Price Three Coppers. Published every Day, Sunday excepted.
Containing the Freshest Accounts, however long upon the Road.
Philadelphia, October 4
A petition from the officers and men of the brig Andrew Doria was presented to Congress and read; whereupon,
Resolved, That the continental agents in Philadelphia be directed, with all despatch, to make an estimate of all the prizes taken by the Andrew Doria, or to a share of which she is entitled, and lay the same before the Marine Committee for their approbation; which being obtained, that the said agents be directed to pay to the officers and men of the Andrew Doria one half of what may be estimated to be due to them.
That the said agents be farther directed to make an estimate of the stores and prizes taken by the fleet commanded by Commodore Hopkins, and brought from Providence, and lay the same before the Marine Committee for approbation as aforesaid, and pay to the officers and men entitled thereto one half of what may be estimated to be due to them.
The men asked for their money. The answer is one half of it, when the sum is settled, by agents who must first make an estimate and then wait upon a committee. The prizes were taken and sold months since.
Philadelphia, October 4
The report of the committee sent to head quarters, which lay upon the table yesterday, was this day taken into consideration; and, after debate, the farther consideration thereof was postponed.
The doors being shut, what was said in the debate is not known. That there was one, and that it settled nothing, is on the face of the minute.
A letter of the 2d and 3d from General Washington, and two letters of the 25th and 26th of September from General Schuyler, being received, were read. Of the last, more is said below.
Albany, September 25
General Schuyler has sent in his resignation, and has written twice to Congress in two days. The letters were read yesterday. What follows is from the first of them.
I thank Congress with a sincerity equal to the attention they have evinced in their resolution of the 14th of September, whereby I am made acquainted that my letter of the 16th of August was duly received, and referred to the committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada.
Permit me to entreat the favour of a further resolution, that I may be permitted to defend my conduct, and if possible point out other causes of the miscarriages in Canada, besides those taken notice of in the resolutions of the 30th July — causes which are so obvious, that I could not but wonder that they passed unnoticed.
I must also beg the indulgence of Congress to order some answer to be given to such parts of my several letters of the 20th July, 16th, 18th, 25th, and 29th August, and 2d, 8th, and 9th September, as are yet unanswered.
He then observes that there appears to him a little impropriety in resolving that powder be immediately sent to General Gates for the use of the army in the Northern department, as he believes his resignation had not reached Congress on the day that resolution was made.
Albany, September 26
I did myself the honour to address Congress in a letter of this date, in which I forgot to remind them of the very great distress our troops are in for want of clothing of every kind, but more especially shoes and stockings, and that none are to be had here. I must entreat Congress to pardon me if I observe, that unless a very speedy supply is sent, the most fatal consequences must inevitably ensue.
Eight letters unanswered, a committee sitting on the causes of the miscarriages in Canada, and a resignation that has crossed the powder on the road. The last paragraph is about shoes.
Philadelphia, October 4
Present: David Rittenhouse, Vice President; John Bayard, and others.
The Council being informed that an election had been held in Chester county, on the first instant, in direct violation of the Declaration of Convention; and hearing that Nathaniel Vernon, sheriff of the said county, was in town, ordered him to appear before this Board, and deliver up the returns he brought with him.
The Convention resolved on the 26th of September that it was not convenient to hold the next election throughout this State, and we printed that resolve in our first number, on the day the election would otherwise have been held. Chester county held one. The sheriff carried the returns to Philadelphia, and the Council has sent for him and for them.
What is to become of the returns the minute does not say. Neither does it say who was chosen.
The minutes of yesterday afternoon being read, at which time a quorum did not meet, this Board do hereby confirm the same.
Resolved, That Nicholas Miller and Hawkins Boone be appointed captains, and Thomas Branden first lieutenant, Robert King second lieutenant; and Hananiah Lincoln first lieutenant and James Williamson second lieutenant, in the Twelfth Battalion of Foot, to be raised in this State for the Continental service, and their commissions delivered.
Philadelphia, October 4
We gave in our first number, shortly, the arrival in this city of officers and privates of the American army who had been taken prisoners in Canada, sent home agreeable to the proclamation of General Carleton in four transports under convoy of the Pearl frigate. The account is now come more fully, and three things in it were not in ours.
The Pearl carries thirty-two guns. The transports came from Quebec to New-York, where General Howe detained them on board a fortnight. And there are three hundred and eighty-five privates, besides other officers, who are on their way to their respective States.
Among those now arrived are General Thompson, Colonel Irvine, Captain Wilson, Captain Duncan, Lieutenants Currie, Hoge and Bird, the Rev. Mr. M'Calla, and Dr. M'Kenzie.
Mr. M'Calla went into Canada as chaplain and has come out of it by way of a prison ship. A man who went to preach to a battalion has been fourteen days at anchor off New-York under guard, and is now walking about this city. We do not know what he will say from a pulpit and we shall not guess at it.
The fortnight is the part of this that will bear thinking on. They were released at Quebec by one general's proclamation and held at New-York by another's leave, and the difference between being released and being at liberty is a fortnight riding at anchor within sight of a town.
Philadelphia, October 2
On Wednesday last, Brigadier General Sullivan, who was exchanged for General Prescott, who commanded at Chambly. General M'Donald would not be accepted for Lord Stirling.
Why the one exchange was made and the other refused is not given out, and we will not supply a reason we do not have. Both generals were carried through this city: the hire of Martin Housman's waggon, and the ferriages, with General Prescott's and General M'Donald's baggage to Newark, was among the sums Congress ordered paid on Thursday, and stands in our number of yesterday at forty-three dollars.
Lord Stirling was taken on Long-Island on the 27th of August and is still a prisoner.
New-York, September 24
The enemy made as if they would attack Powles-Hook, but in the afternoon they disembarked, and gave over the attempt for that time.
On Monday the Roebuck and three other ships came abreast of our battery at that post, and after discharging about one hundred cannon, landed near five hundred men — our people having evacuated the place some hours before, and carried off their artillery.
They are now advantageously posted on the heights at the mill, about one mile from the enemy, and are busy throwing up entrenchments, having been reinforced with about four thousand men.
A hundred cannon discharged at a battery that had been carried away some hours before is the whole of that action, and it is set down here because it is the whole of it.
Philadelphia, October 4
A ninth son. We are informed by a correspondent that on Monday the 2d of September, Elihu Hall, Esq; of Cecil county, Maryland, had his ninth son baptized by the name of WASHINGTON LEE.
The looking-glass. A man went into a house in this city and unhung a looking-glass, with which he made off undiscovered; but it being presently missed, search was made after the robber, who, being closely pursued, threw the glass down and broke it to pieces. He was afterwards committed to gaol.
He is in the same gaol as Michael Holt, who was discharged out of it by Congress on Thursday to go home to his family in North Carolina upon taking an oath. What the one is charged with is a looking-glass. What the other was charged with the resolution does not say.
Portsmouth, in Virginia, September 19.
Extract of a letter.
The people of South-Carolina have beat the Indians in the third skirmish. Twenty-five men advanced about a mile before a party of two hundred, and were surrounded by about two hundred Cherokees; they bravely maintained their ground until the main body arrived, when they routed the Indians, after killing sixteen on the spot, with the loss of four killed and six wounded.
General Lee's movement towards Georgia has secured the Creeks in our interest. Governor Wright's brothers, with the rest of the tories, have broke up camp, and retired towards St. Augustine.
The third skirmish, the letter says, and does not give the first two. Sixteen Cherokees are counted where they fell; the four and the six on the other side are counted as killed and wounded, which is a distinction the letter does not extend to the sixteen.
St. Augustine is where the tories from Georgia have gone, and it is where the sloop Betsey was bound with her master's family when the Lexington took her. It is a fortnight's sail from Savannah and it is the nearest place on this coast that is not in this quarrel.
Williamsburg, September 21
Since our last, another vessel has arrived at Hampton with two hundred bushels of salt; and on Thursday one came up to Burwell's Ferry with a quantity of that useful article, besides rum, sugar, and linens.
She came from Cape Nichola Mole, and brings advice of an insurrection of the Negroes at Jamaica, on account of the scarcity of provisions. Between sixty and seventy white people had been killed, numbers of the Negroes taken and gibbeted, and martial law proclaimed through the island.
That is the whole of what is come. It does not say how many rose, nor how many were taken, nor how many of those taken were gibbeted, nor what the scarcity was that is given as the cause, nor whether the martial law is lifted. The vessel that carried the account carried also the salt.
St. Eustatia, September 11
Extract of a letter.
On the 5th instant, about two o'clock in the morning, a fire broke out at Basseterre in St. Christophers, which consumed a great part of the town; and the day after a gale of wind came on, attended with a deluge of rain, which has done them almost as much damage as the fire. Many houses that escaped the flames were carried into the sea, so they must have been in a terrible condition; the provisions all burnt; what goods were saved from the fire were lost by the bad weather, and no lumber to rebuild their houses.
I am told the island is in a worse situation than it was after the great hurricane. A good deal of provision has gone up from this island since it happened. We suffered but little by the gale of wind; only our paths are as much washed as they were in the hurricane.
Another letter from the same place says the loss at St. Christophers is computed at half a million sterling.
These entries were not had from the office in time for our first numbers, and are given now.
Entered in. Friday the 27th of September, the privateer sloop Chance, of this port, returned from a cruise, and brought in with her the ship William, Bond master, which she took homeward bound from Jamaica, laden with rum, sugar, and other goods.
Monday the 30th, a brig bound from Barbadoes for London, laden with rum and sugar, taken by one of the Continental armed vessels.
Cleared out. None entered this day.
No notice is come from the office this day. The regulations for carrying the publick mails were given entire in our last.
No price current is come to hand.
Philadelphia, October 1, 1776.
A COURT of ADMIRALTY will be held on Friday the eighteenth day of October instant, at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of JAMES ARMITAGE (who as well, &c.) against the ship or vessel called the WILLIAM, burthen about one hundred and fifty tons, with her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo, lately commanded by JOHN BOND.
To the end and intent that the owner or owners of said ship and cargo, or any person concerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge, ANDREW ROBESON, Register.
College of Philadelphia, September 24, 1776.
THE Lectures on MATERIA MEDICA, CHEMISTRY, and the PRACTICE OF PHYSIC will begin on the last Tuesday of October.
THREE POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in West Caln, Chester county, a native Irish servant man, named PETER MOORE, about 21 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, sandy coloured hair, with a freckled and pimpled face, stoops forward in his walk; had on an old cloth jacket, of a brownish colour, the fore skirts longer than the hind parts, and mended up the breast with a large piece of the same cloth, a hemp shirt and tow trowsers, patched, a silk handkerchief of a red ground with white spots, an old felt hat with a hole in it, old shoes, lately mended, with strings in them, and a great quantity of pegs in both heels and soles; he also took with him an old great coat, broken in the sleeves and other parts.
THREE POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living about seven miles from this city, on the Abingdon road, a Scotch servant lad, named ALEXANDER SHAW, 18 years of age, has a down look and black curled hair; had on a mixed blue jacket, a coarse shirt, and trowsers, and round hat. Whoever secures, or brings him to his master, the upper end of Market-street, shall receive said reward.
WILLIAM TORNER.
RUN away from the subscriber, the beginning of last month, a Scotch servant lad, named JAMES HAY, 17 years of age, about 5 feet 3 inches high, dark brown hair, and generally wears it tied, is much pitted with the small pox, and has a down look; had on, when he went away, a green cloth coat, brown check linen waistcoat, fustian breeches. Whoever apprehends said servant, and secures him in the workhouse of this city, shall have the above reward.
GEORGE MIFFLIN.
SIXTEEN DOLLARS Reward.
DESERTED from Captain Jacob Humphrey's company, of the first battalion of flying camp, of Philadelphia county, commanded by Col. John Moore, two soldiers, viz. James M'Masters, about 5 feet 7 inches high, a stout clumsey fellow, lived in Abington township; and William M'Masters, about 5 feet 6 inches high, has a scar under his left jaw; they have dark coloured hunting shirts, and formerly belonged to Captain Longstreth's company, second battalion of Philadelphia county militia. Whoever secures said deserters, and sends them to their respective company, at Perth-Amboy, shall have the above reward, or Eight Dollars for either, and reasonable charges, paid by
JACOB HUMPHREY, Captain.
RUDOLPH and JACOB HAINS, in Uwchland township, Chester county, NURSERY-MEN,
HAVING received letters from Philadelphia, Bucks, Lancaster and Northumberland counties, to enquire whether they have apple trees fit to transplant, of what sort, and their price — and as letters are often miscarried — have thought proper to take this method of informing the publick.
TO BE SOLD by the subscriber, in Chester county,
A MESSUAGE and LOT of GROUND, containing eight acres, whereon are a good house and kitchen adjoining; the house is two stories high, and well finished; a young bearing orchard, a well of excellent water at the door; the place is pleasantly situated, on the road leading from Philadelphia to Lancaster.
WANTED.
A MAN that understands the business of FULLING in all its branches, can have employment, by hireing himself by the month, or else rent the Fulling Mill of the subscriber upon reasonable terms. Said mill lieth in Maguntsky, upon a constant stream of water called Little Lehigh, and has plenty of business. The subscriber should be glad if a fuller would apply, the sooner the better, as there is already a good deal of work upon hand.
GUN CARRIAGES WANTED.
IN COUNCIL of SAFETY, September 18, 1776. Resolved, That Col. Bayard and Col. Matlack be appointed to employ proper persons to make a number of GUN CARRIAGES for the service of this State.
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
STOLEN from the subscriber, living in Whitemarsh township, Philadelphia county, on the 13th of September, at night, a dark bay STALLION colt, two years old last spring, about 13 hands high, a natural trotter, has a star in his forehead, and his near hind foot white. Whoever secures the said colt and thief, if stolen, so that the owner may get him again, shall have the above reward; but for the colt only, FOUR DOLLARS, and reasonable charges.
TWO DOLLARS Reward.
STRAYED away from the plantation of the subscriber, in Darby township, the 14th of September last, two MARES: viz. a sorrel, three years old last June, a blaze down her face, neither brand nor ear-mark, shod before with old shoes; the other a light bay, two years old last May, with a large star. Whoever takes up said mares, and secures them so that the owner may get them again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges.
† WANTED, a JOURNEYMAN PRINTER, who is master of his business, and can be well recommended for sobriety. Constant employ and good wages will be given. Enquire of the Printer hereof, at the head of the Valley road.
PHILADELPHIA: Printed by Davidson Signal, near the Sign of the Wolf and Bear, at the head of the Valley road.
The news of the world, 250 years late. A daily paper of the birth of America. Each issue is published on the 250th anniversary of its dateline, and knows only what Philadelphia knew by that day: an issue dated the 1st closes with the post of the 30th, nothing is foreshadowed, and a report that was believed at the time and later proved false is printed here as it was believed.
Written by AI, to rules its publisher set. The events are real and drawn from whatever source records them — not only from what a printer happened to set in type. Where the record is thin, the item is short.
† marks an advertisement composed for this paper — the advertiser, the goods and the terms are ours. Everything else in the advertising columns is reproduced word for word. Nothing concerning an enslaved person or a bound servant is ever composed.
Davidson Signal is a pen name. Corrections run in a later issue; we do not change one that has gone out.
Why this paper takes a side, why Philadelphia, what is made and what is not →