The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg [Va.]), 1776-02-10 00:00:00

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LETTERS written by the late Right Hon. PHILIP DORMER STANHOPE, Earl of Chesterfield, to his Son Philip Stanhope, Esq; late Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Dresden.
LETTER IV.
ISLEWORTH, June 19, 1738.
YOU are the best boy in the world, and your last translation is still better than the former. This is just as it ought to be, to improve every day more and more. Although I now love you dearly, if you continue to go on so, I shall love you still more tenderly: If you improve and grow learned, every one will be fond of you, and desirous of your company; whereas ignorant people are shunned and despised. In order that I may not be ignorant myself, I read a great deal. The other day, I went through the history of Dido, which I will now tell you.
Dido was daughter of Belus, King of Tyre, and was married to Sicheus, whom she dearly loved. But as Sicheus had immense riches, Pygmalion, Dido's brother, had him put to death, and seized his treasures. Dido, fearful lest her brother might kill her too, fled to Africa, where she built the fine city of Carthage. Now it happened, that just about the same time, Aeneas also fled from the city of Troy, which had been taken and burnt by the Greeks; and as he was going, with many other Trojans, in his ships, to Italy, he was thrown, by a storm, upon the coast of Africa, and landed at Carthage. Dido received him very kindly, and gave him leave to stay till he had refitted his fleet: But, unfortunately for her, she became in love with him. Aeneas (as you may easily believe) was not cruel; so that matters were soon settled. When the ships were ready, Aeneas wanted to set sail for Italy, to which the Gods had ordered him, that he might be the founder of Rome; but Dido opposed his departure, and reproached him with ingratitude, and the favours he had received. However he left her, ran off in the night, and put to sea. Poor Dido, in despair at being abandoned by the man she loved, had a great pile of wood set on fire, threw herself into the flames, and was burnt to death. When you are older, you will read all this story in Latin, written by Virgil; who has made a fine poem of it, called the Aeneid. If you should abandon Miss Pinkerton, for Miss Williams, do you think she would do the same? Adieu, my dear! I send you a very pretty epigram upon the subject of Dido; you may easily learn it by heart,
Infelix Dido! nulli bene nupta marito, Hoc pereunte jugis, hoc fugiente peris.
LETTER V.
I TOLD you, my dear, that I would send you some stories to amuse you; I therefore now give you the History of the Siege of Troy, which is very entertaining. Homer, an ancient Greek Poet, has wrote upon this subject the finest Epic Poem that ever was. By the way, you are to know, that an Epic Poem is a long poem upon some great event, or upon the actions of some great man.
The siege of Troy is so very famous, for having lasted ten years, and also upon account of the great number of Heroes who were there, that one must by no means be ignorant of such an event. When you are older, you will read it all in the Greek of Homer.
Adieu! you are the best child in the world. I return you your letter corrected; for though it had but few faults, it is however proper that you should know them.
LETTER VI.
Cause of the war between the Greeks and Trojans, and of the besieging and taking of Troy.
HEAVEN and earth were at peace, and the Gods and Goddesses enjoyed the most perfect tranquillity: When the Goddesses Discord, who delights in confusion and quarrel, displeased at the universal calm, resolved to excite dissension. In order to effect this, she threw among the Goddesses a golden apple, upon which these words were written, "To the fairest." Immediately each of the Goddesses wanted to have the apple, and each said she was the handsomest; for Goddesses are as anxious about their beauty, as mere mortal Ladies. The strife was, however, more particularly between Juno, the wife of Jupiter; Venus, the Goddess of Love; and Pallas, the Goddess of Arts and Sciences. At length they agreed to be judged by a shepherd, named Paris, who fed his flocks upon Mount Ida, and was, however, son to Priam, King of Troy. They appeared all three before Paris, and quite naked; for, in order to judge critically, and to determine equitably, it is requisite that all should be seen. Juno offered him the grandeur of the world, if he would decide in her favour; Pallas promised him arts and sciences; but Venus, who tempted him with the most beautiful woman in the universe, prevailed, and he gave her the apple.
You may easily imagine how glad Venus was, and how angry Juno and Pallas were. Venus, in order to perform her promise, ordered him to go to Menelaus's, in Greece, whose wife, named Helena, would fall in love with him: Accordingly he went, and was kindly entertained by Menelaus; but, soon after, Paris ran away with Helena, and carried her off to Troy. Menelaus, irritated at this injurious breach of hospitality, complained to his brother Agamemnon, King of Mycena, who engaged the Greeks to avenge the affront. Ambassadors were sent to Troy, to demand the restitution of Helena, and, in case of a denial, to declare war. Paris refused to restore her; upon which war was
proclaimed. It lasted ten years. I shall very soon send you the history of it.
LETTER VII.
ISLEWORTH, June 30, 1738.
I NOW send you, my dear, a very short history of the siege of Troy. You will there see how justly the Trojans were punished for supporting Paris in his injustice.
I will send you soon the histories of several Kings and Heroes, who were in the Grecian army, and deserve to be known. I ought to have informed you, that the city of Troy was in Asia; and that Greece is a country in Europe; which, at present, belongs to the Turks, and is part of what is called Turkey in Europe.
Considering the manner in which you now go on, you will in time be very learned; I am even afraid lest you should soon know more than myself. However, I shall forgive you, and will be very happy to be esteemed ignorant, in comparison of you. Adieu.
The History of the Siege of Troy.
The Trojans having refused to restore Helen to her husband, the Greeks declared war against them. Now there was in Greece a great number of Kings, who furnished troops, and commanded them in person. They all agreed to give the supreme command to Agamemnon, King of Mycena, and brother to Menelaus, husband to Helen.
They embarked for Troy; but meeting with contrary winds, were detained by them at Aulis. Upon which Calchas, the High Priest, declared, that those adverse winds were sent by the Goddesses Diana, who would continue them, till Iphigenia, daughter to Agamemnon, was sacrificed to her. Agamemnon obeyed, and sent for Iphigenia; but just as she was going to be sacrificed, Diana put a Hind in her stead, and carried off Iphigenia to Tauros, where she made her one of her Priestesses.
After this, the winds became favourable, and they pursued their voyage to Troy, where they landed and began the siege: But the Trojans defended their city so well, that the siege lasted ten years. The Greeks, finding they could not take it by force, had recourse to stratagem. They made a great wooden horse, and enclosed in its body a number of armed men; after which they pretended to retire to their ships, and abandon the siege. The Trojans fell into this snare, and brought the horse into their town; which cost them dear, for, in the middle of the night, the men, concealed in it, got out, set fire to the city, opened the gates, and let in the Grecian army, that had returned under the walls of Troy. The Greeks sacked the city, and put all the inhabitants to the sword, except a very few, who saved themselves by flight. Among these was Aeneas, whom I mentioned to you before; and who fled with his father Anchises upon his shoulders, because he was old; and led his son Ascanius by the hand, because he was young.
Story of AJAX.
Ajax was one of the most valiant Greeks that went to the siege of Troy; he was son to Telamon, Prince of Salamis. After Achilles had been killed, he demanded that Hero's armour, as his nearest relation; but Ulysses contested that point, and obtained the armour. Upon which Ajax went mad, and slaughtered all the sheep he met with, under a notion that they were so many Greeks: At last he killed himself.
Story of NESTOR.
Nestor was the oldest and wisest of all the Greeks who were at the siege of Troy. He was above three hundred years old: So that, on account of his experience, as well as his wisdom, the Grecian army was directed by his counsels. Even at this present time, it is said of a man, who is very old, and very wise, he is a Nestor.
Story of ULYSSES.
Ulysses was another Prince who went to the siege of Troy; he was King of Ithaca, and son of Laertes. His wife's name was Penelope, with whom he was so much in love, that, unwilling to leave her, he feigned himself mad, in order to be excused going to the siege of Troy; but this device being discovered, he was compelled to embark for Ilion. He was the most artful and subtle of all the Greeks. During those ten years of his absence at Troy, Penelope had several lovers, but she gave encouragement to none; so that even now, when a woman is commended for chastity, she is called a Penelope.
After the destruction of Troy, Ulysses was several years before he reached his kingdom, being tossed about by tempests and various accidents. The voyages of Ulysses have been the subject of a fine poem, written by Homer, in Greek, and called The Odyssey. Ulysses had one son, whose name was Telemachus.
There were also many illustrious persons on the Trojan side. Priam was their King. He was very old, and had had fifty children by his wife Hecuba. After the taking of Troy, he was killed by Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, and Hecuba made captive to Ulysses.
Story of HECTOR.
Hector was son to Priam, and the bravest of the Trojans; Andromache was his wife, and his son's name Astyanax. He resolved to engage Achilles; who killed him, and then brutally fastened his dead body to his car, and dragged it in triumph round the walls of Troy.
After that city was taken, his wife, Andromache, became captive to Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles. He afterwards fell in love with, and married her.
Story of CASSANDRA.
Cassandra, daughter of Priam, was so beautiful, that the God Apollo fell in love with her; and gave her the power of foretelling future events, upon condition of her compliance with his desires. But as she deceived the God, by not gratifying his wishes, he ordered matters in such a manner, that, although she always foretold truth, nobody believed her. It is even now said of a
person who foretells the consequences of an affair, and is not believed, she is a Cassandra.
Story of ENEAS.
Eneas was a Trojan Prince, son of Anchises, and of the Goddess Venus, who protected him in all the dangers he underwent. His wife's name was Creusa; by whom he had a son called Ascanius, or Iulus. When Troy was burnt, he made his escape, and carried his father Anchises upon his back; for which reason he was surnamed The Pious Eneas.
You already know what happened to him, with Dido, at Carthage. After that he went to Italy, where, having killed his rival, Turnus, he married Lavinia, daughter to King Latinus. From Eneas and Lavinia was descended Romulus, the founder of Rome.
LETTER VIII.
ISLEWORTH, July 29, 1738.
MY DEAR CHILD,
I SENT you, in my last, the story of Atalanta, who could not resist the temptation of Gold. I will now give you the story of a woman, with whom no temptation whatever had any power; this was Daphne, daughter to the river Peneus. Apollo was violently in love with her; and Apollo was, as you know, a very accomplished God; for he was young and handsome; besides which, he was God of the Sun, of Music, and of Poetry. These are brilliant qualities; but, notwithstanding, the nymph was coy, and the lover unsuccessful.
One day, having met with her in the fields, he pursued, in order to have forced her. Daphne, to avoid him, ran as long as she was able; but at last, being quite spent, Apollo was just going to catch her in his arms, when the Gods, who pitied her fate, and approved her virtue, changed her into a Laurel; so that Apollo, instead of his dear Daphne, was surprised to find a tree in his arms. But, as a testimony of his love, he decreed the Laurel to be the most honourable of all trees; and ordained victorious warriors, and celebrated poets, to be crowned with it: An injunction which was ever afterwards observed by the ancients. You will even often find, among the modern Poets, Laurels for victories. Such a one is loaded with Laurels; such a one has gathered Laurels in the field of battle. This means, he has been victorious, and has distinguished himself by his bravery. I hope that, in time, you too will be famous for your courage. Valour is essential to a Gentleman; besides that it adds brilliancy to his character. Adieu.
* Which cannot be found.
LETTER IX.
BATH, September 30, 1738.
MY DEAR CHILD,
I AM very glad to hear, that you are returned from your travels well, and in good humour. The three days dance which you have borne, has not, I believe, been quite so agreeable as that which you are now going to renew with your dancing-master.
As I know you have a pleasure in learning, I take it for granted that you have resumed your studies; for time is precious, life short, and consequently one must not lose a single moment. A man of sense knows how to make the most of time, and puts out his whole sum, either to interest or pleasure. He is never idle; but constantly employed either in amusements or study. It is a saying, that idleness is the mother of all vice. At least, it is certain, that laziness is the inheritance of fools; and nothing so despicable as a sluggard. Cato the Censor, an old Roman, of great virtue and much wisdom, used to say, there were but three actions of his life which he regretted. The first was, the having told a secret to his wife; the second, that he had once gone by sea when he might have gone by land; and the third, the having passed one day without doing any thing. Considering the manner in which you employ your time, I own that I am envious of the pleasure you will have in finding yourself more learned than other boys, even those who are older than yourself. What honour this will do you! What distinctions, what applauses will follow, wherever you go! You must confess that this cannot but give you pleasure. The being desirous of surpassing them in merit and learning, is a very laudable ambition; whereas the wishing to outshine others in rank, in expence, in clothes, and in equipage, is a silly vanity, that makes a man appear ridiculous.
Let us return to our Geography, in order to amuse ourselves with maps. Now the days are short, you cannot walk out in the evening; yet one must amuse one's self; and there is nothing so entertaining as maps. Adieu! you are an excellent little boy.
LETTER X.
BATH, October 4, 1738.
MY DEAR CHILD,
BY my writing so often, and by the manner in which I write, you will easily see, that I do not treat you as a little child, but as a boy who loves to learn, and is ambitious of receiving instructions. I am even persuaded, that in reading my letters, you are attentive, not only to the subject of which they treat, but likewise to the orthography, and to the style. It is of the greatest importance to write letters well; as this is a talent which unavoidably occurs every day of one's life, as well in business as in pleasure; and inaccuracies in orthography, or in style, are never pardoned but in Ladies. When you are older, you will read the Epistles (that is to say letters) of Cicero; which are the most perfect models of good writing. A precept of Cicero: I must give you some account of him. He was an old Roman, who lived eighteen hundred year ago; a man of great genius, and the most celebrated orator that ever was. Will it not be necessary to explain to you what an orator is? I believe I must. An orator is a man who harangues in a public assembly, and who speaks with eloquence; that is to say, who reasons well, has a fine

style, and chooses his words properly. Now, never man succeeded better than Cicero, in all those different points: He used sometimes to speak to the whole people of Rome assembled; and by the force of his eloquence, persuaded them to whatever he pleased. At other times, he used to undertake causes, and plead for his clients in courts of judicature: And in those causes he generally had all the suffrages, that is to say, all the opinions, all the decisions, in his favour. While the Roman Republic enjoyed its freedom, he did very signal services to his country; but after it was enslaved by Julius Cæsar, the first Emperor of the Romans, Cicero became suspected by the tyrants; and was at last put to death by order of Marc Antony, who hated him for the severity of his orations against him, at the time that he endeavoured to obtain the sovereignty of Rome.
In case there should be any words in my letters which you do not perfectly understand, remember always to inquire the explanation of your Mamma, or else to seek for them in the dictionary. Adieu.
WORCESTER, Jan. 12.
By an officer in the continental army in Canada we are favoured with the following, viz.
By his Excellency GUY CARLETON, Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the province of QUEBEC, and the territories depending thereon in America, Vice Admiral of the same, and Major General of his Majesty's forces, commanding the northern district, &c. &c. &c.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS it has been found expedient to raise and embody a militia within this city, to co-operate with, and to assist his Majesty's troops in this garrison in the preservation of the city, and of the persons and property of his Majesty's good and faithful subjects resident therein, against certain rebellious persons who have invested this province, a number of whom have lately appeared in arms before the walls of this town: And whereas information has been given me, that some persons resident here have contumaciously refused to enroll their names in the militia lists, and to take up arms in conjunction with their fellow citizens for the purpose aforesaid; and that others who have enrolled their names, and had for some time carried arms in the defence and preservation of the city, have lately laid them down: And also, that some persons are busy in endeavouring to draw away and alienate the affections of his Majesty's good and faithful subjects of this city from his Majesty's person and government: For these reasons, and in order to rid the town of all useless, disloyal, and treacherous persons, I have thought fit to issue this proclamation; and I do hereby strictly order and enjoin all and every person and persons whatsoever, liable to serve in the militia, and residing at Quebec, who have refused or declined to enroll their names in the militia lists, and to take up arms in conjunction with his Majesty's good subjects of this city, and who still refuse or decline to do so, as well as those who, having once taken up arms, have afterwards laid them down, and will not take them up again, to quit the town in four days from the date hereof, together with their wives and children, and to withdraw themselves out of the limits of the district of Quebec before the first day of December next, under pain of being treated as rebels or spies, if thereafter they shall be found within the said limits.
And inasmuch as the persons who, in obedience to this proclamation, are to quit the town and district, may have bought up a considerable quantity of the provisions brought in for the subsistence of the inhabitants of the town; and it would be imprudent to suffer those provisions to be carried out, more especially as the country abounds with necessaries of life; I do hereby further order and enjoin all and every such person and persons to deliver in forthwith, to the Hon. George Alsop, Esq; commissary, a true inventory or list of their provisions and stores, in order that they may be fairly and justly valued, and the full price paid to the respective proprietors before their departure.
GUY CARLETON.
By his Excellency's command, H. T. Crambe, Secretary.
WHETHER General Gage has gained any reputation in America as a warrior is uncertain; but that of a fine writer cannot be refused him. His late proclamation has fixed it for ever. The art of fine writing is to convince, please, and persuade. We shall find upon examination that these qualities abound in his proclamation.
The General begins by proclaiming the multitude to have been long infatuated, and that the disease, as is natural, is now increased to a phrenzy. As a new and infallible remedy for this, he holds out the sword. Every man must act in his profession. The soldier employs his sword; the physician would order the lancet. They are equally proper, because blood-letting is allowed to be the best application to frantic people.
But the General, I believe, had another motive for declaring them in an insane state. It was a motive of humanity; for when they come to be tried for treason, they have only to plead their insanity, and give the proclamation in evidence; and then, as I take it, they cannot be executed.
The General goes on to reason with this insane multitude on the dreadful consequences of their insanity. In this, it must be allowed, he shews great judgment; not only in the plan, but in the execution. Frantic people are very apt to listen to reason; and the General's arguments are calculated accordingly for men who are not in their senses to judge of them.
"Many thousands of these madmen," says the General, "assembled on the 19th of April last, and from behind walls and lurking holes attacked a detachment of the King's troops, who, not expecting so consummate an act of phrenzy, unprepared for vengeance, and willing to decline it, made use of their arms only in their own defence."
From the happy manner in which this is introduced one would not have the least suspicion that this detachment was sent out by the General upon a secret expedition to seize the friends of the people, and destroy their magazines; that is, to commence war with them by the most infamous treachery: And yet he sent these troops unprepared for vengeance, and not expecting such an act of phrenzy as resistance. As a further proof that he did not expect it, he sent the light infantry and grenadiers, the picked and chosen men of his army, and these in the night. This is a demonstration that he did not expect such an act of phrenzy from these infatuated people; and his letter to Governor Trumbull will prove that he had no reason to expect it. "You cannot wonder," says he, "at my fortifying the town of Boston, or making any other military preparations, when you are assured that, previous to my taking these steps, such were the open threats, and such the quarrelsome preparations throughout this province, as rendered it my indispensable duty to take every precaution in my power for the protection of his Majesty's troops under my command from all hostile attempts." And again—"When the resolves of the Provincial Congress breathed nothing but war; when those two great and essential prerogatives of the King, the levying of troops and disposing of the public monies, were wrested from him, and when magazines were forming by an Assembly of men, unknown to the constitution, for the declared purpose of levying war against the King; you must acknowledge it was my duty to prevent, if possible, the calamities of civil war, by destroying such magazines."
It is impossible, I think, to conceive that any men upon the face of the earth, but General Gage and his detachment, could imagine that in this state of things they might march into the country, and commit open acts of hostility without opposition,
or that such an attempt would not be more likely to produce than to prevent the calamities of civil war. There wanted but this act to set fire to those combustibles which he pretends were collected, and blow up the civil government. The fact is, that General Gage, like those who sent him, asserts whatever the wicked purpose of the moment calls for, without any regard to truth or decency. I shall not comment on the propriety of the expressions, "from behind lurking holes—vengeance for an act of phrenzy—willing to decline the vengeance for which they were unprepared." The confusion and absurdity of all this is a consequence, I presume, of the infatuation with which the proclamation commenced. Infatuated, like drunken men, are very apt to accuse others of the infirmity under which they themselves labour. After all, he may object to the fairness of applying the judgment of sense to that which he has addressed and adapted to persons whom he supposes to have lost their senses.
I observe the Ministry are too much ashamed of the proclamation to admit it in the gazette. It is the only proof of their wisdom that I have seen. Such a performance would disgrace them over all Europe. It begins with infatuation, proceeds with falsehood and folly, and ends with an hypocritical affectation of prayer. My earnest prayer is, that God and the people may, in their justice, soon bring this foolish General, and the abandoned Ministers who sent him, to condign punishment.
A BOSTONIAN.
LONDON, October 23.
Extract of a letter from GOSPORT, Oct. 19.
SIR Peter Parker, who now commands his Majesty's ship Barfleur of 90 guns, under Sir James Douglas, who is Admiral of the squadron here, is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Bristol, of 50 guns, now at Chatham; and is to be second in command at Boston, in America, with a broad pendant.
October 24. Between the hours of nine and ten yesterday morning, Mr. Stavely, of Half Moon street, Piccadilly, and Mr. Mann, of Queen Anne street, Westminster (both King's messengers) attended by a constable, repaired to the house of Stephen Sayre, Esq; in Oxford street. As an excuse to obtain an interview with Mr. Sayre, these beggarly catchpoles of power pretended, that a forged draught, for two hundred pounds, had been issued by the bank, of which Mr. Sayre is a proprietor. Obtaining by such rascally means the interview they desired. Mr. Sayre no sooner appeared than the catchpoles acquainted him, that "they had an order signed by Lord Rochford, one of the Secretaries of State, to take him into custody, on a charge of "high treason; and to search for, seize, and carry with them, "such of his papers as they might deem effectual for their purpose."
Mr. Sayre heard the summons with composure, and obeyed its dictates with a manly dignity. Conscious of his innocence, he smiled at the heinousness of the charge, and, in a perfect reliance on his own integrity, he permitted the Government-riflers to plunder his escutcheons, to ransack his boxes, and to pillage his bureau. No sooner did they lay their hands on a letter from Mrs. Macauley (sister to the Lord Mayor elect) and another letter, addressed to "The Livery of London," under the signature of "Barnard's Ghost," than they seized them with the hand of rapacity, and carried them off with as little feeling as men unaccustomed to honesty, in the service of Government, usually experience.
Mr. Sayre expressed his readiness to accompany the King's catchpoles unto Lord Rochford's house, having previously despatched a servant to Mr. Reynolds, requiring his attendance with the utmost expedition. The King's messengers, thief-takers, or catchpoles (call them which you will) conducted Mr. Sayre to the presence of Lord Rochford; and left justice should perceive the villainy of oppression, her eyes were blinded—for Sir John Fielding was present. An information from one Richardson (an Adjutant of the guards) was read. The charge contained in this information, was to the following purport:
"That Stephen Sayre, Esq; had expressed to him, the said Richardson, an intention of seizing the King's person, as his Majesty went on Thursday to the Parliament House; also an intention of taking possession of the tower, and of overturning the present government."
After this information had been read, Mr. Sayre replied to the separate charges with that sort of composure which ever accompanies heart-felt innocence; he stated how very slightly he was acquainted with Adjutant Richardson, the informer: He mentioned the only conversation which had ever passed between them; and he was about to enter more largely into the futility of the charge, when it was announced to Lord Rochford and the blind justice, "that Mr. Reynolds demanded immediate admittance to his client." That the chicanery of courts might not be laid aside, several messages passed, but that which could not be deemed as a matter of right, was soon, very courteously, granted as a matter of favour. Mr. Reynolds was admitted, because it was impossible, consistent with justice, to refuse his admittance. Having been introduced to Lord Rochford and Sir John Fielding, the latter put the following question to Mr. Reynolds: "Is it Mr. Sayre's desire that you should attend in his behalf?"
Mr. Reynolds replied in the affirmative. Sir John Fielding, with a greater share of audacity than decorum, said "that this was not true." Mr. Reynolds, with a very proper degree of spirit, replied, "that Sir John Fielding, as a magistrate, might say that which, as a Gentleman, he could not justify." The blind Knight then desired that it might be asked of Mr. Sayre "Whether he had sent for Mr. Reynolds?" Mr. Sayre replied, "he had sent for him, without mentioning the place where he was to attend."
These particulars being adjusted, it was agreed that Mr. Reynolds might attend the private examination of his friend. The first advice Mr. Reynolds gave to Mr. Sayre, was this, "That he should answer no interrogatories which Lord Rochford or Sir John Fielding might propound; and that he should not sign any paper."
The information which contained the charge was a second time read at the request of Mr. Sayre, who smiling at the recital, Mr. Reynolds joined in the laugh, and said, "that the whole was too ridiculous to be seriously attended to." An altercation then ensued between Mr. Reynolds and Adjutant Richardson the informer. The two Middlesex justices Lord Rochford and Sir John Fielding, were requested by the informer to silence Mr. Reynolds. He saved them the trouble by observing "that he should always pay a proper deference to authority, but whatever he had there said of the informer, he would repeat in any other place whatever."
Mr. Reynolds then told Lord Rochford, "that if, after consulting the great law-officers of state (which his Lordship would do of course) as the information did not amount to a direct charge against Mr. Sayre, his Lordship should think himself warranted to receive bail, ample and sufficient bail should be given; but if it was thought warrantable to commit, he scorned to ask a favour for his client."
Mr. Sayre was ordered to an adjacent apartment, and he was soon committed a close prisoner to the TOWER.
It would be a scandalous omission to conclude this narrative without doing justice to the behaviour of Mr. Sayre. As a subject of a FREE State, his demeanor was manly; as a patriot it was intrepid; as a Gentleman it was polite. He treated the malice of informers with the utmost contempt, the futility of in-
formations, when preferred by the creatures, and countenanced by the authority of Government, this he smiled at with ineffable disdain. "The unhappy effects of such informations, Government (Mr. Sayre said) had amply experienced by giving ear to Bernard and Hutchinson. By false informations, and the vilest of suggestions, these men had consented to become the willing instruments in carrying on the purposes of a bloody-minded Administration. But whatever informers Government might encourage, integrity was a shield which would protect men of honour from their shafts. Defended by that shield, Mr. Sayre said, he should enter the apartments of a prison conscious that they would prove a safe asylum for virtue."
October 30. We hear that Lord North's declaration in the House of Commons, "that notwithstanding the offers of foreign assistance his Majesty had received, he was not fond of accepting of any such, unless in cases of the most urgent necessity; and that he intended to send, at one and the same time, the most equitable terms of reconciliation to our fellow subjects in America, and a most respectable part of our army and navy, to enforce obedience in case those terms should be rejected,"—meets with universal approbation.
The Duke of Grafton on Thursday in the House of Lords, to the astonishment of almost every body, drew out his whole artillery against Administration; he said, the part they were taking against America, was equally disgraceful to statesmen and Britons, as it was injurious to the rights of humanity,—that he trembled for the dismemberment of so great a part of our empire, which he had no doubt would be effected, if some special check was not given to the dreadful operations of war; that if Administration was determined to go on, all he could do would be to give them every opposition in his power, and that he would not be restrained from this on any consideration whatsoever—that he should make all kind of business nay even sickness itself bend to this duty, for that if his health would not otherwise permit it, he would be carried in a litter to the House. Likewise the Bishop of Peterborough, in a strain suitable to the dignity of his profession, pressed with great humanity the stoppage of human blood.
The popular party is strengthened this session with the Duke of Grafton, the Bishop of Peterborough, General Conway, and most of their connections in both Houses.
Extract of a letter from CHATHAM, October 26.
"Tuesday sailed from hence for America, having on board a detachment of marines, consisting of one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, one Corporal, one Drummer, and forty private men, the Boreas frigate of 48 guns, Capt. Thompson; she has stopped at Black Stakes to take in her powder and artillery, after which she is to proceed directly on her voyage."
"Same day also, the Bristol, a fine new ship of 50 guns, was launched from his Majesty's dockyard at Sheerness; she is put into commission, bound for America, and on board of her Commodore Sir Peter Parker is to hoist his broad pendant."
A letter from Pembroke, dated the 25th instant, mentions, that several pieces of wrecks, and a great many dead bodies were continually coming on shore there, some without legs, and others without arms, &c. two more were seen floating without heads.
HOUSE OF LORDS, November 1.
THE Duke of Richmond moved in the House of Lords, for leave to enter a protest, in the name of himself and other Lords, against the address of the House presented to the King on Friday last, which was agreed to. It is a rule of the House, that protests should be entered the next day after the decision of any business, which made it necessary to ask leave of the House upon this occasion.
The Duke of Manchester then made an introductory speech to the following motion: That this House is of opinion, that introducing any part of the King's electoral troops, or any other foreign troops whatever, into the service of the Crown of Great Britain, previous to the consent of Parliament, is dangerous and unconstitutional.
Lord Rochford, in reply, entered into a justification of the measure, as safe, constitutional, and expedient, on which ground he moved the previous question; that is, to take the sense of the House whether the depending motion shall be put.
An interesting debate followed, and the speakers in support of the previous question, or, in favour of the legality and expediency of the measure of employing the electoral troops, were the Lords Talbot, Rochford, Weymouth, Denbigh, and the Lord Chancellor; in support of the D. of Manchester's motion, the Dukes of Grafton and Richmond, and the Lords Effingham, Lyttleton, Shelburne, and Camden. In the course of the debate all the old arguments, respecting the American contest, were repeated, pro and con ; but the Duke of Grafton threw out some new information, purporting, that at a proper time, he would lay before the House a sketch of the force and expenses required to carry on the war against America, and of the burthensome taxes that would follow: His Grace nobly declared, that he could no longer support Administration, unless the Ministry changed their conduct against America; and in the strongest terms he condemned the measure of embarking the Hanoverian troops before the meeting of Parliament.
Lord Camden spoke for a considerable time. His Lordship, after having gone shortly into the question first moved, left it on a sudden and went into the great field of American disputes, and the measures taken by Parliament the last session—He observed the Ministers had acknowledged themselves to have been deceived. He said the great deceiver lay somewhere hid, and called upon him to come forth and declare himself. He pointed out several instances where they had been deceived, and by reason of which the flower of his Majesty's army had been destroyed. He told the House it was not now too late to settle the unhappy dispute to the honour and happiness of both countries. His Lordship spoke with his usual greatness, though at the same time, with much coolness and moderation.
Lord Shelburne and the Duke of Richmond called upon the Lords in Administration to declare, whether they meant to lay the petition of the Congress to the King before the House? And they said, that as there were grounds in that petition for an honourable reconciliation with America, they would move it to be laid before the House, if the Ministry would not. Lord Shelburne also declared, that the most extensive operations that could be required to be carried on last year, or for the year ensuing, might be effected without employing one single foreigner; and therefore that the measure of contracting for the electoral troops was inexpedient as well as illegal.
The noble Lords in opposition seemed however very willing to acquit the Ministry of all criminal intentions, if they would but acknowledge the measure to be unconstitutional, and solicit the passing an act of indemnity; and it should seem as if Lord North will be persuaded by his friends to take this necessary step to quiet the minds of those who think the measure without it would be established into a dangerous precedent.
The previous question was put at 8 o'clock, and passed on a division, 75 against 35, proxies on both sides included.
NEWBURY PORT, Jan. 12.
THE brig Squirrel, Richard Willis, arrived here, in lat. 44, lon. 38, spoke with the Orpheus frigate of 32 guns, from England, bound to America, but had met with a very hard gale of wind on the 30th of November, by which she lost her main and foremast, and was then bound back to refit. She had been out 5 weeks when the gale took her.
Capt. Meeds, who came passenger in the Squirrel, from London, was at the meeting of merchants at the King's Arms tavern,

which consisted of between seven and eight hundred, unanimous to a man in favour of the Americans. They petitioned his Ma-jesty to have matters settled with America, and set forth in their petition, that destruction must be brought on the land if the war was carried on; it was signed by 1102 Gentlemen, and his Ma-jesty was pleased to receive it very GRACIOUSLY. Captain Meeds also informs, that our friends increase daily; that we shall be no longer termed rebels, and that it was dangerous to speak a word in the coffee-houses against the Americans.
HARTFORD, January 22. Last Wednesday Major Wales came to town from Montreal, with fourteen Indian Chiefs of the Cognawaga tribe, whom he was conducting to his Excellency General Washington at Cambridge, and on Friday they set off for that place. He likewise had several children of the same tribe, who were to be sent to Dartmouth college.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Albany, to one in this place, dated January 15, 1776.
"Last Friday came an express to this city, with the news that Sir J. Johnson (son of the late Sir William) with about 500 men, and a few Indians (Mohawks) were assembling in hostile posture, &c. The county committee convened immediately, and ordered the minute-men in Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Half Moon, &c. to march to Johnstown, with four days provision, an ax to every sixth man, &c. who are now gone and going; but I rather guess will prove a false alarm in part, or at least less alarming than at first received."
"P. S. Monday evening, Jan. 15. To-morrow morning, very early, General Schuyler, with the multitudes come in from Berkshire, and all around (except those gone forward to Schenectady, and some sent home to prepare for the tour of Canada) will set off for Johnstown. This city is in the greatest confu-sion; every countenance is changed; Whigs depressed and melan-choly, and immediately animated and revengeful, or rather spi-rited for a noble and vigorous effort in the cause of liberty, whilst the Tories prick up their ears: One of them, for publicly re-joicing at General Montgomery's untimely fall, was closeted in the city-hall."
"16th, 10 o'clock, A. M. The General just gone to Schenec-tady, on his way to Johnstown, accompanied by many—many good soldiers, &c. Success attend them."
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman at Westmoreland, to his friend in this place, dated Dec. 27, 1775.
"It will not be in my power to be in your parts this winter, as we have lately had an invitation by a body of Tories, under the command of one Plunket, they pretended, by orders from Penn. Be that as it will, the bottom of it is Toryism. As we were threatened with death and destruction, we had no other way but to fight. They had 6 or 700 men, two cannon, &c. I marched with about 400 of my regiment, which I thought enough for 700 of such wretches. As soon as they came in sight, they fired without saying a word, and rushed to surround us. Our people met them with as much resolution, and a very heavy fire ensued. We soon drove them, killed a number, and drove one wing of the body into the mountain; the main body retreated. This was on the 21st of December."
"On the 23d, at night, they attempted to cross the river, to de-stroy our settlements, where the men were chiefly drawn off. I sent a party to receive them, and just as their boat came to shore, with about 100 men, our people poured in a shot upon them at about three rods distance, and obliged them to retreat and make off as well as they could. By the best accounts we can get, they had 50 or 60 killed and wounded. We had two killed and three wounded, one of which is since dead. Our enemies are all gone off, I believe, for the winter."
Extract of a letter from Cambridge, January 18.
"From Newbury Port we learn, that they have lately taken a ship from London, laden with coals, porter, and cheese; and a brig from Ireland, with beef, pork, and butter, designed for the ministerial army in Boston, and were in chase of three more ships in Ipswich bay. We have the account of the Newfoundland storm confirmed from Boston, this day; 150,000. damage by their own account, and one sloop of war, the Piacentia."
PROVIDENCE, Jan. 13. Yesterday afternoon Capt. Wal-lace, with all the vessels under his command, arrived at the south end of Prudence, and landed two hundred and fifty men. The minute-men that were on the island (about 47 in number) march-ed and engaged the enemy, who endeavoured to surround them. After giving three fires, our people retreated, finding themselves overpowered by numbers, and were taken off by two boats from Warwick Neck. One minute-man was killed, and two wound-ed, and the enemy, it is said, lost several of their men. They afterwards burnt eight houses on the island, with a number of barns and cribs; and this morning it is said they are arrived at Bristol harbour."
Three men of war and eight transports, we hear, failed from Boston on Sunday last.
A number of hands are now employed in working a lead mine at Middletown in Connecticut, where several hundred tons of that necessary article will be ready in a short time. The saltpetre works are likewise going on there with great success, the bounty having been already paid upon near one thousand weight.
NEW YORK, January 25.
A LARGE ship from London, named the Blue Mountain Valley, bound for Boston, with a cargo of coals and porter for the ministerial army, arrived off Sandy Hook three days ago. In order to save her the trouble and danger of transporting her to Boston, three armed boats from New Jersey took possession of her, and carried her safely into—a convenient port to unload.
We hear from Long Island, that Col. Heard, with a detachment of minute-men from the Jerseys, pursuant to an order of the Con-tinental Congress, has taken a few of the principal Tories in Queen's county, that others are fled, and that all the rest had de-livered up their arms, to the number of near a thousand.
On Tuesday—Fowler, who keeps the Farmer's tavern in the Bowry, was apprehended, and secured in the guard-house; he is suspected of having been concerned in spiking up the cannon at Kingsbridge, having bought up a number of rat-tail files, for one Lounsbury of Marinack, who being sent for, confessed he em-ployed Fowler to buy the files; but as yet nothing more is found out.
PHILADELPHIA, JAN. 29.
Extract of a letter from MONTREAL, January 5, 1776.
I CAME here last night with despatches to General Wooster, have just time to acquaint you, per express, that on the 30th instant two attacks were made by our troops on Quebec (and a feint at Cape Diamond) the one at St. Rooks by Col. Arnold's detachment, consisting of about 400 men, with 60 of Captain Lamb's company of artillery, and a party of Indians; the other at Drummond's wharf, under Cape Diamond, by the New York troops, commanded by General Montgomery, who was at their head. The attack commenced between five and six o'clock in the morning. It is with the greatest concern I inform you, that our brave General, his Aid de Camp (Mr. M'Pherion) and Capt. Cheeseman, fell the first fire, in the glorious attempt. I was with the General's party, and near him when killed. Mr. M'Pherion behaved with spirit, and was an honour to his country. We passed the first barrier without opposition: This fatal stroke of losing our General threw our troops into confusion, and we received orders from Col. Campbell to retire with the loss of about 15 men. Col. Arnold's detachment on the south side forced two barriers (out of four) and about nine o'clock they were sur-
rounded, and under the necessity of surrendering themselves pri-soners of war; they are very well treated. Governor Carleton buried General Montgomery and Mr. M'Pherion with all the honours of war. Major Megs is out on parole of honour for three days, and has leave to carry in all the officers baggage. Col. Arnold was wounded in the small of his leg, at the first barrier, as was Major Ogden, and they both retired. Colonel Green had the command afterwards. Col. Arnold's detachment behaved with the greatest bravery, and struck terror into General Carleton, or he would not treat them as he does. Major Megs says, General Carleton does not expect to hold Quebec long. Captain Hendricks of the Pennsylvania rifle-men, Lieutenant Humphreys of Morgan's company of Virginia ditto, and Lieut. Cooper of Captain Manchin's company, are killed; Captain Lamb is slightly wounded, and about 100 privates are killed and wounded."
Extract of a letter from NEW YORK, January 17.
General Lee is coming here with a body of armed men. A Gentleman of this city, who is just returned from Connecticut, tells me, General Washington has wrote to Governor Trumbull, informing him, that a fleet has left Boston; that he conjectures they are bound for New York; given him their size and strength as nearly as he could; informed him that General Lee was coming along with 90 rifle-men, and desired he would order a number of men to be immediately raised to come with them to this city. That in consequence thereof, Governor Trumbull had assembled the Committee of Safety, and they advised him to issue his warrant, ordering two regiments to be raised (about 1500 in both) to be commanded by Colonels Waterbury and Ward, under the direc-tion of General Lee; and to come to this city. Another Gen-tleman, who is just come from camp, told me, that General Lee was to bring with him an engineer and artillery men."
"18th. The Jersey lads are gone to Horn's Hook; from thence they have crossed, or are to cross, as I am informed, to Long Island, and pay Queen's county a visit. The eastern post told me, he left General Lee at Hartford on Monday."
"19th. Eleven o'clock this morning, a second detachment (about 300 Jersey-men) went to Long Island. It is said the former one consisted of 4 or 500."
WILLIAMSBURG, Feb. 10.
A SCHOONER from Salem, and another from Ipswich, both in ballast, the latter with 200. on board, in continental dollars, were taken last Tuesday, by two tenders, and carried in-to the harbour of Norfolk. They were bound in here for corn.
A party from the men of war, last Thursday, went on shore at Norfolk, under cover of their cannon, and took out of the warehouses five hogheads of tobacco, notwithstanding the rifle-men kept an incessant fire on them the whole time. At night Col. Howe ordered his people to burn the houses, when they re-ceived another heavy discharge of cannon from the ships.
The town of Norfolk is now said to be totally consumed; and that our troops have abandoned the place, and are gone to the Great Bridge. Portsmouth was in flames last Thursday night.
A brig, laden with linens, this week luckily escaped the vigi-lance of the tenders (with which it is said the bay swarms) and fell into the hands of our people.
By a vessel in two weeks from Salem, we learn, that a brig and two ships, transports from England, with provisions, &c. for the army at Boston, had fallen into the hands of our privateers, and it was expected many more would be taken, as a good look-out was kept for the store ships expected. Two of the above ves-sels were carried into Newbury Port, and the other into Cape Anne.
One Mr. Ker, a prisoner on his parole in Northampton county, went off last week, and carried with him seven negroes. A few days after seven negroes broke out of Northampton gaol and went off in a pettiauger. It is imagined they are all gone on board the men of war.
The prisoners of the 14th regiment, and others, in all twenty five, were this week removed to Richmond town.
Some of the tenders went up to Nansemond a few days ago, and took a vessel with about 200 barrels of pork on board. Our peo-ple at that place had a small skirmish with them, but we cannot learn that any lives were lost on either side. Before their depar-ture they burnt down a house belonging to Mr. Wills Cowper, in which was destroyed about 100 barrels of corn.
There is a 50 gun ship now lying in Hampton road; she came in yesterday, and it is said three more vessels have been seen off the coast.
Deaths.] JOHN AYLETT, Esq; of James City.—Major MATTHEW DONAVON, at Hesse, in Gloucester.
SUSSEX county, COMMITTEE CHAMBER, January 29, 1776.
THIS committee, from tender feelings for their poor suffering and distressed brethren of the borough of Norfolk, who (from their small possessions, and daily labour, were enabled to support themselves, their wives, and tender infants) are, by the tyranni-cal, cruel, and destructive executioner of ministerial vengeance, Lord Dunmore, and his banditti of blacks, and Scotch Tories and Jacobites, reduced to the most affliction want of every necessary support of life, have resolved to exert themselves (in which they have the pleasure to find their constituents zealously joining them) in providing houses for the reception of as many of those poor people as they can, with a sufficient quantity of land to cultivate, to which this committee, in the most affectionate manner, invite them; hoping thereby, in some measure, to alleviate their anxiety, and remove their distresses, in being thus provided for by their brethren beyond the reach of Lord Dunmore's oppressive hand, and the dreadful effects of his nocturnal designs and rob-beries; declaring, at the same time, that this invitation does not proceed from those base, ungenerous, and selfish views, suggested by his Lordship in his late publication, but from motives that his Lordship and his abettors appear to be entire strangers to.
AUGUSTINE CLAIBORNE, Chairman.
MANCHESTER, Jan. 30, 1776.
We intend to leave the Colo-ny soon. JAMES WALLACE. ALLAN CAMERON.
FALMOUTH, January 31, 1776.
THE Subscriber intending to leave the Colony early in the Spring, and being desirous to have every Account upon his Books properly adjusted before that time, earnestly entreats all Persons who have had Dealings with him, or his Predecessors, on Account of Mess. Bogle, Somervell, and Co. merchants of Glasgow, at their Store in this Place, to come and settle them as soon as possible, that no Dispute may hereafter arise. GEORGE HAMILTON.
FREDERICKSBURG, Jan. 30, 1776.
I intend to leave the Colony soon. WILLIAM REID.
NORTHUMBERLAND, February 4, 1776.
THE Subscriber proposes leaving the Colony soon, and requests those whose Accounts stand open on Mess. M'Call, Denniston, and Company's Books, kept by him, to make immediate Settlements, that no Disputes may arise in his Absence. He has for Sale about 350. Sterling Worth of GOODS, which he will sell on reasonable Terms for ready Money, or upon Credit. THOMAS REID.
I HAVE lost (by what Means I cannot discover) FIFTY SIX POUNDS, out of a large Quantity of Money, very lately received from the Treasury Office in Sheets. I can assert, with Positiveness, that the Bills below were Part; and as it may lead to a Discovery, and tend to do Justice, I hope I may, without Offence to any, beg that any Person having these Bills will be pleased to trace their Progress, and communicate the Result of their Inquiries to Mr. James Mercer of Fredericksburg, but generally (as a Member of the Committee of Safety) in Wil-liamsburg, or to their very humble Servant, JOHN HARVIE.
Table with 2 columns: Bill number/amount, and Notes. Includes Bills of £. 12, No. 142, 14108 and 14109; £. 1, the same Numbers; £. 8, No. 155, 15401 and 15402; £. 1, the same Numbers. All on Paper called the James River Bank.
THE BRIGANTINE ADVENTURE, ROBERT ZUILLE Master, (Conveniently fitted for THIRTY or FORTY PASSENGERS)
WILL sail about the latter End of April, for any Port in Great Britain that a Majority of the Passengers may think most convenient. As the Out-fit will be attended with consider-able Expence, the Brig will not sail unless twenty five Passengers (at least) are engaged. Those who apply first will of Course have the Preference; the Passage will be twenty Guineas, the Passen-gers finding their own Bedding. For further Particulars apply to the Subscribers, in Alexandria. 5 (£55.) ROBERT ADAM & Co.
HALLSFIELD, near Blandford, Jan. 26, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony with all convenient Speed. WILLIAM CALDER.
FREDERICKSBURG, February 1, 1776. I INTEND to LONDON in a very short Time, and have appointed Mr. James Somerville, Merchant of this Place, my lawful Attorney, properly authorized to receive and discharge all Debts due to me; and I beg that all those who are indebted to my Store will pay the same, with all convenient Speed, to the said Mr. Somerville; and all those who are indebted by Notes, or open Accounts, are requested to come and pay, or reduce them into Bonds till it is more convenient to discharge them. Take Notice, I am the Principal for whom the late George Mitchell was Factor many Years. ROBERT JARDINE.
CULPEPER, January 22, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately. ROBERT BOYD.
Just arrived from ANTIGUA, and will sail for that Island about the 20th Instant,
THE BRIGANTINE COMMERCE, JOHN ROBINSON Master. SHE will go in Ballast, and have good Accommodations for Passengers. For Passage apply to the Master on Board, or to ARCHIBALD RITCHIE. TAPPAHANNOCK, February 2, 1776.
TO BE SOLD At BLANDFORD, on FRIDAY the 1st of MARCH next, to the highest Bidders,
ELEVEN valuable NEGRO FELLOWS, among whom is a very good Ship Carpenter. Also two SCHOONER FLATS, one 85, the other 70 Hogheads Burthen, with their BOATS, and two smaller FLATS Burthen 35 and 32 Hogheads. Six Months Credit will be allowed the Purchasers, on giving Bond, with approved Security, to THOMAS CRAWFORD. JOSHUA POYTHRESS, Junr
LOUISA, February 1, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony soon. JOHN M'GILL.
FEARNOUGHT,
A FINE bay Colt, about 15 Hands 3 Inches high, 3 Years old the 6th Day of June next, well marked, and as hand-some as any Horse in America, will stand at the Subscriber's, near Bute Courthouse, in North Carolina, to cover Mares at 5l. the Season, or 40s. the Leap, Virginia Money. As I am under an Obligation to pay 250l. for this Horse next October, and the O-tober following the like Sum, if Gentlemen who put Mares will pay by the first Day of October next, I will take 3l. 10s. for the Season, and 30s. for the Leap. I have very fine Wheat Pastures for the Mares, and will take all the Care of them in my Power, but not be liable for any that may get away. JOHN WILLIS.
FEARNOUGHT was got by old FEARNOUGHT, upon an imported Mare belonging to Col. Thomas Nelson, called Bloss-om. Blossom was got by old SLOE, a famous King's Plate Horse; her Dam was a Mare belonging to Lord Rockingham, that won the King's Plate of a Hundred Guineas for five Years old Mares, at Hambleton, in Yorkshire, and was got by REGULUS, the Sire of FEARNOUGHT.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 9, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony soon. CHARLES ALEXANDER.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 10, 1776.
RUN away from the Subscriber, on the first Day of January last, an APPRENTICE Lad named MATTHEW ALLEN, who is so well known in this City and New Kent, that I think it needless to give a Description of him. Whoever brings him to me shall have what the Law allows; and I hereby forewarn all Persons not to harbour or entertain him. THOMAS PATE.
TAKEN up, in Petersburg, some Time in November last, two COWS, one red, about 5 Years old, with Calf, marked with a Swallowfork in the right, and an Overkeel in the left Ear; the other is red and white, about 4 Years old, has a young Calf, and is marked as the aforesaid. Posted, and appraised to 5l. WILLIAM SKINNER.

POETS CORNER.
SOLILOQUY of King Richard II. during his captivity.
WHERE are you fled, ye worthless, venal throng, Whose fulsome flatteries sooth'd my vain desires? Who, with lascivious dance and wanton song, Within my bosom fann'd unhallow'd fires? For you my faithful subjects long sustain'd The cruel rigour of despotic sway: Of your oppressions, though they oft complain'd, Yet still you led me more and more astray! When to my throne their injuries they preferr'd, By you advis'd their sufferings to deride, With supercilious ear their plaints I heard, Or with repulsive scorn their suit deny'd! To infamy consign'd, my hated name With sanguine deeds shall blot th' historic page; My dire mischance shall be the poet's theme, To warn the tyrant of some future age.
LONDON, October 28.
The following, it is said, was the amendment proposed on Thursday last in the House of Lords, by the Marquis of Rockingham.
THAT we behold, with the utmost concern, the disorders and discontents in the British colonies, rather increased than diminished, by the means that have been used to suppress and allay them; a circumstance alone sufficient to give this House just reason to fear that those means were not originally well considered, or properly adapted to answer the ends to which they were directed.
"We are satisfied, by experience, that the misfortune has, in a great measure, arisen from the want of full and proper information being laid before the Parliament of the true state and condition of the colonies; by reason of which, measures have been carried into execution injurious and inefficacious, from whence no salutary end was reasonably to be expected; tending to tarnish the lustre of the British arms, to bring discredit on the wisdom of his Majesty's councils, and to nourish, without hope of end, a most unhappy civil war.
"Deeply impressed with the melancholy state of public concerns, we shall, in the fullest information we can obtain, and with the most mature deliberation we can employ, review the whole of the late proceedings, that we may be enabled to discover, as we shall be most willing to apply, the most effectual means of restoring order to the distracted affairs of the British empire, confidence to his Majesty's government, obedience, by a prudent and temperate use of its powers, to the authority of Parliament, and satisfaction and happiness to all his people.
"By these means we trust we shall avoid any occasion of having recourse to the alarming and dangerous expedient of calling in foreign forces to the support of his Majesty's authority within his own dominions, and the still more dreadful calamity of shedding British blood by British arms."
In the House of Lords, on Thursday, before any motion could be made for taking his Majesty's speech into consideration, Lord C—n rose and presented a petition from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of London. The petition was accordingly received, read, and ordered to lie on the table. The Lord Chancellor rose with some degree of warmth, and condemned the impropriety of the conduct of the noble Lord who presented the petition; said that it had been always a rule in that House, on such occasions as the present, not to receive or enter upon any business whatever, till the speech from the Throne was previously taken into consideration. He added, it was a compliment uniformly paid and expected; that a failure of it was looked upon as a mark of disrespect; but that, however, since the learned and noble Lord had thought proper to depart from that rule, he should, in turn, beg leave to present a petition from the Freeholders, &c. of his Majesty's colony of Nova Scotia. His Lordship then presented the petition, in his place, which was of course read by the clerk. It is a very long one, and asserts the sovereignty and supremacy of the mother country, in the strongest and most specific terms; makes offers of assistance, and testifies the loyalty, obedience, and zeal of the Nova Scotians, in expressions as the most zealous supporters of the claims of the British Parliament could possibly dictate. But before the clerk had proceeded quite half through, the matter took a strange turn; for after this political confession of faith, the Nova Scotians immediately change their note, and enter into a very long enumeration and detail of their grievances; condemn the whole system of colony government; point out several modes of redress and regulation; and in fine, become at once the authoritative counsellors; and if not the actual, at least the virtual accusers of their trusty friends the present Ministers. When the clerk was beginning to read this part of the petition, it seemed to be the wish of some of the noble Lords in office and their friends to sink it; but several of the noble Lords in opposition insisted that it should be read through, that the whole might be received or rejected together. It was ordered to lie on the table.
THE SPEECH of the LORD MAYOR, JOHN WILKES, Esq; last Thursday in the House of Commons, on the motion for an address to the King.
"Mr. Speaker, "I entirely agree with the Hon. Gentleman, who seconded the motion for an address to his Majesty, that every man ought now to speak out, and in a moment so important as the present, to the whole empire. I think it ill becomes the dignity and duty of Parliament to lose itself in such a fulsome, adulatory address to the throne, as that now proposed. We ought rather, Sir, to approach our Sovereign, with sound and wholesome advice, and even with remonstrances against the conduct of his Ministers, who have precipitated the nation into an unjust, ruinous, felonious, and murderous war. I call the war with our brethren in America an unjust, felonious war, because the primary cause and confessed origin of it is, the attempt to take their money from them without their consent, contrary to the common rights of all mankind, and those great fundamental principles of the English constitution, for which Hampden bled. I assert, Sir, that it is in consequence a murderous war, because it is an attempt to deprive men of their lives, for standing up in the just cause of the defence of their property, and their clear rights. It becomes no less a murderous war with respect to many of our fellow subjects of this island, for every man, either of the navy or army, who has been sent by Government to America, and has fallen a victim in this unnatural and unjust contest, has been murdered by Administration, and his blood lies at their door. Such a war, I fear, Sir, will draw down the vengeance of Heaven upon this devoted kingdom.
"I think this war, Sir, fatal and ruinous to our country. It absolutely annihilates the only great source of our wealth, which we enjoyed unrivalled by other nations, and deprives us of the fruits of the laborious industry of near three millions of subjects, which centered here. That commerce has already taken its flight, and our American merchants are now deploring the consequences of a wretched policy, which has been pursued to their destruction. It is, Sir, no less ruinous, with regard to the enormous expense of the fleets and armies necessary for this nefarious undertaking, so that we are wasting our present wealth, while we are destroying the sources of all we might have in future.
"I speak, Sir, as a friend to England and America, but still more to universal liberty, and the rights of all mankind. I trust
no part of the subjects of this vast empire will ever submit to be slaves. I am sure the Americans are too high spirited to brook the idea. Your whole power, and that of your allies, if you had any, and of all the German troops you can hire, cannot effect so wicked a purpose. The conduct of the present Administration has already wrested the sceptre of America out of the hands of our Sovereign, and you have now scarcely a postmaster left in the whole northern continent. More than half the empire is already lost, and almost all the rest is in confusion and anarchy. The Ministry have brought our Sovereign into a more disgraceful situation than any crowned head now living. He alone has already lost by their fatal counsels, more territory than the three great united powers of Russia, Austria, and Prussia have together robbed Poland of, and by equal acts of violence and injustice from Administration.
"England was never engaged in a contest of such importance to our most valuable concerns and possessions. We are fighting for the subjection of a country, infinitely more extended than our own, of which every day increases the wealth, the natural strength, and population. Should we not succeed, it will be a bosom friendship soured to hate and resentment. We shall be considered as their most implacable enemies, an eternal separation will succeed, and the grandeur of the British empire pass away. Success seems to me not equivocal, but impossible. However we may differ among ourselves, they are perfectly united. On this side the Atlantic party-rage unhappily divides us, but one foul animates the vast northern continent of America, the General Congress and each Provincial Assembly. An appeal has been made to the sword, and at the close of the last campaign what have we conquered? Bunker's hill, with the loss of 1200 men. Are we to pay as dearly for the rest of America? The idea of conquest is as romantic as unjust.
"The Honourable Gentleman who moved the address, says, "The Americans have been treated with lenity." Was your Boston Port-bill a measure of lenity? Was your Fishery-bill a measure of lenity? Was your bill for taking away the charter of Massachusetts Bay a measure of lenity, or even justice? I omit your many other gross provocations and insults, by which the brave Americans have been driven into their present state. He asserts that they avow a disposition to be independent. On the contrary, Sir, all the declarations both of the late and the present Congress, uniformly tend to this one subject, of being put on the same footing they were in the year 1763. This has been their only demand, from which they never varied. Their daily prayers are for liberty, peace, and safety. I use the words of the Congress of the last year. They justly expect to be put on an equal footing with the other subjects of the empire. If you confine all but trade to yourselves, say they, if you make a monopoly of our commerce, if you shut all other ports of the world against us, tax us not too: If you do, then give us a free trade, such as you enjoy yourselves; let us have equal advantages of commerce, all other ports open to us; then we can, and will cheerfully, pay taxes.
"It must give, Sir, every man who loves this country, the deepest concern at the naming, in the address, foreign troops, Hanoverians and Hessians, who are now called to interfere in our domestic quarrels, not to dwell this day on the illegality of the measure. The militia indeed are now employed, and that noble institution is at present complimented by Ministers, who hate the very name of a militia, because the embodying of those forces, enables Administration to butcher more of our fellow subjects in America.
"Sir, I disapprove not only the evil spirit of the whole address, but likewise the wretched adulation of almost every part of it. My wish and hope therefore is, that it will be rejected by the House, and that another dutiful, yet decent, manly address will be presented to the King, praying his Majesty that he would sheath the sword, prevent the further effusion of the blood of our fellow subjects, adopt some mode of negotiation with the General Congress, in compliance with the repeated petition, and thereby restore peace and harmony to this distracted empire."
OSBORNE'S, January 26, 1776. We intend to leave the Colony immediately, NICOL EWING. ROBERT COLQUHOUN.
WARWICK, January 29, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately, WILLIAM FERGUS.
WILLIAMSBURG, Feb. 3, 1776. THE Subscriber has a large Assortment of EUROPEAN GOODS, which he will dispose of on reasonable Terms, for ready Money only. GEORGE REID. I have three large SEINES which I will sell cheap for Cash.
OSBORNE'S, January 28, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony soon, JOHN M'KIE.
OSBORNE'S, January 31, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately, ROBERT WRIGHT.
For SALE, on easy Terms, ABOUT six Hundred Pounds Sterling Worth of EUROPEAN GOODS. Application may be made to Archibald Govan in Hanover Town, or to JAMES GOVAN. AYLETTS Warehouse, January 25, 1776.
OSBORNE'S, January 31, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately, ALEXANDER M'KIE.
TO BE SOLD, At Mr. MYLES TAYLOR'S, in the Town of RICHMOND, THE FOLLOWING GARDEN and other SEEDS,
Lately imported from ITALY, viz. BROWN Colewarts, Roman purple ditto, Roman small Broccoli, Lasagnino Cabbage, Verzotto ditto, Crocino Colewarts, early Broccoli, green ditto, white Leaf ditto, Zolfino ditto, Coliflower from Malta, Orange Lettuce, Roman ditto, curled ditto, Dutch ditto, Winter ditto, Italian Leaf early ditto, Imperial ditto, Endive, curled ditto, early Mazzochi ditto, late ditto, Parsley, Roman ditto, Spinage, Asparagus, Sweet Basil, Citron ditto, Leeks, round Radish, long ditto, French ditto, Ramolacci ditto, Cress, Chervil, Poppy, Beet, red Beet, Sweet Fennel, green Cucumbers, white ditto, Naples Water-melon, Pistochi do. early Musk-melon, Orange ditto, do. Cantaloupe ditto, early Pumpkins, Celery, long ditto, Lupini, Turkey Snap Beans, early Charlton Pease, Ormond Hotspur ditto, large Marrowfat ditto, Dwarf ditto ditto, Ledman's Dwarf ditto, Winter ditto, Saffron, four Kinds of Wheat, three ditto Horse Beans. (21)
SURREY, December 10, 1775. TAKEN from some runaway Negroes that came down James River, and were going to the Governor, a CANOE about 30 Feet long, sharp at both Ends, has a large Split in each Side, and Blocks for 4 Oars. Also sundry Clothes, some of which were stolen, and have since been claimed by the Owners. The Remainder of the Clothes are supposed to belong to the said Negroes, and may (with the Vessel) be had by applying to JOHN WATKINS.
OSBORNE'S, January 31, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately, THOMAS YOUNGER.
URBANNA, January 30, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately, and to return in a few Months, CHARLES NEILSON.
WARWICK, January 26, 1776. I INTEND to leave the Colony. —The Debts due to Dreghorn, Murdoch, and Co. contracted by Mr. Lightfoot and Mr. Graham, in Prince Edward County, lately advertised in my Charge, are now in the Hands of David Leitch at Warwick. The Business hitherto conducted by John Leitch is also solely in his Care.—He has for Sale, about 500. Sterling Value of DRY GOODS, for Cash, at prime Cost. GEORGE LEITCH.
WARWICK, January 30, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately, JAMES FAIRLIE.
URBANNA, January 25, 1776. I PROPOSE leaving the Colony very soon , having obtained the Permission of the Hon. the Committee of Safety, of which all Persons concerned with me are requested to take Notice. Mr. Christopher Pryor will settle the few Accounts that remain open upon the Books of the Stores formerly kept by Mr. Simon Fraser, Mr. Matthew Anderson, and myself. BENNETT BROWNE.
RICHMOND Town, January 20, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony soon, DAVID CATION.
SURREY, January 25, 1776. WHEN the Troops were ordered to the Battle at Hampton, a HORSE of mine was pressed into the Service, rode down there, and lost. He had on a Virginia made Saddle very little worn, with a large blue striped Saddle-Cloth, a half-cheek'd double rein'd Bridle, and a new Surcingle. The Horse is an Iron Gray, 13 or 14 Hands high, about 10 Years old, and canters exceeding well. As he was a very short Time in my Possession, I do not sufficiently know his Marks to give a more particular Description of him. Whoever delivers the said Horse, Saddle, Bridle, &c. to me in Cobham, shall have 20s. Reward. ANTHONY DEEGE, Junior.
RICHMOND, January 15, 1776. We intend to leave the Colony soon, WILLIAM MITCHELL. ALEX: MITCHELL.
To be SOLD at the late Dwelling-House of Captain ROBERT BILLUPS, deceased, in GLOUCESTER County, on Tuesday the 13th of February, if fair, otherwise the first fair Day after.
ASCHOONER now upon the Stocks, Burthen about 45 Tons; also a SLOOP about 50 Tons, with Rigging, &c. likewise TWO BOATS, the one Burthen 100 Bushels, the other 500; a FLAT and SMALL BOAT; also a PETTIJAUGER, with four Oars; together with HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN FURNITURE, STOCK of every Kind, and several valuable NEGROES. Twelve Months Credit will be allowed for all Sums above 20s. upon Bond and Security; if not punctually paid, the Bonds to carry Interest from the Day of Sale.
It being intended to settle the said Estate as soon as possible, and deliver to the Widow and Children their Proportions of what remains after satisfying the Creditors, it is therefore desired that those who have Demands against the Estate, either by Bonds or otherwise, will bring them in to Mrs. Billups, either before or at the Day of Sale, properly proved. No Attention will be paid after to those who fail (by the Administrators) as the Estate will be delivered up to the Heirs. All who are indebted to the said Billups are desired to make Payment immediately, or give Bond.
LOUISA, January 15, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony soon, THOMAS MITCHELL.
TO BE SOLD, THE Schooner PEGGY, Burthen about 110 Tons, lying in HAMPTON Creek, a new vessel, has made but one Voyage (to St. Vincent's) and is as good a Vessel as hath been built on the Continent, is a very fast Sailer, and built of Cedar, Mulberry, and Locust to her Keel, except a few of her flat Floors, which will not rot in thirty Years. For Terms, inquire of the Subscriber, or the Printers: MAXIMILIAN CALVERT.
NORTHUMBERLAND, January 23, 1776. I intend to leave the Colony immediately, ROBERT DENNISTOUN.
TO BE SOLD Under a Power of Attorney from Mr. JOHN BAYLOR, ABOUT 1000 Acres of Land in the county of Orange, to be laid off on the upper Part of a Tract whereon John Hawnkins lives. The Land in general is very good, and contains a considerable Quantity of valuable low Ground. The Terms may be known by applying to Mr. James Newman, near the Premises, or to the Subscriber, in the County of Caroline. EDMUND PENDLETON, Jun.
N. B. I am also empowered to receive and pay Mr. Baylor's Debts, but I am apprehensive it will not be in my Power to do either, and therefore hope his Creditors will not be impatient or uneasy.