The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg, Va.), 1775-03-24 00:00:00

VIRGINIA
GAZETTE.
ALWAYS FOR LIBERTY,
AND THE PUBLICK GOOD.
ALEXANDER PURDIE, PRINTER.
From the LONDON EVENING POST. To the KING.
I DO not presume thus publickly to address your Majesty to arraign your conduct as a man, or as a King, to compare you with a Nero or a Caligula. Far other sentiment have ever possessed my mind. With supreme delight do I view your Majesty as a model of every virtue domestick and social; as the tenderest of husbands, the most affectionate of parents, and the best of men. With the utmost satisfaction have I seen your Majesty rewarded by Heaven with an amiable consort, who is the ornament of her sex, and a numerous race of lovely children, who are the happy expressions of their royal parents features, mental and corporeal. Having always considered your Majesty's character in this amiable light, I never could reconcile it with the measures lately pursued against our American colonies. Surely, said I, so pious, so just, so humane a Prince, can never give his hearty concurrence to measures so big with ruin to the nation at large. He could not, he must have been misinformed, his natural love of justice and humanity must have been overpowered, not suppressed, by his undeserving confidants, whose hearts are callous to every emotion of pity, and every sense of justice and mercy. Surely he will one day break his ignoble chains, and cast from him with disdain and contempt those invaders of his dignity, those canker-worms that prey upon his laurels, and destroy every blooming bud of true greatness and magnanimity. He will at last shine forth in his native splendour, and by the beams of his own effulgent brightness dissipate every gloomy cloud of discontent throughout the nation. Such were my pleasing contemplations at the dissolution of the late Parliament, which I fondly indulged till the opening of the present, when I hoped to find my idea realized by a speech from the throne declaratory of your Majesty's benign disposition towards your subjects in America. But, alas! how very reverse to my fond expectations, how contrary to the wishes of every friend to Great Britain, when instead of the conciliatory terms of parental affection, instead of the mild, but prevailing language of mercy and benevolence, the Minister's speech (I do not mean your Majesty's) breathes nothing but malignity, and is fraught with the harsh discordant sounds of violence and oppression. Little avails it that your Majesty concludes your speech with assuring us, that on your part you have nothing so much at heart as the real prosperity and lasting happiness of all your subjects, when the tenor of the Minister's oration, and the whole conduct of administration, is in direct opposition thereto. In administration it is declared, that the present oppressive measures shall be still maintained; nay, that it is the firm and steadfast resolution of government to withstand every attempt to the contrary. Ah! Sir, if some Kings were as ready to execute the wishes of their people, as they are firm and steadfast in opposing them, what glorious monarchs would they be! But it is asserted that the measures now pursued, with regard to America, are essential to the dignity, the safety, and the welfare of the British em-
pire. Good God! is it essential to the dignity, the safety, and the welfare of the British empire, calmly to look over any insults from our natural enemies, and send our fleets and armies to destroy the descendants of those who conquered them? To send Englishmen to butcher Englishmen, for asserting those rights which nature gave them, and which nature teaches them to defend. Is it essential to the dignity, safety, and welfare of the British empire, to establish and promote a religion the most unfriendly to society, and the most barbarous in the world, merely, upon occasion, to obtain the assistance of its professors in America against our protestant fellow subjects there? Is it essential to the dignity, the safety, and the welfare, of the British empire, unnecessarily, wantonly, and illegally, to burthen the Americans with taxes that neither the laws of God, of nature, or of reason, can ever warrant to impose, and upon their noble resolution of refusing to submit to such arbitrary impositions, to destroy their ports, and murder their people? Is it essential to the dignity, safety, and welfare of the British empire, to destroy the effect of trials by jury in America, merely because those juries, as before legally chosen and employed, were found unfavourable to the designs of despotism, and the supposed criminal liable to be transported, some thousands of miles, across the wide atlantick, to take his trial before unknown men in an unknown country? Is it essential to the dignity, the safety, and the welfare of the British empire, by violent and oppressive measures, to lose the confidence and affection of an increasing world; to make the colonists shudder at the name of an Englishman; to make them deny the appellation, and claim the nobler title of Americans; to run the risk of causing them, in spite of all restraint, to settle their commerce in other regions, and aggrandize other nations at our expence, and by our own weakness and folly? If such be the dignity of a Briton, let me blush to own that I was born such; let me rather claim kindred with the wild, but independent Tartar, with the savage but free Indian, than with Britons who can butcher their fellow creatures in cold blood, destroy the highest interest of their country, break the dearest connexions of friendship and affinity, and cry, "it is essential to the dignity, the safety, and the welfare of the nation." But let me retract my two hasty wish, the body of the English nation, I trust, are not such Britons. The nation at large wishes to see England and America united in the strongest bands of love and unity, and to conspire together to promote each others prosperity and grandeur. It is in vain to oppress them, oppression may damp them for a time, but in the end will only serve to increase that flame of liberty, which will one day break out in the brightest blaze of genuine liberty, which shall be kept alive to the latest periods of time. Though we may oppress them at present, it will only serve to add to our accumulated shame, that of having dared to oppose the true spirit of celestial freedom, which animates every British American throughout the continent. Had we treat-
ed them as they ought to have been treated, we might in future times have gone hand in hand with them, have partook of all their glorious exploits, have been enriched by their riches, and we might have been called the parents, the first protectors, and the friends of that people, which shall judge the earth, and in contrast of whom all other nations shall be as the sapless trunks of decayed trees, compared with an American forest of youthful plants, blooming with perpetual verdure. That America will be thus great and flourishing, every considering person must allow. The assertion does not depend upon any idle imaginations or dreaming prophecies, but upon sound reason, and the steady observance of past events, compared with present occurrences, and every tyrannical measure employed to prevent it, will but hasten that great event. Let not Britons repine at the thought. They are Britons likewise. Let us remember that the spirit that animates them, is the same spirit which animated us in the noblest periods of our existence, and which I trust will yet animate us, to the shame and confusion of every betrayer of his country. Let us view our colonies in the light an affectionate parent views his virtuous and aspiring offspring, who is happy in their happiness, lives in their lives, and when he expires, it is with the sweet consolation, that he leaves behind him a succession of heroes, who will keep up his dignity, and prolong his virtuous fame to the last ages of the world. Pardon, Sir, this digression, in favour of a people I honour and esteem for their virtuous sentiments of liberty, and high, though solid, notions of indecency. I am persuaded your Majesty would view them in the same light, and graciously protect and encourage them, could you divest yourself of those prejudices, with which designing men have attempted to pervert your natural goodness and humanity. The respect and esteem for your Majesty's person is not so totally eradicated from the hearts of your subjects, but that by now complying with their wishes, you might still reign unrivalled in the bosom of every friend to Great Britain and the Brunswick line.
AMATOR REGIS.
From the PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE.
I WISH to address the understandings of my fellow citizens, not to inflame their passions. As inquirers after truth, my highest ambition is to assist them, to furnish the clew; their own good sense will enable them to pursue it. I think an attention peculiarly due to such publications as come recommended by the graces of style and language. The most deadly poison may be conveyed in the most beautiful cup; it may be more inviting, but it is not the less fatal. The piece signed Philocrene is not destitute of those graces, but he has raised a fabrick on a foundation which only existed in his own imagination. There must surely be singular merit in that claim which must be misrepresented, to be opposed with success. When I hear America charged with aspiring after independence, I ask were we independent on Great

It is in 1762! That is the era to which we all look back with regret, and to which we are anxiously seeking to return.
When I hear the Americans termed Rebels , I ask, was the revolution a rebellion? That was an opposition to government, because government was attempted to be exercised in a manner inconsistent with the safety, liberty, and happiness of the governed. One man attempted to legislate without their participation; in our case, this attempt is made by about 800. Can this circumstance change the nature of the action?
When I hear any one declaiming against the American system, I ask, are you willing to be taxed by the British Parliament? A fair answer to these questions I have generally found more decisive and convincing than the best connected chain of reasoning. If any man can answer them in the affirmative, I may pity, but cannot blame him for withdrawing from the contest. If I was asked to state the claims of America, I should say she has none, but that Great Britain should desist from innovations, useless and disappointing to herself, but fatal to America. We are defendants in this great suit; we ask but to continue in that state in which our own reason and judgment convinces us our safety consists, and which the experience of 100 years has confirmed as the most beneficial for both countries.
For this long course of years, America, with a most unsusppecting confidence, resigned herself to the wisdom and virtue of the parent state, whose wisest Ministers, and ablest men, were content with the benefits of commerce, and sought no power but such as tended to its increase and security. After a long and expensive war, in which the Americans were repeatedly acknowledged the most loyal subjects and affectionate colonists, a system was formed which proceeded step by step in dreadful progression, till it has swallowed up every privilege and right which ought to distinguish an English colonist from those of arbitrary states. Of what importance is it to us that our fellow subjects, 3000 miles off, should be distinguished from the other nations of the earth; as free and happy, while we have no share in the distinction? Let us compare the rights of a British subject with those of an American, we shall see a very striking disparity.
IN ENGLAND.
IN AMERICA.
1. A trial by a jury of his country, in all cases of life and property.
1. A trial by jury only in some cases, subjected in others to a single Judge, or a Board of Commissioners.
2. A trial where the offence was committed.
2. A trial, if a Governor pleases, 3000 miles from the place where the offence was committed.
3. The civil authority supreme over the military, and no standing army in time of peace kept up but by the consent of the people.
3. The military superior to the civil authority, and America obliged to contribute to the support of a standing army, kept up without and against its consent.
4. The Judges independent of the Crown and people.
4. The Judges made independent of the people, but dependent of the Crown for the support and tenure of their commissions.
5. No tax or imposition laid, but by those who must partake of the burthen.
5. Taxes and impositions laid by those who not only do not partake of the burthens, but who ease themselves by it.
6. A free trade to all the world, except the East Indies.
6. A trade only to such places as Great Britain shall permit.
IN ENGLAND.
IN AMERICA.
7. A free use and practice of all engines, and other devices, for saving labour and promoting manufactures.
7. The use only of such engines as Great Britain has not prohibited.
8. A right to petition the King, and all prosecutions and commitments therefore illegal.
8. Promoting and encouraging petitions to the King declared the highest presumption, and the legislative Assemblies of America dissolved therefore in 1768.
9. Freedom of debate and proceedings in their legislative deliberations.
9. Assemblies dissolved, their legislative power suspended, for the free exercise of their reason and judgment, in their legislative capacity.
10. For redress of grievances, amending, strengthening, and preserving the laws, Parliaments to be held frequently.
10. To prevent the redress of grievances, or representations tending thereto, Assemblies postponed for a great length of time, and prevented meeting in the most critical times.
In a former paper, I observed that the legal government of America terminated in the year 1763. A series of acts since that time will evince the truth of my assertion. Then, for the first time, the taxation of America was attempted, and has been continued, with unremitted assiduity, to the present moment; then the powers of Admiralty and Vice Admiralty courts were extended beyond their former limits; then our property, for the first time, was taken from us without our consent; trial by juries in many cases of property abolished, and an innocent suitor laid under every possible disadvantage in asserting his rights. Soon after, the obsolete statute of Henry VIII. was revived, by resolves of both Houses of Parliament, by which Americans may be carried to England, and tried for offences alledged to be committed in America. In the 12th year of his Majesty's reign, the charge of burning any of the King's ships or stores in America was expressly made triable in England, to the total exclusion of a jury of the vicinage. The acts respecting Massachusetts Bay are too recent to need particular enumeration; their charter privileges, their justice, trade, and government, are wholly subverted, without observing the common forms of justice. What has been their case may be that of every other province; and let me observe, that innocence is a poor protection when no opportunity is given to manifest it. What opinion now, my fellow citizens, ought you to form of an author, who calls an opposition to these measures an "Utopian scheme, quickened into publick life by an itch of superiority and thirst of applause, an infatuation overleaping all the sober bounds of law and government, conducted by men who delight in the destruction of peace and good order, whose safety consists in precipitating their country into anarchy and confusion." Shameless falsehoods! calculated to impose on the weak and unwary, to foment those divisions, and bring on that ruin, upon which some men mean to build their own greatness. No, my dear fellow citizens, look round you, are the men you deputed to the late Congress, those who have been active in committees of publick transactions, are they men of doubtful characters and desperate fortunes? Are anarchy and confusion required for their safety or establishment in life? Is a bold step for the reformation of government necessary to retrieve their characters? Have they been distinguished for a spirit of enterprise, wickedness, and folly, on other occasions?
The man whose signature is a friend to the constitution, and whose sentiments are in such unison with our author, shall determine these questions; for he must have supposed them applicable to this province, or their publication here was idle. To arraign the justice of a cause, to entangle the honest mind in doubts and difficulties, to cut off all hopes and prospects of success, to paint in terrible colours events which have happened in dissimilar cases, and conceal the happy issue of similar struggles, are arts which will be practised, and against which we ought to be particularly guarded. I have attempted to vindicate the former, and in some future paper shall endeavour to show that if unanimity accompanies our opposition we have the utmost reason to hope that success will crown the work, and though we shall continue a dependent, we shall be a free and happy people.
Concordia res parvae crescunt.
C A M I L L U S.
S A L E M, February 28.
LAST Sabbath the peace of the town was disturbed by the coming of a regiment of the King's troops, the particulars relative to which are as follows: A transport arrived at Marblehead, apparently manned as usual. Between two and three o'clock (as soon as the people had gone to meeting) the decks were covered with soldiers, who having loaded, and fixed their bayonets, landed with great despatch, and instantly marched off, some of the inhabitants suspecting they were bound to Salem, to seize some materials there, preparing for an artillery, despatched several messengers to inform us of it. These materials were on the north side of the North river, and to come at them it was necessary to cross a bridge, one part of which was made to draw up to let vessels pass. The inhabitants kept a look out for the appearance of the troops. The van guard arrived, and took their rout down town as far as the Long wharf; perhaps to decoy the inhabitants thither, away from the place to which the main body was destined. The main body arrived soon after and halted a few minutes by the town house. It is said inquiry was immediately made by some of the officers, for a half brother of Colonel Browne, the mandamus Counselor. Be this as it may, he was soon whispering in the Colonel's ear, in the front of the regiment, and when he parted from the Colonel the regiment marched with a quick pace towards the North bridge; just before their entering upon which the bridge was pulled up. The regiment however pushed on till they came to the bridge, not observing (as it seemed) that it was drawn up. The Colonel expressed some surprize; and turned about, ordered an officer to face his company to a body of men standing on the wharf on the other side the drawbridge, and to fire. One of our townsmen (who had kept alongside the Colonel from the time he marched from his own house) told him he had better not fire, that he had no right to fire without farther orders, and if you do fire, (said he) you will be all dead men. The company neither faced nor fired. The Colonel retired to the center of the regiment, assembled his officers, and held a consultation; which being ended he advanced a little, and declared he would maintain his ground, and go over the bridge if it was a month first. The same townsmen replied, he might stay there as long as he pleased, no one cared for that. The half brother before mentioned (it is said) made towards the bridge, but seeing the draw-bridge up said, "It is all over with us." He has since disappeared. Mean while two large gondolas that lay aground (for it was low water) were scuttled, lest they should cross the channel in them. But whilst one Gentleman, with his assistants, were scuttling his own gondola, a party of about twenty soldiers jumped into it, and with their bayonets charged against our unarmed townsmen (some of whom they pricked)

compelled them to quit it; but before this a sufficient hole was made in the bottom. This attack of the soldiers, and some other occurrences, occasioned a little bickering, but by the interposition of some of the inhabitants, the disputes subsided. At length some Gentlemen asked the Colonel what was his design in making this movement, and why he would cross the bridge? He said I have orders to cross it, and he would cross it if he lost his life with the lives of all his men. And asked why the King's highway was obstructed? He was told it was not the King's road, but the property of the inhabitants, who had a right to do what they pleased with it. Finally the Colonel said he must go over, and if the bridge was let down so as he might pass, he pledged his honour he would not march above thirty rods beyond it, and then immediately return.
The regiment had now been at the bridge about an hour and an half; and every thing being secured, the inhabitants directed the bridge might be let down. The regiment immediately passed over, marched a few rods, returned, and with great expedition went back to Marblehead, where they went on board the transport without delay. When all the circumstances are considered, there can remain no doubt that the sole purpose of this manoeuvre was to steal away the artillery materials.
It is regretted that an officer of Col. Leflie's acknowledged worth, should be obliged, in obedience to his orders, to come upon so pitiful an errand. Various reports were spread abroad respecting the troops; the country was alarmed, and one company arrived in arms from Danvers, just as the troops left the town. We immediately dispatched messengers to the neighbouring towns, to save them the trouble of coming in; but the alarm flew like lightning (and fame, doubtless, magnified the first simple reports) so that great numbers were in arms, and some on their march, before our messengers arrived.
PHILADELPHIA, March 13.
ON the 7th instant as George Taylor, of Wilmington, in his own shallop, was on his passage from thence to this city, he was boarded by a party of ruffians from the King's armed Schooner the Diana, commanded by Captain Greaves (Nephew to Admiral Greaves now at Boston) who brought Taylor too, and on boarding him demanded what he had on board, to which he answered only rum and limes, but civilly told them they might go down and look; they then demanded his papers, which were produced authentick, but this not satisfying them they entered the cabin, wherein was several hundred pounds cash, which Taylor, no doubt, justly thinking proper to have his eye toward, went after them to the cabin door without going down; whereupon he was immediately menaced and insulted as suspecting the honour of the King's men, and although he made no other than a moderate civil reply, as several passengers on board can testify, he was immediately furiously attacked and knocked down, where he was beaten in a most inhuman manner, till the deck was besmeared with blood, and at the same time shamefully insulted with the infernal language common to such crews, (and which but for offending the civilized ear might be repeated) they then threatened to throw him overboard and drown him, took the command of his boat, and after gratifying their malice by towing her about in the river, took her along side the Schooner, where the illustrious Captain detained her a considerable time, insulting and abusing the skipper, and justifying and applauding the conduct of his heroick men, who had thus brought him a common shallop with two or three men on board, without the least appearance of clandestine conduct. After the gallant Captain with his crew had somewhat glutted their rancour, they dismissed the shallop, but Taylor was so wounded and abused that he was not able to conduct her; yet, by the
assistance of those on board, she was got up to this city, and he afterwards conveyed home to Wilmington, where he lay dangerously ill.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 24.
LAST week the Thomas, Capt. Blaws, failed for Boston with 1500 bushels of corn, being the contribution of the inhabitants of York county to our distressed brethren in that town.
We are informed that ADIEL MILBY, Esq; one of the Representatives for Northampton county, being out a shooting, and having stopped, leant on his gun, which by some accident went off, and killed him on the spot.
The Minerva, Leitch, and Ocean Ewing, from Glasgow, are arrived in James river.
Deaths. Mr. WILLIAM BROADNAX, of Sussex county; he was a very worthy man, and is much lamented by all his friends and acquaintances.
JOSEPH LONG, Esq; attorney at law, of Halifax, North Carolina; a Gentleman of unblemished reputation, and a worthy member of society.
Mrs PRISCILLA DAWSON, of this city, at the house of Mr. William Daingerfield near Fredericksburg.
MR. EDWARD AMBLER, of Jamestown.
To Mr. PURDIE.
SIR,
THE author of the piece in your paper, addressed to the Provincial Congress of Virginia, having written in the heat of resentment, on the first news of the conduct of the Council and Assembly of New York; and having been since assured, from the best authority, that the majority of the former are men of so good personal characters, as to be incapable of doing injury intentionally to their country. He begs leave publickly to retract the harsh terms he has applied to these gentlemen, and to impute the unhappy step they have taken to error and seduction, not to any sinister designs. One Gentleman in particular, who has large dealings in this country, he has heard so great a character of, in the article of integrity and benevolence, as to render it impossible that he should do any thing inimical to the community, unless deceived into it by other men. The Gentleman I allude to is Mr. Wallace.
To the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Richard Bland, Edmund Pendleton, Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, George Washington, and Benjamin Harrison, Esquires, Delegates from Virginia to the late General Congress.
The ADDRESS of the freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Botetourt.
WE the freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Botetourt, assembled at the courthouse, taking into our consideration the unhappy disputes which at present subsist between Great Britain and America, and being greatly alarmed at the dangerous and unconstitutional measures adopted by Administration, with respect to the colonies, beg leave now to address you as the guardians of our rights and privileges.
Please, therefore, to accept our most sincere and grateful acknowledgments for your steady and patriotick conduct, in the support of American liberty, at the late General Congress. And we assure you that although the alarming situation of our frontiers, for some time past, hath prevented our cooperating with our fellow subjects, in their laudable efforts to obtain redress of our common grievances, we highly approve of the plan you have adopted for that purpose, and shall most cheerfully abide by your resolutions.
As you have so fully and clearly ascertained the rights and liberties of American subjects, we have nothing to add on that head. We are happy to find our sentiments entirely correspond with yours, because in these sentiments we are determined to live and die.
We are too sensible of the inestimable privileges, enjoyed by subjects under the
British constitution, ever to wish for a change while the free enjoyments of those blessings can be secured to us; but, on the contrary, can justly boast of our loyalty and affection to our most gracious sovereign, and of our readiness in risking our lives, when ever it has been found necessary, for the defence of his person and government.
But should a wicked and tyrannical Ministry, under the sanction of a venal and corrupt Parliament, persist in acts of injustice and violence towards us, they only must be answerable for the consequences. Liberty is so strongly impressed on our hearts, that we cannot think of parting with it but with our lives. Our duty to God, our country, ourselves, and our posterity, all forbid it. We therefore stand prepared for every contingency.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
To be SOLD, on the 13th of April, at the late dwelling plantation of Col. Burges Smith, deceased, in Lancaster county.
TWENTY FIVE choice Virginia born SLAVES, consisting of men, women, and children, among which is an extraordinary good blacksmith, who also understands boat building, an elegant new chariot, and harness for four Horses, to drive with or without a box, all the household and kitchen furniture, the stocks of cattle, sheep and hogs, several horses, about fifty barrels of Indian corn, fifty bushels of wheat, and a few hhds. of tobacco. Credit till the 10th day of May 1776, giving bond and approved security, to bear interest from the date, if not then punctually discharged. All persons having demands against the said estate are requested to give them in, before the day of the sale, properly authenticated, specifying the dignity thereof.
PHILIP SMITH, 2 BURGESS BALL, Adm. THOMAS B. GRIFFIN,
For SALE.
THE high blooded horse DOTTEREL. He is full fifteen hands three inches high, and remarkable for the strength and beauty of his form, being in every respect worthy of his high descent, which is from the best stock in England, as may be seen by his pedigree in the hand writing, and signed by, Sir John Pennington who bred him. The Gentlemen of the turf are well acquainted with Dotterel's performances in Great Britain, and that he was esteemed the swiftest horse in England (Eclipse excepted) He is remarkable sure for getting colts, and they are uncommonly beautifull and fit for the turf or the road. The above mentioned pedigree may be seen, and the terms of sale made known, to any person inclined to purchase, by applying to the Stewart at Stratford, the seat of the late Honourable Philip Ludwell Lee, Esq; in Westmoreland county.
THERE is now in my care at Col. Landon Carter's plantation, in York county, known by the name of Rippen Hall, a negro fellow named HARRY. He formerly belonged to Mr. Richard Booker, who sold him to Mr. Joseph Atkin, and by Mr. Atkin he was sold to Mr. Michael Little of North Carolina. As I was obliged, in taking the said negro, to shoot him, and have been at a good deal of expense in having him cured, I should be glad the owner would apply for him as soon as possible, pay charges, and take him away.
WILLIAM JACKSON.
To the FREEMEN of VIRGINIA. Committee Chamber, March 6, 1775.
TRUSTING to your sure resentment against the enemies of your country, we the COMMITTEE, elected by ballot for the borough of NORFOLK, hold up for your just indignation Mr. John Brown, merchant, of this place. We are fully sensible of the great caution with which publick censure should be inflicted; and, at all times, are heartily disposed to accomplish the great design of the association, by the gentle methods of reason and persuasion. But an unhappy proneness to

unmanly equivocation, which has so much distinguished Mr. Brown, and for which he has, in more than one instance, been censured by the voice of the people, added to the present manifest discovery of his secret and most direct attempt to defeat the measures of the congress, in the case now before us, and of some very unjustifiable steps taken to conceal his disingenuous conduct, hath precluded us from the milder methods we would wish to adopt, and compelled us to give the publick the following narration: On Thursday the 2d of March, this committee were informed of the arrival of the brig Fanny , Capt. Watson , with a number of SLAVES for Mr. Brown; and, upon inquiry, it appeared that they were shipped from Jamaica as his property, and on his account, that he had taken great pains to conceal their arrival from the knowledge of the committee, and that the shipper of the slaves, Mr. Brown's correspondents, and the Captain of the vessel, were all fully apprised of the continental prohibition against that article. These circumstances induced a suspicion that Mr. Brown had given orders for the slaves himself, which he positively denied, asserting that he had expressly forbidden his correspondents to send any, as being contrary to the association, for the truth of which he appealed to his own letter book. The Secretary being desired, at the request of Mr. Brown, to attend him to inspect the orders said to have been given, reported, that he had had some slight and hasty glances at letters, written between the middle of December and beginning of January, and was sorry to say he had seen one directed to Mr. Henderson, and another to Mr. Livingston, both of the date of December, and a third to Messrs. Campbells, of the first of January, all containing positive and particular orders for remittances to be made him in slaves, at the same time hinting the necessity of secrecy, as it is an article, he writes, he could not avowedly deal in. The Secretary also reported, that he had seen a postscript, written a few days after the determination of this committee, directing the return of a slave imported from Antigua, in which postscript Mr. Brown writes his correspondent to send him no more than two negro lads, as it would be dangerous to sell them here. But his orders to his other correspondents appear to have been so positive that they were complied with, notwithstanding his friend writes him that good slaves would sell to more advantage in Jamaica than in Virginia. From the whole of this transaction, therefore, we the committee for Norfolk borough, do give it as our unanimous opinion that the said John Brown has wilfully and perversely violated the continental association, to which he had, with his own hand, subscribed obedience, and that agreeable to the eleventh article we are bound "forthwith to publish the truth of the case, to the end that all such foes to the rights of British America may be publickly known, and universally contemned, as the enemies of American liberty, and that every person may henceforth break off all dealings with him."
Matthew Phripp, Chairman. James Taylor. John Hutchings. John Lawrence. Joseph Hutchings. Thomas Newton, Jun. Thomas Ritson. John Boush. James Holt. Niel Fannison. Robert Taylor. Thomas Claiborne. Samuel Inglis.
Extract from the minutes. WILLIAM DAVIES, Secretary.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
ALL persons are hereby forbid hunting, or ranging, on the lands of Samuel Martin, Esq; or Col. Lewis Burwell Martin, in the counties of Goochland, or Albemarle 2||
S L O E
WILL begin to cover on the first day of April, at my farm near York, for 10s. a leap, or 40s. the season. There will be a pasture for the mares, and great care taken of them, but I cannot be answerable for any that may stray. As it will be inconvenient to collect so small a sum from each individual, it is expected that the money shall be sent with the mares, or they will not be received.
THOMAS NELSON, Junior.
R E G U L U S
STANDS at my plantation in Chesterfield county, near the falls of James river, and will cover mares at 20s. a leap, or 3l. the season. Pasturage gratis, but I will not be liable for any that may be stolen, or get away.
2 DAVID PATTESON.
THREE months ago I purchased, from the executors of Littlebury Hardiman , a negro woman named RACHEL , formerly Mr. Hardiman's cook, since which I have not seen her. I am informed she has a husband at one of Col. Carter's quarters on James river, through whose benevolence I imagine she is now harboured. Whoever brings her to me, at Drummond's Neck , near Cowles ferry , shall receive 30s. or 20s. if conveyed to Charles City prison . I am determined not to dispose of her, and will sue any who entertain her.
6 JOHN AYLETT.
TAKEN up, in Culpeper , a middle sized red Cow, with some white on her rump and belly, branded on each horn IWH, and on the hip with something resembling a W. She had with her a cow CALF, near the same colour, with a star in its forehead. Posted, and appraised, the cow and calf, to 2l. 7s. 6d.
|| ELIZABETH POLLAD.
FIFTY VERY LIKELY
S L A V E S
Among them some valuable tradesmen, will be sold at Richmond fair , for ready money, by the SHERIFF of James City county . ||
RAPPAHANNOCK, March 11, 1775.
JUST arrived, the Justitia , Captain Kidd, with about 130 healthy servants, men, women, and boys, among whom are many tradesmen, such as carpenters and joiners, bricklayers and plasterers, shoemakers, barbers and hair-dressers, several weavers, cutlers, curriers, bakers, a tanner, a tailor and staymaker, a blacksmith, a painter, a printer, a bookbinder, a miller, a stocking weaver, a schoolmaster, a hatter, a silk dyer, and others. There are also many farmers, and country labourers, Gentlemens servants, &c. &c. The sale will commence at Leeds town , on Wednesday the 22d instant (March) and be continued until all are sold. A reasonable credit will be allowed, the purchasers giving bond, with approved security, to
2 THOMAS HODGE.
TAKEN up, in Prince William , a middle sized BULL, four years old, with a white face, a white list down his back and belly, the other part red, marked with a crop and slit in the left ear, and a half spade on the under side of the right ear. Posted, and appraised to 30s.
HENRY HOLECLOUGH.
TAKEN up, in Brunswick , a small bay Horse about ten years old, four feet one inch high, some white hairs in his forehead, is hip-shot, and branded on the near buttock S. Posted, and appraised to 40s. ALEXANDER WATSON.
To be S O L D,
SUNDRY LOTS in the town of Blandford , one of which has a good dwelling-house upon it, with three rooms below and two above, a good cellar, all convenient outhouses, and a garden. The others are unimproved, but very good situations. Likewise a tract of LAND in the county of Amherst , containing 1100 acres. It is exceeding fine tobacco land, and in good order for cropping, with all necessary houses upon it. This land may be seen by applying to Mr. William Lee , who lives in the county, and the terms made known by applying to Mr. John Baird , merchant in Blandford , or the subscriber.
4|| ALEXANDER GORDON.
GOODE'S BRIDGE, Chesterfield , March 8.
THE noted English horse JANUS is in great perfection. He stands at my house, and covers at 5l. the season, or 40s. the leap. Mares that go by the season shall be covered night and morning, provided no other mare interferes. The leap money to be paid at the stable door. I have rented a large pasture for the use of the mares gratis. I will not be liable for any of the mares that get away. The season expires the 15th day of August next.
|| JOHN GOODE.
FREDERICKSBURG, Feb. 24, 1775.
HAVING for some time established a manufactory as a SADDLER in all its branches, in the town of Falmouth , I find it requisite to give my personal attendance chiefly at that place, and therefore have appointed Mr. Edward Simpson , a person of integrity, and a master workman, to superintend my shop in this town, and hope for the continuance of the favours received of my customers, either here or at Falmouth .—I want a journeyman well recommended, who is acquainted with the harness branch of my profession; and I hereby notify a certain John Green , now of this town, who was formerly in my employ, to refrain from deluding and assisting my workmen with horses in order to remove them from their engagements with me. || RICHARD LEWIS.
For S A L E,
A TRACT of LAND in Caroline county , near Newmarket , containing about 3000 acres of well timbered land, having thereon two plantations, in good repair, with proper and convenient edifices for farming, or making tobacco. For terms apply to the subscriber.
(tf) JOHN BAYLOR.
For S A L E,
A TRACT of LAND in Caroline county , contiguous to Mattaponi , containing about 2000 acres of well timbered land, the property of Mr. Robert Baylor . The terms may be known by applying to Mr. Nathaniel Burwell in King William , Mr. John Armistead in Caroline , or Mr. John Baylor , Executors. (tf)
To be LET upon easy RENTS, for lives,
A QUANTITY of LAND in Warwick county , in small parcels; the houses to be built, and improvements made, either by the subscriber or the leasor, as may be agreed on.
W. M. CARY.
WILLIAMSBURG, March 8, 1775.
LENT to some of my acquaintances in this city, The Country Cousins , and The Memoirs of Count de Forbes . The favour will be gratefully acknowledged, if the person, in whose possession the above mentioned books are, would be so obliging as to send them to
4|| WILLIAM DAWSON.
ARTICLES of Intelligence, Essays, Advertisements, &c. are thankfully received for this Paper, the Price of which is 12s. 6d. per Annum, Advertisements inserted as usual. PRINTING WORK done with Care and Expedition, and on reasonable Terms.