The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg, Va.), 1773-07-22 00:00:00

VIRGINIA
GAZETTE.
Open to ALL PARTIES,
but influenced by NONE.
TO THE ORTHODOX LAYMAN.
SIR,
THE distinguished notice you take of my ignorance and disingenuity in your last dispassionate reply undoubtedly merits a suitable return: But as I entered into a correspondence with you to vindicate the scripture doctrine concerning the universality of Christ's meritorious sacrifice of himself for the sins of ALL mankind against the objections of its adversaries, and not to rail, or call hard names, I shall disregard your personal insults, as unworthy of my animadversions, and confine myself to those few parts of your letter which seem to have the appearance of argument.
After a very polite exordium, you have these words: You had produced certain texts to prove that God's mercy is so great as to extend even to incorrigible and impenitent sinners; I denied that they did prove it; and shewed that those texts were applied to such sinners only as repent and turn from their evil ways.
By the terms impenitent and incorrigible sinners you must mean sinners who cannot be reclaimed from their sins, even by the severity of punishments. This must be the meaning of these terms, as stated in your letter; because you say you shewed that the texts I produced were applied to such persons only as repent and turn from their evil ways.
Now I beseech you to inform me in which of my letters I have produced texts to prove that God's mercy is so great as to extend even to impenitent and incorrigible sinners : I thought I had made the repentance and reformation of sinners the necessary qualifications of their restitution to perfection and happiness; but your penetration and sagacity have discovered that I do not know the meaning of my own words, and that I have produced certain texts to prove that God's mercy is so great as to extend even to impenitent and incorrigible sinners . Let me enquire whether this is not a misrepresentation of facts, and a misrecital of evidence.
In my first letter, in answer to your reprehensions for spending time in vain, nay impious, enquiries concerning the duration of future punishments, you may find these words: "Indeed, Sir, to examine the unlimited excellencies of a BEING who is the sum and comprehension of all perfection, in whom there is nothing but BEAUTY and BRIGHTNESS, nothing but AMIABLENESS, GOODNESS, and BENEFICENCE, and to discover that his immense GOODNESS and BENEFICENCE are directing every thing under his wise government, so as to produce, in the end, the universal restitution of mankind to perfection and happiness; and that his corrections, in the punishment of his offending creatures, are the corrections of a tender father, always concerned for the happiness of his children, are too glorious and too delightful enquiries for a serious and considerate mind to be diverted from by positive dogmas, and arbitrary decisions."
In my third letter, speaking of Christ's mediatorial or covenanted kingdom, I say, "This is the kingdom in which St. Paul declares CHRIST must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet; that is, till all things are reduced to their natural subjection and subordination to him, as SON OF MAN. For the father hath given all things into his hands, and as all things are delivered to him of the father, so must all things be reduced to a proper subordination to him, their liege Lord and King, and to a dutiful acknowledgment of his government, that they may honour the son even as they honour the father. When this is accomplished, when all CHRIST's rebellious and stiff-necked children, who deny his authority, and will not have him to reign over them, who transgress his laws, and do not the things he commands, are brought, by his CORRECTING HAND, by chastisements adequate to their offences, to a sincere and full conviction of THEIR GUILT, and from sinners become faints, and apply to him, by an unfeigned REPENTANCE, for pardon and forgiveness, &c."
And again: After stating the doctrine concerning the efficacy of CHRIST's death and passion, and proving that it extends to ALL mankind INDIVIDUALLY, I say, "But then, though the efficacy of our Lord's sacrifice and atonement will prevail universally, and ALL mankind will FINALLY participate of the benefits of it, yet it doth not from thence follow that they shall not be punished for their sins committed against him. He, indeed, hath blotted out, as a cloud, their iniquities, and, as a thick cloud, their sins, before his holy father, who is, in him, reconciled to them, but, nevertheless, they are still sinners to him, and as such shall drink of the wine press of his wrath, &c."
Thus it appears, from my own declarations, that I make the repentance and reformation of sinners the necessary terms of their restitution to perfection and happiness, and to their becoming members of CHRIST's mediatorial kingdom. To what purpose, then, are you incessantly ringing changes upon texts to prove a doctrine I never denied, but always admitted? I suppose it is to shew your great reading in the scriptures; for I am sure your texts have no concern with the doctrine of universal restitution, unless it is to prove the truth of it.
But, Sir, the terms impenitent and incorrigible sinners are not to be found in my letters. I could not make use
of them. They are incongruous, in your sense of the terms, to my doctrine; the great principle of which is, that no such miserable beings can possibly exist under the government of an infinitely merciful, gracious, just, and equitable God. Sir, when you honour me with your future correspondence, as you say you intend, I entreat you to permit me to speak my own words; for though they are less elegant than those you coin for me, they are, in my poor judgment, better suited to my own ideas, and more expressive of my own thoughts.
But to make me speak words, and defend a doctrine not to be found in my letters, are not my only crimes; for you say, I saw with concern, and, I must own, with indignation, that you either had suppressed part of one of these texts, or that you did not know that the part you quoted belonged to the part you omitted in your quotations, and that you took no notice of numberless texts which made against you; I therefore said you were either a very unfair writer, or knew but little of the scriptures. The prophet Joel says, turn ye unto me with all your hearts, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning, and rent your hearts, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. But you took care to quote only the latter part of this text; that is, so much of it as you thought would suit your purpose.
Here, Sir, is your charge of disingenuity in its full strength; but where are your proofs to support it? That I did not quote the former part of this text when I was speaking of the divine goodness, in the sublime language of the prophet, is true; but how do you prove that the words I omitted to quote, and which at that time I could not quote with propriety, do not suit my purpose? You assert, indeed, that they do not; but, excuse me, Sir, your assertions are no evidence in this case, because, I think, I shall prove that they suit the purpose of my general doctrine, even better than the words I did quote.
The principles I have endeavoured to establish through all my letters are these: That God created mankind to enjoy happiness and immortality; that for this end they were created perfect, both as to the natural and moral perfection of their nature, with a freedom of will, and liberty of action; that, being MORAL agents, they had power to preserve the original perfection of their nature by obedience, or to fall from it by disobedience to the law of their Creator; that by a misapplication of their faculties, they fell from their original state of perfection, happiness, and immortality, into a state of imperfection, unhappiness, and mortality; that God, being infinite in knowledge, foresaw the miserable condition mankind, by the abuse of their liberty, would fall into, and, in his infinite wisdom, provided a remedy, suitable to his infinite justice and goodness, for their restitution to perfection, happiness, and immortality, without infringing their natural freedom as MORAL agents; that in consequence of this gracious purpose, the divine LOGOS, the PROTOTOKOS of the father, his dearly beloved SON, by whom, and for whom, all things were made that were made, emptied himself of the glory he had with the father before the foundation of the world, came down from Heaven, assumed the human nature, and in that nature voluntarily offered himself a vicarious sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and thereby perfected the great work of restitution he had undertaken; that for this amazing service his holy father covenanted to him a kingdom, which he was to govern as SON OF MAN, distinct from his holy father, with all power and authority, both in Heaven and in earth; that thus having all things subjected to his authority, mankind universally became his subjects, and he rules over them as their Supreme Magistrate, and MEDIATORIAL KING; that in this character he has promulgated a system of spiritual laws for the government of his subjects, the sanctions of which are spiritual rewards and punishments; that these punishments, though the strange work of this infinitely gracious and merciful Potentate, will, nevertheless, be inflicted with severity upon his rebellious subjects, who shall drink of the wine press of his wrath, poured, without mixture, into the cup of his indignation, so that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment; that these punishments are not intended to display his vengeance against his stiff-necked children, the work of his own hands, but will, by his wonderful counsel, and excellent wisdom, produce in them repentance and reformation, make them with joy and gladness obey the holy one of Jacob, sanctify his name, and fear, with a religious fear, productive of love, the God of Israel; that when his complete work of restoring love is accomplished, he will promulgate an act of grace, in which mankind individually will be included, will be received into his favour, and will have the refreshments of divine love conferred upon them in his mediatorial kingdom; so that every creature which is in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the seas, and all of them, with united gratulations, praises, and thanksgivings, shall sing blessing and honour, and glory and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb eis tōus aiōnas tōn aiōnōn; that when this glorious restitution is perfected, and all his creatures become voluntary subjects of his harmonizing kingdom, then will the end come when CHRIST shall deliver up his mediatorial kingdom, with all the subjects of it, to God,
even the father; that Christ's mediatorial office will then cease, as having attained its full purpose, and he will reign (perhaps by divesting himself of his humanity) not disti-ct from, but with the father, as one God; so that God may be the ALL IN ALL.
This is an analytical view of the doctrines I have endeavoured to prove to be the true doctrines of the holy scriptures; and how do the words of the prophet I omitted to quote disprove any article of it? Are they not rather a strong proof of the truth of them? For if God would pardon the idolatrous Israelites, upon their repentance and turning to him, from the consideration that he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil, it must be inferred, necessarily, from the same consideration, that he will pardon other sinners, since his goodness and mercy is as infinite as his essence, and cannot be confined to the Jews, but must extend to all mankind universally; for he is not only the God of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, as is evident from the case of the Ninevites. The words, therefore, I omitted to quote from the prophet Joel, do not only suit my purpose, but they suit my purpose even better than the words I did quote, and are a very strong and conclusive argument in favour of my doctrine, especially if we consider that God's government of the Jews, under their theocracy, was typical of Christ's government of mankind, under the gospel dispensation. This, Sir, let me tell you, I know; and I certainly should have quoted the prophet's words you charge me with omitting ignorantly or designedly, could I have done it with propriety when I was speaking of the divine perfections. If, indeed, I had said, what you make me say, that God's mercy is so great as to extend even to impenitent and incorrigible sinners, before they repent and turn from their evil ways , I admit your accusation would have been just; but as this is a spectre of your own thoughts, and never entered into mine, I have no concern with it.
But you affirm it, and maintain it, that the scriptures expressly declare that sinners have a fearful looking for of judgment; that they shall never enter into the kingdom of God and of Christ; that they shall be punished with (not everlasting but) aiōnian destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; and although God is in them represented as most merciful, and of long suffering, yet he is always described as infinitely holy, just, and terrible, in his judgments.
Now I acknowledge all this, and affirm it, and maintain it, with as much firmness as you do; but what then? May not sinners, by means of God's terrible judgments inflicted upon them, repent and turn from the evil of their ways? And may not they, by a fearful looking for of judgment, by their being banished from the kingdom of God and of Christ, and by their being punished with aiōnian destruction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power, be awakened into a just sense of their miserable condition, be brought to repentance and amendment, and thereby become proper objects of mercy, have their sentence of banishment revoked, and be restored to the favour of their gracious benefactor and redeemer? I am sure no declaration in these texts, or in the holy scriptures, rightly understood, proves that they cannot; but, on the contrary, they declare, in the most express terms, that the Lord is good to ALL; that his tender mercy is over ALL his works; that he sheweth mercy to thousands of generations, but only punisheth iniquity to the third and fourth generation; that God is love; that he is the God of consolation and comfort; that he wills ALL men to be restored, and to come to the acknowledgment of the truth; and that CHRIST JESUS gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time. So that though God is terrible in his judgments, yet these judgments, under his holy, just, and merciful administration, must be intended for good and wise ends, to produce good effects in his creatures, to bring them to repentance, to make them proper objects of his mercy and forgiveness, and, in consequence thereof, to make them happy forever.
You see, Sir, the great trouble you have brought upon yourself and me by your inattention to, I will not say ignorance of, the doctrine you pretend to controvert. Trouble to yourself, in defending a doctrine I never disputed, and trouble to me, in pursuing you through a maze of scripture passages, and indigested declamation, to prove that the censures you so liberally bestow upon me properly belong to yourself.
But I have taken no notice of numberless texts which make against me. I told you, some time ago, you condemn me before I make my defence. If those numberless texts are quoted in your writings, I am sorry they have not been examined. But really, Sir, you have led me so much out of my way, and obliged me to attend you through so many windings and turnings, to detect your sophistry, that I am not surprised if some texts have escaped me. However, when health and leisure will permit, I will review your works, and if I discover any texts, or any arguments, which remain unnoticed, they shall be considered, but not in a letter; for you grow too angry, and too personal for me, who am determined to keep in good humour, to continue my correspondence with you; I may find another way to communicate my observations to you. My present design is only to exhibit a specimen or two of your consummate abilities as a candid and ingenuous disputant.

Your next two paragraphs are so loaded with invectives against me, encomiums upon yourself, and witticisms upon the nose of wax, that I can discover very little worthy my notice. As to what you say of Plato, I confess I am too minute a philosopher to be able to reconcile his many contradictions, and to explain, with perspicuity, the difficult passages to be found in his works. However, I know so much of him, by the assistance of an excellent adjutor, as to be able to ask you a few questions concerning his doctrines: Did not Plato teach that the supreme God could neither be angry nor hurt any one? That God was a spirit pervading the universe, and served it for a soul? That human souls were discerned from God, were part of the hypostasis, and would, in time, be resolved into it again? That pure souls would be reunited to God immediately after death, but that impure souls would be sent into a transmigration of other bodies, to be purified, before their reunion with their original parent? That souls were not eternal in a distinct existence, but were discerned from God, in time, and would, in time, be rejoined to him again? You, Sir, who are intimately acquainted with the writings of this philosopher, can, I doubt not, give a satisfactory answer to these questions; and when you do, it will sufficiently appear whether a person who held such principles could possibly believe in infinite punishments.
I really flattered myself the criticism upon the two famous Greek words, which have employed so much of our time, would have given you satisfaction; but I am mistaken; you remain unconvinced, and ask me, with a contemptuous sneer, to what purpose is that confusion of texts, and parade of criticism, upon the words aion and aionios ? Such a question, I confess, I did not expect; but it shall receive an answer. The purpose I intended by the criticism was to oblige you. In your first letter you told me you had been waiting with impatience to see my criticism upon the words aion and aionios , and the texts that contain them: To remove your impatience, I sent you a criticism upon these words, and the texts that contain them; some part of it my own, but much the greater part of it the property of those illustrious masters of reason and language, I told you, in my first letter, I should take to my aid whenever I found it necessary; and now you ask me to what purpose is that confusion of texts, and parade of criticism, upon the words aion and aionios ? This, Sir, I take a little unkind; for though the critic effectually exposes the absurdity of building the doctrine of infinite punishments upon words of an ambiguous and indeterminate import, yet as it was sent you by your own desire, I think it deserved some acknowledgment.
You have, indeed, given up the word aion as indefinable; but you still insist that the word aionios has but one meaning, and constantly signifies eternal and everlasting; for Plato and Aristotle apply it as an epithet to God, as well as the sacred writers. But is not this cavilling rather than reasoning? For are not both words derived from the same original root? And if aion , as a substantive, has an indefinite signification, why must aionios , as an adjective, have a definitive one? However, to connive at this, Plato and Aristotle (whatever their real sentiments were; for they frequently taught one thing, and believed another) taught the doctrine of inferior tutelary Gods, who were produced in time, and to whose government the several nations of the earth was committed by the supreme God, who was without passions, could neither be angry, nor hurt any one; and Plato frequently calls the human soul God, as being part of the soul of the universe. So that their applying the word aionios as an epithet to the word God is no evidence of their understanding it to mean eternal, in the modern sense of the word.
But suppose they did apply this word as an epithet to the supreme self-existent Deity, this can be no proof that the word has but one meaning, and constantly signifies eternal and everlasting; because we frequently find it applied as an epithet to objects of a finite nature. In the Septuagint it is applied as an epithet to the word possession : I will give unto thee (said God to Abraham) and to thy seed after thee, all the land of Canaan, for an aionian possession. Now the present circumstances of Abraham's posterity demonstrate that this possession was not to be eternal, or of everlasting continuance; the word, therefore, in this text, must imply finite duration.
The prophet Daniel, and St. Peter, apply this word as an epithet to Christ's kingdom, which he governs as son of man; but St. Paul expressly declares that when the purposes of Christ's mediatorial office are accomplished this kingdom shall have an end, and shall be delivered up to God, even the father; this word, therefore, in these scripture passages, cannot signify eternal and everlasting.
From hence it appears that the word aionios , as an adjective, cannot prove the eternity of the noun substantive, to which it is adjunct; but if the noun substantive is to prove the eternal import of the adjunct aionios , then this word, when applied as an epithet to any object, becomes as useless to prove the eternity of the object to which it is an epithet as if it had never been applied to it at all.
The duration of the sun and moon is allowed to be only temporal, and yet things of an eternal nature are frequently applied, in scripture, to their continuance, without any unnatural continuance of such sun and moon. Why, then, may not the word aionios retain the temporal import which is natural to it, although it may be applied to eternal things?
But you ask, is it probable that, in a point of so much importance to mankind, the holy spirit would have expressed himself so obscurely as not to be understood by men of less learning and acuteness of penetration than the Christian Layman?
Your surcasm does not affect me. Your question shall be answered by a late writer upon futurity, of greater learning and acuteness of penetration than the Orthodox Layman himself. "It is admitted on both sides (says the "Prebendary of Sarum) that the Greek word aionios , "which we translate by the words eternal or everlasting, "does, sometimes mean only a temporal duration; it is "therefore a word of ambiguous signification. Why, then, "may we not suppose that the spirit of God made choice "of an ambiguous term with this wise view, that men "might live in fear of everlasting punishment, because it is "possible it may be everlasting, and at the same time God
"be at liberty (if I may so speak) without impeachment "of his faithfulness and truth, to inflict either finite or infinite punishment, as his divine wisdom, justice, and goodness, shall direct. Liberty, I say, to proportion "the length of punishment to the demerit of the guilty, to "discharge some from torments sooner, and some later, "and to inflict eternal punishments (in the strictest sense of "the word) on the most wicked, or such as, through the "monstrous enormity of their crimes, have sinned themselves beyond the reach of mercy."
Now though I cannot possibly discover how finite creatures can sin themselves beyond the reach of infinite mercy, or why punishments inflicted upon the most wicked, adequate to the monstrous enormity of their crimes, may not produce good effects in them, as well as punishments inflicted upon the less wicked, according to this Gentleman's own hypothesis, yet if his opinion is true, your opinion must be false, as they are contradictory to each other. In this discordance of opinion between two such learned writers, it might be difficult to form a right judgment, if the excellently learned Bengelius (than whom no person was more able, or employed more pains to explore the RICH TREASURE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES) had not determined against both opinions, and demonstrated that this word, as applied in the holy scriptures, has but one meaning, and constantly signifies finite duration.
In his apolytical chronology, he has demonstrated that the words kairos , chronos , and aion , are determined, measured, numbered, periods of time, that have relation to one another. "We have (says he) in scripture, seven names "of periods of time, viz. hour, day, month, year, kairos , chronos , and aion ; the first four are of more determinate signification than the latter. Of these last, therefore, we shall say nothing, till we have paved our way to them by "help of the former." This he does with great accuracy and judgment, and then determines a kairos to consist of 222 years and two ninths; a chronos of 1111 years and one ninth; and an aion of 2222 years and two ninths.
In his Ordo Temporum , this learned writer says, Evi quadratum (ne de cubo decamus) est avum avorum ; but I give it in our own language, "The square of an aion (to say "nothing of its cube) is an aion of aions 4938271,605 "years, reaching far beyond the age of the world. In the "double of the square ( aions of aions ) are 9876543,21 decennial years. This I have noted, only because a figured "number appears more plainly."
"But if you proceed, to what an immense sum will "3,4,100,10000, &c. aions of aions amount? O the depth! "and yet all this is not so much as the shallows of the sea of "absolute eternity, denoted by the emphatical aions of "aions. The scripture sometimes hint by small figures, "and, as it were, en passant , matters of immense moment. "He that can receive it let him receive it."
"They who speak of the restoration after this life should "beware not to imagine that this matter is exhausted in a "millinary jubile (or 50,000 years) far wider is the measure "of the aions . This we have here touched upon, not to "provoke curiosity, but to dilate the mind. Let us receive "it as candidates for eternity. We are in time."
By this computation, the terms oi aiones ton aionon , describing the continuance of our Saviour's mediatorial kingdom, will contain such an immense series of years, that if they were divided by (6000) the time it is supposed the world will continue, the product will be 4064,421,074 times the age of the world, when the world shall have arrived to 6000 years of age.
But whether this calculation of the aionian periods is right or not, it appears that the word aionios , when applied to time, in any term of it, and whatever part of speech it may be shifted into, cannot signify eternal, and, indeed, if we attend to the use of it in the scriptures, and the variety of forms in which the sacred writers apply it, we must be convinced that it imports finite duration only. Thus, when they intended a duration of many ages, they wrote ( eis tous aionas ) to the aions ; when they had in view a comprehensive aion , including in it many other subordinate aions , they wrote ( eis aiona aionon ) to the age of ages; when they intended the comprehensive aion alone, without regard to its constituent particulars, they wrote ( eis aiona aionos ) or ( eis aiona aionon ) to the aionian aion ; when they intended the several general or comprehensive aions altogether, collectively, they wrote ( eis tous aionas ton aionon ) to the aions of the aions , expressing, according to Bengelius, the period of Christ's mediatorial kingdom; when the punishment of the wicked is threatened to continue only to the aionian aion ( eis aiona aionion ) a time very short of the former. But enough has been said upon these words.
Your remarks upon my fourth letter, besides your usual compliments to me, contain strange misrepresentations of texts, and advance a doctrine inconsistent with one of the most essential articles of the church, of which you profess yourself an orthodox member; I will therefore examine this part of your incomparable performance, with some extent.
In your fourth letter you again lay yourself open to the heavy charge I brought against you; for you quote the following texts: God wills ALL men should be restored and come to the acknowledgment of the truth; that Jesus tasted death for ALL, &c. when you should or must have known that the first text only teaches us that God wills that ALL men should repent and believe. The text I quoted was from St. Paul's first epistle to Timothy, 2d chap. 4th verse; and I quoted the very words of the Apostle according to the true rendering from the original Greek. But even this text, as it is rendered in our English version, will prove the falsity of your assertion. The reading, according to this version, is, who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth, by means of the one Mediator between God and man, the man JESUS CHRIST, who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time. Read, Sir, and blush; I disdain any further reply. But the scriptures expressly say that no unclean thing shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven. I say to too, from the authority of scripture, and from the infinite holiness of God; but if an unclean thing becomes clean, I know no scripture, or attribute of God, to prevent its entrance into the kingdom of CHRIST. Again, that the wicked cannot pass from Hell to Heaven. Agreed. But when they turn from their wickedness, they may then certainly LIVE, and pass to Heaven.
But why do you not quote the texts themselves before you give us your comment upon them? For there is no such text in the scriptures as this last. But perhaps you allude to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, in the 16th of St. Luke; I will therefore consider it.
The professed design of this parable is to shew the necessity of studying the scriptures for the regulation of our faith and practice, in acts of charity and beneficence; and it is in every other instance merely parabolical and figurative. But suppose it is to be taken literally, it will not afford a single argument against my doctrine.
There was a certain rich man, &c. and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, &c. and it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by Angels into Abraham's bosom; that is, into a place of rest, peace, and refreshment, called, by the Jews of our Saviour's time, Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried, and (en ade) in Hades he lift up his eyes, being in torment, &c. In Hades (the residence of departed souls after death) but not in Geenna (the place assigned, according to our Saviour's declaration, for the punishment of the wicked after the general judgment) he lift up his eyes, being in torment, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. From this text it appears that there is an intermediate state between death and the resurrection; that in this state there are separate mansions for the righteous and the wicked; and that they participate, in some degree, of happiness or misery, according as they have demeaned themselves in this life, till the general resurrection. This text, therefore, has no concern with the case of sinners, who shall be punished in Geenna, by the great Judge of mankind; their desperate condition, and their salutary restitution, from it, depend upon other scripture proofs, most of which I have taken notice of in my former letters.
But let us consider the case of this rich man a little further. He is represented, in the parable, as having a deep sense of his wretched condition; as crying to Abraham for mercy; as desiring earnestly to have his thirst alleviated, even by a drop of the paradistical water of life; as being anxious for the happiness of his brethren, and desirous to have a miracle wrought to preserve them from his torments. These seem to be signs that he was not in a reprobate state, or, to use your own terms, an impenitent and incorrigible sinner. But herein lay his misfortune: He had spent his life in luxury, in saring sumptuously every day , and neglected to HEAR MOSES AND THE PROPHETS; neglected, perhaps despised, the revelation of God, which alone could lead him to that FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS where his thirst might be allayed; to that great physician of souls who alone was able to make the great gulf passable. He vainly imagined that his being a son of Abraham would make him free; he relied more upon his father's faith than his own. But when he found this would not avail him, he was still foolish enough to believe that an apparition from the dead was a more effectual means of working a reformation in his wicked brethren than the revelations of God, which testify of HIM, who is able to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. He applied himself to the wrong person for relief from his torments, and therefore could not receive relief; but must suffer, till, by his sufferings, those good fruits, which were only budding in him, are brought to full perfection and maturity; till he is awakened into a just sense of his duty to God; to a proper knowledge of the great ALPHA and OMEGA; and applies to him, as he did to Abraham, to cool his tongue, not by a drop of water, but to give to him of the fountain of the water of life freely. This parable, then, in any view of it, can be no objection to my doctrine, but is rather a confirmation of it.
Again: He that is filthy SHALL BE filthy still. Here you are guilty of a gross misrecital of the text. The text is in Rev. 22d chap. 11th verse: He that is unjust LET HIM BE unjust still, and he which is filthy LET HIM BE filthy still, &c. But how can this text be applied to the condition of the wicked in a future state, when it is evident, from the words of the text (when truly stated) and from the whole context, that they relate only to this present life? Permit me to examine it.
The revelation to St. John being to be closed, CHRIST confirms it by a solemn assurance that these sayings are faithful and true, and promises a blessing upon him that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. After this, he commands St. John not to seal the prophecy (as Daniel's was) for the time is at hand when it shall begin to be fulfilled. The prophecy, therefore, was to be made public, and not sealed up, that wicked men might be warned of the judgments denounced against them, and repent speedily of their evil ways. And if, notwithstanding all the promises, and all the threatenings of this prophecy, they will still be filthy and unjust, let them remain so; God will not compel them by force, or use any means, inconsistent with their freedom as moral agents, to oblige them to become holy and righteous. If they WILL be unjust LET THEM be unjust still, and if they WILL be filthy LET THEM be filthy still; But, behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be. Thus, I think, I have got clear of this text, which, in any construction of it, cannot possibly relate to the condition of sinners in a future state, but only to their condition at CHRIST's coming to judgment. If, indeed, you take the liberty to leave out the real words of a text, and substitute other words in the room of them, to suit your purpose, you may make the scriptures speak the greatest absurdities: But, I hope, I am not quite so ignorant as not to be able to detect such a perversion of the sacred text.
But again: As the tree falleth so it lieth. I have been frequently surprised to hear this text cited, even from the pulpit, as a proof of the eternity of future punishments, when it is evident, from the whole context, that it relates to a very different subject, and has not the least respect to a future state. It is true it may, as a figure, represent the impossibility of a person's returning from a state of death into this life again; and in this sense it is used by a learned Divine of our own, in a late consolatory sermon upon the death of one of the best and worthiest men that ever adorned humanity, whose loss must be deplored by every friend to virtue, and to his country; but to no other con-

dition of mankind, after death, can it be applied without absurdity.
In the chapter of which this text is part the royal preacher shews the advantages of charity, and gives directions, under many figurative representations (according to the manner of the Jewish and other eastern nations) in what manner it is to be exercised. Cast thy bread upon the water, and after many days thou shalt find it; that is, give thy charity indiscriminately, and, as it were, at random, to the poor, and though, like bread cast upon the water, it may seem to be lost, yet in the end you shall receive a full recompence for it, by the blessing of God attending all your labour and deligence. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth; that is, do not select this or the other person to bestow your charity upon, but give liberally, and to every man according to your abilities, that by such good works you may avert the evils that may happen upon the earth, and not draw them upon you, by your want of charity to the poor. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth, upon all sorts of ground, without distinction; so you, who are full of riches, must bestow your charity without too solicitous an enquiry whether the objects you bestow it upon are worthy or not. For they are men, and as such are entitled to your beneficence; this virtue not consisting in the external act merely, but principally in the internal disposition of the mind. When God sends rain upon the most barren land, it is as high an instance of his bounty as when he sends it upon the most fruitful. If the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be; that is, when a tree is cut down it is of very little importance whether it falleth this or the other way, whether to the south or to the north, but where it falleth there it lieth; so your charity, flowing from a benevolent mind, though it should fall upon this or the other unworthy object, shall, nevertheless, receive its due reward as certainly as that where a tree falleth there it shall be.
This is, without doubt, the meaning of Solomon's allegories in this chapter, which are intended to excite mankind to acts of charity, by strong figures, representing the advantages resulting from a benedict disposition of mind, and upon which St. Paul's dissertation in first Cor. 13th chap. is a very instructive comment: But I must observe that Solomon, in this chapter, describes all the benefits resulting from acts of charity to be temporal, agreeable to the functions of the Jewish law; but St. Paul makes them to be spiritual, agreeable to the functions of the christian law.
But suppose this text contains a description of the condition of mankind in a future state, will it not, in this case, be an argument against the resurrection of the body? Where the tree falleth there it shall be. Where the body is deposited after death, there it shall be forever, is certainly a more natural inference than that you draw from this text. Especially if you will take along with it the declaration of the same royal preacher, when he says, the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten; for which reason he advises, that whatsoever the hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. From these plain declarations of this writer, we must conclude, with the very learned author of the divine legation of Moses, that Solomon had no knowledge of a future state, of rewards, and punishments. But let this be as it will, the text, where the tree falleth there it shall be, has no concern with this doctrine, which only was brought to light by the gospel.
But once more: There is no room for repentance in the grave. I have seen these words before, but never saw them in the holy scriptures, though I have searched diligently for them. Really, Sir, this is not fair. When you are establishing a doctrine, as contained in the holy scriptures, you should cite the words of scripture themselves, and not pick out words from other authors. But if you suppose that there is no room for repentance in the grave, and found your supposition upon Solomon's declarations, before taken notice, the observations I have made upon those declarations may serve as an answer to your supposition, till you prove that the scripture declares expressly that there is no room for repentance in the grave. In the mean time I will leave this hypothesis with you: There is no room for repentance in the grave to avoid the punishments to be inflicted upon sinners for sins committed in this life; but that doth not infer that there is no room for repentance in Geenna to be relieved from punishments actually inflicted upon sinners for sins committed in this life. Every man's work (saith St. Paul) shall be made manifest; it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is. If any man's work abide, he shall receive a reward; if any man's work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be delivered; yet so as through fire.
But I cannot yet take my leave of this excellent paragraph, in which you have so eminently displayed your abilities as an accomplished Divine. Our Saviour says he that believeth not shall be damned, and shall never see life, and does not say himself that his blood was shed for ALL, but for MANY. Let me try whether this is found divinity.
The scriptures expressly declare that in Adam ALL die; that by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon ALL men, for that ALL have sinned. But Christ's blood was not shed for ALL, but for MANY; therefore ALL that Christ's blood was not shed for will not be made alive; therefore will not be raised from the dead; therefore will not be judged; therefore there will be no condemnation of the wicked; therefore no future punishment.
Here the major proposition is true; and if the minor, which contains your doctrine, is as true, the conclusions are necessary consequences. But whether the divinity is found I submit to the Orthodox Layman to determine. It is, without doubt, contrary to the second article of our church, which I sincerely declare, is, in my opinion, one of the most essential articles of christianity. Sir, I will not employ my time in confuting a doctrine which every person, who understands the first principles of christianity, must know to be contrary to the scriptures. A single text
from St. Paul's epistle to the Romans, 5th chap. 18th verse, is sufficient to confute it. As, by the offence of one, death came upon ALL men unto condemnation, so, by the obedience of one, the free gift came upon ALL men to justification of life; for, as by one man's disobedience MANY were made sinners, so by the obedience of one MANY shall be made righteous. Here it is evident the term MANY must relate to all mankind individually, who were ALL made sinners by the disobedience of Adam, and shall all be made righteous by the obedience of Christ.
Your mistake, if it deserves so mild a reprehension, proceeds from your following our English version, and not attending to the force of the Greek words (to peri pollon) in the original text, which signify the MULTITUDO, or collective body of mankind. The prophet Daniel says, MANY of them that sleep in the dust shall awake, some to æternian life, and some to shame, and æternian contempt; but will any man, who believes the scriptures, deny, upon the authority of this text, the GENERAL resurrection from the dead? The objection, therefore, that Christ's blood was not shed for ALL, but for MANY, is frivolous and antisciptural. It hath been long ago observed, by Theodoret, that the word MANY implies ALL mankind. I wonder, therefore, that a person, who, from his frequent mention of the antient fathers, must be intimately acquainted with them, should suffer this passage of Theodoret to escape him.
I am now to take my leave of you; but if, upon a review of your letters, I discover any thing unanswered that is really worthy my notice, I promise you to examine it, though not in a letter; for I must discontinue my correspondence with you, as the natural warmth of my temper may, perhaps, urge me to return your injudicious language. I with you, very sincerely, health and happiness, and bid you farewell. A CHRISTIAN LAYMAN.
An ORIENTAL TALE. By VOLTAIRE.
AT some distance from Bagdad a dervise, remarkable for his sanctity of life, quietly spent his time in an agreeable solitude. The neighbouring inhabitants, that they might not be omitted in his prayers, thronged daily to carry him presents and provisions. The holy man was incessantly returning thanks to the Almighty for the benefits his providence was continually showing upon him. "O Allah! said he, how ineffable is thy goodness towards thy servants! How unworthy am I of the favours which thou heapest upon me! O King of Heaven! O Father of nature! What language can express, what words can justly celebrate, thy munificence, and thy paternal care! O Allah! how infinite are thy mercies towards the children of men!"
Penetrated with gratitude, this hermit made a vow to undertake, for the seventh time, the pilgrimage to Mecca. The war subsisting between the Persians and the Turks did not cause him to delay the execution of this pious enterprise. Relying on Providence, he began his journey, and, under the inviolable protection of his venerable habit, he passed through detachments of the enemies troops. So far from being molested, he received marks of respect and veneration from the soldiers of both parties. At length, fatigued with his journey, he sought an asylum where he might shelter himself from the scorching rays of the sun. He found it in the refreshing shade of a cluster of palm trees, at the feet of which ran a limped and murmuring stream. In this delightful solitude, the peace of which was interrupted with only the purling streams, and the concerts of the feathered choir, this worthy man not only found an enchanting retreat, but also a delicious repast. He had only to lift up his hand to gather dates, and other agreeable fruits; the stream furnished him with the means of slaking his thirst, and presently a verdant carpet of nature invited him to a sweet repose. When he awoke, after performing the sacred ablution, he offered up his prayers and thanksgivings, and, in a transport of devotion, cried, "O Allah! how infinite are thy mercies towards the children of men!" Refreshed with food and repose, he cheerfully pursued his journey. As he went along, he beheld, on all sides, a most delightful country, which presented to his view nothing but fertile lands, enamelled meadows, and trees almost sinking under the weight of their fruit. Affected at so glorious a sight, he did not cease to adore the rich and liberal hand of Providence, which was every where extended for the happiness of the human race. Going on a little further, he found some rugged and barren mountains; but when he arrived at the top of them, the most hideous spectacle appeared; his soul shuddered at it. He saw an extensive plain entirely desolated by fire and sword; he saw the earth covered with no less than an hundred thousand dead bodies. Eagles, vultures, ravens, and wolves, greedily devoured the carcasses that were thus strewed upon the plain. This horrible sight threw the old pilgrim into a deep reverie: Heaven, by especial favour, had taught him to understand the language of beasts. He heard a wolf, who was gorging some of the human flesh, in his excess of joy, cry out, "O Allah! how infinite are thy mercies towards the children of wolves! By an effect of thy divine providence, which extendeth over all thy creatures, these detestable men, these destroyers of our species, have murdered each other, to furnish us with a delicious repast. O Allah! how infinite are thy mercies towards THE CHILDREN OF WOLVES!"
L O N D O N, April 23. THURSDAY morning a male child was found in a hand basket among the stones in Moorfields, very cleanly dressed, and a ticket pinned to it with these words: "Poverty is the reason I leave this my babe, for some christian to do better by it than I can. His name is Thomas."
Letters from Paris, dated May 14, say, the body of marine officers, in a Council held at Brest the 13th of January last, demanded permission of his Majesty to erect in that city, a statue of the King. His Majesty has accepted of this mark of respect, but at the same time informed that body, that he would, at his own expence, place about it the busts of such marine deceased officers as have made themselves famous by their actions, and has in consequence sent orders to the Commandant and Intendant of the Porte for that purpose.
By a Dutch ship just arrived from the East Indies, an account is received, that the French are making very great preparations at the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon, and that numbers of fresh troops have arrived there lately from Europe.
Extract of a letter from Venice, April 20.
The frigate of war named the Vigilant is arrived off Cape Istria, and will enter this port tomorrow. She has on board the Proveditor General of Corfou, Pierre Querini, who is seized by order of the Senate, in consequence of a complaint from the Porte to our ambassador at Constantinople, for his having furnished the Russians with warlike stores, &c. The Grecian, his secretary, who transacted these matters for him, and who was seized and put in irons, has found means to escape, with all the papers relative to his master's transactions, so that it will be a difficult matter to find the Proveditor guilty."
A popular preacher took occasion on Sunday morning, in the course of his sermon, to reflect with great severity upon fraudulent bankrupts. Though the discourse proved a mental feast to some of the congregation, others did not scruple to censure those passages evidently pointed at an individual, alleging that personalities come with a very ill grace from the pulpit.
Friday evening, amidst a very brilliant circle at Ranelagh, two very singular characters made their appearance; the one in a foreign uniform sky blue, turned up with scarlet, with a prodigious large epaulette, and the rest of his dress perfectly a la militaire! The other, who accompanied him, was a genteel stripling, quite in the Parisian stile, whose hat was ornamented with a large white cockade. After displaying their figures for some time, and occasioning much enquiry among the company, the former was discovered to be Mr. —, well known for his exploits last winter amongst the desperadoes called Mohocks, and the other to be the celebrated Mademoiselle d'E—, in boys cloaths, who lately eloped with him from a convent near St. Cloud.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 22.
We are sorry that it is propagated in several parts of the country that the flux rages so violently in this city as to prove fatal to six or seven of its inhabitants daily. To remove any apprehension, therefore, we with the utmost pleasure assure our readers that there is no foundation in such report, and that what gave rise to it is only a disorder incident to children after having had the measles.
Died suddenly, at the house of Mr. John Barkerville, the Reverend Mr. M'Laurin, Rector of Southampton, in the county of Cumberland, as he was returning home from one of his churches.
A correspondent says that there is more wheat made, throughout the colony, this year, than has been made in one season since Virginia has been settled.
The Jenny, Kerr, the Betsey, Ramsay, from Glasgow, and the Christie, Lee, from Greenock, are arrived in James river.
To be SOLD, by auction, at Prince George courthouse, on Tuesday the 14th of September, being court day,
A VALUABLE TRACT of LAND, lying on Warwick Swamp, in said county, being the unimproved moiety of the tract on which Mr. John Thompson, jun. now lives, containing about 792 acres, and will be sold altogether, or in parcels, as may suit the purchasers; also a small piece, adjoining the former, containing 60 acres. Credit will be allowed till the 1st of January, 1775, on giving bond and approved security. These lands were formerly in dispute between Capt. John Thompson and his son John, but they have both joined in conveying them to me; so that the title is now indisputable. Any person desirous of purchasing may see the lands by applying to Mr. Nathaniel Harrison, of Sussex, near the premises. WILLIAM GOOSLEY.
THE brig LIGHTFOOT, Capt. DUNSLEY, will sail from London for York river about the 1st of October next; I shall be obliged to those Gentlemen, ordering goods out about that time, for their freight. WILLIAM GOOSLEY.
For SALE, at Prince Edward August court, A TRACT of LAND in said county, containing about 300 acres, and is the place where Miller Woodson formerly kept store. There are on it all necessary buildings, together with a good storehouse and dwellinghouse. The terms may be known on the day of sale. I have also for sale the tract of land, formerly advertised, where Archibald M'Nabb kept store, and about ten acres of land in Chester town, known by the name of Booker's Point. Likewise two or three remarkable fine house servants, several articles of household furniture, and a quantity of dry goods, on reasonable terms. PATRICK HUNTER.
JUST imported, in the London, Capt. Moses Robertson, from London, a cargo of well assorted GOODS, suited for the setting out a new store. They are to be disposed of, at a moderate credit, by the advertiser. Letters conveyed to Mr. James Mills at Urbanna, or to Mr. A. Ritchie at Hobb's Hole, will be attended to by JOHN MILLS.
FAIRFAX, July 13, 1773.
THE subscriber has a neat assortment of EUROPEAN and INDIA GOODS, which he will lump off cheap for ready money, tobacco, credit, or bond, with interest from the date, and approved security. GEORGE MASON.
GEORGE the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. To the sheriff of York county, greeting: We command you that you summon George Chaplin to appear before our Justices of our court of our said county in chancery, at the courthouse of the said county, on the third Monday in August next, to answer a bill in chancery, exhibited against him by James Anderson; and this he shall in no wise omit, under the penalty of 100l. and have then there this writ. Witness Thomas Everard, clerk of our said court, the 20th day of July, and in the 13th year of our reign. THOMAS EVERARD.

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.
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 indentured 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 .
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 .
THEREBY 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 for 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 2929 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 thirty 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 Ragsdale, 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 Pucketts, 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 Ibell, 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 here give notice that it will be continued from day to day till the whole can be completed.
MATTHEW MARABLE .
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.
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.
FOR SALE, THE tenement at present occupied by Captain James Gunn, in that part of the town of Richmond called Shockoe, 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.

L O N D O N, May 4. THE following was the advice of one of the wisest tyrants of antiquity to his son, concerning absolute Monarchy, and may be read with advantage even to the weakest Monarch alive, on a supposition he will permit it: "Take the advice of one who hath long since repented of a tyranny, assumed not voluntarily, but through necessity; the advice of one who hath tried both states, and knows it better to be governed than to govern; for the subject freed from all other cards, is afraid of the tyrant only. The tyrant dreads both the foreign conspirator, and the domestic traitor; for, amongst a thousand terrors and misfortunes, his own guards are first, and most of all to be feared. Reflect seriously therefore on the kind counsel of a father; let no man exceed you in merit, and leave empire, with all its perpetual dangers and disquietudes, to your enemies and their posterity. If, after all, you have the weakness to think a life like mine hath any thing in it pleasing or desireable, and is not rather full of calamity and distress, be assured it is an error; attribute it to your ignorance, and pray to God you may never experience the fortune of a tyrant."
A correspondent says it is a fact that his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland will, in future, try his competitions in another element, with more propriety, in the character of an Admiral, than a rider of the turf; and that all his conquests henceforward will be achieved under the auspices of Neptune.
A correspondent says he read an article in our paper a few days ago that a Lady of quality, at the west end of the town, discharged her steward for exacting a quarterly fine on the payment of her Ladyship's tradesmen's bills. If this good and salutary rule was observed by all the Nobility, it would, in a great measure, be a means of lowering the exorbitant price of provisions; for the industrious tradesmen are unavoidably obliged to sell their commodities at an extravagant price, to reimburse themselves from this burthensome tax. There is, continues our correspondent, a Nobleman's steward who was lately an apothecary in town, but for some secret services got promoted, and now resides within one hundred miles of Middleham, in Yorkshire, who levies a fine on all his Lordship's tenants that omit paying their rent on the day it becomes due. This son of Galen, by his arbitrary and extraordinary mode of proceeding, has often reduced many of the poor tenants to the utmost distress, and very frequently they are obliged, to save their lives, to dispose of their stock at an under value, as this unreasonable Mr. Glisterpipe measures his fines according to the length of time that elapses after the rent becomes due, before payment is made. The writer of this article hopes it may be received as a warning, and stop the further progress of this act of oppression, otherwise he declares a more particular account of such infamous conduct shall be given.
Yesterday morning one Fountain, a sheriff's officer, arrested a Gentleman at his house in Manchester Buildings, Westminster; but he immediately, with a large knife, stabbed the officer in the belly. Fountain, notwithstanding this, though his bowels came out, held the Gentleman fast, and dragged him into the street, where he got assistance. Mr. West, of Derby street sewed up the wound, and he was sent to the Westminster Infirmary, with little hopes of recovery. The Gentleman is now in Newgate.
There never was known a greater scarcity of seamen, in the memory of the oldest man living, than at present; the major part of our brave tars, rather than starve, having been obliged to enter into foreign service.
A caution against one D——, who makes a practice of hiring himself into Gentlemen's service for the sole purpose of robbing them. This fellow lately went to a Nobleman, at the west end of the town, who he heard wanted a valet de chambre, and offered himself, telling the Nobleman he might learn his character of a Gentleman who lodged in the city, with whom he had lived some years. The Nobleman accordingly went to the house referred to, where he found a Gentleman having his hair dressed by two friseurs, and upon acquainting him with the reason of his visit, received such a character of the servant as gave him entire satisfaction. It is now time to acquaint the reader that this Gentleman was no other than the person who had offered himself as valet de chambre to the Nobleman, by whom, however, he was not recognized, having been so effectually disguised by the friseurs. The sharper (then casting off the Gentleman) again waited upon the Nobleman as a servant, and, being hired, completed his villainous scheme the next night, by robbing, with the assistance of his accomplices, the house of plate and other articles, to a very considerable amount.
The comedy of the Chances, according to Mr. Garrick's alteration from the Duke of Buckingham, was performed on Wednesday night at Drury Lane theatre before their Majesties. It is said this comedy was played at the request of her Majesty. Mr. Garrick exerted himself much; but in nothing did he please the audience more than in a very just compliment he paid to her Majesty. Frederick having rallied his friend John (Mr. Garrick) on attaching himself to a woman of loose character, and who was not likely to amend, the latter replied: "But example may do much; especially when the greatest is the best woman in the nation!"
In a letter from a friend in the country we have the following remarkable instance of the voracity of the pike or jack: A fisherman on the Isis was some time since taking a view of his gins and nets in the river, when he observed something like a long fish floating on the top of the water near the bank. With a pole he soon got it to land, and discovered two jacks of more than a pound each, the lesser of which had the head of the other, which was a quarter of a pound heavier, in its mouth. The fish intended to be devoured was not quite dead, but its enemy was.
Should France be involved in a war, General PAOLI, it is said, will undoubtedly have Corsica delivered into his hands again.
Last night about five o'clock, an apprentice of Mrs. Wheedon, a pastry cook, opposite Serjeants Inn, Fleet Street, supposed in a sudden fit of a phrensy, cut out his bowels, and immediately after cut his throat, and instantly expired.
The common people at present hate one another for the injury they reciprocally do one another; the great are odious to them for the ill they do, and the good they do not; they think them responsible for their obscurity, poverty and misfortunes.
It is a fact that no silk was ever made in North America worth five shillings the yard; nor is the woollen manufacture in much greater perfection. [Authentic intelligence this, no doubt!]
We are sorry to revive those generous unavailing feelings which the general consternation at the Duke of Gloucester's illness whilst abroad gave convincing proofs of, and from appearances we might have judged his Majesty (in whose breast so many virtues reign) had felt the tie of nature, and lamented, even more than the public, the approaching loss of so amiable a man. A short scene soon convinced the sensibility of this worthy Prince how little influence brotherly affection had over Scotch politics. But let it not be said of Englishmen that virtue sinks unlamented in the grave; the Duke of Gloucester shall be a name respected by this as well as future ages:
When statesmen, heroes, Kings, in dust repose, Whole sons shall blush their fathers were their foes!
A certain person not quite so far as the Antipodes from Exeter Change, Strand, being weary of the slow profits derived from an honest trade, and a leather apron, thought it a more expeditious way to get a fortune to study the law. He accordingly became a student at the Temple, and having performed his qui-quantum there, sallied forth, armed at all points, with that most noble science of defence. He immediately determined, by way of coup d'essai , not to pay his rent, and, not content with that, he also thought proper to insult the Gentleman who demanded it. For this being waited on for a proper explanation, he was (what could hardly be expected in a lawyer) rather bashful on the occasion, and with great modesty declined an interview; on which he was poled all about the Temple and the inns of court. He was then sued, was cast, paid his rent, paid costs, and has at length, to his great surprise, discovered that law is not a science by which property may be invaded, but by which property is secured.
A company of players, we hear, are going over to Calais to perform the ensuing summer, having had some very good proposals made them for that purpose. They will, no doubt, meet with good encouragement, there being so many English people settled there.
The last advices from the other side of Styx say the passage boats have lately arrived there deeply laden with duellists, customhouse officers, fiddlers, gamblers, priests, players, whores, attorneys, old maids, methodists, jews, and such common commodities.
Some few days after the unexpected rejection of the provision bill, an elderly man having expressed an ardent desire to several Gentlemen in the lobby of the House of Commons for only a sight of a certain Assembly sitting, which, through the extreme courtesy of a member, was at length obtained for him. On being asked how he liked them, he said he was ravished at such a grand appearance of fine men, and that now he was satisfied, and should die in peace; and now, added he, I will instantly go home and work for them. On being asked what trade he was, he replied, in a low voice, a halter maker.
At Shrewsbury fair on Saturday the 20th instant a remarkable fine bull belonging to Thomas Mytton, Esquire, of Shipton, in that county, was shewn for sale; his amazing magnitude rendered him a prodigy, and was allowed to be the finest beast that ever appeared in any market. Being weighed in the machine, he proved to be upwards of 33 cwt. which was 15 cwt. more than the heaviest beast that had ever been weighed in the same machine.
Last night an incredible number of persons attended very early at the doors of Covent Garden theatre, to see Mrs. Yates play the character of Margaret of Anjou, in the tragedy of the Earl of Warwick, for Mr. Smith's benefit. When the hour of admission was come, the crowd was so pressing that much mischief was done, and many things lost by the eagerness to push in, which every one expressed. Those who were wise enough to draw back and stand aloof, were not a little diverted at the humour of the scene. The thick tailed Macaronies had their clubs untied, and their flowing locks and crimson faces made them resemble a parcel of furies; on the other hand, the womens caps, cloaks, and handkerchiefs, were torn off; some screamed, some laughed, and some cried. Many were drawn out of the piazza passage over the wall into the adjoining gardens by their hair, and some by their legs; in short, the confusion was equally general and ridiculous; nor was the bustle confined to the good folks who were candidates for places in the pit and galleries; the genteeler sort, who came to the boxes, also mobbed in very strenuously; many, dressed in diamonds and the finest laces, strove with Amazonian perseverance to get admission; the door keepers had hard work to secure the places that were taken; one of them struck a Gentleman, and got well basted for his insolence; at length the curtain drew up, and the first act was gone through without the audience hearing a syllable; in the second, the house was more quiet, and the rest of the play was tolerably well heard. Mrs. Yates received the greatest applause; she never played better in her life. After the tragedy, Mr. Garrick's epilogue was delivered by Mrs. Yates with characteristic humour. Before the farce began, Mr. Smith stepped forward, and thanked the public in general, and the audience of the night in particular, for all their favours. The pit was almost wholly laid into the boxes, and the first receipt of the house amounted to 313l.
A correspondent has sent us the following as a fact: Last Sunday afternoon the clerk of a certain chapel not an hun-
dred miles from John Street, Bedford Row, after making too free with the juice of the all potent grape at dinner, and being rather fatigued from the vocations of his profession the preceding evening, fell asleep during the sermon, and did not awake till the organ was playing the last voluntary. The sound of the organ, it is supposed, rather disturbed him, and he, being probably in a dream, began singing, Ye Warwickshire lads and ye lassies .
The prevalence of fashion, or the cobler become bankrupt. A noted cobler in the city took it into his head to be as fashionable as his neighbours, which was, as he himself explained it, to become a bankrupt. Accordingly he shut himself up in his stall, where, ere long, his reverie was interrupted by a Gentleman's servant, who came for his master's boots. Solitary Crispin gave no answer for a considerable time; till having reason to fear rough proceedings from without, he bid the servant go and tell his master that, like many of his brother cits, he had made himself a bankrupt. The servant was highly diverted at the oddity of the whim; but, nevertheless, cried aloud for the boots, which were refused by the cobler. "I tell you," says he, "you cannot have them, for I am broke." At length, however, Robert beginning to be apprehensive of his master's displeasure at his long absence, was proceeding in earnest to help himself by violence; when the irritated cobler threw open the door of his habitation, and thus exclaimed: "You are an impertinent blockhead to keep dunning me in this manner, when I told you, over and over again, I am a bankrupt; however, since you will force me to a dividend so soon, I will be honest; I shall pay ten shillings in the pound, and so (hurling it at his head) there is one of the boots for you."
Monday was determined on the artillery ground the grand walking match between one Hill, a drover, and Ben, the famous Sufsex drover, who were to walk 30 miles round the above place for a wager of 20 guineas a side, the first comer in the winner, which was performed by Hill in one hour and 55 minutes, who won by about half the circumference of the ground, the whole walk being about 12 miles.
We hear from Bristol that one Medlicott, lately executed at Hereford, although he denied to the Clergyman who attended him that he knew any thing of the murder of Mr. Saunders, of Stevenston, near Ludlow, just as he was turning off, lifted up his hands, and with great fervency said "O Lord, pardon me for helping to murder Saunders!"
The further putting off the consideration of the East India affairs to Monday next leaves no room to doubt of our motive for the call of the House on that day. Certain Nabobs, we hear, are seized with the horrors.
May 8. Letters from Madrid, which arrived yesterday, declare that his Catholic Majesty was determined to persevere in the fitting out the present Spanish armament, and that he had given a very hostile answer to the last courier from Great Britain.
Advices from the Lower Rhine inform that the principal cause of the rupture at Bucharest was a demand which the Russians made of the two ports of Kerche and Jenikale, upon the sea of Zebacha. This the Ottoman's refused, because these ports are of the utmost importance to them.
The French Ministry have come to a resolution to recal all the Corsicans who keep themselves sequestered in the mountains, and who have not yet submitted to France, by flattering them with a free pardon for rebellion, and with very lucrative immunities.
The celebrated Mademoiselle Clairon, who lately quit the French stage, is gone to Russia. Some think that she has undertaken this journey merely out of curiosity, while others pretend to be assured that she is engaged to play at the theatre of Petersburg.
We hear from Windsor that a great personage near that town has for some time past totally neglected his pursuits on the turf, and applied himself with so much industry to gardening, that he works frequently four hours a day in the open air; a practice in which he not only imitates some of the first heroes of antiquity, but will greatly contribute to the preservation of his health, which was lately said to be on the decline.
Yesterday General Montague and his Lady set out from his house in Grosvenor Square for Ireland.
In the course of the last fortnight upwards of twenty general officers have set out to join their regiments in Ireland, among whom are the Lords Ligonier, Percy, and Ferrers.
It is said that a certain distinguished Nabob has expended no less than the sum of 70,000l. in exonerating himself from the charge brought against him.
Sir H—— E——, who lately possessed a fortune of 16,000l. per annum, has, by living in what is called the Great Style at Paris, found means to dissipate the greatest part of his effects, and is now in the custody of the marshals in that metropolis.
A subscription has been opened for the above unfortunate Gentleman at a fashionable club in St. James's Street, each member of which has contributed five and twenty guineas; the whole subscription, we are told, already amounts to 950 guineas.
A principal character at Newmarket has lately met with such losses that he has been in a deploring way for several days past, and, as we are assured, is now become insolvent.
Orders are sent to the Governors of Jersey and Guernsey for those islands to be forthwith put in a proper state of defence, and for the crown engineers to take draughts thereof.
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.

A MEETING of the OHIO COMPANY is desired at Stafford courthouse on Tuesday the 27th of August next, on business of the utmost importance.
GEORGE MASON , Treasurer.
For $44 E. and to be entered at Christmas next.
A TRACT containing about 600 acres of LAND, on Turkey creek, in Hanover county, adjoining Goochland county line, on which is a dwellinghouse and other houses, and about 200 acres of cleared land, well fenced; the soil is very agreeable for wheat and tobacco, and lies more level than most of the land in the neighbourhood. The times of payment will be made easy to the purchaser. If I should not agree for the sale before Tuesday the 17th day of August next, I shall then attend at the plantation, to receive proposals for leasing or renting the same. I have also for sale a young Negro WOMAN, who has been used to attend in a family, can wash, iron, and spin well; she can also read, and writes an extraordinary hand, is extremely sensible, and I believe, without exception, is as capable of being a good servant as any in the colony.
WILLIAM POLLARD.
DUMFRIES, July 12, 1773.
ALL persons indebted to Messrs. William Craufurd, Thomas Dunmon, and company, for dealings with Mr. Edward Conner, deceased, and Mr. William Craufurd at Alexandria, are desired to make immediate payment to the subscriber, who is properly empowered to receive and give acquittances for any sums of money due them. As a sufficient indulgence has already been given, it must be expected that I shall close those old accounts in the most expeditious manner. The books and papers are now with me at Dumfries; and to make it more convenient for those at a distance, I shall attend Fairfax court in the months of August and September, after which time suits will be ordered against every one indebted to the said company. I am also empowered to receive the debts due to Mr. William Craufurd, jun. for lumping parcels of goods sold by him.
WILLIAM CARR.
THIS is to give notice that the RACES at Aquia, in Stafford county, on the second Thursday in September, are still continued. The first day's purse is for FIFTY POUNDS , and the next day's purse will be for TWENTY POUNDS . Those Gentlemen who intend to start horses for either of the above purses are desired to enter them the day before the race with Charles Tyler, who keeps the tavern lately kept by Mr. Yelverton Peyton. It is hoped every Gentleman will bring proper certificates of his horse's age, as they will carry weight for age.
THE subscriber having lately purchased a tract of land, in Chesterfield, of James Vest, of the county of Bedford, containing 312 acres, for the consideration of 140l. currency; 40l. of which paid in hand, and two bonds, executed the 2d instant, for 50l. each, payable in December and March, being the balance thereof; I hereby give this public notice, that I will not pay either of them, as I find myself deceived by Mr. Vest, who has sold lands he had not the least right to, and therefore forewarn all persons from taking an assignment of them.
THOMAS STRATTON.
RUN away from the subscriber, in Westmoreland county, on the 20th of June, two servant men, viz. WILLIAM WALKER , alias SMITH , a convict, and came into this country in the Scarfdale , Capt. Reid, in 1771; he is about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, slim made, of a brown complexion, has blackish hair, blue eyes, thin face, and a remarkable swing in his walk, his voice is coarse, and had a bad cough when he went away, is a gardener by trade, loves liquor, has been severely whipped before Magistrates, and this is the third time of his running away; had on, and took with him, kersey and cotton jackets and breeches, check, white, and oznabrish shirts, and sailor's clothes, and will attempt to pass for a sailor. THOMAS PUTRELL , an indentured servant, came in, last April, in the Liberty , Capt. Rayson, and is a thick, well made man, of a fair complexion, has brown hair, which curls in his neck, round faced, hazel eyes, speaks quick, can read, write, and keep accounts, is a butcher by trade, understands gardening and farming, is extremely handy, and has been 14 months on board a man of war; had on, and took with him, a brown cloth coat, second mourning jacket, black breeches, grey worsted stockings, white, check, and oznabrish shirts, butcher's steel and knife, generally wears quills in his hat, and, as he had sailor's apparel with him, he will endeavour to pass for a sailor. Whoever apprehends the said servants, and brings them to my house, or secures them in any gaol, so that I get them again, shall receive FIVE POUNDS for each. All masters of vessels are forewarned from carrying them out of the colony, or harbouring them.
RICHARD LEE.
RUN away from the subscriber, in Orange county, Virginia, the 20th instant (July) two convict servant men, viz. THOMAS PRUCE , an Englishman, about 5 feet 10 inches high, has red hair, and of a fair complexion; had on a blue striped swan skin waistcoat, brown linen shirt and trousers, new felt hat, and a pair of common shoes. JAMES JONES , a Welchman, of a dark, swarthy complexion, near six feet high, and has black hair; took with him a brown Newmarket coat, a light close bodied ditto, and very dusty, some brown linen shirts and trousers, white thread stockings, new shoes, two worsted caps, and a good hat. Whoever apprehends the said fellows so that we may get them shall have FORTY SHILLINGS for each.
DANIEL SINGLETON, MENOAH SINGLETON.
GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, &c. To the sheriff of Loudoun county, greeting: We command you that you summon Leonard Helm to appear before our Justices of our county court in chancery, at the courthouse of the said county, on the second Monday in June next, to answer a bill in chancery, exhibited against him by Leven Powell, Gentleman; and this he shall in no wise omit, under the penalty of one hundred pounds; and have then there this writ. Witness Charles Binns, clerk of our said court, at the courthouse aforesaid, the tenth day of May, in the thirteenth year of our reign.
CHARLES BINNS.
WARWICK, July 12, 1773.
PUBLIC notice is hereby given that the concern carried on under the firm of James and Robert Donald and company is to be dissolved the 1st of September next, and that all the debts due to their stores on the south side of James river will be collected by Mr. Patrick Hunter, to whom all persons indebted are requested to make payment; and those who have any demands against the said company are desired to apply to him, that they may be discharged. The store at Warwick, at Elam's, in Chesterfield, and a store in Prince Edward, will be continued (though to a smaller extent) under the firm of Robert Donald, junior, and company, and under my management.
ROBERT DONALD.
TAKEN up, in Mecklenburg, a dark bay horse, branded on the off shoulder PL in a piece, a large star in his forehead, a snip on his nose, and had on a small bell, branded N. Posted, and appraised to 8l.
ROWLAND GOOCH.
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 oznabrish 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 Potowmack 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.
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.
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.
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.
FREDERICKSBURG, June 22, 1773.
I INTEND for England shortly. ELIZABETH MIDDLETON.
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 leafed 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.
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, Ross, 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.
FOR SALE.
SEVERAL valuable tracts of land, adjoining each other, on both sides of Chappawamsick 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 fish-pond, 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.
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.
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.