The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg, Va.), 1773-07-15 00:00:00

VIRGINIA
GAZETTE.
Open to ALL PARTIES,
but influenced by NONE.
ORIGIN of the CORONER'S JURY in ENGLAND.
A GENTLEWOMAN of London, after having buried six husbands, found a Gentleman hardly enough to make her a wife once more. For several months their happiness was mutual; a circumstance which seemed to pay no great compliment to the former partners of her bed, who, as the said, had disgusted her by their sottishness and infidelity. In the view of knowing the real character of his amorous mate, the Gentleman began frequently to absent himself, to return home at late hours, and when he did return to appear as if intoxicated. At first reproaches, but afterwards menaces, were the consequence of this conduct. The Gentleman persisted, and seemed every day to become more addicted to his bottle. One evening, when she imagined him dead drunk, she unviewed a leaden weight from one of the sleeves of her gown, and having melted it, she approached to her husband, who pretended still to be found asleep, in order to pour it into his ear through a pipe. Convinced of her wickedness, the Gentleman started up, and seized her, when, having procured assistance, he secured her till the morning, and conducted her before a Magistrate, who committed her to prison. The bodies of her six husbands were dug up, and, as marks of violence were still discoverable upon each of them, the proof of her guilt appeared so strong upon her trial, that she was condemned, and executed. To this circumstance is England indebted for that useful regulation, by which no corpse can be interred in that kingdom without a legal inspection.
L O N D O N, May 5.
IT is confidently asserted, at the west end of the town, that Lord North is greatly embarrassed to find out some pretence for continuing Lord Stormont at the court of France, as his Lordship has signified his desire of being recalled, and given strong reasons for the necessity of his leaving France.
A Gentleman whose situation and connections in life afford him an opportunity of learning what passes in many of the seaports of Europe, says he has lately received an account that the court of Spain has been for some time withdrawing their ships, as it were, by stealth, from every port in Spain to Ferrol, where a very formidable fleet may be sent to sea at a very short notice.
May 9. Yesterday the Upper Assembly agreed to the report of the bill for regulating the importation and exportation of corn.
Leave is given to bring in a bill to prevent the imitation of bank notes.
A memorial is said to be hourly expected at St. James's, from the court of Versailles, declaratory of the real intentions of that court in regard to the present war between the Turks and Russians.
By advices from Morocco we learn that the Emperor's son has gone off with almost all his father's treasures, and had retired into the country, at the head of a numerous body of rebels; and, when the letters came away, the Emperor was preparing to follow him with a powerful army.
Tomorrow the Earl of Sandwich, accompanied by the Earls Gower, Rochford, and Suffolk, will go to Portsmouth to view and examine the state of the shipping there.
The Russian General Tottleben, who died lately at Warsaw, is said to have declared, just before his death, that two things only troubled him; the first was, that he should die in his bed; the second, that he found he should not live to receive an answer from the Empress his Sovereign to a memorial which he had laid before her in favour of the Republic of Poland.
Last week a noble Lord discovered the most convincing proofs of a criminal conversation between his Lady and the representative of a great Potentate.
The Ministry wait with impatience the return of Mr. Slaughter, one of his Majesty's messengers, with a categorical answer from the court of Madrid relative to the great naval armaments made in that kingdom.
We are informed, by letters from Paris, that the Prince of Conde, hearing a noise a few nights since in an apartment adjacent to his bedchamber, rang the bell for his valets, who found two rogues concealed. The Prince first interrogated them himself, and then they were conducted to the Lieutenant of the Police, who committed them to prison. These villains (our correspondent says) were furnished with instruments called ENGLISH PICKLOCKS, with which they could open all sorts of locks with the greatest ease, and of which experiment was made by one of the thieves before M. de Sardine, who gave him hopes of pardon if he would discover all his accomplices, who are said to be very numerous.
Extract of a letter from Chatham, May 5.
"Orders are received at this dockyard for our artificers to work one tide a day extraordinary for four months; they accordingly began to work last Saturday.
"The Triumph and Marlborough guardships, of 74 guns each, are under orders to sail from this port to the Nore; the wind being unfair, they were detained here for several days past, and still remain for a fair wind to carry him to the Nore, at which place they are to wait till further orders.
"His Majesty's ship Ramillies of 74 guns, Invincible of 74, and Ardent of 64 guns, which were ordered to be fitted for guardships to lie at this port, are now countermanded."
When the command of the fleet was lately offered to Admiral Saunders, instead of cringing to the Ministry to thank them for their intended favour, this brave sailor waited on the King, and told his Majesty, that "although he detested the present Ministry, that, even oppressed with illness and infirmities as he was, the arduous task should be accepted, and the service of his King and country preferred to every other consideration, even life itself."
An edict has been published at Peterburgh, renewing, under the most severe penalties, the prohibition of sending gold and silver out of the Russian empire.
It is reported that a treaty is on foot with the Emperor of Morocco, for ceding to France a very commodious part on the African coast, contiguous to Guinea.
May 12. We hear from Norfolk and Suffolk that several farmers in those counties are going to cultivate the growth of carrots; as they have been found, by experience, to be of excellent use in feeding of cattle, and will be of great utility to the husbandry in case of scarcity in grass.
Last Friday, as a man was going to take a bird's nest out of a tree near Lambeth, his foot slipped, and the tree being hollow, he fell down the hole, where he remained till Sunday morning, before he could make any body hear to give him assistance, and then was with great difficulty got out.
Some Gentlemen from London a few days ago passing through Gloucester, express to Hereford, to search the register of All Saints church for the age of David Garrick, Esquire, in order to determine a bet of 500 guineas, which was laid that Mr. Garrick was 60 years of age. The following is a transcript of the register:—CHRIS. David, son of Mr. Peter and Arabella Garrick, baptised February 28, 1716.
It is certain that within these 12 months upwards of 400 carriages have been laid down, the owners, who were before very well able to keep them, not being able to support that expence now, there being such a scarcity of money in the kingdom. Thank Fordyce for this.
A literary correspondence is kept up between his Prussian Majesty and some great persons in this kingdom, by which he is informed of many curious articles long before they are published in London.
The King of Prussia has for some time been studying the writings of Plato, and has profited so much by them that he thinks himself sufficiently qualified to make trial of the following opinion of the above philosopher: "Mankind can never be fully and completely happy till the whole world is governed by one Monarch; then there will be no occasion for foreign wars; interest, jealousy, ambition, will no more arm sovereign Princes against one another; the complaints of so many who groan under the dominion of tyrants, who rob and oppress them, will then cease; wicked and perfidious men will no more find an asylum in foreign kingdoms, and all nations will then become one family, beloved by their only King and father, who will make it thrive and flourish." We need not wonder indeed if he should aspire to be a God!
It is said that our court have remonstrated very lately against certain treaties of commerce, now on the carpet between Portugal and Holland.
Admiral Saunders, it is whispered, is highly displeased with administration on account of some transactions that have occurred between the issuing of the two proclamations. Upon the whole, it is reported that the deference has not been paid to him which a man in his capacity has a right to expect.
Extract of a letter from Genoa, April 10.
"We have just received authentic advice that the Russians have made a descent, and entirely possessed themselves of Succania, on Romania Minor, without any loss of material consequence. The descent was unexpected by the Turks, and the Basha of Corinth surrendered the important city to the successful Muscovites, without striking a stroke, or firing a gun. The same advices add, that part of the Russian fleet was preparing to make an attack on the island of Candia, which the Turks have lately been assiduous in fortifying."
They write from Genoa that the Republic had just fitted out four men of war, which were going down to Algiers to demand restitution of some merchant ships taken by the Dey's Corsairs.
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, May 3.
"Amongst all the improvements made in our refined arts, few come up to that of our plated wares, as they are scarcely to be discovered from real silver. But this art is not only confined to metals, for some of our farmers wives in this neighbourhood possess the art of making plated butter. A farmer, with upwards of 2000. property, was detected on Monday last in the market selling plated butter upon hog's lard. The butter was no thicker round the lard than a crown piece. The farmer was taken to Guildhall; and, as he could produce no patent, he was obliged to pay about nine pounds, fine and cost, for the ingenuity of his wife. A Gentleman's servant bought four pounds of the same sort of a man, but the artist hath not been discovered."
May 13. We have been assured that a formal requisition has been sent to a neighbouring court to recal their ambassador, in consequence of an affair of gallantry with a Lady of rank.
They write from Martinico that several new fortifications are carrying on, both in that island and at Guadaloupe, and that the French are buying up, by commission, several Bermuda built vessels, privateers in the late war, to be employed, as they give out, as Guineamen.
They write from Bolton, in New England, that some French and Spanish agents were lately committed to the town gaol for inveigling ship carpenters, caulkers, &c. to go to the Havannah, on promise of great encouragement.
The Chairman of a certain committee has publicly declared that he will impeach a well known Nabob.
At a certain town in Gloucestershire a widow, in good circumstances of life, has lately been delivered of a child, the father of which is said to be her own son, a youth about 17 years of age, who absconded about three months ago.
Some letters from Lisbon mention that a rupture between Portugal and Spain is much apprehended there, in consequence of some unfavourable advices which have been lately received from Madrid.
Advice was yesterday received at the India house, over land from India, containing an account of an action that had lately happened between their forces at Bombay and a Prince of the country, who had made some encroachments upon the company's territories in that province; that their troops had been successful, and had taken a principal town of the enemy by storm; but that unfortunately their commander in chief, General Wedderburne, had been killed in the action.
Yesterday a full board of admiralty was held, when it was agreed to reduce the number of seamen and marines to the late complement, and orders were sent to the commissioners of the dockyards for that purpose.
Letters from Warsaw, of the 24th ult. advise, that several persons who had been in prison, under a strong guard, for upwards of twelve months, on suspicion of being concerned in the plot against the King's life, had just found means to make their escape.
A fashion has lately prevailed, of the Ladies wearing a piece of iron within their stays to confine them to a particular shape. This has been attended with fatal consequences, by the iron rusting; and it occasioned a cancer in the breast, of which Mrs. Dormer, of Drury Lane theatre, died.
We have been favoured with the following account of the legacies, &c. of the late Lord BERKELEY: To Miss Egerton, sister to the Bishop of Durham (his Lordship's executrix) Berkeley Square for her life, &c. to the amount of about 60,000. To Earl Berkeley, of Berkeley, in Gloucestershire (a very distant relation of his Lordship) 20,000. with all his plate and pictures, four large estates in Somerset, two estates in Dorset, and (after Miss Egerton's death) Berkeley Square, which is estimated at 15,000. a year at the expiration of the present leases. To Commodore Byrom his estates, in Yorkshire and Hampshire, estimated at 20,000. To each of the Commodore's daughters 5000. and 2000. to each son. To Lady Sophia Egerton 2000. To the Honourable Mrs. Wodehouse, his Lordship's niece, 5000. To Major Egerton 2000. To three of the Major's daughters 500. each. To Colonel Egerton 1000. To the Archdeacon of York 1000. To Miss Davison an annuity of 500. a year. To his servants as follows: His gentleman 900. his valet de chambre 500. his housekeeper 500. his London and home rewards 200. each; his butler, bailiff, coachman, house maids, laundry and chamber maids, 100. each; his under steward and family 400. his groom and family 150. his gardener and portilion 500. each. To the Bath, Bristol, Middlesex, and St. George's hospitals, 1000. each; and to the poor of Bruton 1000.
We hear from Athlone that a few days ago a dispute arose in that town about the price of a horseshoe, between a brother of the laith (vulgarly called a coachman) and one of the dusky sons of Vulcan. A message ensued, and they adjourned to the field, with an intention of politely murdering each other with a case of pistols; but one of their friends, being possessed of more humanity and humour than generally falls to the share of people in the like circumstances, had previously shaped four clots of blood in the form of balls, and charged the pistols with them. The ground was measured, the two heroes resolutely seized their arms, and, like true marksmen, bespattered each other with blood. Each thought he had killed his man, and the guilt of murder operated so strongly that they quaked all over, their tottering knees gave way, and they fell to the ground.
From York we are informed that on Tuesday last, at Wooller Fair, in Northumberland, a tinker sitting upon the grass in the middle of the sheep market, was deprived of two of his upper teeth in the following manner. Being intoxicated with liquor, his head now and then went seesaw, up and down, which a large ram observing, and taking his nodding for a challenge (which is very natural for those animals, especially when brought up in a house, as it appears this had) ran full speed against the tinker's head, when the horns struck right against his teeth, beat out two, and shattered the remainder.

May 14. Wednesday night a board of admiralty was suddenly held here, though Lord Sandwich was in the country. Several Captains of the Royal navy received their final orders to go down to the respective ports where their ships lie, though they had been permitted to go into the country on their own private concerns. It is rumoured that this sudden and unexpected turn of affairs is owing to a courier's arrival from the court of Versailles on Wednesday, with an account that the Spanish ships have set sail. All is bustle, or business, throughout the whole department of the navy. Several messengers were instantly dispatched to Lord Sandwich, and to the different ports and dockyards. The board sat till nine o'clock at night.
Yesterday notice was given at the bank, that from the 24th of June no bills of exchange would be discounted under 51. per cent.
The Queen of Denmark is not going back to Copenhagen, nor is the coming here. Certain it is that she is destined to remain at Hanover for life, unless the King her husband becomes reconciled to her again, and particularly requests her return, which is not likely at present.
May 15. A never failing remedy, to destroy rats out of any house, warehouse, ships, &c. Take sponge, and after having cut it into small pieces, as much as a rat can swallow, soak it in melted honey; put these pieces in plates, near their holes, and a few experiments will shew the superior effect of this simple method to that of any of the numerous pretenders who call themselves rat catchers .
It is whispered at the west end of the town, as a court secret, that a considerable sum of money has been lately issued out of the treasury to serve the exigencies of two Royal Dukes.
Orders are given from the war office for six covered wagons to be got ready at the Tower to carry stores and accoutrements to his Majesty's forces in Scotland.
May 16. Yesterday morning Mr. Hind, one of his Majesty's messengers in ordinary, arrived at the Secretary of State's office with dispatches from Madrid.
Some very important dispatches were brought this morning to St. James's, by a foreign courier, from the Lords Regents of the Electorate of Hanover. Summons were issued for a Cabinet Council to meet this afternoon, at St. James's.
They write from the Hague, that the Dutch East India Company had given orders for three thousand recruits to be immediately raised, and sent out with the first opportunity, to reinforce their Asiatic settlements.
It is said some advices from Constantinople seem to intimate that a peace between the Turks, and their successful enemies the Russians, is nearer completion than the uninformed politicians on this side the channel dream of.
Private letters from Madrid inform us, that the Court has dispatched several express, one after the other, to the Havannah, the last of which was forwarded from Cadiz by a clean frigate, furnished with oars, for expedition's sake, in case of calms or contrary winds.
We are informed that the French are now assiduously, both openly and secretly, endeavouring to bring about a reconciliation between the Turks and Russians. On what strange principles are the politics of that court founded! It is but a little while since all their art was employed to widen the breach, which now all their finess is exerted to close.
We hear, from good authority, that there will be a lottery for the present year, notwithstanding what has been asserted to the contrary.
Mr. Smith, of Covent Garden theatre, we hear, is about entering into holy orders.
We are assured that the Duchess of Cumberland is pregnant, and that it has been formerly declared to the King.
Yesterday was published his Majesty's proclamation, dated the 6th instant, for discontinuing the bounties offered for seamen and landmen to enter themselves on board his Majesty's ships of war; setting forth, that as his Majesty finds it no longer necessary to continue the armament at sea, therefore it is thought fit to revoke and annul the proclamation of the 22d of April last, and to declare that the payment of the several bounties thereby offered shall cease from and after the 6th instant.
A Gentleman of an enterprising genius in the fortune hunting way, well known at all public places, is at last, through mistake, married, we hear, to a Lady as enterprising as himself. This fair one appeared frequently this winter at the opera and playhouses, dressed extremely brilliant, had a vast change of superb jewels, which she disposed, in the decoration of her person, to the highest advantage, and had also a very respectable acquaintance with her own sex in the fashionable world; all which rendered her so irresistible to the industrious Gentleman that he pursued her incessantly, and after a siege of six weeks he descended to give him her hand. During the courtship, to the connubial moment, he never once enquired into her fortune? Her connections put her above enquiry. But in less than a fortnight he found his way to her casket, and privately taking away some of the diamonds, went to a jeweller to dispose of them, when, to his horrid confusion, he was informed they were false stones ; upon which he went home, replaced the imagined treasure, and, without giving a single hint to the bride, decamped that night, and has not been since heard of.
They write from Brest that a great number of galley slaves are ordered to be shipped from different parts of France for Port l'Orient, to be employed on the public works in that province.
Yesterday the Tower was shut up, and no persons whatever permitted to pass through, on account of the delivery of gunpowder to his Majesty's ordnance office.
It was this morning asserted, as a fact, that the Spaniards have begun hostilities in the Mediterranean; that they have taken a vessel laden with corn and other provisions from America, bound to Gibraltar, and have carried it into Valencia.
It was this morning declared upon Change that private letters from Barcelona say that one of his Britannic Majesty's ships have been, by order of the Governor, denied entrance into that Harbour, though in distress, having lost her rudder, and that she was obliged to make for another port to repair. These letters farther add, that great
preparations are making there for war, and that the fortifications of that place have lately been repaired.
May 17. We hear that a new system of punishing criminals, the entire invention of Lord Mansfield, will be laid before the Lower House in the course of a few days.
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, May 13. "Two express arrived this morning to countermand the discharge of seamen, and the sailing of the ships to Plymouth, at the same time ordering the seamen already discharged to be re-entered."
The following news came by yesterday's post from a Gentleman who arrived at Portsmouth, from London, on Thursday morning. "In my road to this place I met four or five hundred sailors going to town, who had been discharged from the ships, and when I came here an express was just arrived with orders to turn off no more, as also to send after those gone, to bring them back again, and to man the ships with all expedition. Yesterday this town was quite flat and dead, the poor sailors sold their beds for a shilling a piece, which had been provided for them a few days before, and 10s. 6d. stopped out of their wages for the same. Numbers of them begged charity of me upon the road, declaring they had not a penny to help themselves. All is hurry and bustle to-day, but it is imagined it will end in smoke. The gunpowder sent from the warehouses to the several ships was no sooner in than ordered back, which was complied with; now it is ordered to the ships again."
A number of journeymen silk weavers have lately been engaged by Danish agents to embark for Copenhagen, on promise of good encouragement in the silk manufactures established in that city.
May 18. Letters which arrived yesterday from Paris bring the most authentic accounts of the Spaniards still continuing to arm most vigorously, as they have undoubted intelligence that the Emperor is marching a very powerful army into the kingdom of Naples, to counteract which army the Spaniards are now actually embarking twenty thousand land forces for the protection of the kingdom of Naples. The same letters positively assure that the King of England has actually engaged to send a powerful fleet in the Archipelago to assist the Russians, in consequence of which timely aid the subjects of Great Britain are to be permitted the navigation of the Baltic duty free.
It is reported that a squadron of men of war, with a regiment of foot, will sail in a few days for the Mediterranean. Fresh orders are again issued from the board of admiralty for augmenting each company of marines with 20 men.
We learn by a letter from Paris, dated the 11th of May, that two express arrived there from Madrid in 24 hours. The first occasioned a council to be held, after which a courier was sent to Toulon; whereupon Lord Stormont went to the Duke d'Aiguillon, and was closeted for two hours with him. His Lordship required to be informed of the contents of the last dispatch from Spain, otherwise he should return to England. The Duke d'Aiguillon desired his Excellency to meet him in the evening at Choisy, where the King was; which he did, and the same evening his Excellency, upon the answer, dispatched a courier to his court.
The moment before our correspondent sealed his letter it was public in Paris that the Spanish ambassador was gone, so that the family compact is at an end. It is certain, that since the late peace Spain has built and repaired a formidable fleet, which is well manned; her troops are upon a good footing, her fortifications at home and abroad are repaired, and she has less debts, and more cash and credit, than any power in Europe.
May 22. It is now generally believed that the Parliament will not rise, at soonest, till after the middle of July.
Yesterday a messenger arrived at Lord Rochford's office, with some dispatches from Lord Stormont, at Paris.
Yesterday a board of admiralty was held, at which several naval officers attended and received their commissions; after which some fresh orders were sent to the commissioners of the different dockyards.
On Thursday orders were sent from the admiralty for three frigates to put to sea immediately, one of which is to cruise off Cadiz, one off Toulon, and the other off Brest.
It is reported that the Portuguese ambassador delivered a memorial of great importance last Thursday to one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State.
They write from Paris that the Chevalier de Turgot failed from Rochelle some time last month on board a man of war of seventy guns, accompanied by another ship of sixty guns, with all sorts of provisions. He has taken only three hundred sailors, but a great number of troops will soon follow him, the destination of which is kept a profound secret.
They write from Vienna that bets are laid there, of an hundred to five, that peace between Russia and the Porte will be proclaimed before the expiration of two months.
Letters from Hanau advise that the reigning Princess of Hesse Darmstadt, accompanied by her three daughters, arrived the 7th ult. at that place, and, after resting at Philippsruhe, took her route for Berlin with the three Princesses. It is not determined whether they are to go to Peterburgh, or whether the Grand Duke of Russia will go to Berlin incognito, to make his choice of one of them for his future spouse.
It is confidently asserted, at the west end of the town, that our court has received intelligence of some attempts meditating in the cabinets of France and Spain against this kingdom and Portugal, which has occasioned two express to be sent to Lisbon with the particulars; and some letters from Lisbon advise that a rupture is looked upon as unavoidable between Portugal and Spain, the latter having already committed some hostilities upon the Portuguese in the Brazils.
By advices from France we are informed that the Toulon squadron is completely manned, and by this time ready to sail.
Several merchants in town have received letters that the Spanish fleet has actually put to sea.
From Wales we hear that the inhabitants of Bangor were much alarmed, on the 22d of last month, with the shock of an earthquake, which shook the Bishop of Bangor's palace, and threw down some chimneys.
Letters from Towbridge, in Wiltshire, mention the death of William Temple, Esquire, who, among other legacies to his friends, it is said, has left Mr. Wilkes 500l.
At a new erected meetinghouse near Cold Bath Fields, there is a board hung out, with the following inscription: "Preaching here every morning at six o'clock." This is the first sign of the kind we ever remember to have heard of.
May 25. Several Spanish men of war, with a number of transports, failed last month, from different ports in Spain, for the coast of Guinea, in order to join the French squadron already there; after which junction, it is said some important blow is intended to be struck.
The master of a vessel just arrived in the river says, that an English frigate, of thirty two guns, which was stationed off Cadiz, to watch the motions of the Spaniards at that port, was chased a day and night by three Spanish men of war, but at length got clear off, with the loss of her foretopmast, which they shot away.
Several clean ships are ordered to reinforce the British squadron on the coast of Africa, where they are to remain a twelvemonth.
We are assured from good authority, that the Duke of Cumberland had yesterday an audience of his Majesty.
Preparations, we are told, are making for their Majesties to visit some part of England, but what part is not yet known.
The Dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland have many engagements upon their hands this summer; they and their Ladies, it is supposed, will honour most places in England with their company.
None of the late orders sent to Portsmouth and Plymouth for entering men, and getting a fleet ready with all expedition, have yet been countermanded, so that it is imagined war will be heard of in a short time, especially if we consider that little or nothing has been received from the powers whom we suspect, to render our preparations unnecessary.
His Majesty, after the review of the Scotch Greys on Blackheath on Saturday last, ordered them 55 guineas, as he was greatly pleased with the alert and exact performance of all their manœuvres and evolutions.
They write from Jamaica, that the Spaniards have for some months past been employed in rendering Cumberland harbour, on the island of Cuba, 23 leagues south east from St. Jago de Cuba, both for navigation and defence, one of the compleatest havens in all the Spanish West Indies.
By a Dutch ship just arrived from the East Indies, we have an authentic account that the French are making very great hostile preparations, and that the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon have been new garrisoned from Europe.
Extract of a letter from Peterburgh, May 12.
"The claim which Prince Charles of Saxony sets forth to the Duchies of Courland and Samogitia, which will be litigated in the Grand Diet of Poland, will be strongly opposed by the Empress of Russia, in favour of her son the Grand Duke, who pleads a will made by the late John Ernest de Biron Duke of Courland, in his favour. The above mentioned Duchies have been looked upon by the Russian Sovereigns as immediately under their influence and disposal; and in consequence the Empress will oppose the claim of a foreign Prince, who is strongly supported by the Emperor of Germany, and the King of Prussia, whose views her Imperial Majesty begins to look upon with eyes of distrust."
We are informed that the fleet under the command of Commodore Shuldam, for the protection of the Newfoundland fishery, is to be augmented to seven sail, besides sloops and small craft.
By a vessel from the Mediterranean, which touched at Barcelona in her way home, we have advice, that several merchant ships are detained in that port, by the impressing of their hands to serve on board the Spanish men of war fitting out there.
May 26. On Sunday evening last an anonymous letter of a very singular nature, wrote in the Spanish language, was dropped in the purlieus of St. James's, and is said to contain some very interesting matter.
From our correspondent at the Hague, dated the 12th instant. "The last courier from France has occasioned a general ferment in the general state assembly, and the diplomatic body. The Spanish ambassador is very busy in endeavouring to justify the conduct of his court, but his behaviour appears entirely opposite to peaceable terms; the Prussian ambassador seems very uneasy about the dispatch he has received from his court since the last courier he sent to Berlin; they suspect that nobody is informed of the contents but the Russian Minister, who went the same night to General York; the French Minister has been sent for, and did not depart from these conferences till between two and three o'clock in the morning. Never was more money spent here by the Ministers than at present, in order to keep a watch one upon the other; but nobody can guess the true cause of it, so secret are their negotiations."
A number of messengers have now orders to be ready at a moment's warning, to set off for France, Spain, or Russia, if required.
The court of France has artfully diverted our Ministry, for several days past, with proposals, messages, answers, &c. in order to conceal their real intentions, which were to facilitate the treacherous schemes they have been hatching, since the commencement of the war between the Turks and Russians. They have now actually succeeded so far, that it will cost England much trouble, expence, and many men, to stop their progress. These transactions ring through the world, and draw so many eyes upon us as quite look into all our weaker parts; our protection is no longer relied upon by the Russians, nor our alliance courted; the neighbouring nations first despise, then venture to insult us; for mankind are apt to imagine that where there is no council, there can be no strength. It is true, our arms have been dreadful in the field, and our fleets have been the terror of the main; but are they not to be feared, who, after all their martial toils, can be so easily defeated in the cabinet?
May 20. Yesterday a bill for appointing wardens and assay masters, for assaying wrought plate in the towns of Sheffield and Birmingham; a bill for the better cultivation, improvement, and regulation of the common arable fields, wastes, and commons of pasture, in this kingdom; together

with four other inclosure bills, which had passed the House of Commons, were presented to the Upper Assembly.
By private letters from Spain we hear that the number of registered seamen already embodied and put in pay on the western coasts of that kingdom amount to 14,000.
The following is said to be an authentic account of the particulars of the hop duty for 1772. Kent, 53,668l. 2s. 4d. Sussex, 11,736l. 14s. 9d. Surrey, Reading, and Hampshire, 6,743l. 3s. 10d. North Clays, 2,893l. 13s. 7d. Essex, 2447l. 4s. 4d. Worcester, 24,575l. 16s. 7d. The other parts of England, 582l. 7s. 11d. Total 102,652l. 3s. 4d.
Yesterday Lord Rockingham was in the House of Lords, for the first time since his late indisposition.
We are informed that seven ships of the line, three frigates, and two bomb vessels, are for the future to be kept completely manned, and in constant readiness to sail, on the shortest warning, to any part of the globe, as occasion may require.
They write from Brest that the court of France has lately ordered the number of seamen on the marine list to be augmented with 15,000 men.
Extract of a letter from a member of the Virginia Assembly, dated March 14, 1773, to his correspondent in London, submitted to the serious consideration of the British merchants trading to that colony.
"Our Assembly is now sitting. Almost 37,000l. new paper notes of credit are to be emitted to redeem those now in circulation, notwithstanding the redemption of 8000l. of them should have taken place in 1770, and the taxes have been actually received for that purpose. Would it not be wise in the merchants in Britain to endeavour at obtaining instructions from the King to our Governor, not to assent to any of our acts of Assembly for emitting paper money?"
Private letters from Cadiz say that his Catholic Majesty has lately sent, by express, new instructions to his several Governors in the Spanish West Indies.
A private letter from Rochelle gives an account that eight West India ships and three barks, laden with corn, were stranded behind the Island of Oleron.
The British Ministers at foreign courts have received instructions to declare that the fleet now fitting out by this nation, and destined for the Mediterranean, is in consequence of the court of Versailles and Madrid having each given orders for sending a fleet into that sea. As this is undoubtedly the real occasion of our present armament, it highly behoves us to take care that it be sufficiently strong, in conjunction with the Russian fleet, to make head against that of the French, joined with the Spanish, which event may be reasonably expected.
By letters from Jamaica we are assured, that the fortifications of Port Royal, and every other part of the island have been put into the best state of defence possible.
The Racehorse and Carcafs are fitting out for an expedition to the North Pole, under the command of the Honourable Captain Phipps. Mr. Lyons is appointed by the Board of Longitude, to make observations in astronomy, natural history, and philosophy. The principal design of the voyage is to examine the countries and seas near the Pole, and to endeavour to find a passage this way to Japan, which is now a voyage of about ten months, whereas, if a passage could be found by the north, it might be performed in seven weeks. A very large collection of instruments are prepared for this expedition, for making observations and experiments on the state of the atmosphere in the frigid zone; two watches of Mr. Arnold's construction, and one made by Mr. Kendal, after Mr. Harrison's, are to be examined, to see if they be useful to find the longitude in those cold climates. This ship will sail in a few days.
We hear there is now depending before the Superior Council of Clermont a cause not a little diverting, though of a very singular nature. A person travelling in that part of the country took up his lodging at an inn, where he was found next morning senseless, stiff, and cold, and, in short, in such a state as permitted not the least doubt of his being dead. The Parson of the place being informed of the affair, went to the inn, and sent for a notary to take an inventory of the traveller's effects; a hundred louis d'ores were found in his portmanteau, which the notary deposited in the Parson's hands. The latter thought the money could not be put to a better use than expending it on the stranger's funeral obsequies; accordingly he made preparations for a grand burial, to which he invited all the Priests of the neighbouring villages; forgetting not the opportunity to regale them, and consequently ordering a sumptuous entertainment; but just as they were going to proceed to the ceremony, the supposed dead man shewed signs of life, and soon recovered from his trance, when the first words he uttered were to ask for his portmanteau. The astonished Parson related to him what had passed, but the man, regardless of the honour which the good Priest intended to have paid to his memory, and refusing to partake of the feast which was prepared, insisted upon having his money. The Parson told him it had been employed on his account, and that it was impossible for him to return it. This odd adventure hath occasioned a law suit, the decision of which is impatiently expected.
We are informed from Gloucester that there are more fat cattle now in the farmers yards in general in Somerset than for some years past have been at Christmas, and likewise sheep in proportion, and that old cheese at Bridgewater market is fallen 10s. per cwt. These circumstances, and the prospects of a good approaching season, cannot fail of rendering the articles of life cheaper very soon.
The King of Prussia has an army of two hundred and forty thousand fighting men. How is such a large body of troops to be clothed, fed, and paid? Either by the ruin of his subjects, or by letting them seize, plunder and destroy the territories of the neighbouring Princes. The Monarch who keeps up a large standing army in time of peace, tells all the world that he designs to find an enemy whenever he pleases.
The Earl of Corke, in a letter from Florence, written in the year 1755, makes the following observation, which a correspondent says, he thinks it prophetic: "The ball of empire may hereafter roll westward, and may stop in America; a world unknown, when Greece was in its me-
ridian glory; a world that may save the tears of some future Alexander!"
A private letter from Paris says it is certain the united fleets are ordered into the Mediterranean to support the Turks at all hazards.
Extract of a letter from Gosport, May 18. "Our fleet here, which consists of 15 sail of the line, four frigates, and three sloops, is equipping with all dispatch, so as to be ready on a moment's notice to sail."
The Ministry are now at a stand about what measures to take at this alarming crisis: They are unwilling to engage any more men, as also to turn off any men. They are quite in a state of uncertainty both at Portsmouth and Plymouth, and know not which to prepare for war or peace.
Nothing has passed between the courts of England and France for this week past.
Wednesday Lord Townshend was married to Miss Montgomery. She is said to be about 17, and his Lordship about 50 years of age.
L I V E R P O O L, May 28.
Extract of a letter from Birmingham.
"Notwithstanding the most infamous reflections propagated in the newspapers, and by hand bills, insinuating that people who lived in reputation in this town have been suspected of clipping and coining, we have the pleasure to assure you that some Noblemen and Gentlemen of the most eminent rank in Staffordshire and Warwickshire are so perfectly convinced that such practices were never known in this neighbourhood, except amongst people of no character or significance, either as artist or otherwise, they have voluntarily condescended to become members of the company, which it is hoped will be established in this town, to authorize a mark to be stamped on our silver wares, by which we may obtain the honour through Europe of making wrought silver of a better standard, as well as of better workmanship, than is marked at Goldsmith's Hall in London."
N E W Y O R K, June 28.
Wednesday evening last the sloop New York Packet, Capt. Hunt, arrived here from South Carolina in 7 days, in whom came passengers Mr. Lynch, his Lady and daughter, Mr. David Ross, Mr. Joseph King, and several others. About 12 months since Mr. King left his residence in Morris county, New Jersey, and travelled by land to Fort Pitt, on the river Ohio; from thence he went down that river to the Mississippi, from that to New Orleans and Pensacola, and back again to the Mississippi, where he explored several rivers that empty into the Bay of Mexico. He left the English settlements on the Mississippi the 10th day of May last, and says that the inhabitants there were in general very healthy, the lands good, the Indians friendly, and the settlement of that country daily increasing; that about the 18th of May the Connecticut military adventurers, under the command of Col. Putman, left their sloop at New Orleans, and proceeded up the river in a barge in order to pursue their intention of making a settlement on the river Mississippi.
On the 7th of April last his Majesty, by an order in council, was pleased to direct all the Governors and Commanders in Chief in North America not to issue any warrants for surveying land, pass any grants of land, or grant any licences to purchase lands from the Indians, without his Majesty's express directions, and until his Royal will and pleasure should be farther signified, except to such officers and soldiers as are entitled to grants for land by the Royal proclamation of October, 1763. Those orders were accordingly dispatched to every Governor and Commander in Chief on the continent.
Wednesday last a certain Cornelius McCarty, perukemaker, in this city, was committed to our gaol for robbing the iron chest of Messrs. Campbell and Gault, of this place, merchants, of the sum of 238l. in paper money, the Monday before. On searching his house 215l. of the cash was found in a private drawer in his desk; he denies the theft, and says he found the money in the gangway in the yard. The said McCarty was greatly esteemed by Messrs. Campbell and Gault, was their barber, and as free in their house as the best servant.
On Thursday the 17th instant, the house of Col. Guy Johnson, at Guy Park, was set on fire by a flash of lightning, and utterly consumed, with all the furniture, cash, and many valuable manuscripts and drawings of great moment to the public, as well as of the utmost importance to the Colonel. The whole family was absent from home during this afflictive event, which has affected this whole city with the tenderest and most sympathetic concern.
We hear that Richard Colden, Esquire, is appointed surveyor and searcher of this port, in the room of his father Alexander Colden, Esquire, resigned.
A letter from the eastward, to a Gentleman in this city, acquaints us that about 30 sail of brigs, sloops, and schooners, are returned from their whaling voyages from the coast of Africa, at Nantucket, Rhode Island, Providence, &c. That they had all met with uncommon success, the least of them having brought home 150 barrels of oil, some 200 barrels, others 300 barrels; and that many of them could have loaded their vessels entirely with oil, but their provisions growing bad, obliged them to break up their voyages.
By accounts from Teneriffe, dated May 2, we are informed that eleven sail of French vessels, upon a new construction, were sailed from Brest, one of the squadron was then in Teneriffe harbour, they were all to rendezvous at the island of Palma, are loaded with stores, mortars, shells, and every other tremendous engine of destruction, bound for Pondicherry; this augurs ill of the Asiatic tranquility. Each of these vessels mounts 18 nine pounders, they are built exceeding sharp, and have two masts, one on the foremast, the other on the mainmast.
The court of enquiry at Newport in Rhode Island is broke up, without having been able to discover any of the parties concerned in destroying the Gaspee schooner.
On Tuesday the 15th instant arrived here the ship Sally, Capt. Pearce, in seven weeks from Gibraltar; he touched at Carthagena, where a body of Spanish troops were daily expected, in order to be embarked on board of transports, as some pretend, towards carrying into execution the fixed plan concerted by France, Spain, and Sardinia, and make a diversion in favour of the Turks, by attacking the Em-
peror's territories in Italy; others say they are only for the exchange of some garrisons in Naples. Capt. Pearce saw in the harbour 14 line of battle ships, 13 of which were unrigged, unmanned, and unmasted.
PHILADELPHIA, June 23. Extract of a letter from a Gentleman of eminent character, in Savannah, to his friend in this place, dated June 3. "On Sunday last the 30th ult. in the evening, it was discovered that the ORPHAN HOUSE was on fire, which immediately spread with so much rapidity that it was soon entirely destroyed, and but very little of the furniture saved, but luckily the two new wings, which stand detached from the house, were preserved. It is supposed to have been set on fire by lightning; for as there had been no fire made in the house for some time before, it cannot be ascribed to any other cause. But what is surprising in the affair is, that the thunder happened in the morning, and it was between 7 and 8 in the evening before the flames broke out. The people in the house had, through the day, been sensible of a strong smell of sulphur and smoke, but, though they made search, could discover no other signs of fire, until the smoke and flames appeared in the evening bursting through the roof. Thus fell the Orphan House; the object, for many years, of your late worthy friend's care. The building was an ornament and credit to the province, and had Mr. WHITEFIELD's favourite plan of establishing a college there been carried into execution, it would have been of the greatest utility to this young colony, where a proper seminary for youth, is much wanted. It was, I know, what he had much at heart, and, had he lived, would have taken place before this."
The two persons committed to gaol, as mentioned in our last, for counterfeiting the Maryland eight dollar bills, came from Ireland in the ship Minerva, from whence they brought a large store; there being found in their chest about 2,500l. of the same money, and as they were taken in two or three days after they arrived, it is hoped there is not much of it got abroad, yet people should be cautious, lest one or two of that few should fall to their lot.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 15.
Died in this city, on Tuesday last, in the 19th year of his age, Mr. ROBERT RUFFIN, son of Col. Ruffin, of King William. The many excellent qualities with which this amiable youth was possessed render him justly lamented by all who were happy enough in being acquainted with him.
William Childrey, Joseph Berry, and James Revel, were executed near this city, on Friday last, pursuant to their sentence. Their behaviour at the place of execution was remarkably pious; and they approached their fate with amazing fortitude and resignation.
The Peggy, Capt. Fisher, in six weeks from Liverpool, is arrived in James river.
By his Excellency the Right Honourable JOHN Earl of DUNMORE, his Majesty's Lieutenant and Governor General of the colony and dominion of Virginia, and Vice Admiral of the same:
A PROCLAMATION.
VIRGINIA, &c.
WHEREAS the General Assembly stands prorogued to the second Thursday in the next month, but I find no urgent occasion for their meeting at that time, I have therefore thought fit, by this proclamation, in his Majesty's name, farther to prorogue the said Assembly to the second Thursday in November next.
Given under my hand, and the seal of the colony, at Williamsburg, this 8th day of July, 1773, and in the 13th year of his Majesty's reign.
DUNMORE.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
FIFTEEN POUNDS REWARD.
RUN away from Neabsco Furnace two convicts and an indentured servant belonging to the Honourable John Tayloe, Esquire, viz. JOSEPH LOVEDAY, from the west of England, about 23 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, of a ruddy complexion, with sandy coloured hair, a red beard, a pretty smooth face, very squeaking voice, a large scar on his throat, and his knee has been disjointed when he was a boy, which makes him trail his leg when he walks. He went off some time last fall, and was seen, I am lately told, about Mr. Zeen's iron works, in Frederick county; so that it is presumed he is still in that or some of the back counties, and may be employed in the farming or team driving business, which he professed, but is very ignorant of both. He carried with him a blue fearnought and a white cotton jacket, long trousers dyed brown with tan bark, and in other respects was clothed as servants commonly are. The other convict is named TYNIE ROACH, a lad about 20 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, and ran away last month from a sloop of Col. Tayloe's, then in Rappahannock; he is fair, though of a ruddy complexion, somewhat pitted with the smallpox, has a smooth insinuating tongue, light coloured hair, and has been a sailor ever since he came in the country, which is about 4 years ago. He had on, and took with him, a new blue fearnought jacket with horn buttons, a blue double breasted jacket with large metal buttons, a red silk handkerchief, a good many osnabrig shirts which he stole from the sloop's crew, besides a white one he stole from the master, a pair of leather breeches, a new felt hat bound round with red ferret, and a band of the same. The indentured servant is named JAMES M'LANE, a Scotchman, of the most unparallelled ingratitude, and ran away last winter from a schooner in Potomack river, which I imprudently made him skipper of. He is a short well made man, of a brown complexion, with black hair tied behind, and had a variety of clothes of his own which he carried with him; he talks very much of his feats in the last war, and of having been in most parts of the world. Whoever secures the said servants, or either of them, so that they may be had again, shall have the above reward for each, and be paid all reasonable charges.
THOMAS LAWSON.
It is imagined that each of the above servants have got forged passes and discharges with them. All persons are forewarned from harbouring or concealing them, and masters of vessels from carrying them out of the country, at their peril.

As the partnership of Hogg and Rowland is expired, I earnestly request the favour of all those who are indebted to the said partnership to settle their accounts immediately with me, either by payment, or bond. I shall attend Hanover and Goochland courts, and shall be constantly at home the rest of my time for that purpose. I give this timely notice, that I may settle the affairs of the partnership, and pay the debts due from the same by the first of October next, at which time I intend for Britain. All those who have open accounts on the books the first of September, may depend they will be put into the hands of an attorney, without further notice, or distinction of persons.
ZACHARIAH ROWLAND.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in the Robeson Fork, Culpeper, an indented Mulatto fellow, who goes by the name of WILLIAM LIVELY, about 23 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, square made, has a large upper lip, one fore tooth only above, and his chin short; had on a Negro cotton jacket, a brown linen shirt, cotton breeches, a pair of ribbed yarn hose, and a felt hat much worn. Whoever secures him in any gaol shall have FORTY SHILLINGS, and if delivered at my plantation THREE POUNDS.
LEWIS BOATEN.
TO BE SOLD, RENTED, OR LEASED, Several tracts or parcels of valuable land, of all kinds, in Culpeper county, very reasonably. For terms apply to the subscriber, living in the said county, near the courthouse. NATHANIEL PENDLETON.
TEN POUNDS REWARD.  RUN away from Providence forge, in New Kent, the 7th instant (July) two Negro men, viz. COOPER, about 35 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches high, stoops a little when he walks, and shews his teeth much when he talks, is a slim made fellow, wears a truss, and is clothed with an oznabrig shirt, and trousers of hempen rolls. The other is named BEN, about the same age, 5 feet 8 inches high, well made, of a grave countenance, and clothed as the other; both of them had shoes, one pair of which had hobb nails. They formerly belonged to Col. Benjamin Grymes, of Fredericksburg, where it is expected they are gone. Whoever apprehends them so that they be delivered to Mr. Douglas, at the works, shall have five pounds reward for each, and if taken up at a greater distance than 20 miles, a reasonable allowance for conveying them to the said forge.—We also offer a reward of thirty shillings each for apprehending, and conveying to the said forge, two other runaway Negroes, viz. GUY, about 50 years old, and about 5 feet 10 inches high; had on a blue waistcoat, oznabrig shirt, and trousers of hempen rolls. He formerly belonged to Capt. Thomas Dixon, near Hampton, and is supposed to be lurking about Williamsburg, or gone down to the neighbourhood of his former master. JOE, about 35 years old, 5 feet 10 inches high, and well made; he belongs to Mr. Julius Allen, of James City county, and is expected to be lurking about his neighbourhood.
JERDONE & HOLT.
I HEREBY inform the public that as soon as I can settle my affairs I intend to leave this country; and to enable myself to purchase elsewhere, resettle myself, and to prosecute the mercantile business with more ease, and to a greater extent than hitherto it hath been in my power, I propose selling the following lands, viz. Upon the line dividing the counties of Mecklenburg and Charlotte the noted tract known by the name of Finny Wood, containing 2357 acres. As the quality of this land is generally known, and has ever distinguished itself as being remarkably fine, it is unnecessary to say any thing about it in that particular. The improvements are very considerable, having every necessary building suitable for a planter or farmer, and I may venture to say they are in as good order as any in the colony; nor are the plantations in less order than the improvements, being cleared in the most regular form, under good fences, preserved as much as possible from running into gullies, and, by being constantly shifted into winter grain, are as capable of produce as ever. The crop now growing upon this land is tended by 28 hands, and promises to produce, should the weather be agreeable, 30 hogheads of tobacco, 1500 barrels of Indian corn, 3000 bushels of wheat, and 1000 gallons of peach brandy. I once sold 850 acres of this land for 2500l. but finding my bargain to be bad, I gave a consideration to be off; and have several times been offered 3l. an acre for great part of it, but being resolved never to divide it, I refused every such offer. My price for the whole tract has been fixed for some time at two guineas per acre, and which is adjudged by those acquainted with the land to be very reasonable. However, that I may be the sooner prepared to prosecute my schemes as aforesaid, I will take fifty shillings an acre, one half to be paid at the time a title is made, and the residue in twelve months after. A title shall be made at the next court after the bargain, and possession given at Christmas next.—In the county of Charlotte, about five miles from Finny Wood, a tract containing 2029 acres, improved with a plantation sufficient to work seven or eight hands, several small dwelling houses, two tobacco houses, and a corn crib; also a gristmill, which, with little expence, may be made very valuable, and a good apple and peach orchard. This tract affords a great quantity of very valuable creek low grounds, and a considerable quantity of very fine high land. My price for this land is a thousand pounds; and a right will be made, possession given, and payments made, in the same manner as for Finny Wood.—In Charlotte county also, and about ten miles from Finny Wood, a tract containing 1020 acres, lying upon Staunton river, at the mouth of Cedar Creek, improved with a plantation sufficient to work about five or six hands, several good barns, an overseer's house, and a Negro quarter. This tract affords about 100 acres of river low grounds, equal to the best upon the whole stream, and formed in such a manner that it is benefited by every fresh that goes over it; also a considerable quantity of creek low grounds, and high land, which produces tobacco of a quality inferior to none. My price for this tract is 750l.
payable in like manner as for the other two pieces.—In Mecklenburg, upon Finny Wood creek, and adjoining Finny Wood, a tract of 500 acres, improved with an overseer's house, Negro quarter, corn crib, a tobacco house, and cleared land, that is fresh, sufficient to work four or five hands. This tract affords a considerable quantity of very fine tobacco land, both high and low, and produces admirably well. My price for this tract is 500l. payable at Christmas next, when a title shall be made, and possession given.—In Mecklenburg also, and is the place whereon I live, a tract containing 715 acres, improved with a dwelling house 48 feet by 26, divided below into four convenient rooms, a passage, several closets and beaufaits, and above, into two rooms and a passage, five dormer and four sash windows on each side; there is a brick chimney at each end, which affords a fireplace to each room below stairs, and underpinned with brick. The whole (except a small matter of painting) is finished off in a genteel manner. There is also a store house, lumber house, ordinary house, kitchen, dairy, meat house, barns, cribs, stables, quarters, overseer's houses, school house, tailor's and blacksmith's shops, all new, and built in the best manner to answer their several purposes, and a plantation sufficient for 12 or 15 hands, formed with the greatest regularity to render the culture and tillage of it the most easy and convenient; it is under exceeding fine fences, and has adjoining it a large pasture well enclosed, two peach and three large apple orchards, with a variety of other fruit trees of the best kind, and chiefly grafted. The soil of this piece of land is very rich and strong, produces every thing that I have tried in it very well, but being of a stiff and thirsty nature, winter grain is most applicable to it, such as wheat, rye, and barley, and is more level than any I have ever seen in the back country. It is likewise situated in a very healthy spot, having exceeding good water, and being a high place, clear of any kind of swamps, or sunken grounds. I would recommend this piece of land either to a merchant or a farmer; for the latter none can answer better, being, as before mentioned, equal to any for winter grain, and will undoubtedly answer for the former, as it is fixed for that purpose in the center of the county, and in a thick settled neighbourhood of able people, has public roads leading to it from every quarter, and, what will yet make it more answerable to this purpose, it may be expected that all or chief of my friends and customers will become so to whoever may succeed me. My price for this land and settlement is 1500l. one third payable when the title is made, and a third yearly till the whole is paid. A title shall be made at the first court after the purchase, and possession given in November next.—In the town of Petersburg two lots or half acres of land, known by the numbers 41 and 42, in the plan of the town; they are situated on the main street, are the most beautiful lots in the whole place, and are improved with a very large and convenient dwelling house, that has three good rooms and a passage both above and below stairs, and a well built cellar of brick the full size of the house, a large and well calculated store and lumber house, kitchen, and dairy. My price for those two lots, or half acres, is 500l. payable, with interest, 12½l. annually, till the whole is paid. Possession and title shall be made and given the purchaser at any time. Any person inclined to purchase any of the lands above mentioned may be shewn the same by applying to me any time between this and the last of August, as I shall during that time be constantly at home.—That I may be the sooner and better prepared to execute my intentions, I hereby give notice, that on the 10th day of September next I shall expose to public sale, for ready money, at my aforesaid dwelling house, the several estates hereafter mentioned, and which I hold by recorded deeds of trust, to secure me in the payment of large sums of money due from the persons here respectively mentioned: The tract of land whereon Henry Crenshaw lives, in Lunenburg, together with his Negroes, stock, household furniture, &c. The land whereon William Easley lives, in Mecklenburg, together with his Negroes. The land whereon John F. Thompson lives, in Mecklenburg, together with his Negroes. The Negroes and personal estate of Peter Ragdale, in Mecklenburg. The Negroes and personal estate of John Hammonds, in Charlotte. The land and personal estate of John Clemmonds, in Mecklenburg. The land of Robert Tucker, in Mecklenburg. The Negroes of David Chandler, in Charlotte. The land and personal estate of Ephraim Puckett, in Mecklenburg. The personal estate of John Bing, in Mecklenburg. The land of Joel Moore, in Mecklenburg. The land and personal estate of Lewis Akin, in Mecklenburg. A Negro and personal estate of Jesse Taite, in Mecklenburg. The land and personal estate of William Brown, in Lunenburg. The personal estate of Thomas Smith, in Mecklenburg. The Negroes of Robert Christopher, in Mecklenburg. The Negroes of Thomas Farrar, in Mecklenburg. The land and personal estate of John Clark, in Mecklenburg. The land of Henry Robertson, in Mecklenburg. The personal estate of Lewis Zoone, in Mecklenburg. Part of the estate of Henry Isbell, in Charlotte. The land and personal estate of Edward Crews, in Mecklenburg. The land of James Camels, in Mecklenburg. The land of James Flynn, in Mecklenburg. The personal estate of Philip Johnson, in Mecklenburg. And the land of Daniel Gorries, in Mecklenburg.—As it is probable that the sales of all the estates aforesaid cannot be made in one day, I hereby give notice that it will be continued from day to day till the whole can be compleated.
MATTHEW MARABLE.
NORFOLK, June 21, 1773.
The brig MOLLY,
THOMAS PRICE, Master,
about two years old, will take in FREIGHT for LISBON or MADEIRA, and can be ready by the middle of next month. For terms apply to said master, or the subscriber.
MATTHEW PHRIPP.
WHEREAS many of the Gentlemen who purchased Negroes of the subscribers last summer have hitherto made but very partial payments, this is therefore to inform all those who are still indebted to us that, unless they are punctual in discharging their bonds and notes at the ensuing meeting of the merchants in Williamsburg, the same will be put into suit immediately after, without any farther notice, or respect of persons.
J. LAWRENCE, W. CALL, & company.
PURSUANT to a decree of the Honourable the General Court, at Frederick courthouse, on the first Tuesday in August next, being court day, will be sold, to the highest bidder, for ready money, the following tracts of LAND, to wit, 181 acres on the drains of Opekan, in Frederick county, formerly the property of Jonathan Lupton, also 200 acres, formerly Odle's, about 10 miles from Winchester, adjoining to the lands of Joseph Smith, Spur, and Robert Rutherford; also 400 acres, on both sides of Back creek, in said county, formerly Richard Nealy's. These several tracts were mortgaged by Mr. Joseph Watson to Mr. Garret Meade, of the city of Philadelphia, who has obtained a decree for a sale. The purchaser will have Mr. Meade's right under Mr. Watson, with a general warranty from Mr. Watson, conveyed at the sale by
The SHERIFF of FREDERICK.
VIRGINIA, sc. At a GENERAL COURT, held at the Capitol May 5, 1773.
John Upshaw, and John Rennolds, plaintiffs, against John Bland, late of London, merchant, John Bland, junior, and Messrs. Field and Call, defendants, In chancery.
THE defendant John Bland being beyond sea, and not having entered his appearance according to the rule of this court, on the motion of the plaintiffs, by their counsel, it is ordered, that the other defendants, who have effects of the said Bland in their hands, as is suggested, do not pay, convey away, or secrete, such effects, until the further order or decree of this court concerning the same; but that they deliver up such effects, or so much thereof as will be of value sufficient to satisfy the demand of the plaintiffs unto the said plaintiffs, upon their giving security to the clerk of this court for the return of such effects, in such manner, and to such persons, as the court shall hereafter adjudge. And it is further ordered, that the said defendant John Bland do appear here on the 1st day of next court, to answer the bill of the plaintiffs, and that a copy of this order be, within fifteen days, inserted in the Virginia Gazette, for two months successively, and published on some Lord's day, immediately after divine service, in the church of the parish of Martin's Brandon, in the county of Prince George, and be also posted up at the front door of the Capitol, in the city of Williamsburg. BEN: WALLER.
VIRGINIA, sc. At a GENERAL COURT, held at the Capitol May 5, 1773.
Arthur Edie, and James Laird, of London, merchants and partners, plaintiffs, against Robert Jardine, late of London, merchant, and George Mitchell, defendants, In chancery.
THE defendant Robert being beyond sea, and not having entered his appearance according to the rule of this court, on the motion of the plaintiffs, by their counsel, it is ordered, that the other defendant, who hath effects of the said Robert in his hands, as is suggested, do not pay, convey away, or secrete, such effects, until the further order or decree of this court concerning the same; but that he deliver up such effects, or so much thereof as will be of value sufficient to satisfy the demand of the plaintiffs unto the said plaintiffs, upon their giving security to the clerk of this court for the return of such effects, in such manner, and to such persons, as the court shall hereafter adjudge. And it is further ordered, that the said defendant Robert do appear here on the 1st day of the next court, to answer the bill of the plaintiffs, and that a copy of this order be, within fifteen days, inserted in the Virginia Gazette, for two months successively, and published on some Lord's day, immediately after divine service in the church of the parish of St. George, in the county of Spotsylvania, and be also posted up at the front door of the Capitol, in the city of Williamsburg. BEN: WALLER.
F O R S A L E. THE tenement at present occupied by Captain James Gunn, in that part of the town of Richmond called Shockoes, on the north side of the falls of James river, with a number of convenient houses upon it, well adapted for either a merchant, tavernkeeper, or private Gentleman, rented at forty pounds a year; also the public storehouse at the same place, rented at fifteen pounds a year; the two half acre lots, No. 400 and No. 670, in the same town; the valuable lot of one hundred acres of timbered land, near the same, known by the description of No. 799; also the two half acre lots, No. 116 and No. 267, in the town of Manchester or Rocky Ridge, on the south side of the falls of James river. For terms apply to Joshua Storrs of Richmond, or to the subscriber. THOMSON MASON.
TAKEN up, in Prince George, a small bay mare, about 4 feet 5 or 6 inches high, with three dots on her near buttock, has a small white streak in her face, and one of her hind feet is white. Posted, and appraised to 12l. RICHARD BOOKER.
TAKEN up, in Sussex, a dark bay horse, about 4 feet 7 or 8 inches high, 5 or 6 years old, and with some saddle spots on his back. Posted, and appraised to 11l.
WILLIAM HINES, jun.

L I S B O N, April 13.
ABOUT five o'clock yesterday morning several shocks of an earthquake were felt here. The inhabitants were terribly alarmed, and most of them quitted their houses and fled into the fields. Providentially, these shocks have been attended with no other consequence than that of spreading a great consternation among the people.
Tangier, April 14. On Monday last, between five and six in the morning, we were alarmed by a violent shock of an earthquake, which lasted about two minutes, and has destroyed ninety eight houses, and shaken the town so much that the remaining houses must be rebuilt. We hear of only three lives lost; but numbers of the inhabitants have been dragged from under the ruins, very much bruised. Yesterday, about half an hour after eleven, we felt another shock, though not so violent as the first.
Madrid, April 19. On the 13th instant, at about five o'clock in the morning, two violent shocks of an earthquake were felt here, which lasted for the space of a minute, but happily did no material damage. The same shock was felt at Cadiz, but we do not find that the sea was affected thereby.
Genoa, April 22. A French tartane, which arrived here yesterday, has brought an order for the consul of that nation to stop all the French seamen in this port, and send them to Toulon, to serve on board the fleet fitting out there. The Captain of this tartane is charged with the same order for the French consuls at all the ports of the Mediterranean.
Paris, May 3. The Count d'Estaing is continually in this city, and it is not known when he will set off for Toulon; at which place, however, they are still very busy in equipping the fleet, but are as yet uncertain as to its destination.
L O N D O N, April 29.
WE hear that his Sardinian Majesty is on the point of concluding several treaties with the Grand Duke of Tuscany, the King of the Two Sicilies, his Holiness the Pope, the Republics of Italy, &c. for the defence of Piedmont and Savoy, against the designs of the court of France, who view those fine provinces with a desiring eye; but by the powerful alliances, and the wise provisions made by the young King, it is certain they will be disappointed in their aim. His Majesty pays the utmost attention to the affairs of the State, and, in fact, the most important business is executed by him and his amiable brother the Duke de Chablais.
It is given out that the French will immediately disarm on our threatening them, and that our fleet will not sail for Toulon; yet it is certain that Commodore Hervey, who is appointed second in command, sets out for Portsmouth this morning to go on board the Royal Oak, Capt. Belfour, to forward the fitting of the ships, and Sir Charles Saunders will follow on Friday, to go in the Barfleur, Captain Vernon; so that we will not trust to French promises. The fleet of 15 sail of the line, all capital ships, will rendezvous at Spithead in the course of this week, and are in every respect fit to put to sea as soon as a few men can be got to compleat their complements, which alertness and unprecedented diligence does the greatest honour to the Earl of Sandwich. Four ships of the line will soon after follow this fleet, and another squadron soon set out for the Baltic, under Sir Charles Hardy.
Last night a messenger arrived at the Secretary's office, in Cleveland Row, from Paris, which, we hear, brings an account that the French (notwithstanding what has been said to the contrary) are making, all over the kingdom, the greatest preparations for a war, and that couriers are daily passing from thence to Madrid, and also to Lisbon, but that every thing is kept as secret as possible, as the English ambassador there narrowly watches all their motions.
The Duke of Cumberland, it is said, has desired he may be employed at sea, in case of a war, since he is not likely to meet with encouragement on land.
They write from Leghorn that the Republic of Venice have entered into an engagement with the court of Russia to build six frigates of war for their service.
It is said that the French have actually sent nine ships of war to the coast of Newfoundland.
Advice is received from Madrid that orders are issued out there for a fleet of ships, consisting of 20 sail of the line, besides frigates, to be stationed immediately on the Mediterranean, to drive the Russians out of those seas, and also the piratical vessels belonging to the Emperor of Morocco and the Dey of Algiers; the latter having lately robbed and plundered many of their merchant ships, and carried the crews into slavery.
Advice is just received from Vigo that a fleet of men of war are sailed from Cadiz, and other parts; that they are formed into three divisions, but that their rout remains at present a profound secret.
Notwithstanding the prospect of an immediate war seems to be removed by the apology which, we are told, the French have made, and by their putting a stop to the sailing of their fleet at Toulon, there is great reason to believe that our seeming tranquillity will soon be disturbed again. The eyes of our Ministry seem to be fixed on the motions of the French, and as long as they foresee no danger from them, they think of none from any other quarter. Else why are they so regardless of the warlike preparations of Spain, not only at home, but in her settlements? One motive of the prohibition, some time since issued by the court of Madrid, that no foreign ships should enter the Spanish ports, was, doubtless, designed to keep other nations as much in the dark as possible, with respect to their naval affairs, and is thought chiefly to be levelled at Great Britain. Nevertheless, sufficient accounts have transpired to excite in us an apprehension of some hostile blow being in meditation; and from the extraordinary bustle at the Havannah, particularly in building new ships, and repairing old ones, it is very probable that Lord North's prophecy of a ten years peace, which has already been called
in question, will not stand a third shock, but ere long be entirely exploded by an attack from our West India settlements from the Spaniards.
The Empress of Russia has certainly declared that she has no hostile intentions against Sweden.
A bill is ordered to be brought in to explain and amend the act of the 4th of George the Third, relative to the paper currency in America.
It is said that the island of St. Vincent is to be established a separate government from the Grenades, and that his Excellency General Dalrymple, the conqueror, is to be appointed Governor, the brave Major Rogers Lieutenant Governor and Superintendent of India or Charib affairs, and the Honourable Otis Robinson, Esquire, Chief Justice and Secretary of the said island; and all of them to have good salaries paid from England.
They write from Turin that a marriage had been declared at that court between the Princess Maria Theresa, daughter of his Sardinian Majesty, and the Count D'Artois, second brother to the dauphin of France.
A letter from Hamburgh, dated April 4, informs us that a person, named Muttersbach, a clerk in an office in that city, aged about 20 years, lately fell into a profound sleep, and that the Gentlemen of the Faculty there had caused him to be bled several times in the arms, and used every other method they could devise to awake him, but without success; but that, after sleeping for thirty two days, he awoke, of himself, the 11th of March. On examination, his health was found to be no way impaired; it was thought proper, however, not to suffer him to go out, nor to take what quantity of nourishment he chose, as he was troubled with an insatiable hunger. A like accident happened to him some years since, but his sleep then lasted only three days.
April 30. Yesterday accounts were received from France which contradict Lord North's report that the French had disarmed. On the contrary, the court of France is determined to adhere to their alliances. The preparations for fitting out a fleet at Brest are not discontinued.
Advice is said to have been received that two ships belonging to Philadelphia have been taken by a Spanish frigate in the West Indies.
From Norwich, in Cheshire, we hear that the demand for salt lessens, and, it is feared, will more lessen, as the King of Prussia has clapped an heavy duty on salt imported at Dantzic, and compels the citizens to use salt made in the part of Poland which he has lately seized. This will raise the price of Riga deal, which the Liverpool merchants used to import as back carriage. The pottery of Burslem suffers from the same cause.
May 1. Many different, but all erroneous, accounts of what passed in the House of Commons on Monday last, relative to the French fleet at Toulon, having appeared in the papers, it cannot but be satisfactory to the public to know the true state of that matter, which was as follows: Mr. Dowdeswell having said, in the course of the debates, that Great Britain was at the eve of a war, Lord North answered, "I hope our situation is not such as the honourable Gentleman describes; I trust we are not at the eve of a war, for advice has been received that the armament at Toulon, which caused the late alarm, is countermanded."
Should England be engaged once more in the broils on the continent, the leaders of the Cabinet have very lately declared, that not a single English regiment shall be sent to Germany, as troops, can be hired from the German Princes, and supported for one half of the expence, whilst our's will be employed at the same time to more useful and advantageous purposes in another part of the world. Experientia docet.
Yesterday some dispatches arrived at the Secretary of State's office, from his Excellency John Murray, Esquire, his Majesty's ambassador at Constantinople.
We learn from Petersburg that the project of a new treaty of commerce between that empire and Great Britain has been lately transmitted to London.
They write from Turin that they are informed by the Captain of a Portuguese frigate, which arrived there the middle of last month, that several powerful leagues were forming in India against the English, but more especially at Bengal.
Four ships of the line and two frigates have received orders to be ready to sail for the East Indies by the 10th of this month. [ This seems to corroborate the above paragraph. ]
They advise from Port Royal in Jamaica that a Spanish schooner, with four chests of silver from Campeachy, was arrived there to trade with the English.
We hear from Paris that, since the arrival of a courier from London, it is said that only three ships of the line are to sail for the Mediterranean; the rest are to be kept in motion, in order to exercise the mariners.
The members of the Senate, from the Republic of Dantzic, are arrived at the Hague. They are to present a memorial of all their grievances before the whole diplomatic body, in order to be protected and relieved from the Prussian yoke; the contents of which are thus related: Every one must confess that the Republic of Dantzic is the most sure and plentiful country for corn in Europe. That place has been always free to, and open, without distinction, for all the potentates wanting that commodity; it is therefore the more necessary for mankind that it should be kept under the same freedom and regulation as it was by the Police or the Magistrates of that trading place; for all the nations who may be in want of that commodity must be starved or extorted on by the absolute and tyrannical Prussian government, who will, by a heavy tax upon it, raise the price to so great a degree that it will be impossible, in future, for the merchants to trade, and to relieve the poor people. If these Gentlemen have not any hopes of success here, they are to go to England and France, when the Polish Minister will present them to the respective courts. All the Dutch merchants are to join with them, who will give an account of the quantity of corn, in the
space of 40 years; that other countries have been supplied with, none being more able to certify than the Dutch, as they have filled their warehouses and granaries from that place, and afterwards exported it to every country as they wanted it.
The House of Commons have ordered an account of the names and places of abode of persons keeping alehouses in England.
The St. Almida, a Portuguese plate ship, from St. Salvador, put into the cove of Cork, the 11th ultimo, in distress, having only five men on board able to work.
Three additional men of war are ordered to be stationed on the coast of Africa to protect that trade.
All our ships of war that are now fitting out at the different ports have orders to take on board their full complement of marines.
Yesterday the Earl of Bellamont attended the levee at St. James's, for the first time since his Lordship's recovery.
The Duchess of C—— has discharged two of her Royal husband's favourite domestics because they were overheard pitying their master for leading such a tiresome life with this newly dignified Lady. It seems that rage, sometimes transports her to such a height of fury that her poor spouse is obliged to quit the house, which he actually did last week, and would not return till Madam wrote a letter of apology.
Wednesday se'nnight died, at his seat at Saunderscourt, in the county of Wexford, Arthur Gore, Earl of Arran. His Lordship's issue are Lord Viscount Sudley (who succeeds him in honours and a large estate) the Honourable Richard and the Honourable Paul Gore, and the Right Honourable Lady Anne Daly, to all whom he has left very good fortunes.
A great luminary of the law says, one means to discourage the practice of duelling is, to declare the challenger a felon, and the acceptor a lunatic.
The most extraordinary affair happened at six o'clock on Wednesday morning in Piccadilly, perhaps, that was ever heard of. A man disorderly in his senses, with only his shirt on, booted and spurred, jumped out of a two pair of stairs window into the street, without even falling down, or in the least hurting himself, but immediately walked up the street, toward the Haymarket, declaring "that he had been ill used, and that, before he returned from Sir John Fielding, it should be settled." It is said that he was engaged to a young Lady, and having dreamt she had married another man, he was determined to do himself justice in the above manner.
This day two women drank geneva at the ship in Bell Yard, Temple Bar, when after drinking three quartens each, the victorious heroine tossed off the fourth, and immediately dropped down dead.
On Monday last was killed at Sittingbourn, near Canterbury, the surprizing large ox which has for some time attracted the attention of the public. It is supposed by the best judges that the weight of it is about 95 score. The hide is bought by a coachmaker, and measures 18 feet between each extreme, the width 9 feet 11 inches and an half, and the weight of it 170lb. This extraordinary creature measured on the breast, when alive, three feet two inches, and is allowed not only to be the largest, but the handsomest and finest proportioned creature ever seen in this kingdom, and, from the appearance and delicate colour of the meat, it is likely to be as excellent to the taste as it was wonderful to behold. The heart weighed 11lb. and the fat is computed at 15 score. Before he was killed he was turned loose into a large yard, to satisfy the curiosity of a very great concourse of spectators, who were all astonished at his amazing bulk. He was 8 years old, and has been 3 years in fatten.
May 4. We are informed that the fleet of observation, now fitting out, will not be so numerous as was at first intended, and that orders have been sent to the commissioners of the different dockyards to lessen the number.
A spirited memorial has within these few days been transmitted to the English ambassador at Paris, to be presented to the French Ministry, requiring a categorical answer immediately, with respect to the shipping now fitting out in the different ports of France.
This morning the Right Honourable Lords North, Sandwich, and Charles Jenkinson, Esquire, had a conference with the King at Buckingham House, previous to their Majesties setting out for Kew.
Extract of a letter from Paris, April 24.
"Orders have been just sent off from here to Toulon for continuing the preparations now going on there, notwithstanding the many reports to the contrary; and it is further reported that the ships are to be divided into two squadrons, one of which is to sail for the Baltic, and the other is to act in the Mediterranean, and be reinforced by several gallies, which are now fitting out at Marfailles for that purpose."
Our Ministry are afraid they shall be under the necessity of ordering Lord Stormont to withdraw himself from the court of France, and the Ministry of France are afraid that his Lordship will be recalled. The reason is this: The court of Great Britain, it seems, almost despair of prevailing upon France to relinquish her hostile intentions, and the court of France would willingly pacify England, if they could do so without laying aside their favourite scheme. They have made many offers for that purpose, but it seems our Ministers (much to their honour) will not accept them, nor any others that are made to license their present warlike preparations.
On Saturday last his Excellency William Boyd, Esquire, Governor of Gibraltar, set out from his house in Privy Garden for Portsmouth, in order to embark on board the Thames frigate, Capt. Lockhart, for Gibraltar.
Extract of a letter from Gibraltar, April 4.
"The great number of ships which the Emperor of Morocco and the respective states of Barbary are now making, are most certainly designed to assist the Grand Signior. These preparations, added to those making by the different states of Europe, seem to indicate that the Mediter-

mean sea will soon become the grand theatre of naval war. The Dey and Regency of Algiers have fitted a stronger fleet than any of the other powers, having no less than 80 ships from 80 to 50 guns each."
They write from Barbados that our commander in chief there had ordered a total stop to be put to any more flags of truce, with French commissions, passing between their islands and our's, in the West Indies, much villainy having been practised thereby, to the great loss of the British planters.
The officers of the troops at St. Vincent's have sent over a petition to his Majesty, setting forth the great expenses they have been at during the late expedition, and the danger they were exposed to by the unwholesomeness of the climate: and therefore praying, that when the newly acquired lands are to be sold, or given away, they may have the offer of part of them.
Extract of a letter from Dantzic, April 16.
The respect which his Prussian Majesty has testified for the mediation of Great Britain was not strong enough to be long lived. He has this day not only re-demanded all the duties and imposts, new and old, which he had before exacted, for some time, but has commanded the Magistrates and merchants to pay, within the space of twenty four hours, the arrears due during the short time he had suspended his exactions. This is the more incomprehensible as we had been given to understand that the Empress of Russia had again very lately engaged herself to your court, that she would prevail on the King of Prussia to desist from his enormous and unjust pretensions on us."
Yesterday the Earl of Bellamont was at court for the second time since his late illness.
Friday their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland took an airing in a phaeton, and called at several cottages to enquire into the state of the poor in the several parishes round Windsor, when their Royal Highnesses humanely contributed to the relief of such industrious labourers who are unable, through the high price of provisions, to provide for their families.
Extract of a letter from Birmingham, April 24.
There has just been laid open here a most extraordinary scene of iniquity, which, if it had been carried on a little longer, might have involved the whole nation in the ruinous consequence attending the commission of a crime of such public notoriety. This is no less than a discovery of a numerous gang of COINERS, several of whom are people of property, who have lived in this town in credit and good repute. The discovery was made at London, to Sir John Fielding, by one Bacchus, who formerly resided here, and whose son was executed on the 27th of May last at Tyburn, for high treason, in coining guineas, half guineas, &c. with which the father was likewise charged, but became evidence against the son, and was himself acquitted. This Bacchus is very positive in his account, and pretends to be well acquainted with all the parties he has impeached, and to have been in the secret with them all. He was brought down yesterday by two of Sir John's men, and goes with them to apprehend the people charged by him. Nine men have been already taken up here and confined in our prison; but as some of them are very credible people, and as they have not undergone an examination before a Magistrate, we do not yet chuse to publish their names. A short time, however, must throw more light upon this affair, and it is sincerely wished there may not be too great foundation to support the charge against some of the accused. It is thought many more will be apprehended on this account, as we are told messengers are sent for that purpose to different parts of the country. We shall forbear commenting on this affair for the present; but it may not be improper to remark that on Wednesday last one Davis was committed to Newgate, London, on the confession of one Green, an accomplice, for diminishing guineas; upon that occasion a farther discovery was likewise made of two others of their accomplices, and this finally produced, as may naturally be supposed, the discovery here, which has given such a great alarm.
On Saturday se'nnight, as a man was trying to find a breed of foxes in a noted place for that purpose, called Hatterthagh Scout, within Sowerby, a dog which he had with him for that purpose made a set, or mark, at the foot of a rock, which has been long known by the name of Robin Hood's Parlour. From the dog being very alert, he thought he had marked the den or hole where the young cubs were, and went to him, to make an opening for the dog to get in farther, when, to his great surprize, he saw a man within the cave, who asked him what he wanted? He replied he did not mean to disturb him, he was only in search of some young foxes. The man said he believed so, he knew what he was about, for he had heard him hunting. The man made the best of his way out of the scout, or wood, told a person who lived at the foot of it what he had seen, and desired him to watch the place that the person might not make his escape, whilst he went to get assistance. The man did accordingly, went near the mouth of the cave, and when he saw some assistance just coming up he rushed into it, took the man by the throat, and brought him out, and when the other people came up delivered him into their charge. Then he went into the cave again, to search it, where he found one entire surplice belonging to Rochdale church, and one that had been cut, a loaded pistol, a small powder box, and flint, two forcing chisels, a large hammer, dark lantern, and other implements, with a variety of goods. He was brought to Rochdale on Sunday night, under a strong guard, and on Monday morning was carried before Col. Townley, who committed him to Lancaster gaol, in order to take his trial at the next assizes there, before whom the whole surplice was sworn to, as belonging to Rochdale church; also some other goods he had were sworn to, as taken out of a public house, at Hollins, near Todmorden, which was broken last Wednesday se'nnight. The man's name is Edmund Tattersal, born in Sowerby, but left that neighbourhood about thirteen years ago, for fear of being discovered, as he had broken open the church at Hopton, and stole the communion plate from thence. Since that he has served in the artillery service in the East Indies. Upon his examination he appeared very hardened, would not confess any of the crimes he was charged with, but gave a strange account of his way of life, and declared he had neither laid
in bed nor house for many nights before he was taken. He has been much connected with the money makers and vendors, who are now greatly alarmed, and with much reason too, as some very material discoveries amongst those pests of society will soon transpire. The desperate wretch had already done much, and would have done much more, fatal mischief, in all probability, if he had not been so providentially discovered, and so nobly secured by the honest countryman, whose name is William Scutcliffe, and who for his intrepidity not only deserves the thanks, but a good reward, from the public.
SUSSEX June 23, 1773.
THE subscriber intending to leave the colony about the 1st of September next for a few months, and being desirous of adjusting all his affairs before his departure, so as to admit of no dispute either with debtor or creditor, earnestly entreats all who have any demand against him, either by bond or otherwise, to make application, and it shall be paid in money, or bonds; and if it is not agreeable to a creditor to settle in that way, they shall have bond, with undoubted security, either personal or otherwise, to pay any balances, that may remain unpaid, in a few months. He likewise hopes that all who are indebted to him will be kind enough to apply and discharge their respective balances, or give bond, payable at a short day, the better to enable him fully to discharge his engagements, being determined so to do between this and April next.—I shall depute Mr. Daniel Fisher and Mr. James Mason, of Brunswick, and Mr. John Cargill, of Sussex, to transact my business during absence from this colony.
DAVID MASON.
NORFOLK, June 29, 1773.
AS I intend for Great Britain soon, and to return in a few months, all persons indebted to me, or to the late concern of Archibald White and company, or to the estate of Archibald White, deceased, are desired to make payment before or at the meeting of the merchants next month, after which time no indulgence will be given; but all bonds, accounts, &c. will be put into the hands of an attorney, with orders to commence suits immediately, without respect of persons. Any matters relative to the concern of Archibald White and company will be transacted in my absence by Anthony Walke, Esquire, of Princess Anne; and such of my own affairs as may remain unsettled at my departure will be managed by Messrs. Eilbeck, Rofs, and company, of this place, whom I have empowered so to do. Such as have claims against me are desired to make them known, without loss of time, in order that they may be adjusted.
JOHN MACLEAN.
TO BE SOLD,
A PLANTATION, containing 276 acres of LAND, with tolerable good improvements, and lying on the main road leading from Fredericksburg to Culpeper, about ten miles from the former; about 170 acres thereof is leased land, at fifty shillings per annum; the remaining 106 acres is a fee simple. Likewise two Negroes, the stock of cattle, horses, hogs, and sundry household furniture, beds, chairs, tables, &c. The sale to be at the place on the 6th day of August next ensuing, and possession given at Christmas; the purchasers to have liberty to provide for the ensuing year's crop. Three months credit will be allowed for one third of the land, six months for another third, and for the remainder 12 months; but if the money be paid down 7 1/2 per cent. will be discounted. Six months credit will be given for the stock and household goods for all sums above forty shillings, and for any thing under ready cash will be required. The purchasers on credit must give bond and security.
THOMAS ALLEN.
*** Those indebted by accounts, &c. it is hoped, will be kind enough shortly to pay me.
To be SOLD, for ready money, on Friday the 16th of this instant (July) at the late plantation of Robert Boggs, deceased, in Fairfax.
TEN Virginia born NEGROES, consisting of men, women, and children, together with the STOCK of HORSES, CATTLE, HOGS, and SHEEP, all the HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN FURNITURE, and all the PLANTATION UTENSILS.
ROBERT BOGGS, Administrator.
To be SOLD, by the subscriber in Sussex, TWO tracts of LAND, one containing 900 acres, whereon he now lives, situated on Nottoway river, of very good quality for tobacco, wheat, or Indian corn, and has many valuable improvements on it. The other tract lies on the said river, a little below the former, and contains 112 acres, is mostly valuable low grounds, and has some improvements on it. Any person inclined to buy the whole, or either parcel, may purchase on reasonable terms, which may be known by applying to
EDWARD POWELL.
PURSUANT to a decree of the Honourable the General Court, at Dunmore courthouse, on the 4th Tuesday in July next, being court day, will be sold, to the highest bidder, for ready money, 250 acres of LAND, about two miles from Woodstock, adjoining the lands of Samuel Bailey, formerly the property of Capt. Burr Harrison; also a tenement in said town, now in good repair, in possession of a tenant at will, together with a ten acre lot thereto belonging, as a common. These lands were mortgaged by Mr. Joseph Watson to Mr. Garret Meade, of the city of Philadelphia, who has obtained a decree for a sale. The purchaser will have Mr. Meade's right under Mr. Watson, with a general warranty from Mr. Watson, conveyed at the sale by
The SHERIFF of DUNMORE.
WARWICK, June 7, 1773.
I THINK it necessary to inform the public that the 7000 acres of land lying in Bedford county, with the improvements thereon, consisting of a forge and sawmill, &c. which was lately advertised by Robert Harper and Thomas James for sale, is made over by a deed of trust to James and Robert Donald, and company, as security for a debt due them for dealings at the Rocky Ridge and Bedford stores.
PATRICK HUNTER.
FREDERICKSBURG, June 22, 1773.
I INTEND for England shortly. ELIZABETH MIDDLETON.
FOR SALE,
Several valuable tracts of land, adjoining each other, on both sides of Chappawamick Run, in the counties of Stafford and Prince William, containing 2600 acres, being the seat whereon the subscriber formerly resided. These lands are situate four miles above Aquia warehouses, and four miles below the town of Dumfries, the soil of more than half of it exceeding good; there is on it as fine a mill seat as any in the colony, upon a large and never failing stream. There is a great appearance of iron ore, and a large quantity of white oak and pine timber, a tolerable commodious dwellinghouse, a great number of convenient outhouses, good orchards, and several tenements in order for cropping. There are also 200 acres of fine meadow ground, half of which was sowed in timothy last fall and this spring. A more particular description will be unnecessary, as it is presumed that any person inclined to purchase will view the premises; and the subscriber earnestly entreats all such to form their ideas of the value of this estate from their own observations, and not from any accounts they may receive from others, as there are some persons, who are thought good natured, worthy men, amuse themselves with decrying the property of their neighbours, even at the expence of truth, and under the mask of friendship to the person injured. And the subscriber is more particular in this caution, as he hath formerly received several severe injuries of that kind from one in that neighbourhood. The above lands are under the incumbrance of two mortgages; the one for a considerable sum, made by the subscriber himself, the other for an inconsiderable sum, made by the person of whom he purchased one of the small tracts, which mortgages are to be first paid out of the money arising from the sale. For terms apply to
THOMSON MASON.
To be SOLD, to the highest bidder, on Thursday the 26th of August next, if fair, if not, the next fair day,
A VERY valuable TRACT of LAND on James river, in Amherst county, a few miles below Doctor William Cabell's, containing about 600 acres of high and low grounds, and runs above a mile on the river, it being about half the tract on which John Howard formerly lived, including the dwellinghouse, &c. with a beautiful situation to live on, and cleared low grounds sufficient for a good plantation; there is also on it a remarkable natural fishpond; and a fishery for white shads. The place is suitable for wheat, tobacco, or hemp.—At the same time will be sold, if a suitable price for them be offered, an island adjacent, and the remaining part of the before mentioned tract of land, either separate or altogether. Part of the purchase money will be wanted at the day of sale on the premises, or in October next, at farthest, and the remainder will be made easy to the buyer by sundry payments, as shall be then agreed on. An indisputable title will be made the purchaser.
THOMAS PROSSER, NEIL CAMPBELL, WILLIAM PRESTON, } Trustees.
HANOVER town, June 19, 1773.
JUST arrived at Cumberland, on York river, the J. PLANTER, Capt. MILLER, from London, with about seventy fine healthy indentated SERVANTS, amongst whom are the following TRADESMEN, viz. housecarpenters and joiners, cabinetmakers, blacksmiths, whitesmiths, gold and silversmiths, tailors, shoemakers, weavers, gardeners, leather dressers, and painters, perukemakers, saddlers and harnessmakers, London bakers, dyers, brass founders and smiths, clerks and book-keepers, labourers, husbandmen, a print colourer, a schoolmaster, a surgeon, a brazier, a pewterer, a groom, a footman, &c. &c. The sale will commence at Richmond on Monday the 5th of July, and a proper discount will be made for ready money or tobacco. Those on credit will be allowed a reasonable time, giving bond, with approved security, to
THOMAS SMITH.
*** The Captain on board has a quantity of very good IRON BOUND CASKS and BUTTS, which he will sell reasonably.
COLLEGE, June 23, 1773.
I INTEND to leave the colony soon. THOMAS DAVIS, jun.
PURSUANT to a decree of the Honourable the General Court, at Hampshire courthouse, on the second Tuesday in September next, being court day, will be sold, to the highest bidder, for ready money, the following tracts of LAND in that county, to wit, 800 acres on the north branch of Potowmack, about 8 miles from Fort Cumberland; 400 acres on George Andis's mill run, adjoining Andis's land; both tracts being mortgaged by Mr. Joseph Watson to Mr. Garret Meade, of the city of Philadelphia, who has obtained a decree for a sale. The purchaser will have Mr. Meade's right under Mr. Watson, with a general warranty from Mr. Watson, conveyed at the sale by The
SHERIFF of HAMPSHIRE.
COMMITTED to the gaol of Prince William county, the 16th of June, a Negro fellow who calls himself QUE, and says he belongs to Nathaniel Burwell, of the Isle of Wight county; he is a young, black fellow, about 21 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, has on a drill coat, black worsted stockings, and red waistcoat. Also committed, the 7th of June, a Mulatto fellow who says his name is Samuel Butcher, and that he formerly belonged to Robert Evans, of Dinwiddie, but that he has heard that Mr. Mason obtained his freedom last April General Court. The owners, if any, are desired to prove their property, and pay charges.
JOHN BLANSIT, Gaoler.
NORFOLK, July 4, 1773.
THE subscribers intending to send a VESSEL to MADEIRA, will be much obliged to any Gentlemen for their orders for WINE.
MATTHEW PHRIPP, THOMAS NEWTON.
TAKEN up, in Dinwiddie, a dark bay horse, about 4 feet 7 or 8 inches high, ten or eleven years old, with a small white streak in his face, both hind feet white, and branded on the near buttock p. Posted, and appraised to 9l.
JAMES WILLIAMS.