The New America Times

The Army at New-York

Head-Quarters, White Plains, October 27.

Among the General Orders of this day are the following:

Lieutenant Sickles, of General Scott's Brigade, tried by a Court-Martial, whereof Colonel Holman was President, and convicted of "disobeying general orders, by loading a wagon with goods not the proper baggage of the regiment, and also, when charged therewith, of behaving in a scandalous, infamous manner, unbecoming an officer and the gentleman," the Court sentenced him to be cashiered. The General approves the sentence, and orders him to be dismissed the service. He also directs that he leave the army immediately.

The General, observing that the army seems unacquainted with the enemy's Horse, and that when any parties meet with them, they do not oppose them with the same alacrity which they show in other cases, thinks it necessary to inform the officers and soldiers that in such a broken country, full of stone walls, there is no enemy more to be despised, as they cannot leave the road; so that any party attacking them may be always sure of doing it to advantage, by taking post in the woods by the roads, or along the stone walls, where they will not venture to follow them. And as an encouragement to any brave parties who will endeavour to surprise some of them, the General offers one hundred dollars for every Trooper, with his horse and accoutrements, which shall be brought in, and so in proportion for any part, to be divided according to the rank and pay of the party.

The constant beating of drums on all occasions is very improper. There should be no drum but on the parade and main guard. All fatigue parties to march with the fife; and no drum to beat, on any account, after retreat beating, but by special order.

By the same Court-Martial John Cawley and Michael McDaniel, of Colonel Haslett's Regiment, tried for "robbing Isaiah Rider," are both acquitted; and Regimental Courts-Martial are "to be formed immediately, for the trial of prisoners charged with crimes under their cognizance."

The Northern Department

Ticonderoga, October 22

BEHOLD A COWARD!

Head-Quarters, Ticonderoga, October 22, 1776.

The publick are desired to take notice that Daniel Pittee, Ensign in Captain Timothy Stow's company, in Colonel Wheelock's regiment, applied at Head-Quarters for a discharge, upon hearing that the enemy were likely to attack our lines. He was refused, and the next day deserted the camp. This infamous runaway belongs to the south parish of Dedham, County of Suffolk.

Published by order of Brigadier-General Brickett:

ANDREW BROWN, Major of Brigade.

In Congress

Philadelphia, October 30

The committee to whom were referred the resolutions of the convention of Maryland this day brought in a report, which was taken into consideration in Congress; whereupon,

"Resolved, That the president write to the convention of Maryland, and inform them, that their resolutions relative to their paying ten dollars in lieu of the 100 acres of land, determined by Congress to be given to such non-commissioned officers and soldiers as shall enlist to serve during the war, will, (in the opinion of this house,) if carried into execution, prove extremely detrimental to these states, as it will, in all probability, induce such soldiers as are to compose the remainder of the levies, to require an equal sum from the United States, and by refusing to inlist until their demands shall be complied with, compel the Congress to the immediate payment of an additional bounty, far beyond what is reasonable:

"That this house, being satisfyed with the propriety of offering land to the soldiery, as an inducement to inlist in the service, cannot rescind the said resolution, and are of opinion, that the faith, which this house, (by virtue of the power with which they were vested,) has plighted, must be obligatory upon their constituents; that no one state can, by its own act, be released therefrom, and that the interest of the United States would be deeply and injuriously affected, should the Congress, at this time, consent to a compromise between any state and the forces to be by them raised:

"That the said convention, by their said resolutions, seem to apprehend, that their state would be obliged, in their individual capacity, to make good the bounty of land hereafter to be given to the soldiery; whereas, it was the intention of Congress to provide the said land at the expence of the United States:

"That the said convention be requested to reconsider the said resolutions, and to give to their commissioners, appointed to repair to the camp, such instructions as will enable them to carry into execution the views of Congress: That the said convention be informed, that the pay master general has been furnished with a sum of money for the purpose of paying the bounty of 20 dollars ordered by Congress to such soldiers as shall inlist to serve the United States during the war."

Mr. Duche having, by a letter to the president, acknowledged his obligations for the kind manner in which Congress have expressed their approbation of his services, and requested, as he accepted their appointment from motives perfectly disinterested, that "the 150 dollars voted to him, may be applied to the relief of the widows and children of such of the Pensylvania officers, as have fallen in battle in the service of their country," it was "Resolved, That the money be deposited with the council of safety of Pensylvania, to be applied agreeable to the request and desire of Mr. Duche."

Thirty dollars were voted to Captain Moore, "to enable him to proceed to Europe"; Andrew Stalker, late commander of the brigantine Three Friends, has leave to depart the states of America, and revisit his native country; 2,000 dollars are advanced to Colonel Scott, of the 5 Virginia batallion, and as much to Colonel Hausegger, of the German batallion; and 600 dollars are ordered paid to Pelatiah Webster "for 200 lbs. of rhubarb." Letters from Colonel Moses Hazen and Governor Livingston were read.

In Council of Safety

Philadelphia, October 30

At the Council of Safety this day, Mr. Nesbitt was directed to pay Captain Samuel Boyd 35l. 5s. for fifteen stand of Arms, and 58l. 10s. "for twenty-five stand of Arms, taken from Non-Associators; to be charged to Colonel George Ross."

"Mr. Samuel Kerr was discharged from his parole, as he appears to be very friendly to our cause, per certificates from Colonel J. Parker and others, and is permitted to return to his family at Edentown, in North-Carolina."

Monsieur Uttendorf was appointed Adjutant of a Battalion to be raised in this State for the Continental service, and, as he has heretofore held a commission as Captain in a foreign service, is to rank as Captain, and is permitted to go to the camp in the State of New-York; and "in consideration of Monsieur Uttendorf having lost his Baggage in his voyage hither," the Treasurer is recommended to advance him two hundred Dollars, to be discounted out of his pay. Major Proctor is directed to reinlist such men of the Artillery in the service of this State whose times are expired, or may expire, as are willing to serve during the war, with the Council's bounty of ten dollars; and his engagement with Mease & Caldwell for clothing the Artillery under his command is to be fulfilled by the Council.

Ludowick Sprogel, Esq., is to have 162l. 1s. 3d., "for his wages and expenses going to muster the Troops, when in Jersey and New-York Government, and rations to 21st October"; and orders were drawn in favour of Mr. Francis Gurney for 100l., for purchasing Woollens, and of Peter Dehaven & Co. for 500l., for the use of the Lock Factory.

From the Southward

VIRGINIA. Williamsburg, October 18

It was last Tuesday resolved in the House of Delegates, that six new battalions of infantry be raised and employed in the Continental service, upon the terms and according to the requisition of the General Congress, and that provision be made for completing the nine battalions formerly raised, and extending the additional bounty to such of them as shall be willing to enlist on the like terms; and a bill is ordered to be brought in pursuant to the said resolution.

The following bills are now depending in the House, viz. A bill to enable tenants in taille to convey their lands in fee simple; read the second time. A bill declaring slaves to be personal estate. A bill for the naturalization of foreigners; read the second time. And, A bill for the removal of the seat of government; for the discussion of which, a general call of the House is ordered the 11th of next month.

A small Baltimore privateer has taken, and brought into a safe port, a Jamaica-man of 200 tons burthen; her cargo, 260 hogsheads of rum, 150 hogsheads of sugar, and a quantity of coffee.

Last Thursday evening, as Mr. Robert Norris, and Mr. Henry Duke, were crossing James river, on their return from a sale in Isle of Wight county, by a sudden squall their boat overset, when they unfortunately perished, with two negro men.

A Williamsburg paper of the same day says, "A Maryland privateer, fitted out by Mr. Middleton, of Annapolis, has taken a Jamaica ship, and sent her into Hampton Road, having on board upwards of 300 hogsheads of rum and sugar, some cotton, coffee, indigo, &c."

Philadelphia

IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY CONSIDER.

ECCLES.

Opportunity once lost, can never be regained by repentance.

HAD our ambitious enemies been guided either by conscience or common prudence, they had paid some attention to the divine motto which heads this essay. They would have considered and given their fellow-citizens time to consider the inconceivable danger they are plunging them into, by endeavouring to prejudice them against the constitution of their country. But, say they, there was no time to be lost. There are some such defects in the constitution as render it impossible for a man of sense to bear it one hour.

I have soberly asked those gentlemen, how they know this constitution is so very deficient? They tell me every one says so, nobody likes it, the whole body of the people, whigs and tories, exclaim against it in all parts of America. I answer that is no strange thing. Minorca was in a like uproar at the trial by juries being offered to the inhabitants, and even the virtuous and sagacious citizens of Philadelphia are endeavouring to render it impracticable in Admiralty cases, notwithstanding it is an institution of their late idolized Assembly. Copernicus's system convulsed the world, and nearly cost Galellio his life. It cost him his honour, which brave men count much dearer than life. Consideration might have brought the Minorquins to reason. The bulk of mankind now admires Galellio. All I would argue from this is, that the clamour which is falsely said to be universal against our frame of government might be nearly so, and yet the frame as perfect as human nature could make it.—Tate and Brady's psalms differ nothing essentially from the old version, but in superiority of stile and metre; yet who is ignorant of the heats and animosities that elegant aid to divine worship occasioned? Had the public tranquility, safety and happiness been the single object of their politics, they would not have disgraced so noble a cause with meer rout and clamour.

It is well remembered that no people were more for calm and dispassionate measures, while the powers and increasing profits of government were within their reach, and they had a prospect of estates for life in the sunshine of royal and proprietary favour; but now, alas! their moderation has quite deserted them, they will not be governed by leather aprons; places, by this tyrannic, this intolerable constitution, are rendered entirely dependent on the people, who hate to pay much money for little service. Besides, by a very convenient indulgence in our old mode of proceeding, in favour of which many of us are much prejudiced, an entrprizing man might be a Delegate in the Continental Congress, a Member of General Assembly, and hold nearly as many executive offices as he pleased. Now a Judge of Admiralty must entirely give up the privilege of prescribing rules for his own conduct, or relinquish his post. This separation of legislative and executive power, and the amazing precautions taken to prevent the inveteration of power, are the really obnoxious articles in the constitution, and neither the catholicism of the creed, nor strictness of the oath of allegiance; which, by the way, is the most rational and unexceptionable that ever was offered to mankind. "But alas! we are disunited say the honest, unthinking people, and our wise and good men tell us, that if we do but dispense with the oath of qualification, which must bar the gentry, whose whole souls are bent upon the prejudice, injury and final overthrow of our free constitution, omit the election of a counsellor, and instruct the assembly to amend the constitution till we all like it, we shall agree quietly."

For God's sake, gentlemen, consider a moment what you are about! Is an oath that bars an inveterate enemy who would enter a garrison on purpose to throw open its gates to the besiegers a tyrannic, cruel and unreasonable thing? Did not the law, which excluded Germans resident in Pennsylvania for many years, and every man below the value of Fifty Pounds in clear estate, bear as hard upon the honest friends of our country as could be? and yet this was never complained of, but wished to be continued by these wonderful sticklers for free election. For my own part I care not how free our future elections may be, provided the persons we elect be not impowered to subvert our legal freedom when elected.

(To be continued.)

Advertisements

Philadelphia, October 30, 1776.

SIX POUNDS Reward.

RUN away from Mr. JOHN NEVEU, Merchant, at Cape-François, about 12 months ago, and supposed to be in this State, a Mulattoe man, named Charles, alias Mazaline, aged about 22 years, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, a cast in his eyes, a scar in his forehead, wants one of his upper teeth, and has an old cicatrice on the end of the middle finger of his right hand, his feet large and clumsey, marked NEVEU. TON. he can read and write well, and probably will endeavour to pass for a freeman. Whoever apprehends said slave, or will give information of him, so that he may be had, to PAUL FOOKS, Notary Public and Interpreter of the French and Spanish languages, or to the PRINTERS hereof, shall be entitled to the above reward.

PAUL FOOKS.

October 29, 1776.

EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.

RUN away the 27th instant, from the subscriber, in New-Hanover township, Philadelphia county, a Dutch servant man, named Philip Jung, born in the Palatinate, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, has sandy hair, stoops in his walk; had on, when he went away, a long coat and jacket of white cloth, a pair of drilling breeches, new tow shirt, a felt hat, much worn, old shoes, with metal buckles, blue stockings, a brown silk handkerchief; he is a great tobacco chewer. Whoever takes up the said servant and brings him to his master, or secures him so that he may have him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by

PHILIP HAHN.

TEN POUNDS Reward.

BROKE into the house of the subscriber, living in Colerain township, Lancaster county, on the night of the 21st inst. some person or persons, and stole the following goods, viz. one good silver watch, maker's name Richard Rock, Dublin; a dark snuff-coloured cloth coat, a brown and reddish-coloured mixed cloth jacket, both lined with high-coloured London brown shalloon; one pair of buckskin breeches, two pair of carved silver buckles, one pair round the other square; the square ones broke on the one side; one pair of light-coloured broad ribbed worsted stockings; one pair of buckskin gloves, lined with squirrel skins; one silver-washed snuff-box. Whoever apprehends the thief or thieves, with the goods, so that the owner may have his goods again, and the thieves secured in some goal, and brought to conviction, shall have the above reward; and for the thieves only, Five Pounds. It is strongly suspected, from several circumstances, that this burglary was committed by William Fitzpatrick, Lawrence Hanna, and James Parker; which three persons broke Lancaster goal on the night of the 19th instant; the two first mentioned committed some time ago for house breaking, the other as a deserter. For a description of these men, the public is referred to the advertisement published by the Lancaster goaler in this Gazette. It is hoped all honest inhabitants will be careful to intercept such villains, as they are very dangerous to the Commonwealth, if they come their way, and by so doing, the above reward shall be paid by

October 22, 1776. JOSEPH MILLER.

To the FREEHOLDERS and FREEMEN of the City and County of PHILADELPHIA.

GENTLEMEN,

AS the Sheriff's office is now vacant, I take this method to inform you that I offer myself as a candidate for that office, and request your votes ot the ensuing election, which favour shall be held in grateful remembrance, by Your humble servant,

JAMES CLAYPOOLE.

To the FREEHOLDERS and other ELECTORS for the City and County of PHILADELPHIA.

GENTLEMEN,

I RETURN you my sincere Thanks for your late Instance of Friendship, in conferring the Coroner's Office on me, and beg the Continuation of your Favours, in giving me your Votes for said Office at the ensuing Election, which will be laying further Obligations on, Gentlemen, your much obliged, and very humble Servant, ROBERT JEWELL.

To the FREEHOLDERS and other ELECTORS for the Borough and County of CHESTER.

GENTLEMEN,

AS I have received good Encouragement from a Number of Friends, I now stand a Candidate for the Sheriff's Office, and I humbly request the Favour of your Votes, at the ensuing Election, for said Office; which Favour will be gratefully acknowledged by, your most assured Friend,

WILLIAM MADDOCK.

Perth-Amboy, October 18, 1776.

SIXTEEN DOLLARS Reward.

DESERTED from Captain Thomas Craig's company, of the Flying Camp, David Smith, born in Ireland, about 5 feet 10 inches high, well built, was inlisted out of Captain M'Counky's company, of the 2d battalion, Bucks county, and supposed to be now in Makefield township. Likewise Thomas Taylor, inlisted out of same company and battalion, about 5 feet 6 inches high, this country born, about 20 years of age, supposed to be now in Buckingham township; Bucks county. Whoever takes up said deserters, and brings them to camp, shall be paid the above reward, or Eight Dollars for either of them, by

THOMAS CRAIG, Captain.

Chambers-Town, October 18, 1776.

FIFTY POUNDS Reward.

WAS taken out of the Subscriber's Store, at the Warm Springs, in Virginia, on the 18th of September last, a large parcel of Paper Money, and about Thirty Pounds in Gold and Silver; it is supposed the above money was stolen by a Robert Armstrong, who was a Clerk in the said Store, he is about 5 feet 3 inches high, about 24 years of age. Whoever apprehends the thief, and secures the money, so as the owner gets it again, shall receive the above reward, paid by

JAMES ELLIOT.

The Members of the Committee of Inspection and Observation of the County of Chester, are desired to meet at the house of Richard Cheyney, in Downing's-town, on Friday the first of November next, at 10 o'clock forenoon, in order to confer together on business of importance. WILLIAM EVANS, Chairman.

N. B. It is hoped that the freemen in general of said county will meet at the same time and place.