherwise behaved in such a Manner as I think it my indispensable Duty to dissolve them; and whereas, on stating the

whole Matter to his Majesty's Honourable Council, for their Opinion and Advice, they have unanimously advised that the said Assembly be immediately dissolved by Proclamation: I have therefore thought fit, with the Advice of his Majesty's Honourable Council, to issue this my Proclamation for dissolving the same; and the General Assembly of this Province is hereby accordingly dissolved." On the 6th Instant his Excellency ordered Writs to be issued for electing a new Assembly.
March 21. Herman Husbands, said to be chief Ringleader in the late Commotions in North Carolina, and one of the Assembly, having been taken and imprisoned at Newbern, the Insurgents (as they are called) so seriously threatened to besiege that Town, to release him, that a Body of Militia was raised to oppose them. On the 8th a Bill of Indictment was preferred against the said Husbands, at the Court of Oyer and Terminer; but the Grand Jury not finding the Bill, he was discharged, and the Quiet of the Province is said to be restored.
BOSTON, April 8.
SEVERAL Letters from London mention that the Talk of War had almost Subsided, and that all the Press Warrants were recalled; but that the People, in general, were very much dissatisfied with the late Agreement with Spain, though there was a Majority of one Hundred and thirty eight in the House of Commons for accepting it as a full Satisfaction for the Injury received. Also that a Pardon was made out, and may be shortly expected, for the famous Squire Richardson, now confined in Jail here, being some Time since convicted for the Murder of young Sneider; and one Letter mentions that he is to have a Pension granted him for his Sufferings on that Account.
We do not learn that any Thing had yet been done in Parliament relative to American Affairs, or that there was like to be; the Ministry, it is said, being now fully convinced of many Misrepresentations of Facts from this Side the Water, by the Examination of some Gentlemen of Credit lately arrived from hence, whose Veracity could be relied on.
The Bolts of a large Ship, supposed to belong to a Man of War, was lately seen by a Vessel on George's Banks, which is an additional Circumstance of the Loss of the Beaver, from Halifax.
PHILADELPHIA, April 8.
ON Saturday Night, about twelve o'Clock, the City was alarmed by the Cry of Fire, which proved to be in the House of Mr. Thomas Rodgers, in Front Street, near Market Street Corner, the Effects of which were very tragical. Most of the House was consumed; and several adjoining Buildings, occupied by Mr. Harvey, Staymaker, and Mr. Aaron Hews, Hatter, were greatly damaged. Mr. Rodgers himself perished in the Flames, and also Mrs. Baxter, an aged Woman, related to Mr. Rodgers's Family; two little Daughters of Captain Campbell, being Granddaughters of Mr. Rodgers, were very much burnt, and their Recovery is doubtful. Mr. Rodgers's Remains were not found until the next Day, when they were taken out of the Ruins reduced almost to a Coal. Mrs. Rodgers, Mr. Baxter, his Son Law, and an old Negro Woman, escaped out of the House with great Danger, and somewhat scorched, but not badly. After Part of the House had fallen in, one of the Girls, about seven Years old, was taken out of an upper Room, from amidst the Flames, by the Resolution and Activity of a young Sailor. The Fury of the Flames, and the Difficulty of coming at the Fire, was such that, notwithstanding the extraordinary Efforts of a vast Multitude of People, with six Engines constantly playing, it was not entirely subdued until five o'Clock in the Morning. The Fire was first discovered in the back Buildings of Mr. Rodgers's House, by what Accident unknown. Several Persons are Sufferers, not only by the Fire, but by sundry Goods being ruined in attempting to remove them, in the Hurry and Confusion usual in such Times. It was observable, on this Occasion, that the Engines made in Philadelphia, by Mr. Richard Mason, worked far better, and with greater Effect, than any of those imported from London.
THE TAILOR'S DREAM. An Oriental Tale.
A TAILOR, who was dangerously ill, had a remarkable Dream. He saw, fluttering in the Air, a Piece of Cloth, of a prodigious Length, composed of all the Cabbage he had made, of a Variety of Colours. The Angel of Death held this Piece of Patchwork in one of his Hands, and with the other gave the Tailor several Strokes with a Piece of Iron. The Tailor, awakening in a Fright, made a Vow that if he recovered he would eat no more. He soon recovered. As he was diffident of himself, he ordered one of his Apprentices to put him in Mind of his Dream, whenever he cut out a Suit of Clothes.
The Tailor was for some Time obedient to the Intimations given him by his Apprentice; but a Nobleman having sent for him to make him a Coat out of a very rich Stuff, his Virtue could not resist the Temptation. His Apprentice put him in Mind of his Dream, to no Purpose "I am tired with your Talk about the Dream (says the Tailor) there was Nothing like this in the whole Piece of Patchwork which I saw in my Dream, and I observed likewise that there was a Piece deficient; that which I am now going to take will render it complete."
WILLIAMSBURG, April 25.
ON the 14th Instant died at Blandford, on Appomattox, in the fifty fifth Year of his Age Mr. SAMUEL GORDON, a Gentleman who carried on the mercantile Business in that Place, for many Years, with great Reputation, and by which he acquired an easy Fortune. For Hospitality, and Benevolence of Disposition, he has left few Equals; and, having no Children, his Charity to the Poor and Fatherless was unbounded. A Man possessing such Virtues could not fail to have many Friends; by whom, and all his Acquaintance, he is deeply regretted.
Last Night Mrs. Campbell, of this City, had her Smokehouse undermined, and robbed of a large Quantity of Bacon, &c. &c. [One of the comfortable Effects of having no Watch in this Metropolis.]
The same Night a Man from Amelia, named Samuel Whitworth, was committed to Jail, being charged by two of Mr. Rind's People for attempting to seduce them to procure for him Printing Types, Inks, &c. to counterfeit the late Emission of Paper Currency.
Thomas Sampson, from Gloucester County, took his Trial last Thursday, at the Capitol, for Murder; and, as argued in our last, had the Fortune to be acquitted.
The Sarah, Drew, in ten Weeks from Bristol, is arrived in York River. The Captains Robertson and Gosley, from London, may be daily expected.
PORTSMOUTH, April 15, 1771.
To Messrs. PURDIE & DIXON.
GENTLEMEN,
I beg Leave, through the Channel of your Paper, and for the Sake of Information, to ask a Question, which I hope some Person will be kind enough to answer.
SUPPOSE L. and P. are Acquaintances, living in the same Town, and occasionally have been concerned in buying small Quantities of Goods, but are not, nor ever were, concerned as a Company in any standing Business, does this authorise L. to draw a Bill of Exchange, without the Knowledge or Consent of P. and sign P's Name together with his own? Suppose the Bill protested, and upon its being presented to P. he stands amazed, and declares he did not sign such a Bill, nor ever gave any Person a Power, or Orders, to sign his Name to it; it is this Forgery in L? Or had he a Right to do so? Or may he not, with Propriety, be indicted for Forgery? Any Person who will be kind enough to answer the above will greatly oblige the Publick, and their most humble Servant.
MEANWELL.
Mr. PRINTER,
THINKING it my Duty, as a Citizen, though unlearned in the Law myself, to reflect on that most useful Science every Ray of Light I can collect in my Focus, that I may contribute my small Mite to the Illumination of the obscure Parts thereof, I have sent you the following Case, for the Satisfaction of such Gentlemen of that Profession, as well as the rest of my Countrymen, who, from an Excess of Virtue, and a warm Heart, may chance to form too hasty Opinions on certain Decisions, and precipitately condemn what, upon cool Reflection, they might as cordially commend. The Case being an authentic Extract from a great Luminary of the Law, requires no other Comment than what every intelligent Reader will be able to furnish himself.
CASE IN POINT.
August 7, King's Bench, Michaelmas Term, 5. Jac. I.
Sir Thomas Holt versus Attrigg.
Action upon the Case for Wounds, &c.
Sir Thomas Holt struck his Cook on the Head with a Cleaver.—The one Part lay on the one Shoulder, and another Part on the other.—The Defendant pleaded not guilty, and found against him; and now moved in Arrest of Judgment, that these Words are not actionable (for it is not averred that the Cook was killed) but argumentative.—And of that Opinion was the Court, Fleming and Williams absentibus .—For Slander ought to be direct, against which there may not be any Intendment; but here, notwithstanding such Wounding, the Party may yet be living.—And it is then but Trespass.—Wherefore it was adjudged for the Defendant.
Sir George Croke's Reports, Vol. 2. Page 184. 2d Ed. Fol.
At the Theatre to-morrow Evening, THE TENDER HUSBAND, with THE HONEST YORKSHIREMAN.
Advertisements.
To be SOLD at the Post Office, Williamsburg, very cheap, for ready Money,
A BOX containing about twenty Pounds of the very best RHUBARB, quite fresh,
WHEREAS some Years past, when Major Peachey was stationed in Augusta County, the Subscriber being in Captain Thomas Fleming's Company, and at Staunton, in the said County, did borrow Money of two Soldiers in the said Company, one named Farlow, and the other Hatcher (or Thatcher) now if either of the above Persons will please to apply to Thomas Stockton, Senior, on Mutton's River, Albemarle County, they may receive their different Debts due to them. CHARLES BROOKE.
All Persons indebted to the Estate of the deceased Gerrard Ellison, of Chesterfield County, are desired to make immediate Payment to the Executors. Those who have Demands against the said Estate are desired to make them known, that the same may be discharged by ABRAHAM SALLE. THOMAS BRANCH. DANIEL WEISIGER.
IF WILLIAM ROUGHEDGE, late of Prescot, in the County of Lancaster (who was imported as a Transport in the Swift, Captain John Metcalfe, in the Year 1763, and bound to Mr. Eurch, of Wicwico, near Pile's Warehouse, in Charles County, Maryland) be living, he may hear of Something to his Advantage by applying to me in Williamsburg, Virginia; or whoever can give any Intelligence of him, so that a Certificate may be had of his being alive, or dead, shall be rewarded, by applying to JACOB ALLAN.
WANTED,
A PERSON well acquainted with the Office Business of an Attorney; if he is also well versed in the Practice of the Courts in England, it will be more agreeable. A handsome Salary will be given to a Person properly qualified, with a Preference to a single Man. Inquire of Messrs. Purdie and Dixon, any Time this Month.
For SALE,
ONE Moiety, or the Whole, of my GRIST and SAW MILLS near Cabin Point, in Surry County, with three Pair of Millstones and two Saws, which are well accustomed, and very profitable, and with an additional Expense of a Hundred Pounds might be made much more so. These Mills are well situated on Chipewian Creek, on the south Side of James River, about Midway of the River, in a growing Neighbourhood, on a good Navigation, has a never failing Stream of Water, where a Merchant Mill may be erected to the greatest Advantage, and with less Expense than usually attends the building such Mills; it may be so built that there would be ten or twelve Feet Water near the Mill House, at common Tides. Also about four Hundred Acres, and some Half Acres Lots, of LAND, adjoining the Mills and Settlements, commonly called the Town, with many Improvements and Conveniences thereon, to be sold in small Quantities, or Lots. For Terms inquire of the Subscriber. Also two Hundred and forty five Acres of Land on the Otter Dam Swamp, about six Miles from Cabin Point, has both high and low Grounds, some Buildings thereon, a valuable young Orchard, about fifty Acres of cleared Land, enclosed with a good Fence. Likewise two Hundred and thirty Acres of well timbered LAND about eight Miles from Cabin Point, no Buildings thereon. Long Credit will be given for the two last mentioned Tracts. JOHN COCKE.
To be SOLD, on Thursday the 16th of MAY, at the late Dwellinghouse of David Smith, deceased, in Dinwiddie (under a Deed of Trust from the said Smith to me) for ready Money, or Merchants Notes payable at the ensuing General Court,
NINE likely Virginia born SLAVES, among whom are two very valuable Fellows.—At the same Time will be exposed to Sale (under the same Deed) a great Part of his personal Estate, consisting of a fine Still, many valuable Beds, and a great Deal of Household Furniture, excellent in its Kind. Those becoming Purchasers to the Value of forty Shillings, or more, will be allowed three Months Credit, on giving Bond and Security; if under that Sum, to pay ready Money. GRAY BRIGGS.
ON Friday the 17th of May (if fair, otherwise next fair Day) will be sold at the Dwellinghouse of Mr. David Galloway, in Northumberland County, all the said Galloway's Lands, for the Benefit of his Creditors. The Terms of Credit will be agreed on at the Day of Sale, by the Trustees.
LOST, about six Weeks ago,
A WHITE enamelled MOURNING RING, the Motto Sam. Cambridge, Ob. Jan. 30. 1767, Æt. 25. Also a HOOP MARQUISETTE RING. Whoever brings them to the Post Office shall have FIFTEEN SHILLINGS Reward.
GEORGE III. by the Grace of GOD of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. to the Sheriff of the County of Frederick, greeting: We command you to summon Daniel Bufe, late of the County of Frederick, to appear before our Justices of our County Court of Augusta, on the first Tuesday in next Month, to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against him by Lewis Neill; and this he shall in no Wise omit, under the Penalty of a Hundred Pounds; and have then there this Writ. Witness James Keith, Clerk of our said Court, at the Courthouse, this sixteenth Day of September, in the tenth Year of our Reign. JAMES KEITH.
COMMITTED to York County Jail, on the 14th of March, an outlandish Negro Woman who cannot, or will not, tell her Owner's Name. She is with Child, has a thin Visage, and is about four Feet nine Inches high. The Owner may have her on proving his Property, and paying Charges, of WILLIAM MITCHELL.
STRAYED from Mr. Field Trent, in Henrico County, a middle sized bay Horse, not branded, has a remarkable white Mark on his Neck, occasioned by a Rope. Whoever will bring him to me in Chesterfield County, near Osborne's Warehouse, shall have THIRTY SHILLINGS Reward. EDWARD WILKINSON.
TAKEN up, in Cumberland, a black STEER, marked with a Crop in the right Ear, and a Crop and a Slit in the left; a black and white COW, of the same Mark, that has one of her fore Feet hurt by a Clog; and a white hiphotten MARE, which has no Brand perceivable. Posted, and appraised, the Steer to thirty five Shillings, the Cow to thirty Shillings, and the Mare to forty Shillings. RICHARD EGGLESTON.
TAKEN up, in Albemarle, a small black MARE about eight Years old, four Feet three or four Inches high, has a small Star in her Forehead, some Saddle Spots, a hanging Mane and Switch Tail, no Brand that can be seen, trots altogether, and appears to be very forward with Foal. Posted, and appraised to four Pounds. THOMAS BARLOW.
For CHARTER,
THE Ship JOHNSTON, Thomas Wilson Master, Burthen about three Hundred Tuns, mounting fourteen Guns, and Men in Proportion. For Terms apply to Hepburn and Mitchell, or the Commander. PORTSMOUTH, April 16, 1771.
APRIL 18, 1771.
THE Naval Officers, and County Court Clerks, are desired to pay the Emoluments of Government that will be due to me the 25th of this Month to the Treasurer, who is so obliging as to undertake to receive them for me. W. NELSON.
WANTED,
A JOURNEYMAN who understands the Riding Chair Business; such a One will meet with good Encouragement by applying to the Subscriber, in Petersburg. WILLIAM BRADLEY.
To be SOLD by Wholesale, at the Store lately kept by Smith & Jameson,
THE GOODS now on Hand, amounting to upwards of eight Hundred Pounds Sterling. The Invoices may be seen, and the Terms known, by applying to LAWRENCE SMITH. As very little Regard has been paid to my former Advertisement, those indebted to the Store must blame themselves if they find their Accounts in the Hands of an Attorney immediately after the General Court.
AS twelve Months are nearly expired since the Store kept at Tuck's, on Account of Messrs. McCall and Ellis, of Glasgow, by the Subscriber, has been discontinued, it is expected that such Persons as are indebted there will be ready, upon Application, to discharge their respective Balances; and it may be depended upon that such as do not will be sued, as the Indulgence already given the Customers has been such that no farther can be allowed, or reasonably expected. I have about fourteen Hundred Pounds Sterling worth of GOODS, which I would sell cheap. ROBINSON DAINGERFIELD.
ROCKY RIDGE, April 2, 1771.
THE Subscribers having filled up a Tobacco Note, No. 1867, 1228, 137, 1051 neat, payable to William Mills, dated Rocky Ridge Warehouse, March 28, 1771, which is supposed to have been taken off their Table by some ill designing Person: This is to forewarn any Person from purchasing the said Tobacco Note, as another Note was granted Mills for the same. SCOTT & BRANCH, Inspectors.
Just imported in the Nelly Frigate, Captain Archibald Greig, from London,
A LARGE Assortment of DRUGS and MEDICINES, to be sold by the Subscriber, Wholesale or Retail, at a low Advance, for ready Money. ALEXANDER GORDON.
JOURNEYMEN TAILORS will meet with good Encouragement by applying to the Subscriber, at Osborne's Warehouse, in Chesterfield County. WILLIAM SKINNER.
To be SOLD at Fredericksburg, on Thursday the 20th of June, being Spottsylvania Court Day,
THE DWELLINGHOUSE now possessed by me, with the Timber Yard adjoining, whereon are erected a Kitchen, Smokehouse, and every Convenience necessary for a Family; it is situated on the main Street in Fredericksburg, and may be easily converted into a Store. Credit will be given until October General Court for one Half the Money, and until April General Court for the other Half. THOMAS MILLER.
For SALE,
A TRACT of LAND in Mecklenburg County, on the Head of Butcher's Creek, containing one Thousand four Hundred and ninety Acres; it will be laid off in small Parcels. Any One inclined to purchase may see the Land, and know the Terms, by applying to Mr. Lewis Burwell of the said County. JOHN BURWELL.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, on the Premises, on Thursday the 6th of June,
A TRACT of LAND in Dinwiddie County, containing about five Hundred Acres, whereon Mary Winston lately lived. There is on the said Land a large new Dwellinghouse, and all necessary Outhouses; the Plantation is in good Order for Cropping with ten Hands; it is about thirty Miles from Petersburg. Credit will be given until the first of January 1772.
And on Monday the 29th Instant (April) will be sold, at the same Place, all the personal Estate of the said Mary Winston, consisting of HORSES, CATTLE, SHEEP, and HOGS, and various Kinds of HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN FURNITURE. The Credit for the said personal Estate to be agreed on at the Day of Sale. JOHN COLEMAN, Executor.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, for ready Money, on the 24th of this Instant (April) on the Premises,
A TRACT of LAND lying in Amelia County, upon Cellar Creek, containing, by Estimation, one Hundred Acres; also three Virginia born SLAVES, by Virtue of a Deed of Trust made to me by Abraham Wells. HERBERT HAYNES.
To be SOLD, and entered on at Christmas, A PLANTATION on Bennet's Creek, in the County of Nansemond, containing, by Estimation, one Hundred and forty five Acres, with good Improvements thereon. For Terms apply to Mills Cooper, in Suffolk.
RUN away from Charles City, in September
1769, a Negro Fellow named CHARLES, of a yellow Complexion, about seven and twenty Years of Age, five Feet eight or nine Inches high, and is an artful cunning Fellow; had on, and carried with him, when he went away, sundry Clothes, but of what Sort more than common is not remembered, only a Bearskin great Coat, and a Pair of large Silver Shoe Buckles. He is a Sawer and Shoemaker by Trade, and carried with him his Shoemaker's Tools. The Fellow reads well, and is a great Preacher, from which I imagine he will pass for a Freeman. I hereby offer a Reward of FIVE POUNDS for apprehending him, if taken in the Colony; if out of it, TEN POUNDS. SARAH FLOYD.
N. B. The above Fellow ran away the 16th of February 1765, and was absent near two Years.
RUN away last June was a Twelvemonth,
out of Albemarle County, a Negro Man named JAMES. He is a pretty large Fellow, and had on, when he went away, an Osnaburg Shirt, Cotton Jacket and Breeches; his Coat has Hearts on the Hips behind, and on the Shoulders, doubled and quilted, with Horn Buttons; he has lost a Piece of one, or each, of his Ears, and has a large Beard. He is about eight and twenty Years old, a Virginia born Fellow, and speaks very good English. He has been taken up in Gloucester County, and was brought into Louisa, from whence he made his Escape, and is supposed to have made down that Way again. Whoever takes up the said Fellow, and convey him to me in Buckingham, near Willis's Creek, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward, besides what the Law allows. JOHN BUSH.
RUN away from the Subscriber, at Osborne's
Warehouse, on Tuesday the 2d Instant (April) a Negro Fellow named NED, about five Feet ten Inches high, well made, and remarkably black. He is a Virginia born Negro, and very sensible; on one Side of his Mouth (but which I cannot recollect) there is a Scar; when he speaks quick he stammers a little, and is somewhat addicted to drinking. He had Changes of Apparel, so that I cannot describe that in which he went off. As he has a Wife at Mr. Peterfield Trent's, in Surry, it is most probable he may be lurking about the Falls of James River. Whoever will bring the said Runaway to me here, or secure him where I may get him, shall have TWENTY SHILLINGS Reward, besides what the Law allows. JOHN B. FOESE.

POET'S CORNER. Part of the LAST CHORUS of the second Act of SENECA'S TROADES.
F RAIL is the State of visionary Man, His Pleasures transient, and his Life a Span; At Morn he blooms, with conscious Pride elate, At Eve he shrinks, and dreads impending Fate: So the gay Flower that decks the Woodland Glade, Is doom'd to blossom, and is doom'd to fade. When Fate demands our tributary Breath, Then say, O Reasoner! what thou dread'st in Death? Oft, on a Dunghill, Virtue's left to rot, Its Worth neglected, and its Charms forgot; Whilst gaudy Villains reap the wild'd for Prize, And all got Trappings strike our wondering Eyes. How round the Heart the soft Affections twine, When the Tear falls at injur'd Virtue's Shrine! But oft we stretch our Aid to Worth in vain, And Pity adds but to a Life of Pain: The Rose that scents the Zephyr's balmy Wing, Beneath its Leaves retains a poignant Sting. No real Joys from Wealth or Fortune flow, Nay Length of Life is but protracted Wo. Then what is Death? Why should the Name affright? The empty Bugbear of a Winter's Night! Why should we shudder at this final Blow, Which soothes each Care, and drowns the Voice of Wo? Let Minds which float on Fancy's airy Wing Paint Fields Elysian and eternal Spring, Let sad Enthusiasts form a dreary Cave, And feel the Blast which curls Cocytus' Wave, Be mine the Lot to pass unheeded through Life's mazy Path, and take a transient View Of fleeting Bliss, while now and then a Smile Plays on my Lips, each Sorrow to beguile; Not over-fond of Life, nor fearing Death, Content and tranquil I'll resign my Breath: For though with airy Joys our Fancies teem, Sure Life and Death are but an anxious Dream.
GENERAL POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, January 22, 1771.  HIS Majesty's Postmaster General having (for the better facilitating of Correspondence between Great Britain and America) been pleased to add a fifth Packet Boat to the Station between Falmouth and New York, Notice is hereby given that the Mail, for the future, will be closed, at the Post Office in New York, at twelve of the Clock at Night, on the first Tuesday in every Month, and despatched by a Packet, the next Day, for Falmouth. By Command of the Deputy Postmaster General. ALEXANDER COLDEN, Secretary.
RUN away from the Subscriber, on Tuesday the 26th of March, a likely Virginia born Negro Man named CANDLEMAS, of a yellow Complexion, about nineteen Years of Age, five Feet six or seven Inches high, and has a Scar on the right Side of his Face. He had on, and took with him, white plain Jacket and Breeches, a short black spotted Cotton double breasted Jacket, a Virginia Cloth Jacket without Sleeves, checked with blue and red. He formerly belonged to Mr. Holt Ricketson of King William, and I imagine is gone there again. Whoever will bring the said Slave to me, near Beavil's Bridge, in Amelia, shall have THREE POUNDS Reward. JOHN ELLINGTON.
ISLE of WIGHT, April 15, 1771.  RUN away from the Subscriber, the Beginning of this Month, a Negro Fellow named BURTON, about five Feet four Inches high, of a yellow Complexion, has blue spotted Negro Jacket and Breeches, and an Osnaburg Shirt. He was taken up some Time ago, and made his Escape by cutting his Overseer in several Places with a Knife. Whoever apprehends the said Slave, and secures him so that I may get him again, shall have TWENTY SHILLINGS Reward, besides what the Law allows. GEORGE NARSWORTHY.
All Masters of Vessels are forewarned from carrying him out of the Country, as he is outlawed.  TAKEN up, in Cumberland, a pied Cow marked with a Crop and two Slits in each Ear; also a brindled YEARLING marked with a Crop and two Slits in the right Year, and a Crop and Underkeel in the left. Posted, and appraised to fifty five Shillings. SAMUEL HYDE SAUNDERS.
TAKEN up, in York County, a small black MARE, has no Brand that I can perceive, two white Feet, a Switch Tail, and hanging Mane. Posted, and appraised to fifty Shillings. CHARLES HANSFORD.
TAKEN up, at the Little Fork, in Culpeper, a black HORSE COLT about two Years old, neither docked nor branded. Posted, and appraised to fifty Shillings. HERMAN BACK.
TAKEN up, in Sussex, near Surry old Courthouse, about the Middle of February last, a Mouse coloured MARE, but since she shedded is a dark bay; she is about four Feet five Inches high, docked, but has no Brand perceivable, and is about fifteen Years old. Posted, and appraised to forty Shillings. LAURENCE SMITH.
TAKEN up, in Dinwiddie, a dark bay HORSE with a Blaze in his Face, shod before, has a Switch Tail and hanging Mane, about four Feet seven or eight Inches high, nine or ten Years old, and branded on the near Buttock IF. Posted, and appraised to eight Pounds. RICHARD NEWMAN.
TAKEN up, in Albemarle, a white MARE about twelve or thirteen Years old, very much fleabitten, about four Feet three or four Inches high, her Mane has been roached, and her Tail bobbed, branded on the near Buttock H, with a middling sized Bell on. Posted, and appraised to four Pounds. BENJAMIN THURMOND.
TAKEN up, in Spotsylvania, a small black MARE, branded on the off Buttock T; she is undocked, and has a large Star in her Forehead. Posted, and appraised to three Pounds ten Shillings. GEORGE FULLER HARRIS.
TAKEN up, in Pittsylvania, on Sandy River, a sorrel Horse, blind of his right Eye, branded on the right Buttock X, has a small Star in his Face, several Saddle Spots on his Back, and had on a small Bell. Posted, and appraised to six Pounds ten Shillings. JOSEPH CUNINGHAM.
APRIL 7, 1771.  THIS is to give Notice to all my Creditors that I intend to take the Benefit of the Insolvent Act at Cumberland Court in April. HARTWELL MACON.
FIFTY very fine SLAVES, Men, Women, Boys, and Girls (among them some good Tradesmen) will be sold in Williamsburg, on Wednesday the 8th of May, for ready Money, before the Raleigh Tavern.
WANTED in NORBORNE Parish, Frederick County, a SCHOOLMASTER well qualified to teach Writing and Arithmetic; if Latin also, the more agreeable, and the Salary enlarged. It will not be expected that he should teach more than fifteen or twenty Scholars. For farther Particulars inquire of the Printer of this Paper; or of J. Nourse at Piedmont, in the said County. None need apply but such as can have an undoubted Character for Diligence and Sobriety. N. B. It is thought a Dancing Master likewise would meet with Encouragement in the above County. 12
To be SOLD at Fredericksburg, on Monday the 20th of May, being Fair Day.  ABOUT fifty choice SLAVES, used to Cropping and Farming; for which twelve Months Credit will be allowed, on Bond, with Security, bearing Interest from the Date. Five per Cent. discounted for ready Money. I have also some other Slaves to dispose of at private Sale, among whom are two House Carpenters and Coopers, a Ship Carpenter and Caulker, three Watermen (one of whom has gone Skipper of a Sloop for some Years past, and is well acquainted with the Bay and most of the Rivers in Virginia and Maryland) with a few House Servants. I will likewise sell the Plantation whereon I now live, in King George County, opposite to Fredericksburg (with or without the Ferry) with another valuable Plantation at the Great Marsh, in Fauquier County. Both of them are laid down in Farm, and may be had with or without the Slaves, Stocks, and Corn thereon. Credit (if required) will be extended to one, two, or three Years, to suit the Purchaser. JAMES HUNTER.
To be SOLD, on Monday the 29th of this Instant (April) at Thomas Gilliam's, Senior, in Southampton, a PIECE of exceeding good TOBACCO LAND, containing four Hundred and twenty nine Acres. Two Hundred and fifty Pounds to be paid down; and twelve Months Credit for the Remainder, the Purchaser giving Bond, with approved Security, to HENRY HARRISON.
Just IMPORTED in the Matty, Captain Fox, and to be sold reasonably by the Subscriber, in Williamsburg, a LARGE Assortment of DRUGS and MEDICINES; also white and brown Sugar Candy, Spanish Licorice, Gots, Isinglass, Prunes, Pearl Barley, Sago, Salop, Hartshorn Shavings, Saltpetre, Borax, Salad Oil, Barbary Oil, Oil Cloth, Hungary and Lavender Waters, Cinnamon, Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, Ginger, Pepper, Allspice, Sticking Plaster, Hill's Elixir Bardana, Essence of Water Dock, Tincture of Valerian, Tincture of Golden Rod, Jesuits Drops, Lancets, Anderson's and Lockyer's Pills, James's Powders, Anodyne Necklaces, Stoughton's, Daffy's, and Squire's Elixirs, Frances's Female Strengthening Elixir, Turlington's and Fryar's Balsams, Bateman's Drops, Freeman's and Godfrey's Cordials, British Oil, Verdigris, Vermilion, Gold and Silver Leaf, Dutch Metal, Breast Pipes and Nipple Glasses, Oil of Turpentine, Rotten Stone, Rosin, Copperas, Logwood in Chips, Blue Stone, Potash, Alum, Brimstone, Greenough's Tincture, Tooth Brushes, Clyster Pipes, &c. &c. &c. JAMES CARTER.
To be SOLD for ready Money, at the Raleigh, on Thursday the 2d of May, SUNDRY fine Virginia born SLAVES, belonging to the Estate of Mr. Charles Blacknall, deceased. MARY BLACKNALL, JOHN DIXON, } Executors. * * Likewise a good CHARIOT, and HARNESS for four Horses.
To be SOLD by Auction, by Virtue of a Deed of Trust from William Cole, for the Benefit of his Creditors, at Charles City Courthouse, on the first Wednesday in May, TWENTY five valuable Virginia born SLAVES, and sundry Leases of the Buckland Tract of Land lying in the said County, granted for three Lives and twenty one Years, to the Amount of about three Hundred Pounds a Year; and on the next Day will be sold at Sevinward's, at the House of the said William Cole, a large Stock of CATTLE, HORSES, HOGS, and SHEEP, with all the HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE of the said Cole. The Slaves and Leases will be sold for three Years Credit, viz. three yearly Payments, the first without Interest, and the two last with Interest. The Stocks, &c. will be sold on twelve Months Credit. Bond and Security for the Whole to be made by the Purchasers to the Honourable William Byrd, Esquire.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Lancaster, on the 24th of December last, a slim Negro Fellow named WILL, about five Feet ten Inches high, between thirty and forty Years of Age, and has been bred to Gardening and taking Care of Horses. Whoever secures the said Fellow, so as I get him again, shall have THREE POUNDS Reward; and if brought to my House, FIVE POUNDS. JOHN WORMELEY.
CULPEPER, April 1, 1771.  RUN away from their Master, this Day, two Irish Servant Men. One named THOMAS TODD, five Feet seven or eight Inches high, of a reddish Complexion, wears his own long Hair, is a Shoemaker by Trade, and has stolen all my Tools; he took with him a Pair of Russia Drill Breeches, a Sailor's Pea Fearnought Jacket, Check and brown Sheetings Shirts, and I believe a white One. The other named DENNIS FERRELL, five Feet two or three Inches high, of a whitish Complexion, and is a Miller by Trade; he had on Cotton Velvet Breeches, a brown coloured Coat, and such a Jacket and Shirts as the other. Each of them stole a Horse; one a large dark bay branded on the near Buttock resembling NL in a Piece, was gored in the belly last August, and his Guts show through the Rim on the off Side; the other a sorrel, with a bald Face, and branded on the near Shoulder W. They also stole a Bearskin great Coat with Metal Buttons, a Pair of neat stitched Pumps, two Pair of Womens Shoes, some upper Leather, and two Mens Saddles, one of them new. Whoever will apprehend the said Runaways, and bring them to me, or secure them so as I get them again, shall have FIVE POUNDS Reward. WILLIAM WILLIAMS.
TAKEN up, in Spotsylvania, a small Bull Stag, of a reddish Colour, with sundry white Spots about him, white Face and Legs, and is above five Years old; marked with a Crop, Slit, and Underkeel in the right Ear, and a Crop in the left. Posted, and appraised to thirty five Shillings. JOHN WALLER.
TAKEN up, in Cumberland, a white Mare about four Feet five or six Inches high, branded on the near Buttock XD, and has got on a Bell marked AC. Posted, and appraised to five Pounds. WILLIAM HAMBLETON.
To be SOLD, on long Credit, the three following Tracts of LAND, viz. ONE Tract containing four Hundred Acres, lying in Spotsylvania County, on the Head of Bluff Run, about eighteen Miles from Fredericksburg. One other Tract lying in Amherst County, on Owen's Creek, containing four Hundred Acres; it is well timbered, and a good Soil for Tobacco and Indian Corn. One Tract lying in Pittsylvania County, on Sycamore Creek, near Captain Benjamin Clement's, containing two Hundred Acres; this is likewise good Tobacco Land. Any Person inclined to purchase either of the above Tracts of Land may know the Terms by applying to Mr. Charles Irving, Merchant in Albemarle County, or to the Subscriber in Richmond Town. The above Lands are the Property of John Loving, Senior, of Amherst County, but made over by a Deed of Trust to the Subscriber. Two Years Credit, or longer if required, will be given, on Bond and approved Security. WILLIAM MITCHELL.
THE Subscriber having been bred to Physick in his younger Years, and having attended particularly to this Study for these three Years past, now purposed to practise on the most moderate Terms. He cannot with Sincerity boast of having attained the Ne plus ultra of the Esculapian Art, nor yet of acquiring any superior Degree of Knowledge in this Science; but flatters himself that, by a vigilant and due Attention to the Indications and Efforts of Nature in those sick Persons who should, through Choice or Necessity, be committed to his Care, he may be able to afford them proper and timely Assistance. 6 W. STARK. * * The Copart* The Copartnership in a medicinal Shop between Doctor Blood and myself being dissolved, the Debtors are desired to be as expeditious as possible in making Payment. The Shop will be furnished as before, with Medicines of the best Quality, and Prescriptions made up in the most accurate and elegant Manner.
A MEETING of the Creditors of Mr. David Galloway, at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, on the 7th May, is requested by the Trustees. 6
To be SOLD, on reasonable Terms, HIS Majesty's PATENT, or Grant, for twenty Thousand Acres of LAND in West Florida. Any Person, or Persons, inclined to purchase may be informed of the Particulars by inquiring of Joseph Ogden, at the Sign of the Cross Keys, the Corner of Chesnut and Third Streets, Philadelphia. 12
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, on the Premises, pursuant to an Act of Assembly, on Wednesday the 15th of May,
TWO Thousand eight Hundred Acres of LAND, being the upper Part of a Tract belonging to Armistead Lightfoot, Esquire, in Brunswick County. It will be laid off into Lots, to make it convenient to the Purchasers; and any Person inclined to buy may be shown it by applying to Thomas Gibson, who lives on it. Credit will be allowed until the first of November next, upon giving Bond and Security to LEWIS BURWELL, JAMES BURWELL, THOMAS MANN, RANDOLPH, JOHN WOODSON, } Trustees. 8
For SALE, and may be entered on in NOVEMBER next, THE LAND whereon I now live, containing two Hundred and seventy four Acres. It is exceeding good for Grain, Tobacco, &c. and lies so level that nine Tenths may be plowed with the greatest Ease. The Improvements on the same consist of a Plantation, in good Order, sufficient for working seven or eight Hands, the Whole lying to the Plow; an Ordinary House fifty four Feet long, finished off in a complete Manner, has three Rooms with Fireplaces below Stairs, besides lodging Rooms, and three Rooms above Stairs, one of which has a Fireplace; a House twenty Feet in Length, and sixteen in Width, with two Rooms below, and one above Stairs, wherein lives the Clerk of the County, and keeps the Office; two Kitchens, one of which is very valuable; a Dairy, Meathouse, Barn, fine strong Stables, Corn Houses, two fine Gardens, of the best sawed Framing and Pales; and, in short, every Convenience that is necessary for the Ordinary and Plantation Uses. There are also, on the same Plantation, two large standing Stores kept, of very considerable Trade; the Storehouses are large and commodious, the cheapest of which did not cost less than a Hundred and fifty Pounds; to each Storehouse belongs a House for the Residence of the Merchants, one of which cost upwards of a Hundred Pounds, the other upwards of seventy five; there also belongs to the Stores fine strong Stables, &c. There are two Tailors Shops, with Kitchens, and other Conveniences, belonging thereto; also three Blacksmiths Shops, &c. The Rents of which, in the Whole, amount pretty considerably. Besides these two Stores on my Plantation, a third, of considerable Trade, is settled (for the Convenience of their Diets, &c. in the Ordinary) within, or about, three Hundred Yards from my Ordinary Door, on Land that does not belong to me. This Place is more commodiously situated, and better calculated for Trade, than perhaps any of the back Parts in this Colony at least, if not on the Continent. To every Dwellinghouse, Store, &c. &c. (Tailors and Blacksmiths Shops excepted) are good Brick Chimneys, the Houses underpinned with Bricks, and good Cellars, and all in good Repair. The Whole of the Buildings are placed uniform, in Lines and Squares, so as to resemble a Town. None of the Buildings have been built over eight Years, and almost all the valuable Buildings within five Years. The Situation is high, and remarkably healthy, commanding a delightful Prospect of the Mountains and Country round. It lies about eight Miles from Amherst Courthouse, on the main Carolina Road, which is greatly used by Travellers, and, together with the great Resort of Gentlemen to this Place, consumes as much Liquors as cost me annually three Hundred Pounds, besides Provisions for Men and Beasts. As Persons at a Distance inclining to purchase may better judge whether it would be worth their While to come and see the Place, I think it not amiss to inform them that I will take eight Hundred Pounds for the Place, and give a reasonable Time for Payment, which is many Hundred Pounds below the intrinsic Value of it. I will also sell to the Purchaser (if required) most of the Furniture belonging to the Ordinary, at least ten good Feather Beds, with Furniture to the same; Walnut and Mahogany Tables, Chairs, &c. &c. 16 GABRIEL PENN. N. B. All the Merchants, Storekeepers, Clerk of the County, their Servants, &c. are boarded in the Ordinary, the Profits of which are pretty considerable to me.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Prince Edward, some Time in June last, a Negro Lad named WINDSOR, who for several Years past has waited upon me, and is acquainted with most Parts of the Country. He is a sensible and artful Fellow, about five Feet high, a handsome lively Look, and speaks quick. He was taken up by Mr. William Mitchell of York, and committed to that Jail, at which Time he called himself William Florence, and said he was free, and, by the Assistance of some other Negro imprisoned with him, broke the Prison. He has since been seen about Williamsburg, near which Place perhaps he is still concealed. He carried away with him a brown Holland Coat, blue Broadcloth Waistcoat, two white Linen Shirts, two Pair of Osnaburg Breeches, and good Shoes and Stockings. As I have Reason to apprehend he will endeavour to get on Board a Vessel, in Order to make his Escape out of the Colony, I do hereby forewarn all Masters and Commanders of Vessels from taking him on Board. I will give TEN POUNDS to any Person that will contrive him to me, and FIVE POUNDS for such Intelligence that I may get him. WILLIAM WATT.
For SALE, TWENTY Thousand Acres of LAND, in the Counties of Frederick and Hampshire, which was advertised some Years ago in this Colony, and the neighbouring Provinces, and its Situation and Qualities then described; therefore think it needless to repeat them now. It will be sold very cheap, and reasonable Time of Payment will be allowed the Purchaser, or Purchasers, for one Half of the Purchase Money; who may be shown the Premises by applying to the Subscriber, in Winchester. 9 BRYAN BRUIN.
Wanted on CHARTER, to load Tar and Turpentine in NORTH CAROLINA, A VESSEL of about fifteen Hundred Barrels Burthen. For Terms apply to James Marsden in Norfolk, or the Subscribers at Richmond; who have for Sale a Quantity of good SEINE TWINE. STORRS & ELLIS.
RUN away from the Subscriber, on Saturday the 26th of January, an indentured Servant Man named WILLIAM READ. He is a well set Fellow, about five Feet ten Inches high, and speaks the West Country Dialect pretty broad; had on, and took with him, a dark coloured Duffel short Frock Coat, a Pair of blue Plains Breeches with a spotted Cotton Waistcoat, a Pair of Yarn Stockings, Check Shirt, and Virginia made Shoes. He is a Farmer, and understands Something of making and laying Bricks. Whoever delivers the said Servant to me at West Point, in King William County, or secures him so that I may get him again, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward. JOHN WEST.
RUN away from the Subscriber, at the Falls of James River, the Middle of last Month, a Negro Man named DAVY, belonging to the Hon. William Byrd, Esquire, about thirty Years old, five Feet eight Inches high, and very stout made; he is of a yellow Complexion, has a down Look, and a Defect in some of his fore Teeth. He is supposed to be lurking about Hanover Town, Petersburg, or gone towards Carolina. Whoever will apprehend the said Fellow, and bring him to me, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS Reward; and if taken out of the Colony, FIVE POUNDS. DAVID PATTESON.