The New America Times

In Congress

Philadelphia, October 21

INTELLIGENCE received in CONGRESS, October 21st, from the Middle and Northern Departments.

In the night of the 15th instant General Mercer passed over to Staten-Island with part of the troops posted at Perth-Amboy, and advanced within a few miles of Richmond town, having been informed that a company of British troops, one of Hessians, and one of Skinner's militia lay there—Colonel Griffin was detached with Colonel Patterson's battalion, and Major Clarke at the head of some rifle-men, to fall in upon the east end of the town, while the remainder of the troops enclosed it on the other quarters; both divisions reached the town by break of day, but not before the enemy were alarmed; most of them fled after exchanging a few shot with Col. Griffin's detachment. Two soldiers of the enemy were mortally wounded, and seventeen taken prisoners; with the loss only of two soldiers killed on our side. Col. Griffin received a wound in the foot from a musket ball, and Lieut. Col Smith was slightly wounded in the arm. Amongst the prisoners taken in this action are eight Hessians. Our troops brought off from Staten-Island 45 muskets, a number of bayonets, cutlasses, &c. and one standard of the British light horse.

It has been determined in a Council of War at Head Quarters, to remove the army from the Heights of Haerlem towards East and West Chester, in order to outflank the enemy, and disappoint their intentions.

On Friday the 18th instant one of the enemy's advanced parties near East Chester fell in with part of Col. Glover's brigade, when a smart and close engagement ensued; in which our men behaved with great coolness and intrepidity, and drove the enemy back to their main body.

That on the 11th instant, at 8 o'clock in the morning, the enemy's fleet on Lake Champlain, consisting of one ship mounting 16 guns, one snow mounting the same number, one schooner of 14 guns, two of twelve, two sloops, a bomb ketch, and a large vessel, (her force unknown) with fifteen or twenty flat bottomed boats or gondolas, carrying one 12 or 18 pounder in their bows, appeared off Cumberland Head: General Arnold with his forces immediately prepared to receive them—At 11 o'clock the attack began, at half past 12 the engagement became general and very warm; some of the enemy's ships and all their gondolas beat up and rowed within musket shot of our fleet. They continued a very hot fire with round and grape shot till 5 o'clock, when they thought proper to retire about six or seven hundred yards distance, and continued there until dark. Gen. Arnold and his troops conducted themselves during this action with great firmness and intrepidity, and made a better resistance than could have been expected against a force so greatly superior—the whole of our killed and wounded amounted to about 60. The Philadelphia gondola and a schooner were lost in the engagement, but all the men were saved. The enemy landed a large number of Indians on Schuyler's Island and or each shore, who kept up an incessant fire, but did little damage. The enemy had to appearance upwards of 1000 men in batteaus prepared for boarding.

The enemy's force being so greatly superior, it was determined in Council to remove to Crown Point, in order to refit and collect our force. At 2 o'clock, P. M, the 12th, our fleet weighed anchor, with a fresh breeze to the southward: The enemy's fleet at the same time got under way: Our gondalas made very little way ahead.—In the evening the wind moderated, and we made such progress, that at six o'clock next morning we were about 28 miles from Crown Point. The enemy's fleet was very little above Schuyler's Island, the wind breezed up to the southward; so that we gained very little by beating or rowing; at the same time the enemy took a fresh breeze from the N.E. and, by the time we had reached Split Rock, were along side of us. The Washington and the Congress were in the rear, the rest of our fleet were ahead, except two gondolas sunk at Schuyler's Island:—The Washington galley was in such a shattered condition, and had so many men killed and wounded, that she struck to the enemy after receiving a few broadsides. The Congress was then attacked by a ship mounting 12 eighteen pounders, a schooner of 14 sixes, and one of 12 sixes; two under her stern and one on her broadside, within musket-shot: The enemy kept up an incessant fire about five glasses with round and grape shot, which was returned as briskly. The sails, rigging and hull of the Congress were shattered and torn in pieces; when, to prevent her falling into the enemy's hands, Gen. Arnold, who was on board, ran her ashore in a small creek ten miles from Crown Point, where after taking out her small arms she was set on fire, with 4 other gondolas; with whose crews the General reached Crown Point that evening, luckily escaping the savages, who way-laid the road in two hours after he had passed it.—Of our whole fleet we have saved two gallies, two schooners, one gondola, and one sloop.

Gen. Arnold behaved with such intrepidity, that he covered the retreat of the few vessels we saved at the expence of one third of his crew—Our commanders and men behaved most gallantly; some vessels having lost all their officers, fought notwithstanding, and refused to yield but with their lives. The enemy acknowledge our bravery, and confess their loss of men equal to ours.

Our troops are now busily employed in compleating the lines, redoubts, &c. at Crown Point, expecting the enemy to attack them with their fleet and army. But as the season is now far advanced, and our men are daily growing in health, they have the most flattering expectations of maintaining their post against any force the enemy can bring.

N. B. Two of the enemy's gondolas were sunk the first day by our fleet, and one blown up with 60 men.

Convention of New-York

Fish-Kill, October 19

"A Letter from General Schuyler, dated at Saratoga, October 16th, containing the intelligence of the destruction of our Fleet on Champlain, was read" in the Committee of Safety of this State this morning; and it was "Ordered, That copies of said Letter be sent to Congress and General Washington by express."

Resolutions were then read and agreed to, which open as follows:

"Whereas information has been received by this Committee from the Honourable Major-General Schuyler, commanding the Continental Army in the Northern department, of the total destruction of our Fleet on Lake Champlain, and that it is beyond doubt that the enemy mean to attack our Army now at Ticonderoga: And whereas it is of the utmost importance to the safety of this State, and to the general cause of America, that the Legislative authority of this State should make the most vigorous and decisive exertions for repelling the progress of the enemy's arms, and for preserving the lives, liberty, and property of the good people of this State from falling a sacrifice to a tyrannical, merciless, and savage enemy: And whereas the Convention of this State did, on the 15th instant, appoint out of their body a Committee of Safety, with full powers to transact all such business and exercise such authority as should more immediately concern the safety of this State:

"Resolved, That a Committee be forthwith appointed to repair to the City of Albany, in order to cooperate with Major-General Schuyler on devising and carrying into execution all such measures as they shall deem most effectual for repelling the invasion of the enemy's Army on the northern and western frontiers of this State, and that for this purpose they be invested with full powers to call out the whole, or any part of the Militia of the Counties of Tryon, Charlotte, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Albany, to such place or places as they shall think proper and necessary."

Among the Resolutions which follow are these:

"Resolved, That the officers and men of the Militia so called out, shall be entitled to Continental pay and rations during the time they are actually in service."

"Resolved, That Brigadier-General Abraham Ten Broeck, Evert Bancker, Jacob Cuyler, John Bleecker, John Taylor, James Duane, Robert R. Livingston, Robert Yates, Christopher Yates, John Ten Broeck, Volkert Veder, and William Harper, Esq., be the Committee for the purpose of carrying into excution the above Resolutions, and that any four of them, with a Chairman, be a quorum."

Copies were ordered sent to General Schuyler, to the County Committees, and to Robert R. Livingston, Esq., "who is earnestly requested to proceed immediately to Albany".

It was also "Ordered, That Colonel Luddington deliver the nineteen Guns taken from disaffected persons to James Weeks, who is requested to keep them in his care till further order." In the afternoon it was "Ordered, That each Member be allowed to take one of the Guns now at Captain Weeks's for his own present use, out of those nineteen delivered there by Colonel Luddenton."

Foreign Intelligence

London, May 22

The Debate in the House of Commons, on General Conway's Motion, continued from our last.

COLONEL BARRE took notice that the noble Lord in the blue ribband had confessed that the Commissioners were sent out not to treat, but to sound. He said it was a happy, and he believed a very proper expression; it might be every way descriptive of the fate of the errand, and it was not very improbable that both the noble Commissioner and his brother would be employed in sounding the coasts of America (a loud laugh on the opposition side of the House.) He said he knew both the gentlemen extremely well; they were men of integrity and high honour; of eminent skill in their respective professions. He had served with one of them in America during the late war, and was personally acquainted with the other; but at the same time, he did not think that Administration could have picked out two men more unqualified for the effectuating so abstruse, difficult and arduous a business, as that committed to their charge by the commission. He was extremely severe on the conduct of Administration; said the armaments both by sea and land were shamefully delayed; that neither were the troops nor transports ready; part of the Hessians had not yet left Germany, though the 22d of May was arrived.

Surely Ministers, ignorant as they were, could not imagine that troops still in Germany would arrive early enough in America, this season, to carry on the operations of an offensive war, a war of conquest. He then took a general view of the state of the whole empire, and its several parts of Ireland, and the East and West-Indies. He said, the Parliament of Ireland, from its obsequiousness to the Minister, had rendered that country totally defenceless, by stripping it of its troops; that the East-Indies was in a state of internal confusion, and external imbecility; that the West-Indies was on the eve of a famine, and that North-America was for ever lost; so that, without any attempt from a foreign enemy, the consequences to be expected were dreadful to think on; but if France should take an advantage of such a state of things, one or all of them must fall a prey to the ambitious designs of that restless power.

GOV. JOHNSTONE closed the debate, and was personally severe on the Minister. He expatiated greatly on the numerous infamous jobs that were every day going on, and enumerated the various methods there were devised for creating corrupt majorities in that House. He spoke of the licences granted by the Admiralty Board, and remarked a curious fact which had come out in the papers laid before the House, which was a contract of Sir James Cockburn, and James Bogle French, for ten thousand gallons of rum, at four shillings per gallon, though it was well known that the contract might be executed at two shillings a gallon. No wonder that the people were plundered, and the nation undone. No wonder that there were decisive majorities in that House, and numerous addresses from every part of the kingdom. No wonder that the American war was become a favourite war with the majority of the House, though hated and disapproved of by every man in the kingdom, who had not a personal interest in its continuance.

The question was put at half after ten, and the House divided. Ayes 85, Noes 171.

Philadelphia, In Brief

Philadelphia, October 22

The British and Hessian troops lately taken on Staten-Island were brought to town under guard on Monday, the 21st instant.

The same day arrived here the prize brig Sherburne, Jonathan Bunnell, late master, taken by the Hancock privateer, Captain Newman, of this port; we hear her cargo consists of 580 barrels of oil.

A schooner, Captain Wilson, bound from Boston for Bourdeaux, was taken about five days after she sailed by the Perseus man of war, of 20 guns, lately arrived from England, who, after taking out the master and mate, put two midshipmen and four sailors on board to navigate her to New-York; but she ran ashore last week near Sandy-Hook, and was taken possession of by our troops, who saved the cargo, and it is thought the vessel may be got off. The midshipmen and sailors were made prisoners, and arrived here on the night of Monday, the 21st.

Advertisements

To be SOLD by PUBLIC SALE,

On the PREMISES, on SATURDAY, the sixteenth day of NOVEMBER next,

THAT well accustomed TAVERN on the Lancaster road, at the sign of Admiral Warren, 23 miles from Philadelphia, with 240 acres of land, 25 acres of which are meadow, watered by two constant streams, and more to be made from a never failing spring. There are on the premises a good convenient stone house, a large stone barn lately built, with the best conveniencies for stabling on said road, good sheds and other offices. It is situated in the Great Valley, where the land is esteemed of the best quality, and constantly to be improved by lime-stone, with which it abounds. It lays very convenient, and the situation healthy and pleasant for the gentleman farmer, who might chuse to divide the farm or separate it from the tavern. Credit will be given for the greatest part of the purchase monies. For particulars, enquire of JOHN LARDNER, in Third-street.

To be SOLD by PUBLIC VENDUE, on the 18th day of November next ensuing, at the late dwelling-house of Abraham Luken, in Towamensing township, in the county of Philadelphia, deceased.

THE said Deceased's plantation, containing 200 acres of land and allowance, about one half thereof cleared, the other part well timbered, near 20 acres of meadow are made, and more may be made; there is on said place a good two story stone house and stone kitchen, a good frame barn and stabling, a good lasting spring of water near said house, a good bearing orchard, the whole being in good repair; the title indisputable.----- There will likewise be sold 15 acres of land, adjoining the above, all within fence. Likewise will be sold at the same time, 230 acres of land and allowance, situate in Cumberland county, near the river Juniata. The whole will be sold by order of the said Deceased's last will and testament. The conditions thereof will be made known at the day abovesaid, by ELIZABETH LUKEN, JOHN LUKEN, MATTHIAS LUKEN, Execut.

ON Monday, the 28th Instant, at Nine o'Clock, will be sold at Public Vendue, at Bright and Pechin's Wharff, about 580 Barrels of SPERMACETI OIL, taken on board the Brig Sherburne, by the private Brig of War Hancock.

EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.

STOLEN out of the kitchen of the subscriber, in Horsham township, Philadelphia county, on the night of the tenth of October instant, a blue and white Coverlid, two Sheets made of tow linen, one somewhat larger than the other; the pattern for a shirt, of flaxen linen; 3 striped lincey petticoats; 3 pewter dishes and 9 plates, all London pewter, and marked slightly with the letters R C, on the back of them; a pewter mug; a pewter porringer and 16 spoons, the greatest part of the spoons marked T. C. on the handles; a copper tea-kettle; 6 case-kives and 6 forks, with several other articles. Whoever secures the abovesaid goods, so that the owner may have them again, and the thief brought to justice, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges; Four Dollars for the goods only, or in proportion for any part thereof.

WILLIAM M'CLEAN.

EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.

RUN away from the subscriber, in Darby township, Chester county, the 14th of October instant, an indented servant lad, named John Caddils, about 19 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, much marked with the small-pox, brown hair, tied; he has worked about a year at the scythe-making business; had on, and took with him, a claret coloured cloth coat, a striped cotton jacket, red flannel under ditto, double breasted; corderoy breeches, buckskin ditto, almost new, striped cotton trowsers, one fine white shirt, and two coarse shirts; a new beaver hat, and an old felt ditto; one pair of blue and white worsted stockings, one pair of white thread and two pair of old yarn ditto, two pair of shoes almost new. It is probable he may change his name and forge a pass, as he can write a good hand. Whoever takes up said servant, and secures him, so that his masters may get him again, shall be entitled to the above reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by

GARRET and MATTHEWS.

\.\ All masters of vessels, and others, are forbid to harbour or carry him off.

EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.

RUN away, on the 21st of this instant October, from the subscriber, living in the Northern Liberties, a Welsh servant lad, named DAVID THOMAS, about 14 years of age, fresh coloured, black hair, thick ancles; had on, and took with him, a half-worn felt hat, a striped lincey upper jacket, a red under jacket, a pair of brown fustian breeches, a pair of striped trowsers, &c. Whoever takes up and secures said servant, so that his master may get him again, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by

GEORGE LEIB, Tanner.

N. B. All masters of vessels are forbid to harbour or carry him off, at their peril.

Limerick township, Philadelphia county, October 21, 1776.

RUN away from the subscriber, last night, an English servant man, named JOHN FOSTER, about 19 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, has blackish hair, fair complexion, smooth faced; had on a green coat with long waist and skirts, a light coloured jacket, black breeches, shoes, stockings, an old hat, and two white shirts. Whoever brings home or secures said servant, so that his master may get him again, shall have EIGHT DOLLARS reward.

MATTHEW BROOKS.