The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg, Va.), 1774-09-22 00:00:00

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To the GENTLEMEN of the VESTRY in VIRGINIA. Cessat deus si cessat pietas.
Withhold your favours when they meet with no returns of gratitude. GENTLEMEN, I LATELY took the freedom to give some advice and reprehension to the clergy, though not more with a view to their reformation than with some expectation that it would put my countrymen on their guard against imposition. If there was as much reason for complaint, and the people have been as much injured, as was represented, it behoves all who love LIBERTY and JUSTICE to exert themselves in their behalf; but this will especially be expected from you, as their representatives in ecclesiastical matters, and the guardians of their spiritual privileges. It is to be lamented, that your authority and power is so little adequate to the importance of your trust and your opportunities for usefulness, and still more to be lamented, that so much power and liberty is lodged in the clergy; who shew so great a propensity to change their power into oppression, and their liberty into licentiousness. Nevertheless, small as your authority is, a discreet and circumspect use of it may produce beneficial effects, and independent as the clergy are, their peace and comfort may appear to hang, in some measure, on your favour and indulgence.
That you may be the more ready to listen to an address to you on this occasion, much might be said on the dignity of your office, both as agents for the people and assistants in governing the church of Christ, and also on the importance of different points that come under your decision. Instead of this, I shall content myself with taking notice of the single act of setting a pastor over a congregation, as of sufficient consequence to gain your attention to every rational argument and advice that may urge you to, or assist you in, the performance of your duty. How inconsiderable soever this business may be thought by men who undervalue every thing that does not appear conspicuous in this world, yet in the final day of accounts, when every article of human life will be rated according to its real worth, it will be found that the election of a christian teacher will have a higher value set upon it than many transactions which are alluded to with greater solicitude, and looked upon to be far more interesting, by the generality of mankind. It is evident, from scripture, that preaching is the stated method of proclaiming the doctrines of salvation to men, and also that its efficacy depends almost wholly on the manner of its being performed and the example that accompanies it, so that the character and ability of the minister are according to the plan of providence and system of grace, of nearly the same importance with christianity itself. What a serious thought is this, that the eternal state of many fellow creatures should so much depend on the conduct of one man, and that one man should depend on your appointment! With what deliberation and enquiry, with what anxiety and circumspection, must a truly conscientious man, warned with benevolence, and softened with humanity, proceed to an act of such everlasting consequence to his countrymen, to his friends, to his neighbours, to his relations, when the focial tie is the strongest, and the union the most intimate! If the competition for a parish lay between two clergymen of such equal parts and piety that the difference would affect the future state of but a single person, would it not demand your utmost care and study to make the happy choice? Nay, if the difference between two candidates were so small as to affect only the degree of future happiness in one individual, and that individual were the most inconsiderable person you represent, certainly his pains could be reckoned too great to find out the superior of the two; for the smallest and seemingly most trivial circumstance, when it comes to be clothed with infinite duration, acquires a value that sets it above the most prized possessions that have but a temporary existence. But where there is all the reason in the world to think there is a very great inequality among ministers of the gospel, and that while some by their knowledge, their zeal, and exemplary lives, shall turn many unto righteousness, there are others, who by their ignorance, their indolence, or unchristian practices, shall lead men into error and perdition, what words can express the precaution and scrutiny that should be employed in distinguishing the one sort from the other?
No more, I presume, need be urged to procure the attention of every considerate vestryman to whatever may be offered in regard to the discharge of his great trust, as well as that particular part of it that relates to the choice of a pastor. It must be owned that the time allowed for your determination is so soon elapsed, and those who solicit are often so little known, and have so great interest in disguising, that you must sometimes be unavoidably deceived. What encircles your difficulty in this matter, too, is, the great liberty many gentlemen take in recommending clergymen to vacant parishes when they know very little of them, and many times when what they do know affords no reason to think them fit to teach or govern a christian society. Setting aside the iniquity of this custom, with respect to its hurtful influence on religion, it is really astonishing that men of sense and reputation, who in other things adhere punctiliously to honour and truth, should in this case so shamefully violate truth, honour, and fidelity. I dare say there are at this time not a few clergymen who have been of signal disadvantage to the people that have procured a reception into their parishes merely by carrying vouchers for their merit from gentlemen of character. What a pity it is, that any man should make use of his credit to do so great an injury to his fellow men, and to those, too, who rely most on his veracity and judgment! Nor is it less strange that this practice should bring so little reproach on persons who would have been justly disgraced had they been as culpably accessory to the temporal damage of mankind; an incontestable evidence this of the little regard that has been paid among us to religion, and the purity of the church of England.
But let not these difficulties discourage you, but rather incite you to greater prudence, integrity, and diligence, in the discharge of your weighty trust; and the less confidence you find there is to be put in the intercession of others, the more sedulous should you be in taking the advantage of personal interviews with the candidates for your parishes, by carefully examining their principles and inspecting their conduct. To do this, you must see how necessary it is that you yourselves should be well acquainted with the laws, tenets, and government, of the church to which you have solemnly subscribed to be conformable, and without the knowledge of which you cannot act the part of faithful vestrymen. You must be convinced of this, when it is considered that your office plainly requires you to interrogate candidates freely and particularly about the plan they intend to proceed on in their ministerial exercises, the doctrines they intend to preach, the interpretations they put on the articles of the church, the duties they think incumbent on clergymen as to private labours among their parishioners, the discipline they intend to practise, and to put such other questions as may found their religious notions and give you an insight into their real characters. It will be requisite, moreover, to observe whether they be well versed in the scriptures, and are fond of discoursing on divine subjects, whether they try most to learn the state of religion and the most likely means of promoting it among the people, or are most inquisitive about the value of the salaries and the fertility and improvements of the glebes. You must expect that the more wary and strict you are with them the more artful and industrious impostors will be at dissembling. But it is extremely hard for an ignorant man to appear knowing, or for a knave to perform the honest man, under the eye and examination of a discerning judge. If the mask does not drop quite off, it will slip aside sometimes and let you have a glance at their
faces, which will embolden you to go on in your search, till you can, in a becoming manner, tear it off, and expose the full visage of the wolf. I cannot help giving you some caution, particularly against those gentlemen who come from the north part of Britain. The church of England has been greatly prejudiced by adopting the discarded sons of the kirk of Scotland, and we have reason to regret that deposition in that church has not hindered some from enjoying a benefice in this province. Besides these, we have suffered much from others, who despairing of admission into the ministry of their national church, through insufficiency or immorality, and being pressed with poverty and hunger, poit up to London, crying to the bishop, each one in the language of the generation of Eli, put me, I pray thee, into one of the priest's offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. We are likewise in danger from another class of persons that revolt from that communion, who are captivated by good living and allured by the superior pecuniary advantages of the priesthood in our establishment. They come from their native country over into this in the character of private tutors, and by residing in gentlemen's families, where they get more meat at one meal than they used to do in half a year, and drink more wine than in their whole lives before, grow fat, lazy, and proud, and losing in point of religion and conscience, as they gain in flesh, apply for holy orders in the church of England, that they may at once perpetuate their good face and get rid of the trouble of earning it. This is not spoken from the least prejudice against a nation renowned for learning, industry, and frugality, nor against a church that has been often applauded for orthodoxy and purity, nor against converts to episcopacy from rational conviction and the desire of doing good, who ought to be held in the highest esteem, but from a regard to the interests of religion, and disdain at those mercenary and voluptuous wretches who sell their birthright for a mess of pottage, and become a burden to our society and a scandal to the established church. If their lives may be a testimony in favour of my allegations, I believe it might be shown that the clergy from that quarter are, and have been, by far the most worthless of any among us, the old ones commonly turning out to be lots or misers, and the young ones paltry coxcombs or ignorant clowns.
Let us now consider the clergy as possessed of the living and the care of the people, and see what treatment is due to them: If they are zealous and active in the duties of their function, preaching constantly and fervently, visiting and watching over their flocks, practising and promoting all public, domestic, and private duties; if they faithfully declare the doctrines of christianity, and by example, exhortation, and reproof, endeavour to bring men to obey its precepts; if they shew themselves more anxious about the salvation of sinners than the collection of their salaries, and seem more ambitious of adding to the church such as are to be saved than of augmenting their worldly possessions and rising to worldly honours; if they give these proofs of their integrity and soundness in the faith; no respect or encouragement can exceed their desert. But it is needless to urge you to this; there is no danger of your being defective in rewarding the meritorious. A faithful, laborious minister, acquires the greatest influence imaginable over his congregation, and is sure of almost every favour he thinks fit to ask. This is so true that it may be safely averred that the comfortable situation of unworthy clergymen in all countries is owing, in great measure, to the zeal and merit of their predecessors, who procured so much confidence, and were so much in the affections of the laity, that they were indulged with powers and privileges which descended, without their good qualities, to those that succeeded them. No one, I fancy, can think it probable, if the legislature were now to fix the maintenance of ministers, with their eyes on the present set, that one fourth of what they now receive would be thought due to them.
Leaving, therefore, those worthy divines, who are sure of having justice done them, and cannot be treated with too much kindness and reverence, let us turn to those of the opposite column, and see what they deserve at your hands: It is too commonly thought that unfaithful clergymen are entitled to esteem and respect from the sanctity of their office, and that their faults should be overlooked to keep up the dignity and usefulness of the priesthood. This is a mistaken and pernicious notion; the sacred function is dishonoured by the ill conduct of those who occupy it, not by the contempt and punishment of that ill conduct, and the dignity of the priesthood can be preserved only by shewing such men to be unworthy of it. If you have clergymen fixed upon you, who preach as seldom and as short as they well can, when they should be instant in season, out of season, who are shy of conversing on religious topics when they should be examples of believers in word and conversation, who do not visit and inspect their flock when they should teach from house to house, and reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine, who omit the orderly and pious government of their families, and do not direct their parishioners to the use of domestic duties, when they should rule well their own houses, and ought to pray for the families that call not on the name of God, whilst they abstain from the most gross immoralities; if they are chargeable with these, or such like deficiencies, do they deserve the name of evangelical pastors, or are they entitled to the favour and esteem of honest christians? Do they not rather challenge your indignation and contempt? When they thus disgrace the church they belong to, defraud the people of the instruction due to them, and disregard the vows they have made to God at their assumption of holy orders, and the covenant they solemnly though secretly formed with yourselves at their induction, when they betray so much unfaithfulness, injustice, and impiety, are you not bound in duty to your Maker, to your constituents, and to yourselves, to withhold every discretionary advantage and emolument? Is it generous, is it just, to levy unnecessary taxes on the people to gratify men who plainly shew they care nothing for them; to buy new glebes, build and repair houses, and run the people to other costs, for the ease and convenience of ungrateful men, who will grow more negligent as they grow more independent, and more vicious or griping as they grow more wealthy?
I am persuaded that many of you, gentlemen, have been lavish in your bounties to the clergy purely from a principle of liberality and humanity; but it has been a mistaken or misapplied principle; it has been exercised towards a few, to the detriment of many; towards a few who had no claim to your favour, on the score of merit, to the detriment of many, who have given up part of their property to be disposed of by you, and entrusted you with the management of their most important concerns. I would not insinuate that the clergy, because they neglect duty, have no right to justice; but that the people have an equal right to it. And does justice require that the clergy should have all the reward, when they perform but part of the labour? Or does it allow that the people should pay the whole stipend, when they receive but part of the instruction? As the purchasing, and building on glebes, is what lies most at your discretion, in rewarding the clergy, you ought to manage that matter with all the art and economy possible, and with a steady regard to the interest of the people; it should, like the last piece of gold in the purse, be husbanded to the best advantage. So long as you have this in reserve, you will probably be treated by your incumbents with good manners and civility, at least; as gamesters are complaisant and courteous to those who have anything more to lose; but as soon as they have got the whole booty, slight and laugh at the unfortunate. For your own sakes, then, I would advise you never to put yourselves into such a state, that you have no favour to bestow, or the minister has none to ask. You will take notice, I am speaking all along of those clergymen who are deficient in the duties I have specified. Such shew so little conscientiousness in the discharge of
their office, that no charity can oblige a man to think a principle of conscience carried them into the ministry. It is too plain they were moved by a prospect of the living; and therefore you must not expect to mend them, or make them more conscientious, by feeding their lucrative appetites. Indeed, it is hard to say what good end can be served by giving fruitful glebes, and fine buildings, to undevoting clergymen. If any of you have one that is imperious and assuming, can you think you will abate his pride by encrasing his independence? If you have one that is sordid and covetous, do you imagine you will lessen his avarice by enlarging his stock, and giving him greater means of enriching himself? If you have one that is lazy, and likes not to turn out to attend his church, and go among his parishioners to instruct them, is it to be supposed you will make him more willing to go abroad by granting him such land, buildings, and conveniences, as will render his situation more commodious and comfortable at home? Besides these considerations, the interest of the laity is to be carefully regarded. Prudence does not more forbid unnecessary grants to idle clergymen than justice forbids unnecessary taxes on the injured laity. It would seem, by the conduct of many of the clergy, as if they thought, like some absolute monarchs, that their function was instituted merely for the benefit and support of such persons as themselves, and not for the good and happiness of the society they live upon. But I hope, gentlemen, the more they neglect and undervalue the people, the more tender you will be of their rights and possessions; and the more flow they are to communicate instruction, the more folicious you will be to keep back the reward.
The salaries settled by law, with the glebes and perquisites annexed, were deemed both a genteel living, and competent reward, for worthy men, who should perform all the duties, and answer all the purposes, the legislature had in view when they were making provision for the clergy. It was thought that the laity could well spare a part of their commodities for the great benefits of a christian ministry, and that the clergy, thus disentangled from the cares of the world, might give themselves wholly to the proper business of their station; and if matters had so turned out, if the laity had received all the services due to them, and if the clergy had taken occasion, from their happy circumstances, to shake off worldly concerns, and to employ all their time and abilities in serving the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers, it would have been reasonable and right they should have had their full allowance. But as the clergy make so light of their obligations, and so pervert and misapply their stipends, their time, and their talents, and as the laity are deprived of so great a share of the expected advantages, it may justly be expected that you should give all the redress in your power to the sufferers. I do not mean that you should break through the bounds of the law, but that you should act so cautiously and scrupulously as to do the most strict justice, and make all possible savings to the people. This would be prudent and laudable if you acted only for yourselves; but when you act for others, it is your indispensable duty. If your bestowing every thing you legally can would be a full compensation to the clergy for the performance of all their duties, I am sure it is not in your power to bring down their emoluments so low as to make them no more than a just compensation for what they actually perform. If 16,000 pounds of tobacco, marriage and funeral-sermon-fees, with the best glebe and improvements in the colony, are an adequate satisfaction for the discharge of every parochial duty, to what a mere pittance would strict equity reduce the income of those who content themselves with barely preaching a short sermon once a week?
After what has been said, may I not apply to those of you, who have it now, or may hereafter have it, in contemplation, to purchase new, or add to or repair, old glebes, with this reasonable entreaty, that you would consider whether you have the concurrence and approbation of the people, and whether the minister you now have acquits himself to faithfully as to deserve it. If these enquiries result in favour of your intentions, and to the honour of your pastor, I congratulate both you and him on your mutual felicity. May you reward and revere him, and may it provoke his gratitude, and encrase his usefulness. But if the sentiments of the people, and the character of the incumbent, are found to militate against such a measure, I must say, that honour and fidelity, reason, conscience, and religion, forbid the prosecution of it, and that no consideration whatever can justify you in giving away the property of the people to support an unprofitable minister in indolence and ease. Consider what I have said, and the Lord give you understanding in all things. I am, GENTLEMEN, yours, &c.
A CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN.
L O N D O N, July 1. BY the last vessels from Boston, in New England, very satisfactory advices of the peaceable disposition of that long distracted town have been received by the merchants here. The invoices that were thrown aside immediately on the receipt of Hancock's frantic oration have been taken up again; goods are shipping, and several vessels will, in the space of a few weeks, sail for Boston. Yet still it is thought that bills, to a considerable amount, drawn by merchants in Boston on their correspondents in London, will remain unanswered; for our men of business have begun to be cautious how they advance money for people whose payments are very precarious and insecure. It is also imagined, that if Boston continues quiet, and passes the expected compensation bills, that the port will not only be opened, but that there will be no restriction laid on any of the wharfs, as to shipping or landing of goods.
It is much reported that the Americans have at last come to a resolution of soliciting the assistance of some power, which is not yet known. This report, it is said, has indeed very much embarrassed the premier, who, it is thought, is now really in a wood, and does not know which way to proceed.
The artificers of several of the dockyards, it is said, now work double days, which looks as if lord North did not confide so much in French proteges as the world says he does.
Early on Saturday morning a whole length etching of a first lord of the treasury, suspended by a cord de cou, was found hanging to the knocker of a certain house in Downing Street, with the following inscription: "May such be the fate of all reformers of the religion of their country!"
A gentleman wondering to Charles Fox, the other day, why lord North was not afraid of going through such an unconstitutional measure as the late Quebec bill, "You may depend on it, says the other, he has got an abolition for it."
Lord North being asked one day if he thought it now possible to remove the young cub's inveteracy against the ministry, "O yes (replied his lordship) a bolus made of gold and silver will as easily purge him of that as a vomit will his foul stomach."
The Algerines have at this time a dispute with the Dutch and Spaniards as well as our court. The latter have given orders for the Dutch admiral to go down immediately with a proper force to demand an explicit answer for their conduct.
The Olive, Cranley, from Sierra Leone to Philadelphia, with 170 slaves on board, has been blown off the cape of Virginia in a hard gale of wind, and obliged to bear away for Bermuda; but before she reached the latter place, the ship unfortunately took fire by some accident, and was burnt down to the water's edge, when the funk, and the captain, together with the crew and slaves, were either drowned or perished in the flames.

The late rains and fine weather have brought the grass so very forward in the country that they are now in several places busy mowing, which is sooner than has been known for many years past. It is almost incredible what crops there are; therefore the monopolizers of hay last year now begin to carry woeful countenances, as they have overthrown their market, it being generally thought that hay will be twenty shillings a ton lower than it has been this last winter.
By a letter from a gentleman of veracity at Cadiz we are informed, that after a council of war held at that place, orders were given for fitting out ten ships of the line with the utmost expedition.
A letter from Amsterdam mentions, that the forces of Spain, according to the list lately published, amount to 156,000 men; in former reigns they did not exceed 80,000 men.
The Bunhill, Dawson, of Liverpool, is lost on the bar of Bonny, with 300 slaves.
We are informed the service for the 5th of November is to be entirely new modelled; that celebrated investigator of historical facts, Sir J. D. having undertaken to prove that the horrid scheme, intended to have been executed on that day, was not a catholic, but a protestant contrivance.
July 4. Private letters from Boston give us rather an unfavourable account of the state of that town, in a mercantile view. The generality of the faction have little trading intercourse with England, being mostly composed of men who are engaged in smuggling companies, or mechanics; yet there are some merchants among them, but these merchants are mostly indebted in England, are violent party men, and attribute the non-payment of their debts to the threepenny duty on tea, and to the exercise of the just rights of the British legislature over them; therefore the merchants who either will not, or cannot, make remittances, the smugglers, the mechanics, and those who are fascinated with the extravagant notion of independence, all join to counteract the majority of the merchants, and the lovers of peace and good order. Sedicious committees have been appointed, who have endeavoured to influence the other colonies to shut up their ports, to ruin themselves, and to starve the West Indies, in order to enable the herd of faction at Boston to conquer ungrateful England. In this extraordinary scheme, the unsuccess of the Boston rebels has been adequate to the folly of the proposal. Some of the other colonies have publicly declared that they will not enter into any non-importation agreement with the people of Boston, because the faction of that town had most infamously deceived them in a former agreement of the same kind. What the Boston faction themselves have published, concerning the colonies of Rhode Island and New Hampshire joining in their frantic scheme, is partly true. These colonies have verbally joined the Bostonians; but, if we can credit private letters from Boston itself, it is not expected that those colonies will observe in practice what they have promised in writing; and there are also letters in town, from merchants who constitute part of the faction (that is to say, the honest and the misled part, whose eyes are now partly opened) and they declare, amidst their affeverations of defending what they call their rights and privileges, that they will take proper care not to be cheated by their brother confederates, as they were in the last non-importation agreement. From this intelligence we may readily conceive that no consistent, permanent, or vigorous measures, will be adopted by the Boston rebels; for where there exists a suspicion, in the minds of men acting together, of a want of faith among themselves, or, to speak in plainer terms, where one party of them expects to be cheated by the other, in such an association, unanimity cannot long subsist, more especially as their confederacy is fundamentally wrong and unwarrantable; a house built upon a sandy foundation, and divided against itself, cannot stand. Such are the contents of many letters from Boston by the two last vessels, and such advices have had a proper effect, or at least, it is supposed, will have, on the merchants here, as several vessels, that were expected to sail in a few weeks for the Massachusetts, will either be obliged to remain here, or to sail in ballast. Private letters also mention, that some owners of vessels have laid up their ships, on the supposition that the English merchants will not ship any goods till the faction has been quieted, and till the blockade is withdrawn. Other letters hint, that some who are called merchants have in contemplation a removal to the Ohio and the Mississippi, as in such remote regions they will have little chance of hearing from their friends in England. In general, the private accounts bear the complexion of the writers; some, who wish for the opening of the port, are, nevertheless, well pleased that such an effectual measure has been taken, as the most seditious now begin to feel their own littleness, and have also drawn upon themselves the reproaches of the more moderate; and as some of the heads of the faction have no concerns in lawful trade, the majority of the merchants complain much against them for involving the town in such distress. It is likewise said, that if the act had been conditional, and if, upon their voting the compensation for the tea, its operation would have been prevented, that the money would have been instantly granted, for the real cause of all the hellish insolence committed at Boston was, the continued assurances to Boston by their agent that Britain was too enfeebled, and administration too timorous, to take any spirited measures to repress them. The fatal effects of listening to such insidious advices are now clearly seen by every person possessed of common sense. The public accounts, which the faction have published from their friends (as they mistakenly call them) in London, give us the strongest evidence of the base falsehoods employed to mislead the ignorant people of Boston. Amongst these many pages of falsehoods, we shall only select one article, which is, "that when the regiments were ordered to embark for Boston, many of the officers resigned their commissions, refusing to be the instruments of oppression." This may serve as a specimen of the encouragement which the factious miscreants here infuse into the Bostonians on purpose to seduce them. Another piece of admirable advice given them, by some knave here, is, "that as their port was to be blocked up, it would be wise in them not to pay any of their debts to this country." Thinking men now will not be surprised that there have been the most unjustifiable commotions and insurrections in Boston, as they find that the people whom the Bostonians confide in, and entrust with the management of their affairs here, have written their correspondents the well established truth of the officers resigning their commissions, and also lent them the honest advice not to pay their just debts!
July 7. The captain of a ship arrived from Kirkwall, in the Orkney, brings an account, that on the 10th of last month upwards of 150 sail of Dutch vessels rendezvoused in, Brassa Sound, and from thence proceeded on the herring fishery.
A correspondent says he wishes the framers and advisers of the Quebec bill were obliged to walk from Whitechapel to Hyde Park Corner naked, tarred, and feathered, if so small a punishment was equal to their crime; and it must be droll, he says, to frame to one's self the thane and jefries walking in procession among the feathered race.
Plenty (says Sir William Temple) begets wantonness and pride; wantonness is apt to invent, and pride scorns to imitate. Liberty begets stomach or heart, and stomach will not be constrained. Thus we come to have more originals, and more that appear what they are; we have more humour, because every man follows his own, and takes a pleasure, perhaps a pride, to show it. This pride and wantonness, refusing from plenty, now reside only in high life.
What was said by the greatest writer of his time in the year 1692 may, it is feared, bear an application to our own. There are no where so many disputes upon religion, so many reasoners upon government, so many refiners in politics, so many curious inquisitors, so many pretenders to business, and state employments, greater porers upon books, nor plodders after wealth, and yet, no where more abandoned libertines, more refined luxurists, extravagant debauchees, conceited gallants, more dabbler in poetry, as well as in politics, philosophy, and chymistry.
A great foreign physician called our country, almost a century ago, the region of spleen. This may arise a good deal from the great uncertainty and sudden changes of our weather in all seasons of the year; and how much these affect the heads and hearts, especially of the finest tempers, is hard to be believed by men whose thoughts are not turned to such speculations. This makes us unequal in our humours, inconsistent in our passions, uncertain in our ends, and even in our desires.
A correspondent, who has the best intelligence from the colonies, assures the public that the people there will most undoubtedly suppress all trade which can in any shape have benefited this country. He remarks, that this must go deeper towards destroying our national security, and strike deeper at national credit, than any warlike declaration from France or Spain could do; that with the aid of America we might bear our present burthens, and many more; without them we must sink with a millstone about our necks, even without a contention with any European neighbour; nor can we hope the spirit of Choiseul will be at rest when we give him so certain an opportunity to complete our ruin.
July 9. Friday fortnight, at Boroughbridge fair, in Yorkshire, two clothiers, from the West Ridings, were prevailed on to make an exchange with a sharper, or smuggler, by giving him cloth to the amount of ten pounds, for which they were to receive three bags of tea and three half-anchors of geneva; but how great was their mortification to find about a quarter of a pound of tea, at the top of each bag, and underneath, chopped hay, sand, and bran. Each of the half-anchors had a thin tube fixed within the bung-hole, which contained a sample of good geneva, of near a pint in quantity, the rest pure element.
The late spirited resolutions of the Americans hath thrown the king and minister into a dreadful quandary.
A correspondent, in the Public Advertiser, addresses himself to Mr. Grieve in the following manner, on account of his late attempt to be sheriff of London: "And so, Mr. Grieve, you really had no other motive in the world for desiring to be sheriff but to relieve the modest livery of London from the cruel tyranny of a wicked minister!
My good Mr. Grieve, How could you conceive That you could be sheriff? Or can we believe That you could relieve, Except with good beevess, Such a parcel of thieves!"
Yesterday lieutenant governor Robert Eden, esquire, governor of Maryland, who arrived from thence on Tuesday evening for a few weeks, in order to take with his lady and family, waited on his majesty at the levee, being in attendance on the order of the ceremonies, and was very graciously received.
As a proof that the king of Prussia is greatly in the interest of Great Britain, it is readily said, that a great sum of money has within these few days been sent him from hence, in order to enable him to compleat some scheme he has long been concerting, and that, if found necessary, it will be followed by more.
The principal reason assigned for the king of Prussia's professing himself a friend to England is, because we gave him no interruption in his late proceedings in Poland, which, at one time, he very little expected from us.
A rider to a wholesale tradesman, lately arrived in town, says, that in the several counties and corporate towns he has lately been in, executing his commissions in the course of this summer, he finds that tar and feathers will bear a good price next spring, and be a good commodity; as the inhabitants of the several corporate towns, where he has been in the west, are determined to tar and feather every wight who voted for the Quebec bill, if they presume to come and offer themselves as candidates at the next general election, as a mark of their detestation, and while they are so musing, they think to shew that it will, at least, they say, prevent some of the macaroni gentry, who at present compose the house of commons, from voting for themselves, as the smell of tar will be welcome to their delicate constitutions.
On Saturday afternoon a countryman was inveigled into a public house in Chancery Lane by two fellows, who pretended an acquaintance with him, and said they would treat him with share of a pot of beer. While they were drinking, one of them produced cards, and offered to cut for a shilling, on which the countryman suspecting them, got up to go away, but they insisted he should pay for the liquor, and on his refusal, they began to threaten him; on which he gave them both a severe drubbing, and then left them to pay the reckoning.
Early on Sunday, the 26th of June, John Upson, of Woodbridge, in the county of Suffolk, glover, who was committed to the castle for felony a few days before, hanged himself in his own room with his garter. The coroner's inquest sat on the body, and brought in their verdict non compos mentis . The following verses were found wrote in a prayer book lying by him:
Farewell, vain world, I've had enough of thee, And now am careless what thou say'st of me; Thy smiles I court not, nor thy frowns I fear; My cares are past, my heart lies easy here; What faults they find in me take care to shun, And look at home; enough is to be done.
A gentleman at Lambeth having repeatedly had his greenhouse robbed of different plants, was resolved at last to find out the thief, for which purpose he put a small man-trap against one of the windows, which he supposed the rogue came in at, but to his great surprise, the next morning, he found his own son dead in it, being caught by the neck.
We are assured that the Active frigate, which arrived at Portsmouth about 3 weeks ago from Boston, brought orders to several merchants in Bristol for goods to a considerable amount; the principal people of that place being sincerely disposed to continue on an amicable footing with Great Britain, and using their utmost endeavours to keep the factious rabble in order. Four of the ringleaders, it is said, are ordered to England in irons. There is great reason to believe, therefore, that the port will soon be opened, and that trade will again flourish in that quarter of the world.
Tuesday morning a squamish journeyman tailor, in the neighbourhood of Lincoln's Inn Fields, for a trifling wager, eat seven buttered roles, and drank one pennyworth of beer. He was allowed one hour to do it in, but, like a true son of liberty, erected on his exalted throne, he valiantly performed the arduous task, and became master of the roles in exactly forty five minutes.
Famine in malquerade, behold thy portrait here, Seven mighty butter'd roles, one pennyworth of beer, Devour'd he, nor seem'd he yet to thrive, 'Tho' all cram'm'd down in minutes forty five. Amaz'd the standers by! Time cry'd, as ambling on, Phantom, I read thee, thou art famine's son!
July 11. The late affair at Plymouth, which ended so unfortunately, and so contrary to expectation, having occasioned much discussion, and given rise to a contrariety of opinions upon the subject, it is thought proper to give a detail of the transaction; the public may be assured that it comes from the best authority: Mr. Day (the sole projector of the scheme, and, as matters have turned out, the unhappy sacrifice of his own ingenuity) employed his thoughts for some years past in planning a method of sinking a vessel under water, with a man in it, who should live therein for a certain time, and then, by his own means only, bring himself up to the surface. After much study, he conceived that his plan could be reduced into practice; he communicated his idea in the part of the country where he lived, and had the most sanguine hopes of success. He went so far as to try his project in the broads near Yarmouth; he fitted a Norwegian market-boat for his purpose, sunk himself 30 feet under water, where he continued during the space of 24 hours, and executed his design to his own entire satisfaction. Blate with this success, he then wanted to avail himself of his invention. He conversed with his friends, perfectly convinced that he had brought his undertaking to a certainty, but how to reap the advantage of it was the difficulty that remained. The person in whom he confided suggested to him that if he acquainted the sporting gentlemen with the discovery, and the certainty of the performance, considerable bets would take place as soon as the project should be mentioned in company. The sporting calendar was immediately looked into, and the name of Mr. Blake soon occurred. That gentleman was fixed upon as the person to whom Mr. Day ought to address himself; accordingly Mr. Blake, in the month of November last, received the following letter:
SIR,
I have found out an affair, by which means thousands may be won; it is of a paradoxical nature, but can be performed with ease; therefore, Sir, if you chuse to be informed of it, and give me one hundred pounds out of every thousand you shall win by it, I will very readily wait upon you and inform you of it. I am myself but a poor mechanic, and not able to make any thing by it myself without your assistance. Your's, &c. J. DAY.
Mr. Blake had no conception of Mr. Day's design, nor was he sure that the letter was serious. To clear the matter up, he returned for answer, that if Mr. Day would come to town and explain himself, Mr. Blake would consider of the proposal; if he approved of it, Mr. Day should have the recompence he desired, if, on the other hand, the plan should be rejected, Mr. Blake would make him a present to defray the expenses of his journey. In a short time after Mr. Day came to town; Mr. Blake saw him, and desired to know what secret he was possessed of: The man replied that he could sink a ship one hundred yards deep in the sea, with himself in it, and remain therein for the space of twenty four hours, without communication with any thing above, and at the expiration of the time rise up again in the vessel. The proposal, in all its parts, was new to Mr. Blake; he took down the particulars, and after considering the matter, desired some kind of proof of the practicability: The man added, that if Mr. Blake would furnish him with the materials necessary, he would give him ocular demonstration. A model of the vessel in which he was to perform the experiment was then required, and in three or four weeks accomplished, so as to give a perfect idea of the principle upon which the scheme was to be executed, and indeed a very plausible promise of success, not to Mr. Blake only, but many other gentlemen who were consulted upon the occasion. The consequence was, that Mr. Blake, agreeably to the man's desire, advanced money for the construction of a vessel fit for the purpose. Mr. Day, thus assisted, went to Plymouth with his model, and set the men at that place to work upon it. The pressure of the water, at 100 feet deep, was a circumstance of which Mr. Blake was advised, and touching that article, he gave the strongest precautions to Mr. Day, telling him at any expence to fortify the chamber in which he was to shut himself against the weight of such a body of water. Mr. Day set off in great spirits for Plymouth, and seemed so confident, that Mr. Blake made a bet that the project would succeed, reducing, however, the depth of water from one hundred yards to one hundred feet, and the time from twenty four to twelve hours. By the terms of the wager, the experiment was to be made within three months from the date; but so much time was necessary for due preparation, that on the appointed day things were not in readiness, and Mr. Blake lost the bet. In some short time afterwards the vessel was finished, and Mr. Day still continued eager for the carrying of his plan into execution; he was uneasy at the idea of dropping the scheme, and wished for an opportunity to convince Mr. Blake that he could perform what he had undertaken; he went from Plymouth that every thing was in readiness, and should be executed the moment Mr.
Blake arrived. Induced by this promise, Mr. Blake set out for Plymouth; upon his arrival a trial was made in Cornwall, where Mr. Day let the flow of the tide for six hours, and six more during the tide of flood all the time in the room appropriated for his use. A day's determination was then fixed, the vessel was towed to the place of Mr. Day provided himself with whatever he thought necessary, so vessel, let the water into her, and with great composure retired to a constructed for him, and shut up the water. The ship went gradually in twenty two fathom water, at two o'clock on Tuesday in the afternoon to return at two the next morning. He had three tugs, or masts, he could send to the surface at option, to announce his situation upon appearing, Mr. Blake, who was near at hand in a large, began some suspicion; he kept a strict look out, and at the time appointed tugs nor the vessel coming up, he applied to the Orpheus frigate, just off the large for assistance. The captain, with the most ready supplied him with every thing in his power to sweep for the ship. In this alarming situation, was not content with the help of the Orpheus, he made immediate application to lord Sandwich, who happened to be near, for further relief: His lordship, with great humanity, number of hands from the dockyard, who went with the vessel also tried every effort to regain the ship, but unhappily without effect ended his unfortunate affair. Mr. Blake had not experience enough of all possible contingencies, and has only now to lament the credulity which he allowed to a projector fond of his own scheme, but possessed of ill enough to guard against the variety of accidents to which his man has unfortunately shortened his days; he has been influenced by any body, he confided in his own and hazarded upon his own mistaken notions.
A. P. dated July 1, says: "As an instance of justice to some of his subjects, the following is related. His majesty was walking a few days ago in his gardens at Mari, he saw a poor woman who had been weeding in the garden. The day before he was moved with compassion for these poor labourers, and saw how much they earned a day. The women, not knowing the king, answered him, "Alas, Sir, but six sols a day, and that, too, with the price of bread is so very high." The king, to whom it appears suspicious, sent immediately for the head gardener, desiring to know how much expence he was at in the course of the year. The expence brought in, when it was found that twenty sols per day was charged each labourer. Monitor! said the king, how can you behave so towards your fellow creatures? And ordered him to be brought to justice by the police."
It is thought that the death of a late nobleman will occasion chancery suits, as the reversions which were granted by his children, his death, to several of the sons of Levi, are most of them subject to settle in a court of equity.
July 12. By a vessel just arrived in the river, from Lisbon, we are informed that the Portuguese troops are all in motion, and that 11 ships of war were fitting out in the Tagus when they left that place.
Since the troops arrived in Boston, there have been great defections amongst the soldiery, which the Americans greatly encourage, being the surest method to weaken us, and strengthen themselves.
Since the Quebec bill passed, our two august houses, by the account received from Dover and Harwich, there are no less than 7000 arrived in this kingdom.
A CHARACTER by lord Chesterfield.---There is a man, of a moral character, deep learning, and superior parts, I acknowledged, and respect; but whom it is so impossible for me to love, am almost in a fever whenever I am in his company. His figure (out being deformed) seems made to disgrace or ridicule the structure of the human body. His legs and arms are never in the right place, which, according to the situation of his body, they ought to be but constantly employed in committing hostilities upon the grace of the body. He throws any where, but down his throat, whatever he means to eat and only mangles what he means to carve. Inattentive to all guards of social life, he mis-tunes or mis-places every thing. He piques with heat, and indiscriminately. Mindless of the rank, character and situation, of those with whom he disputes, and absolutely ignorant of the several gradations of familiarity or respect, he is exactly the same to his superiors, his equals, and his inferiors, and therefore, by necessary consequence, absurd to two of the three. Is it possible to be otherwise? No. The utmost I can do for him is to consider him a respectable Hottentot!
An address of a very singular nature is said to have been presented to a great personage, on Friday last, by a person of some eminence from other side the Tweed.
By authentic intelligence from the Cape of Good Hope, where one of the ships arrived which sailed with captain Cook to the South Sea, we are informed, that they explored in vain to the southward, in search of a continent, and therefore bore up for New Zealand, where they landed, but had lost a lieutenant and two men, who by venturing far into the country, had been cut off by the Cannibals, and devoured; that in consequence of this loss, they had dispatched a second boat to search for the missing men, and that the crew were massacred, roasted, and eat, by the savages; the next boat having only a miserable spectacle of their bones, after a long and arduous voyage.
Nothing, says a correspondent, but a speedy war, and charge niftry, can possibly save this country; for it is better, says he, to chance of war, plundering or being plundered by the enemy, as a matter of war may happen, than of being plundered at home by a Scoto-pish ministry, laughing, at the same time, at a weak and in minority.
act of a letter from a very respectable member of the Virginia assembly to his correspondent in London, dated Williamsburg, May 20.
"Infinite astonishment, and equal resentment, has seized every where, on account of the war sent to Boston. It is the universal opinion that to stop the exportation of tobacco, pitch, tar, lumber, &c. to stop all importation from Britain, while this act of hostility continues. We every day expect an express from Boston, and it appears to be certain that the above measures will be universally adopted. We see, with concern, that this plan will be most extensively adopted to our fellow subjects in Britain; nor would we have adopted it if it had left us any other way to secure our liberty, and prevent the total loss of ourselves and our posterity to endless ages. A wicked minister's answer for all the consequences. I hope the wife and good son will pity and forgive us. The house is now pushing on the publick measures for which we were called here at this time; but before we are our measures will be settled and agreed on. The plan proposed is five; it is wise, and I hope, under God, it will not fail of America possesses virtue unknown and unselt by the abominable corruption, who planned this weak and quickened enterprise."
July 13. Letters from Lisbon, dated the 18th of June last, mention within a fortnight upwards of forty sail of ships from America, all with corn, had arrived there, which they were in hopes would greatly be in the markets.
In a private letter from Holland is the following passage: "From a manuscrit of the king of Prussia, our politicians prognosticate, that the war will be prolonged, that the war which is looked on to be existing between the Russians and the Porte will embroil other powers, and time their war, which may possibly be more general and prove more fatal than present."
A few days since a cause was tried at Guildhall upon the strength and of a policy of insurance upon the life of the late Mr. H----- for Mr. M-----n. Among other evidence, a foreigner, who knew Mr. H. abroad, was asked what he thought of his health: He answered he knew Mr. H. very well, going, going. Being asked more particularly as to his month or three weeks previous, he replied he thought him quite dead. The question was then put to him by the counsel to know if Mr. H----- eat of English roast beef: He said no, he chiefly lived on English soup. Explanation being demanded, he said, "by English soup, I mean watery punch, which Mr. H----- took in very great quantity."
July 14. A person at Paris is said to have a timepiece, which by a particular spring will go without winding up.
Two new French men of war of the line were launched at St. Nazaire 21st of last month, five feet longer in keel than any ships of the line in their navy, with an additional breadth of beam proportioned, in carry a superior weight of metal.
They write from Jamaica that two Spanish men of war, one of the other of 50 guns, together with a ship belonging to New England, were lost in a gale of wind in the Gulph of Florida, and their crews perished.
It was on Wednesday night reported, at the west end of the town, that the same day sent from the admiralty for four sail of men of the line and two frigates, to be fitted out immediately for the Indies.
What a strange opinion, says a correspondent, must foreign nations have of the English from what they read in our public prints! At one time they read that there are men so mad that they will suffer themselves to be vipers, and be viewed in all the agonies of death, another Jacobin as big as swan's eggs, a third eats a mess of boiling pitch and tar for the entertainment of his curious countrymen, and what is still more strange, that these wretches have had the honour of performing before the royal gentry, to the astonishment and entertainment of all beholders; another

politics dreams of a crazy boatman, who persuades himself he can sink a ship in a hundred feet water, and remain with her at the bottom of the sea for 32 hours, and then rise with her to the top alive and merry, and the owner of the jolly club; the next paper informs the reader, the nobility, and gentry, that it is to say the catalogue in the sporting calendar, are divided about the possibility of the undertaking, that many thousands are laid on the success of it, and the most knowing man in the calendar has expended fifteen hundred pounds in building a wooden egg to enclose this addle-pated adventurer; in a few days the censorious Freeman reads an account of the vessel's being sunk with a man in it as merry as a cricketing chicken just going to be hatched, that hundreds waited with impatience for 32 hours in expectation of his rising again, and the great spectator from the admiralty, as well as the whole town of Plymouth, were astonished that the project should miscarry!
Last summer as the late William Hawke, the highwayman, was riding along the Kentish road, he met a likely woman, with whom, after some conversation, he retired to an adjacent corn field, where they had not long been before they were disturbed by the appearance of the avaricious farmer, who, in a great rage, insisted on a damage for their beating down his corn: Hawke, after some hesitation, put his hand in his pocket, and taking out a guinea, desired the latter to give him change, when the farmer eagerly seized the guinea, and at the same time pulled a bag out of his pocket, in which was upwards of 20l. in gold and silver, which Hawke no sooner perceived than he presented a pistol, and after robbing him of the whole sum, mounted his horse, and rode off with his booty.
Saturday night a man in Oldstreet Road undertook to eat a shoulder of lamb of five pounds, and five cauliflowers, for a wager of two guineas, besides bets to the amount of more than forty pounds. The glutton won his wager.
A plan is now in agitation for the better establishment and protection of the trade on the African and Guiney coasts; and we hear a greater naval force is intended in future to be kept in that quarter for that purpose.
We hear that one of the vacant blue ribbands, and the lieutenancy of a neighbouring kingdom, have been separately offered to two noble dukes, who are near relations, which were both peremptorily refused, the first with a loud observation "that his honour was not low enough to be bound by a garter."
It is said that a noble lord, lately deceased, two hours before his death, called up his second son, and made it his last request that he would renounce gaming, concluding with these words: "Permit a dying, affectionate father, Charles, to advise you in this; in every thing else you are very capable of advising yourself."
A great percentage, excited by some of the most eminent chiefs of the law, is now absolutely making a revision of the penal laws of this kingdom, which are to be laid before parliament at their next meeting.
July 15. In our proceedings against the Americans we should consider that arbitrary taxation is plunder, authorized by law, and the support and essence of tyranny. To conceive what military this right of taxation is capable of producing in a provincial government, we need only recollect, that our countrymen in India have, in the space of five or six years, by virtue of this right, destroyed, starved, and driven away, more inhabitants from Bengal than are to be found at present in all our American colonies. This is no exaggeration, but a plain, absolute matter of fact, collected from the accounts sent over by governor Hastings.
It is lamented by every man capable of feeling for the honour of his countrymen that a general emulation prevails among our young nobility to violate morality, insult justice, oppress virtue, and degrade the characters of Britons.
On Sunday a dreadful fray began, and continued Monday and Tuesday, between the English and Irish haymakers employed in the neighbourhood of Hyde, Mill Hill, Hendon, and other places adjacent to the Edgware road. The quarrel is said to have arisen from the circumstance of the Irish working under the usual wages, and dangerously wounding an English haymaker, which being resented by his countrymen, who assembled in great numbers, unanimously drove the Irish every where before them. Several on both sides have been dangerously wounded, and a man, woman, and child, are said to have lost their lives in the confusion.
B O S T O N, August 29. THE spirit of the people was never known to be so great since the first settlement of the colonies as at this time. People in the country, for hundreds of miles, are prepared and determined to DIE or be FREE!
A letter from Brookfield, dated August 24, says: "This day met in this town 25 commissioned officers, in colonel Murray's regiment, under their hands respectively."
WITH GREAT SECRECY , this morning, half after 4, about 260 troops embarked on board 13 boats at the long wharf, and proceeded up Mystic river to Temple's farm, where they landed, and went to the powder-house in Cambridge, whence they have taken 250 half barrels of powder (the whole store there) which is to be brought to Boston, and deposited in the magazine here. A grand manœuvre this! It is said they have also seized the powder belonging to the town of Charlestown.
A fire broke out at Salem yesterday morning, about 2 o'clock, which consumed 4 or 5 shops, occupied by coopers, a blacksmith, &c. together with a large warehouse, belonging to captain George Dodge, containing a quantity of molasses, about 500 bushels of corn, &c. A great part of which were destroyed. Three valuable distil houses, besides other large buildings, were in imminent danger, but by the vigilance of the inhabitants, with a supply of water, they were happily preserved.
Yesterday arrived at Marblehead captain Perkins, from Baltimore, with 3000 bushels of Indian corn, 20 barrels of rye meal, and 21 barrels of bread, sent by the inhabitants of that place for the benefit of the poor of Boston, together with 1000 bushels of corn from Annapolis, for the same useful, and for the same benevolent purpose.
We learn from Worcester, that on Saturday morning last there assembled on the common, in that town, 1500 people, and made choice of 5 of their number as a committee, viz. Messieurs Joseph Gilbert, John Goulding, Edward Rawson, Thomas Dennie, and Joshua Biglow, to wait on the honourable Timothy Paine, esquire, lately appointed counsellor by mandamus from his majesty, to demand of him satisfaction to the people for having qualified himself for said office; and having waited on Mr. Paine accordingly, he asked them what satisfaction they wanted: They answered, a total resignation of his office, and desired him to write it. Upon which he withdrew, and in a few minutes returned to them with what he had wrote, which was a total resignation of his office, and a promise never to sit again as counsellor, unless agreeable to charter; he then asked if that was satisfactory? They replied that he must wait upon the people, which he thought unreasonable, after he had complied with their demand; but they said it was in vain; unless he made his personal appearance, the people would not be satisfied; and after their promising to protect him from insult, he waited on them to the body of the people, where Mr. Dennie's resignation was read, with which numbers were dissatisfied, requiring that Mr. Paine should read it himself, and that with his hat off. He then told the committee that he had complied with all they required, on their promising him protection, and that he then called upon them for it; but they gave him to understand the people would not be satisfied till he complied with their demand, which he did, and was then conducted near to his own house by the committee, and dismissed. The people then drew off, those of each town forming a company, and marched for Rutland, the town in which the honourable John Murray, esquire (another new counsellor) resides. Our informant could give no farther information how they proceeded.
A correspondent says the province will never rest while one man, who has accepted any office under the sanction of the new acts of parliament, is possessed of any one post of power or profit in the country, and until every one of them, by great penitence, obtain forgiveness, or leave America, and until all your addressers to Hutchinson have, by humbling themselves, regained the good-will of the country, and the city of Boston in particular, or else are removed off the continent.
A PROPOSAL from different parts of the country. It is proposed that an estimate should be formed by indifferent people of the value of all the real estates in Boston, that so if the estates in it should be sunk in their value by the port bill's continuing to be enforced, or should otherwise be ruined by the rage of our common enemies, the country might be able to form a judgment of the retribution that should be made to the sufferers.---This does honour to the public virtue of our country.
We hear from Dartmouth, that when brigadier Ruggles passed through that town last week, he was waited upon at colonel Toby's, where he put up, by a number of people, who desired him forthwith to depart, which he promised he would do; but before he departed, they left marks of resentment upon his horse, whose mane and tail they cut off, and painted him in a curious manner.
S A L E M, August 26. ON the 20th of this instant printed notifications were posted up in this town, desiring the merchants, freeholders, and other inhabitants, to meet at the townhouse chamber last Wednesday at 9 o'clock in the morning, to appoint deputies to meet at Ipswich on the 6th of September next, with the deputies of the other towns in the county, to consider of, and determine on, such measures as the late act of parliament, and our other grievances, render necessary and expedient. These
notifications purported that it was the desire of the committee of correspondence that the inhabitants should thus assemble. On Wednesday morning, at 8 o'clock, the governor sent a request to the committee, that they would meet him at 9 o'clock, telling them he had something of importance to communicate to them. They waited upon him accordingly, and were asked by him if they avowed those notifications: Being answered, that it was known they were posted by order of the committee, he then desired them to disperse the inhabitants, who being assembled by them, they must abide all the consequences. It was answered, that the inhabitants being met together, would do what they thought fit, and that the committee could not oblige them to disperse. His excellency declared it was an unlawful, seditious meeting. It was replied, neither the committee nor the inhabitants supposed the meeting was contrary even to the act of parliament, much less to the laws of the province. The governor returned, I am not going to conversation on the matter; I came to execute the laws, not to dispute them, and I am determined to execute them; if the people do not disperse, the sheriff will go first; if he is disobeyed, and needs support, I will support him. The governor had ordered troops to be in readiness; they prepared accordingly, as if for battle, left their encampment, and marched to the entrance of the town, there halted and loaded, and then about 30 advanced within an eighth of a mile from the townhouse; but before this movement of the troops was known to the inhabitants, and while the committee were in conference with the governor, the whole business of the meeting was transacted, being merely to choose delegates for the county meeting. After the meeting was over, new, came that the troops were on the march; but they were now ordered to return to the camp. Yesterday Peter Frye, esquire (by express orders from the governor, as he declared to the committee) issued a warrant for arresting the committee of correspondence, for unlawfully and seditiously causing the people to assemble by that notification, without leave from the governor, in open contempt of the laws, against the peace, and the statute in that case made and provided. Two of the committee, who were first arrested, recognized, each in one hundred pound, without sureties, to appear at the next Superior court at Salem, to answer to the above mentioned charge. The rest of the committee, who were arrested some time after, have refused to recognize.
N E W Y O R K, September 5.
EARLY on Monday morning last JOHN JAY, esquire (without the inhabitants being apprized of his departure) set out from this city, to attend the congress at Philadelphia; and on Thursday the 1st instant the other four delegates took their departure for the like laudable purpose.
ISAAC LOW, esquire, being under the necessity of going by way of Powles Hook, was escorted to the Ferry by a considerable number of respectable inhabitants, with colours flying, music playing, and loud huzzas at the end of each street. When they got down to the river, he, in a very polite manner, took leave of the inhabitants, six of whom accompanied him and his lady over, with music, playing God save the King . The inhabitants then returned to the coffeehouse, in order to testify the like respect to the other three gentlemen viz. JAMES DUANE, PHILIP LIVINGSTON, and JOHN ALSOP, esquires. About half past nine the procession began, and was conducted in like manner as above. When they arrived at the Royal Exchange (at which place they embarked) James Duane, esquire, in a very affectionate and moving manner, thanked the worthy inhabitants for the honour they had conferred upon them, declaring for his own part, and he had it in command from the whole of his brother delegates, to acquaint them that nothing in their power should be wanting to relieve this once happy, but now aggrieved country. When the gentlemen got under way, they were saluted by several pieces of cannon, mounted on this joyous occasion, which was answered by a greater number from St. George's ferry; these testimonials, and three huzzas, bid them go and proclaim to all nations, that they, and the virtuous people they represent, dare defend their rights as PROTESTANT ENGLISHMEN! After the gentlemen had got a little distance from town, a considerable number went to St. George's Ferry, to celebrate their departure, dating the salvation of the colonies from that hour; well knowing in whom they have placed the greatest confidence that ever men were entrusted with. There were many loyal, constitutional, and spirited toasts drank, sealed with frequent discharges of cannon, and attended with this declaration, that each and every of them solemnly avowed they would support, at the risk of every thing sacred and dear, such resolutions as our delegates, in conjunction with those worthy gentlemen of the other colonies, should think necessary to adopt for the good of the common cause. The day was concluded with, God save the King .
September 8. We learn from Morris county, in New Jersey, that a farmer in that neighbourhood lately voided a worm that measured 21 feet, and that it was supposed it had not all come away.
Extract of a letter from East Haddam, dated September 5.
GENTLEMEN, "We have just now received intelligence, by the return of an express, which was sent on purpose, who informs us that he met several companies returning, but he still proceeded as far as Lebanon, where he saw and received certain intelligence from governor Trumbull's sons, who went from here, and marched as far as Pomfret, where they had the pleasure to find that the alarm of an engagement having happened was premature. We rejoice with you, and the rest of your brethren, on this joyful occasion. HUMPHREY LYON, for self, and the committee of correspondence."
To captain James Hoxton, and the rest of the inhabitants of the town of HADDAM.
Yesterday, by a gentleman just arrived from Boston, we received the following intelligence in a printed hand bill.
The following is a copy of a LETTER said to be wrote by general Brattle to the commander in chief, viz.
CAMBRIDGE, August 26, 1774. "MR. Brattle presents his duty to his excellency governor Gage; he apprehends it is his duty to acquaint his excellency from time to time of every thing he hears and knows to be true and of importance in these troublous times, which is the apology Mr. Brattle makes for troubling the general with this letter. Captain Minot, of Concord, a very worthy man, this minute informed Mr. Brattle that there had been repeatedly made pressing applications to him to warn his company to meet at one minute's warning, equipped with arms and ammunition, according to law; he had constantly denied them, adding, if he did not gratify them he should be constrained to quit his farms and town. Mr. Brattle told him he had better do that than lose his life and be hanged for a rebel. He observed that many captains had done it, though not in the regiment to which he belongs, which was and is under colonel Elisha Jones, but in a neighbouring regiment."
Mr. Brattle begs leave humbly to enquire, whether that it would not be best that there should not be one commissioned officer of the militia in the province.
This morning the select men of Medford came and received their town stock of powder, which was in the arsenal on Quarry Hill, so that there is now therein the king's powder only, which shall remain there as a sacred depositum till ordered out by the captain general.
To his excellency general Gage, &c. &c."
Extract of a letter from Boston, dated September 2.
"In consequence of the foregoing letter a party of 250 regulars set out early yesterday morning to secure and bring away the powder alluded to, which was effected without loss or damage. At the same time a party of 30 are said to have seized two field pieces belonging to the Cambridge regiment of militia. The report of this manœuvre, exaggerated no doubt in the country, brought this morning, on Cambridge common, at least 3000 people from different parts of the country, in order to learn the truth of the matter. They were unarmed, and demanded the public resignation of two counsellors, inhabitants of Cambridge, which was complied with; and after chusing several persons to stop the great numbers coming in from the distant parts, said to be many thousands, and being satisfied that the governor had seized only the king's powder, they peaceably dispersed. You cannot conceive what an uneasy day we have had, from the different reports circulated in this town, some of which were of the most alarming nature, and by credulous people easily swallowed. But I can find nothing new, unless it be the strengthening of the guards at the entrance of the town. It is said the governor is determined not to risk any troops in the country till he is reinforced, being apprehensive of their loss from the amazing number and fury of our people, who are all provided with arms and ammunition, &c."
We learn from the Boston papers that the gentlemen summoned to serve on the grand and petty juries under the parliamentary establishment have unanimously refused to be sworn, and that after many difficulties, the court received, read, and returned to them, the papers which they had brought and signed, containing the reasons of their refusal, grounded on the impeachment of the chief justice by the assembly of this province, and the act of parliament for the dissolution of their charter.
Extract of a letter from London, dated July 16.
"I received yours, and it afforded me great satisfaction to hear that you are so well determined in all the colonies; but a report prevails in London that New York will not assist Boston, for they consider them as a set of refractory rebels, &c. The lord mayor, high sheriff, and common council, have done all in their power to save themselves and you, but their only hopes are now that you will save them by preserving your-
selves. As the honour and safety of all America are at stake, I hope in God that you may act with fidelity to each other, by which means you will convince the world that you are worthy the privileges you enjoy. America seems to be the only place where public honesty and public virtue are to be found on earth; all other places are sunk into a state of abject distress and bondage. The very thoughts of your congress alarm your enemies more than every thing else. It is expected that they will remonstrate against the Canada bill, &c. Captain B----- wrote a letter to his friend in London that has alarmed them considerably. The king has seen it; and it is intended to buy him off. They hope to silence every body of any influence by such vile means; but I trust they will be disappointed."
PHILADELPHIA, September 12.
Extract of a letter from a very respectable character in London to a gentleman in this city, dated July 5, 1774.
THE present state of political affairs furnishes nothing less disagreeable than my last informed. The Quebec bill, we apprehend, will produce the most distressing jealousies among the protestant inhabitants of that country, and, indeed, of all America. With us the staunchest friends to the Hanoverian succession have not scrupled publicly to pronounce it the most daring stretch of the prerogative of the crown, and the most fatal violation of the rights of a free people, that the annals of Britain, or any other nation in the world, contain. Enclosed you have the address and petition of the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons, of this city, to his majesty, which is considered one of the grandest and most spirited addresses ever handed to a throne, in which that many hundreds of them, elegantly framed and glazed, have been purchased as household pictures by the nobility, gentry, &c. to transmit to future ages the virtuous sincerity, and honest boldness, of so respectable a body of men. The coin of prophecies is now become current here, and we have too much reason to fear that some presage, of dreadful import, will, ere long, be realized. Very much, all, indeed, depend on the hardihood and public virtue of the Americans. If the brave Bostonians maintain theirs, at this trying juncture, all will be well; for their conduct will furnish a criterion whereby to regulate government here, in a judgment of the success of the iniquitous measures they purpose adopting throughout America. It is strongly imagined that many presses, I mean printing presses, in the colonies, are at present fettered by golden chains, sent over by the ministry for that purpose. One or two to the northward of you have been publicly mentioned; but as a little time must discover the truth or fallacy of this suspicion, I shall forbear entering into particulars. The public prints from your city, as well as those from Virginia, are in admired request with all ranks of people, except the tools of despotism; but should the ministry succeed in the enterprises they have already undertaken, with respect to the colonies, you will assuredly be robbed of that darling privilege, the freedom of the press; for effecting which, a scheme, I am well informed, is now agitating in cabinet, upon a new plan, lately hatched by a certain lord, whose name is always opposite to the sun in its meridian, and who has publicly declared that he is determined strenuously to oppose the meridian of your glory in the western world."
Extract of another letter from London.
"As to news, we are daily expecting it from your side the water. The measures pursued here make every friend of liberty tremble; for what has been done with regard to the colonies is only a specimen of what probably will be enforced at home, and, indeed, there have been too many similar instances. It is truly astonishing that the nobility and gentry of England should concur in them as they have done. The setting aside ancient establishments and charters, which were held sacred, taxing and levying subsidies, forcing money from the pockets of a people without their consent, authorizing the civil or French laws and trials without jury, judgment resting wholly in the capricious breast of the judge, the creature of the tyrant, robbing men of their personal rights, by taking away the habeas corpus, setting their consciences by establishing a priestly popish religion, giving the whole nomination, choice, rule, management, and power, into the arbitrary, despotic hands, of the crown, could never have been conceived, and ought never to have been established by Englishmen. See the influences of offices, places, and pensions! How totally dependent on the crown are those who ought to be the guardians of the peoples liberties! I cannot omit saying, that however violent and abusive some may be against the Americans, you find there are others who think differently. The Bostonians, and the whole colony of the Massachusetts Bay, are cruelly used, deprived of their natural rights and liberties. The revenue to be established is only a provision for myrmidons, placemen, and pensioners, despotically disposed of among tools and dependents, as here where continual steps advance, and encroach the power of the ministry, and influence of the crown and prerogative. Witness what is done in Ireland with their stamp act; our East India company also, which is now wholly under the thumb of administration, their charter broke in upon; witness the refusal of the reasonable request of the petitioning clergy, and continuing the cruel, unjust penal laws, against the dissenters; Witness minister special juries under undue influence in all crown causes; for every independent man will endeavour to edge off, and get himself excused if possible, to prevent being that up with a majority of determined courtiers, inflexibly biased on the crown side. Thus the edges of our liberty are paring away, and the foundations sapping, and we are going the way of other nations."
"The independent man, who is at ease, quietly enjoying the repose his circumstances entitle him to, cannot but be apprehensive of danger, when such measures are perpetrated; he cannot help fearing that the lawless power of court and time serving parasites should overbear and oppress him by inequitable and unjust laws and arbitrary mandates, whilst the cruel hand of military force despoil and rob him both of his property and his freedom; for the recent instances of Sweden, Poland, Dantzick, &c. May a noble and generous courage inspire the friends of liberty, in support of the natural rights of mankind, as well here as with you!"
Extract of a letter from New York, dated September 7.
"Captain Webster is just now arrived from Newport. With him came passenger a gentleman from Boston, which place he left on Saturday last, and declares that every thing was peaceable and quiet."
W I L L I A M S B U R G, F R I D A Y, September 23.
THE northern post, who arrived this afternoon, has brought nothing material more than what we before received by a private hand, which we have given our readers pretty fully. Lord Chatham's speech is at last published, and, as we before suggested, he has proved himself still that able and earnest advocate for the rights of America which he formerly did, notwithstanding the paltry insinuations of a few, who would injure the most perfect character under Heaven to answer a private end.
The Peter, captain Lang, in seven weeks from Glasgow, in arrived in James river.
To be SOLD, at the seat of the late Mrs. Tate, in Jockey's Neck, on Thursday the 29th of September,
ALL the HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN FURNITURE, with the stock of CATTLE, HORSES, HOGS, and SHEEP. The household furniture consists of valuable beds, well furnished, neat chairs, tables, and desks, with many other articles too tedious to mention. There are among the cattle several yoke of work steers, and many extraordinary milch cows. Also will be sold, at the same time, a CHARIOT. Credit will be allowed till the 25th of April, 1775, for all sums above twenty shillings, on giving bond, with approved security; all debts that are not discharged at the above mentioned time, to carry interest from the date of the bonds. The sale will begin at 10 o'clock in the morning.
NORFOLK, September 13, 1774.
I DO hereby give notice that the partnership of Hargraves and Orange is dissolved by mutual agreement, Mr. Hargraves having purchased my part of the stock, and has taken the whole on himself. Those who have any demands against the said concern are desired to apply to Mr. Hargraves. (3) WILLIAM ORANGE.
RUN away from the subscriber, lying on Byrd Creek, in Goochland county, on Saturday the 9th of July, SAMUEL CREGORY, alias NAILING, an apprentice, about 18 years of age, swarthy complexion, thin visage, grey eyes, a dandy, inoffensive look, shews his teeth much when he laughs, has short fawn coloured hair, round shouldered, and stoops in his walk; had on an ozanbrig shirt and trowsers. I have been credibly informed he went to Loudoun county, or some of the counties adjacent. I expect he will employ himself in the carpenter's business, as he has been in that branch for 3 years past. Whoever brings him to me shall have FIVE POUNDS.
TURNER ANDERSON
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Nansemond county, near Suffolk town, a negro woman named MILLA, who has been absent ever since the year 1768; she has a scar upon the back part of each of her hands, near her little fingers, and another on the top of one of her feet, is about 4 feet 6 inches high, and about 20 years old. I am told she has been in Norfolk; and I am also informed that at the house of Mr. Thomas Huff, between Rappahannock and Potowomack rivers, there is a wench that calls herself free Milia, who may probably be the same. TEN POUNDS will be given to the person who will bring her to JOHN HARRISON, junior.

TAKEN up , in Southampton, a black horse, about 4 feet 4 inches high, near 12 years old, branded on the near buttock in the form of a heart, and has the scar of a filula. Posted, and appraised to SIX POUNDS.
LUCY TAYLOR.
THERE is remaining in Byrd's warehouse, Henrico county, a hoghead of TOBACCO, marked MWG, No. 1, weighing 912 gross, 107 tare, 805 neat. The owner's name is not known. It was inspected July 1, in the year 1777, and will be sold according to law, if no owner claims it within the limited time.
SAMUEL and ROBERT PRICE.
All persons are hereby forewarned from HAWKING or FOWLING upon Martin's Swamp, in Chesterfield county; as also from FISHING therein. RICHARD RANDOLPH.
RUN away from the subscriber, about the 20th of April last, a mulatto fellow named PETER BROWN, a painter by trade, but can do carpenter's work; he is 35 or 40 years of age, of a dark complexion, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, slim made, has a thin visage, several of his upper foreteeth are out, is fond of singing, which he can do very well, and is a remarkable fine whistler. The said fellow has several suits of clothes, therefore I cannot describe his dress. He was some years past tried for a robbery, but obtained the governor's pardon, on suffering one year's imprisonment; after that he was sold to Mr. John Fox, of Gloucester, with whom he lived one or two years; he then run away, and passed for a free man in the counties of King William, Caroline, and Hanover, where he was taken up and brought home. As he has a wife at Mr. Benjamin Harkness's, it is likely he may be lurking in that neighbourhood; and as he was raised in Petersburg, it is probable he may be about there. Whoever will take up the said runaway, and deliver him to me, at Osborne's, shall receive FORTY SHILLINGS reward. All persons are forbid harbouring or carrying him out of the colony. PETERFIELD TRENT.
STAYED from the subscriber, the 10th of May last, a dark bay mare, about 4 feet 6 inches high, not branded, has a mealy nose, thick mane, and long switch tail, strong made, has good courage, paces, trots, and gallops. THIRTY SHILLINGS will be given to any person that will deliver her to the subscriber, in King & Queen, or to Mr. David Anderson, junior, merchant in Louisa, where she was bred. MATTHEW ANDERSON, junior.
COMMITTED to Spotsylvania gaol a negro man, about 30 years of age, named MOSES, says he is a free man, and that he served part of his time with one John Arnold, in Hanover county, against whom he commenced suit for his freedom, but before it was determined, he was attacked by Garland Anderson and Samuel Temple, of the same county, and then made his elopement from them. Any person proving his property, and paying charges, may have him, otherwise I shall proceed as he law directs. JACOB WHITLER, gaoler.
TAKEN up , in Chesterfield, a bay mare, about 10 years old, 4 feet 5 inches high, a large star in her forehead, and has a white streak leading towards her nose, two of her feet white, has some saddle spots, and branded on the near buttock I C. Posted, and appraised to 8l. WILLIAM AKIN.
TAKEN up , in Spotsylvania, a black steer, with two crops and an undercreek in the right ear, and a hole in the left. Posted, and appraised to 1l. 15s. MARY PENN.
WILLIAMSBURG, September 6, 1774.
I BEG leave to inform the public, and particularly those gentlemen who were pleased to take my subscription papers to their respective counties, to raise a small sum of money for the encouragement of making SALT, that after viewing many places on this and the other side of the bay, and on the sea coast of the Eastern Shore, I have now fixed on a convenient spot, on that coast, for erecting proper works; and as nothing more can be done on my part without money, I must beg the favour of them to forward such sums, as they may be able to collect, to Robert Carter Nicholas, esquire, who is so kind as to take the trouble of receiving, and paying the money out to me. Proper security shall be lodged in his hands for any sum that I may draw. The certainty of being able to make salt as good as any whatever is hardly to be doubted, from the several experiments which I have made, and which are pretty fully certified by gentlemen of veracity, whose certificates will be lodged in the hands of Mr. Nicholas. The gentlemen will readily see the necessity I am under of requesting speedy assistance, when I inform them that I have for some time past devoted my whole attention to this business, and given over every pursuit from whence my family might have derived any advantage, and that, in order to put the works in as great a forwardness as it was in my power, I have incurred a considerable expence, and been obliged to contract for some of the necessary materials. JAMES TAIT.
WILLIAMSBURG, September 6, 1774.
MR. TAIT having produced to me a sample of salt made on the Eastern Shore, together with a certificate of a gentleman of unquestionable credit, I have no doubt, with proper encouragement, of his succeeding in his proposed scheme, from which it seems highly probable that this country will reap the greatest advantage: I shall, therefore, most cheerfully comply with his request, and take great pleasure in contributing every thing in my power towards carrying it into execution. RO. C. NICHOLAS.
WILLIAMSBURG, September 2, 1774.
THE subscriber , who is immediately going for England, desires all persons indebted to him, by bond or otherwise, to pay what they owe to Mr. Robert Prentis, of this city, who is properly empowered as attorney for (3) GEORGE PIT T.
TAKEN up , near Occoquan, in Fairfax, a bay mare colt, about 3 or 4 years old, about 13 hands high, trots and paces, and has neither mark or brand. Posted, and appraised to 8l. 10s. GILBERT ROWLAND.
THE subscriber has now for sale, at the falls called Ellison's, or at Warwick, on James river, a large quantity of PIT COAL, very fine either for grates or smiths work, and shall be glad to supply any person, at either place, at the usual prices, which are 10d. per bushel at Warwick, and 6d. at the pits, ready cash; however, a few months credit will make but little difference, provided good merchants notes are given, punctually to be settled at the time agreed on. Those gentlemen from below, who may favour me with their orders, are desired to lodge them with Mr. Daniel Weisiger, who lives at the spot, and, as formerly, will be punctual in complying with them. FRANCIS SMITH, junior.
WARWICK, September 1, 1774.
THE store here , of late kept by me on account of Messieurs Drogborn, Murdoch, and company, of Glasgow, is now in the charge of my brother David Leitch, and the said company's store in Prince Edward county, hitherto managed by Mr. Henry Benkin Lightfoot, is under the direction of Mr. John Graham. The business of the stores will, on the same account, be prosecuted so far to their usual extent as the situation of public affairs will admit. The debts due to this store I continue to collect, and those contracted with Mr. Lightfoot will remain with him for the same purpose. It will be deemed obliging in those whose accounts are open, and inconvenient to discharge, immediately to close them by bond, or such specialty as may be approved of. (3) JOHN LEITCH.
JAMES H A L D A N E, COPPERSMITH AND BRASSFOUNDER, in CHURCH STREET, near the CHURCH, NORFOLK, CONTINUES TO CARRY ON HIS BUSINESS AS USUAL. MAKES and sells all sorts of COPPER WORK, viz. fills, brewing coppers, sugar boilers, fullers and hatters coppers, brass mill work, capuchin plate warmers, tea kettles, all sorts of ship, fish, and wash kettles, stew pans, Dutch ovens, tea kettles, fauce pans, coffee and chocolate pots, &c. at the most reasonable rates. He gives the best prices for old copper, brass, pewter, or lead. Those who are so obliging as to favour me with their employ in the mending or tinning old work, may depend on having them soon done, and in the neatest and compleatest manner. (5)
To be SOLD , to the highest bidder, on Thursday the 29th of September, if fair, otherwise the next fair day, on the premises.
A VALUABLE TRACT OF LAND in the lower end of Bgunswick but which shall be surveyed before the day of sale, and the exact quantity ascertained. There are 4 or 500 acres of this tract fine rich low grounds on Meherrin river, and exceedingly well adapted for Indian corn, wheat, or tobacco, as also for raising of hogs, there having been considerable quantities of pork sold from this plantation for several years past. It has plenty of timber upon it, with land enough cleared to work 10 or 12 hands, and is convenient to church and mill. One half the purchase money to be paid next April, and a reasonable credit will be allowed for the remainder, on giving bond, and approved security, to SAMUEL S. MCCROSKEY.
** The greatest part of the stock, utensils, &c. belonging to the said plantation, will be sold at the same time and place.
F O R S A L E,
A TRACT OF LAND , containing upwards of 3000 acres, in the county of Richmond, upon Rappahannock river, opposite to the seat of Robert Beverley, esquire, extending more than 2 miles upon the river; the land is extremely well timbered, a great part of it lies well, and is equal to any in that part of the country. There are also, beside the quantity of dry land above mentioned, between 4 and 500 acres of valuable marsh, which may easily be reclaimed; a large water course running through the greatest part of the tract affords a considerable quantity of rich, valuable meadow land, and a good mill seat. There are also several delightful situations for a gentleman's seat, commanding extensive prospects up and down the river, where the greatest plenty of fish and fowl are to be had. A part of the tract is in possession of several tenants at will, some of whom pay from 20l to 25l. annual rent for 100 acres. It will be sold (and may be entered upon next Christmas) either together, or in parcels, by private bargain, at any time before the 10th of October, and if not disposed of before that time (of which notice shall be published in this gazette) it will then be offered for public sale, upon the premises, on the 3d Monday in November. Twelve or 13 months credit will be allowed, upon giving bond, with good security; to bear interest from the 25th of December, if the purchase money is not paid agreeable to the contract. The terms will be made known to those who incline to purchase privately, and the lands shown, if required, and an undoubted title made, by the subscriber, living in Westmoreland county. 10l c 10 o. WILLIAM BERNARD.
FREDERICKSBURG, August 9, 1774.
A PERSON of the name of William Foster Crosby having procured a recommendation to me, I lent him, the 19th of last month, my SINGLE CHAIR and a MARE to visit captain John Lee, on Rappahannock, to whom he said he was recommended, to return in four days at the most; but not hearing of him since, except that he had mistaken his way, and got to Richmond, on James river, and colonel William Fleming's, in Cumberland county, I am obliged to take this method of recommending him to all honest men, as a profound knave. Such a flagrant act of injustice, accompanied with such ingratitude to me, will no doubt engage every gentleman in a endeavour to strip him of the price of his villainy: But I will really pay FORTY SHILLINGS to have my mare and chair detained till I can pay for them, or FIVE POUNDS to be delivered here. As the knave is young, I had rather be should turn from his wickedness and live!
He is about twenty, of slim and genteel make, and fair complexion, rather pale and foul skin, black hair, very long, and clubbed like a macaroni! He is exceeding vain, boasts much of his learning, particularly of geography, and professes teaching the classics, music, dancing, and fencing; he grins much when he laughs, which he often does at his own wit. His dress was shabby; I believe, one only coat, formerly a pale blue, or sea green, the cuffs of which have been lately let down, and the original colour makes a remarkable ring round his arm. He passed on my friend, as from New England, and said he intended to visit Virginia, in his way to Charles Town, South Carolina, in order from New England to see the country; expecting here some supplies he had ordered from New England.
I cannot recollect whether the mare has any brand or flesh marks; she is about 14 hands and a half high, half blooded, well made, rather round, a chestnut bay, with a full long bob tail, and hog mane, very small feet, and shod before, trots very nimbly, and remarkably low. The carriage of the chair is new, the springs and axle tree are iron, the body is painted green, with the initials of my name on the back, in a double cypher, in blue letters, in a gilt ground; it has been new lined, and has now a carpet bottom; but I suspect he will quit the chair for a saddle. He borrowed a SILVER WATCH, quite new, made by Thomas Walker, of Fredericksburg, who will, I presume, give something to recover it. (4) JAMES MERCER.
COMMITTED to the gaol of Charles City, on the 29th of August, a likely fellow, about 5 feet to 11 inches high, denies he has any master, and has passed for several years as a free man, under the name of Doctor Dick. The owner, if any, is desired to take him away, and pay charges. (3) STITH GREGORY.
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 johannes, of nine penny weight, to be delivered by him at Quebec, and as he has not yet made his appearance there, with other suspicious circumstances, it is apprehended he is gone off with the money. He is a native of England, about 6 feet high, swarthy complexion, very dark, keen eyes, and pitted with the smallpox, of a slender make, stoops as he walks, talks rather slow, and has 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 caftan, and a dark brown cloth suit of clothes. Whoever secures the said Joseph Thorp in any of his majesty's gaols on this continent shall be entitled to ten per cent. on the sum recovered, and the above reward of 50l. when convicted. Apply to Cusen and Seton of New York, Joseph Wharton, junior, of Philadelphia, Robert Christie of Baltimore, James Gibson and company of Virginia, John Bondfield of Quebec, Mesdames 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 Greenwood, Rison, and Marsh, in Norfolk, or to Mr. Robert Pleasants and company, at Four Mile creek, Henrico county; the favour will be gratefully acknowledged. All masters of vessels are forewarned from taking him off the continent.
F O R S A L E,
NINE hundred and forty acres of valuable land, lying on both sides of Contrary River, in Louisa, with three plantations thereon, two of which has sufficient houses for overseers and negroes; the other is improved with all necessary buildings, and orchards of all kinds, fit for the reception of a gentleman, the houses being finished in the best manner. This tract is well timbered and watered, lies within 32 miles of Fredericksburg, and 43 of Page's warehouse; there are at least 400 acres of low grounds, of the best soil, 300 of which are now to cut. The three plantations are under 40 fences, and in good order to work 12 or 15 hands. Robert Fleming, John Massey, and John Lain, are now in possession of the plantations, who will show the land to any person inclined to purchase, and Major Thomas Johnson will agree with them for the price. The above tract is esteemed the most valuable in Louisa for growing corn, wheat, or tobacco, and situated in the best range for stock of any below the great mountains. (tf 1*)
F O R S A L E,
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 this 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 expence of the purchaser. Deeds will be made, upon bond and approved security being given, either to Call, William Cabell, or the subscriber. Six per cent. discount will be allowed for ready money, or good merchants notes. If any person would chuse 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. CARTER BRAXTON.
F O R S A L E,
FIVE hundred acres of land, lying on Deep Creek, in Louisa, about 45 miles of Richmond town, and is exceeding good land, well watered by Deep Creek, and a large branch thereof, which runs through the middle of the land, and affords a large quantity of rich meadow ground. Any person inclined to purchase may see the land, and know the terms, by applying to the subscriber, living near it. (tf 1*) GEORGE MERIWETHER.
To be SOLD , at public auction, at Westmoreland courthouse, on Tuesday the 27th day of September, being Westmoreland court day,
TWENTY very likely VIRGINIA born SLAVES. Credit will be allowed until the 10th of November following, on giving bond and good security. The bonds to bear interest from the date, if not punctually discharged. tdf RICHARD PARKER.
T O B E R E N T E D,
FROM YEAR TO YEAR, OR FOR A TERM OF YEARS, B E L V O I R,
THE beautiful seat of the honourable George William Fairfax, esquire, lying upon Potowmack river, in Fairfax county, about 14 miles below Alexandria. The mansion house is of brick, two story high, with four convenient rooms and a large passage upon the lower floor, five rooms and a passage on the second, and a servants hall and cellars below; convenient offices, stables, and coach house, adjoining, as also a large and well furnished garden, stored with great variety of valuable fruits, in good order. Appertaining to the tract on which these improvements are, and which contains near 2000 acres (surrounded, in a manner, by navigable water) are several valuable fisheries, and a good deal of cleared land in different parts, which may be let altogether, or separately, as shall be found most convenient. The tenant may be known of Colonel Washington, who lives near the premises, or of me, in Berkeley county, tf FRANCIS WILLIS, junior.
NORFOLK, April 21, 1774.
NOTICE is hereby given , that a number of vessels will be wanted this summer to bring about 6000 tons of stone from Mr. Brooke's quarry, on Rappahannock, and land the same on Cape Henry, for the lighthouse. Any person inclined to engage in such work are desired to treat with Matthew Phripp, Paul Loyall, and Thomas Newton, junior, esquires. The directors of the lighthouse will also be glad to purchase one or two flat bottomed vessels from 80 to 120 tons burthen. tf BASSETT MOSELEY.
FOR SALE, AND VERY CHEAP,
A PLANTATION in good order for cropping, none of the land having been cleared above six years, with all necessary houses, quite new, together with 1500 acres of exceeding rich land, the soil of which is so good that it will bring large tobacco for five or six years without dung. I have made on this plantation above three thousand pounds of tobacco per share. The place is very healthy, and has a fine range for stock. This land lies in the lower end of Buckingham county, near to Appomattox river, on each side of Great Ducker's and Mayo creeks. Tobacco has been carried above this land near to Peterburg by water, and last month, in the dry weather, two canoe loads of wheat were carried near to Peterburg, and the canoes brought back; they were loaded but a little below this land. I make no doubt but Appomattox river will be soon cleared, and then the expence of sending wheat, tobacco, &c. will be trifling. Any person inclined to purchase will see, by the produce of the land, that it is exceeding rich. I really do not know any better high land in the colony. This tract of land is well timbered, and has excellent water on it. I do not know a better place for a merchant mill than is on Ducker's creek. People are going much on raising wheat in these parts, and a good mill would be very advantageous to the owner. Also another tract of land of 826 acres, in Albemarle county, I believe about ten miles from the courthouse, joining Mr. James Harris and the quarters of Mr. John Winton. On this land is a small plantation, a good apple orchard, &c. The land is good, and my price so low, that I am convinced any person who viewed either of the above tracts of land would not hesitate to give the price I shall ask. Neither of these tracts are under any incumbrance whatsoever. A reasonable time of payment will be allowed. tf ANTHONY WINSTON.
F O R S A L E,
A TRACT of land , on Charles river, York county, containing about 600 acres, part of which is marsh, that may be drained with very little expence. The situation of this place is very convenient for a family, as it lies upon a river that abounds with oysters and fine fish, particularly sheepheads; it is within 200 yards of a mill, and 2 miles of the church. My reason for selling it is, my having bought a tract of land more convenient to me. Whoever inclines to purchase may know the terms by applying to the subscriber, in York town. THOMAS NELSON, junior.
WANTED for the lighthouse directors eight second-hand ANCHORS, nearly a thousand weight each. Any person having such for sale are desired to make their terms known to the subscriber in Norfolk. t. f. BASSETT MOSELEY.
YORK town, June 9, 1773.
THE subscribers being very solicitous to comply with the will of their testator, the late Honourable William Nelson, desire that all persons who were indebted to him will endeavour to make as speedy payments as possible. Those who have accounts open on his books, and who cannot immediately discharge the balances, are desired to give their bonds. This request is the more necessary, as most of the legacies bequeathed by the testator are to be paid in sterling money, and he has directed that his younger sons fortunes shall be placed out at interest upon undoubted securities, so soon as it can be done. Those who have any demands are desired to make them immediately known. THOMAS NELSON, HUGH NELSON, THOMAS NELSON, jun. RO. C. NICHOLAS.