Price Three Coppers. Published every Day, Sunday excepted.
Containing the Freshest Accounts, however long upon the Road.
Bergen, October 4
Extract of a letter from head-quarters at Bergen, dated October 4.
"To-morrow we evacuate Bergen, a measure which will at first be condemned, and afterwards approved of. For my own part, I am sorry that the enemy should possess another inch of American ground, but prudence requires a further sacrifice. The reasons of leaving this place I take to be these: Bergen is a narrow neck of land, accessible on three sides by water, and exposed to a variety of attacks in different places at one and the same time. A large body of the enemy might infallibly take possession of the place whenever they pleased, unless we kept a stronger force than our numbers will allow. The spot itself is not an object of their arms: if they attacked, it would be to cut off those who defended it, and secure the grain and military stores. These have been removed; and when we are gone, a naked spot is all they will find. No other damage will follow, except a depression of some people's spirits, who, unacquainted with places, circumstances, and the secret reasons of such relinquishments, are apt to despond as if every thing was lost. We go to Fort Constitution as soon as we have seen the troops marched off. We shall leave a guard of observation behind us: this may prevent the enemy's discovering our removal for a day or two."
New-York, October 7
The New-York Gazette of this day says, that on Thursday last the Daphne, Captain Chinnery, arrived there from England with several transports under convoy, having on board the XVIIth Regiment of Light Horse, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Harcourt; that five men of war have been detached from the squadron into the North-River above Greenwich; and that it is said the Flora frigate, of 32 guns, Captain Brisbane, is preparing to sail, with several transports under convoy.
New-London, October 4
Last Wednesday the armed brig Defence, belonging to the State of Connecticut, Capt. Seth Harding, sent into this port a prize ship from Jamaica, bound to London, called the John, McDonald, master, with 306 hogsheads of sugar, 158 Ditto of rum, cotton, coffee and mahogany, and two turtle on board. She sailed from Montego Bay in company with 200 sail, under convoy of two men of war, who had parted with them and returned into port. "An Embargo being laid on the Shipping in Jamaica, on Account of the Insurrection among the Negroes, for want of Provisions, detained the above Fleet; who, when they sailed, were on short Allowance of Provisions." Capt. Harding, who two days after took a Guinea-man, William Jackson, master, came in yesterday noon from his cruize; the same morning, off Narragansett-Beach, he fell in with two British frigates, who fired 60 or 70 shot at him, and he returned them a like number.
Last Lord's-Day se'nnight, near Brookhaven, on Long-Island, one Richard Miller, a native of East-Hampton, who had taken a commission under Gen. Howe, and was inlisting men for the regular army, rode by Capt. Rowe's door, where a centry was placed, and refusing to stop, after being repeatedly called upon, the guard fired at him, when a ball entered his body, and he died the next morning.
Philadelphia, October 10
An application from the Council of Safety of this State was this day laid before Congress, and read, desiring that a committee of Congress may be appointed to confer with a committee of their body, on the expediency of having troops stationed near the city of Philadelphia, for the defence of this State. Congress directed the Board of War to confer with the committee of the Council.
On a report of the Board of War, General Schuyler is directed to take such steps as are necessary for procuring a sufficient number of as large vessels as the navigation of the lakes will admit of, for the service of the states the next campaign, "that the command of the lakes may be effectually secured"; the regimental pay masters are to have the rank of first lieutenants, and to receive rations as captains; and General Washington is directed to negotiate with General Howe an exchange of the officers returned from Canada, who are to have a preference to the officers taken on New-York and Long-Island.
On the report of the committee appointed to devise a plan for providing carriages, the quarter masters in every department are ordered to avoid pressing horses and carriages as much as possible, to discharge such as are impressed as soon as the service will admit, and to do no violence whatever to any persons, their horses or carriages, who go to the camp of their own accord to sell provisions, or other necessaries of any kind.
Philadelphia, October 7
The following resolutions of the 3d and 7th instant are published by order of Congress:
In CONGRESS, October 3, 1776.
Resolved, That five millions of Continental Dollars be immediately borrowed for the use of the United States of America, at the annual interest of four per cent.
That the faith of the United States be pledged to the lenders, for the payment of the sums to be borrowed and the interest arising thereon, and that certificates be given to the lenders in the form following—
"The United States of America acknowledge the receipt of Dollars from which they promise to pay to the said or bearer, on the day of with interest, at the rate of four per cent. per annum, agreeable to a resolution of the United States, passed the third day of October, 1776. Witness the hand of the Treasurer, this day of A. D.
Countersigned," by the Commissioners of one of the Loan-Offices hereafter mentioned.
That for the convenience of the lenders, a Loan-Office be established in each of the United States, and a Commissioner to superintend such office be appointed by the said States respectively, who are to be responsible for the faithful discharge of their duty in the said offices.
That the business of the said Commissioners shall be to deliver certificates for all such sums of money as shall be brought into their respective offices, agreeable to these resolutions, which certificates shall be indented, and the checks kept in the said office—to keep books, in which regular entries shall be made of the sums borrowed, and of the time when, and of the names of the persons by whom the said sums were lent—to transmit to the Continental Treasurer, once a month, an account of the cash in their respective offices—and to answer all draughts of the Treasurer, to the amount of the cash which they shall at any time have in their hands as aforesaid.
That the Treasurer of the United States shall send to the respective Loan-Offices such a number of certificates, and of such denominations, as shall be ordered by the Commissioners of the Treasury.
That no certificate be issued for a less sum than three hundred dollars.
That the several sums of money to be borrowed shall be repaid at the office where the same was lent, at the expiration of three years; and that the annual interest shall be likewise paid at the said office.
That the Commissioners of the respective Loan-Offices be entitled to receive of the United States, one eighth per cent on all monies which shall be brought into their respective Loan-Offices, in lieu of all claims and demands that they may have for transacting the business of their said offices;
Oct. 7. Resolved, That it be recommended to the Assemblies and Conventions of the United States respectively, to annex such penalties by law to the crime of counterfeiting the bills or notes of the Continental Loan-Office, as are or shall be annexed to the crime of counterfeiting the Continental currency.
Ordered, That the foregoing Resolutions be published, and copies thereof sent to each of the United States; and that the respective States be desired to send to the Committee of the Continental Treasury, the names of the Commissioners by them appointed in consequence of the said resolutions.
By Order of Congress,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
Philadelphia, September 30
Upon the report of the committee on General Washington's letters of the 24th and 25th of September, Congress on this day resolved also,
That it be recommended to the legislatures of the United States, to appoint gentlemen in their respective states, skilful in physic and surgery, to examine those who offer to serve as surgeons or surgeons' mates in the army and navy; and that no surgeon or mate shall hereafter receive a commission or warrant to act as such, in the army or navy, who shall not produce a certificate from some or one of the examiners so to be appointed, to prove that he is qualified to execute the office:
That all regimental surgeons and mates, as well as those of the hospitals, be subject to the direction and controul of the directors in the several departments:
That no soldier be discharged from the service as disabled, unless the certificate of disability be countersigned by the director, assistant physician, or first surgeon of the hospital, nor be excused from duty for sickness, unless the certificate of sickness be countersigned by one of those persons, where access may be had to them.
Fish-Kill, October 8
The President of the Committee of Safety of that State, Colonel Livingston, this day represented, that the districts of Claverack and the Manor of Livingston, in the county of Albany, were infested with disaffected persons; "that they have fired with loaded arms through the houses and store-houses of Dirk Jansen, and wounded one of the clerks, and perpetrated other enormities against the peace of this State." The information was referred to a committee; and in the afternoon the Committee resolved, that a company of forty-nine men be immediately raised in the county of Albany, under Captain Petrus Van Gaasbeck, and another in the county of Dutchess, under Captain Nathaniel Scribner, "for the purpose of detecting and defeating the intentions and conspiracies of our secret and open enemies," to serve three months, at the pay of the Continental troops.
Annapolis, October 6
Complaint being made to the Council of Safety of this State, that General Stephens, from Virginia, had impressed a pilot of Annapolis, and confined him, with a view of obliging him, against his will and inclination, to pilot the General's vessel to the Head-of-Elk, the General attended the Board at their request, and was informed by the Vice President, on their behalf, that such conduct "was contrary to the laws of this State, and an infringement of the rights of the inhabitants thereof." The General replied, "that he had the greatest veneration for the civil law of the land, and should always draw his sword in support of it"; that being on his way to the camp near New-York, with part of the Virginia forces, and having no skilful pilot, he had at first used some force, but had afterwards obtained the consent of the owner of the pilot; and that he would restore the pilot to his liberty. At his desire the Board procured him another.
Princeton, September 11
The Governor's Speech to the Council and General Assembly, continued from this paper of Wednesday last.
Thus constrained to assert our own Independence, and dissolve all political connection with a nation insatiate with plunder, and deaf to the voice of reason, of justice and humanity, the late "Representatives of the Colony of New-Jersey, in Congress assembled, did, pursuant to the advice of the Honourable the Continental Congress, the supreme Council of the American Colonies, agree upon the form of a Constitution," which, by tacit acquiescence and open approbation, hath since received the assent and concurrence of the good people of this State, to whose consideration it was for that purpose submitted. Agreeable to this Constitution, you, Gentlemen, have been chosen the Legislative Council and Assembly of this State; and being jointly met, have, in farther pursuance of it, proceeded to the choice of a Governor.
Having conferred that honour upon one who feels himself very unequal to the task, but at the same time upon one, who, having during the whole contest taken an active part in opposing the meditated bondage, now disdains, in its most perilous period, to shrink from a station which must render him peculiarly obnoxious to the common enemy; he can with great sincerity assure you, that it shall be his constant endeavour faithfully to discharge the trust reposed in him.
He is moreover confident, that how greatly soever you may find yourselves deceived in the favourable opinion you may have been pleased to entertain of his abilities, he will never give you any reason to call in question the rectitude of his intentions.
Gentlemen,
In the present situation of affairs, it is absolutely necessary to turn our first attention to the operations of war.
To be continued.
Entered in. No entries are come from the office this day.
Cleared out. None entered this day.
We hear that a prize ship from Jamaica, called the Thetis, Captain May, with 310 hogsheads of sugar and 90 casks or puncheons of spirits, taken by the General Montgomery privateer, is in the river.
Yesterday Alexander Morrice was permitted by the Council of Safety to depart this State in the schooner Mariamne, Captain William Graham, to Cape Nicola Mole, in Hispaniola.
No notice is come from the office this day.
No price current is come to hand.
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
To all whom it may concern.
Notice is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held at the Court-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Monday the 28th day of October inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of Captain Jones of the armed sloop called the Providence (who as well, &c.) against the brigantine or vessel called the Sea Nymph (her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo) burthen about fifty tons, lately commanded by Francis Trimingham, to the end & intent that the owner or owners of the said brigantine and her 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.
October 10
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.
DOCTOR YELDALL,
WHOSE abilities are well known through most parts of the United States, is to be consulted at his Medicinal Ware-house, 3 doors above the Bank Meeting-house, in Front-street. Those that live in the country, by sending an account of their disorders, may have advice and medicines. Those in the city or parts adjacent may be waited on at their houses; and on Mondays any poor person may be supplied gratis.
For the benefit of others I desire that my case may be made public. I was afflicted for a long time with a pain in my arm, during which I applied to several able physicians in the city, but could find no relief; the pain at length took away the use of my arm, and I could get no ease either day or night. In this condition I despaired of relief, but hearing of many cures performed by Dr. Yeldall, I applied to him, who in a short time removed the pain, restored the use of my arm, and I now follow my business.
JOSEPH SPENCER, Grocer, in Second-street.
For the benefit of others be it made public, that I had a large Wen growing on my neck for five years, during which I applied to several surgeons, but they all told me I should bleed to death that instant it was cut, but hearing that Dr. Yeldall performed a great many of the like, I applied to him, who took it off with very little trouble, and without the loss of a tea-cup full of blood.
BENJAMIN WILSON, Elizabeth-Town, New-Jersey.
Sir, as there are many persons that have cancers in their lips, and being desirous that they may reap the same benefit that I have done, I desire that you may make my case public. I was afflicted with a cancer in my lip for three years, during which I applied to many though without effect, until I applied to you, who in less than half a minute took out the cancer, and in 5 days healed up the part so as not to be percieved from whence the cancer was taken.
CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, Bedminster township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania.
To Dr. YELDALL, Front-street, Philadelphia.
Sir, for the benefit of others I desire that you may make my case public, that those being imposed upon and labouring under the same complaint may know where to apply for a cure. I was blind for four years, during which I applied to many, but received no benefit. I was six weeks under a famous eye Doctor's hands, who took my money, and did me no good; but hearing that you took nothing in hand but where you had a probability of perfecting a cure, I applied to you, who in one minute brought me to sight, and I can now see to read.
WILLIAM BELL, Vincent township, Chester county, Pennsylvania.
RUN away on Sunday night last, from the subscribers, living in Montgomery township, Philadelphia county, two indented Irish servant men, one of them named John Lewis, 18 years of age, black hair, tied behind, understands the military exercise very well, an active smart fellow; had on, and took with him, his regimental coat, of brown cloth, faced with buff, striped jacket, buckskin breeches, almost new, a pair of linen drawers, shoes and stockings; he has a large scar on one side of his head, close under his hair, has had the first joint of one of his fore fingers cut off, and is about 5 feet 7 inches high. The other named Manus O'Cannon, aged about 30 years, 5 feet 5 inches high, much marked with the small-pox, of a very dark complexion; had on, and took with him, a good blue coat and jacket, 3 shirts, his other clothes not known; he wears very black curled hair. Whoever takes up the said runaways, and secures them, so as their masters may get them again, shall have the reward of TEN DOLLARS, or FIVE DOLLARS for either of them, and all reasonable charges.
August 5, 1776.
MATTHEW HINES, JOHN SIMPSON.
RUN away, last night, from the subscriber, 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 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, 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 soals; he also took with him an old great coat broken in the sleeves and other parts; it is supposed he took a bridle with him. Whoever takes up said servant and brings him to the subscriber, near the sign of the Waggon, on Lancaster road, or secures him in any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall have FORTY SHILLINGS reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
Sept. 2, 1776.
MICHAEL BALDRIDGE.
Lower-Merion, August 30, 1776.
RUN away, last night, from the subscriber, an Irish servant man, named John Reardon, between 20 and 30 years of age, about 5 feet 10 inches high, pretty lusty, dark coloured curled hair, and long nose; took with him a coat, made of iron grey coating, a dark Pompadour jacket, of fine coating, a dark blue and white cotton striped jacket, one white linen shirt, and 3 of ozenbrigs, one long muslin neckcloth, marked I, one pair of broad blue furniture check, and two pair of tow cloth trowsers, one pair of shoes, all of which are lately new; also the following old, a pair of buckskin breeches, two jackets, one red, the other green, without sleeves, two pair of light blue yarn Germantown stockings, one pair of shoes, two check pocket handkerchiefs, a beaver hat, two pair of tow trowsers, a pair of brass oval shoe buckles, one of which has a steel anchor and tongue, the other brass, a large tow cloth wallet; he was sent on an errand with a twenty dollar bill, which probably induced him to go off. Whoever apprehends him, so that I may have him again, shall have EIGHT DOLLARS reward, paid by
PHILIP SYNG.
PHILADELPHIA: Printed by Davidson Signal, near the Sign of the Wolf and Bear, at the head of the Valley road.
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.
† 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.
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