Price Three Coppers. Published every Day, Sunday excepted.
Containing the Freshest Accounts, however long upon the Road.
Harlem, October 13
Extract of a letter from Harlem, October 13.
"Yesterday morning about 4000 of the enemy landed at Fagg's or Frog's Point, in the sound, about 6 miles above us; a detachment was immediately sent to oppose them: The enemy got possession of the point, but as I was informed last night had made no farther progress. Our people, I am told, had taken up a bridge which was there, and felled trees across the road, to obstruct them till a reinforcement could arrive. In the afternoon 42 sail passed the mouth of Harlem river, in their way to the point; they consisted of sloops, schooners, brigs and 9 ships. I expect there will be bloody work there to-day. From the number of men landed and the ships which went up, I think this can be no feint, but that the main body of Howe's army must be there, and that there he intends to make his Coup-de-Main. This week will probably finish the campaign.—Upon the arrival of the ships at Dobb's ferry they landed some men and plundered a store-house. I suppose those men who landed yesterday are to go across the country, and form a line from Flagg's-point to Tarry-town, 4 miles above Dobb's ferry, where the ships lie, but in this I expect they will be mistaken."
Watertown, October 7
Last Wednesday returned to Salem, after a short cruise, the brigantine Massachusetts, of this State, commanded by Capt. Souther. He informs that a few days after he sailed he fell in with and took a brigantine, of about 250 tons, from Falmouth in England, mounting six 3 pounders, and having on board a Captain and about 20 privates of the 16th regiment of Dragoons, with their horses and accoutrements, also the chaplain of said regiment, and some dry goods, which the Captain says is his own property. The whole number of prisoners 35. This vessel sailed from Falmouth the 27th of July, just a month after they embarked, in company with 12 others, under convoy of the Daphne of 32 guns, from whom they parted but a day or two before they were taken; they all had the same kind of cargoe, making in the whole 230 horses. A fleet of about 70 sail sailed about 3 days before them, under a strong convoy, having on board the remainder of the 16th regiment of dragoons, and the last division of Hanoverians, consisting, it is said, of 5000 men, bound to New York: They were short of horse provisions, some of the horses died of the staggers, and it is supposed the late gales have destroyed many more. The people in England, we hear, began to be very uneasy.
The prize above-mentioned, we learn, arrived at Towshend at the eastward the middle of last week.
A privateer belonging to Salem, which arrived there last Thursday, fell in with the fleet of 12 sail, and was so closely pursued by the Daphne that the enemy fired musket-balls into her; but by heaving over all her guns, water and provisions, and by sawing down her upper works, they barely escaped.
We also hear that three more prizes have arrived at the eastward, two laden with fish, the other with melasses.
Boston, October 7
Extract of a letter from Boston, October 7.
"The prize taken by Capt. Greely, and sent first into Marblehead, has since come round here. She has papers to the middle of August, which give particular accounts of the Spaniards invading the kingdom of Portugal, and taking possession of several towns—the inference is plain; war is or must be declared.
"The mate of a London ship brought up this evening by Captain Atkins informs, that the Ministry are so suspicious of plots and conspiracies being laid, that four persons dare not be seen conversing together in London, but they are immediately dispersed. A privateer is just arrived at Salem, after taking three prizes, one of which is loaded with dry goods to the amount of £37,000 sterling.—This fine prize has not yet arrived.—A day seldom passes, without provision vessels, Jamaica-men, Londoners, or something is taken."
Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, September 28.
On Thursday last arrived here the prize ship Royal Exchange, Lawrence Bowden, late master, she was taken by the Continental ship Columbus, Abraham Whipple, Esq; commander, on the 29th ult. on her passage from Grenada to London, having on board a valuable cargoe, consisting of 284 hogsheads and 2 tierces of sugar, 65 hogsheads of rum, 11 hogsheads of coffee, 2 bales of cotton, and some Madeira wine. The prize-master (Mr. Onely) informs of two other prizes being taken by the Columbus, just before this, on their passage to Europe, from the West-Indies; and in his passage hither spoke with the Providence brigantine, belonging to the United States, who informed him of her having taken two valuable prizes, and sent in to Providence.
Boston, October 3
Yesterday was sent into this harbour, by the Columbus ship of war, Capt. Whipple, a brig from Antigua, bound for Europe, with 250 hogsheads of rum.
Philadelphia, October 15
The Council of Safety of this State this day "Resolved, That Mr. Rittenhouse, Colonel Matlack, Colonel Bayard, and Mr. Biddle, be appointed to view the several avenues to this City, and report to this Board the places most suitable in their judgment to erect works of defence; and they are directed to apply to General Stephens, Colonel Dickinson, Colonel Cadwalader, and Colonel Hampton, and acquaint them of this appointment, and request that they will give their assistance and advice in this important business."
The Council further "Resolved, That application be made to the Board of War for a letter to the Commanding Officer in the State of New-Jersey, to deliver to persons appointed by this Board, three pieces of Brass Cannon, with the stores and ammunition belonging to them, to be brought to this City for the immediate defence of this State."
Mr. Nesbitt was directed to pay "Pollodore, (a Negro,) for beating drum for Colonel Magaw's Battalion, two months and four days, £9 15s.; to be charged to Congress, by their particular desire."
He was likewise directed to pay Samuel Morris, sen., and Francis Gurney 510l., being so much delivered to two Indian messengers from Stockbridge to Fort Pitt, to be charged to Congress.
In the afternoon Mr. Towers was directed to deliver to Colonel Bull thirty spades, fifty shovels, fifty grubbing-hoes, sixty wheelbarrows and twenty axes, for the use of the fortification at Billingsport; and an order was drawn on Mr. Hillegas, in favour of John M. Nesbitt, Esq., for 40,000 dollars, being part of 100,000 dollars borrowed of Congress.
Philadelphia, October 15
Congress this day resolved, "That General Gates be informed, that Congress have it not in their power at present to supply him with the artillery he desires, but will procure such as soon as possible"; and that two independent companies, consisting of fifty men each, be immediately raised, to be commanded by Lieutenant Whitcomb, who is to be appointed captain commandant, and is to nominate the officers of the said companies, they to be appointed when approved of by the commanding officer of the northern department. The farther consideration of the report of the Board of War, on which these resolves were made, was postponed.
John Foxcroft, Esq., having applied for leave to go to New-York, "to remove his family from the horrors of war, and relieve them from the distress in which they are at present involved," leave was granted him, upon his giving his parole to the Board of War, he not to set out on his journey before next week.
On the report of the Committee of Treasury, Congress ordered two months' pay extraordinary for the officers of the company of "the late Captain Hendricks, killed at the assault of Quebec," to be paid to Lieutenant Francis Nichols of that company. Among those officers were Lieutenant John M'Cleland, who died on the march to Quebec, and Lieutenant Nichols himself. Captain Hendricks's executors are to have the inlisting money of eighty-five men, paid when the company was raised. And there is to be advanced to Lieutenant Nichols, for paying the soldiers of his company returned from Quebec, the sum of 1,753 30/90 dollars, until he can settle the accounts of the company.
William Davies, deputy muster master general of the flying camp, having requested leave to resign that commission, leave was granted, and the next day assigned for appointing another in his room. Mr. Wythe and Mr. Smith were added to the Committee of Treasury; 40,000 dollars were ordered to be sent to R. Dallam, Esq., deputy pay master general, for the use of the militia and flying camp, he to be accountable.
On the queries of the Board of Treasury, Congress had resolved, on the 14th, "That no officer, holding two appointments in the continental army, be paid for more than one, after notice was given to the commanders of the respective armies, of the resolution of Congress against officers holding double commissions."
Letters were read from General Washington, General Lee, General Schuyler, General Greene, Mr. Trumbull, Seth Warner and Brigadier General Lewis.
Fish-Kill, October 8
A letter from General Scott, received by Lieutenant Mott, with two disaffected persons, Gersham Smith and another not named, was this day read in the Committee of Safety of that State, and the letter, the Lieutenant and the prisoners were severally referred to the Committee for detecting Conspirators.
Fish-Kill, October 12
A certificate from Samuel Tudor, Stephen Seaman, and seven other persons at the ship-yards at Poughkeepsie, concerning William Warne, was read, and referred to the Committee appointed for detecting Conspiracies. Mr. Moore was ordered to view the arms in Mr. Sackett's care, at the Landing, and report the state in which they are, and the number.
Annapolis, October 11
In the Convention of Maryland this day, on motion of Mr. Paca, "Resolved, That the several Vessels lately drifted on the shores of this State from Lord Dunmore's fleet, or otherwise made captures of, be raised up, appraised, and fitted out for the use of this State, or exposed to sale, at the discretion of the Council of Safety; the cargoes of the said vessels to be also exposed to sale, and the moneys arising from the sale of the said vessels and cargoes, be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the Western-Shore, subject to the disposal of this or a future Convention or Legislature."
The Convention sat in a Committee of the Whole on the Declaration of Rights and form of Government for that State, Mr. Worthington in the chair, and the Committee, not having had time to go through the same, asked leave to sit again; in the afternoon the Convention resolved to take it up again in a Committee of the Whole the next day.
Williamsburg, October 11
On Monday last, the General Assembly of this Commonwealth met at the Capitol, agreeable to adjournment and the plan of government adopted at the late Convention, when the Hon. Archibald Cary, Esq., was elected Speaker of the Upper House, or Senate, and the Hon. Edmund Pendleton, Esq., Speaker of the House of Delegates.
The honourable House of Delegates have been pleased to continue the officers of the late Convention to be officers to their House; and the Senate have chosen John Pendleton, Esq., to be their Clerk.
Colonel Benjamin Harrison, of Berkeley, was yesterday chosen a Delegate to represent this State in General Congress, in the room of Thomas Jefferson, Esq.; and James Mercer, Esq., a member of the Privy Council, in the room of Colonel Harrison.
Since our last a Spanish ship arrived in Hampton road; it is said she came to purchase a cargo of flour, and has on board 6000 dollars. Advices by this ship say, that the French seem determined to strike some capital blow against Great Britain in a very short time.
Princeton.
The General Assembly of the State of New-Jersey, lately sitting at Princeton, was adjourned last week to the 13th of November next, then to meet at Burlington.
Entered in. No entries are come from the office this day.
Cleared out. None entered this day.
The Pennsylvania Gazette has the following.
Yesterday afternoon the Continental armed schooner Wasp, Capt. Baldwin, returned here from a cruize, and brought in with him a large ship, bound from Jamaica for Liverpool, laden with rum and sugar, which he took about 12 days ago. The prize is got up to Chester.
The Pennsylvania Journal gives it thus.
Yesterday arrived from a cruize the continental schooner Wasp, Capt. Baldwin, and brought in a large Guinea ship, bound from Jamaica for Liverpool, with 305 hogsheads of sugar, 55 puncheons of rum, &c. part of the Jamaica August fleet. — This is the third of that fleet sent in here.
The same paper says, that the prize ship Thetis, Capt. May, taken by the brig General Montgomery, arrived here on Saturday last, from Montego Bay for London, and belonged to a fleet of near 200 sail, which left Jamaica in August last, under convoy of two men of war; and that in coming up she touched on the Cheveaux de Frize, where she would in all probability have sunk, had it not been for the timely assistance she received from the Row-Galley-Men.
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 State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Friday, the first day of November next, 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 James Montgomery (who, as well, &c.) against the ship or vessel called the Thetis, burthen about 300 tons, lately commanded by Hezekiah May, together with her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargoe. To the end and intent, that the owner or owners thereof, or any persons 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.
JUST PUBLISHED, and to be SOLD by MICHAEL HILLEGAS,
A COMPLETE TUTOR FOR THE FIFE, comprehending the first Rudiments of Music, and of that Instrument, in an easy familiar Method. To which is annexed, besides the Fife Duty, and the usual Collection of Lessons, Airs and Marches, in the English Edition, a Variety of new favourite ones never before printed.
Warminster, Bucks County, October 10, 1776.
RAN away from the subscriber, on the 29th of September last, an indented servant, named ISRAEL JENKINS, 16 years of age, but rather small, country born, has short dark brown hair, and has lost a joint off the fore-finger of his right hand; had on a brown fulled lincey coat, striped jacket, neats leather shoes, a felt hat, and white hunting frock. Whoever brings said servant to his master, or secures him so that he may be had again, shall receive a reward of FORTY SHILLINGS, and all reasonable charges, paid by
JOSEPH HART.
RUN away about two weeks ago, from Oley Forge, in the county of Berks, from John Lesher, a thick, middle-sized NEGROE man, named JOE, aged about 40 years; he has heretofore run away, and been in the goals of Lancaster and Chester counties, and sold out for costs. All persons are hereby forbid to harbour the said runaway, and whoever secures the said Negroe, and restores him to the said JOHN LESHER, or informs him, or Mr. JACOB MORGAN, of the city of Philadelphia, Merchant, where the said Negroe is secured, shall have Twenty Shillings reward.
October 11, 1776.
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, in Lower-Merion township, Philadelphia county, on the 12th of October instant, a Dutch servant Woman, hath been about two years in the country, speaks very broken English, named Anna Rosina Wenseling, 30 years of age, middle sized, round faced, yellow complexion, thick lips, round shouldered, brown hair, intermixed with white, and bald on the top of her head, a small short thumb on the right hand, large lumps on her big toe joints, much adicted to lying; had on, when she went away, a striped flannel jacket, patched with striped flannel of a darker colour, a petticoat of the same, striped with sheep's black and yellow, and a green worsted under jacket, lined with linen, one tow shift, two tow aprons, a single handkerchief of small check, no shoes nor stockings, an old castor hat. Whoever takes up said servant, and secures her, so as she may be had again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN ZELL.
Newgarden, Chester county, Sept. 30, 1776.
A PLANTATION to be sold by the subscriber, on the 18th day of October next, containing 112 acres of land, consisting of four fields, a considerable quantity of meadow ground, well supplied with water, a good bearing orchard and ground for spring grain; the remainder well timbered; on which is erected a two story square-log house, with a cellar under, a well of good water at the door, a barn, with stabling and cow-yard; a cooper's shop, with sundry tools and cooper's stuff; a variety of houshold furniture and farming utensils, too tedious to mention. Also horses, cows, sheep and swine. The vendue is intended to begin at ten o'clock said day, where attendance and the conditions, which will be made easy to the purchaser, shall be made known by the owner.
AMBROSE TAYLOR.
To be SOLD by the subscriber, at public vendue, on the 18th of October instant,
THE two following plantations, situate in the township of East-Caln, in Chester county; the two said plantations join each other, lying on the road leading from the Red Lion to the Plough and Harrow; there are on the first mentioned place, a good dwelling-house with a stone gable, a good spring and spring-house, a good barn and sheds, and an extraordinary good apple orchard, and other fruit trees; the said plantation contains 160 acres of land, 10 acres of meadow, and more part made; the upland good for grain, and all in good repair. The other plantation is all in good repair, with a log dwelling-house and kitchen adjoining, a good shop, fit for any tradesman, a good barn, with a good stone spring-house and a never-failing spring, and a good still-house with three stills, one contains 190 gallons, new last fall; one 68, and the other 38 gallons; a good quantity of good meadow, and more part made, a good apple orchard; the land good for grain, contains 165 acres, and will be sold together or separate, as may best suit the purchaser; the woodland well timbered; the payment made easy, and an indisputable title given, by
JAMES BATTEN.
N. B. The vendue to begin at one o'clock on said day, at the dwelling-house of said Batten, living on the premises, who will shew them to any that may apply.
To the votable Inhabitants of the County and Borough of Chester,
GENTLEMEN,
IT hath been your pleasure, some years past, to delegate me one of your Representatives to serve in General Assembly; permit me, Gentlemen, to return you my grateful thanks for your distinguished sentiments of respect, and, in future, be pleased to excuse me from farther service in that station, which is the real desire of
BENJAMIN BARTHOLOMEW.
SIXTEEN DOLLARS Reward.
STOLEN, on the 8th of this inst. October, from the subscriber, living in Sadsbury township, Chester county, a dark bay MARE, 4 years old last spring, 14 hands 3 inches high, a small star, black mane and tail, a natural trotter, well made, a remarkable running in the root of her near ear, carries her head well, some white on one of her hind feet. Whoever takes up and secures said mare and thief, that the owner may get the mare, and the thief brought to justice, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, or Eight Dollars for the mare only, paid by
JAMES M'CLELLAN.
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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