The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1774-12-15 00:00:00

VIRGINIA GAZETTE.
With the freest ADVICES,
FOREIGN AND DOMESTICK.
IN CIVITATE LIBERA LINGUAM MENTEMQUE
LIBERAS ESSE DEBERE. Suet. in Tib. S. 28.
Printed by ALEX. PURDIE, and JOHN DIXON, at the POST OFFICE.
WILLIAMSBURG, December 1, 1774.
IT is a Duty incumbent on me, before I resign the Conduct of this Gazette, to return my sincere and most grateful Acknowledgments to all our Customers, and to the Publick in general, through whose Favour the Press has been for a Number of Years supported, in a Way that (most flattering to the Printer) has given such general Satisfaction, and often recommended it to distinguished Marks of their Approbation.
Immediately after Christmas, I shall begin doing Business for myself, and intend to print a GAZETTE as soon as I am furnished with a moderate Number of Customers; for which Purpose I have sent Subscription Papers into all publick Places of the Country, and hope to have them soon returned, that I may be enabled to go to Work and serve the Publick in my Profession. Such as live convenient will please to favour me with their Commands by Letter, and those in this City who incline becoming Subscribers will be kind enough to leave their Names at my Office, which is the House formerly occupied by Mess. Tarpley, Thompson, & Co. on the main Street, and adjoins Mr. Robert Anderson's Tavern.
In the Management of my Gazette, neither Pains nor Expense will be spared to render it worthy of the publick Favour; and the Motto I intend for it, scrupulously to be maintained, shall be, "ALWAYS FOR LIBERTY AND THE PUBLICK GOOD."
Meanwhile, I have opened a large and valuable Collection of NEW BOOKS, amongst them a great Variety for the Use of Schools; which, together with a well chosen Parcel of MUSICK, for the Harpsichord, Violin, &c. and a Number of STATIONARY ARTICLES, will be disposed of on the easiest and very best Terms. I shall be exceedingly obliged to the Publick for their Favours, and intend presenting them with a Catalogue of all my Books, &c. as soon as I possibly can.
It shall be my constant and never-ceasing Study, in prosecuting the different Branches of my Business, to give Satisfaction to all who may please to employ me, not only as to the Reasonableness of my Charges, but in the Punctuality and Precision with which the Whole shall be conducted.
I am the Publick's much obliged and obedient Servant, ALEXANDER PURDIE.
I beg the Favour of my BROTHER PRINTERS to the Northward to furnish me with their Newspapers, and they shall be sure to have mine, as soon as I begin to print.
WILLIAMSBURG, December 1, 1774.
THE CUSTOMERS to the Partnership of PURDIE & DIXON, for Books, Stationary, &c. as well as those under whose Patronage THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE has been so long continued, will please to accept my most grateful Thanks for their many Favours conferred upon us. I flatter myself that my Conduct, while in Company with Mr. PURDIE, met with general Approbation, and that my future Endeavours to serve the Publick, in Conjunction with Mr. HUNTER, Son of the late Mr. WM. HUNTER of this City, Printer, will render me an Object worthy of their Encouragement.
I am The Publick's much obliged Humble Servant, JOHN DIXON.
PETERSBURG, September 23.
A N Officer arrived here on Wednesday last from Col. Michelson, who has been for some Time in Pursuit of Pugatscheff, with an Account of having come up with his Corps between Caricyn and Astracan, and that he had attacked and defeated him, taking his Ammunition, Cannon, and Magazines, but that Pugatscheff had found Means to escape. The Officer who brought this News to the Empress was immediately raised to the Rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
The late Mortality amongst the Horses has swept of such great Numbers of them that the Province of Livonia (contrary to what is customary) is obliged to furnish a considerable Number, for the Empress's Journey to Moscow.
WARSAW, September 24. We now flatter ourselves that this Kingdom will, at last, begin to enjoy that Tranquillity and Order of which it has been deprived for many Years. These Hopes are founded upon Count Branicki having brought favourable News from Petersburg, and that several Magnates, who had declared themselves against the King,
have been obliged to ask Pardon. The grand Affair of the Limitation of the Frontiers, it is thought, will soon be regulated; for we hear that the Courts of Vienna and Petersburg have declared, that they will keep strictly to the Tenour of the Treaty of Partition.
The greatest Part of the Russian Army has entered into Quarters. Count Romanzow has obtained the Indignate of Poland, and the Ensigns of the different Orders of that Kingdom.
October 5. The Ratification of the Peace by the Grand Seigneur is at last arrived. Many Difficulties arose at first about it, as several were for carrying on the War; but the Sultan declared the Peace was just, and accordingly he ratified it in all its Articles, and even those which were kept secret. General Igenstrom went forward with the above Ratification to Petersburg.
October 24. The foreign Troops, contrary to all Treaty, have not yet quitted our Republick, but increase every Day. The Russian Army is to take up Winter Quarters in our Dominions; and Prussia, jealous of it, and suspecting some Intrigue between our King and the Empress of Russia, has ordered 10,000 fresh Troops to march into Great Poland, and Austria is doing the same, so that we shall have near 200,000 Men in our Country during the Winter.
ROME, September 25. The Afternoon of the Day the Pope died Cardinal Rezzonico, Chamberlain, went in great State to the Quirinal, where he performed the Ceremony of breaking the Ring of the deceased Pontiff, in the Presence of those who had a Right to assist at this Ceremony. Then the Body was embalmed and invested with the Pontifical Habit, and shown to the People. Yesterday Evening it was carried to the Vatican, where Service will be performed nine Days successively for the Repose of his Soul. The Cardinal Chamberlain has since broke the Seal of the late Pope, and taken upon him the Functions of Government. The Cardinal sits every Day to regulate publick Affairs, and will continue to do so till they enter into the Conclave, which will be on the first of October.
October 1. All the necessary Preparations are making for the Conclave. Father Bartanti is chosen Confessor, which Office he performed at the last Conclave. Two Physicians, a Surgeon, and Apothecary, are also appointed; and on Thursday last Cardinal Delci, as Junior Deacon, drew Lots for the Chambers each Cardinal is to occupy; after which the Cardinals Spinola and Pantucci were deputed to choose the Barbers, &c. for the Conclave.
His late Holiness, Clement XIV. was the 251st Pope since St. Peter. NAPLES, September 29. You will have heard of the Death of the Pope, but not perhaps that there is every Reason to believe it was occasioned by the Jesuits, who poisoned him in the Sacrament. He himself declared his Suspicions before he died; and the Belief of it is so general, even in these Catholic Countries, that the Ministers of France and Spain insisted on being present at the Opening of his Body; his Belly having swelled extraordinarily, and being strangely discoloured, even before he expired. The Corps putrified so suddenly that the Surgeons could hardly go through the Operation, and as soon as they touched the Head the Teeth fell out, and all the Bones of the Body crumbled away, and the Flesh came away in Pieces. They were forced to embalm the Body twice before they could carry it to St. Peter's; and instead of exposing his Face, as is usual, they covered it with Wax, and in the Transport the Head separated from the Body. His Confectioner is dead in a Manner little less horrid, and with the same Symptoms his Holiness had.
KONINGSBERG, September 30. They write from Petersburg, that the grand Rejoicings which are to take Place on Account of the Peace are to be held at Moscow; in Consequence of which the Empress has declared her Intention of going to that City, with the whole Court, the 5th of next Month, and has invited the foreign Ministers to come there likewise.
HAGUE, October 21. The Treaty of Peace between Russia and the Porte (however secret the most essential Parts thereof are kept) seems to have altered the whole System of Politicks in the North of Europe. It is greatly suspected that Russia has joined her Interest with France and Austria, both of whom assisted her in finishing so glorious a Peace; but what these three very powerful Courts are going to undertake on the Continent is not yet certain, but most probably they will attempt once more to reduce the Power and Glory of the King of Prussia. It is certain that the Austrian Troops are joining the Russian grand Army, a Circumstance which is very suspicious, and which cannot possibly escape the Notice of the valiant Frederick, whose Minister at Warsaw took an Opportunity to ask the Austrian Minister the Reason of that Junction, and of marching vast Numbers of Austrian Troops into the Provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia, being the Dominions of the Ottoman Porte; when the latter gave him for Answer, that because the Russian Troops were so prodigiously fatigued by the late different Engagements with the Turks, the Austrian Troops joined them in Order to afford them all Manner of Assistance upon their March. This Answer, as we are informed, has caused a great Motion among the Prussian Troops; and the Garrisons and Army in Silesia, and the new Acquisitions in Poland, have been greatly augmented since. General Repnin is said to have received Orders to march instantly into Poland, at the Head of 30,000 Men.
LONDON, September 28.
IT is said that a new Plan for the Government of the American Colonies is now under Consideration. It is founded upon that of Ireland, by a Lord Lieutenant and two Houses of Parliament; and to supply the Place of Peers, a Council is to be chosen by the King every three Years, who are to have Powers every Way corresponding with an Upper House or House of Peers.
It appears, from the nicest Calculation, that the Number of white Inhabitants at this Time in the several American Colonies amounts to four Millions of Persons, including both Sexes.
A Reverend Gentleman embarked a few Days ago for New England, by the Desire of Administration, in Order to execute some important Commission, having some Time since been a favourite Pastor in that Part of the Continent; and we are told, that when the late Dispute prevailed in America, relative to the Stamp Act, Mr. Whitfield had a very handsome Allowance from Government during his Stay there.
Anecdote of the late General Gansef's Promotion. Many Years ago the late King had a violent Pain in his Thumb, which, after many ineffectual Experiments made by the State Physicians, was consigned over to Dr. Ward, who was at that Time in great Vogue with the Publick. Previous to Dr. Ward's Admission to the Royal Presence, he had minutely acquainted himself with the Disorder, and had prepared himself with a particular nostrum which he had concealed in the Hollow of his Hand. When he was introduced, he begged his Majesty would permit him to look at his Hand, which the King complying with, Dr. Ward gave him so sudden a Wrench that the King swore at him, and at the same Time gave him a Kick on the Shins. Dr. Ward bore all this patiently, till finding him a little cool, he desired him to stir his Thumb, which the King did (to his very great Surprise) without the least Pain whatsoever. The King was so transported with this sudden Relief that he called him his Æsculapius, made him sit down in his Presence, and insisted upon knowing how he could serve him. Dr. Ward replied, that he thought the Honour and Pleasure he received in giving him Ease was sufficient; but that since his Majesty was so obliging, he told him he had a Nephew (meaning the late General Gansef) who was unprovided for, and any Favours granted him he should consider as bestowed on himself. The King, after first insisting on himself accepting a State Coach, immediately sent his Nephew a Pair of Colours in the Guards, and by Degrees made him a Lieutenant General.
September 29. A Letter from Scarborough says: "The Ship Prince George, which sailed from hence for Nova Scotia the Beginning of April last, with about 150 Emigrants, is returned to England with nearly the same Number of Passengers she carried out. Many more would gladly have returned, but could not pay for their Freight, the Country not being in any Respect equal to the favourable Idea they had formed of it."
Retratt of a Letter from Hamburg, September 21. "All our Letters from the South of Europe are filled with Accounts of the most astonishing Preparations of War carried on in Spain, their transporting immense Number of Troops and Ammunition both to East and West, and their fortifying their Forts and Coasts at home. The Agents of our Merchants at Cadiz, Lisbon, and Amsterdam, advised their respective Correspondents to provide themselves with Spanish, Portuguese, and American Commodities, as soon as possible, as the Mediterranean as well as the Atlantick Ocean will soon be the Seat of the most terrible War. We hear that the King of Prussia is the only Prince whose Power and Influence over the Politicks of Europe has prevented the War hitherto. He has wrote a Letter to the Duke de Choiseul, in which he friendly advises France to sit quiet and not kindle a secret Flame in Europe; giving him to understand, at the same Time, in Case he did not desist from his Intrigues, that the French Power on the Continent would soon be diminished and brought to Submission."
Monday Night a Gentleman's House in Shadwell was robbed of two Gold Watches, Cash, and Plate, to the Amount of between 4 and 500l. which was effected with such Silence and Despatch that not one of the Family had the least Intimation of it till the Discovery on Tuesday Morning. It was supposed to have been perpetrated by some Person, or Persons, who had secreted themselves in the House, and got off before the Family were up; as no Part of the Premises were broke, and the Street Door was found shut.
The following is the Conclusion of the daily Family Prayer of a very pious respectable Divine of the Church of England, at the West End of the Town: "Finally, we recommend to thy fatherly Goodness our poor distressed Brethren in America. Enable them to support the "severe Trial that a wicked Administration have laid them under. May "it not alienate their Affections, nor oblige them to seek Protection "from a foreign Power. May the sacred Ties of Blood, Friendship, "Justice, and Humanity, never be violated by our Soldiers; on the "contrary, may they excite in them a just Abhorrence of the cruel and "arbitrary Measures they are sent over to enforce, and firmly unite them "with our Friends in the glorious Cause of Liberty and their Country. "May their present Sufferings be their future Security, and a Removal "of bad Counsellors from the Ear and Person of our Sovereign prove the "Salvation of the Colonies of the Mother Country."
A few Days ago, as a Farmer of Hackney was going to Waltham Fair, to buy Cattle, he was overtaken by a genteel Man on Horseback, who fell into Discourse with him, and asked whither he was going, which the Farmer informed him, and what he was going about. The other said, he was going to the same Place, and on the same Account; but coming to a bye Part of the Road, he took out a Pistol and demanded the Farmer's Money, who gave him 3s. saying that was all he had. The Highwayman observed, that was a small Sum to buy Cattle with, and insisted on searching him; which he did, and found 160 Guineas in his Breast Pocket. He then returned him the 3s. and rode off.
A Horse Patrol is to be established, against the ensuing Winter, for the Environs of London.
Extract of a Letter from Rotterdam, September 24.
"Lord Mansfield has perfectly succeeded in his Embassy at Paris, and there will be no immediate Rupture between the two Kingdoms. This great Statesman has so far ingratiated himself into the Affections of the French King that he has shown him more Respect than was ever paid to an English Nobleman, in that Kingdom, upon any former Occasion; he has also given him his Royal Word, that he is determined to live in perfect Friendship with his good Brother the King of Great Britain. Had not Lord Mansfield arrived at Paris at that critical Period, it is thought the two Nations would soon have been involved in a bloody War."
Extract of a Letter from Amsterdam, September 24.
"A Burgomaster of this City, who died of a broken Heart about three Months since, had an only Daughter, of extraordinary Beauty, to whom two Foreigners of Distinction paid their Respects. She was of a cheerful Disposition, and having received her Education in England, approved of the Customs of that Country, was fond of being admired, of a wanton Aspect, and never happy but in the Company of young Men. In short, by her Behaviour she forfeited the Esteem of her Relations, and her virtuous Acquaintance shunned or despised her. At length the two Foreigners enjoyed her in common, and gave her those shameful Wages of Pleasure that equally dishonour the Hand which bestows and that which receives them. But a third Person, whom she more sincerely loved than either of them, and occasionally admitted to share her Favours, without the Knowledge of her Keepers, was last Sunday detected in Bed with her, by one of them unexpectedly bursting into the Room, who was so exasperated at her Perfidy and Ingratitude that he seized a Dagger and stabbed her in six different Parts of her Body; and her Lover, in jumping out of Bed, received a mortal Wound, of which he instantly expired. The young Lady was just able to request his Forgiveness, and afterwards died in great Agony. Repentance follows Sin; the Murderer saw the Heinousness of the Action he had committed, and immediately went and drowned himself. It is hoped the fatal and untimely End of this beautiful, but unfortunate young Lady, with the melancholy Exit of her unhappy Lovers, will leave a lasting Impression on the Minds of your fair Countrywomen, and teach them to set a proper Value upon that inestimable Jewel Honour; for when a Woman has once sullied her Chastity, she is incapable of refined Friendship, or the endearing Delights of social and domestic Felicity. She entails everlasting Disgrace on her Offspring, is a deceitful Viper in the Bosom of her Husband, the Murderer of her own Reputation, and a Term of Reproach to her innocent and virtuous Relations."
Last Wednesday Night lady Harcourt's Carriage, in which were her Ladyship and the three Miss Heathcotes, was stopped at Mount Ephraim, near Tunbridge Wells, by a Highwayman, who took eleven Guineas from them and went away, as if he intended riding off, but immediately returned, and desired the Coachman to stop again. On his not complying so soon as desired, through the Horses being unruly, the Highwayman snapped a Pistol at him, which flashed in the Pan. The Coachman was now so much irritated, that as soon as he stopped, and found the Fellow busy in demanding the Ladies Watches and Jewels, he took an Opportunity of getting off his Box, and seizing the Highwayman by the Pistol Hand, endeavoured to pull him off his Horse, but was not strong enough to effect it, and the Footman was so much intimidated that he could not assist; so that the Villain put Spurs to his Horse, and after dragging the Coachman several Yards, rode off, with only the Loss of his Pistol, which was wrenched out of his Hand. The noble Resolution of the Coachman disappointed him of the Ladies Watches and Jewels.
October 13. On Friday Night, as Edmund Burke, Esq; was on his Way to Wendover, in Order to be re-elected as Member of Parliament for that Place, he was stopped in his Post Chaise, on this Side Barnet, by a single Highwayman, who robbed him of fourteen Pounds and made off.
The Holy Trinity, a Spanish Ship of great Burthen, said to be immensely rich, foundered in a Gale of Wind off Cadiz, and every Soul on Board perished.
An Express has been despatched to the President of the Council, desiring his immediate Attendance in Town.

October 20. Orders are issued for the Officers belonging to the Regiments now in the West Indies; who are absent upon Furlow, to repair as soon as possible to their respective Corps.
Yesterday, in the Afternoon, Lord North waited on his Majesty at Kew, and had a Conference, said to be on the Subject of some Despatches received from North America.
Extract of a Letter from Plymouth, October 14.
"The Somerset and Boyne, now fitting out here (as it is said to go to Boston) are to take on Board, each of them, 200 Marines, which with three other Ships intended for the said Expedition, two of them from Portsmouth, and one from Chatham, who are to take in the same Number, will make a Body of 1000 Men, and are to be disembarked immediately on their Arrival, as Field Officers are to go with them, a Thing never known on Board a Ship of War unless when the Marines are intended to be disembarked."
Extract of a Letter from Gosport, October 18.
"Orders are come down here for the Hind Sloop of War, of 20 Guns, to be fitted out with the greatest Expedition for America; and she is getting in her Guns, &c."
"We seem to be in great Hurry in fitting out Ships. The Artificers in the Dockyard are very hard at Work in completing the Magnificent, of 74 Guns, and Phoenix of 44, which are both under a thorough Repair, after which we shall have two Docks to dock large Ships, and one for Frigates, &c. till the Basin is repaired, which it is said will not be till the Spring."
"We are daily in Expectation of the Gaspee Schooner's Arrival from Boston, after which it is said the ships, &c. are to proceed from hence."
"They write from the Hague, that the King of Prussia has lately made some extraordinary Demands upon the States of Holland, which has caused the holding of several Councils, but the Subject Matters has not yet transpired."
"By Letters from Cherburg, we are informed that on Saturday the 8th Instant the St. Esprit, a French Man of War of 64 Guns, was drove ashore on that Coast, in a strong Gale of Wind, when the soon beat to Pieces, but that the major Part of the Crew were saved."
"Saturday came on the Election of Members for the Borough of Heytisbury, when Lieutenant General A'Court Assise, and the Hon. Colonel William Gordon, Brother of the Earl of Aberdeen, were chosen."
"They write from Brest, that a large Dutch Transport, laden with naval Stores, from Amsterdam, bound to that Port, is lost in her Passage, and all on Board perished."
BOSTON, November 17.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of this Town by Adjournment, November 7th, the Committee appointed for that Purpose made the following Report, which was accepted by the Town.
WHEREAS sundry Regiments of his Majesty's Troops are, contrary to Law, and to the great Annoyance and Detriment of his Majesty's good Subjects of this Province, now stationed in the Town of Boston, in a Time of profound Peace, for the avowed Purposes of carrying into Execution sundry Acts of the British Parliament, tending to subvert the Constitution of the Province, which it is our Duty to protect against upon all Occasions; yet, nevertheless, we the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, in Town Meeting legally assembled, taking into serious Consideration the distressed Circumstances of this Metropolis, and being anxious still to use our best Endeavours to preserve that Decency and Order for which the Town has ever been remarkable, relying on the Justice of our Cause, and confiding on the united Endeavours of the Colonies, the Wisdom of the Continental Congress, the Justice and Clemency of our Sovereign, and the Smiles of Divine Providence, that our Grievances will shortly be redressed, and our unalienable and precious Rights, Liberties, and Privileges, be restored and secured to us upon a just and permanent Basis: Therefore, we recommend, that as his Excellency the Governor has assured the Town that he will do all in his Power to secure the Peace and good Order of the Town, that the Town, on their Part, will exert their best Endeavours to effect the same desirable Purpose, and to this End would augment the Town Watch; and it is recommended to the Selectmen of the Town that they encrease the Watch to the Number of twelve Men in each Watch House, for the Security and Safety of the Inhabitants, and that they be directed to patrol the Streets of the Town, for the whole Night and the ensuing Season. And it is earnestly desired that his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, and other Peace Officers, would exert their Authority for the Observance of the Laws, and Preservation of Peace and Order; and that when they hear of any Disturbance they would not wait for a Complaint, but call on the Inhabitants, who will at all Times be ready in assisting to disperse such Persons, or in bringing Offenders of what Rank or Order soever to Justice. As, in our present Situation, it is incumbent upon us particularly to attend to the Peace and good Order of the Town, it is therefore earnestly recommended to the Inhabitants to do all in their Power to prevent or suppress any Quarrels or Disturbances; and it is seriously recommended to all Masters of Families that they restrain their Children and Servants from going abroad after nine o'Clock in the Evening, unless on necessary Business.
And it is farther recommended to the Selectmen of the Town, to enjoin upon all Retailers and Taverners of the Town that they strictly conform to the Laws of the Province relating to disorderly Persons.
W. COOPER, Town Clerk.
November 24. Yesterday the Secretary of the Province left the following with the Printer for Publication, viz. "Whereas the Copy of a Letter said to be received by a Noble Lord in a very high Office, from a General Officer some Time since sent to America, in a very important and critical Situation, was printed in most of the publick Papers of this Province, we are authorised, from undoubted Authority, to declare that no such Letter was ever wrote by the Person to whom it is ascribed, to any Noble Lord, or any other Person; that the Whole of it is a Forgery, and to be ranked with other Falsehoods circulated throughout the Country."
In the last Transports which arrived here came in a large Quantity of Powder, Cannon, Balls, Shells, &c.
A Guard of 500 Men is every Day on Duty.
On Monday Night last we had a very heavy Gale of Wind, which did considerable Damage to the Shipping in this Harbour.
To Mess. PURDIE & DIXON.
Gentlemen, WILLIAMSBURG, December 12, 1774.
ONCE hoped that I never more should have had Occasion to give you, or the Publick, any farther Trouble. To appear in Print is, of the Things in Life, one of the farthest from my Ambition. Incidents, however, will make it sometimes necessary for those, who are largely concerned in publick Transactions; and I find, that even the greatest Circumspection and Candour will not always secure a Man, whose Duty it is to take an active Part, against the base Insinuations and Practices of the Invidious and Malevolent. I have often heard the pompous Boast of Indifference, as to what the World may think or say; but I must own that I never wished to attain this stupid State of Apathy, which, if it really exists, seems much fitter for a gloomy Cloister than the Enjoyments of Society. I confess myself a Candidate for the favourable Opinions of the Good and Virtuous; as to all others, I give the utmost Efforts of their Malice to the Winds, and concern myself no farther about them, than to guard against their malignant Influence.
The Queries in the Supplement to your last Gazette I read with Surprise and Amazement. Few will doubt for whom they were intended. Nothing, surely, can equal the Malice and Falsehood of their Author, unless it is his Effrontery in daring to assume the Title of an ASSOCIATOR; by which he must have designed to impose himself on the Credulous and Unwary, as a Friend to this Country. That he may be the Associate of a few Kindred Spirits amongst us, I shall not dispute, but I will venture to pronounce him a Foe to that great Cause, which America is engaged to support. The only and last Game, which such Men have left to play, is, if possible, to sow Diffensions; but these, and all other insidious Snares, I hope my Countrymen will carefully avoid.
It, no Doubt, would be Matter of glorious Triumph to this Associator, and all others of his Stamp, to detect any Species of Defection in one, who had professed himself a warm Friend to the just Rights and Liberties of America; but can it be a Proof even of his good Wishes towards us that he has endeavoured, without any reasonable Grounds, to expose the Person, whom he is pleased to honour with a Supposition of his having exerted his best Endeavours to promote those Measures, from which the most salutary Effects are hoped for and expected? The Charges produced against me are threefold. I should really think them all beneath my Notice, and treat them with the Contempt they deserve, did it not give me Pain to suppose a Possibility that so good a Cause should, through my Silence, be sullied by the Breath of Slander. To prevent this, I will examine the Substance of the different Accusations in Order.
I have, it seems, in the Associator's Opinion, deviated from the Duties of my Office, and my outward Professions of Regard for this Country, by the Part I took respecting my Friend's Ship. A Charge so general might be fully answered by as general a Denial that I did any Thing unbecom-
ing the strictest Associator, or the truest Friend to America. The Author, had he inclined to possess the Publick fairly of the Case, and enable them to form a proper Judgement, ought to have defended more to Particulars; but perhaps he thought his peculiar and emphatical Language, placing me on the high Ropes at the Sentence given by the York Committee, would answer his Purpose full as well. There were many respectable Witnesses of my Conduct throughout this whole Transaction, and I will venture to appeal to them whether I did any Thing more, in either of the Meetings of the Delegates, than state the Case (as it appeared from Mr. Norton's Letters to his Son, who was ill at the Time) and what I considered as the proper Rules to be observed on such Occasions, leaving the Decision to others, without voting myself in any Question that was propounded. My Connexions with Mr. Norton restrained me from speaking my Sentiments so freely, as I did in another Case, where even the most suspicious could not charge me with Partiality, as I had not the slightest Acquaintance with either of the Gentlemen concerned. Whether my Friendship for a Gentleman, at three Thousand Miles Distance, ought to have precluded me from endeavouring to do him Justice, let the Impartial determine.
I had the Misfortune, I know, to differ in Opinion with some of my worthy Countrymen. Our Object, I am persuaded, is one and the same; we agree entirely as to the true American Principle and the Measures already ad. pted for supporting it, and only differed with Respect to the proper Method of carrying those Measures into Execution. Under every System, I profess myself an Advocate for Order and Regularity; and what I chiefly insisted upon, in this Instance, was, that we ought to be governed solely by the Resolutions of the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. If our Associator meant to insinuate that I endeavoured to screen the Tea; or to justify the Merchant in shipping it, both these Things I positively deny. I with every one had considered this Article in the Light I have done ever since the former Association, to which I have scrupulously adhered, and I am persuaded we should now have no unhappy Disputes about it. Why my Office was lugged in, I am at a Loss to know, unless our Associator designed to charge me with the greater Ingratitude to my Country, and entertained Hopes of having me discredited.
For the proper Discharge of the Duties of this Office, I am, without Question, accountable to those, from whom I received my Appointment, and I have ever considered the Honour conferred as an additional Obligation on me to exert my utmost Endeavours to serve the Community in every Instance within my Power; but I hope it is not, I am sure it cannot be expected by any Man of Sense, that I should refrain from speaking my real Sentiments, when a Duty of another Sort demands it. To impose this Restriction would be stripping me of that Liberty and Freedom we all contend for, and moreover it would be telling my Constituents that they are to be deprived of one of their Representatives. Upon such Terms as these, I would hold no Office whatever, nor yet being reduced to the Necessity of binding myself a Slave to the unreasonable and capricious Humours of any Man. I cannot dismiss this Head without taking Notice of a round Assertion respecting Mr. Norton.
We are told, "that it is admitted on all Hands that he knowingly violated the Association of this Country with Respect to the Importation of Tea." This Assertion I will take upon me to say the Associator knows is not true; and, if he will favour us with his real Name, I will prove that he knows this Fact is not admitted on all Hands, but that there is a vast Variety of Opinions about it. Great as my Friendship is for Mr. Norton, I will not undertake to justify him; but I hope I may, without giving Offence, submit to the Candour of the Publick whether it is not reasonable and just to hear, at least, what he may have to say in his own Defence, before they withdraw from him their Confidence, as the Associator would persuade them.
I thought at first, and still am of Opinion, that he was very imprudent in sending over the Tea; but I am convinced that he had no ill Intention in doing so. It appears, from the Letters to his Son, that he did it with Reluctance; but that he thought himself bound by the Orders of his Correspondent, dated so long ago as April, and not countermanded. I make no Question but he was acquainted with the Resolutions in May respecting Tea; but he must, at the same Time, have known that the ultimate Determinations of this Colony were deferred till August; these he had no Advice of, till his Ship was loaded, and had left her Moorings. The Resolutions in May were as well against the Use of all Tea as against the Importation of it. Were they considered as binding on the Inhabitants of this Country? It was with great Concern that I observed they were not. In August, Deputies were sent down from the Counties to represent them in a Provincial Convention; and the Resolutions then formed, but not till then, were considered as of universal Obligation. I know Mr. Norton well, and I cannot be mistaken in saying that I know he is a sincere Friend to this Country. I have been intimately acquainted with his political Sentiments for many Years past; I know, upon former Occasions, that he used every Means in his Power to serve us; I can prove that he is, even at this Time, exerting his best Endeavours to promote our Cause, though perhaps they may not have the Weight he could with.
Before our Associator had ventured to deal out his Censures so very liberally, he should have recollected the Lesson taught by his GREAT MASTER, of with-holding his Stone, till he was secure of his own Innocence. I wish to know whether he paid the Respect he ought to have done to our Resolutions either of May or August, in abstaining from the Use of Tea, or whether he, even at this Time, conforms to the Laws of the Congress respecting this Article.
The second Article of Charge is, that "the same Gentleman, after having promoted, on his Part, as far as he was able, the general Non-importation Scheme, did secretly supply himself with Goods for two or three Years to come, purchased in the Country; by which Means he has avoided the Effects of a Non-importation, directly contrary to the true Spirit of the Association." How far this worthy Associator may carry what he calls the Spirit of the Association I will not determine, but duty him to prove that I have departed from it in a single Instance. That I approved and endeavoured, from the first, to promote an Association against Imports is readily acknowledged, though I thought, with many others, that it would be prudent to except some few, but very few, Articles of the coarser Sort for the first Year, being of Opinion that People in general could not at once supply themselves with Necessaries of their own Manufacture; that many would probably be discouraged from entering into the Agreement at all, and that some might be tempted to break through it, if they were laid under too great Difficulties. It is well known that I delivered these Sentiments at our County Meeting in the Month of July; but I was over-ruled, several Gentlemen giving it as their Opinions that there were then in the Country, or would be in the Course of the Fall, Goods enough to serve the Inhabitants for two Years, and I received it in Command from my Constituents to promote both a Non exportation and Non-importation Agreement to and from Great Britain in the Provincial Convention appointed to be held in August.
When the Proposal for stopping Imports was considered in the general Meeting, several Members inclined to make some such Exceptions as I have mentioned. This was generally opposed, and many Gentlemen, from different Parts, gave much the same Opinions respecting the Quantity of Goods that was or would be in the Country as I had heard before. Upon this the Exceptions proposed were dropped, and I presume every one thought himself at Liberty to make what Provision he could for his Estate and Family, at least for two Years. By the Terms of the Association, if we were to regard these as the Rule of Conduct, no Man is restrained from buying any Thing he chooses within a certain limited Time. If we are to search for the Spirit or Intention of it, this I have endeavoured to explain as clearly and truly as I am able. At a Meeting held so early as the Month of May, upon our receiving Advices from the Northward, I was convinced, from the Sentiments delivered by almost every Gentleman, who spoke on the Subject, that an Association, at least against Imports, would certainly take Place. I could, with great Ease and Convenience, have wrote to England for such Goods, as I knew I should want, and might have been pretty sure of receiving them early in the Fall; but I considered that, by doing this, I should, in Part, contribute to defeat the Measures I expected would be adopted; resolved to take my Chance of buying in the Country, though at an advanced Price, and therefore declined sending for a single Article, except a few Law Books for a young Gentleman just setting out in that Profession. As the Fall advanced, I learned from different Parts of the Country that People were laying in Stocks of Goods for their Families; at length I thought it prudent to take Care of mine, and provide for the Estates of several young Gentlemen to whom I am Guardian. A very respectable old Gentleman of the County I live in, who by Indisposition is confined much at home, upon my explaining to him the Association in the manner I understood it, desired me to endeavour to provide a Quantity of Cotton and Osnapbrugs for him to clothe his Negroes the next Winter, and promised, if I would do it, to sign the Association, and countermand his Orders for his usual Supply of Goods, which he expected in the Spring. Soon after, I wrote to several of my Acquaintance, in different Parts of the Country, to know whether I could be furnished with the Things I wanted, and upon what Terms. I received for Answer, that enough of such Things were to be had; but thinking the Advance proposed too high, I declined purchasing. Being offered a Quantity of
Woolens and coarse Linens upon easier Terms, I bought them, but not near enough to answer one Year the several Purposes for which they were intended. Since seeing the Queries, I have made an Estimate of the Things purchased for my own Use, and I think they come to about one Third of what my annual Invoice usually amounts to. I have generally imported the Necessaries for my Estate and Family early in the Summer, as I did this Year, and acknowledged that chief of the Things I have procured are intended for the next; but I say, that I have transgressed in neither the Letter or Intention of the Association. I never, in my Life, had a Disposition for hoarding; nor would I wish, even at this critical Time, to be possessed of a single Article that another might want, and which I had not immediate Occasion for. I presume that most People have by this Time provided, or that they may still furnish themselves with such Articles as I have purchased, or others that will equally answer their Purpose for this Year; if not, I will cheerfully spare them any Part of what I have at the Price it cost me. I will go farther, and if the general Expectation, as to the Quantity of Goods in the Country, should be disappointed in the succeeding Year, I will agree to throw what I have into a common Stock to be equally proportioned, provided others will do the like. I never desired to make a Secret of any Thing I have done, as is basely and maliciously insinuated; so far from this, I have mentioned it to many, and have recommended it to several, who seemed unwilling to sign the Association, for Fear they should want Necessaries another Year, to look out in Time and endeavour to supply themselves upon the best Terms.
Perhaps it may afford some Satisfaction to the Associator to be made farther acquainted with my Plan, and to become a little more familiar with my private Affairs. If he should find any Thing worthy of his or his Friends Imitation, it is much at their Service. He may judge from it whether I am a Friend to the Association or not. I have been, for many Years, a pretty considerable Tobacco Maker at distant Plantations. A few Days after the Association was entered into last August, I sent positive Orders to my Steward to give over the Thoughts of cultivating this Weed, except so much as would pay my publick Dues, in Case they should be exacted in Kind; to sow all the rest of my Tobacco Lands in Wheat, reserving enough of the most proper Quality for the Culture of Hemp, Flax, and Cotton; to lay him if out for making Meadows, and increasing my Stock of Sheep. He is to provide a proper House, where the Negro Women are to be instructed and employed in Carding, Spinning, Knitting, and Weaving. I have contracted for the necessary Quantity of Hemp and Flax Seed, and have provided Cotton and Wool Cards, Spinning Wheels, and Flax Hackles, so that he may be ready to set to Work as soon as the proper Materials can be raised; but this, I suppose, our Associator knows will require the Exertions of the greater Part of the succeeding Year. I am well aware of the Consequences of such a Plan; instead of reaping the Advantages of an Estate, hitherto somewhat profitable to me, I hardly expect to do more than cloath and feed my numerous Family and my Slaves. The Emoluments of my Office will now be chiefly cut off; these our Associator must allow are no inconsiderable Sacrifices; but I cheerfully submit to them all.
The third and last Accusation against me is, that, "when the Acts of Trade constitute one of the main Grievances of America, I should solicit for, at least not prevent, my Son's Appointment to the Office of a Comptroller, whose Duty it will be to see those Laws carried into Execution." The Associator's Rule of common and legal Justice may hold good in some Instances, though it is evident he cannot apply it, with Propriety, in the present Case. "He who does not prevent, what it is in his Power to do, is supposed (or rather seems, according to the Original) to be the Doer himself." But, what if the actual Perpetrator was known? The Person then suspected, because he did not prevent it, can no longer be the Doer. This, by the Bye, merely to show that his Scraps of Latin are not always infallible. It is plain to me that he had Reasons to believe (or I have often related the Truth of the Case, and to some, who I know are his Intimates) that I had no Hand in procuring the Office, or he could have had no Occasion finally to fix the Weight of his Charge on me at least not preventing the Appointment; because the former would have necessarily included the latter, and fully answered his Purpose. I consider it, therefore, as a distinguished and base Insinuation, directly in the Teeth of his own Conviction. To grant all that can fairly be demanded, I readily acknowledge that it was natural for one, who had never heard of the Transaction before, to suppose me, as the Father, materially concerned in procuring the Appointment; but the Fact is, that the Associator had just as great a Hand in it as I had, for I declare upon my Honour that I was neither directly nor indirectly concerned, either in soliciting or asking the Place, nor did I desire or encourage any Person whatever to do it, and I am very confident that my Son did not know that such a Thing was in Agitation, till a Gentleman arrived from England, about the latter End of April last, and mentioned his having heard in London that my Son was, or would be, appointed. If the Associator is really ignorant of the Matter, and he or his Friends are desirous of knowing how this mysterious Affair was brought about, I am ready to relate all I know of it; but a full Detail would be too tedious for a Newspaper, and could afford but little Amusement to the Publick. One Thing, however, I beg Leave to mention, in Justice to the Gentleman, through whose Endeavours the Appointment was obtained, because I have understood it has been relied on by some as an Evidence of his superior Interest with the Ministry; and from thence, I am told, a Conclusion has been drawn, that he is so thorough-paced a Courtier that he would readily engage in any Service, they might think fit to put him upon.
A Friend of my Son, upon the Death of Captain John Hylton, the former Comptroller, which happened, I think, in November 1773, long before our present unhappy Disputes broke out, wrote to his Friend, a Merchant in London, and desired him to endeavour to procure the Commission. This Gentleman happened to be well acquainted with another, who it seems had some Interest with the Minister, and desired him to ask the Place for my Son; he did so, and succeeded. I very much question whether the Merchant, who put the Affair into Motion, had any more Interest with the Minister than our Associator has. He did, as I suppose other Merchants have done, when desired to solicit Places of Honour or Profit for many Gentlemen in this Country; he made Use of the Mediation of his Friend; and where was the Harm of all this? It is more than probable that this very Office was solicited by another Merchant for another Candidate.
But it seems, though I might not actually have solicited this Appointment, I am very culpable, in the Associator's Opinion, for suffering my Son to accept so odious an Office. This, as coming from him, is to me extremely laughable. I will not presume to say positively who this very patriotick Gentleman is; but, from the Air and very Blush of his Style, I will agree to be reckoned the arrantest Dunce at guessing if I am mistaken in the Man. I am, all but confident, that I know his Walks, and set him down as a warm and fast Friend to the Gentleman, who at present enjoys the Office. And can he, with Composure or Indifference, view his Friend in so disagreeable a Situation, if the Office is so exceptional? Why will he not, through that Exuberance of Regard he has for this Country, advise and endeavour to prevail with him to quit so very obnoxious a Post? For my own Part, I am just as indifferent about my Son's holding the Office as I believe our Associator is about the Interest and Welfare of this Country. I have thought, from the Time of its being first mentioned to me, that it would probably be of Difference to him, as it might be the Means of diverting him from the Pursuit he is engaged in, which I consider as of much greater Consequence. But, suppose he should not succeed in the Profession he intends for, which at best is precarious, where would be the Justice of my interfering with the Endeavours of his Friends to serve him, unless I could afford to give him an immediate Equivalent? If, indeed, I had had Reason to think that his accepting such an Office would be disagreeable to the Country, I ought to have interposed my Authority, and certainly would have done it; but I had no just Grounds for such a Supposition. Several Gentlemen of Distinction have had, and I believe still hold, Places of the same Sort, and I never heard Exceptions to them. So far from it, I remember an Instance of a very worthy Gentleman, who had held one of these Commissions for some Time under his first Appointment; he was elected a Member of our House of Burgess, and afterwards received a Confirmation of his Appointment from superior Authority. It was made a Question whether he had vacated his Seat, and it was determined that he had not. I have often heard Complaints made, that most Places of Profit are given to Strangers in Preference to our Countrymen; but the present Clamour, I own, seems to me of the first Impression.
I am not very well founded in the Business of a Comptroller, but understand he is placed in the Customhouse as a Check on the Collector, whose Accounts he is to examine, and grant Certificates, &c. but he receives no Duties or Customs. I suppose it may be a Duty of his Office to see that the Acts of Trade are properly observed. Most of these Acts seem to be acquainted in, though there is too much Reason to complain of the Rigour of some of them. As to those imposing such Duties as are become justly exceptionable to America, it is by our Association made, rather a Fault in the Importer of Articles subject to those Duties than in the Officer who receives them. Why are not our Naval Officers Places

objected to? I presume it is equally their Duty to see the Acts of Trade put in Execution, and yet we have seen many respectable Gentlemen in these Posts repeatedly elected Members of our Legislature. I have heard Complaints against some Officers, but they have generally been for overacting their Parts. It seems very immaterial to the Country, while their Offices subsist, whom they are filled by. Those who discharge their Duty with the most Prudence and Discretion are likely to give the least Disturbance. As to my Son, he can hardly, after what I have said, be blameable. I know his Disposition and Regard for his Country so well, that, if it should be disagreeable to his Countrymen for him to hold the Office (and he may soon have an Opportunity of knowing whether it is or not) I am persuaded he will very cheerfully resign the Commission, whenever he receives it. How I can be affected one Way or the other, I am at a Loss to know; unless, as the Affociator would insinuate, for this is evidently his Drift, my publick Conduct is likely to be influenced to the Prejudice of the Community. Whether I have, upon any Occasion, given the least Room for a Suspicion of this Sort, I leave the World to judge. If, in any Instance, Umbrage has been taken either at my proposing some Measures, which my Duty suggested, or opposing others I could not approve, it may be my Misfortune; but I am supported under it by a Consciousness of having always endeavoured to move and act on what appeared to me solid and just Grounds, and hope I shall ever pursue the same Course. I consider myself as one of the Guardians of the Rights and Liberties of my Country, which I will do the utmost in my Power to support, to the latest Period of my Life; but, at the same Time, I acknowledge that I am a warm Friend to Government, maintained on legal and constitutional Principles, as upon this, Experience teaches, that the HAPPINESS of every COMMUNITY must depend.
I shall now for ever bid Adieu to anonymous dirty Scribblers. If any one has a Charge against me, let him come forward like a Man. Unless this is done, I rely on the Candour and Justice of the Publick that no Notice will be taken of any Thing that may be said to my Prejudice. In Hopes of rescuing an insulted NAME from Prostitution and Obloquy, I subscribe myself, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant, A REAL ASSOCIATOR.
WILLIAMSBURG, December 15.
By a Vessel in 53 Hours from Rhode Island, just arrived at Norfolk, there is Advice of the Arrival of the Scarborough Man of War at Boston, Express from England. She failed with five Ships of the Line, having 500 Grenadiers on Board, besides a Number of Marines; three of which Ships were in Sight, and the others hourly expected. Immediately upon the Scarborough's Arrival, all the Men of War in the Harbour received Orders from the Admiral to rig and prepare for Sea, and it is said the same Instructions are despatched to all the King's Ships throughout the Continent. The eleven Regiments of Troops at Boston under General Gage, amounting to about 5000 effective Men, are all quartered in the Town, which is amply supplied with Provisions of every Kind; and the Captain who brought the above Intelligence says, that all was Peace and Quietness. The Collector at Rhode Island publicly recommended it to all Persons who had Vessels to send to Sea to use the utmost Expedition, as he had Reason to believe they might be stopped in a very short Time. The Ship, Captain Hocker, in six Weeks from London, is gone up the Bay.
On Tuesday last, at the Court of Oyer and Terminer the following Criminals were brought to their Trials, and received Sentence accordingly. — Thomas Poe, from James City, for a Theft: Burnt in the Hand. — James Biddelfton, from Prince Edward, for a Theft: Burnt in the Hand. — Edmund Porter, from Frederick, for Horsestealing: Guilty. Death. — William White, from Berkeley, for Horsestealing: Acquitted.
QUERIES FOR THE QUERIST.
L. TAL. HOW can there need an Apology for a Man's Departure from political Principles, once avowed and studiously inculcated, if he had first become an Apologist from something more sacred in its Nature? MAY not this be justified by the Rule of dialectick and legal Certainty, that
Omne majus continet in se minus?
Every Greater includes a Less.
And may not this old Maxim hold good, as well in Instances of Depravity as in Quantities and Numbers?
WHAT Crime, or even Harm, can there be in one Man's suggesting Duplicity and Baseness in the Conduct of another, though hitherto unimpeached, since this may bring the Accused down to his own Level, and help to keep him in Countenance?
WHAT can justify one Man's censuring another's Conduct respecting the Article of Tea, unless it is that the Accuser daily dilutes the publick Bread, by which he is nourished, with a Deception of this delectable Herb?
CAN there be thought the smallest Inconsistency in one Man's endeavouring to hold out another to Contempt, for decently delivering his Sentiments upon a publick Measure, though it may be notorious that this very Gentleman has been so much upon the high Ropes as to condemn the same Measure in the most unbecoming Terms?
Is it not extremely obliging to a Friend in Office to endeavour to frighten another, who is likely to succeed him, by representing the Post as dangerous and execrable? And is not Enthusiasm in Friendship so very commendable and amiable a Quality as to sanctify any Thing, and every Thing, a Querist may let his Heart upon?
Hic illi erunt Artes!
CHESTERFIELD COURTHOUSE, November 25, 1774. PROPER Notice having been given requesting the Freeholders of the County to meet here on this Day, in Order to choose a Committee for the said County, a great Number assembled, and made Choice of the following Gentlemen, viz. Archibald Cary, Benjamin Watkins, Bernard Markham, Robert Goode, Francis Goode, Robert Donald, James Donald, Robert Kennon, George Robinson, John Archer, Abraham Sally, Joseph Bass, Benjamin Branch, Thomas Bolling, Neil Buchanan, Thomas Worham, Field Trent, Alexander Trent, and John Bott. A Majority of the Committee being present, appointed Archibald Cary, Esq; their Chairman. The Committee then ordered, that Notice should be given in the publick Papers, requesting that any Matters relating to the Affociation, and which came before the said Committee, might be directed to Archibald Cary, Esq; or in his Absence to Mr. Thomas Randolph.
Ordered, that the Chairman, or in his Absence that Mr. Thomas Randolph, do appoint a Time and Place for the Committee to convene themselves as Occasion may require.
Ordered, that Mr. Jerman Baker be wrote to by Mr. Chairman, requesting the Favour of him to act as Clerk to the said Committee; and then the Committee adjourned.
ARCHIBALD CARY, Chairman.
HANOVER, November 12, 1774.
THE Committee duly elected for Hanover County having taken into Consideration a Charge against me for violating the Affociation, for contemptuous Behaviour to many respectable Gentlemen who questioned me touching the same, for attempting to stir up a Party in Order to support me in such my Behaviour, and having found me guilty of the same; I do heartily and sincerely profess and declare, that I am truly sorry for my Misconduct, and that I was led through Inadvertency in the first Instance, and by unguarded Heart and Passion in the subsequent Part of my Conduct, and by which great and general Offence has been given to my Countrymen; and I do hereby declare my hearty and everlasting Attachment to the Cause of American Liberty, and that I do most cordially accede to the General Affociation, and that I will most strictly and religiously adhere to the same, and willingly join in any future Measures which my Country shall adopt for the publick Good. From this my candid Confession and Declaration, I am induced to hope for the Forgiveness of such of my Countrymen as have taken Offence at my Conduct, and the Publick may rest assured, that in future I shall be careful in conforming most rigidly to whatever is the general Sense of the Publick, in any Matter respecting the general Policy of America.
PAUL THILMAN.
HANOVER, December 1, 1774.
IT being proved to the Committee of Hanover County that I have been guilty of saying, that my Opinion of the American Virtue was, that a little Gold, properly distributed, would soon induce the People to espouse the Cause of the Enemies to this Country; as also, that I did utter sundry Things in Contempt of the Cause of American Liberty: In Order that proper Atonement be made for such my Indiscretions, I do make this publick Confession, declaring myself heartily sorry for such my Offence; and the Publick may be assured, that in future I shall observe a different Conduct, by which I hope to obtain their Forgiveness for what is past.
MALCOLM HART.
JUST PUBLISHED, THE Office and Authority of a JUSTICE OF PEACE explained and digested, under proper Titles. To which are added, full and correct PRECEDENTS of all Kinds of PROCESS necessary to be used by Magistrates; in which also the Duty of SHERIFFS, and other PUBLICK OFFICERS, is properly discussed. By RICHARD STARK, Esq; — Several Copies of the Book are now ready to be delivered to the Subscribers, and the rest are binding up with all Expedition. It is to be observed, that the Price is 20s. agreeable to Mr. Stark's own Desire; as the Volume, he found, would be much increased beyond his original Intention, and consequently be attended with a greater Expense in Printing, Paper, &c.
WILLIAMSBURG, December 8, 1774.
THE Subscriber intends going to England about the Middle of February next, and requests the Favour of all Persons indebted to him to be as speedy as possible in their Payments, and those who cannot immediately pay are requested to settle their Accounts by giving Bond with approved Security; and whereas many Debts due to the Estate of Mr. Thomas Hornsby, deceased, yet remain unsettled, notwithstanding many former Advertisements relative thereto, all Persons indebted to the same are earnestly requested to settle, and if they cannot immediately pay to give Bond with approved Security to the Subscriber, as all Debts that remain unsettled will be left in the Hands of my Attorney, with Directions to commence Suits as soon as the Courts of Justice are open. — The Subscriber has on Hand about 1200 l. Sterling worth of European Goods, which he would sell Wholesale, at a low Advance, and allow Credit. — Also 500 Acres of Land in James City County, to dispose of, very cheap, and on long Credit.
JOSEPH HORNSBY.
YORK TOWN, December 12, 1774. CHARLES JACOB, WATCHMAKER, from London, who keeps a Shop in Annapolis, in Company with Abraham Claude, has just opened Shop near the Courthouse, in this Town, where he repairs all Sorts of CLOCKS and WATCHES in the neatest and most approved Manner, and at the most reasonable Rates. Those Ladies and Gentlemen who please to favour him with their Custom may depend on having their Work done with the greatest Punctuality and Exactness, he having served a regular Apprenticeship in London. Gentlemen having Clocks out of Order in the Country, if not above fifteen Miles from Town, shall, by sending a Line, be waited on as soon as possible. (2||)
DECEMBER 5, 1774.
A WEAVER who understands his Business, and will come well recommended for his Honesty, Sobriety, and Industry, will find very good Encouragement in Northfarnham Parish, Richmond County, and may get proper Houses for carrying on his Business by applying (between this and Christmas) to Captain William Coffin, of the said County, who has such to rent, convenient to Fifth and Oysters. Such a Person may, in that Neighbourhood, employ three or four Looms throughout the Year, and may barter for his Work every Necessity and most of the Conveniencies of Life, which is as much as can be expected in the present State of the Country. (2)
JUST imported from Glasgow, about 300 l. Sterling Value of Mens and Womens Leather and Calimanco Shoes, in Packages of about 35 l. Sterling each; also a Quantity of exceeding fine upper and Sole Leather, a few low priced Broadcloths and Trimmings, spotted Rugs, and some Pewter, which the Subscriber would sell at a low Advance, for ready Money, or short Credit. For Terms apply to William Mitchell, in Richmond. THOMAS MITCHELL.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, on Tuesday the 20th Instant (December) if fair, otherwise next fair Day, at Lester's Ferry, in Charles City County, ALL the Personal Estate of Robert Lorton, deceased, of that Place, consisting of a Variety of exceeding good Household and Kitchen Furniture, Stocks of Cattle, Horses, Hogs, and Sheep, a Riding Chair without Harness, and sundry other Articles. Six Months Credit will be allowed the Purchasers, on giving Bond with approved Security, to carry Interest from the Date, if not punctually discharged. — All Persons having Demands against the said Estate are desired to attend the Sale, or send in their several Claims, properly authenticated. (1||) THOMAS LORTON, Administrator.
WILLIAMSBURG, Dec. 1. 1774.
AS the Partnership of Purdie & Dixon will expire the 18th Instant, we think it necessary to inform the Publick that THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE will be printed by us from the first of next Month, upon good Paper and new Type, assuring them no Pains or Expense shall be wanting to make the Gazette as useful and entertaining as ever, and that our Price shall be as free as any in America. Our constant Study will be to give Satisfaction to all Customers for any Thing in our Business, and Orders from the Country shall be punctiliously complied with, either for BOOKS, STATIONARY, or PRINTING WORK. — We beg Leave to send our Papers regularly to the old Subscribers: If any Gentlemen choose to discontinue their Subscriptions at the End of the Year, we request the Favour of them to let us know by that Time. We are The Publick's obedient Servants, JOHN DIXON. WILLIAM HUNTER.
JUST PUBLISHED, And to be SOLD by DIXON and HUNTER, At the POST OFFICE, THE
Virginia Almanack
For the Year of our LORD GOD 1775,
Wherein are contained,
 THE LUNATIONS, CONJUNCTIONS, ECLIPSES; the SUN and MOON's Rising and Setting; the Rising, Setting, and Southings of the HEAVENLY BODIES; true Places and Aspects of the PLANETS; WEATHER, &c.  A List of his Majesty's Honourable COUNCIL, and of the House of BURGESSES.  Names of the PARISHES in each County, and their Incumbents.  GOVERNORS and VISITORS of WILLIAM & MARY College.  A Table of COURT DAYS, &c.  A List of GOVERNORS of the N. AMERICAN Colonies.  HIS MAJESTY'S REGIMENTS in AMERICA, and where stationed.  SHIPS of WAR on the American Station, with their COMMANDERS, &c.  DELEGATES who formed the GRAND AMERICAN CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, convened at Philadelphia the 5th of Sept. 1774, and Names of the PROVINCES, &c. they represented.  A GENEALOGICAL LIST of the ROYAL FAMILY of G. Britain.  COLLEGES and American SEMINARIES.  ABSTRACT of the PROCLAMATION relative to the GOLD COIN, published the 24th of June, 1774.  A List of DUTABLE GOODS imported into the Colonies, by Virtue of a British Act of Parliament.  A correct List of the OFFICERS of his Majesty's CUSTOMS.  A TABLE of EXPENSES, List of ROADS, &c.  LIKEWISE, A LETTER to the Earl of Chesterfield on the ECONOMY of HUMAN LIFE.  RULES and MAXIMS for promoting MATRIMONIAL HAPPINESS.  ON ENTRANCE into an ESTATE of TRADE.  Several entertaining PIECES, POETRY, humorous JESTS, &c.  Valuable RECEIPTS for various Disorders.  A RECEIPT for the QUINCY, or THROAT DISTEMPER. &c. &c. &c. 
BLANK BOOKS and STATIONARY of all Kinds, BIBLES, TESTAMENTS, PSALTERS, and many other SCHOOL BOOKS, all Sorts of BLANKS, &c. to be sold at the POST-OFFICE.
I HEREBY forewarn all Persons from hunting, or shooting, on my Lands at Westover and Buckland. WILLIAM BYRD.
ABOUT 600 l. Sterling worth of EUROPEAN GOODS to be sold at a low Advance, for Cash, or short Credit. For Terms inquire of the Printers.
Just Published (Price 2s. 6d.) and to be sold by DIXON & HUNTER, and ALEXANDER PURDIE, at their respective Printing Offices,
THE VOTES and PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. HELD AT PHILADELPHIA, ON THE 5TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1774.
To be SOLD on Friday the 13th of January, if fair, otherwise next fair Day, at a Plantation near Peterburg, lately the Property of Doctor John Ravencroft, to the highest Bidders,
ABOUT twenty very likely NEGROES, chiefly Virginia born, consisting of Men, Women, Boys, and Girls; several Horses and Cattle, a Yoke of Oxen and Cart, all the Utensils of Husbandry belonging to the said Plantation, and a considerable Quantity of Fodder. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed for all Sums above 5 l. the Purchasers giving Bond with approved Security; and if the Bonds are not punctually discharged, to carry Interest from the Date.
BOLLING STARK, Attorney for George M c Murdo, and John Ravencroft.
To be SOLD pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Thomas Simmons, deceased, to the highest Bidders, at the late Dwelling-House of the said Simmons, in Brunswick County, on Thursday the 5th of January, if fair, otherwise next fair Day,
A TRACT of LAND known by the Name of the Smokey Ordinary, conveniently situated for a Merchant and Ordinary, containing between 4 and 500 Acres. Thereon are built a good Dwelling-House, commodious Storehouse, Comping Room, large Lumber House, two Stables, a Kitchen, and Dairy; the Buildings are almost new, and the Workmanship well executed. Sixty Acres of the Land are cleared, and under a good Fence. Credit will be allowed the Purchaser for one Half the Purchase Money until the 1st of January 1776, and for the Residue until the 25th of October following. — At the same Time and Place will be sold about thirty valuable SLAVES, together with a large Quantity of Corn and Fodder, four Steers, and the Utensils of Husbandry belonging to the said Plantation. The Purchasers to the Amount of 25 l. and upwards, to be allowed twelve Months Credit. Bond and approved Security will be expected. (4||) THE EXECUTORS.
ON Tuesday the 10th of January one Hundred and fifty choice Virginia born SLAVES will be offered for Sale at Gloucester Courthouse, on eighteen Months Credit; and on Friday the 13th, at the Dwelling-House of the late Honourable John Page, all the valuable HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN FURNITURE, together with the Stocks of CATTLE, SHEEP, HOGS, and HORSES, on his Estate in Gloucester County. Bond, with sufficient Security, will be required for all Sums above 5 l. by the Executors.
To be RENTED, and delivered on New Year's Day, A GOOD Dwelling-House, Storehouse, and Granary, suitable for a Merchant, and has been applied to that Use for several Years past. It lies on Pomonkey River, and is known by the Name of Cumberland. For Terms apply to Mr. Richmond Allen, or the Subscriber. JOHN HOOMES.
To be SOLD, THE Purchase I lately made of Warner Washington, Esq; consisting of an exceeding good Brick House with five Windows in Front, a very good Kitchen and Laundry, Coach House and Stables (the latter entirely new) Negro Quarters, &c. together with 2000 Acres of Land, more or less, whereof about 500 Acres adjoin to the House, and the rest in two Tracts, contiguous to each other, lies at but a little Distance; on one Part of which are two new Corn Houses, and sufficient Quarters for Negroes, the other Part let out to three under Tenants. — Also an exceeding well watered Mill now in Hand, which (before the addition of a new Sluice) was let at 100 Barrels of Corn a Year. — Likewise all the Stock of Horned Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, and Horses, belonging to the Farm, English and Country made Ploughs, Carts, Waggon, Axes, and all other Implements of Husbandry, together with all or any Part of the Corn, Wheat, Fodder, and the rest of the Stock in Hand and in the Ground. — Also the Stock of Negroes, consisting of eleven Men, three Women, and eight Children, will be all sold together with the Land, or separately, as the Purchaser may choose. — All, or any Part of the Household and Kitchen Furniture (Plate and Pictures excepted) Linen, China, Books, &c. with the Stock of Liquors in the Cellar, will be disposed of. Likewise an exceeding good Coach and Phaeton almost new, a one Horse Chair, and the Coach and Saddle Horses, with two very fine Brood Mares, one of not both with Foal, and three fine Colts just fit for Use. — A sufficient Discount will be made for ready Money, which will be expected for most of the Articles, and for the House and Land also a proportionable Abatement; but Credit will be allowed the Purchaser if desired, upon giving approved Bond and Security to the Subscriber; who intends to quit the Colony in a few Months, or sooner, if he possibly can settle his Affairs thereon. JONATHAN WATSON. ** The Plantation being situated on Pianketank River, its Landing is very convenient to Fish and Oysters. It has also been long remarkable for its fine Peach Orchards.
To be SOLD at the late Dwelling-House of Thomas Phillips, deceased, in the lower End of York County, on Thursday the 22nd Instant (December)
ALL the Household and Kitchen Furniture, forty Head of Cattle, among them two Yoke of Oxen, twenty Head of Sheep, Hogs, &c. Corn, Pease, Fodder, Plantation Utensils, &c. Six Months Credit will be allowed for all Sums above 10s. on giving Bond with approved Security to the Administrator. THOMAS PHILLIPS.
To be SOLD at Blandford, to the highest Bidders, on Tuesday the 17th of January, if fair, otherwise next fair Day,
FIFTEEN or twenty valuable Virginia born NEGROES, consisting of Men, Women, Boys, and Girls. Credit will be allowed for one Half till the 25th of April 1775, and for the other till the 25th of April 1776, the Purchasers giving Bond, with approved Security, to PATRICK RAMSAY. (6)
To be SOLD on Monday the 2d of January, to the highest Bidders, at the Indian Fields, in Charles City County, if fair, otherwise next fair Day,
TEN likely Virginia born SLAVES, several of which are good House Servants, Stocks of Cattle, Horses, Hogs, and Sheep, belonging to the Estate of Captain Littleberry Hardynam, deceased. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed, the Purchasers giving Bond with approved Security, to carry Interest from the Date, if not punctually paid. WILLIAM GREEN MUNFORD, Executor. (4)
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Negro Fellow named WILL, upwards of five Feet high, of a yellowish Complexion, can read Print, and very possibly will endeavour to pass for a free Man. All Persons are forewarned from carrying him out of the Colony. I will give 40s. Reward, besides what the Law allows, if he is delivered to me in Surry County, or to Mr. Thomas Skinner in Williamsburg, who will pay the Reward. WILLIAM PHILIP EDWARDS. (1)

POETS CORNER.  THE LAST BOTTLE. ONE BOTTLE of ARRACK, the last of my Store, (For your Sake and mine, I could wish it were more) From the Cave, where quite bury'd in Saw Dust it lay, Restor'd once again to the Light of the Day, To the Friends of the Mufe, whose benevolent Care Our Labours reward with a Plum or a Pear, The Poet presents, and, left you mistake it, He sends you moreover Instructions to make it. As the Bottle is big, and the Liquor is rough, Four Lemons, I doubt, will be little enough; For Sugar, you know it depends upon Taste, But 'twill take, in my Mind, Half a Pound at the least; Let your Water be boil'd, and, when it is cool, Pour in just two Quarts, an infallible Rule; Then stir it three Times; the Business is done. (If you have not a Ladle, make use of a Spoon) Fill your Glasses all round; and you know what should follow, Long Life and good Health to the Sons of Apollo!
FIFTEEN POUNDS REWARD. RUN away last Night from Dorsey's Forge, three Servant Men, viz. WILLIAM GEORGE, born in England, about 34 Years of Age, five Feet seven Inches high, has a down Look, light coloured short Hair, Pock marked, round shouldered, has had his left Wrist broke, which occasions it to be much larger than his right, and is a Carpenter and Joiner by Trade; had on, and took with him, one Check Shirt, one Old- nabrug Do. old Leather Breeches, light blue Jacket without Sleeves, small round Hat, bound with black Worsted Binding, and has a small Piece of Crape tied round the Crown, a Pair of ribbed Worsted Stock- ings, and a Pair of Pumps with Steel Buckles. Had on an Iron Collar. SOLOMON BURNHAM, born in Yorkshire, and speaks in that Dialect, professes himself to be a complete Farmer, about 26 Years of Age, five Feet ten Inches high, lwarthy Complexion, a down Look, and short black curled Hair; had on, and took with him, an Oldnabrug Shirt, blue gray Jacket without Sleeves, Leather Breeches, a coarse Hat about Half worn, a Pair of Yarn Stockings, and a Pair of Shoes and Buckles. Had on an Iron Collar. SAMUEL CHAPMAN, an Englishman, 28 Years of Age, five Feet seven Inches high, a luffy well made Fellow, a little round shouldered, is of a lwarthy Complexion, has a large bony Face, thick Lips, and a very full Set of Teeth; had on, and took with him, a Cloth Jacket, an Oldnabrug Shirt, a Check Do. Oldnabrug Trousers, two Pair of Stockings, new Shoes with Buckles, and a new Felt Hat. Whoever takes up the said Servants, and brings them to the Subscribers, shall have if twenty Miles from home 30 s. if thirty Miles 40 s. and if sixty Miles 50 s. for each, including what the Law al- lows, and reasonable Charges. SAMUEL DORSEY, Jun. EDWARD NORWOOD. (6) MARYLAND, September 25, 1774.
TAKEN up, in Caroline, a BAY HORSE, about four Feet seven Inches high, twelve Years old, and branded on the near Buttock M. Posted, and appraised to 10 l. (11) JAMES TOMKINS.
FREDERICKSBURG, November 23, 1774.  THE Subscriber has just received by the last Ships from London and Liverpool, a general Assortment of Goods, which he will dispose of at his Store in this Place, upon the most reasonable Terms, for ready Money, Tobacco, Wheat, Flower, Corn, &c. As he intends to leave the Colony as soon as possible after the ensuing April General Court, he, in the mean Time, earnestly requests all those indebted to him to be as speedy as possible in their Payments. Those who cannot immediately pay he hopes will, by no Means, have any Objection to giving their Bond, in Order that he may be enabled properly to settle his Affairs before his Departure. WILLIAM PORTER. He has GARDEN SEEDS for Sale.
For SALE, A TRACT OF LAND in Gloucester County, on Pianketank River, ad- joining the Land of Jonathan Watson, Esq; containing about 350 Acres. There is a good Plantation on it, and a fine Marsh adjoining thereto. For Terms apply to JOHN SMITH. MIDDLESEX, November 24, 1774.
WARWICK COUNTY, December 1, 1774.  ALL Persons that were indebted to Young Moreland, deceased, are requested to make immediate Payment; those who purchased at his Sales and have not given their Bonds are de- fired to do it; and all Persons that have any Demands against the said Estate are desired to make them known to the Executor of Young More- land's Executrix. (11) SAMUEL THOMAS.
FOR SALE,  MY DWELLING-HOUSE, &c. in York Town. Five Years Credit will be allowed, the Pur- chaser giving Bond (with approved Security) bearing Interest from the Time the Bargain is concluded upon. For Terms apply to me, in this City. (tf) JOHN H. NORTON. YORK TOWN, November 29, 1774.
Just imported from London, in the Westover, Captain Stevenson, a choice Assortment of Medicines, viz. TURLINGTON'S Balsam of Life, Stoughton's Elixir, Bateman's Drops, Pectoral Balsam of Honey, Elixir Bardana, Daffy's Elixir, James's Fever Powders, Castor Oil, fine Sallad Oil, Anderson's Pills, Spirit of Turpentine, &c. Likewise West India Rum, Mufcovado Sugar, Loaf Sugar, Molasses, Coffee, Pimenta, Ginger, English and Virginia Leather, Madeira Wine, &c. &c. which are to be sold on very reasonable Terms, for ready Money. ROBERT BROWN.
To be SOLD to the highest Bidder, at Surry Court-  house, on Tuesday the 27th of December, being  Court Day, THE well known RUNNING MARE belonging to the Estate of Mr. Matthias Marriott, deceased, now with Foal by the noted Horse Iribman. Six Months Credit will be allowed the Purchaser, on giving Bond and approved Security to the Executors. Who desire all Persons that have any Demands (of what Nature soever) against the Estate of the said Deceased, to make them known; and those indebted thereto are requested to settle and discharge the same immediately, either by Bond or Payment. ELIZABETH MARRIOTT, } Executors. JOHN WATKINS, }
To be RENTED for a Year, or Term of Years, A COMMODIOUS DWELLING-HOUSE, with necessary Out- houses, and Garden, conveniently situated in the County aforesaid. For Terms apply to ELIZABETH MARRIOTT.
WHEREAS the Practice of Hunting on my River Plantation in the County of Isle of Wight, on Lawns Creek Neck, lays the said Land under many Inconveniences; I hereby forewarn all and every Person whatsoever from hunting, hawking, fowling, or carting, on the said Plantation, as they shall answer the same at their Peril. ROBERT TYNES.
To be SOLD at Bremo, on Monday the 16th of De-  cember, if fair, otherwise next fair Day, ALL the Household and Kitchen Furniture, six or eight valuable Work Horses, with the Stocks of Cattle, Sheep, and Hogs, be- longing to the Estate of Colonel Bowler Cocke, deceased. Also the present Crop of Corn and Fodder, made on the Plantation at Bremo. Credit will be allowed for all Sums above 40 s. till the 25th of October next, the Purchasers giving Bond and approved Security. GEORGE WEBB, Executor.
To be SOLD on Tuesday the 20th Instant (Decem-  ber) on the Premises, THE Tract of Land whereon David Miniter, deceased, lately lived, containing 163 Acres, within five Miles of Williamsburg, adjoining Greenspring and Powhatan Swamp, chiefly Wood Land, and some excel- lent Swamp already drained, and now fit for a Meadow. The Terms will be made known on the Day of Sale. JOHN BROWNE, Sheriff.
TAKEN up, in Charlotte, a Bay Mare four Feet five Inches high, has had a Fistula, some Saddle Spots on her Back, a small Under- keel in her right Ear, had on a Bell, and has some Appearance of a Brand on her near Buttock, but so dull as not to be made out. Posted, and appraised to 3 l. (11) CHARLES HUNT.
TAKEN up, in Bedford, a Gray Horse about twelve Years old, four Feet five Inches high, and branded on the near Cheek, Shoulder, and Buttock, 9. Posted, and appraised to 6 l. (11) NICHOLAS HAYS.
TAKEN up, in Chesterfield, a Sorrel Horse eight or nine Years old, four Feet five Inches high, a Star in his Forehead, Snip on his Nose, Switch Tail, some Saddle Spots on his Back, but no Brand per- ceivable. Posted, and appraised to 10 l. (11) DANIEL MAN.
To be SOLD, on Monday the 2d of January next,  before the RALEIGH TAVERN, to the highest Bid-  ders, at three o'Clock in the Afternoon, TEN valuable Virginia born SLAVES, one of them an exceeding good Cook; also a HOUSE and LOT on the back Street, with sundry Outhouses, and a good Well; being the Estate of Thomas Pennan, deceased, and sold by Virtue of a Power of Attorney from his Heirs in Great Britain, by ROBERT NICOLSON. N. B. Credit will be allowed till the 10th Day of October next, the Purchasers giving Bond and approved Security. (6)
THE DISTILLERY at Alexandria in Vir- ginia, with other Improvements, to be LET for a Term of Years. Inquire of Mr. William Holt at Williamsburg, William Davies, Esq; at Norfolk, Mr. George Gilpin, or Messrs. Harper & Hawthorne, at Alexandria, Mr. John Cornbrough, at Baltimore, or of Daniel Roberdeau, Esq; at Philadelphia. The Distillery and Improvements consist of a Distillery built of Stone, 73 Feet by 39; a Stone Store 50 by 50, with Granaries, in two Stories above the Ground Floor, and a Sail or Rigging Loft above, the whole Length of the Building; a Molasses Store, framed, that will contain 140 Hogheads; and a framed Cooper's Shop 16 by 23, with a suitable Chimney. The Distillery is furnished with two new Stills about the same Size, that will hold to work 2500 Gallons; and the Working Cisterns, twenty in Number, will contain the same Quantity each. It is also furnished with a third Still, that contains to work 600 Gallons, for Low Wines. Each of these Stills have suitable Worms and Worm Tubs. There is also a suitable Low Wine Cistern, and five very ample Return Cisterns outside of the House, and under Cover. The Whole, and every Part of the Improvements, are entirely new, executed by Workmen from Philadelphia, and the Distillery under the immediate Eye and Direction of a Gentleman of eminent Capacity in Distillation. The Works are supplied with good cool Water from an ample Spring, by two Pumps with Brass Chambers 6 Inches Diameter; and the Cisterns are charged with two other Pumps, with Chambers of Block Tin of 5 Inches Diameter, through Suction Pipes of yellow Poplar. All these Pumps are worked by a Horse, in an adjoining Mill-House of large Diameter, well constructed. There is also a Woodyard, boarded seven Feet, that will contain much more than necessary for the Distillery, into which the Wood may be thrown from the Water. The Whole of these Improvements are situated in Alexandria, below the Bank; the Distillery on a flat Ground, and the Cisterns fixed above the highest Tide Waters; the Stores and Yard or a Wharf which, with the publick Wharf adjoining, of 66 Feet, makes an Extent of more than 200 Feet in Width, 156 Feet of which run 300 Feet into Potowomack. As it does not suit the Owner of these Improvements to remove his Residence from Philadelphia, he will let them at a moderate Rent, with a Contract for 300 Cords of Ash Wood yearly, for five Years, cut into four Feet Lengths, and delivered on the Maryland Shore, directly oppo- site to the Distillery, and so near the Water as to render any Carriage unnecessary, by the Heirs of Thomas Addison, Esq; deceased, at the Rate of a Dollar per Cord. Any person inclining to lease the Premises, may be furnished, on a speedy Application, with about 160 Hogheads of good well chosen Molasses, with Indulgence for Payment. Inquire as above. (tf)
For CHARTER,  THE Brigantine Abby, Jonas Herbert Master, Burthen about 240 Hogheads, or 8000 Bushels. For Terms apply to (tf) GREENWOOD, RITSON, & MARSH. NORFOLK, November 5, 1774.
PRINCE GEORGE, November 10, 1774.  RUN away from the Subscriber, a Mulatto Boy named SAM, about 16 or 17 Years old, of a very light Com- plexion, and will endeavour to pass for a free Boy, has gray Eyes, brown Hair, a smooth artful Tongue, is a great Villain, but a very good Barber. In the Month of June last he was put in York Jail, on Suspicion of having stolen some Money in Williamsburg. He made his Escape from thence and got to Norfolk, where he was put in Jail and sent to me by Water. The next Day (September 20th) he made his Escape from my Overseer, and has not since been heard of. He was born in Frederick Town, Ma- ryland, has lived in Fredericksburg, Norfolk, and York Town, and is well acquainted with most Parts of Virginia. He was very meanly clad, hav- ing been so long in Jail, but it is probable will procure Clothes. I will give 40 s. Reward to have him committed to any of his Majesty's Jails, if taken in the Colony of Virginia, and if out of the Colony 5 l. All Captains of Ships, or Masters of Vessels, are hereby forewarned from car- rying him out of the Country, or employing him. (tf) JOHN BLAND.
I HAVE laid off several Lots, or Half Acres of Land, contiguous to the Town of Alexandria, which are to be leased in Fee on Ground Rent. Any Persons inclining to rent the same may make Application to Robert Hanlon Harrison, Esq; Attorney at Law, resident in the said Town, who will let them know the Terms, and agree for me, he having a proper Power to act. (6) JOHN ALEXANDER.
To be HIRED for the ensuing Year, at King William  Courthouse, on Thursday the 29th of December, if  fair, otherwise next fair Day, ABOUT FIFTY likely Virginia born SLAVES, consisting of Men, Women, Boys, and Girls, some of which are excellent House Ser- vants, being Part of the Trust Estate of Colonel Philip Johnson. Bond and Security will be required, to carry Interest from the Date, if not punctually paid. All Persons who hired the above Slaves the last Year are desired to have them there that Day, well clothed, together with the Money for their Hire, if possible. (7) JOHN WATKINS, for the Trustees.
Wanted immediately,  A JOURNEYMAN SHOEMAKER that understands the Business well in all its Branches. Such a One, that can come well recom- mended, for an honest, industrious, sober Man, will meet with Encou- ragement to his Satisfaction, a good Seat of Work, and his Money paid every Saturday Night if he chooses it. Inquire for the Subscriber, near the upper Church, in Middlesex County. (tf) SAMUEL DANIEL.
NEW YORK, July 27, 1774.  FIFTY POUNDS REWARD, WHEREAS, on the 19th of June last past, a certain JOSEPH THORP was entrusted with a considerable Sum in Half Johanneses, of nine Pennyweight, to be delivered by him at Quebec, and as he has not yet made his Appearance there, with other suspicious Cir- cumstances, it is apprehended he is gone off with the Money. He is a Native of England, about six Feet high, lwarthy Complexion, very dark keen Eyes, and pitted with the Smallpox, of a slender Make, stoops as he walks, talks rather slow, with some small Impediment in his Speech. He lived some Time in Boston, from whence he removed to Quebec, assuming the Character of a Merchant in both Places; he was also once in Trade in Newcastle, Virginia, and has a Brother settled there. It is believed he went on Board Captain John F. Pruym, for Albany, and took with him a blue Cashmir and a dark brown Cloth Suit of Clothes. Whoever secures the said Joseph Thorp, in any of his Majesty's Jails on this Continent, shall be entitled to ten per Cent. on the Sum recovered, and the above Reward of 50 l. when convicted. Apply to Carleton and Seton of New York, Joseph Wharton, Junior, of Philadelphia, Robert Christie of Baltimore, James Gibson and Co. Virginia, John Bondfield of Quebec, Melatiah Bourne or John Rowe of Boston. It is requested of those who may have seen this Joseph Thorp, since the 19th of June last past, or know any Thing of the Route he has taken, that they convey the most early Intelligence thereof to any of the above Persons, or to Greenwood, Ritson, and Marsh, in Norfolk, or to Robert Pleasants and Co. at Four Mile Creek, Henrico County; the Favour will be gratefully acknow- ledged. All Masters of Vessels are forewarned from taking him off the Continent. (tf)
WILLIAMSBURG, September 29, 1774.  COMMITTED to the Publick Jail, on the 3d Instant, a Negro Man named CHARLES, who told me he belonged to Doctor Corbin Griffin of York, which I have repeatedly notified to the Doctor; but no Application having been made from him for the said Fellow, it is probable he has told me a Falstity. From his own Story, he was lately the Property of Mr. James Pride, from whom Doctor Griffin received him last February, and kept him in Possession till the July following, at which Time he eloped. He is about 25 Years old, five Feet nine Inches high, slim made, well dressed, and fit to act in the Ca- pacity of a Waiting Man. His Owner is desired to take him away, and pay Charges. (tf) PETER PELHAM.
FOR SALE, A TRACT OF LAND in York County, about four Miles from Wil- liamsburg, containing 250 Acres. It lies in about three Quarters of a Mile of York River, and about the same Distance from the Oyster Rocks, joins Colonel John Tabb's, and Colonel Landon Carter's Land, and has as much Timber as will pay for it in one Year, by felling Wood to the Inhabitants of Williamsburg. It is under a Mortgage to Mr. William Graves of York County, for about 190 l. which Sum must be paid him at the Acknowledgment; for the Remainder of the Money one or two Years Credit will be given, as can be agreed on, and Possession may be had at Christmas. For Terms apply to Captain William Gregory of Charles City, or the Subscriber in the same County, about three Miles from the Courthouse. (tf) AMBROSE JACKSON.
To be SOLD or RENTED (Preference will be given  to the first) A PLANTATION on Allen's Creek in Mecklenburg, within a Mile of Roanoke, consisting of about 120 Acres of Land, the Property of Messrs. Alexander Donald and Co. and whereon the Subscriber now lives. The Land of itself is valuable, exclusive of the Improvements, which are a good Dwelling-House, with other necessary Outhouses, and a large and convenient Storehouse, 32 by 44 Feet. There are about 20 Acres of the low Ground well set in Timothy and Clover, and notwithstanding this dry Summer, 15 Acres of it have yielded above 30,000 Weight of Hay, which, with about 300 Bushels of Oats in the Straw, some Indian Corn, 40 Head of Cattle, 50 Head of Sheep, and some Hogs, will be sold on reasonable Terms. The Purchaser may have Possession of the Premises as soon as he pleases, and long Credit (if required) will be al- lowed for the Land, on his giving Bond and Security. It is expected the Store will be continued, and of Course the Purchaser will have the Benefit of the Board of the Storekeepers, and besides the Situation of the Place (being on Taylor's Ferry Road) makes it well calculated for a Tavern. (tf) EBENEZER MACHARG.
To be SOLD, A TRACT OF LAND in Surry County, containing 450 Acres, known by the Name of Cabin Point, on which are a new Set of Brick Warehouses, which bring in about 70 l. a Year, and a new Brick Mer- chant Mill completely fitted with two Water Wheels on a never-failing Stream, within 100 Feet of the Wharf. The Land is very good for Grain, and has about 40 Acres that may be made fine Meadow. This is one of the most improvable Estates in the Country. Half the Purchase Money to be paid in twelve Months, the other Half may lie for seven Years, on good Security being given, and punctual Payment of Interest. If the Land is not sold by Christmas, it will be rented out. (tf) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
FOR SALE, TWO THOUSAND Acres of LAND, lying on the River Shenando, in the County of Frederick, eight Miles above Abby's Gap. One Third of the Purchase Money to be paid on the Day of Sale, and an ex- tensive Credit will be given for the Remainder. Mr. James Brown will show the Land to any Person inclining to purchase, and I shall be on the Premises the 15th of November next. (tf) NATHANIEL BURWELL. ISLE OF WIGHT, July 19, 1774.
FOR SALE, A TRACT OF LAND in Amelia County, containing 500 Acres, about four Miles below the Courthouse, it is remarkable fine Land for Grain, and will bring good Tobacco. The Plantation is in good Order for Cropping, sufficient to work six or eight Hands, with all necessary Houses. Any Person inclining to purchase may depend on having a Bargain, and knowing the Terms by applying to (tf) WILLIAM MARSHALL.
For SALE, ABOUT twelve Thousand Acres of exceeding rich TOBACCO LAND, in Amherst County, whereon are several Plantations and Improvements sufficient to work forty or fifty Hands. There is on the said Land for Sale a very valuable GRIST MILL, lately built, with a Stone Dam and a Pair of good Cologne Millstones, which Mill has for two Years past got upwards of 100 Barrels of Toll Corn, and is situated on a never failing Stream. The Land will be shown by William Womack, who lives at one of the Plantations, and the Prices of the Land made known by him. One or two Years Credit will be allowed, Interest being paid for the second Year, and also for the first, if the Money is not paid agreeable to Contract. The Land is to be laid off and surveyed by Colonel William Cabell, at the Expense of the Purchaser. Deeds will be made upon Bond and approved Security being given, either to Colonel William Cabell, or the Subscriber. Six per Cent. Discount will be allowed for ready Money, or good Merchants Notes. If any Person will choose to exchange Lands in the lower Part of the Country, on or near some navigable River, that are good, it is more than probable we should agree. (tf) CARTER BRAXTON.
ALL Persons may be supplied with this PAPER at 12 s. 6 d. a Year, and have ADVERTISEMENTS (of a moderate Length) inserted in it for 3 s. the first Week, and 2 s. each Week after. All Sorts of PRINTING WORK done at this Office in the neatest Manner, with Care and Expedition.