Price Three Coppers. Published every Day, Sunday excepted.
Containing the Freshest Accounts, however long upon the Road.
Albany, October 17
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman at Albany, dated October 17, 1776.
"You doubtless have heard of the engagement between our fleet on the Lake, and the enemy, on the 11th instant. Our advice left them the 12th, our fleet then at anchor near Schuyler's Island, in a Battered and leaky condition; the enemy just appearing in sight, beating up with a light southerly breeze. Events since have been very unfavourable: Our fleet made but little tarry at anchor, only to stop their leaks &c. and proceeded with all the dispatch their condition would admit of, towards Crown Point. A favourable northerly gale assisted the enemy to run up with the fleet when a second engagement commenced, which lasted five glasses, most of the time in musket shot, very warm and sharp, in which our men conducted with inimitable spirit and bravery, but were obliged to submit to superior strength. In this affair our fleet is almost totally ruined; only one galley escaped, with sloop Enterprise, and two small schooners, and one gondola.—the rest all taken, burnt and destroyed. General Arnold fought as long as possible in the galley Congress, when he was obliged to run her ashore, burn her, and escape by land to Tyconderoga, having lost 20 of his men. General Waterbury in the Washington Galley, fought till he was so shattered that the galley was sinking under him, and was obliged to strike; this is the only vessel that the enemy possessed themselves of. Col. Wigglesworth, in the Trumbull galley is arrived at Ticonderoga.—In both engagements we have lost a large schooner—three galleys burnt and taken, 8 gondola's burnt also;—have remaining a sloop 12 guns, 6 schooners, 8 guns each, 2 galleys 1 gondola. The enemy's fleet is amazing—one ship 18 twelve pounders, 1 schooner, 14 six pounders, 1 ditto, 12 ditto, 3 large radeaux 6 twenty four pounders—12 twelve pounders—4 eight inch howitzers, all brass; 28 gondola's, 1 gun each, twelve, eighteen and twenty-four pounders, 1 eight inch howitzer;"
W H I T E H A L L, July 27. The following letter from General Sir Guy Carlton, to Lord George Germaine, was this day received by Capt. Le Maitre, who arrived express from Montreal.
"MY LORD, Montreal, June 20, 1776.
"In a former letter I informed your Lordship that the troops were ordered to assemble at Three Rivers; they all pushed forward with great expedition, as fast as they arrived off Quebec, by land or water, as best answered that end. The eighth instant the rebels attempted a very bold enterprise indeed; they crossed over from Sorrel in fifty boats, better than two thousand men, landed at the Point du Lai before day-light, and marched to attack the troops at Three Rivers, disregarding the sloop Martin, some armed vessels and transports full of troops, that were at anchor three miles above the town, otherwise than to keep out of reach of their cannon. They made some attempt to force the sixty-second regiment; but whether they found Brigadier General Fraser, who commanded at Three Rivers, too strong and too well posted, or that they were alarmed by Brigadier General Nesbit, who landed the troops from the transports behind them, 'tis certain they soon gave up offensive measures, and retreated with all speed up the river, keeping in the woods. The Brigadiers Nesbit and Fraser pushed up likewise, but kept by the water side, in hopes of getting their boats and cutting off their retreat; the first as far as Machiche, the latter to the Point du Lai. The sloop Martin and armed vessels sailed as high as the River du Loup, and took two boats, but the rest were gone too far, as was their troops.
"I know not the number killed and wounded of the rebels; about two hundred surrendered or were taken prisoners, among those was their chief, Mr. Thompson, whom I think they call Major-General, and a Mr. Erwin, who was second on this expedition, and some others. The killed and wounded of the King's troops amounted to 12 or 13 soldiers only.
"The next day the troops were ordered to their former stations; all who had transports up reimbarked. Brigadier-General Fraser was ordered to march along the North Shore with the troops, whose transports had not been able to get up, and measures were taken to march a body of troops also by the South Shore, had the wind continued favourable; for it seemed of great importance in this unhappy war, that the rebels should be driven from the upper part of the province as soon as possible. The wind springing up fair, the fleet sailed, and arrived off Sorrel the evening of the 14th inst. the last of the rebels had retreated from thence some hours before. The grenadiers and light infantry of the troops in this division immediately landed, supported by Brigadier-General Nesbit and part of his brigade. The next morning more troops were sent on shore, and the command of this column given to Lieutenant General Burgoyne, with instructions to pursue the rebels up the river Sorrel to St. John's, but without hazarding any thing till the column on his right should co-operate with him. As soon as the regulations for the different transports could be made out, the remainder of the fleet sailed for Longuiel, four leagues from Chamblee (Chamblee is fifteen leagues from Sorrel, by the river of that name) and had not the wind failed, this column might have arrived at Longuiel the same night, and about the same time with Mr. Arnold, and the remainder of the rebels, retiring from Montreal. The next day the troops landed, and marched by La Prairie towards St. John's. The advanced guard was supported by all the English remaining after the dispositions already mentioned, under the command of Major-General Philips, and this division followed by two regiments of the Brunswick troops, and that of Hanau, commanded by Major-General Ricdesel.
"The advanced guard arrived the morning of the 19th inst. near to St. John's, when they learned that the head of Lieut. General Burgoyne's column had taken possession of the redoubts the night before; they found all the buildings in flames, all the craft and large boats the rebels could not drag up the Rapids of Chamblee, with some provisions, were also burned. I hear twenty-two pieces of cannon are left behind, hid in the woods; several other marks appear of great precipitation and fright; on this occasion I think they had no small cause. All his Majesty's national and foreign troops shewed a great zeal and eagerness to overtake the rebels; and I doubt not but they would have given every proof of fidelity and valour, had the enemy delayed their retreat a little longer.—The corps of artillery shewed great diligence likewise on the occasion; there were brigades which marched with both columns.—Brigadier Fraser's corps crossed from the north, and fell into the rear of the two columns on the south side; they were also joined by numbers of Canadians, and that on the right by many Indians.
"Capt. Le Maitre will have the honour to present to your Lordship these dispatches. He is an intelligent officer, and well qualified to give any farther information of the transactions in this province. I shall take the liberty to recommend him to your Lordship as an officer of merit. I am, &c. GUY CARLTON."
Fish-Kill, October 23
A Letter from the Committee of Albany, dated October 21st, was this morning received and read in the Committee of Safety of the State of New-York, with depositions of Isaac Peabody and Samuel Allen; and, the Committee for inquiring into Conspiracies having "so much business on hand," the Letter and Depositions were referred to the Committee appointed on the 19th instant to repair to Albany.
Alexander Stewart, taken prisoner by order of the Convention on the 27th July last, "he declaring himself a subject of the King of Great Britain," is to be disposed of by the Committee for inquiring into Conspiracies, "(as a prisoner of war,) in such manner as to them shall appear most proper."
On the Memorial of Andrew Bostwick, an insolvent debtor confined for near eighteen months in the Jail of Orange County, the Sheriff of that County is directed to release him, on his giving sufficient security, "to be forthcoming at the expiration of nine months from the time of taking such security."
Fish-Kill, October 24
The Committee met this morning, when, "The Dutch Church being necessarily occupied by a large Guard and a number of Prisoners, and the other Church being at present occupied as a Continental Storehouse, the Committee, for want of a convenient place for their reception, and no pressing business appearing, adjourned until six o'clock this evening."
In the evening, sitting in a Chamber at Weeks's Tavern, the Committee directed Henry Schenck, Esq., to purchase eight thousand bushels of Wheat for the use of the Continental Army, "on the most reasonable terms possible, not exceeding 6s. 6d. per bushel," and to return "the names of every person or persons who may refuse to part with their Wheat at that price." Six poor Women, with their Children, from the City of New-York, for whom Mr. Schenck can procure no lodging at or near this place, are to be sent by him to the Committee of New-Windsor, "to be disposed of and maintained" by that Committee.
Philadelphia, October 26
The Council of Safety this day directed Mr. John M. Nesbitt to pay Captain John Lightburn 842l. 5s., "for eleven hundred and twenty-three bushels of Salt, delivered to Robert Eastburn"; Thomas Pryor & Co. 520l., "for four hundred Gun-Locks, delivered to Mr. Towers"; Luke Keating 37l. 16s. 3d., "for five barrels of Pork; to be charged to the Salt Works"; Alexander Boyle 6l. 5s., "for going to Bucks and Chester Counties, to summon Judges and others concerned in the said election"; and Colonel Henry Geiger 6l. for two Rifles, and 16l. for six Firelocks, "for the use of the Flying Camp." Mr. Towers was at the same time directed to deliver Mr. Gurney one hundred Swivel-Shot, "he paying for the same."
"Resolved, That the Officers of the three late Provincial Battalions, who have signified their desire to engage in the service on the new establishment, and accordingly are not provided for in the arrangement already made, be directed to repair to Philadelphia, as soon as the situation of the American Army will admit of their absence; and that Major Williams acquaint them with this resolve."
Head-Quarters, White Plains, October 23.
Among the General Orders of this day are the following:
It has been observed with some concern, that scouting parties go out without any advanced or flanking parties, both which are absolutely necessary for their safety and success, and which they must have on all occasions.
The commanding officers of regiments should, on all marches, draw provisions for the wagoners who attend them, and give them all possible assistance. When their baggage is unloaded they should have the teams drawn up, set a guard over them, and prevent any loss of the horses, or abuse of the drivers, and take care of them till they are ordered away.
Any officer, or soldier, who shall presume to meddle with any horses belonging to the publick, or any other not his own property, will be severely punished. And all officers of the army are requested to stop soldiers who are riding about without saddles, until they give an account of themselves, and if they are found breaking orders, to send the offender to the guard, and the horse to the Quartermaster-General, or to Head-Quarters.
Annapolis, October 21
The Convention of Maryland this day sat again in a Committee of the Whole on the Declaration of Rights and form of Government; Mr. Worthington reported that the Committee "had come to several resolutions thereon, but not having had time to come to a conclusion, had directed him to move for leave to sit again."
On the Petition of sundry inhabitants of Washington County, that the election for fixing the place of their Court-House, appointed to be held at Hagar's-town, "would be so distant from many of the inhabitants of the said County that it would be very inconvenient for them to attend," it was resolved in the affirmative, that the election be held two days at Skipton, beginning on the 6th of November, Andrew Bruce, Lemuel Barret, and Thomas Warren to be Judges there, and both polls to be examined together at Hagar's-town.
The Council of Safety the same day required John Francis Taney, of St. Mary's County, on information lodged by Mr. Timothy Bowes, to deliver to Mr. Bowes three pieces of Sprig-Lawn, "the property of this State"; and ordered Dr. Brehon, of the same County, to deliver to him "all the books of Physick, or of any other kind, in his possession, taken on board of any of the captures at St. George's Island"; or, in case of refusal, each to appear before the Board on Monday, the 11th of November, "to show sufficient cause, if any he hath, for the detention thereof."
Charles-Town, (South-Carolina) October 11.
The General Assembly this day resolved it to be the opinion of the House, that no person in this State indebted to subjects of the King of Great Britain, those of Bermudas and the Bahama Islands excepted, "ought to remit or pay, directly or indirectly, to any such subjects, (except as before excepted,) or for their use, any sum of money or merchandise whatever, until it shall be otherwise directed by laws," save attorneys for residents now in Great Britain intending to return, and the parents and guardians of youth educating in Europe; and "That it is the opinion of this House that all absentees holding estates in this State should use every means in their power forthwith to return to this State."
The House also resolved, that the Commissioners for Salt deliver it for one month without certificates from Committees, upon oath of the number of families applied for; that the commander and mariners of the vessel called the Revenge be paid "one-sixth of the neat amount of sales" of the cargo of the transport brigantine Glasgow Packet; and referred the Petition of Elizabeth Black to a Committee.
The Legislative Council sent down a Bill to establish "the trial by Jury" in the Court of Admiralty in cases of capture; and the Reverend Mr. Tennent presented "a bill of free and general pardon," which was read the first time.
Lancaster, October 25
At a meeting of the Committee for the County of Lancaster, at the Court-House, this day, William Atlee was unanimously chosen Chairman. "On motion that the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as established by the late General Convention, be read, it passed in the affirmative; and the same was read accordingly by the Chairman." The Committee then adjourned till eight o'clock the next morning.
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Just published, and to be sold by JOHN DUNLAP, in Market-street, Philadelphia,
OBSERVATIONS ON THE Nature of CIVIL LIBERTY, the Principles of GOVERNMENT, and the Justice and Policy of the WAR with AMERICA.
To which is added,
An APPENDIX, containing a state of the National Debt, an estimate of the money drawn from the Public by the taxes, and an account of the National Income and Expenditure since the last War.
Heu miseri cives; non Hostem, inimicaque castra,
By RICHARD PRICE, D.D. F.R.S.
This learned, judicious and liberal author had the thanks of the Common Council, and the Freedom of the City of London presented to him in a gold box, for this his much admired most excellent pamphlet on Civil Liberty----And for which he also deserves the united thanks of America.
Philadelphia, August 28, 1776.
LINEN to be sold at the Manufactory, in Union-street, between Third and Fourth-streets. The best Price will be given for any Quantity of clean swingled FLAX at said Factory. N. B. SPINNERS of FLAX may have constant Employment, and the best Price.
THE Subscriber hereof, in Lombard-street, near the New-Market, prepares and sells the long experienced and almost infallible Cure for all Fluxes, the Black excepted, having experienced for 26 Years on some Thousands, young and old. Price Three Shillings and Sixpence per Vial, with printed Directions how to use it. Also several other valuable Medicines, for young and old, extracted from Herbs and Roots, too tedious to mention here.
PATRICK WILSON.
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living near Warwick, in Caecil county, Maryland, on the 16th day of March last, a Negroe man, named BEN, about 28 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, rather of a yellowish colour than black, one of his fore fingers very remarkable, it is both straight and small at the end, occasioned by a cut; it is very likely he is sculking about Queen-Anne's county or Kent county, Maryland, as he is well acquainted in both places, and in Sassafras Neck, Caecil county; his mother lives with Dr. Seal, in Queen-Anne's, near the Head of Chester, where said Negroe is well known; had on, and took with him, a short brown coat, bound with yellow ferreting, an old white home made jacket and breeches, white yarn stockings, old shoes, half soaled, a good pair of leather breeches; he belonged to James Black, Merchant, in Kent county, about 18 months ago; he is artful and cunning, and perhaps may change his name and clothes. Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe, so that his master may get him, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
July 2, 1776. CHARLES HEATH.
IN MENS CLOTHES.
RUN away the 30th of July last, from the Jerseys to Philadelphia or New-York, a MULATTOE Woman Slave, named Maria; had on a white or red and white jacket, white ticken breeches, white stockings, old mens shoes, and an old beaver hat; she is hardly discernable from a white woman, is rather thinish visage. middle size, thick legs, long black hair, and about 35 years old; she hath left behind her three young children, a good master and mistress, and is going towards New-York after a married white man, who is a soldier in the Continental service there. Whoever secures the said Mulattoe in goal, and will immediately advertise the same in this paper, shall have FOUR DOLLARS reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in West-Bradford, Chester county, on the 8th day of this instant July, a native Irish servant man, named Patrick O'Harra, about 20 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, brown bushy hair, lately cut short, on the top of his head, a fleshy, broad faced, sullen, ill-looking fellow; had on, and took with him, a light coloured cloth jacket, lined with redish cloth, a red flannel ditto, one pair of striped trowsers, two flax and tow shirts, a wool hat, almost new, and an old pair of shoes. Whoever takes up and secures said servant, so that his master may get him again, shall have Three Dollars reward, and reasonable charges. paid by
RICHARD BAKER.
It is supposed he intends to enter into Dunmore's service,
FIVE POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Haycock township, in the county of Bucks, on Sunday last, an indented Irish servant man, named Bryan Burn, about 22 years of age, about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, strong built, down cast look, swarthy complexion, and has a small impediment in his speech; had on, when he went away, an old brown worsted coat, a striped cotton jacket, the stripes going round his body, striped trowsers, old shoes, and a new felt hat. Whoever takes up the said servant, and secures him in any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN STOKES. June 5, 1776.
TO BE SOLD,
A LIKELY strong healthy NEGROE Man, 25 Years of Age, has had the Small-pox, was brought up to farming, can work in the Brick-yard, is handy, and can turn his Hand to any Kind of Business; his present Master having no Employ for him. Enquire of the PRINTERS.
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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