The Virginia gazette (Williamsburg, Va.), 1774-09-15 00:00:00

VIRGINIA
GAZETTE.
OPEN TO ALL PARTIES,
BUT INFLUENCED BY NONE.
WILLIAMSBURG: PRINTED BY
CLEMENTINA RIND.
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PHOCION'S LETTER to the KING.
WHEN a subject from your majesty's once happy American dominions shall dare to advance to your throne, such has he to encounter. The prejudices in your royal breast will divert your attention, and cast an unpropitious bias on the natural honesty of your mind. A prince surrounded by adulating courtiers, and flattering favourites, may be expected to receive, with ungracious mien, the humble application of obscurity; but I mean, nevertheless, to attempt the passage, and force an entry to your royal ear. You have been bred up under the courtly influence of that ill framed sentiment that the king can do no wrong; and when the measures of your government have been odious to your people, their modesty of opinion, and reverence of royalty, have taught them to level at your majesty through the heart of your minister. The virulence of faction, as courtiers are pleased to term it, has ever spent its force on your servants, and kept a respectful distance from your royal person; but the times, may it please your majesty, call for more explicitude of sentiment; and ungrateful as the address may prove to an English monarch, a subject will now boldly introduce himself to your royal presence, and tell you truths, which, though they may be unpleasing to hear, are necessary for you to know. Your ministry I shall release, and charge on your majesty alone the execution of measures which promise to disgrace your government, and disturb your throne.
Know, royal fire, that your station at the head of a mighty empire is an appointment under Heaven, for the happiness of the people, and that whenever you consent to the exercise of a power that will distress your subjects, that hour you pervert the end and intention of your government, and weaken the supports of royalty. Your subjects, royal fire, have a title to happiness equal with their sovereign, and will dare to tell you so whenever you attempt to deprive them of it.
It is your majesty's singular fortune to be placed at the head of an empire, which, for splendour and extent, will probably exceed all the nations of the globe; but by the strange fatality of your genius, I fear you are about to reduce a set of loyal, generous subjects, to the dread alternative of opposition to your parliament, or disgraceful slavery. What glowing honours can your majesty wish to derive from ruling a nation of slaves? Or what mighty achievements do you expect to perform against a people above three thousand miles distant, who are nearly half the number of your subjects in Britain? Distress them I confess you may, but conquer their opinions you cannot, though all the choicest flower of your youth, and the stern vigour of age, should embark in the unjust and unnatural cause. Why, then, will your majesty persist in an attempt which will involve ruin on innocent thousands abroad, and so weaken your government at home, that your majesty and your royal line may soon be no more at the event, an event which your inveterate enemies will avail themselves of with joy.
Your parliament, it is true, give a seeming sanction to the nation for your conduct, but as sole head, and ultimate, decisive finisher, of their proceedings, to you we look for protection; you are our sovereign and ruler, and not our fellow subjects in parliament. If they unjustly tempted you with the property of others, the virtue of royalty ought to have rejected the proposal with disdain. Their design seems to have been to wrest our effects into their own hands, in order, thereby, ultimately to preserve their own; and the more effectually to induce your majesty to in the robbery, they have offered you a part of the spoil. It was in your majesty's power to have rejected it, a power which, by every tie of honour and interest, you ought to have exercised. You are not only the formal, but accountable head of government; if your ministers recommend wrong measures, it is all they can do; it is from your majesty alone that they are to receive their essence, and to you, royal fire, and not to them, we look for redress. It is impossible for us to rest satisfied with censuring a minister of state, the mere tool of a day. Our duty to ourselves, our discernment as men, demand of us a closer investigation of the cause of our grievances. We trace them up to the throne, from whence, though they might not originate, they have ultimately issued, nor could they have affected us without your approbation. Your prerogative, as king, invested you with power to suppress the unjustifiable invasions of our fellow subjects the parliament, and we claim it as our unalienable right to step forth with firmness, and prefer our complaints. The ostensible causes of our present uneasiness, such as the revenue acts, extension of the jurisdiction of the courts of admiralty, &c. &c. and the just abhorrence which they have excited in every American breast, long since have reached your royal ear, as they have been echoed from one end to the other of our extensive American dominions, and re-echoed through the British isles. I mean not to animadvert on those acts, but to confine my observations, royal fire, to the later proceedings of your government.
When the news of the unjustifiable outrage in Boston upon the property of the East India company arrived at your court, would it not have been consistent with every idea of natural justice, and consonant to the strict principles of the English constitution, to have cited the offenders to answer the charge? If individuals were not to be found, why was not a demand of restitution made to the town? Had France or Spain insulted your kingdom, would you immediately have made reprisals without the formality of a complaint? No; we know you would not. Your conduct to the Spaniards when they disputed you of Falkland Islands, and degraded your British flag, at a time when the nation reared at the affront, convince us that you preferred the enjoyment of a prudent peace to the uncertain issue of a bloody war. Why, then, are your own subjects to be treated with less justice, with less humanity?
Let us examine the late American edicts; perhaps we may there discover the cause: Your first act, called the Boston port bill, after depriving the town of its trade, and thereby involving the innocent with the guilty, winds up with a clause empowering your majesty virtually to repeal the said act by proclamation, with the reservation to your majesty, your heirs, and successors, of the right "to assign and appoint the extent, bounds, and limits, of the port or harbour of Boston," and also to appoint "such and so many open places, quays, and wharfs, within the said harbour, creeks, havens, and islands, for the landing, discharging, lading, and shipping, of goods, as you or they shall judge necessary and expedient."
Here the most inattentive observer must discover that the parliament have vested your majesty with the absolute possession of the citadel of that extensive harbour, with power to bestow them on whom you please, for you are not to be informed that the value of landed estates in a trading town arises purely from their situation. Those of Boston have been created and established from an immense expence, but by the late port bill, it is now in your majesty's power to alter their value, by determining where and on whose land the trade of the port shall be carried on; and further, the said act empowers your majesty to remove the trade FOREVER from the said town, and to establish the same in such other parts of the said harbour as your majesty shall think proper, whereby any of your favourites, by purchasing beforehand, at a low rate, such tracts within the said Bay as you shall determine to assign for the "landing, discharging, lading, and shipping, of goods," may become great and mighty landlords to the distress and ruin of the present landed interest of the said town. A clause so big with power to your majesty must certainly alarm the subject. Your favourites, or princes of the blood, if you please, may have vested in them for a trifling consideration the whole lands of a town whose trade must be equal to the town of Boston, unless from a retrospective view of
broken charters and forfeited royal faith, the wretched inhabitants should seek a surer subsistence in other climes.
As the law was designed to punish past crimes, and the conditions of pardon were therein enacted, when those conditions are once complied with, in what page of justice are we to look for the reasons of this cruel reserve? Is it the more effectually to rob you of your peoples love, or to render you more absolute by so vast an acquisition of power? When a judge is to reap benefit from the decision of a cause, the laws of the land require him to descend from the bench; but as the nature of your station, royal fire, denies such a descent to your majesty, ought you not so far to have amended the act in question as to remove every doubt and scruple of your being interested in the event? As it now stands, you have possessed yourself by a cruel edict of the actual property of your innocent subjects; for so long as you deprive an innocent citizen of the right of using his estate, so long you keep an unjustifiable possession of it; a possession, which, in any man less than a king, would be deemed a robbery and a fraud. Though these may be harsh terms to a princely ear, and terms which monarchs but seldom meet with, yet when kings descend to act the unfatherly part of distressing their subjects by affixing the imperial signate to cruel decrees, it will extort the voice of murmur from the mildest breast.
We beseech you, royal fire, to look round your dominions at home, and give one instance of similar exertions of power; similar offences we can find many. Your militia act was opposed with open force; your turn-pike laws have been condemned, and toll-bars broken down; your metropolis has been distracted with mobs and tumults, and your royal person insulted; yet when have you shewn such a keeness of resentment, and such an attack upon the property of innocent individuals? Blush, royal fire, for so unkingly a partiality. We are all equally your subjects, and if preference is due to any, it is to your Americans, men who have never revolted against your family, as your subjects in Britain have done, but are warmly and religiously attached to your interests; and were you, royal fire, to visit your western dominions, you would find amongst them more true reverence and dutiful allegiance to your person and family than in the land which boasts you for their native king. Your guards might be cast off, for every man would vie in protecting you. I will not presume to trespass too long at my first interview; but beseeching you to ponder on the probable event and effect of such a law, I shall beg leave to retire from your royal presence, asking permission to renew my visit at a future day.
FROM THE ST. JAMES'S CHRONICLE.
A new SONG, supposed to have been sung by Goody North, by way of lullaby to the foundling brat, the POPISH QUEBEC BILL. To the tune of "O my Kitten, my Kitten, &c."
O MY baby, my Kitten, And O my baby, my deary, And was its papa asham'd To own its bantering here-e? My dear little popish puppets, So like its dad, lord Butte-e! O naughty papa, to drop it, And the bishops all fit mute-e! Then up with the papists, up, up, And down with the protestants down, down. Here we go backwards and forwards, And all for the good of the crown. And we will have gossips in store, And reverend bishops to bless it; Lord Chatham shall tease it no more. But let my majority dress it: That thou shalt have plenty of clouts, The bishops will tear up lawn sleeves-e; Then be no more, child, in the pouts; Hush, hush, my baby—what grieves-e? Then up with the papists, &c. Then down with the fam'd reformation, Each church, each chapel, and meeting; While I'm overseer of the nation, I'll cherish and foster my sweeting. Then heigh for the fine wooden shoes, And heigh for a cock-horse to ride-e, And heigh for professions and shews, And heigh for a Smithfield fireside-e. Then up with the papists &c. Then heigh for the penance and pardons, And heigh for the faggots and fires, And heigh for the popish churchwardens, And heigh for the priests and the friars; And heigh for the rarechev relics, To follow my Canada bill-e, With all the pope's mountebank tricks; So prithee, my baby, lie still-e. Then up with the papists, &c.
FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE.
TO THE LADIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
MY SISTERS AND COUNTRYWOMEN, At a time when the scourge is held up, not over this country only, but all America, and one of our sister colonies now suffering under the iron hand of power, in the general cause of American liberty, and that, too, for a matter which chiefly respects our sex, surely, my sisters, we cannot be tame spectators, when so much remains for us to do, and may be reasonably expected of us. By our persisting hitherto, in the use of the East India tea, we have opposed our friends, and assisted the enemies of America to enslave ourselves and posterity. Let us now make it evident to the world that we have some regard for our country, and our offspring, by joining cheerfully, under the faith of a promise to each other, to forego the use of all foreign tea, as also every kind of East India goods; we shall thereby disappoint our enemies (who no doubt build much on our weakness in this respect) and greatly assist our husbands, brethren, and countrymen, in this their arduous struggle. I am credibly informed that many respectable families in this town have already set the laudable example. Every mistress of a family may prohibit the use of tea and East India goods in her family, and among her children; under the present circumstances, every article from thence is replete with poison, and should be rejected with scorn. No longer let our vanity, ambition, and pride, work in opposition to our countrymen, now labouring to procure us the free enjoyment of the fruits of their industry; but let us rather strengthen their hands by a hearty concurrence with them. Besides, it will probably induce them to forego the use of coins, which are equally pernicious; they will not refuse to pay this compliment to our self-denial, and public virtue. Our children yet unborn call upon us to join with our brethren and countrymen in saving this devoted land. On Heaven alone, and our general unanimity, the salvation of America depends. We have no longer any confidence in the British parliament; we have nothing now to hope from that unholy inquisition but cruelty and injustice. By one act, they rob us of our property, and by another, of our lives. We blush
for such pitiless wretches, who after suffering themselves to be trampled on, and plundered at home, now join the unfeeling herd of court sycophants, to rob and murder millions of brave and loyal Americans, whom they have basely sold. How fallen from their national character! how lost to humanity! The condition of a subject near the throne, when those who should be the guardians and protectors of the rights and liberties of the people, throughout the wide extended dominions of Great Britain, so shamefully betray their trust, and barter the lives and fortunes of their fellow subjects, for places of profit. But it is well if matters rest here; these late acts respecting America seem only a prelude to what they may shortly find will be attempted at home. All their schemes for some time past smell strong of popery; it therefore behoves us to do all we can to avert the impending evil. Should matters come to extremity (as it is too likely they may, from the insolence of a licenced soldiery) I tremble for the consequence. Those who have fathers or brethren, husbands or children, have much to fear; but let not a single wish escape us that they should ever give up the cause, but with their lives. Rather let us perish with them, and be buried together in the ruins of our country; and let our enemies remember, that liberty, as well as religion, will always flourish under persecution.
A PLANTER'S WIFE.
TO THE LADIES OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Dear Ladies, UNITED as we are by interest and affection, we flatter ourselves we need make no apologies for addressing you on this occasion; so far from thinking them necessary, we doubt not you will receive, as a sisterly freedom, the liberty we take in communicating our sentiments to you. Give us leave, in the first place, to condole with you on the unhappy change that a few past years have produced on this extensive continent; our political hemisphere, which, till of late, we have always beheld serenely bright, is now full of clouds, that we much fear will burst in tempests over our heads. We propose not, ladies, to enter into the much agitated subject of American grievances; of this, alas! you will undoubtedly hear too much for your peace of mind. Your husbands, your fathers, and all your dearest friends of the other sex, have no doubt frequently discussed, in your presence, this momentous point; on the determinations of such friends we may all safely rely. Let us then, dear ladies, cooperate with them in their honest endeavours to extricate America from the evils that threaten her. Much, very much, depends on the public virtue the ladies will exert at this critical juncture; permit us, therefore, to exhort you to be firm in withholding luxuries of every kind; but above all, as the most pernicious of all, that you will (as we have universally done) banish India tea from your tables, and in its stead, substitute some of those aromatic herbs with which our fruitful soil abounds. We mean not to boast of the virtue of the Virginian in this arduous trial; they know they do nothing more than their indispensable duty, in the sacrifices they have made, and are further willing to make; neither do we doubt but the good ladies of Pennsylvania will go as far in promoting the general happiness as our countrywomen, or even the ready matrons of Rome ever went, for the public good. In short, we have the fullest dependence that the fair sex of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and of all America, will be so far instrumental in bringing about a redress of the evils complained of, that history may be hereafter filled with their praises, and teach posterity to venerate their virtues. We have the honour to subscribe ourselves your affectionate countrywomen, of Virginia. WILLIAMSBURG, August 7, 1774.
AS many of our readers are much interested in the bill respecting the government of the province of QUEBEC, we have here, without the least mutilation or abridgement, inserted that act. The reader will please to take notice that the words printed within crotchets [ ] denote what was left out by the commons, and those printed within a parenthesis ( ) what have been inserted by them.
A BILL intitled an act for making more effectual provision for the government of the province of QUEBEC, in NORTH AMERICA.
WHEREAS his majesty, by his royal proclamation, bearing date the 7th day of October, in the 3d year of his reign, thought fit to declare the provisions which had been in respect to certain countries, territories, and islands, in America, ceded to his majesty by the definitive treaty of peace concluded at Paris on the 10th day of February, 1763; and whereas, by the arrangements made by the said proclamation, a very large [part of the territory of Canada] (extent of country) within which there were several colonies and settlements of the subjects of France, who claimed to remain therein under the faith of the said treaty, was left, without any provision being made for the administration of civil government therein, and [other] (certain) parts of the [said country] (territory of Canada) where sedentary fisheries had been established and carried on by the subjects of France, inhabitants of the said province of Canada, under grants and concessions from the government thereof, were annexed to the government of Newfoundland, and thereby subjected to regulations inconsistent with the nature of such fisheries: May it therefore please your most excellent majesty, that it may be enacted, and be it enacted by the king's most excellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that all the [said] territories, islands, and countries [heretofore part of the province of Canada] in North America [extending southward to the banks of] (belonging to the crown of Great Britain, bounded on the south by a line from the bay of Chaleurs, along the high lands which divide the rivers that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the sea, to a point in 45 degrees of northern latitude, on the eastern bank of the river Connecticut, keeping the same latitude directly west through the lake Champlain, until, in the same latitude, it meets the river Saint Lawrence; from thence up the eastern bank of the said river to the lake Ontario; thence through the lake Ontario, and the river called Niagara; and thence along by the eastern and south eastern bank of Lake Erie, following the said bank until the same shall be intersected by the northern boundary, granted by the charter of the province of Pennsylvania, in case the same shall be so intersected; and from thence along the said northern and western boundaries of the said province until the said western boundary strike the Ohio; but in case the said bank of the said lake shall not be found to be so intersected, then following the said bank until it shall arrive at that point of the said bank which shall be nearest to the north western angle of the said province of Pennsylvania, and thence by a right line to the said north western angle of the said province, and thence along the western boundary of the said province until it strike) the river Ohio (and along the bank of the said river) westward, to the banks of Mississippi, and northward to the southern boundary of the territory granted to the merchants adventurers of England trading to Hudson's Bay; and [which said] (also all such) territories, islands, and countries [are not within the limits of some other British colony, as allowed and confirmed by the crown, or] which have, since the 10th of February, 1763, been made part of the government of Newfoundland, be, and they are hereby, during his majesty's pleasure, annexed to, and made part and parcel of, the province of Quebec, as created and established by the said royal proclamation of the 7th of October, 1763. (Provided always, that nothing herein contained relative to the boundary of the province of Quebec, shall in any wise affect the boundaries of any other colonies.) (Provided

always, and be it enacted, that nothing in this act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to make void, or to vary or alter any right, title, or possession, derived under any grant, conveyance, or otherwise howsoever, of or to any lands within the said province, or the provinces thereto adjoining, or to that the same shall remain and be in force, and have effect, as if this act had never been made.)
And whereas the provisions made by the said proclamation, in respect to the civil government of the said province of Quebec, and the powers and authorities given to the governor and other civil officers of the said province, by the grants and commissions issued in consequence thereof, have been found, upon experience, to be inapplicable to the state and circumstances of the said province, the inhabitants whereof [amounting] [to] [the] [number] [of] [one hundred] [thousand] [persons] [professing] [the] [religion] [of] [Rome], and enjoying an established form of constitution, and system of laws, by which their persons and property had been protected, governed, and ordered, for a long series of years, from the first establishment of the said province of Canada; be it therefore further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the said proclamation, so far as the same relates to the said province of Quebec, and the commission under the authority whereof the government of the said province is at present administered, and all and every the ordinance and ordinances made by the governor and council of Quebec for the time being, relative to the civil government and administration of justice in the said province, and all commissions to judges and other officers thereof, be, and the same are hereby revoked, annulled, and made void, from and after the 1st day of May, 1775.
And for the more perfect security and ease of the minds of the inhabitants of the said province, it is hereby declared that his majesty's subjects professing the religion of the church of Rome, and in the said province of Quebec [as the same is described in and by the said proclamation and commissions, and also of all the territories, part of the province of Canada, at the time of the conquest thereof, which are hereby annexed], during his majesty's pleasure, to the said government of Quebec] may have, hold, and enjoy, the free exercise of the religion of the church of Rome, subject to the king's supremacy, declared and established by an act, made in the 1st year of the reign of queen Elizabeth, over all the dominions and countries which then did, or thereafter should, belong to the imperial crown of this realm, and that the clergy of the said church may hold, receive, and enjoy, their accustomed dues and rights, with respect to such persons only as shall profess the said religion.
Provided nevertheless, that [nothing herein contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to the disabling] [it shall be lawful for] his majesty, his heirs, or successors [from making] [to make] such provision [out of the rest of the said accustomed dues and rights] for the encouragement of the protestant religion, and for the maintenance and support of a protestant clergy within the said province, as he or they shall, from time to time, think necessary and expedient.
(Provided always, and be it enacted, that no person professing the religion of the church of Rome, and residing in the said province, shall be obliged to take the oath required by the said statute, passed in the first year of the reign of queen Elizabeth, or any other such oaths substituted by any other act in the place thereof, but that every such person, who by the said statute is required to take the oath therein mentioned, shall be obliged, and is hereby required, to take and subscribe the following oath before the governor, or such other person, or in such court of record, as his majesty shall appoint, who are hereby authorized to administer the same:
"I A. B. do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his majesty king George, and him will defend, to the utmost of my power, against all traitorous conspiracies and attempts whatsoever which shall be made against his person, crown, and dignity; and I will do my utmost endeavours to disclose and make known to his majesty, his heirs, and successors, all treasons, and traitorous conspiracies and attempts, which I shall know to be against him, or any of them; and all this I do swear, without any equivocation, mental evasion, or secret reservation, and renouncing any pardons and dispensations from any power or person whomsoever to the contrary. So help me, God."
And every such person who shall neglect or refuse to take the said oath before mentioned shall incur and be liable to the same penalties, forfeitures, disabilities, and incapacities, as he would have incurred, and been liable to, for neglecting or refusing to take the oath required by the said statute, passed in the first year of the reign of queen Elizabeth.)
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that all his majesty's Canadian subjects within the province of Quebec, the religious orders and communities only excepted, may also hold and enjoy their property and possessions, together with all customs and usages relative thereto, and all other their civil rights, in as large, ample, and beneficial manner, as if the said proclamation, commissions, ordinances, and other acts and instruments, had not been made, and as may consist with their allegiance to his majesty, and subjection to the crown and parliament of Great Britain; and that in all matters of controversy relative to property and civil rights, resort shall be had to the laws of Canada (as the rule) for the decision of the same, and all causes that shall hereafter be instituted in any of the courts of justice, to be appointed within and for the said province by his majesty, his heirs, and successors, shall, with respect to such property and rights, be determined [by the judges of the same] agreeably to the said laws and customs of Canada [and the several] [until they shall be varied or altered by any] ordinances that shall, from time to time, be passed in the said province by the governor, lieutenant governor, or commander in chief, for the time being, by and with the advice and consent of the legislative council of the same, to be appointed in manner herein after mentioned.
(Provided always, that nothing in this act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to any lands that have been granted by his majesty, or shall hereafter be granted by his majesty, his heirs, and successors, to be held in free and common socage.)
Provided [always] [also] that it shall and may be lawful to and for every person that is owner of any lands, goods, or credits, in the said province, and that has a right to alienate the said lands, goods, or credits, in his or her lifetime, by deed of sale, gift, or otherwise, to devise or bequeath the same, at his or her death, by his or her last will and testament; any law, usage, or custom, heretofore or now prevailing in the province, to the contrary hereof, in any wise, notwithstanding.
[Provided also, that nothing in this act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to any lands that have been granted by his majesty, or shall hereafter be granted by his majesty, his heirs, and successors, to be held in free and common socage:] [Such will being executed either according to the laws of Canada, or according to the forms prescribed by the laws of England.]
And whereas the certainty and lenity of the criminal law of England, and the benefits and advantages resulting from the use of it, have been sensibly felt by the inhabitants, from an experience of more than nine years, during which it has been uniformly administered; be it therefore further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that the same shall continue to be administered, and shall be observed as law, in the province of Quebec, as well in the description and quality of the offence, as in the method of prosecution and trial, and the punishments and forfeitures thereby inflicted, to the exclusion of every other rule of criminal law, or mode of proceeding thereon, which did or might prevail in the said province before the year of our Lord 1764; any thing in this act to the contrary thereof, in any respect, notwithstanding; subject, nevertheless, to such alterations and amendments, as the governor, lieutenant governor, or commander in chief, for the time being, by and with the advice and consent of the legislative council of the said province, hereafter to be appointed, shall, from time to time, cause to be made therein, in manner herein after directed.
And whereas it may be necessary to ordain many regulations, for the future welfare and good government of the province of Quebec, the occasions of which cannot now be foreseen, nor without much delay and inconvenience, be provided for, without entrusting that authority for a certain time, and under proper restrictions, to persons resident there; and whereas it is at present inexpedient to call an assembly; be it therefore enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that it shall be lawful for his majesty, his heirs, and successors, by warrant under his or their signet, or sign manual, and with the advice of the privy council, to constitute and appoint a council for the affairs of the province of Quebec, to consist of such persons resident there, not exceeding 23, nor less than 17, as his majesty, his heirs, and successors, shall be pleased to appoint; and upon the death, removal, or absence, of any of the members of the said council, in like manner to constitute and appoint such and so many other person or persons as shall be necessary to supply the vacancy or vacancies; which council, so appointed and nominated, or the major part thereof, shall have [full] power and authority to make ordinances for the peace, welfare, and good government, of the said province, with the consent of his majesty's governor, or, in his absence, of the lieutenant governor, or commander in chief, for the time being.
Provided always, that nothing in this act contained shall extend to authorize or empower the said legislative council to lay any taxes or duties within the said province (such rates and taxes only excepted, as the inhabitants of any town or district within the said province, may be authorized by the said council to assess, levy, and apply, within the said town or district, for the purpose of making roads, erecting and repairing public buildings, or for any other purpose respecting the local convenience and economy of such town or district.)
Provided also, and be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that every
ordinance, so to be made, shall, within six months, be transmitted by the governor, or, in his absence, by the lieutenant governor, or commander in chief, for the time being, and laid before his majesty, for his royal approbation; and if his majesty shall think fit to disallow thereof, the same shall cease and be void from the time that his majesty's order in council thereupon shall be promulgated at Quebec.
Provided also, that no ordinance touching religion, or by which any punishment may be inflicted greater than fine, or imprisonment for three months, shall be of any force or effect, until the same shall have received his majesty's approbation.
Provided also, that no ordinance shall be passed, at any meeting of the council (where less than a majority of the council is present, or at any time) except between the 1st day of January and the 1st day of May, unless upon some urgent occasion; in which case every member thereof, resident at Quebec, or within 56 miles thereof, shall be personally summoned by the governor, or, in his absence, by the lieutenant governor, or commander in chief, for the time being, to attend the same.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that nothing herein contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to prevent or hinder his majesty, his heirs, and successors, by his or their letters patent, under the great seal of Great Britain, from erecting, constituting, and appointing, such courts of criminal, civil, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction, within and for the said province of Quebec, and appointing, from time to time, the judges and officers thereof, as his majesty, his heirs, and successors, shall think necessary and proper, for the circumstances of the said province.
(Provided always, and it is hereby enacted, that nothing in this act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to repeal or make void, within the said province of Quebec, any act or acts of the parliament of Great Britain heretofore made, for prohibiting, restraining, or regulating, the trade or commerce of his majesty's colonies and plantations in America; but that all and every the said acts, and also all acts of parliament heretofore made, concerning or respecting the said colonies and plantations, shall be, and are hereby declared to be, in force, within the said province of Quebec, and every part thereof.)
The following act, for the better providing suitable quarters for officers and soldiers in his majesty's service in North America, has passed both houses of parliament, and received the royal assent.
WHEREAS several troops have been entertained whether troops can be quartered in barracks, in case barracks have been provided sufficient for the lodging of all the officers and soldiers within any town, township, city, district, or place, within his majesty's dominions in North America; and whereas it may frequently happen, from the situation of such barracks, that if troops should be quartered therein, they would not be stationed where their presence may be necessary and required: Be it therefore enacted, by the king's most excellent majesty, by and with the advice of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that in such cases it shall be lawful for the persons who now are, or may be hereafter, authorized by law, in any of the provinces within his majesty's dominions in North America, and they are hereby respectively authorized, empowered, and directed, on the requisition of the officer who for the time being has the command of his majesty's forces in North America, to cause any officers or soldiers in his majesty's service to be quartered and billeted in such manner as is now directed by law, where no barracks are provided by the colonies.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that if it shall happen at any time that any officers or soldiers in his majesty's service shall remain within any of the said colonies without quarters, for the space of 24 hours after such quarters shall have been demanded, it shall and may be lawful for the governor of the province to order and direct such and so many uninhabited houses, out houses, barns, or other buildings, as be shall think necessary to be taken (making a reasonable allowance for the same) and made fit for the reception of such officers and soldiers, and to put and quarter such officers and soldiers therein for such time as be shall think proper.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that this act, and every thing herein contained, shall continue and be in force, in all his majesty's dominions in North America, until the 24th day of March, 1776.
From the PENNSYLVANIA JOURNAL.
Mess. BRADFORDS, THE public conduct of the principal officer in the Massachusetts Bay government is likely to be of such dangerous consequences to the liberties of America that every measure should be devised to place it in an obvious light. I have sketched out the enclosed short address to him, which you, as friends to the freedom of the press, are desired to publish in your next Wednesday's paper. A. P.
TO GENERAL GAGE. FROM motives of high regard for my country's happiness, I am induced, among others, to offer a short and friendly address to your excellency. Being an old man, unaccustomed to ceremony, you cannot expect, sir, I can express myself in the language of a courtier; nevertheless, I shall endeavour to speak in the style of a British American.
How far your excellency hath hitherto supported the character of an upright man in private life I am not to enquire, neither shall I have recourse to your catholic manoeuvres at Quebec, or walk the round of your later transactions; other pens may assume the labour. The consideration of your excellency's proclamation, of the 21st of July last, at present, is the more immediate subject of my attention.
You say, sir, that, in humble imitation of your gracious sovereign, who, on his accession to the throne, was pleased to issue his royal proclamation for the encouragement of piety and virtue, and for preventing vice and immorality, you have been influenced to publish one in like manner, exhorting all his majesty's subjects to avoid hypocrisy, and to make the divine law the rule of their conduct, and that the supporters of true religion and good government shall be the fittest objects of your favour. This, sir, to be sure, is pious language, and every good man must with success to such heavenly intentions. Let us enquire how near your excellency hath squared your administration to the tenor of your proclamation, making the fourth command in the catalogue of divine laws, "THOU SHALL NOT LIE," the test of trial. With submission, sir, I ask, where is one instance, since your accession to the Massachusetts Bay government, that your excellency hath rewarded virtue, or conferred honour on the pious and upright man? Were actions to speak, the world must already appear against the truth of your excellency's declarations. Yes, sir, instead of your excellency's contributing towards a general reformation of good manners, and a due submission to the laws of God, I appeal to your conduct, in the appointment of certain men to offices in government, for being the first transgressor of your own proclamation.
The fawning, cringing apologetes, are therein appointed the pious ministers of your vengeance; the men who in reality have the divine laws of God in their view do not appear to be objects of your favour. Instead of admitting them within the pales of your court, they are marked out at the gates as subjects for destruction. You, sir, are the first statesman who hath discernment enough to discover that vice and immorality are degrees in godliness higher in estimation than piety and virtue, and that offenders against the laws of God, in oppressing the innocent, and depriving the poor of bread, are to you the best promoters of good government.
Although you were not born in America, your connection with a fair and most amiable American, surrounded by a beautiful offspring, pledges of your happy union, one would think, will make your excellency's soul shrink, even at the bare idea of being the capital instrument in reducing the aged and the innocent to misery, unknown before in an unconquered nation.
The noble spirit of the Virginians, in the late instructions to their deputies appointed to meet in general congress, have given their sense on part of your excellency's administration, and declared that the issue of your political system will be the destruction of civil society.
Rise, sir, before it is too late, in all the dignity of human nature, and tell our sovereign king GEORGE the third, unawed by parricides or fools, that to execute punishment on a people (part of the British empire) without the distinction of age, sex, innocence, or crimes, is one of the highest characters of a tyrant, and that rather than continue in office, as the reproach of mankind, you will die a martyr to freedom and humanity.
Then will the sons and daughters of America bless your excellency's name while living, and record your virtues in the annals of posterity with veneration. C A T O.
The following is a sketch of lord CHATHAM'S SPEECH on AMERICAN affairs.
MY LORDS, WANT of health has hitherto prevented me from giving my sentiments on the several bills which have come under your consideration with respect to America; I hope I may therefore be indulged in the opportunity of travelling out of the line of the present matter of the day. I shall endeavour to speak with tenderness and caution; I know your lordships cannot bear much. I will be, if possible, void of offence. Was I in Boston, I would say they were wrong to destroy the property of the India company; I say here, you have been the original aggressors. A law is passed which may seal my lips; but were I to speak what I think, and what I know to be constitutional, I would tell you, you have in weakness written a dead letter, you have set up an image which you dare not own, and which the people of America laugh at. I would tell you, you have no right to touch the pocket,
much less the life, of a fellow subject in America. He submits himself to the necessity of your laws relative to trade, and the regulation of a national commerce, because he sees the necessity; he agrees to buy the wool, employ the weaver, and to be measured by the tailor you recommend; but when he has put on his clothes, he says they are his own; he says you shall not have his coat, because he is no longer sure of his waistcoat and breeches.
"My lords, you have lived upon the support and industry of America these 40 years; you have the great materials of commerce, not only cheaper from America than you used to have them from other countries, but you pay for those materials with wrought goods, which over balances the account, and draws from them every shilling they have. This is the great, the solid, the supporting, the salutary contribution which America pays, and which saves this venerable fabric from falling into dust. They will either laugh at or resent your present measures with equal success. If they have coquetry, they will make you sensible of what you lose; if they have recourse to arms, you must be the first, perhaps the only sufferers. You must be undone; they may work out their salvation. I am an old man in public business: My advice arises from experience; it may be worth something. Recall your scanty forces from the wrecks of employment of murder; they are neither able or willing to execute your commands. Be friends with America, for your own interest, and you own safety; you will want her affection when her sword is turned against you. A few ragged Highlanders obliged you to call upon a royal army, and a body of disciplined troops, to save this country. Half a million of brave and desperate men, nursed to arms, must eventually prevail. I have one word for that reverend bench: I want to know how they reconcile it to the true principles of christianity to spill the blood of America like water?"
L O N D O N, June 30.
A SHIP which arrived yesterday from Virginia brings advice, that at Norfolk there had been a meeting of the principal inhabitants in consequence of a letter received from Boston, proposing a general association for not importing goods from Great Britain till the Boston port act be repealed, when, after some debate, it was agreed unanimously that they would pay no regard to any requisition of the Boston relating to associations, as they had behaved so ill, and were dissatisfied in the affair of the last association, and broke through it, as the New York people, and other neighbours, left interested in the dispute, adhered to the articles they had entered into. After this refusal was agreed to, the meeting broke up without doing any other business. As soon as the above account was current, many of the friends of Boston began to lower their credit; and wagers are laid of two to one that the next ships will bring accounts of some concession.
The most intelligent merchants in the Boston trade are of opinion, that if the port of Boston is shut up six months the trade will be irrecoverable, and there is no suffering the act to take place under a three months exclusion from trade, so that they have a ticklish part to act.
Extract of a letter from Plymouth, dated June 28, 10 o'clock: "I have waited till the last moment before the post sets off to give account of an affair perhaps as remarkable as the whole history of gaming produce, viz. the sinking of a vessel in 17 fathom water by a man within it, without any assistance but such as himself could furnish. The wager was, that he was also to remain twelve hours beneath at that depth, then to raise the vessel to the surface again, and himself to be produced alive; such was this extraordinary bet. Mr. Bl---, who is said to have laid it, and several gentlemen, came down here about a week ago; and yesterday (only as an experiment) the vessel was bad round from Caermarthen to off the Eastern King, a point of land almost opposite a fort on Drake's Island, attended only by a boy, and scarcely known to twenty persons; and about two o'clock in the afternoon went down. The people on board the boy say her going down was very swift, and that in about five minutes after, or less, the water seemed to rise and be much agitated. The affair soon got wind; numbers flocked to the Hoe and the point at the Long Rooms, expecting his raising the vessel; however, night came without any appearance of her; several, indeed, whose curiosity was very predominant, stayed all night, others went home, it having been suggested that he would fly to the end of the time fixed by the wager, that is, 12 hours; however, the time arrived, two o'clock this morning, and no signs of the vessel from seven o'clock in the morn to this present time. The whole town of Plymouth, and also of Dock, have been out to wait his coming up, but are disappointed; in short, sir, at this present writing, there is no sort of tidings of the man or vessel, but that several of the launchers from the dockyard have been down sweeping for her, and thought they had got a cable under her, and have thereon, but it broke. They are gone back to the yard for fresh ones and more assistance, and in this state the affair now stands. It is impossible to describe to you the consternation Plymouth is in, among all ranks of people, on account of the fate of this unhappy man, though the folly of him is so evidently glaring; yet all agree to pity him for having fallen a sacrifice to the villainous passion for gaming which so infests this country. Mr. Bl--- is said to feel, and very strongly, on being the cause thereof, in promising the wager. Scammon, who are acquainted with the ground where she is sunk, say the bottom abounds with rocks, and of an amazing height, and that it was the most improper place that could possibly have been chosen. Again they complain that there was no rope to the vessel, that in case of failure on the part of the man in case the ballast hung to her sides in order to raise her, they might know what to lay. Mr. Bl--- says he has air (I suppose in casks) on board sufficient three days. People are still out on the Hoe."
B O S T O N, August 22.
BY some gentlemen arrived from Boston we are told that at a meeting, at Faneuil Hall, concerning the money, arising from the contribution from South Carolina, three methods were proposed for applying building a wharf, the construction of a vessel, and the paving the streets; when, after some debate, the last was adopted; and accordingly a large number of the poor people of the town were immediately employed upon that business.
On the poor of Boston being employed in paving the streets.
IN spite of rice, in spite of wheat, Sent for the Boston poor to eat, In spite of brandy, one would think, Sent for the Boston poor to drink; Poor are the Boston poor indeed, And needy, though there is no need: They cry for bread; the mighty ones, Instead of bread, give only stones.
Extract of a letter from a sprightly son of Mars, encamped on the common at Boston, dated August 15.
"The four delegates set off in a thick fog; the first this season. When their carriage, with four horses, came opposite the encampment of the 2d regiment, one of the horses run ruffly, and was obliged to be changed: This occasioned some delay, captain H--- of that regiment, advanced to the carriage, and told the gentlemen, that he presumed the coachman must certainly have made a mistake, and put in a sorry horse. The Boston Pauls morrow, quite discomposed; he, and the Boston Cromwell, could not see political horses together; the former is too violent, and the Gracchi too able, that the person spoken of should have fixed his residence at the pg Cromwell's Head; nor is it less remarkable, that the said head should have a crack in it; but strange as they may seem, both these circumstances are literally true."
A U G U S T 23.
Province of MASSACHUSETTS BAY, By the GOVERNOR, PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS certain hand bills have been posted in sundry places in the town of Salem, calling upon the merchants, freeholders, and other inhabitants, of said town, to meet at the townhouse chamber on Wednesday next, at 9 o'clock in the morning, to consider of, and determine upon, measures for opposing the execution of divers late acts of parliament; and whereas, by a late act of parliament, all town meetings, called without the consent of the governor (except the annual meetings in the months of March and May) are illegal; I do hereby strictly prohibit all persons from attending the aforesaid or any other meeting not warranted by law, as they will be chargeable with all the ill consequences that may follow thereon, and answer them at their utmost peril. Given at Salem the 23rd day of August, 1774. THOMAS GAGE.
At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of Salem, held yesterday at the courthouse in that place, the honourable Richard Derby, esquire, Mr. John Pickering, junior, Mr. Jonathan Ropes, captain Timothy Pickering, captain Jonathan Gardner, junior, and captain Richard Manning, were chosen deputies from the several towns in county of Essex, to be held at Ipswich on the 6th of September.
His excellency the governor, early in the morning of the same day, issued a proclamation, forbidding the above, or any town meeting; for the committee of correspondence, and demanded of them if they were the authors of the hand bills, issued for calling said meeting; which they answered, "they and some others were." His excellency desired they would immediately require the people assembled to disperse, or he should send the high sheriff; and if there was any opposition, he was determined to support him.
The following is taken from the Massachusetts Spy: "We this moment learn from Salem that the governor sent for the committee of correspondence while the people were in meeting, and questioned them, whether they were concerned in issuing the notification for the meeting?"

To which they answered in the affirmative. It is further said, the governor has since sent his warrants and taken up the said committee of correspondence of Salem. Query, What will become of this?
We are informed that government has paid the honourable the East India company for the tea shipped, destroyed, stored in, or sent back from North America.
The act imposing duties upon certain liquors, &c. imported into Quebec, we are informed, is to take place on the 1st day of May, 1775. General Carleton, governor of Quebec, has seized the hands and taken leave of his majesty, and was to sail from that city five days after the departure of captain Wigram, with his lady, sister of the earl of Bingham.
Extracts of a letter from London. The province of New York, since the destruction of Chamber's tea, has almost lost that character of prudence and well ordered, which, till now, recommended it to administration. A writer in Mr. Rivington's papers, in defence of the measure, is likely to do the province much injury. No man, who attempted to ruin his country, could have taken more effectual steps than BARRUS.
Extracts of a letter from Great Barrington. At the late opening of the courts at Great Barrington in Massachusetts government, a body of 1500 assembled, on an apprehension that they were to proceed to act under the new regulations appointed by the government of Great Britain; and although they were informed that the act of parliament for that purpose were not arrived, and, consequently, the business of the court would be conducted in the usual way, still they would not allow the judges to proceed, giving them to understand, it was required they should quit the town immediately, which was complied with. There were 1200 persons of the Massachusetts, and about 300 from Litchfield and its vicinities, in Connecticut government; a number of the latter were taken into custody by the sheriff, and brought before the honourable Elisha Dyer, esquire, who, with great solemnity and severity, reprehended the delinquents. He obliged them all to enter into recognizance for their appearance at the next court, which measures have happily restored order and due deference to the laws in those parts of the two provinces.
All the light infantry companies of the regiments upon the British establishments are brigaded, and the command given to colonel Howe.
On Monday evening last the committee of correspondence met according to adjournment, and as this was the last time of their assembling before the departure of our delegates, the business of the ensuing congress was discussed with a manly frankness, and a becoming freedom of sentiment. Three of the delegates were present, and paid great attention to the opinions of their fellow citizens, declaring themselves happy to receive information on those important points, that were shortly to come before them; the whole scope, extension, and consequences of which, they were unable as yet to comprehend. The points mostly insisted upon in these debates were, that if it was recommended to the Bostonians to pay for the tea, as an act of justice, their port would soon be opened, and then we should stand upon our former ground of importing no goods liable to a duty; that nothing but dire necessity, according to our own judgment, should induce us to break off our connections with the parent country; and that whenever we should be reduced to the last, had alternative, of entering into a non-importation agreement, it ought not to be a partial one, like the last, when some men made fortunes by the ruin of others; but that it should include and suspend the importation of every European commodity from all parts of the world.
CONCLUSION of the PIECE, begun in our last, addressed to the reverend CLERGY of the CHURCH of ENGLAND in VIRGINIA. HAVING thus set before you some of your most important and indispensable duties, as ministers of the church of England, I shall proceed to enforce them by the following considerations. I will first put you in mind of the implicit contract you enter into with your parishioners when they receive you for their pastor. You come in the name and character of church of England clergymen, by which you are distinguished from ministers of every other denomination. Now what constitutes you ministers of the church of England, and distinguishes you from those of other denominations, is, your receiving episcopal ordination according to the book set forth for that and other purposes by Edward the VIth, subscribing the articles including the book of homilies, and the canons including the liturgy. When you offer yourselves, therefore, to a society of people, you are to be looked upon as men under the most sacred and solemn obligations to preach those doctrines, use that mode of worship, exercise that plan of discipline, and perform all the duties enjoined by that church to which your profession imports that you belong. In compensation for these services, you are allowed a fixed revenue, secured to you by law, which you punctually demand, and receive. The enquiries that now offer themselves are these, not only whether on failing to fulfil these engagements you do not violate those awful vows you made to God at your examination before the bishop, but also whether you are not chargeable with a manifest breach of the covenant formed between yourselves and the vestries? And if so, whether you do not forfeit all reasonable and equitable title to the reward? And if so, whether it be not barefaced injustice and oppression to exact it? You will say, perhaps, the law gives it, and therefore you may justly take it; but pray recollect that the law does not alter the nature of justice; it is intended only to explain and enforce it. From the present state of human things, there will always be defects in it, which artful and unjust men may take the advantage of. With all good men, conscience will supply these defects.
It may possibly be said by some that the people in general are satisfied with what the clergy do, and think the salary well earned before it is paid: I believe the people in general are not satisfied, and will be less and less so. Besides, if they were satisfied, it would be owing to their ignorance, both of their own duties and the duties of their ministers, and I think it would not much extenuate your faults that they should be so little acquainted with christianity under your tuition. It may be a plea with some of you, perhaps, that the laity do not expect or desire you should adhere closely to the articles and laws of the church, and that you cannot be charged with imposing on them, since you preach what the people are pleased with. Those who speak thus intimate that the sentiments of the people are repugnant to the articles. The articles, then, must be erroneous, or the people deluded. If they assert the first, I beg leave to ask them what support they administered to their consciences when they were about to subscribe them? If the latter, why they do not immediately set about rectifying the mistakes of their parishioners, and endeavour to make them real as well as nominal church of England men.
Let us suppose that a breach of this compact should happen, not on the part of the clergy, but of the people, who by some means or other should deprive them of their legal stipends, how soon would there be a tempest gathered? What thunders and lightnings, propagated from the combutable passions of enraged ecclesiastics, would amaze the land? How furious and fiery should we see some gentlemen, who are so frigid and lifeless in the pulpit; who can talk of death, Hell, judgment, and damnation, without the least emotion or discomforture, but cannot suffer a diminution of their incomes without being put into such a ferment and flame as shews it is not for want of fire in their constitutions, but of zeal in their hearts, that they are so cold and unconcerned, on far more important occasions? Then we should hear mutual exhortations to blow the trumpet in Zion, and found an alarm in the holy mountain; then for convocations and consultations, petitions and remonstrances, anathemas and excommunications. Now justice must be set on her throne, reason employed as your advocate, conscience summoned for your witness, St. Paul's deposition taken, our Saviour himself appealed to.
But as the case now stands, and you are secure under the shelter of the law, in vain may equity, reason, conscience, humanity, our Saviour, St. Paul, and all the prophets, apostles, and evangelists, plead on the behalf of the laity; sixteen thousand pounds of tobacco can bear them all down, when weighed in the scales not of justice and religion, but selfishness and flattery.
Consider, in the second place, that you are in league with the government, have engaged to serve the king by teaching his subjects, and enjoy the protection of the laws and civil power. As the church is incorporated into the state, their interests have in some measure become common. If therefore by your remissness or immorality you give occasion; nay, if by your industry and care you do not cut off occasion from them who desire occasion to slander and separate from your communion, you may justly be charged with uniting one of the strongest bands by which we are held one to another, and fastened to the constitution. It is undeniable that the dissenters are making way into every part of the colony, and gaining strength daily. In some parishes up the country, I am told, they nearly equal the members of the establishment. It is impolitic, as well as unchristian, to oppose them with the sword of the magistrate. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, is the only proper weapon that can be used against them. The covenant of our warfare are not carnal, yet mighty to pull down, says the apostle. Does it not behove you, then, to exert yourselves vigorously to work in the use of those means which christianity declares to be most lawful, and experience shews to be most fruitful and successful? Do not imagine that the wandering sheep will return of themselves, or that you will be able to keep others from going astray, whilst you indulge your ease and sensual enjoyments; this would be a delusive hope. Hear what the prophet Jeremiah says: "For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not prosper, and their flocks shall be scattered."
The following words of Ezekiel also deserve to be noticed here: "The diseased have you not strengthened, neither have you healed that which was sick, neither have you bound up that which was broken, neither have you brought again that which was lost, but with force and with cruelty have you ruled them." Then follows: "And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd, that is so, no watchful, careful shepherd, no shepherd that fed them, as well as shepherding them, that taught them, as well as ruled over them. By fleeing to little fidelity to the state, so little regard to its interests, you seem to challenge it, as it were, to dissolve this political union, and give you up to shift for yourselves; and who could blame the legislature if they should withdraw their supporting hand from under you, since you so egregiously pervert the power and privileges they have granted you, granted by them to maintain the dignity and utility of the sacred function, but, alas! employed by you to disgrace that holy office, by sinning with impunity, and fattening on the substance of your neglected parishioners? In fine, you are a lot of randy amys, kept in constant pay, to defend his majesty's subjects from the assaults of vice and error. If therefore, through cowardice, you quit your posts, or by any means give suspicion of disloyalty to the cause of truth and holiness, and of a revolt to the adverse party; instead of being rewarded, every one must see you deserve to be chastised for dereliction, or cashiered for disloyalty. For the like offences a military officer would be deservedly punished, and will you presume to say that your obligations to vigilance and fidelity are weaker, or your breach of duty less criminal than theirs?"
As a third argument to excite you to the assiduous discharge of your pastoral duties, I will draw up before you a few of those awful denunciations the oracles of truth abound with against wicked and false teachers: "All ye heads of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber; yea, they are greedy dogs, which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to his own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter, &c." Therefore thus saith the Lord: "God of Israel, against the pastors that feed my sheep ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria: they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people, Israel, to err, &c." Therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold I will visit them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall. Woe be unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherd feed the flock? Ye eat the fat, and clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed, but you feed not the flock." And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write these things, saith the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: "I know thy works, that thou art neither hot nor cold; I would thou wert either cold or hot; so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Though some of the above citations may not be literally applicable to the present times, yet they strongly express the guilty and perilous state of unfaithful pastors; and as it is certain all punishment is for sin, so a familiarity of sins must provoke a similarity of punishments. Besides, there are abundance of passages in the old testament adapted by our Saviour, and his apostles, to their purposes, where there was but little affinity in their primary meaning; for which this reason is assigned, that whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning. We are moreover told that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. The last consideration I shall suggest to you is, that without a speedy change of conduct, you must lose the esteem of all serious and worthy christians, and of all judicious men, who require a consistency and integrity of characters. Every good man, who reads his bible, and enquires into the laws of the church, must inevitably become your adversary; such an one cannot, at the same time, be a friend to men of your behaviour, and to the apostles and primitive ministers; he cannot be a real friend to the church, and to the present clergy; it would be as easy to serve God and Mammon at once. Let us imagine, for a while, an honest, inquisitive christian, reading these words of the apostle to Timothy: A bishop (or any church officer) for the same qualifications are required in deacons) must be blameless, vigilant, apt to teach. Must they not bring to his mind those clergymen who are immoral in their lives, and regards less of the inspection of their flocks; or who, on the most inviting occasions, shew unwillingness or incapacity to instruct, by religious conversation? When he reads that a pastor in the church must not be given to wine, no striker, nor greedy of filthy lucre, must not his indignation rise against those infamous wretches, who have the effrontery to assume the garb and name of christian ministers, when they are drunken and debauched, contentious and bullying, or fordid and avaricious? When he sees that a clergyman should be one who ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection, with all gravity, will he not be naturally led to look into the domestic government of your families? And yourselves best know whether he would find the scriptures daily read, children and servants duly instructed, and the worship of God regularly kept up.
Is not your condition, then, truly deplorable, when that book, whose authority you dare not deny; or speak a single word against, speaks so much against you? And a serious person can no sooner betake himself to the study of it than he becomes your conscientious opposer. Nor will you be in the least more fortunate if such a person should look into the book of ordination and canons. He will meet with nothing there to make him alter his sentiments concerning your parochial duties, and obligations to exemplary piety. He would see abundant reason to venerate the founders of the church, and admire their pious precautions against treacherous and corrupt teachers, but will be far from growing more favourable to your characters. Surely it must be a curing reflection to those, who have not lost all sensibility of conscience, that in proportion as any one becomes careful in reading the scriptures, and examining into the frame and laws of his church, he becomes the dread of those very persons who ought to rejoice at such an enquiring disposition; and at the very time when you should begin to esteem him a desirable friend, you are forced to look upon him as your dangerous foe.
But as it may still be a dispute with some whether their reputations and esteem among men be in such danger as has been described, I will, for their further conviction, give in the testimony of the prophet Malachi. His words are these: "For the priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. But ye have departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of Hosts. Therefore I have made you contemptible and base among all the people."
time in this month, which mention that governor Gage has seized upon the public stock of gunpowder in the magazine at Cambridge, about 250 quarter barrels, ordered it to the castle, and a detachment of his troops were proceeding to Medford, a town adjoining Charlestown, for the same purpose. This matter, it seems, creates a great deal of discontent among the people; but nothing, as to fighting, occurred.
ENTERED in the LOWER DISTRICT of JAMES RIVER. September 1. Brig Porgy, from Turk's Island, with 4300 bushels of salt. 1. Brig Dunmore, John McKennell, from Cape Lewis, with 60 tons of salt. 2. Schooner Mars, Isaac Mitchenson, from Barbadoes, with 22 hogheads of rum, and 100 tons of salt. 3. Brig Countess, John Smith, from Newcastle, with European goods, and 2 cockets. 4. Sloop Success, John Bohannan, from Antigua, with 29 hogheads of rum. 5. Brig Penelope, William Walker, from London, with ballast. 6. Brig Lord Dunmore, John Baker, from Nevis, with 122 hogheads of rum, and 6 barrels of sugar. 7. Schooner St. Andrew, John Sinclair, from New York, with 23 tiers of loaf sugar, 2 hogheads of molasses, 2 barrels of vinegar, 1 barrel of flour, and 8 hogheads of rum. 8. Brig Jenny, James Welch, from New York, with ballast. 9. Sloop Cedar, Martin Murphy, from Philadelphia, with 9 hogheads of rum, 25 quarter casks of Lisbon wine, 1 ton of bar iron, 20 boxes of soap, 4 boxes of chocolate, 8 crates of earthen ware, 3 dozen of chairs, and 1 bundle of leather. 10. Schooner Peggy, James Pasture, from the Grenades, with 27 hogheads of rum. 11. Sloop Betty, Francis Hodgson, from Jamaica, with 9 hogheads of rum, 10 logs of mahogany, 1 cask and 6 bags of ginger, and 3 cakes of pimento. 12. Brig Kingston Packet, Joseph Turner, from Hull, with European goods, 2 cockets, and 25 passengers. 13. Sloop Polly Jacob Fox, from New York, with 2 tons of bar iron, and 3 anchors. 14. Sloop S. Samuel Estwood, from Barbadoes with ballast.
September 2. Sloop Fortune, William Worth, for the Grenades, with 1000 bushels of corn, 35 barrels of pork, 50 barrels of bread, 18 barrels and 3 hogheads of biscuit, and 3000 staves. 3. Brig Corlet, John Harris, for Lisbon, with 5433 bushels of corn, 10 barrels of flour, and 9000 staves and heading. 4. Snow Nancy, Charles Alexander, for Tenerife, with 7000 bushels of corn. 5. Schooner Peggy, Bartholomew Shorey, for Barbadoes, with 6000 shingles, and 2100 bushels of corn. 6. Snow Planter, David Bowers, for London, with 149 hogheads of tobacco, and 4500 staves. 7. Sloop Barre, Andrew Watson, for Antigua, with 1500 bushels of corn. 8. Schooner Dorothy, John Butler, for Leith, with 41 hogheads of tobacco, 1270 barrels of tar, and 10,500 staves. 9. Sloop Lively, John Cox, for Antigua, with 1000 bushels of corn, and 30,000 shingles. 10. Sloop Savage, John Dunn, for Rhode Island, with 788 and a half bushels of oats, 20 barrels of pork, and 1 hoghead and one barrel of myrtle wax.
THERE is remaining in Byrd's warehouse, Henrico county, a hoghead of TOBACCO, marked M.W.G. No. 13, weighing 912 gross, 107 tare, 805 neat. The owner's name is not known. It was inspected July 1, in the year 1771, and will be sold according to law, if no owner claims it within the limited time.
SAMUEL and ROBERT PRICE.
ALL persons are hereby forewarned from HAWKING or FOWLING upon Martin's Swamp, in Chesterfield county; as also from FISHING therein.
RUN away from the subscriber, about the 20th of April last, a mulatto fellow named PETER BROWN, a painter by trade, but can do carpenter's work; he is 35 or 40 years of age, of a dark complexion, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, thin made, has a thin voice, several of his upper foreteeth are out; is fond of singing, which he can do very well, and is a remarkable fine whistler. The said fellow has several suits of cloaths, therefore I cannot describe his dress. He was some years past tried for a robbery; but obtained the governor's pardon, on suffering one year's imprisonment; after that he was sold to Mr. John Fox, of Glenester, with whom he lived one or two years; he then ran away, and passed for a free man in the counties of King William, Caroline, and Henrico, where he was taken up and brought home. As he has a wife at Mr. Benjamin Hubbard's, it is likely he may be lurking in that neighbourhood; and as he was raised in Peterburg, it is probable he may be about there. Whoever will take up the said runaway, and deliver him to me, at Osborne's, shall receive FORTY SHILLINGS reward. All persons are forbid harbouring or carrying him out of the colony.
PETERFIELD TRENT.
STAYED from the subscriber, the 10th of May last, a dark bay mare, about 4 feet 6 inches high, not branded, has a mealy nose, thick mane, and long switch tail, strong made, has good courage, paces, trots, and gallops. THIRTY SHILLINGS will be given to any person that will deliver her to the subscriber, in King & Queen, or to Mr. David Anderson, junior, merchant in Louisa, where she was bred.
MATTHEW ANDERSON, junior.
COMMITTED to Spotsylvania gaol a negro man, about 30 years of age, named MOSES, says he is a free man, and that he served part of his time with one John Arnold, in Henrico county, against whom he commenced suit for his freedom, but before it was determined, he was attacked by Garland Anderson and Samuel Temple, of the same county, and then made his elopement from them. Any person proving his property, and paying charges, may have him, otherwise I shall proceed as the law directs.
JACOB WHITLER, gaoler.
TAKEN up, in Chesterfield, a bay mare, about 10 years old, 4 feet 5 inches high, a large star in her forehead, and has a white streak leading towards her nose, two of her feet white, has some saddle spots, and branded on the near buttock I C. Posted, and appraised to $1.
WILLIAM AKIN.
TAKEN up, in Spotsylvania, a black steed, with two crops and an underkick in the right ear, and a hole in the left. Posted, and appraised to $1. 15s.
MARY PENN.
WILLIAMSBURG, September 6, 1774. I BEG leave to inform the public, and particularly those gentlemen who were pleased to take my subscription papers to their respective counties, to raise a small sum of money for the encouragement of making SALT, that after viewing many places on this and the other side of the bay, and on the sea coast of the Eastern Shore, I have now fixed on a convenient spot, on that coast, for erecting proper works; and as nothing more can be done on my part without money, I must beg the favour of them to forward such sums, as they may be able to collect, to Robert Carter Nicholas, esquire, who is so kind as to take the trouble of receiving and paying the money out to me. Proper security shall be lodged in his hands for any sum that I may draw. The certainty of being able to make salt as good as any whatever is hardly to be doubted, from the several experiments which I have made, and which are pretty fully certified by gentlemen of veracity, whose certificates will be lodged in the hands of Mr. Nicholas. The gentlemen will readily see the necessity I am under of requesting speedy assistance, when I inform them that I have for some time past devoted my whole attention to this business, and given over every pursuit from whence my family might have derived any advantage, and that, in order to put the works in as great a forwardness as it was in my power, I have incurred a considerable expense, and been obliged to contract for some of the necessary materials.
JAMES TAIT.
WILLIAMSBURG, September 6, 1774. MR. TAIT having produced to me a sample of salt made on the Eastern Shore, together with a certificate of a gentleman of unquestionable credit, I have no doubt, with proper encouragement, of his succeeding in his proposed scheme, from which it seems highly probable that this country will reap the greatest advantage: I shall, therefore, most cheerfully comply with his request, and take great pleasure in contributing every thing in my power towards carrying it into execution.
RO. C. NICHOLAS.
WILLIAMSBURG, September 2, 1774. THE subscriber, who is immediately going for England, desires all persons indebted to him, by bond or otherwise, to pay what they owe to Mr. Robert Prentis, of this city, who is properly empowered as attorney for
GEORGE PIT. T.
TAKEN up, near Occoquan, in Fairfax, a bay mare colt, about 3 or 4 years old, about 13 hands high, trots and paces, and has neither mark or brand. Posted, and appraised to $1. 10s.
GILBERT ROWLAND.

THE subscriber has now for sale, at the falls called Ellison's , or at Warwick , on James river , a large quantity of PIT COAL, very fine either for grates or smiths work, and shall be glad to supply any person, at either place, at the usual prices, which are 10d. per bushel at Warwick , and 6d. at the pits, ready cash; however, a few months credit will make but little difference, provided good merchants notes are given, punctually to be settled at the time agreed on. Those gentlemen from below, who may favour me with their orders, are desired to lodge them with Mr. Daniel Weisiger , who lives at the spot, and, as formerly, will be punctual in complying with them.
FRANCIS SMITH, junior.
WARWICK, September 1, 1774.
THE store here, of late kept by me on account of Messieurs Dreg- born, Murdoch , and company, of Glasgow , is now in the charge of my brother David Leitch , and the said company's store in Prince Edward county, hitherto managed by Mr. Henry Benkin Lightfoot , is under the direction of Mr. John Graham . The business of the stores will, on the same account, be prosecuted so far to their usual extent as the situation of public affairs will admit. The debts due to this store I continue to collect, and those contracted with Mr. Lightfoot will remain with him for the same purpose. It will be deemed obliging in those whose accounts are open, and inconvenient to discharge, immediately to close them by bond, or such specialty as may be approved of.
JOHN LEITCH.
STRAYED, or stolen, from Ambrose Raines's , in Spottsylvania , on the 16th of August , a light sorrel horse, about 14 hands high, has a hanging mane and switch tail, a blaze in his forehead, and without any brand, both of his fore, and one of his hind feet, are white, and had a small bell about his neck. I have some reason to believe he was stole, and carried to Orange county . Any person that will deliver the said horse to me, at Mr. Henry Garnet's mill, in Essex county, or to Mr. Reubin Zimmerman , near Fredericksburg , shall have a reward of twenty shillings.
BENJAMIN BRAGG.
COMMITTED to the gaol of Charles City , on the 29th of August , a likely fellow, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, denies he has any master, and has passed for several years as a free man, under the name of Doctor Dick . The owner, if any, is desired to take him away, and pay charges.
SMITH GREGORY.
FALLS of POTOWOMACK, IN VIRGINIA, AUGUST 22, 1774. THE subscriber being just arrived from Great Britain , with a number of engineers and artificers, in order to remove the obstructions to the navigation of Potowomack river , at and above the lower falls; and thinking himself fully qualified for such an undertaking, agreeable to his proposals before his embarkation for Europe , he is desirous to have a meeting of his principal subscribers, and others interested in this necessary work; and considering it most convenient to all concerned to have the same at George Town , in Maryland , he proposes that it shall be there on Monday the 26th of September next, at which time and place he will certainly attend, and be ready to lay before them an accurate plan, and estimate of the expence; also an act of the Virginia assembly, and likewise a subscription from some of the principal proprietors, &c. of the province of VANDALIA , now residing in England , for the further encouragement of the proposed undertaking.
JOHN BALLENDINE.
FOR LIVERPOOL. THE ship Juno , John Windover , master, a fine, strong, new vessel, now lying at Layton's , in Rappahannock , will take in tobacco, on liberty of consignment, at 8l. sterling per ton. Those gentlemen who are pleased to favour said ship are desired to send or deliver their notes, or orders, to the master on board, or to the subscriber, who will attend the different county courts.
CHARLES ALEXANDER.
To be SOLD, to the highest bidder, on Thursday the 29th of September , if fair, otherwise the next fair day, on the premises, A VALUABLE TRACT OF LAND in the lower end of Brunswick county, at Taylor's bridge, containing by estimation 8 or 900 acres, but which shall be surveyed before the day of sale, and the exact quantity ascertained. There are 4 or 500 acres of this tract fine rich low grounds on Meberin river , and exceedingly well adapted for Indian corn, wheat, or tobacco, as also for raising of hogs, there having been considerable quantities of pork sold from this plantation for several years past. It has plenty of timber upon it, with land enough cleared to work 10 or 12 hands, and is convenient to church and mill. One half the purchase money to be paid next April , and a reasonable credit will be allowed for the remainder, on giving bond, and approved security, to
SAMUEL S. MCCROSKEY.
*** The greatest part of the stock, utensils, &c. belonging to the said plantation, will be sold at the same time and place.
FOR SALE. A TRACT OF LAND in Charles City county, on Chickahomany river , containing 340 acres, with a brick dwellinghouse, two rooms on a floor, and a spacious passage above and below, a kitchen, brick dairy, and a number of excellent fruit trees. The above mentioned plantation is remarkable in its situation, for fishing, fowling, and for stock. It descended to the late Littlebury Cocke , on the death of his mother, Mrs. Mary Tyree , which land the subscribers are desirous may be sold for and towards the payment of Littlebury Cocke's debts. Any person inclining to purchase are desired to treat with colonel William Edloe and William Green Munford , who are properly authorized.
REBECCA H. COCKE,
JAMES B. JOHNSON,
REBECCA JOHNSON.
THE PURSE in Richmond town will be run for, as usual, the 1st day of the fair, which is the 2d Thursday in November next, by any horse, &c. carrying weight for age, according to the rules of racing; all horses, &c. to be entered with James Gunn the day before.
CHICKAHOMANY, August 28, 1774.
FOREWARN all persons from HUNTING, FISHING, and FOWLING, on my LAND in James city .
JOHN C. COCKE.
COMMITTED to the gaol of Charles City , on Wednesday the 17th instant ( August ) a very likely black negro fellow, who says his name is JACK , and that he belongs to Griffin Stith , on the Eastern Shore . He is about 5 feet 10 inches high, and appears to be about 25 years of age. He says he run away from his overseer, in Brunswick county, about 18 months ago, and has passed for a free man ever since. The owner is desired to prove his property, pay charges, and take him away.
SMITH GREGORY, gaoler.
COMMITTED to the gaol of Charles City , on Thursday the 25th instant ( August ) a likely Virginia born negro woman, who says her name is AMEY , and that she belongs to John A. Finnie , of Surry county; she is about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, and has on striped Virginia cloth clothes. The owner is desired to take her away, and pay charges.
SMITH GREGORY.
JAMES HALDANE, COPPERSMITH AND BRASSFOUNDER, IN CHURCH STREET, near the CHURCH, NORFOLK, CONTINUES TO CARRY ON HIS BUSINESS AS USUAL, MAKES and sells all sorts of COPPER WORK, viz. stills, brewing coppers, sugar boilers, stills and hatters coppers, brass mill work, capuchin plate warmers, tea kettles, all sorts of ship, fish, and wash kettles, stew pans, Dutch ovens, tea kettles, fauce pans, coffee and chocolate pots, &c. at the most reasonable rates. He gives the best prices for old copper, brass, pewter, or lead.
*** Those who are so obliging as to favour me with their employ in the mending or tinning old work, may depend on having them soon done, and in the neatest and completest manner.
FOR SALE. A TRACT OF LAND, containing upwards of 3000 acres, in the county of Richmond , upon Rappahannock river , opposite to the seat of Robert Bewerley , esquire, extending more than 2 miles upon the river; the land is extremely well timbered, a great part of it lies well, and is equal to any in that part of the country. There are also, beside the quantity of dry land above mentioned, between 4 and 500 acres of valuable marsh, which may easily be reclaimed; a large water course running through the greatest part of the tract affords a considerable quantity of rich, valuable meadow land, and a good mill seat. There are also several delightful situations for a gentleman's seat, commanding extensive prospects up and down the river, where the greatest plenty of fish and fowl are to be had. A part of the tract is in possession of several tenants at will, some of whom pay from 20l to 25l. annual rent for 100 acres. It will be sold (and may be entered upon next Christmas ) either together, or in parcels, by private bargain, at any time before the 10th of October , and if not disposed of before that time (of which notice shall be published in this gazette) it will then be offered for public sale, upon the premises, on the 3d Monday in November . Twelve or 13 months credit will be allowed, upon giving bond, with good security; to bear interest from the 25th of December , if the purchase money is not paid agreeable to the contract. The terms will be made known to those who incline to purchase privately, and the lands shown, if required, and an undoubted title made, by the subscriber, living in Westmoreland county.
WILLIAM BERNARD.
10l c 10 ct.
FREDERICKSBURG, August 9, 1774. A PERSON of the name of William Foster Croby having procured a recommendation to me, I lent him, the 19th of last month, my SINGLE CHAIR and a MARE to visit captain John Lee , on Rappahannock , to whom he said he was recommended, to return in four days at the most; but not hearing of him since, except that he had mistaken his way, and got to Richmond , on James river , and colonel William Fleming's , in Cumberland county, I am obliged to take this method of recommending him to all honest men, as a profound knave. Such a flagrant act of injustice, accompanied with such ingratitude to me, will no doubt engage every gentleman to endeavour to strip him of the price of his villainy: But I will gladly pay FORTY SHILLINGS to have my mare and chair detained till I can send for them, or FIVE POUNDS to be delivered here. As the knave is young, I had rather he should turn from his wickedness and live!
He is about twenty, of slim and genteel make, and fair complexion, rather pale and foul skin, black hair, very long, and clubbed like a macaroni! He is exceedingly vain, boasts much of his learning, particularly of geography, and professes teaching the classics, music, dancing, and fencing; he grins much when he laughs, which he often does at his own wit. His dress was shabby; I believe, one only coat, formerly a pale blue, or sea green, the cuffs of which have been lately let down, and the original colour makes a remarkable ring round his arm. He passed on my friend, as from New England , and said he intended to visit Virginia , in his way to Charleston , South Carolina , in order from New England to see the country; expecting here some supplies he had ordered from New England .
I cannot recollect whether the mare has any brand or flesh marks; she is about 14 hands and a half high, half blooded, well made, rather round, a chestnut bay, with a full long bob tail, and hog mane, very small feet, and stood before, trots very nimbly, and remarkably low. The carriage of the chair is new, the springs and axle-tree are iron, the body is painted green, with the initials of my name on the back, in a double cypher, in blue letters, in a gilt ground; it has been new lined, and has now a carpet bottom; but I suspect he will quit the chair for a saddle.
He borrowed a SILVER WATCH, quite new, made by Thomas Walker , of Fredericksburg , who will, I presume, give something to recover it.
JAMES MERCER.
RUN away from the subscriber, living at the ferry opposite Alexandria , in Prince George county, Maryland , on Wednesday night the 27th instant, an Irish indentured servant man named THOMAS BREATON , about 23 years of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, much pitted with the smallpox, short sandy coloured hair, thin visage, down look, ruddy complexion, and a rupture in his bowels; had on, and took with him, a light coloured wilton coat, blue broadcloth jacket, striped country ditto, osnabrig shirt, Irish linen ditto, a pair of osnabrig trousers, striped holland ditto, buckskin breeches, country made pumps, plated buckles, and felt hat. As he can write a tolerable good hand, it is probable he may forge a pass. Whoever takes up the said servant, and secures him so that his master may get him again, shall receive 3l. including what the law allows, and reasonable charges paid, if brought home, by
JOHN CLIFFORD.
*** As the aforesaid servant has made several elopements and forged passes, and after being confined, has privately made his escape, whoever apprehends him are desired to take particular care to confine him. He has stolen sundry clothes.
TAKEN up, in the Robinson Fork , in Culpeper , a bay mare, about 4 feet 7 inches and a half high, and appears to be about 4 years old, branded on the rear shoulder K, has a star in her forehead, and one of her hind feet white. Possed, and appraised to 10l.
JOSEPH HENDERSON.
NEW YORK, July 27, 1774. FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.
WHEREAS on the 19th of June last past a certain JOSEPH THORP was entrusted with a considerable sum in half-johnness, of nine penny weight, to be delivered by him at Quebec , and as he has not yet made his appearance there, with other suspicious circumstances, it is apprehended he is gone off with the money. He is a native of England , about 6 feet high, swarthy complexion, very dark, keen eyes, and pitted with the smallpox, of a slender make, stoops as he walks, talks rather slow, and has some small impediment in his speech. He lived some time in Boston , from whence he removed to Quebec , assuming the character of a merchant in both places; he was also once in trade in Newcastle, Virginia , and has a brother settled there. It is believed he went on board captain John F. Praym , for Albany , and took with him a blue cashmir, and a dark brown cloth suit of clothes. Whoever secures the said Joseph Thorp in any of his majesty's gaols on this continent shall be entitled to ten per cent. on the sum recovered, and the above reward of 50l. when convicted. Apply to Cuton and Seton of New York , Joseph Wharton, junior, of Philadelphia , Robert Christie of Baltimore , James Gibson and company of Virginia , John Bondfield of Quebec , Meatlab Bourne, or John Roue, of Boston . It is requested of those who may have seen this Joseph Thorp since the 19th of June last past, or know any thing of the route he has taken, that they convey the most early intelligence thereof to any of the above persons, or Greenwood, Risdon, and Marsh, in Norfolk , or to Mr. Robert Plaatsans and company, at Four Mile creek, Henrico county; the favour will be gratefully acknowledged. All masters of vessels are forewarned from taking him off the continent.
TO BE SOLD. THE noted and well accustomed TAVERN, at present occupied by the subscriber, lying in James City county, about 15 miles from Williamsburg , on the main road leading to New Kent courthouse and Ruffin's ferry, with 500 acres of LAND in good order for cropping, and 6 fields under good fence. The terms of payment will be made easy by the subscriber.
THOMAS DONCASTLE.
FOR SALE. NINE hundred and forty acres of valuable land, lying on both sides of Contrary River , in Louisa , with three plantations thereon, two of which has sufficient houses for overseers and negroes; the other is improved with all necessary buildings, and orchards of all kinds, fit for the reception of a gentleman, the houses being finished in the best manner. This tract is well timbered and watered, lies within 32 miles of Fredericksburg , and 43 of Page's warehouse; there are at least 400 acres of low grounds, of the best soil, 300 of which are now to cut. The three plantations are under good fences, and in good order to work 12 or 15 hands. Robert Fleming , John Massey , and John Lain , are now in possession of the plantations, who will shew the land to any person inclining to purchase, and Major Thomas Johnson will agree with them for the price. The above tract is esteemed the most valuable in Louisa for growing corn, wheat, or tobacco, and situated in the best range for stock of any below the great mountains. (tf 1*)
FOR SALE. ABOUT twelve thousand acres of exceeding rich TOBACCO LAND, in Amherst county, whereon are several plantations and improvements sufficient to work forty or fifty hands. There is on this land for sale a very valuable GRIST MILL, lately built, with a stone dam and a pair of good COLOGNE MILLSTONES, which mill has for two years past got upwards of 100 barrels of toll corn, and is situated on a never failing stream. The land will be shewn by William Womack , who lives at one of the plantations, and the prices of the land made known by him. One or two years credit will be allowed, interest being paid for the second year, and also for the first, if the money is not paid agreeable to contract. The land is to be laid off and surveyed by Colonel William Cabell , at the expence of the purchaser. Deeds will be made, upon bond and approved security being given, either to Call , William Cabell , or the subscriber. Six per cent. discount will be allowed for ready money, or good merchants notes. If any person would chuse to exchange lands in the lower part of the country, on or near some navigable river, that are good, it is more than probable we should agree.
CARTER BRAXTON.
FOR SALE. FIVE hundred acres of land, lying on Deep Creek , in Louisa , about 45 miles of Richmond town, and is exceeding good land, well watered by Deep Creek , and a large branch thereof, which runs through the middle of the land, and affords a large quantity of rich meadow ground. Any person inclining to purchase may see the land, and know the terms, by applying to the subscriber, living near it. tf 1* GEORGE MERIWETHER.
To be SOLD, at public auction, at Westmoreland courthouse, on Tuesday the 27th day of September , being Westmoreland court day.
TWENTY very likely VIRGINIA born SLAVES. Credit will be allowed until the 10th of November following, on giving bond and good security. The bonds to bear interest from the date, if not punctually discharged.
tf RICHARD PARKER.
TO BE RENTED, FROM YEAR TO YEAR, OR FOR A TERM OF YEARS, B E L V O I R,
THE beautiful seat of the honourable George William Fairfax , esquire, lying upon Potowomack river , in Fairfax county, about 14 miles below Alexandria . The mansion house is of brick, two story high, with four convenient rooms and a large passage upon the lower floor, five rooms and a passage on the second, and a servants hall and cellars below; convenient offices, stables, and coach house, adjoining, as also a large and well furnished garden, stored with great variety of valuable fruits, in good order. Appertaining to the tract on which these improvements are, and which contains near 2000 acres (surrounded, in a manner, by navigable water) are several valuable fisheries, and a good deal of cleared land in different parts, which may be let altogether, or separately, as shall be found most convenient. The terms may be known of Colonel Washington , who lives near the premises, or of me, in Berkeley county, tf FRANCIS WILLIS, junior.
NORFOLK, April 21, 1774. NOTICE is hereby given, that a number of vessels will be wanted this summer to bring about 6000 tons of stone from Mr. Brooke's quarry, on Rappahannock , and land the same on Cape Henry , for the lighthouse. Any person inclining to engage in such work are desired to treat with Matthew Phripp , Paul Loyall , and Thomas Newton , junior, esquires. The directors of the lighthouse will also be glad to purchase one or two flat bottomed vessels from 80 to 120 tons burthen. tf BASSETT MOSELEY.
FOR SALE, AND VERY CHEAP, A PLANTATION in good order for cropping, none of the land having been cleared above six years, with all necessary houses, quite new, together with 1500 acres of exceeding rich land, the soil of which is so good that it will bring large tobacco for five or six years without dung. I have made on this plantation above three thousand pounds of tobacco per share. The place is very healthy, and has a fine range for stock. This land lies in the lower end of Buckingham county, near to Appomattox river , on each side of Great Ducker's and Mayo creeks. Tobacco has been carried above this land near to Petersburg by water, and last month, in the dry weather, two canoe loads of wheat were carried near to Petersburg , and the canoes brought back; they were loaded but a little below this land. I make no doubt but Appomattox river will be soon cleared, and then the expence of sending wheat, tobacco, &c. will be trifling. Any person inclining to purchase will see, by the produce of the land, that it is exceeding rich. I really do not know any better high land in the colony. This tract of land is well timbered, and has excellent water on it. I do not know a better place for a merchant mill than is on Ducker's creek. People are going much on raising wheat in these parts, and a good mill would be very advantageous to the owner. Also another tract of land of 826 acres, in Albemarle county, I believe about ten miles from the courthouse, joining Mr. James Harris and the quarters of Mr. John Winston . On this land is a small plantation, a good apple orchard, &c. The land is good, and my price so low, that I am convinced any person who viewed either of the above tracts of land would not hesitate to give the price I shall ask. Neither of these tracts are under any incumbrance whatsoever. A reasonable time of payment will be allowed. tf ANTHONY WINSTON.
FOR SALE. A TRACT of land, on Charles river , York county, containing about 600 acres, part of which is marsh, that may be drained with very little expence. The situation of this place is very convenient for a family, as it lies upon a river that abounds with oysters and fine fish, particularly sheepheads; it is within 200 yards of a mill, and 2 miles of the church. My reason for selling it is, my having bought a tract of land more convenient to me. Whoever inclines to purchase may know the terms by applying to the subscriber, in York town . THOMAS NELSON, junior.
WANTED for the lighthouse directors eight second-hand ANCHORS, nearly a thousand weight each. Any person having such for sale are desired to make their terms known to the subscriber in Norfolk . t. f. BASSETT MOSELEY.
YORK town, June 9, 1773. THE subscribers being very solicitous to comply with the will of their testator, the late Honourable William Nelson , desire that all persons who were indebted to him will endeavour to make as speedy payments as possible. Those who have accounts open on his books, and who cannot immediately discharge the balances, are desired to give their bonds. This request is the more necessary, as most of the legacies bequeathed by the testator are to be paid in sterling money, and he has directed that his younger sons fortunes shall be placed out at interest upon undoubted securities, so soon as it can be done. Those who have any demands are desired to make them immediately known.
THOMAS NELSON, HUGH NELSON, THOMAS NELSON, jun. RO. C. NICHOLAS.