THE
VIRGINIA GAZETTE.
AUGUST 4, 1774. NUMBER 1191.
With the freshest ADVICES, FOREIGN and DOMESTICK.
IN CIVITATE LIBERA LINGUAM MENTEMQUE LIBERAS ESSE DEBERE,______Suet. in Tib. S. 28.
Printed by ALEX. PURDIE, and JOHN DIXON, at the POST OFFICE.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 12, 1774.
AS the Partnership between the Subscribers
will expire at the End of this present Year, they most earnestly
request the Favour of all Persons indebted to them to make immediate
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sarily contracted in the Prosecution of their Business.----They also desire
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made for paying them off as speedily as possible.
ALEX: PURDIE
JOHN DIXON.
LETTER IV.
To the INHABITANTS of the BRITISH COLONIES
in AMERICA.
BRETHREN,
THE Intelligence received since the preceding Letter
was written seems to render needless every Attempt
to prove, from former Transactions, my first Intention,
if Health had permitted, that a regular Plan has been
invariably pursued to enslave these Colonies, and that
the Act of Parliament for blocking up the Port of
Boston is Part of the Plan. However unprecedented
and cruel that Measure is, yet some Persons among
us might have flattered themselves that the Resentment of the Parliament
is directed solely against that Town. The last Advices mention two Bills
to be passing in Parliament, once changing the chartered Constitution of
the Province of Massachusetts Bay into a military Government, and another,
empowering Administration to send for and try Persons in England for
Actions committed in that Colony*.
By these Instances, we perceive that Administration has not only re-
nounced all Respect, and all Appearance of Respect, for the Rights of
their Colonies, but even the plainest Principles of Justice and Humanity.
Were the Representatives of the People of Massachusetts Bay called upon
to make Satisfaction for the Damage done to private Property in any late
Tumult there? No. Yet it was known, that those Representatives
had made ample Reparation for the Injuries committed on Occasion of
the Stamp Act. It was known that the like Reparation had been made
by the Assemblies of New York and Rhode Island. In short, it was
known that, notwithstanding the incessant Pains taken by many Ministers
to teaze the Colonists, by Oppressions and Insults, into Madness, yet they
have, with Difficulty, excited only a few Tumults, for which the popu-
lar Branch of the Legislature in the several Colonies has ever been ready
to atone, upon Requisitions from the Crown.
Great Clamour has been raised at home against Massachusetts Bay, on
Account of Resolutions at some of their Town Meetings, and other
Writings published in that Colony; and better it were that many of them
had been suppressed. The Truth is, that People, animated by an ar-
dent and generous Love of Liberty, saw, and peculiarly felt, the Projects
against the Freedom and Happiness of America. I know them well; and
if ever a State deserved the Character, they are a moral, religious, quiet,
and loyal People, affectionately attached to the Welfare and Honour of
Great Britain, and dearly valuing their dependence on her, Observant
and sensible as they were of the present and approaching Evils, some of
them adopted a very imprudent, but what appeared to them a very peace-
able and justifiable Method, of discouraging Administration from pro-
ceeding in such alarming and dangerous Measures, that of speaking in a
high Tone. Words were opposed to Injuries; and Menaces, never
designed for Execution, to Insults intolerable. What could they do?
Their humble Petitions, were haughtily and contemptuously rejected. The
more they supplicated, the more they were abused. By their Tears (and
Heaven knows many they have shed) their Persecutions flourished, as
Trees by Water poured on their Roots. Their very Virtue, and passi-
onate Fonndness for Concord for their Mother Country, occasioned this
objected Errour. “Surely (says Solomon) Oppression maketh a wise
Man mad.” A silly Man may disregard it, In playing the Fool, they
showed their Wisdom. This is the true History of those futile Pieces,
that produced so much solid Eloquence in Great Britain.
Riots and weak Publications, by a small Number of Individuals, are
sufficient Reasons with Parliament to ruin many Thousand Inhabitants
of a truly respectable Town, to dissolve Charters, to abolish the Benefits
of the Writ of Habeas Corpus+, and extirpate American Liberty; for the
Principle reaches all. But in England, the Press groans with Publica-
tions, seditious, treasonable, and even blasphemous. The Discontented
swarm over the Kingdom, proclaiming their Resentments. Many enor-
mous Riots have disturbed the publick Peace. The Sovereign has been
*By the first of these Bills, the Governour is to be invested with the
Power of a Justice of Peace, to call out the Military to Effect; though
the Minister says, in his Speech, “I shall always consider that a military
Power, acting UNDER the Authority and Controul of a civil Magistrate,
IS A PART OF THE CONSTITUTION.” By the second, Americans
are to be seized, confined, and carried to England, to be tried (that is,
hanged) on Charges for Acts done in a Colony. This is not all. Sol-
diers, and others, who shall commit any offence, such as murdering the
Colonists, under the Pretence of supporting the Authority of Parliament,
shall be carried to England to be tried; that is, acquitted. Of the Habeas
Corpus and Trial by Peers, “fiat nominis Umbra.”
That the absolute Power claimed and exercised in a neighboring
Nation is more tolerable than that of the Eastern Empire is in a great
Measure owing to their having united the judicial Power in their Parlia-
ments, a Body separate and distinct from both the legislative and executive;
and if ever that Nation recovers its former Liberty, it will owe it to the
Efforts of those Assemblies. In Turkey, where EVERY THING is cen-
tered in the Sultan, or his Minister, DESPOTICK POWER is in its Meri-
dian, and WEARS A MOST DREADFUL ASPECT.” 1 Black. 269, 270.
+ Both Houses of Parliament resolved, two or three Years ago, that
Persons might be sent for from any of the Colonies for Acts done there, and
tried in England, under the old Statute of Henry VIII. made before the
Colonies existed. The late Court at Rhonde Island was established on that
Principle. The Intention of Parliament in passing the Bill above menti-
oned is chiefly to screen Persons acting in Support of their unconstitutional
Claims. They have declared, they have no Doubt but that the 35th of
Henry has established a just and legal Mode of cutting American Throats.
”I can live, although another who has no Right to be put to live with
me; nay I can live, although I pay Excises, and Impositions more than I
do: But to have my LIBERTY, which is the SOUL of my LIFE, taken
from me by Power, and to have my Body pent up in a Jail” (then thrown
into a Ship of War, transported 3000 Miles across the Ocean, to a Land
of bitter, selfish, and revengeful Enemies, there thrust into the
Jaws of Dungeons) “without Remedy by Law, and to be so adjudged!
O improvident Ancestors! O unwise Forefathers! To be so curious in
providing for the quiet Possession of our Laws, and the Liberties of Par-
liament, and to neglect our Persons and Bodies, and to let them lie in
Prison, and that durante bene placito, remediless! If this be Law, why do
we talk of Liberties? Why do we trouble ourselves with a Dispute about
Law, Franchises, Property of Goods, and the like? What may any
Man call his own, if not the Liberty of his Person? I am weary of tread-
ing these Ways.” Speech of Robert Phillips, a Member of the wise and
moderate Parliament that met in the Year 1627.
insulted in passing from his Palace to the Parliament House, on the Busi-
ness of the Nation. Is it to be concluded, from these Facts, that the
BODY OF THE PEOPLE is seditious and traitorous? Can his Majesty
believe that he is thought by his English Subjects in general/em> to be such a
Prince as some of them have represented him? Will the two Houses of
Parliament acknowledge that what has been spoken, and written, and
acted against them in England, expresses the Sentiments of the Kingdom?
Or will they say, that the People of England have forfeited their Liberty
because some of them have run into Licentiousness? Let a Judgment be
formed in both Cases, by the same Rule. Let them condemn those, or
acquit us.
Pretences and Reasons are totally different. The Provocations said to
beg iven by our Sister Colony are but the PRETENCES for the exorbi-
tant Severity exercised against her. The REASONS are these, the Policy,
despicable and detestable as it is, of suppressing the Freedom of America
by a military Force, to be supported by Money taken out of our own
Pockets, and the supposed Convenience of Opportunity for attaining this
End. These REASONS are evident, from the Minister’s Speech. The
System is formed with Art, but the Art is discoverable. Indeed, I do
not believe it was expected we should have such early and exact Intelli-
gence of the Schemes agitated against us, as we have received. Any
Person who examines the Multitude of Invectives published in Pamphlets
and Newspapers in Great Britain or the Speeches made in either House
of Parliament, will find them directed against the Colonies in general. The
People in that Kingdom have been, with great Cunning and Labour ꞗ,
inflamed against the Colonies in general. They are deluded into a Belief
that we are in a State of Rebellion, and aiming directly at a State of
Independency; though the first is a noxious Weed that never grew in
our Climates, and the latter is universally regarded with the deepest
Execrations by us; a Poison we never can be compelled to touch, but
as an Antidote to a worse, if a worse there be; a Curse, that, if any
Colonies on this Continent should be so mad as to aim at reaching, the
rest of the Body would have Virtue and Wisdom enough to draw their
Swords, and hew the Traitors into Submission, if not into Loyalty. It
would be our Interest, and our Duty, thus to guaranty the publick
Peace.
The Minister, addressing the House of Commons, uses several Express-
sions relating to all the Colonies, and calls the Stoppage of the Port of>
Boston “a Punishment indicated on those who have disobeyed your Autho-
rity,” Is it not extremely remarkable, after such a Variety of Charges
affecting all the Colonies, that the Statutes of Vengeance should be level-
led against a single Colony? New York, Philadelphia, and Charlestown,
have denied Freedom of Trade to Ships sailing under the Protection of Acts
of Parliament. Will not the House of Commons think the Inhabitants of
these Places “have disobeyed their Authority,” and that “a Punishment
should be inflicted on them?” Why do we not hear of some Measure
pursued against those Cities? Are they immaculate in the Eyes of
Administration, and Parliament? Has not each of these Places done real
Damage to the East India Company? Has there been even a Requisition
of Compensation for that Damage from any of them? Why is there
such a profound Silence observed with Respect to them? Because they are
judged by Administration, and Parliament, more innocent than the
Colony of Massachusetts Bay? NO. Because Administration, and Par-
liament, do us Americans the Honour to think we are such very Ideots
that we shall not believe ourselves interested in the Fate of Boston, but
that one Colony may be attacked and humbled after another, without
showing the Sense or Spirit of Beasts themselves, many of which unite
against common Danger.
Why were the States of Greece broken down into the tamest Submission
by Philip of Macedon, and afterwards the Romans? Because they con-
tended for Freedom separately. Why were the ancient Inhabitants of the
Kingdom that now harasses us conquered by their Invaders? Tacitus
will inform us: “Nor was any Thing more advantageous to us against
very powerful Nations than their Impudence in not consulting together
for the Interest of the Whole. Conventions for repelling a common Danger
were rare. Thus, while each State resisted singly, all were subdued.
Why did the little Swiss Cantons, and seven small Provinces of the
Low Countries, so successfully oppose the Tyrants, that, not contented
with an Empire founded in Humanity and mutual Advantages, unnecessa-
rily and arrogantly strove to “LAY the faithful and affectionate Wretches
”AT THEIR FEET?” Because they wisely regarded the Interest of
each as the Interest of all.
Our own Experiences furnishes a mournful additional Proof of an
Observation made by a great and good Man, Lord President Forbes.
”It is a certain Truth (says he) that all States and Kingdoms, in Propor-
tion as they grow great, wealthy, and powerful, grow wanton, wicked,
and oppressive; and the History of all Ages gives Evidence of the fatal
Catastrophe of ALL SUCH States and Kingdoms when the Cup of their
Iniquity is full.” Another “Truth,” as “certain,” is, that “such
States and Kingdoms never have been, and never will be, checked in the
Career of their “Wantonness, Wickedness, and Oppression,” by a
People in any Degree dependent upon them, but by the prudent, virtu-
ous, and steady UNANIMITY of that People. To employ more Words
to elucidate a Point so manifest, would be the idle Attempt of guilding
Gold.
Surely you cannot doubt at this Time, my Countrymen, but that the
People of Massachusetts Bay are suffering in a Cause ll common to us all;
and therefore, that we ought immediately to concert the most prudent
Measures for their Relief, and our own Safety.
Our Interest depending on the present Controversy, is unspeakably
valuable. We have not the least Prospect of human Assistance. The
Passion of Despotism raging like a Plague for about seven Years past,
has spread with unusual Malignity through Europe. Corsica, Poland,
Sweden, have sunk beneath it. The remaining Spirit of Freedom that
lingered and languished in the Parliament of France has lately expired*.
What Kingdom or State interposed for the Relief of their distressed Fel-
low Creatures? The Contagion has at length reached Great Britain.
Her Statesmen emulate the Nimrods of the Earth, and wish to become
”mighty Hunters” in the Woods of America. What Kingdom or State
will interpose for our Relief? The Preservation of our Freedom, and
of every attendant Blessing, must be wrought out, under Providence, by
ourselves. Let not this Consideration discourage us. We cannot be false
to each other without being false to ourselves. We have the firmest
Foundation of Union and Fidelity, that we wish to attain the same
Things, to avoid the same Things. The Friendship of others might be
precarious, suspected, deceitful,
The infinitely great, wise, and good Being, who gave us our Existence,
certainly formed us for a State of Society. He certainly designed us for
such a State of Society as would be productive of Happiness. Liberty is
essential to the Happiness of a Society, and therefore is our Right. The
Father of Mercies never intended Men to hold unlimited Authority over
ꞗ Private Letters give a further Proof of this Fact.
ll The Act for shutting the Port of Boston orders that it shall
not be opened until “Peace and Obedience to the Laws shall
be so far
restored in the said Town of Boston that the Trade of Great Britain
may safely be carried on there, and his Majesty’s DUTIES DULY
COLLECTED,” &c. This it appears, if the Inhabitants renounce the
common Cause of the Colonies, the Port may be opened; if they adhere
to that Cause, it will remain shut.
*By the new modelling their Parliaments.
Men ll. Craft and Cruelty have indeed triumphed over Simplicity and
Innocence, in Disobedience to his holy Laws. The Father of Mercies
never intended us fo the Slaves of Britons. Craft and Cruelty indeed are
striving to brand us with Marks infamously denoting us to be their Pro-
perty, as absolutely as their Cattle. Their Pretensions to a Right of such
Power not only oppose constitutional Principles, but even partake of
Impiety. The Sentence of Bondage against us is only issued by the frail
OMNIPOTENCE + of PARLIAMENT.
”Non sic inslectere sensus
Humanos edicta valent.”±
We cannot question the Justice of our Cause. The Consideration will
afford Comfort and Encouragement to our Minds.
Let us therefore, in the first Place, humbling ourselves before our
gracious Creator, devoutly beseech his divine Protection of us his afflicted
Servants, most unreasonably and cruelly oppressed. Let us seriously
reflect on our manifold Transgressions, and by a sincere Repentance, and
entire Amendment of our Lives, strive to recommend ourselves to divine
Favour.
In the next Place, let us cherish and cultivate Sentiments of brotherly
Love and Tenderness amongst us. To whom, under the Cope of Hea-
ven, can we look for Help in these Days of “Darkness and Trouble,”
but one to another! O my Countrymen! Have Pity on one another;
have Pity on yourselves and your Children. Let us, by every tender Tie,
implore you; let us mutually excuse and forgive each other our Weakness
and Prejudices (for who is free from Weaknesses and Prejudices) and,
utterly abolishing all former Dissentions and Distinctions, wisely and
kindly unite in one firm Band, in one common Cause.
If there are any Men, or Bodies of Men, on this Continent, who think
that an Accommodation between us and Great Britain, or that our own
particular Interest, may be advanced by withdrawing themselves from the
Councils of their Countrymen, I would wish them most deliberately to
consider the Consequences that may attend such a Conduct. What Step can
possibly be taken more directly tending to prevent an Accommodation be-
tween us and Great Britain than supplying the Administration with Proofs of our
intestine Divisions? What do our Enemies so ardently wish for as for these
Divisions? Has not the Expectation of these Events encouraged the Mini-
stry to treat us with such unexampled Contempt and Barbarity? Will not
the Certainty of these Events excite Resolutions in them to press us, to
take every Advantage of a People so industriously studying and labouring
to weaken and destroy themselves? The a Minister may, with Rea-
son, call upon the House of Commons, “Now IS OUR TIME to stand
out, to defy them, to proceed with Firmness and without Fear, to produce
a Conviction to ALL America that we are now in earnest, and that we
will proceed with Firmness and Vigour, until SHE SHALL BE LAID
AT OUR FEET.”ꞗ
I appeal to every Man of common Sense whether any Measure will be
so likely to induce Administration to think of an Accommodation with
us as our Unanimity. Must not, therefore, every Measure impeaching
the Credit and Weight of this Unanimity, in the same Degree, obstruct
all Accommodation? Will not every such Measure naturally produce
Haughtiness, Perseverance, and fresh Rigour, in our Oppressors? Will
not these still more enrage us, and place us farther from an Accommoda-
tion? If the PROTECTION and PEACE we wish to derive from our
Unanimity be taken from us, by the Imprudence of our Brethren who
break that Unanimity, or destroy all Respect for it in Great Britain, and
thereby encourage her to seize, what she will certainly think, the lucky
II “To live by one Man’s Will became the Cause of all Mens
Misery.” HOOKER”S Ecclesiastical Policy.
”Is not universal Misery and Ruin the SAME, whether it comes from
the Hand of many or of one.”
Bishop HOADLEY’S Discourse on Government.
”Of so contrary an Opinion was this good Man (Hooker) to that of
some others, who can never oppose one Extreme without running to
another as bad, if not worse, and think they cannot enough condemn
Rebellion without giving the divine Sanction to Tyranny and Oppression.
This Judgement ought likewise to be of the more Weight with such
as protects the most profound Veneration for the Memory of Charles I.
and the Honour of the old Church of England: because this Treatise,
in which it is to be found, was chosen, out of many others, by that
Prince, to be recommended to his Children, as the best Instructor they
could converse with; and was had in such Estimation by all Churchmen,
from the Time of its Appearance, that it may well pass not only for his
own Judgment in particular, but for the Judgement of the whole Church
of England at that Time.”
Bishop HOADLEY, Ibid.
”Would not the Unhappiness of this Nation, in particular, have been
the same, whether a late King alone, or by a FORMAL LAW, had
subjected it to the Religion of Rome, and the MAXIMS OF FRANCE?
And upon Supposition of such an Attempt, would not our late Deliver-
ance have been as glorious, as great and justifiable, as much wanted,
and as truly beneficial, as it was upon the Attempt of the King alone?
Would not the Invitation of the Prince of Orange, the Election and
Meeting of the Persons who made the Convention, and the consequent
Establishment in the Protestant Line, have been as requisite and as useful?
Nay, would not the Ends of Government have been more effectually
answered this Way than by SUBMISSION to a TOTAL DISSOLUTION
of ALL HAPPINESS at present, and of ALL HOPES for the future?
How then can it be said that the Ends of Government require that Degree
of Submission, upon the one supposition, which they are not allowed to
do upon the other, then the same MISERY and DESTRUCTION must
follow a Submission in both Cases, and the same UNIVERSAL HAPPI-
NESS must in both be the CONSEQUENCE of a JUST and WELL
MANAGED DEFENCE? Or would the Ends of Government be de-
stroyed should the miserable Condition of the whole People of France,
which hath proceeded from the King’s being absolute, awaken the
Thoughts of the wisest Heads amongst them, and move them all to exert
themselves so as that those Ends should be better answered for the Time to
come.” BISHOP HOADLEY, Ibid.
It was resolved by the House of Commons that this Bishop, then Mr.
Hoadley, and Rector of St. Peter’s Poor, London, “for having often
strenuously justified the PRINCIPLES on which her Majesty and the
>em>Nation proceeded in the late happy Revolution, had justly merited the
Favour and Recommendation of that House;” and accordingly ad--
dressed Queen Anne, ”that she would be graciously pleased to bestow
some Dignity in the Church on the said Mr. Hoadley for his eminent Ser-
vices, both to the Chruch and State.
”Whatsoever dishonours human Nature dishonours the Policy of
a Government which permits it; and a free State, which does not
communicate the natural Right of Liberty to all it Subjects, who have
not deserved by their Crimes to lose it, hardly seems to be worthy of that
honourable Name.”
Lord LITTLETON”S History of HENRY II.
”Without Goodness, Power would be Tyranny and Oppression, and
Wisdom would degenerate into Craft and mischievous Contrivance.”
Archbishop TILLOTSON’S Sermons.
”Etiamsi non sit molesius dominus, samen est miserrimum, posse si velit.”
CICERO. Even if a Sovereign does not oppress, yet it is a most
miserable Condition for the Subjects that he has the Power, if he has
the Will.
+ 1 Blackstone, 161.
± Edicts cannot so bend the common Sense of human Creatures.
ꞗ Lord North’s Speech.
Opportunity for pursuing her Blows, what must be the Consequence?
We held up a Shield for our Defence. If our Brethren have pierced it
through, and rendered it useless, their Imprudence will, according to the
usual Course of human Affairs, compel us to change the Mode of Defence,
and drive us into all the Evils of civil Discords.
What Advantages can they gain that can compensate, to Men of any
Understanding or Virtue, for the Miseries occasioned by their bad Policy?
Their Numbers will be too small, in any Manner whatever, to controul
the Sentiments or Measures of the People of America. Their Conduct
never can prevent the Exertions of these Colonies, in Vindication of their
Liberty. It may, by Provocations, render those Exertions more rash and
imprudent; but their Numbers will be so extravagantly exaggerated, as
all Facts have been against us, on the other Side of the Atlantick, that
Great Britain may be deceived and emboldened into Measures destructive
to herself and to us. We are now strenuously endeavoring, IN A PEA-
CEABLE MANNER, by this single Power, the FORCE of our UNANIMI-
TY, to preserve our Freedom. Those who will lessen< that Unanimity detract<
from its Force, will prevent its Effect, and must be therefore justly char-
geable with all the dreadful Consequences to these Colonies.
The third important Consideration I beg Leave to recommend to my
Countrymen is, to draw such Reflections from their Situation as will
confirm their Minds in that manly noble Fortitude so absolutely necessary
for the Maintenance of those inestimable Privileges for which they are now
contending. The Man who fears Difficulties arising in the Defence of Free-
dom is unworthy of Freedom. God has given the Right, and the Means
of asserting it. We may reasonably ask, and expect, his gracious Assis-
tance in the reasonable Employment of those Means. To look for Mira-
cles, while we abusively neglect the Powers afforded us by divine Goodness,
is not only stupid but criminal. We are yet free; let us think like Free-
men.
In the last Place, I neg Leave to offer some Observations concerning
the Measures that may be most expedient in the present Emergency.
Other Nations have contended in Blood for their Liberty, and have
judged the Jewel worth the Price that was paid for it. These Colonies are
not reduced to the dreadful Necessity. So dependent is Great Britain
on us, for Supplies, that Heaven seems to have placed in our Hands
Means of an effectual yet peaceful Resistance, if we have Sense and
Integrity to make a proper Use of them. A general Agreement be-
tween these Colonies of Non-importation and Non-exportation, faith-
fully observed, would certainly be attended with Success. But is it now
proper to enter into such an Agreement? Let us consider that we are
contending with our ancient, venerable, and beloved Parent Country.
Let us treat her with all possible Respect and Reverence.* Though
the Rulers there have had no Compassion upon us, let us have Compassion
on the People of that Kingdom; and if to give Weight to our Suppli-
cations, and to obtain Relief for our suffering Brethren, it shall be
judged necessary to lay ourselves under some Restrictions with Regard
to our Imports and Exports, let it be done with Tenderness, so as to
convince our Brethren in Great Britain of the Importance of a Con-
nexion and Harmony between them and us, and the Danger of driving
us into Despair. Their true interests and our own are the same; nor
should we admit any Notion of Distinction, till we know their Resolu-
tions to be unalterably hostile.
In the Meantime, let us pursue the most proper Methods for collect-
ing the Sentiments of all the British Colonies in North America on the
present Situation of Affairs; the first Point, it is apprehended, to which
Attention should be paid. This may be effected in various Ways. The
Assemblies that may have Opportunity of meeting may appoint Deputies
to attend a general Congress, at such Time and Place as shall be agreed
on. Where Assemblies cannot meet, such of the People as are qualified by
Law to vote in Election of Representatives may meet and appoint, or
may request their Representatives to meet and appoint.
When the Inhabitants of this extended Continent observe that regular
Measures are prosecuted for re-establishing Harmony between Great
Britain and these Colonies, their Minds will grow more calm. Prospects
of Accommodation, it is hope, will engage them patiently and peaceably
to attend the Result of the public Councils, and such Applications as
by the joint Sense of America, may be judged proper to be made to his
Majesty and both Houses of Parliament.
”Better is a little, with Righteousness, than great Revenues, without
”Rights.” PROVERBS xvi.
*”By Justice (saith the Scripture) the Throne is established,”
and “by Justice a Nation shall be exalted.” I resemble Justice to
Nebuchadnezzar’s Tree, shading not only the Palace of the King, and the
House of Nobles, but sheltering also the Cottage of the poorest Beggar.
Wherefore, if now the Blast of Indignation hath so bruised any of the
Branches of this Tree, that either our Persons, or Goods, or Possessions,
have not the same Shelter as before, let us not therefore neglect the Root
of this great Tree; but rather, with all our possible Means, Endeavours,
and unfeigned Duties, both apply fresh and fertile Mould unto it, and
also water it even with our Tears, that so those bruised Branches may be
recovered, and the whole Tree again prosper and flourish.”----------Mr.
CRESKELD’s Speech in the Parliament that met in 1727.
LONDON, May 4.
A NOBLE Peer went lately to Lord North, and after much Conver-
sation bid him take Care how he walked, and to be very cautious,
as he was surrounded with Enemies who hated and envied him, naming
Burke, Barre, &c. and all the Americans. Lord North cooly answered,
:My Lord, I took the Helm in a hard Gale of Wind, determined to
steer this Country through every Difficulty as far as possibly I could, at the
Hazard of My Life, and the Destruction of the sweet Society of Family
and Friends. As to your Burkes and Barres, it is well known they and
they and
their Masters both have often made Offers of serving under me; but they
cannot be trusted. I hold them in Contempt. And as to the Ameri-
cans, I mean nothing but what is fair.”
The Premier has hinted his Desire to a great Personage of retiring as
soon as America is, by his Endeavours, brought to a State of Tran-
quality. If this is true, we are not likely to have a Premier for some
Years.
Yesterday Lord Viscount Pitt, Son of the Earl of Chatham, was intro-
duced to his Majesty,, his Lordship being soon to set out to join his Regi-
ment destined for America. [This Expedition, it is presumed, is that
Gentleman’s late proposed Tour to the Colonies.]
It is talked that there has been more than one interview, between the
Premier and Lord Chatham, in the Ciourse of a Week.
Last Tuesday Morning a Duel was fought in Sun Tavern Fields,
Shadwell, between a Hatmaker on Wapping Wall, and a Tallow Chan-
dler in the same Neighbourhood, in which the latter received a Wound,
of which he languished till Wednesday Evening, and then expired.
Their Seconds were, an Apprentice to a Glass Seller and a Journeyman
Hair Dresser. To such a Height is this Evil arisen, that it is become as
general among the lower Class of Mechanics as among People of
Fashion; and every Shop Boy, who has but Courage to fire a Pistol,
thinks himself entitled, on the least Offence, to demand the Satisfaction
of a Gentleman. Pity it is that some Method is not used to put a Stop
to so iniquitous a Practice.
We are informed that a general Discontent prevails all over Ireland on
Account of the Stamp Act, and it is expected that next Sessions there
will be Petitions from all Parts of that Kingdom to Parliament praying that
the same might be repealed.
The Ministry have been greatly alarmed at the Conduct of the
Quakers, fearing the Firmness of that most honourable Body, who are
the only People which virtually maintain the upright and independent
Principles of the Oliverian Firmness. Alarmed at their standing forth to
support their American Brethren, they have left no Stone unturned to
warp their Virtue, and to bribe their Leaders.
It is pretty certain that the Measure of exporting fresh Troops to
America, rather than changing the Quarters of those already stationed
in that Part of the Globe, had its Rise from a Conviction that not a
Spot on that whole Continent can either with Prudence or Safety be left
indefensible.
A dreadful Hole is now opened between the Mother Country and the
Colonies; and some glorious Curtius must devote himself, or the two
Kingdoms will approach to Ruin.
In Order that the Bostonians shall not resist the Execution of the Laws
of this Country, Lord North proposes to send over 200 Surgeons, in
Order to draw their Teeth, and render them incapable of biting.
With the Death of the French King will, in all Probability, expire the
Peace of Europe.
The Lords conclude their Protest to the Bill for better regulating the
Government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, as
follows: “Parliament has asserted the Authority of the Legislature of
this Kingdom, supreme and unlimited, over all the Members of the Bri-
tish Empire; but the legal Extent of this Authority furnishes no Argu-
ment in Favour of an onwarrantable Use of it. The Sense of the Nation
on the Repeal of the Stamp Act was, “that, in Equity and found Policy,
the Taxation of the Colonies, for the ordinary Purposes of Supply, ought
to be forborn; and that this Kingdom ought to satisfy itself with the
Advantages to be derived from a flourishing and increasing Trade, and
with the free Grants of the American Assemblies, as being far more bene-
ficial, far more easily obtained, less oppressive, and more likely to be
lasting, than any Revenue to be acquired by Parliamentary Taxes, ac-
companied by a total Alienation of the Attractions of those who were to
pay them. This Principle of Repeal was nothing more than a Return
to the ancient standing Policy of this Empire. The unhappy Departure
from it has led to that Course of Shifting and contradictory Measures,
which have since given Rise to such continued Contradictions, by which
unadvised Plan new Duties have been imposed in the very Year after the
former had been repealed, these new Duties afterward in Part repealed
and in Part continued, in Contradiction to the Principles upon which
those repealed were given up; all which, with many weak, injudicious,
and precipitate Steps taken to enforce a Compliance, have kept up that
Jealousy; which on the Repeal of the Stamp Act was subsiding, revived
dangerous Questions, and gradually estranged the Affections of the Co-
lonies from the Mother Country, without any Object of Advantage to
either. If the Force proposed should have its full Effect, that Effect, we
greatly apprehend, may not continue longer than whilst the Sword is
held up. To render the Colonies permanently advantageous, they must
be satisfied with their Condition. That Satisfaction we see no Chance
of restoring, whatever Measures may be pursued, except by recurring,
in the Whole, to the wise and salutary Principles on which the Stamp Act
was repealed.”
BOSTON, July 18.
THE Inhabitants of Charlestown, South Carolina have sent about
200 Tierces of Rice for the Poor of this Town, who are Sufferers
by the Boston Port Bill, which arrived at Salem last Monday.
Friday last a Number of publick spirited Gentlemen at Marblehead
raised Subscriptions for 207 Quintals of Cod Fish, about 50 Jars of Oil,
and 40l. in Specie, for the Use of the industrious Poor of this Town at
this critical Conjuncture of our publick Affairs, which is to be forwarded
to-morrow, if the Weather permits.
By Accounts from the North, South, East, and West of this Province,
the Non-Consumption Agreement is come into with scarce a Dissentient
in many Towns.
Large Orders for Fall Goods have been countermanded, occasioned by
the Non-Consumptive Agreements.
By his Excellency the Hounourable THOMAS GAGE, General and Com-
mander in Chief of all his Majesty’s Forces in North America, &.c.
WHEREAS some Soldiers have deserted his Majesty’s Service,
belonging to the Regiments lately arrived from Great Britain
and Ireland, this is to give Notice, that all Soldiers who deserted from
said Corps previous to the 10th Day of this Instant, Month of July, shall
receive their Pardons, upon surrendering themselves before, or on, the
10th Day of August next ensuing; and on Failure of so doing, they are
not to expect Mercy.
Given under my Hand, at Head Quarters, at Boston, this 15th Day
of July 1774.
By his Excellency’s Command, GAE. MATURIN, Secretary.
NEW YORK, July 18.
WEDNESDAY Night last our Committee of Correspondence met,
and drew up a Set of Resolves on the present alarming Oc-
casion, which were printed in Handbills, and sent about the Town
the next Morning for the Approbation of the Inhabitants thereof, who
are to assemble at the Coffeehouse to-morrow at 12 o’Clock, either to
approve or disapprove of the same. At the same Time the People are
to testify their Approbation of the five Gentlemen nominated by the
Committee to attend as Delegates at the General Congress, viz. Mr.
Duane, Mr. Philip Livingston, Mr. John Alsop, Mr. Isaac Low, and
Mr. John Jay.
Wednesday last arrived here, from Greenock, Captain Bogg, with
about 300 Passengers, among whom were Mr. Cummings, his Lady and
Family, Captain Macpherson, his Lady and Family, and the Reverend
Mr. Addison, &.c.
July 25. Captain Maitland, of the Ship Magna Charta, has brought
over a Quantity of Tea to Charlestown, South Carolina; but as the
Persons to whom it was consigned refused to receive it, the Captain, we
are informed, proposes to carry it back with him to London. From the
same Place, we are informed that a second Present of Rice from the Gen-
tlemen of that Province, to the indigent Sufferers at Boston, is preparing
to be sent to that Port.
Thursday last three Transports arrived here from Boston; they are now
taking in Ordinance, and a Proportion of military Stores, among which
are 500 Barrels of Gunpowder; and we hear the Royal Welch Fusiliers,
now here, are to embark this Week on Board the said Transports,
with a Detachment of the Train of Artillery, and to sail directly for Boston,
Friday last the Brig Matty, Captain Cochran, arrived here from
Greenock, with about 70- Passengers; and we are told that a large Ship,
with 300 Passengers more, was to sail from Greenock in about 14 Days
after Captain Cochran, for this Port also.
It was last Week reported in this City, but not credited, that a Soldier
on Duty in Boston had been shot at with an Arrow by some Person un-
known, but the Massachusetts’s Gazette of the 18th Instant confirms the
Account, and that it happened on the Morning of the Saturday before.
The Arrow is a remarkable One, and to be seen in the Camp.
WILLIAMSBURG, August 5.
ON Monday last, the 1st Instant, there was a very general and full
Meeting of the late Representatives of this Colony, who still con-
tinue sitting upon the weighty Matters intrusted to their Deliberation by
their several Constituents. We cannot, with Certainty, at this Time,
publish any of their Councils and Determinations; but next Week we
expect to be able to communicate the Whole to the Publick, which (at
least as far as we are able to judge) will be such as will do Honour to
the Colony, revive the Spirits of our suffering Fellow Subjects to the
Northward, and, in all Probability, secure the Rights and Liberties of
America, from every Invasion thereof.
The Resolves of the Counties of Fairfax, Mecklenburg, Prince Edward,
Brunswick, Lancaster, Suffix, Accomack, and Charles City, are come
to Hand; which we should with much Pleasure have inserted in our
Gazette, had it been possible. We had neither Time, nor near Room
enough, for them; and therefore can only observe, that they contain the
like patriotick Sentiments with the Resolutions of several Counties already
published, and profess all due Obedience to the Sovereign of the British
Empire.
By a Gentleman from the Northward, we learn that Captain James
Hudson, of Newbury Port, in the Massachusetts Government, has
for some Years carried on an extensive SALT WORK at the Town
of Salisbury, near that Place, making at least 200 Hogsheads yearly of
most excellent Salt, equal, if not superior, to any imported; and that,
in prosecuting the Business, he has extracted an Oil from the marine
Waters that will cure green Woonds, without any other Application.
He has also extracted the EPSOM SALTS, which have been chymically
proved, and fond them to be genuine. Captain Hudson likewise says, that
Salt may be made to greater Advantage in the southern Governments;
which is pretty demonstrable, from a late Experiment made by Mr.
James Tait, new this City, who, we hear, will be encouraged to per-
severe in his Endeavours to serve the Publick, many Gentlemen having
subscribed considerably to enable him to erect the necessary Works. –The
same Gentleman informs us, that the unhappy Situation of the Massa-
chusetts Government (to which Captain Hudson is a warm Friend) having
hitherto prevented his receiving from the Legislature that Encouragement
which he justly merits, has been generously patronized by the People of
the County in which he resides, who purchase his Salt in Preference to
any other, and have complimented him with a very handsome Sum, in
Token of their Regard for a Person who has in a great Degree devoted
himself to the Service of his Country.
Extract of a Letter from Baltimore Town, in Maryland, dated the
25th Ult.
”It is with inexpressible Pleasure that I can, at this Juncture, from
indubitable Authority, assure you, and the respectable People of Vir-
ginia, that a complete Plan for Establishing a NEW AMERICAN
POST OFFICE has been lately executed throughout the different
Governments in New England. It has been liberally encouraged, and
warmly patronized, by a very considerable Number of our principal
Gentlemen; and no Doubt seems now to remain of its being soon car-
ried into Execution, all over the Continent. Indeed, under the present
dreadful Situation of our Affairs, the great and general Utility of such
an Establishment must be obvious to every One; for, if we consider the
Footing on which the present American Post Office is, we much hold
it to be a Species of baneful and unjust Taxation, at least equally dan-
gerous with any other that we have opposed.-------MR> WILLIAM
GODDARD, Printer here, who has conducted this Business hitherto, in-
tends setting out for Williamsburg in a few Days, that he may be present
at the general Meeting of our late House of Representatives, and to lay
before your Committee of Correspondence the several approving and
recommendatory Letters he has received, from other Committees, on
this Subject; and if they give their Sanction to this Scheme (of which
we have little Doubt, when we reflect upon their noble Struggles in
Support of their Country’s Freedom) it will be immediately executed,
in a Manner, it is presumed, that will give general Satisfaction, and
rescue American Correspondence out of the Hands of our wicked and
designing Enemies.”
A farther Account of ELECTIONS, viz. For Albemarle, THOMAS
JEFFERSON and JOHN WALKER, Esquires. For Amelia, JOHN TABB
and JOHN WINN, Esquires. For Amherst, WILLIAM CABELL
Junior, and JOSEPH CABELL, Esquires. For Augusta, CHARLES
LEWIS and SAMUEL McDOWELL, Esquires. For Bedford, JOHN
TALBOT and CHARLES LYNCH, Esquires. For Berkeley, ROBERT
RUTHERFORD and JOHN HITE, Esquires. For Botetourt, ANDREW
LEWIS and JOHN BOWYER, Esquires. For Brunswick, FREDERICK
MACLIN and HENRY TAZEWELL, Esquires. For Buckingham, JOHN
NICHOLAS and ANTHONY WINSTON, Esquires. For Charolotte,
PAUL CARRINGTON and JAMES SPEED, Esquires. Gor Culpepper,
HENRY PENDLETON and HENRY FIELD, Junior, Esquires. For
Cumberland, WILLIAM FLEMING and JOHN MAYO, Esquires. For
Dunmore, FRANCIS SLAUGHTER and ABRAHAM BIRD, Esquires.
For Elizabeth City, HENRY KING and WORLICH WESTWOOD,
Esquires. For Fairfax, GEORGE WASHINGTON and CHARLES BROAD-
WATER, Esquires. For Fauquier, THOMAS MARSHALL and JAMES
SCOTT, Esquires. For Frederick, JAMES WOOD and ISAAC ZEENE,
Esquires. For Fincastle, WILLIAM CHRISTIAN and ROBERT DOAKE,
Esquires. For Goochland, JOHN WOODSON and THOMAS M. RAN-
DOLPH, Esquires. For Halifax, NATHANIEL TERRY and MACAJAH
WATKINS, Esquires. For Hampshire, JAMES MERCER and JOSEPH
NEVILLE, Esquires. For King George, JOSEPH JONES and WIL-
LIAM FITZHUGH, Esquires. For King and Queen, GEORGE
BROOKE and GEORGE LYNE, Esquires. For Lancaster, JAMES SEL-
DEN and CHARLES CARTER, Esquires. For Loudoun, FRANCIS
PEYTON and JOSIAH CLAPHAM, Esquires. For Louisa, THOMAS
JOHNSON and THOMAS WALKER, Esquires. For Lunenburg, RICH-
ARD CLAIBORNE and THOMAS PETTUS, Esquires. For Northamp-
ton, ADIEL MILBY and JOHN BOWDOIN, Esquires. For Northum-
berland, PETER P. THORNTON and RODHAM KENNER, Esquires.
For Orange, THOMAS BARBOUR and JAMES TAYLOR, Junior,
Esquires. For Prince Edward, PETER LE GRAND and WILLIAM
BIBB, Esquires. For Princess Anne, WILLIAM ROBINSON and
CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT, Esquires. For Prince William, HENRY LEE
and THOMAS BLACKBURNE, Esquires. For Richmond, ROBERT W.
CARTER and FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, Esquires. For Southamp-
ton, EDWIN GRAY and HENRY TAYLOR, Esquires. For Spotsylva-
nia, GEORGE STUBBLEFIELD and MANN PAGE, Junior, Esquires.
For Stafford, JOHN ALEXANDER and CHARLES CARTER, Esquires.
For Westmoreland, RICHARD HENRY LEE and RICHARD LEE,
Esquires.
Marriages.] JAMES DUNLOP, of Port Royal, Merchant, to Miss
BETSEY HILL, od Essex County; an agreeable young Lady, with a
Handsome Fortune.
Deaths.] Captain FRANCIS GAINES, of King and Queen County.
Reverend ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, Rector of Washington Parish,
in Westmoreland.
* * In the Copy of Verses addressed to the Author of Considerations,
&c. inserted in our last, dele the Word and before Address, in the first
Line, as it was an Errour of the Press.
FRIDAY, Agust 5. This Day the Commissioners on Behalf of this
Colony, to attend the General Congress at Philadelphia the 5th of next
Month, were appointed by Ballot, and are as follows, viz. The
Honourable PEYTON RANDOLPH, Esq; Moderator of the present
Meeting, RICHARD HENRY LEE, GEORGE WASINGTON,
PATRICK HENRY, RICHARD BLAND, BENJAMIN HARRI-
SON, and EDMUND PENDLETON, Esquires; and a Sum of Money,
amounting nearly to 1000l. is to be raised by Subscription from the
several Counties, and paid into the Hands of the Treasurer, to defray the
Expenses of those Gentlemen in Congress.
By the northern Port, arrived this Afternoon, we have the Resolves
of the Province of Pennsylvania, which will be published at large next
Week. At present, we can only observe, that they are fraught with the
most liberal and patriotick Sentiments, and empower their Delegates at
the General Congress to acquiesce in any Agreement of Non-importation
and Non-exportation that may be then adopted, and to endeavour to
have then so formed that hey may be binding upon all, and permanent,
should the publick Interest require it; also to come into any other Mea-
sures, which may tend to the Salvation of AMERICA.
To Mess. PURDIE & DIXON.
GENTLEMEN,
I PROPOSE submitting to the Pdblick, so soon as Business of greater
Importance will permit, a candid and impartial EXAMINATION of
a late extraordinary Pamphlet, entitled “Considerations on the present
”State of Virginia:” In which an humble Attempt will be made to
correct some material Errours in Point of Fact; to shew the Futility of
the Author’s Reasoning on so important and interesting a Subject; to
vindicate America in general, and our late HOUSE of BURGESSES in
particular, from the severe Reprehension, the illiberal and unjust Censures,
to which he hath laboured so very industriously to expose them.
A Member of the late and present
HOUSE OF BURGESSES.
≥The Publick would be much obliged to those
Gentlemen of the Faculty, who have an Opportunity
of examining inro the Nature of the Distemper amongst
the HORNED CATTLE (wich too generally prevails
at this Season of the Year) for their Opinion relative
thereto, and to publish what they think the most probable
Method of relieving the Sick or preventing the Disease.
Advertisements.
Just imported, and to be sold on very reasonable Terms,
TWO fine ENGLISH MARES of the Hunter Breed, one of which
has a Foal. They are both young, very large, and may be seen
by applying to Mr. Purdie in Williamsburg, who will also make known
the Terms to any Gentleman inclining to purchase them.
LOST in the Night of the 18th of July,
between Westham and Hardin’s Ordinary, on the Three Notched
Roads, an old LEATHER POCKETT BOOK, in which were several
useful Papers, among them an Order from Mr. John Stuart to <Captain
Robert Goode, for 20l. likewise a Note of Hand from said Stuart for 5l.
payable the last Day of December next, and many others that I do not
remember the Contents of; there were two Blackhead Pencils, but no
Money in the Book. Whoever contrives the said Book, with the Papers,
to Mr. Giles Hardin, Mr. Richard Crump in Manchester, or the Subscri-
ber in Chesterfield County, shall be rewarded for their Trouble.
(1ll) ROBERT DOUGLASS, Junior.
N. E. I forewarn all Persons from taking an assignment of any of
the above Notes.
KING & QUEEN, August 1, 1774.
WHEREAS, on the 28th of June, two
Men, who called themselves JOSEPH ABRAHAM and
ISAAC DALYON, called at the Subscriber’s, and got sundry Necessa-
ries to the Amount of 18s. and at the same Time purchased a DOUBLE
POLL CHAIR with a Top to it, painted dark Green, with a double
Set of Harness, for which they were to pay 12l. on their Return from
Williamsburg, which they said, at farthest, was to be the Monday Fort-
night after, when they were to bring with them two young Ladies; and
as, from their not returning agreeable to their Promise, there is great
Reason to believe they were a Couple of Sharpers, and may have assumed
fictitious Names, I hereby off a Reward of 40s. to any Person who
will secure my Chair for me, upon giving me Notice. They were both
dressed alike, viz. brown Jeans Coat and Jacket, Buckskin Breeches,
with Boots and Spurs; one had a white Hat, the other a black one.
They came on Horseback, and tied their Saddles behind the Chair; one
of the Men is of a fair Complexion, the other is very brown.
(ll) JOHN GARDINER.
AUGUSTA County, July 17, 1774
WHEREAS one DANIEL McGINNIS,
who pretends to be a Schoolmaster, is indebted to the Subscri-
ber nine Pounds, and has absconded from these Parts, I hereby offer a
Reward of 40s. to any Person who will secure him, and give Notice to
me. He is an Irishman, about five Feet seven Inches high, wears his
Hair tied behind, and has much of the Brogue; had on a blue Coat and
Jacket, with new Buckskin Breeches.
(1ll) ANDREW MEEK.
AMELIA, July 1, 1774.
IN the beginning of April last, two Men
came to my Shop in the Country, with a broke down Waggon, in
Order to have it repaired, and in it a Team of five Horses. One of the
Men, who called himself the Waggoner, said he had Business at Peters-
burg, and would return by the Time the Wagon could be ready. The
other said he came from England about four years ago, was then on his
Way back, and called himself Thomas Ferney. Each of them took a Horse
and went off, and I have never heard of them since. The other three
Horses, Harness, Waggon, Waggon Osnabrug Cover, and ten Bags
marked I, are at my Plantation. One of the Horses is a BLACK, has a
Scar in his Forehead, some Saddle Spots, about four Feet nine or ten
Inches high, paces slow, dockt, and branded on the near Buttock I;
another is a SORREL, has a white Mane and Tail, shod before, dockt,
and branded on the near Shoulder A; the third is a DARK BAY, his
hind Feet white, shod before, is very lame, occasioned, as is supposed,
by his Shoulder being out of Joint, four Feet eight Inches high, but has no
Brand perceivable. They are all poor, appear to be old, and the Hair
much rubbed off by the Traces. The Waggoner wore an old Coat and
Jacket of Dove coloured Duroy, Buckskin Breeches, Felt Hat, Dowlass
Shirt, and a Pair of Very bad shoes; has short dark brown Hair, a small
round full Face, about five Feet eight Inches high, and appears to be
about 22 Years of Age. Ferney has light tied Hair, a think Visage, fair
Complexion, and a little marked with the Smallpox; wore an old Sur-
tout Coat, fine Shirt, and Hat, wrote a Variety of Hands, and exceed-
ing well, said he had been a Schoolmaster in Virginia and Carolina, and
is about twenty Years of Age. It is supposed the Owner of the Horses,
Waggon, &c. lives in Pennsylvania, from whence the Waggoner said he
brought Wheat; but his Waggon giving Way, obliged him to sell some,
and lodge the rest on the Road. The Owner may have the Things in
my Possession on proving his Property, and paying Charges.
(1ll) ROBERT COUSINS.
To be RENTED annually, or for a Term of Years,
SWAN”S POINT FERRY and BOATS, with two good Dwelling-
Houses, all necessary Outhouses, an exceeding fine Pasture, and
Land sufficient to work four Hands, under a good Fence. For Terms
apply to the Subscriber.
(tf) JOHN HARTWELL COCKE.
SWAN”S POINT, August 3, 17774.
AGREEABLE to the Wish of many
Gentlemen (my Friends) I have rented the Houses, &c.</em at Col.
Bland’s Mill, in Prince George, and intend (God willing) to open Tavern
there the first of January next. I have contracted that the Houses shall
be in good Repair, and furnished with a good Stable, &c. As I have
an extensive Acquaintance with Gentlemen who travel that Way, shall
hope for small Favours when convenient, and will endeavour to deserve
them. Many small Debts are due to me for Ferriage, &c. at this Place,
which would be of infinite Service in my present Circumstances, and I
hope they will be discharged before my Departure, nor shall I have any
Inclination to keep such Accounts in future.
(2ll) THOMAS FENNER.
DUMFRIES, July 28, 1774,
THE DUMFRIES JOCKEY CLUB
PURSE of 100 GUINEAS will be run for on Tuesday the 25th of
November next, which is fixed on for the first Day of the Dumfries Races
for this Year. No Person will be allowed to start a Horse, Mare, or
Gelding, for this Purse, but an actual Member of the Club. There will
be a Subscription Purse for the second Day, and another the third Day
of the Races, the Particulars about which will be advertised hereafter.
-----A Premium of 5 GUINEAS will be given to the Person who brings
the largest and fattest Bullock to this Market the Saturday before the
Races, a Premium of 3 GUINEAS for the six largest and fattest Mut-
tons, and a Premium to the Person or Persons for the two largest and
fattest Veals.
RICHARD GRAHAM, Secretary.
HALIFAX, July 22, 1774.
I INTEND to leave the Colony Immediately.
THOMAS MURDOCH,
WILLIAM & MARY College, July 28, 1774.
I INTEND to leave the COLONY soon.
SAMUEL SHEILD.
NORFOLK, July 30, 1774.
WILL leave this Colony, in a few Weeks,
(ll) JOHN BRUCE.
** The School, kept here by Mr. Bruce, for some Years past, will
be continued to its usual Extent by Mr. Stevenson, The Debts that
shall become due to the said School in Mr. Bruce’s Absence will be col-
lected by Mr. James Ingram, his Attorney, to whom such as intend to
enter any new, or withdraw any of the present Scholars, will be pleased
to make known their Intentions.
To be SOLD, on Saturday the 6th of September, at
the late Dwelling House of Mr. JAMES RANSOM,
deceased, in Kingston Parish, Gloucester County,
SUNDRY NEGROES, and the PLANTATION whereon the said
Ransom lived, containing 373 Acres, reserving the Widow her
Dower. Part of the Purchase Money must be paid down, and short
Credit will be allowed for the Remainder. (1ll)
To be SOLD,
TWO likely young Virginia born NEGRO WOMEN about seven-
teen Years of Age each; they are good Spinners, and understand
most Sorts of Household Work, though of late they have been employed
in Plantation Business, and are reputed very good Hands. A reasonable
Credit will be given to a punctual Purchaser, on giving Bond with good
Security. ELIZABETH MARTIN.
KING WILLIAM, August 1, 1774.
To be SOLD, on Thursday the 18th Instant (August)
at Sussex Courthouse, being Court Day, to the highest
Bidders,
UPWARDS of 100,000 Wt. of TRANSFER TOBACCO,
belonging to Albemarle Parish, in said County. Credit will be allowed
until the 25th of April for near 40,000 Wt. of the said Tobacco, the
Purchasers giving Bond with approved Security. (2)
To be SOLD, on FRIDAY the 2d of September, at the
late Dwelling-House of Mr. Thomas Tinsley, de-
ceased, in Hanover Town.
NINE very valuable SLAVES, together with all his personal Estate,
consisting of every Kind of useful and fashionable Household and
Kitchen Furniture, a valuable Stock of Cattle, Hogs, Horses, and
Sheep. At the same Time will be rented the Lot and Houses thereon,
being a Dwelling-House, Smokehouse, Dairy, Kitchen, Stable, Billiard
House, two very good Shops, and a Garden well paled in. The Build-
ings are all in good Repair, and remarkably well calculated for keeping a
Tavern. Twelve Months Credit for all Sums above 25s. will be allowed
the Purchasers, on giving Bond with approved Security to the Subscriber,
who requests the Favour of all Persons indebted to the Estate to make
speedy Payments; and those who have Demands against it to make them
known, without Delay, to Leighton Wood, Junior, who is empowered
to adjust the same. All Debts not punctually discharged are to carry
Interest from the date of the Bonds.
(4) AGNES TINSLEY, Administratrix.
IF WILLIAM LEADAM, who came to
America some Years ago, of Beverly in England, and
lived somewhere about Ocracock in North Carolina, be living, and will
apply to the Postmaster in Williamsburg, he may hea of something to
his Advantage; if dead and left any issue it will be taken kind of any
One to inform him, that he may communicate the same to his Relations
in England. (ll)
For SALE,
A TRACT of LAND in Spotsylvania County, six
Miles above Fredericksburg, containing about
700 Acres, with a Dwelling-House, &c. the Property
of the late Doctor Sutherland. This Land will be
sold altogether, or in Lots. The Terms may be
known by applying to the Subscriber, in Fredericksburg.
(1ll) WILLIAM SUTHERLAND.
To be SOLD, for ready Cash, at Amelia Courthouse,
on Thursday the 25th of this Instant (August) be-
ing Court Day,
A TRACT of LAND, containing by Estimation,
100 Acres, whereon the said Grigg now lives,
and adjoining the Lands of Thomas Pavery, George
Highwater, and George Long. It is sold by Virtue of
a Deed of Trust from William Grigg, to John Tabb,
Esq; and Richard Booker and Co.
THOMAS SHORE.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Amherst
County, the 10th of July, a Mulatto Woman named SALL,
though commonly goes by the Name of Sally Grey; she is of a middle
Size, well shaped, Virginia born, and about 25 Years old; had on, when
she went away, a brown Linen Jacket and Petticoat, and I cannot learn
that she carried any other Clothes wither. She is of a numerous Family
of Mulattoes, formerly belonging to a Gentleman of the Name of Howard,
in York County, from whence I purchased her a few Years ago, and
where she may attempt to go again, or perhaps into Cumberland,
or Amelia, where I am informed many of her Kindred live. I shall
esteem it a particular Favour of those Gentlemen who have any of her
Relations in their Possession, to have her apprehended, if she is discovered
lurking about their Plantations; and I will give a handsome Reward,
besides what the Law allows, to any Person who will deliver her to me.
(6) GABRIEL PENN.
WILLIAMSBURG, August 3rd, 1774.
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Negro
Man named BEN, middle sized well set, very black, has lost his
right Eye, stoops a little when he walks, appears to be about 50 Years
old, and speaks such broken English that it is scarce possible to understand
what he says; had on, when he went away, an Osnabrug Shirt, and an
old Pair of white Russia Drab Breeches pretty much torn. Whoever ap-
prehends the said Slave, and conveys him to me in Williamsburg, shall be
rewarded for their Trouble, besides being paid what the Law allows.
PETER PELHAM.
LANEVILLE, August 3, 1774.
STRAYED from hence the 12th of last
Month, a likely BLACK HORSE, three Years old last May, about
fourteen Hands high, with a hanging Mane, and Switch Tail. He has
been very lately broke to the Saddle, though never rode much. Whoever
brings hm to me shall have FIVE DOLLARS Reward.
RICHARD CORBIN, Junior.
STRAYED from the Subscriber on Wed-
nesday the 17th of July, a BAY HORSE about fourteen Hands
high, with a hanging Mane, and Bob Tail, and branded on the near
Buttock O. I will give 10s. Reward to any Person that brings him to
me, in Williamsburg. JONATHAN PROSSER.
CABIN POINT, July 28, 1774.
STRAYED from this Place, about two
Months ago, a SORREL HORSE with a roached Mane and Bob
Tail, is about fourteen Hands high, and seven Years old. Any Person
who will give me such Intelligence of the said Horse as I may get him
again shall have 40s. Reward, and if they deliver him here be allowed
reasonable traveling Charges. JOHN WRIGHT.
STRAYED, or STOLEN, from the Sub-
scriber’s Plantation near Williamsburg, about ten Days ago, a ROAN
MARE about fourteen Hands high, with a hanging Mane and Switch
Tail, paces slow, and has the usual Marks of a Work Beast; her Brand,
if she has any, is forgot. Whoever brings her to the Subscriber, or to
Mr. William Douglas, at Providence Forge (where she belongs) shall have
20s. Reward; and if stolen 5l. on Conviction of the Thief.
WILLIAM HOLT.
TAKEN up, in Mecklenburg, eight HOGS, marked with a Crop,
Slit, and Underkeel in the right Ear, and a Crop and Slit in the
left. Also thirteen unmarked SHOATS, Posted, and appraised to
7l. 19s. (ll) RICHARD SWEPSON.
TAKEN up, in Surry, a BRIGHT BAY HORSE, about eight
Years old, fourteen Hands high, his two hind Feet white, paces
slow, canters shod before, dockt, but not branded. Posted, and ap-
praised to 20l. WILLIAM BROWN.
TAKEN up, in Charlotte, a BLACK MARE about four Feet two
Inches high, twelve Years old, and has a Star in her Forehead.
Posted, and appraised to 35s. (ll) WILLIAM HOWLE.
TAKEN up, in Charlotte, a BLACK MARE about four Feet
three Inches high, has a few Saddle Spots, branded on the near
Buttock I, and marked with an Underkeel in the right Ear. Posted,
and appraised to 5l. (ll) THOMAS JAMES.
CHARLOTTE, July 14, 1774.
THE STORE in this County heretofore
kept by Mr. Robert Cuninghame, for Account of Mess. Alexander
Speirs and Co. of Glasgow, is now under the Direction of Mr. Christopher
McConnico. It is hoped that those who have Accounts still open on the
Books will be speedy in their Application to have them settled. Such as
have Claims on the Company, for Dealings with Mr. Cuninghame, are
required to make them known immediately, that they may be adjusted.
The Store will be supplied to the usual Extent.
JAMES FAIRLIE.
To be SOLD, and entered upon immediately,
THE PLANTATION of Moses Hare, deceased, of Hertford County,
North Carolina, with several Pieces of valuable Land adjoining
thereto, the Whole about three Miles in Length and one in Breadth;
there is on the Plantation about 150 Acres cleared, with a beautiful
Meadow before of about 100 Acres, which affords a charming Prospect,
and makes an excellent Pasture; it is in very good Repair, with extra-
ordinary good Improvements of almost all Kinds, lies on the great Wag-
gon Road from Suffolk Town in Virginia to the greatest Part of Carolina,
and is most commodiously situated for a Store and Tavern, with many
other Conveniences too tedious to mention. Any Person inclinable to
purchase may have a great Bargain, by timely applying to Captain Ed-
ward Hare, near the Premises, or the Subscriber, near Bath Town, in
Beaufort County. MOSES HARE.
To be SOLD, by the Subscriber, in Petersburg, for
Cash, Wheat, or Tobacco,
BARBADOS RUM and SPIRITS, Muscovade SUGAR, WHITE
GINGER, PEPPER, Russia DRILLINGS and SHEETINGS,
Women’s Calimanco SHOES, 4d and 8d NAILS, some Boxes of assorted
DUROYS, SAGATHIES, and TRIMMIMNGS, also a few Pieces of
fashionable SILKS. EMANUEL WALKER.
THE Ship TRIUMPH will certainly sail
for London in six Weeks, agreeable to Charter; and will take in
Tobacco, on Liberty of Consignment, at 8l. Sterline per Tun. Any
Personinclinable to ship Tobacco in her will be pleased to send their Or-
ders to Mr. James Donald at Manchester, to Mr. Charles Duncan at Bland-
ford, to Captain Rogers, at Bermuda Hundred, or to the Subscriber at
Curle’s, who will be extremely obliged by the Assistance of his Friends.
PHILIP MAZZEI.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 28, 1774.
GEORGE HAMILTON, CARVER and
GILDER, just from Britain, and new in this City, hereby informs
the Publick that he intends carrying on his Business in all its Branches,
viz. Looking-Glass Frames in Burnish or Oil Gilding, Girandoles,
Ornaments and Decorations for Gentlemens Houses, Chimney Pieces,
Door and Window Cornices, Mouldings and Enrichments, Hall and
Dressing Glasses; all the above after the new Palmyrian Taste.----
Any Gentlemen wanting Designs of the above Articles may be furnished
either at their respective Houses in Town or Country, or at Mr. Edmund
Dickinson’s, Cabinet Maker; where old Frames may be re-gilded, and
Glasses new silvered, History and Portrait Paintings (though much de-
faced) cleaned and renewed to their former Lustre, also Chairs and
Chariots gilded.
To be RENTED from Year to Year, or for a Term
of Years, and to be entered upon the 1st of Septem-
ber next,
A CONVENIENT TENEMENT in this Town, at present in the
Possession of Mr. Andrew Johnson; whereon is a commodious
Storehouse, with a large Counting Room and Lodging Rooms under the
same Roof, Lumber Houses of different Sizes, and for different Purposes,
Stables, Chairhouses, and a Garden well paled in. Any useful Repairs
may be made the Tenant, and the Expense deducted out of the Rent.
The Terms, which are extremely low, may be known by applying to me
in Petersburg. BOLLING STARK.
STRAYED from the Subscriber, the 12th
of May, a YELLOW BAY MARE, near fourteen Hands, with
a Blaze Face, and had a bad Sore on her off Side. As she was bred in
Prince Edward County, she will probably endeavour to return there.
Whoever brings the said Mare to me, in Richmond Town, shall be well
rewarded. (2) JAMES BUCHANAN.
YORK Town, July 27, 1774.
MY Mulatto Fellow CORNELIUS ran
away from this Town about five Weeks ago; he was appre-
hended at Fredericksburg, brought here and imprisoned, and last Night
broke Jail. While he continued at Fredericksburg unmolested, he passed
for a Freeman. His Wife, a Mulatto, was in Company with him; both
were considered as free People, and hired in the Harvest by some Plan-
ters. Their Scheme was to get Money, and to proceed back upon the
Frontiers of Virginia. Whosoever apprehends the Mulatto Fellow in this
Colony, and delivers him to me, will be entitled to a Reward of 5l.
or if secured in any of the County Jails, and immediate Notice thereof
given to me, 3l. if taken in Carolina, Maryland, or any other Colony,
and delivered to me, 8l. and if taken in another Colony, and secured in
any of the County Jails here, 6l.
JOHN H. NORTON.
N. B. The Fellow is middle sized; he carried with him a Russia Drill
Postilion Coat and Waistcoat, and an old blue Livery Cloth Suit.
Five Pounds Reward.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Richmond Town, the 28th of
June, a likely Negro Man named YORK, about 23 Years of Age,
five Feet nine or ten Inches high, well made, has a Scar upon one of
his Wrists, occasioned by a Burn, but I cannot tell which. Whoever
delivers him to me, or secures him in any of his Majesty’s Jails, so that
I get him again, shall have the above Reward, besides what the Law allows.
(4ll) DICK HOLLAND.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Cum-
berland; about the 7th of July, a likely Virginian born Negro Man
named MOSES, about 24 Years of Age, and middle sized; had on,
when he went away, a brown Linen Shirt, Hempen Rolls Breeches,
white Plains Waistcoat, and Castor Hat about Half worn; carried with
him a new Felt Hat, a Pair of Shoes, Worsted and Thread Stockings,
a short striped Holland Coat and Waistcoat, and a Pair of Leather
Breeches, which makes it probable he may alter his Dress. He is a sen-
sible Fellow, and a great Rogue; pretends to have a Wife at Mr. Emanuel
Jone’s, in Williamsburg, where it is probable he may be lurking. Who-
ever will take up the said Negro, and secure him in any Jail, so that I
get him again, shall have 40s. Reward, and if brought to me 3l.
(2ll) HENRY MACON.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in WEST-
moreland, on Sunday Night the 10th of July, a Scotch Convict
Servant named THOMAS SCOTT, by Trade a Tailor, about five Feet
seven Inches and a Half high, rather slim made, pretty much marked
with the Smallpox, wears his own light coloured Hair tied behind, has
a down Look, is much inclined to drinking, fond of playing at Cards,
will push himself into any Company, speaks much in the Scotch Dialect,
and is fond of singing Songs; had on, when he went away, a Kind of
Drab Cloth Coat, black Cloth Waistcoat, white short Osnabrug Breeches,
white Thread Stockings, a black Silk Handkerchief about his Neck, and
a Pair of double rimmed Silver Plated Buckles in his Shoes. He stole,
and carried with him, a Pink Coloured Duroy Coat and red Poplin Waist-
coat they were only cut out, but I make no Doubt of his having got
them made up, and wearing of them; also some Silver Lace, with which I
imagine he will lace his Hat, which is not very old, though not very
fine, and several coarse and fine Shirts. He made an Attempt to get
over Mr. Fantleroy’s Ferry on Rappahannneck but did not succeed. Who-
ever will bring the said Servant to me, or secures him so that I get him
again, shall have a Reward of 10l. besides that the Law allows.
RICHARD CADDEEN.
ROBERT BRUCE,
WATCHMAKER,
At the House above Mr.ANDERSON:S Tavern,
MAKES and REPAIRS all Sorts of WATCHES
and CLOCKS, and will be much obliged to those
who please to employ him. He returns his most grate-
ful Thanks to his former Customers, and begs a Conti-
uance of their Favours. (ll)
**WATCHES sent from the COUNTRY shall
be done with Expedition, and returned with Care.
FOR SALE,
A VALUABLE Tract of LAND in Surry County, beautifully situ
ated on James River, a little above Swan’s Point, containing about
1300 Acres, well timbered with Pine and White Oak, and a Stream with
a Dam across it sufficient to carry a Saw Mill runs through the Middle
of the Land. Any Person inclinable to purchase may know the Terms
by applying to Captain James Belsobes at Cabin Point, Colonel Herbert
Claiborne in King William, or the Subscriber at Huntington.
CHARLES HARRISON.
FOR SALE,
TWO THOUSAND Acres of LAND, lying on the River Shenando,
in the County of Frederick, eight Miles above Ashby’s Gap. One
Third of the Purchase Money to be paid on the Day of Sale, and an ex-
tensive Credit will be given for the Remainder. Mr. James Brown will
show the Land to any Person inclinable to purchase, and I shall be on
the Premises the last Week in September next.
(tf) NATHANIEL BURWELL.
ISLE OF WIGHT, July 19, 1774.
POETS CORNER.
The CHOICE of a WIFE by CHEESE.
THERE liv’d in York, an Age ago,
A Man whose Name was Pimlico;
He lov’d three Sisters passing well,
But which the best he could not tell.
These Sisters three, divinely fair,
Show’d Pimlico their tenderest Care;
For each was elegantly bred,
And all were much inclin’d to wed,
And all made Pimlico their Choice,
And prais’d him with their sweetest Voice.
Young Plim, the gallant and the gay,
Like Ass divided ‘tween the Hay,
At last resolv’d to gain his Ease,
And choose his Wife by eating Cheese.
He wrote his Card, he seal’d it up,
And said with them that Night he’d sup;
Begg’d that there might only be
Good Cheshire Cheese, and but them three;
He was resol’d to crown his Life,
And by that Means to fix his Wife.
The Girls were pleas’d at his Conceit,
Each dress’d herself divinely neat;
With Faces full of Peace and Plenty,
Blooming with Roses under twenty;,
For surely Nancy, Betty, Sally,
Were sweet as Lillies of the Valley.
But, singly, surely buxom Bet
Was like new Hay and Minionet;
But each’d surpas’d a Poet’s Fancy,
For that, of Truth, was said of Nancy;
And, as for Sal, she was a Dona,
As fair as those of old Crotona,
Who to Appelles lent their Faces,
To make up Madam Helen’s Graces.
To these the gay, divided Pim,
Came gallantly smart and trim;
When every smiling Maiden, certain,
Cut of the Cheese to prove her Fortune.
Nancy, at once, nor fearing---caring,
To show her Saving, eat the Pairing;
And Bet, to show her generous Mind,
She cut and threw away the Rhind;
While prudent Sarah, sure to please,
Like a clean Maiden, scrap’d her Cheese.
This done, young Pimlico reply’d,
”Sally I now declare my Bride:
”With Nan I can’t my Welfare put,
”For she has prov’d a dirty Slut;
”And Betsy, who has par’d the Rhind,
”Would give my Fortune to the Wind.
”Sally, the happy Medium chose,
”And I with Sarah will repose:
”She’s prudent, cleanly; and the Man,
”Who fixes on a nuptial Plan,
”Can never err if he will choose
”A Wife by Cheese-----before he ties the Noose.”
WE the Subscribers, having for some Time
past experienced very great Inconvenience arising from the Un-
certainty of the Time of our Meeting in Williamsburg, have now resolved,
and are determined, for the future, to meet there every 25th Day of
October and April; of which we give this publick Notice, that those who
have Business to transact with us may know when to attend.
JAMES LYLE. NEIL JAMIESON.
ARCHIBALD RITCHIE. JAMES GLASSFORD.
DANIEL McCALLUM. WILLS COWPER.
ROBERT DONALD. MATTHEW PHRIPP.
JAMES FAIRLIE. JOHN HAMILTON.
JAMES DONALD. THOMAS SIMPSON.
ALEXANDER BAINE. JOHN GILMOUR.
JOHN FISHER CHARLES GILMOUR.
WILLIAM MITCHELL. JOHN HAY, & Co.
RICHARD ADAMS. BENJAMIN BAILEY, & Co.
ALEXANDER BUCHANAN. ANTHONY WARWICK.
ANDREW CHALMER. INGLIS & LONG.
EDWARD JOHNSON. FIELDIING LEWIS.
NINIAN MINZIES. ARCHIBALD CUNISON.
THOMAS MAIN. HENRY MITCHELL.
ROBERT RUTHERFORD. JAMES ROBISON.
ARCHIBALD McCALL. JAMES SOMERVELL.
McCALL & SHEDDEN. WILLIAM HENDERSON.
ADAM FLEMING. JOHN GLASSELL.
THOMAS RUSSELL. ANDREW CRAWFORD.
HECTOR ROSS. RICHARD HANSON.
NEIL McCOULL. JAMES INGRAM.
JOHN LINDSAY. WILLIAM HARRISON.
JAMES GIBSON, & Co. EDUMUND PENDLETON, Jun.
JOHN JOHNSON. JOHN BAIRD.
ROBERT BURTON. THOMAS SHORE.
ARCHIBALD BRYCE. PATRICK COUTTS.
ARCHIBALD GOVAN. MOSS ARMISTEAD.
ANDREW JOHNSON, Jun. EILBECK, ROSS, & Co.
EDWARD BRISBANE. JOHN TABB.
WILLIAM JOHNSON. CORNELIUS CALVERT.
THOMAS YOUNGER. ROBERT PLEASANTS, & Co.
SIMON FRASER. THOMAS EVANS.
THOMAS HODGE. EDWARD STABLER.
JAMES McDOWALL. DAVID RUSSELL.
DAVID COHRAN. GEORGE PURDIE.
WILLIAMSBURG, July 19, 1774.
JAMES SLATE, TAILOR from London, begs Leave to inform the Publick that has just opened Shop the
second Door below Mr. Anderson’s Tavern, where he carries on his Busi-
ness in all its Branches, and will be much obliged to those who may
please to favour him with their Custom. (ll)
TAKEN up, by the Subscriber, the 14th
of June last, a Negro named SAM, who appears to be about
fifty Years of Age, about five Feet Inches high, speaks bad English, and cannot, or will not, tell his Owner’s Name; had on Negro Cotton
Jacket and Breeches, also a Jacket made of Virginia Cloth. There being
no Jail in this County, I have put him with my Negroes, and shall be
glad that his Owner apply for him as soon as possible.
ARCHELAUS AUSTIN, Jailer.
COMMITTED toBedford Jail, a Servant
Man named THOMAS FLINN, who says he belongs to Thomas
Badget, near the Rocky Ridge, He is about five Feet six or seven Inches
high, well made, and appears to be about eighteen Years of Age. The
Owner is desired to pay Charges, and take him away.
(ll) SAMUEL FARR.
To be SOLD, to the highest Bidder, on Monday the
1st of August, at the Subscriber’s Plantation in King
George, opposite to Port Royal,
TWENTY very likely Virgina born SLAVES, consisting of Men,
Women, Boys, and Girls. Good Merchants Notes will be re-
ceived, payable at the October General Court, and a Discount of five per
Cent. allowed for ready Money. T TURNER.
ALL Persons may be supplied with this PAPER at 12 s. 6 d a Year, and have ADVERTISEMENTS (of a moderate Length) inserted in it for
3s. the first Week, and 2s. each Week after.-----** All Sorts of PRINTING WORK done at this Office in the neatest Manner, with
Care and Expedition.
For SALE,
MILLSTONES, Dutch FANS, RIDDLES for FANS, WOVE
WIRE for ROLLING SCREENS, LOOKING GLASSES of
every Kind, BRASS CHARIOT BOXES, BRASS CHAIR NAILS,
BAR IRON, Madeira WINE, Demarara and Jamaica SPIRITS, and
a strong Top CHAISE quite new(tf) JOHN SYME.
NEWCASTLE, July 14, 1774 .
For CHARTER, to any Part of EUROPE,
THE SHIP Anne, Thomas Wilson Master, Burthern
520 Hhds. Or 14,000 Bushels. For Terms ap-
ply to me in Norfolk, JOHN WALKER.
**Who has for Sale a Quantity of exceeding
good coarse SALT, on reasonable Terms.
YORK Town, July 18, 1774.
I INTEND to leave the Colony immediately,
and shall return in a few Months.
WILLIAM GOOSLEY.
Pursuant to a Decree of the Honourable General Court,
and by Letter of Attorney from Colonel George
Mercer of Virginia, now in London, will be sold
at publick Auction,
ABOUT 3500 ACRES of LAND in the County of Loudon, near
West’s Ordinary, about twelve Miles from Leesburg, forty from
Alexandria, and thirty five from Dumfries, on Potowmack. This Land is
well known, by the Description of Bull Run Mountains, and is very fertile.
---Also 6500 Acres on Shenando River, in the County of Frederick, op-
posite to Snicker’s Ordinary, and binding on the River about seven Miles.
As this Tract is Part of a Survey one of the first in that Part of the Colo-
ny, its good Quality cannot be questioned, it is well watered, will admit
of two Mills on Land Streams, and others on the River; there are now
on it six Plantations well improved for Cropping, 110 Slaves, and very
large and choice Stocks of Horses (some of the Dray Breed) black Cattle,
Hogs, and Sheep; which, together with the Crops of Corn and Wheat
now growing (expected to be upwards of 2000 Barrels and 5000 Bushels)
will be sold on the Premises, on the 24th Day of November or next
fair Day.----The Loudoun Lands will be sold at West’s Ordinary, on the
21st Day of the same Month. Both Tracts will be laid off in Lots to suit
every Kind of Purchaser, who may see them by applying to Mr. Francis
Peyton, near the Loudoun Land, and Mr. William Dawson, who resides
on the Shenado Tract. Among the Slaves are two good Blacksmiths,
two Carpenters, and an exceeding trusty and skillful Waggoner. The
aged black Cattle, and grown Hogs, will be fattened for Slaughter.-----
Purchasers above 25l. will be allowed twelve Months Credit, on giving
Bond and Security to the Subscribers, who will be prepared to make
Conveyances. JOHN TAYLOE.
(20) GEORGE WASHINGTON.
COMMITTED to Bedford Jail, a Servant
Man who says his Name is JOHN FORBES, and that he belongs
to John Hook, in North Carolina, a thick well made Fellow, of a reddish
Complexion, five Feet six or seven Inches high, and about fifty Years of
Age. The Owner is desired to take him away, and pay Charges. (ll) SAMUEL FARR.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Isle of
Wight, near Milner’s Warehouse, on the 13th of June, a Mulatto
Man named SAM, about 35 Years of Age, five Feet four or five Inches
high, of a pleasant Countenance, a remarkable Scar on one of his little
Fingers, and has lost some of his fore Teeth; had on, and carried with
him, a Pair of brown Rolls Trousers, an Osnabrug Shirt, and an old
Negro Cotton Jacket. I have heard he is making for Norfolk, in Order
to get on Board some Vessel, and it is probable he may try to pass for a
Freeman; all Masters of Vessels are therefore forewarned from harbouring
or carrying him off, at their Peril. I will give 3l. Reward to any Person
who will deliver him to me, or secure him so that I may get him again.
(ll) MATTHEW JORDAN.
RUN away from the Subscriber, in Buck-
ingham a Negro Woman names BESS; had on, and carried with
her, a green Calimanco Petticoat, a striped Holland Waistcoat, a
Negro Cotton Petticoat, a Virginia Cloth one striped with Copperas and
filled in with blue Yarn, two Osnabrug Shifts, one new, the other old.
Whoever brings the said Negro to me, at Buckingham Courthouse, shall
have 5l. Reward if taken in Carolina, and 40s. if in Virginia, besides
what the Law allows. ARCHELAUS AUSTIN.
TAKEN up, inBedford, a BRIGHT BAY HORSE about three
Years old, four Feet two Inches high, has a small white Spot on
his left Cheek, dockt, but not branded. Posted, and appraised to 7l.
(ll) ROBERT EWING.
TAKEN up, inChesterfield, a BRIGHT BAY HORSE COLT two
Years old, four Feet two Inches high, a Star in his Forehead, and
a Snip on his Nose. Posted, and appraised to 5l.
(ll) JOHN AMONET.
TAKEN up, in Buckingham, a DARK BAY HORSE with several
Saddle Spots, appears to be Hipshotten, has a few gray Hairs at
the Root of his Tail, had on a Bell with a Patch at the Edge, and branded
on the near Shoulder M. Posted, and appraised to 55s.
JOHN PHELPS.
TAKEN up, in Spotsylvania, a BRIGHT BAY HORSE about four
Feet seven Inches high, a Star in his Forehead, shod before, and
branded on the near Shoulder and Buttock C. Posted, and appraised to
9l. (ll) JOHN TRUE.
TAKEN up, in Goochland, a large DARK BROWN STEER about
five Years old, marked in the right Ear with a Crop and Under-
keel, and branded on the left Horn HM in a Piece. Posted, and ap-
praised to 3l. JOHN LEE.
TAKEN jup, inDinwiddie, a small Red COW about four Years
old, with Part of her Tail off, marked with a smooth Crop and
Slit in her right Ear, and a Half Moon in the left. She has since had a
Calf. Posted, and appraised to 55s.
(ll) JOHN JONES.
TAKEN up, in Bedford, a Negro Man
named FRANK, five Feet seven or eight Inches high, about 25
Years of Age, his left Thumb has a Cut on the Joint that he cannot
move it, is a little now-legged, and has been a good Deal whipped,
as appears by his Back; had on a Check Shirt, and a Pair of Pompa-
dour coloured Breeches. He says he was imported about twelve Years
ago by Colonel Tabb, and lived at his Home Plantation for some Time,
but, for twelve Months past, he lived with one William Basdale, in
Prince Edward, who he will not agree is his Master. The Owner is
desired to take him away, and pay Charges.
(ll) SAMUEL FARR.
To be SOLD,
THE Sloop PROVIDENCE, Burthen about 45 Tuns, only nine
Months old, very well built, neatly finished off, completely sound,
has large Accommodations, and sails remarkably fast. For Terms ap-
ply to Captain Charles Thomas at Norfolk, or to
(tf) BENJAMIN HARRISON, Junior.
RUN away from the Subscriber, who is
removed from Boyd’s Hole, on Potowmack River, to Buckskin Creek
on Notoway River, Dinwiddie County, on Saturday the 2d of July, a
likely well made Mulatto Fellow, named HARRY about 22 or 23 Years
of Age, five Feet ten or eleven Inches high, some Scars may be seen on
his Arms and Back if stripped, has remarkable high Insteps, speaks fair,
and is very subtle and insinuating, is very fond of Dress, and cannot bear
to go barefoot; had on, when he went away, a dark brown Cloth
Livery Coat turned up with Green, Waistcoat of the same, striped Velveret
Breeches, a white Shirt, Shoes and Stockings, all his Clothes a little
ragged, and I do not doubt his having a Variety of them. He is very
well known in many Parts of Virginia and Maryland, having constantly
travelled with me. As he was bred in Fairfax County, it is probable he
will make there to his Mother, an old Negro Woman formerly the Pro-
perty of the late Parson Green of said County, but has, I believe, been
set free some Years. All Masters of Ships, and other Persons, are hereby
forewarned from harbouring or conveying him out of the Colony, and I
will give 50s. Reward, besides what the Law allows, to any Person that
will deliver the said Slave to me, or secure him in any Jail so that I may
get him again. (4) THEODORICK BLAND.
PETERSBURG, June 26, 1774.
STRAYED, or STOLEN, from the Sub-
criber, about the first Instant, a BRIGHT BAY HORSE above
fourteen Hands high, from six to eight Years old, remarkably well set,
paces, trots, and gallops, is short docked, his Mane and Tail remark-
ably black, has a Hole in one of his fore Hoofs occasioned by Gravel, but
his Brand, if any, forgot. He was bred in Surry by Mr. Brown, but
has been used in Lunenburg all last Winter and Spring. As he was
missing a few Days after I had him, I have some Reason to think he was
carried off by a runaway Negro Boy of this Town, who was seen at
Williamsburg the last Meeting. I will give 3l. To any Person wo will
bring him to me. (tf) HENRY LOCHHEAD.
For LIVERPOOL,
THE Ship GREENWOOD, Mackey Reed Master, loads at Norfolk,
has two Thirds of her Cargo already engaged, can take in 200
Hhds. Of Tobacco on Liberty of Consignment. Any Gentleman inclin-
ing to ship by her will please to send their Orders to Mr. Richard Raylor
of Petersburg, Mr. Richard Squire Taylor in King William County, or to
us at Norfolk.
(tf) GREENWOOD, RITSON, & MARSH.
To be RENTED, from Year to Year, or for a Term
of Years,
BLEVOIR, the beautiful Seat of Honourable George William Fair-
fax, Esq; lying upon Potowmack River in Fairfax County, about
fourteen Miles belowAlexandria. The Mansion House is of Brick, two
Stories high, with four convenient Rooms and a large Passage on the lower
Floor, five Rooms and a Passage on the second, and a Servants Hall
and Cellars below, convenient Offices, Stables, and Coach-House ad-
joining, as also a large and well furnished Garden, stored with a great
Variety of valuable Fruits, in good Order. Appertaining to the Tract
on which these Houses stand, and which contains near 2000 Acres (sur-
rounded in a Manner by navigable Water) are several valuable Fisheries,
and a good Deal of cleared Land in different Part, which may be let
altogether, or separately, as shall be found most convenient. The Terms
may be known of Colonel Washington, who lives near the Premises, or of
me in Berkeley County.
(tf) FRANCIS WILLIS, Junior.
NORFOLK, April 21, 1774.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Number
of Vessels will be wanted this Summer to bring about 6000 Tuns
of STONE from Mr. Brooke’s Quarry on Rappahannock, and land the
same on Cape Henry for the Lighthouse. Any Person, or Persons, in-
clinable to engage in such Work, are desired to treat with Matthew
Phripp, Paul Loyall, and Thomas Newton, Esqrs. The Directors of the
Lighthouse will also be glad to purchase one of two FLAT BOT-
TOMED VESSELS from 80 to 120 Tuns Burthen
(tf) BASSETT MOSELEY.
NEABSCO FURNACE, April 1, 1774.
RUN away from the Neabsco Furnace, on
the 16th of last Month, a light coloured Mulatto Man named
BILLY or WILL, the Property of the Honourable John Taylor, Esquire.
When I tell the Publick that he is the same Boy, who, for many Years,
used to wait on me in my Travels through this and the neighboring
Province, and, by his Pertness, or rather Impudence, was well known
to almost all my Acquaintances, there is the less Occasion for a particular
Description of him. However, as he is now grown to the Size of a Man,
and has not attended me for some Time past, I think it not amiss to say
that he is a very likely young Fellow, about twenty Years old, five Feet
nine Inches high, stout and strong, made, has a remarkable Swing in his
Walk, but is much more so by a surprising Knack he has of gaining the
good Graces of almost every Body who will listen to his bewitching and
deceitful Tongue, which seldom or ever speaks the Truth; has a small
Scar on the right Side of his Forehead, and the little Finger of his right
Hand is quite straight by a Hurt he got when a Child. He had on when
he went away a blue Fearnought and an under Jacket of green Baize,
of Cotton Breeches, Osnabrug Shirt, a mixed blue Pair of Stockings a Pair
of Country made Shoes, and yellow Buckles. From his Ingenuity, he
is capable of doing almost any Sort of Business, and for some Years past
has been chiefly employed as a Founder, a Stone Mason, and a Miller, as
Occasion required; one of which Trades, I imagine, he will, in the Cha-
racter of a Freeman, profess. I have some Reason to suspect his tra-
vellijng towards James River, under the Pretence of being sent by me on
Business. Whoever apprehends the said Mulatto Slave, and brings him
to me, or to his Master, the Honourable John Tayloe of Mount Airy, or
secures him so as to be had again, shall have double what the Law allows,
and all reasonable Charges paid by
(tf) THOMAS LAWSON.
For SALE,
A TRACT of LAND in Amelia County, containing 500 Acres, about
four Miles below the Courthouse, it is remarkable fine Land for
Grain, and will bring good Tobacco. The Plantation is in good Order
for Cropping, sufficient to work six or eight Hands, with all necessary
Houses. Any Person inclinable to purchase may depend on having a
Bargain, and know the Terms by applying to
(tf) WILLIAM MARSHALL.
For SALE,
ABOUT twelve Thousand Acres of exceeding rich TOBACCO
LAND, inAmherst County, whereon are several Plantations and
Improvements sufficient to work forty or fifty Hands. There is on the
said Land for Sale a very valuable GRIST MILL, lately built, with a
Stone Dam and a Pair of good Cologne Millstones, which Mill has for two
Years past got upwards of 100 Barrels of Toll Corn, and is situated on a
never failing Stream. The Land will be shown by William Womack, who
lives at one of the Plantations, and the Prices of the Land made
known by him. One or two Years Credit will be allowed, interest being
paid for the second Year, and also for the first, if the Money is not paid
agreeable to Contract. The Land is to be laid off and surveyed by
Colonel William Cabell, at the Expense of the Purchaser. Deeds will be
made upon Bond and approved Security being given, either to Colonel
William Cabell, or the Subscriber. Six per Cent. Discount will be allowed
for ready Money, or good Merchants Notes. If any Person will choose
to exchange Lands in the lower Part of the Country, on or near some
navigable River, that are good, it is more than probable we should agree.
(tf) CARTER BRAXTON.
THE
VIRGINIA GAZETTE.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1774. NUMBER 430.
OPEN TO ALL PARTIES, BUT INFLUENCED BY NONE
WILLIAMSBURG: PRINTED BY CLEMENTINA RIND.
All Persons may be supplied with the GAZETTE at 12 s. 6d. a Year. ADVERTISEMENTS, of a moderate Length, are inserted for 3 s. the first Week,
and 2 s. each Time after; long ones in Proportion.-----PRINTING WORK, of every Kind, executed with Care and Dispatch.
Mrs. RIND,
THE time is at length arrived when American liberty must
either be settled on a firm basis by the virtue and public
spirit of her sons, or sink under the arm of despotism now
suspended over her. The colonies will no doubt look upon
the violent and arbitrary proceedings of the British parliam-
ment, with regard to the Bostonians, as leveled at the
liberty of America in general, and unite their utmost endeavours by all
means in their power to prevent the ruin they are threatened with. We
shall deceive ourselves if we think Great Britain (as the present ministry
call themselves) will easily be brought to recede from her clams of do-
mination over us. The parliamentary farce will not be ended till the
virtue of America, and the cries of the British merchants and manu-
facturers, drive the present actors off the stage.
In this contention we must expect our courage and fortitude will be
put to a severe trial, and if they are not genuine, will not stand the test.
But as our ancestors have liberally shed their blood to secure to us the
rights we now contend for, surely every poser of manhood will be ex-
erted by us to deliver the deposition sacred and inviolate to our posterity.
Let no man despair of success in so just a cause. Situated as we are, if
we be united, and dare be free, no power on earth can make us slaves.
That our adversaries are powerful we fatally know; but, in a measure
so wickedly destructive of the constitutional rights of British subjects,
they cannot be united. But should they be so, are they more powerful
than the Spaniards, or we less so than the united provinces were at the
time the contest arose between those two nations on the subject of liber-
ty? Philip the second, at the head of the most powerful empire in
Europe, with the best disciplined troops, headed by one of the ablest
generals then known in the world, and supported by the riches of Ame-
rica, after a bloody war, which lasted half a century, was not able to
subvert the liberty of the poor, and till then inconsiderable, but virtuous
Hollanders. The history of our ancestors, in the last century, affords a
noble proof of firmness and patriotic virtue. In the reign of the first
Charles they evidently demonstrated, that though Englishmen may bear
much, yet when they find a determined resolution in administration to
persevere in measures totally destructive to their dearest rights, they will
rouze at last, and when that period arrives no force can withstand, no
chicanery elude, their fury; and the more they have suffered, the greater
will be the sacrifice they demand. The posterity of James the second,
fugitives in a strange land, still lament the dire effects of his encroach-
ments on English liberty.
The spirit of liberty, when conducted by public virtue, is invincible.
It may be cramped and kept down by external violence, but so long as
the morals of a people remain uncorrupted, it cannot be totally ex-
tinguished. Oppression will only increase its elastic force, and when
roused to action by some daring chief, some great good man, it will
burst forth, like fired gunpowder, and destroy all before it. Of this truth
the English history affords the clearest demonstrations, through many of
its brightest periods. We are the sons of those brave men, and let us
now prove ourselves worthy of our glorious ancestors. Britain herself
will applaud our virtue. The friends of liberty there will rejoice to ac-
knowledge us their brethren and fellow subjects; for it cannot be possible
that a race of heroes and patriots should in so short a time degenerate into
a band of robbers.
We need not, on the present occasion, shed our blood to secure our
rights, though if necessary, let us not spare it; the purchase is more
than equal to the price. Let us not buy their commodities; let us stop
all exports from this country to that till they do us justice. We have
the means of subsistence within ourselves. Nature’s wants are but few;
our imaginary ones have their foundation in luxury. Let us encourage
our own manufactures by proper subscriptions in each county; and by
wearing them ourselves, convince our enemies (for so I must call those
who endeavour to enslave us) that we can and will subsist without them.
Let gentlemen of the first rank and fortune amongst us set the example;
they will be cheerfully and eagerly followed by the inferior classes. This
will give weight to our remonstrances; and when the great disposer of all
things, the ruler of princes, shall in his mercery open the eyes of our
oppressors, and direct their councils to the pursuit of equity and right
reason, then, and not till then, let us meet and embrace them with open
arms: We will again be their children when they will deign to be our
parents. B. D.
FURTHER PROCEEDINGS of VIRGINIA.
At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the county of
Princess Anne, on due notice given by one of the late representatives,
held at the courthouse of the aid county, on Wednesday the 27th
day of July, 1774, they, after chusing ANTHONY LAWSON, esquire,
moderator, came to the following resolutions viz.<
RESOLVED, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that it is an
absolute right inherent in every British American subject to have
and enjoy such freedoms and privileges as belong to the free people of
England, and that he cannot be taxed but by his own consent or repre
sentative.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that every attempt
to impose taxes by any other authority is a tyrannic exertion of power,
and a violation of the constitutional and just rights and liberties of the
subject; and that the acts for blocking up the harbour of Boston, for
altering the chartered constitution of the Massachusetts Bay, and for the
suppression of riots and tumults are cruel and oppressive, invasions of the
natural rights of the people of the said province as men, and of their
constitutional rights as English subjects.
Resolved, that the town of Boston and province of Massachusetts Bay
are now suffering in the common cause of America, as the said acts would
lay a foundation for the utter destruction of the rights and liberties of the
subjects of British America.
Resolved, that our burgesses be hereby instructed to use their utmost en-
deavours at the ensuing congress at Williamsburg to procure a general
allocation for stopping all importation from, and exportation to, Great
Britain, except such articles as shall be then agreed upon, as the most
effectual means to obtain redress; the non-importation and non-exportat-
tion to take place on such future day as may be agreed on by the general
congress of deputies from the several colonies.
Resolved, that our burgesses be hereby instructed to vote against every motion
or proposal for stopping the usual imports from, and exports to, the West
Indies.
Resolved, that our burgesses be instructed to oppose the importation of
slaves and convicts, as injurious to this colony, by preventing the pop-
ulations of freemen and useful manufactures.
Resolved, that it be recommended to our burgesses to vote for the en-
couragement of raising sheep, hemp, flax, and cotton.
Resolved, that our burgesses be hereby instructed to endeavour to pro-
cure a general association against trading and dealing with every colony,
province, county, or town, that shall refuse to come into the general
plan which may be adopted by the several colonies and provinces on the
continent.
Resolved, that our burgesses be hereby instructed to use their utmost
endeavours that subscriptions be opened in the several counties of this
colony, for the relief of the cruelly oppressed and distressed inhabitants of
the town of Boston.
Resolved, that our burgesses do meet the first day of August in Willi-
amsburg, to consult upon the most proper means for carrying these, or
any other resolves which may be judged more expedient, into execution.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that the general plan
adopted at the ensuing congress ought to be strictly adhered to by the
whole colony; and that this meeting will faithfully adopt such measures
as may be then agreed upon.
Resolved, that the above resolutions be printed for the perusal of the
freeholders and inhabitants of the county.
THOMAS ABBOTT, Clerk.
The above resolutions being unanimously agreed to, and signed by the
several members then present, they then repaired to a place prepared for
the occasion, and there drank the following TOASTS: 1. The king.
2. The queen and royal family. 3. A speedy and permanent reconcilia-
tion between Great Britain and her colonies. 4. A perfect union and
harmony among all the British colonies. 5. May our brethren of Boston
support themselves under their present unmerited sufferings with that
magnanimity which becomes freemen, preferring death to slavery. 6. A
speedy export to all the enemies of British America without a drawback.
7. May all enemies of America meet with a retribution due to their
demerits. 8. Lord Chatham. 9. Lord Cambden. 10. The marquis
of Rockingham. 11 Colonel Barre. 12. Mr. Edmund Burke. 13.
The bishop of St. Asoph. 14. Lord Shelburne. 15. American liberty,
16. Prosperity of Virginia.
At a meeting of the freeholders of the county of Albemarle, assem-
bled in their collective body, at the courthouse of the said county, on
the 26th day of July, 1774,
RESOLVED, that the inhabitants of the several states of British
America are subject to the laws which they adopted at their first settle-
ment, and to such others as have been since made by their respective
legislatures, duly constituted and appointed with their own consent; that
no other legislature whatever may rightfully exercise authority over them,
and that these privileges they hold as the common rights of mankind,
confirmed by the political constitutions they have respectively assumed
and also by several charters of compact from the crown.
Resolved, that these their natural and legal rights have in frequent
instances been invaded by the parliament of Great Britain, and particu-
larly that they were so by an act lately passed to take away the trade of
the inhabitants of the town of Boston, in the province of Massachusetts
Bay, that all such assumptions of unlawful power are dangerous to the
rights of the British empire in general, and should be considered as its
common cause, and that we will ever be ready to join with our fellow
subjects, in every part of the same in exerting all those rightful powers,
which God has given us, for the re-establishing and guaranteeing such
their constitutional rights, when, where, and by whomsoever invaded.
It is the opinion of this meeting, that the most eligible means of effect-
ing these purposes will be to put an immediate stop to all imports from
Great Britain (cotton, oznabrigs, striped duffil, medicines, gunpowder,
lead, books and printed papers, the necessary tools and implements for the
handicraft arts and manufactures excepted for a limited time) and to all
exports thereto after the 1st day of October, which shall be in the year
of our Lord, 1775; and immediately to discontinue all commercial inter-
course with every part of the British empire which shall not in like
manner break off their commerce with Great Britain.
It is the opinion of this meeting, that we immediately cease to import
all commodities from every part of the world which are subjected by the
British parliament to the payment of duties in America.
It is the opinion of this meeting, that these measures should be pur-
sued until a repeal be obtained of the act for blocking up the harbour of
Boston, of the acts prohibiting or restraining internal manufacturers in
America, of the acts imposing on any commodities duties to be paid in
America, and of the acts laying restrictions on the American trade; and
that on such repeal it will be reasonable to grant to our brethren of Great
Britain such privileges in commerce as may amply compensate their fra-
ternal assistance, past and future.
Resolved, however, that this meeting do submit their opinions
to the convention of deputies from the several counties of this colony,
appointed to be held at Williamsburg on the 1st day of August next, and
also to the general congress of deputies from the several American states
when and wheresoever held; and that they will concur in these or any
other measures which such convention or such congress shall adopt as most
expedient for the American good. And we do appoint THOMAS
JEFFERSON and JOHN WALKER our deputies to act for this county at
the said convention, and instruct them to conform themselves to these
our resolutions and opinions.
At a meeting for the freeholders and other inhabitants of the county of
Buckingham, at the courthouse, the 28th of July, 1774, they took
under their consideration the truly alarming state of the several British
colonies from sundry acts of parliament, which if carried into execution
must reduce the whole to an abject state of slavery, at which time they
came to the following RESOLUTIONS:
RESOLVED, that we will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes,
defend his majesty’s right and title to the crown of Great Britain and his
American dominions, against all and every person whatsoever, and that
we do acknowledge and profess all due obedience to him.
Resolved, that we will not pay any tax that is or may be laid on any
commodity whatsoever, which shall be laid by the parliament of Great
Britain for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, our own legis-
lature, with the consent of his majesty, being only legally vested with
a power of laying taxes on the inhabitants of this colony.
Resolved, that the act of parliament for blocking up the harbour of
Boston; also one other act for carrying persons to Great Britain or else-
where to be tried for sundry offences; as also the act for depriving our
sister colony of Massachusetts Bay of their charter, are unjust, arbitrary,
and unconstitutional; and that we consider an attack on the liberties of
one of our sister colonies as an attack on the whole British America.
Resolved, that manufactories ought to be encouraged in this and every
other colony, and that after a short time all importations from Great
Britain ought to be prohibited, unless the several acts of parliament,
depriving our sister colony of Massachusetts Bay of their liberties be re-
pealed; as also all such other acts of the British parliament as are or may
be intended for laying any tax on articles imported into this or any of
the colonies for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, be likewise
repealed.
Resolved, that the representatives for this county be directed to meet
the representatives of the other counties in this colony, in Williamsburg,
the first day of August next, to consult and advise on the best and most
effectual means for preserving American liberty, and that they use their
best endeavours that proper persons be appointed, on the part of this co-
lony, to meet such persons as may be appointed by the other colonies,
to consult and advise on proper measures for the good of the whole, with
all and every of which our desire is, a strict union may be established, as
the only sure and effectual means of defeating the evil intentions of a
corrupt majority in the house of commons.
Resolved, that these resolutions be sent to the public printer, and that
she be requested to publish the same.
JOHN NICHOLAS, Moderator.
At a general meeting of the freeholders of the county of Fauquier, in
Virginia, on the 9th of July, 1774, at the courthouse of the said county,
Mr. WHARTON RANSDELL being chosen moderator, the following
RESOLUTIONS were unanimously agreed to:
RESOLVED, that it is an undoubted right of British subjects, and
without which freedom cannot exist, to be taxed only by their own free
consent, either personally given, or by their representatives legally
assembled.
Resolved, that as the British subjects in America are not, and from
their situation cannot ever be, represented in the British parliament, any
act of parliament laying a tax on them is subversive of their natural
rights, and contrary to the first principles of our free constitution.
Resolved, that the act of parliament laying a duty on tea, &c. ex-
ported from Great Britain to these colonies, for the avowed purpose of
raising a revenue in America, will, if submitted to, fix a precedent,
whereby the parliamentary claim of taxing America may be established,
arbitrary power introduced, and the liberty of the British colonies laid
at the feet of a despotic and execrable minister.
Resolved, that the hostile invasion of the town and port of Boston in
New England is a dangerous attack on the liberty of the British colo-
nies in America in general, strongly tending to a dissolution of govern-
ment, and totally to alienate the affection of the colonies from the
mother country, and as our humble petitions, memorials, and remon-
strances, have hitherto failed to procure us that redress which the op-
pressions we suffer, and the justice of our cause entitles us to,
Resolved, and it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that till the
said act of parliament shall be repealed, and till the ships of war and troops
be withdrawn from the said town and port of Boston, and the rights
and freedom of the same be restored, all exports whatsoever from this
colony to Great Britain, and imports from thence be stopped, and that the
courts of justice ought to decline the trial of civil causes, except attach-
ments, where the attached goods are perishable, and motions against the
collectors and sheriffs for money actually in their hands.
Resolved, that any person who, contrary to the general sense of the
country, expressed by their late representative, shall purchase, vend,
of make use of tea, till such time as the act of parliament laying a duty
on that article for the purpose of raising a revenue in American shall be
repealed, shall be deemed an enemy to American liberty and the common
right of mankind, and ought to be publicly stigmatized as such.
Resolved, that the town of Boston aforesaid is now suffering in the
common cause of American liberty, and ought to be supplied with such
articles as are necessary for their support by the voluntary contribution of
the colonies in general.
Resolved, that these our sentiments be, by the moderator of this
meeting, delivered to our later representatives, who, notwithstanding they
were, by the sudden intervention of the executive power of this colony,
deprived of their legislative capacity, are still possessed of our confidence,
and desired to appear at the general meeting, at Williamsburg, on the first
day of August next, and that they be assured, in the most solemn manner,
of our hearty concurrence in, and firm support of, all such measures as
by a majority of the late representatives of this colony, then and there
to be convened, shall be thought proper and necessary for the security of
our liberty, the improvement of our manufactures, and to procure a re-
dress of American grievances. PETER GRANT, Clerk.
At a meeting of the freeholder and other inhabitants of the county
of Dunmore, held at the town of Woodstock the 16th day of June,
1774, to consider the best mode to be fallen upon to secure their liberties
and properties, and also to prevent the dangerous tendency of an act of
parliament, passed in the 14th year of his present majesty’s reign, in-
tituled an act to discontinue in such manner and for such time as are
therein mentioned the landing and discharging, lading or shipping of
goods, wares, and merchandise, at the town and within the harbour of
Boston, in the province of Massachusetts Bay, in North America, evi-
dently has to invade and deprive us of the same, the reverend Peter
Mechlenberg being voted moderator, a committee of the following gen-
tlemen, viz. the reverend Peter Mecklenberg, Francis Slaughter, Abra-
ham Bird, Taverner Beale, John Tipton, and Abraham Bowman, were
appointed to draw up resolves suitable to the same occasion, who with-
drawing, for a short time, returned with the following VOTES,
which had been previously agreed to and voted by the freeholders and in-
habitants of the country of Frederick:
I. THAT we will always chearfully pay due submission to such acts
of government as his majesty has a right, by law, to exercise over his
subjects, as sovereign to the British dominions, and to such only.
II. That it is the inherent right of British subjects and to be governed and
taxed by representative chosen by themselves only, and that every act of
the British parliament respecting the internal policy of North America
is a dangerous and unconstitutional invasion of our rights and privileges.
III. That the act of parliament above mentioned is not only itself re-
pugnant to the fundamental laws of natural justice in condemning per-
sons for a supposed crime unheard but also a despotic exertion of uncon-
stitutional power, calculated to enslave a free and loyal people.
IV> That the enforcing the execution of the said act of parliament by
a military power will have a necessary tendency to raise a civil war, there-
by dissolving that union which as so long happily subsisted between the
mother country and her colonies, and that we will most heartily and
unanimously concur with our suffering brethren of Boston, and every
other port of North America that may be the immediate victims of
tyranny, in promoting all proper measures to avert such dreadful cala-
mities, to procure a redress of our grievances, and to secure our common
liberties.
V. It is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that a joint resolution
of all the colonies to stop all importations from Great Britain, and ex-
portations to it, till the said act be repealed, will prove the salvation of
North America and her liberties; on the other hand, if they continue
their imports and exports there is the greatest reason to fear the power
and the most odious oppression will rise triumphant over right, justice,
social happiness, and freedom.
VI. That the East India company, those servile tools of arbitrary power,
have justly forfeited the esteem and regard of all honest men, and that
the better to manifest our abhorrence of such abject compliances with the
will of a venal ministry, in ministering all in their power an encrease of
the fund of peculation, we will not purchase tea, or any other kind of
East Indian commodities, either imported now, or hereafter to be imported,
except saltpetre, spices, and medicinal drugs.
VII. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that committee ought to
be appointed for the purpose of effecting a general association, that the
same measures may be pursued through the whole continent, that the
committees ought to correspond with each other, and to meet at such
places an times as shall be agreed on, in order to form such general
association, and that when the same shall be formed and agreed on by
the several committees, we will strictly adhere to, and till the general
sense of the continent shall be know, we do pledge ourselves to each
other, and to our country, that we will inviolaably adhere to the votes
of this day.
Voted, thatt he reverend Peter Mecklenburg, Francis Slaughter,
Abraham Bird, Taverner Beale, John Tipton, and Abraham Bowman
be appointed a committee for the purpose aforesaid, and chat they or any
three of them are hereby fully empowered to act.
At a general meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the county
of Fairfax, at the courthouse in the town of Alexandria, on Monday the
18th day of July, 1774 GEORGE WASHINGTON esquire, chairman,
and ROBERT HARRISON, gentleman, clerk of the said meeting;
RESOLVED, that this colony and dominion of Virginia cannot be
considered a conquered country, and if it was, that the present inha-
bitants are the descendants not of the conquered, but of the conqueror;
that the same was not settled at the national expence of England, but
at the private expence of the adventurers, our ancestors, by solemn com-
pact, with and under the auspices and protection of the British crown,
upon which we ae, in every respect, as dependent as the people of Great
Britain, and in the same manner subject to all his majesty’s just, legal,
and constitutional prerogatives; that our ancestors, when they left their
native land, and settled in America, brought with them, even if the
same had not been conferred by charters, the civil constitution, and
form of government, they came from, and were by the laws of nature
and nations entitled to all its privileges, immunities, and advantages,
which have been descended to us, their posterity, and ought, of right, to be as
fully enjoyed, as if we had still continued within the realm of England.
Resolved, that the most important and valuable part of the British con-
stitution, upon which its very existence depends, is the fundamental
principle of the people’s being governed by no law to which they have
not given their consent, by representatives freely chosen by themselves,
who are affected by the laws they enact equally with their constituents,
to whom they are accountable, and whose burthens they share, in which
consists the safety and happiness of the community; for if this part of
the constitution was taken away, or materially altered, the government
must degenerate, either into an absolute and despotic monarchy, or a
tyrannical aristocracy, and the freedom of the people be annihilated.
Resolved, therefore, as the inhabitants of the American colonies are
not, and from their situation cannot, be represented in the British par-
liament, that the legislative power here can, of right, be exercised only
by our provincial assemblies, or parliaments, subject to the assent and
negative of he British crown, to be declared within some proper, limited
time; but as it was thought just and reasonable that the people of Great
Britain should reap advantages from the colonies adequate to the pro-
tection they afforded them, the British parliament have claimed and ex-
ercised the power of regulating our trade and commerce, so as to restrain
our importing from foreign countries such articles as they should furnish
us with, of their own growth and manufacture, or exporting to foreign
countries such articles and portions of our produce as Great Britain stood
in need of, for her own consumption or manufacture; such a power
directed with wisdom and moderation, seems necessary for the general good
of that great body politic, of which we are a part, although in some
degree repugnant to the principles of the constitution. Under this idea,
our ancestors submitted to it. The experience of more than a century,
during the government of his majesty’s royal predecessors, hath proved
its utility, and the reciprocal benefits flowing form it produced mutual,
uninterrupted harmony, and good will, between the inhabitants of Great
Britain and her colonies, who during that long period always considered
themselves as one and the same people, and though such a power is
capable of abuse and in some instances hath been stretched beyond the
original design and institution, yet to avoid strife and contention with
our fellow subjects, and strongly impressed with the experience of mutual
benefits, we always cheerfully acquiesced in it, while the entire regula-
tion of our internal policy, and giving and granting our own money
, were preserved to our own provincial legislatures.
Resolved, that it is the duty of these colonies, on all emergencies, to
contribute in proportion to their abilities, situation, and circumstances, to
the necessary charge of supporting and defending the British empire, of
which they are a part; that while we are treated upon an equal footing
with our fellow subjects, the motives of self interest and preservation
will be a sufficient obligation, as was evident through the course of the
last war, and that no argument can be fairly applied to the British par-
liament’s taxing us, upon a presumption that we should refuse a just and
reasonable contribution, but will equally operate in justification of the
executive power’s taxing the people of England, upon a supposition of
their representatives refusing to grant the necessary supplies.
Resolved, that the claim lately assumed and exercised by the British
parliament for making such laws as they think fit to govern the people
of these colonies, and to extort from us our money without our consent,
is not only diametrically contrary to the first principles of the constituti-
on, and the original compacts, by which we are dependent upon the British
crown and government, but is totally incompatible with the privileges of
a free people, and the natural rights of mankind will render our own
legislatures merely nominal and negatory, and is calculated to reduce us
from a state of freedom and happiness to slavery and misery.
Resolved, that taxation and representation are in their nature insepa-
rable; that the right of withholding, or of giving and granting their
own money, is the only effectual security to a free people against the
encroachments of despotism and tyranny; and that whenever they yield
the one, they must quickly fall a prey to the other.
Resolved, that the powers over the people of America, now claimed
by the British house of commons, in whose election we have no share,
in whose determinations we have no influence, whose information must
be always defective, and often false, who in many instances may have
separate, and in some an opposite interest to ours, and who are removed
from these impressions of tenderness and compassion, arising from per-
sonal intercourse and connection, which soften the rigours of the most
despotic governments, must, if continued, establish the most grievous and
intolerable species of tyranny and oppression that ever was inflicted upon
mankind.
Resolved, that it is our greatest wish and inclination, as well as inter-
est, forever to continue our connection with, and dependence upon, the
British government; but though we are its subjects, we will use every
means which Heaven hath given us to prevent our becoming its slaves.
Resolved, that there is a premeditated design and system formed and
pursued by the British ministry to introduce an arbitrary government into
his majesty’s American dominions, to which end they are artfully pre-
judicing our sovereign, and enflaming the minds of our fellow subjects in
Great Britain, by propagating the most malevolent falsehoods; particularly,
that there is an intention in the American colonies to set up for inde-
pendent states, endeavoring, at the same time, by various acts of vio-
lence and oppression, by sudden and repeated dissolutions of our assem
blies, whenever they presume to examine the illegality of ministerial
mandates, or deliberate on the violated rights of their constituents, and
by breaking in upon the American charters, to reduce us to a state of
desperation, and dissolve the original compact, by which our ancestors
bound themselves and their posterity to remain dependent upon the
British crown; which measures, unless effectually counteracted will
end in the ruin, both of Great Britain and her colonies.
Resolved, that the several acts of parliament for raising a revenue upon
the people of America without their consent, the erecting new and
dangerous jurisdiction here, the taking away our trials by juries, the
ordinary persons, upon criminal accusations, to be tried in another
country than that in which the fact is charged to have been committed,
the act inflicting ministerial vengeance upon the town of Boston, and the
two bills lately brought into parliament for abrogating the charter of the
province of Massachusetts Bay, and for the protection and encouragement
of murderers in the said province, are part of the above mentioned ini-
quitious system; that the inhabitants of the town of Boston are now
suffering in the common cause of all British America, and are justly en-
titled to its support and assistance, and therefore that a subscription ought
immediately to be opened, and proper persons appointed, in every county
in this colony, to purchase provisions, and consign them to some gentle-
ment of character in Boston, to be distributed among the poorer sort of
people there.
Resolved, that we will cordially join with our friends and brethren of
this and the other colonies in such measures as shall be judged most effect-
tual for procuring redress of our grievances, and that, upon obtaining
such redress, if the destruction of tea at Boston be regarded as an in-
vasion of private property, we shall be willing to contribute towards
paying the East India company the value; bust as we consider the said
company as the tools and instruments of oppression, in the hands of go-
vernment, and the cause of the present distress, it is the opinion of this
meeting, that the people of the colonies should forbear all further dealings
with them, by refusing to purchase any of their merchandise, until that
peace, safety, and good order, which they have disturbed, be perfectly
restored; and that all tea now in the colony, or which shall be imported
into it, shipped before the first day of September next, should be
deposited in some storehouse, to be appointed by the respective commit-
tees for each county, until a sufficient sum of money be raised, by sub-
scription, to reimburse the owners the value, and then to be publicly
burnt and destroyed; and if the same shall not be paid for, and destroyed
as aforesaid, that it remain in the custody of the said committees, at the
risk of the owners, until the act of parliament imposing a duty upon
it for raising a revenue in America be repealed, and immediately after-
wards be delivered unto the several proprietors thereof, their agents, or
attornies.
Resolved, that nothing will so much contribute to defeat the pernicious
designs of the common enemies of Great Britain and her colonies as a
firm union of the latter, who ought to regard every act of valence or
oppression inflicted upon any one of them as aimed at all; and to effect
this desirable purpose, that a congress should be appointed, to consist of
deputies from all the colonies, to concert a general and uniform plan
for the defence and preservation of our common rights, and continuing
the connections and dependence of the said colonies upon Great Britain,
under a just, lenient, permanent, and constitutional form of government.
Resolved, that our most sincere and cordial thanks be given to the
patrons and friends of liberty in Great Britain for their spirited and
patriotic conduct, in support of our constitutional rights and privileges,
and their generous efforts to prevent distress and calamity of
America.
Resolved, that every little jarring interest and dispute which hath ever
happened between these colonies should be buried in eternal oblivion;
that all manner of luxury and extravagance ought immediately to be laid
aside, as totally inconsistent with the threatening and gloomy prospect
before us; that it is the indispensable duty of all the gentlemen and men
of fortune to set examples of temperance, fortitude frugality, and in-
dustry, and give every encouragement in their power, particularly by
subscriptions and premiums, to the improvement of arts and manufactures
in America; that great care and attention should be had to the cultivation
of flax, cotton, and other manufacturers; and we recommend it to such
of the inhabitants, who have large flocks of sheep to sell to their neigh-
bours at a moderate price, as the most certain means of speedily increasing
our breed of sheep, and quantity of wool.
Resolved, that until American grievances be redressed by restoration of
our just rights and privileges, no goods or merchandise whatsoever ought
to be imported into this colony which shall be shipped from Great Britain
after the first day of September next, except linens and exceeding fifteen
pence per yard, nails, wire and wire cars, needles and pins, paper, salt-
petre, and medicines, which may be imported until the first day of Sep-
tember, 1776; and if any goods or merchandise, other than those here-
by excepted, should be shipped by Great Britain, after the time afore-
said, to this colony, that the same, immediately upon the arrival, should
be either sent back again by the owners, their agents, or attornies, or
stored and deposited in some warehouse to be appointed by the committee
for each respective e county, and there kept at the risk and charge of the
owners, to be delivered to them when a free importation of goods hither
shall again take place; and that the merchants and venders of goods
and merchandise within this colony ought not to take advantage of our
present distress, but continue to sell the goods and merchandize which
they now have, or which may be shipped to them before the first day of
September next, at the same rates and prices they have been accustomed
to do, within one year last past, and if any person shall sell such goods on
any other terms then the above expressed, that no inhabitants of this
colony should at any time forever hereafter deal with him, his agent,
factor, or storekeeper, for any commodity whatsoever.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that the merchants
and venders of goods and merchandise within this colony should take an
oath not to sell or dispose of any goods or merchandise whatsoever which
may be shipped from Great Britain after the first day of September next,
as aforesaid, except the articles before excepted, and that they will,
upon the receipt of such prohibited goods, either send the same back
again by the first opportunity, or deliver them to the committees of the
respective counties, to be deposited in some warehouse, at the risk and
charge of the owners, until they, their agents or factors, shall be per-
mitted to take them away by the said committees; and that the names
of those who shall refuse to take such oath be advertised by the respective
committees, in the several counties wherein they reside. And to the
end that the inhabitants of this colony may know what merchants and
venders of goods and merchandize shall have taken such oath, that the
respective committees should grant a certificate thereof to every such
person who shall take the same.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that during our pre-
sent difficulties and distress no slaves ought to be imported into the
British colonies on this continent; and we take this opportunity of de-
claring our most earnest wishes to see an entire stop forever put to such a
wicked, cruel, and unnatural trade.
Resolved, that no kind of lumber should be exported from this colony
to the West Indies until America be restored to her constitutional rights
and liberties, if the other colonies will accede to a like resolution, and
that it be recommended to the general congress to appoint as early as
day as possible for stopping such exports.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, if American griev-
ances be not redressed before the first day of September, 1775, that all
exports of produce from the several colonies to Great Britain should cease;
and to carry the said resolution more effectually into execution, that we
will not plant or cultivate any tobacco after the crop now growing, pro-
vided the same measures shall be adopted by the other colonies on the
on the continent, as well those who have made tobacco heretofore as those who
have not; and it is our opinion, also, if the congress of deputies from
the several colonies shall adopt the measure of not-exportation to Great-
Britain, as the people will be thereby disabled from paying their debts,
that no judgment should be rendered by the courts in the said colonies for
any debt after information of the said measures being determined upon.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, that a solemn covenant
and association should be entered into by the inhabitants of all the colonies
upon oath that they will not, after the time which shall be respectively
agreed on at the general congress, export any manner of lumber to the
West Indies, nor any of their produce to Great Britain, or sell or dispose
of the same to any person who shall not have entered into the said cove-
nant and association, and also that they will not import or receive any
goods or merchandize which shall be shipped from Great Britain after the
first day of September next, other then the before enumerated articles,
or buy or purchase any goods, except as before excepted of any person
whatsoever, who shall not have taken the oath herein before recom-
mended to be taken by the merchants and vender of goods, nor buy or
purchase any slaves hereafter imported into any part of this continent,
until a free exportation and importation be again resolved on by a ma-
jortiy of the representatives or deputies of the colonies, and that the re-
pective committees of the counties in each colony, so soon as the cove-
nant and association shall become general, publish by advertisement, in
their several counties, a list of the names of these (if any such there shall
be) who will not accede to, that such traitors to their country may be
publicly known and detested
Resolved that It is the option of this meeting, that this and the other
associating colonies should break off all trade, intercourse, and dealings,
with that colony, province, or town, which shall decline or refuse to
agree to the plan which shall be adopted by the general congress.
Resolved, that should the town of Boston be forced to submit to the
late cruel and oppressive measures of government, that we shall not hold
the same to be binding upon us, but will notwithstanding, religiously
maintain, and inviolably adhere to, such measure as shall be concerted
by the general congress, for the preservation of our lives, liberties, and
fortunes.
Resolved, that it be recommended to the deputies of the general con-
gress, to draw up and transmit an humble and dutiful petition and re-
monstrance to his majesty, asserting, in decent firmness, our just and con-
stitutional rights and privileges, lamenting the fatal necessity of being
compelled to enter into measures disgusting to his majesty and his par-
liament, or injurious to our fellow subjects in Great Britain, declaring,
in the strongest terms, our duty and affection to his majesty’s person,
family, and government, and our desire forever to continue our depend-
ence upon Great Britain, and most humbly conjuring and beseeching his
majesty not to reduce his faithful subject of America to a state of despe-
ration, and to reflect, that from our sovereign there can be but one
appeal; and it is the opinion of this meeting, that after such petition
and remonstrance shall have been presented to his majesty, the same
should be printed in the public papers in all the principal towns in Great
Britain.
Resolved, that GEORGE WASHINGTON, esquire, and CHARLES
BROADWATER, gentleman, lately elected our representatives to serve in
the general assembly, attend the convention at Williamsburg on the first
day of August next, and present these resolves, as the sense of the people
of this county upon the measures proper to be taken in the present
alarming and dangerous situation of America.
Resolved, that George Washington, esquire, John West, George
Mason, William Rumney, William Ramsay, George Gilpton, Robert
Hanson Harrison, John Carlyle, Robert Adam, John Dalton, Philip
Payne, Martin Cockburne, Lee Massey, William Harthorne, Thomas
Triplett, Charles Alexander, Thomas Pollord, Townsend Dade, junior,
Edward Payne, Henry Gunnell, and Thomas Lewis, be a committee for
this county; that they, or a majority of them, on any emergency, have
power to call a general meeting, and to concert and adopt such measures
as may be thought most expedient and necessary.
MRS. RIND,
Please to insert in your free and impartial paper the following para
graph. Yours, &c. A LOVER OF JUSTICE.
THE public may be assured that the anonymous letters from Philadel-
phia (inserted in Mrs. Rind’s gazette of April 21, and July 28,
1774) respecting the establishment of a new American POSTOFFICE,
wherein Mr. Goddard’s character is maliciously and wantonly aspersed,
contain the grossest misrepresentations in some parts, and the most palpable
and impudent falsehoods in others, which will be made fully to appear,
whenever the writer, or his correspondent, shall have the spirit to step
forth from their dark retreat, and avow those insidious and inhuman
attempts to injure the reputation of a person who is a stranger in this
province; provided their names and characters shall appear sufficient to
gain their publications the smallest degree of credit with the candid and
virtuous part of the community; THE CONTRARY OF WHICH IS
SHREWDLY SUSPECTED.
BOSTON, AUGUST 1, 1774.
A PROCLAMATION.
AMERICA! Thou fractious nation,
Attend thy master’s proclamation!
Tremble! For know, I, Thomas G—ge,
Determin’d came, the war to wage;
With the united powers sent forth,
Of Bute, of Mansfield. and of North;
To scourge your insolence, my choice,
Whilst England mourns, and Scots rejoice!
BOSTONIA first shall feel my pow’r,
And, gasping midst the dreadful show’r
Of ministerial rage, shall cry,
”O save me Bute---I yield!”---and die---
Then shall my thund’ring cannon’s rattle,
My hardy vet’rans march to battle,
Against Virginia’s hostile land,
To humble that rebellious band.
At my approach her trembling swains
Shall quit well cultivated plains,
To seek th’ inhospitable wood,
Or try, like swine of old, the flood;
The hardy sons of Socia’s race
Shall ready fill each vacant place.
Rejoice, ye happy Scots, rejoice,
Your voice lift up, a mighty voice
The voice of gladness---On each tongue
The mighty praise of Bute be sung,
The praise of Mansfield, and of North,
Let next your hymns of joy set forth;
Nor shall the rapt’rous strain asswage,
Till sung’s your own proclaiming G—g.
Whilst ye pipes---ye drones, drone on,
Ye bellows blow! VIRGINIA’s won!
Your G—e has won VIRGINIA’S shore,
And Scocia’s sons shall mourn no more.
Hail Middlesex! O happy county!
Thou too shall share thy master’s bounty;
Thy sons obedient nought shall fear,
Thy wives and widows drop no tear;
Thy happy people ne’er shall feel
The force of unrelenting steel:
What brute wou’d give the cx a stroke
Who bends his next to meet the yoke?
To W------y bend the humble knee,
He shall protect you under me;
His gen’rous pen shall not be mute,
But sound your praise thro’ F-x to Bute.
By Scotchmen lov’d, by Scotchmen taught;
Fear Bute, fear Mansfield, North, and me,
And be as blest as slaves can be!
Mr. EDMUND BURKE’S SPEECH at the last reading of the Boston
port bill.
I TROUBLE you, sir, in the last stage of this bill, because I would
not appear purulent when my objections run to the whole of the bill. I
never knew any thing that has given me a more heart-felt sorrow than the
present measure. This bill is attempted to be hastened through the house in
such a manner that I can by no means assent to it; it is to be carried by force
and threats into execution, and you have ever refused to hear Mr. BOLLAN,
their agent, declaring him to be no agent for Massachusetts Bay, or properly
authorized to present such petition. You have not now one left in England to
be heard in behalf of the colonies; the only objection that this bill has had
has been owing to its vis intertiae; but persons who oppose this bill are imme-
diately put to the same kind of punishment in the public papers which offenders
in America are. Look, sir, into the public papers, you will see Cinna, and
a thousand other Roman names, throwing out their invectives, and tarring
and feathering all those who dare oppose the bill. I I suppose I shall reap my
share for such opposition; but, sir, at all events, I will enter my reasons and
protest against this bill, and will mount my little palfrey, and speak of the
injustice which the bill contains, with the greatest confidence. The grievance
that is stated in the papers before you on the table appear to be an universal
resistance from all America against any goods or merchandize that shall be
loaded with taxes. [He desired that part of general Haldimand’s letter,
declaring the resolution of the Americans not to submit to receive goods with
duty upon them, be read, which was done.] He said the whole meeting in
the town of Boston consisted of six or seven men of the first rank and
opulent fortune in the place, and that the proceedings were conducted with the
utmost decency. He said this was not a meeting of mean persons, but that
the acts of resistance were all countenanced by universal consent. Observe,
says he, that the disturbances are general. Shew me one port in all America
where the goods have been landed and vended; the distemper is general, but
the punishment is local, by way of exchange. Whether it will be effectual
or not, I do not know; but, sir, let me paint to this house the impropriety of
a measure like this: It is a remedy of the most uncertain operation. View
but the consequences, and you will repent the measure. Give orders at once to
your admirals to burn and destroy the town; that will be both effectual, pro-
per, and moderate, and of a piece with the rest of your proceedings, eventus
tristis. One town in proscription, the rest in rebellion, can never be a remedial
measure for general disturbances. Have you considered, says he, whether
you have troops and ships sufficient to enforce an universal proscription to the
trade of the whole continent of America? If you have not, the attempt is
childish, and the operation fruitless. Only, sir, see the consequence of blocking
up one port; for instance, that of Virginia Bay; which if you do, you will
destroy the tobacco trade, and thereby bring, as it were, a certain ruin on your
own merchants as Glasgow and Edinburgh. This bill has been thought a vigorous
but not a rigorous punishment. It is my opinion that you might even punish the
individuals who committed the violence without involving the innocent. I
should approve of that; but, sir, to take away the trade from the town
of Boston, is surely a severe punishment. Would it not be a rigorous measure
to take away the trade of the Thames, for instance, and direct the merchandize
to be landed at Gravesend? I call this bill very unjust that is now to be adopt-
ed. Is it not fundamentally unjust to prevent the parties who have offended
beign hears in their defence? Justice, sir is not to be measured by geographi-
cal lines nor distance. Every man, sir is authorized to be a magistrate, to
put a stop to disturbances which he perceives to be committed against his ma-
jesty’s peace; but did you expect that the people who were not present at such
disturbances should be equally punished for not aiding and assisting in putting an
end to those riots which they never saw or heard of? This, sir, says he, is
surely a doctrine of Devils, to require men to be present in every part of Ame-
rica wherever a riot happens; but this bill involves those who have never
in the least been guilty. And then, you again say, that the disturbances which
did happen ought to have been immediately put a stop to by the people of Bo-
ston, and that they were bound to preserve the good order of the town. But,
sir, I have too much reverence for the image of God to conceive that the be-
nourable gentleman (Mr. Welbore Ellis) does really and truly imbibe such
doctrine. [He then read part of colonel Leslie’s letter, No 45, wherein the
colonel said that neither the governor nor the council, nor any of the custom-
house officers, have ever yet applied to me for any assistance; if they had, I
could almost certainly have put a stop to all their riots and violences, but not
without some bloodshed, and firing upon their town, and killing many inno-
cent people.] Why, sir, says he, did not the governor at once send for this
assistance? Was it contrary to, or do you think he would have broken through,
the public peace, and prevent violences from being committed? The
fault of this governor ought not to be the means of punishment for the innocent.
You have found that there was no government there. Why did not the go-
vernor exercise his authority? Why did not the ships execute their duty? What
was the reason they did not act? Why is not Mr. Hancock, and the chief
people who are known, punished, and not involve the innocent with the guilty
in one universal calamity? You, surely, sir, cannot have power to take
away the trade of a port, and call it privilege! Why was not your force
that was present applied to quell the disturbances? How come they to be so
feeble and inactive? How are you sure that the orders and frigates which you
now send will act better? I cannot think this, by any means, a prudent [faded, illegible]
sure, to be blocking up one port after another. The consequence will be
dreadful, and, I am afraid, destructive. You will draw a foreign force
upon you, perhaps at a time when you little suspect it. I will not say where
that will end; I will be silent on that head, and go no farther, but think of
the consequence. Again, sir, in one of the clauses of the bill, you proscribe
the property of the people, to be governed and measured by the will of the
crown. This is a ruinous and dangerous principle to adopt. There is an uni-
versal discontent throughout all America, from an internal bad government.
There are but two ways to govern America, either to make it subservient to
all your laws, or to let it govern itself by its own internal policy. I abhor
the measure of taxation, where it is only for a quarrel, and not for a revenue;
a measure that is teasing and irritating without any good effect; but a revi-
sion of this question will one day or other come, wherein I hope to give my opi-
nion. But this is the day that you wish to go to war with all America, in
order to conciliate that country to this, and to say that America shall be obedient
to all the laws of this country. I wish to see a new regulation and plan of a
new legislation in that country, not founded on your laws and statues here,
but grounded upon the vital principles of English liberty.
FREDERICK county July 23, 1774.
YESTERDAY being the day appointed by our sheriff for the
election of burgesses, a great part of the county assembled at
Winchester, amongst whom it was unanimously agreed, to shew their
detestation to the presumption of the g-----r of Massachusetts Bay,
that his effigy should be first hanged, and then suffer the flames, accom-
panied by his darling proclamation. An image was fabricated truly like
him, as he must appear to the mind’s eye of every American, grim as
Pluto, and deformed as Vulcan. It was decorated with a soldier’s coat,
a grenadier’s cap, and a wooden sword; emblems I need not explain.
Thus accosted, with a rope round his neck, in the fatal cart, support-
ed by an African (for the general’s spirits were so depressed, that it was
with difficulty he could hold up his head) he was conducted through the
town, attended by a rejoicing multitude, and then suspended on the
highest gallows an American g------r was ever yet honored with. The
proclamation was read by Mr. A. White, attorney at law, who made a
very spirted and handsome speech to the people, exhorting them to be
unanimous, as the certain means to preserve their liberties. The torch
was then applied, and the flame, as if pleased to destroy the base destroy-
er of liberty, embraced him with uncommon ardour, and devoured him
in an instant.
BOSTON, JULY 18.
THE inhabitants of Charlestown, South Carolina, have sent about
200 tierces of rice for the poor of this town, who are sufferers by
the Boston port bill, which arrived at Salem last Monday.
Captain William Davis, arrived at Plymouth from St. Ubes, in a short
passage, informs, that advice was received there of the death of the
French king, and also of the kind of Prussia, and that a French fleet had
sailed from Brest to assist the Turks against the Russians.
Friday last a number of public spirited gentlemen at Marblehead, raised
subscriptions for 207 quintals of cod fish, about 50 jars of oyl, and 40l.
lawful in specie, for the use of the industrious poor of this town, at this
critical conjuncture of our public affairs, which is to be forwarded to-
morrow if the weather permits.
By accounts from the north and south, east and west, of this province,
the non-consumption agreement is come into scarce a dissentient in
many towns.
Large orders for fall goods have been countermanded, occasioned by the
non-consumption agreements.
It is with the greatest pleasure we can inform the public, that the
honourable John Hancock has so far recovered his health as to be able to
walk abroad, and yesterday attended divine service at the reverend doctor
Cooper’s church.
By his excellency the honourable THOMAS GAGE, general and com-
mander in chief or all his majesty’s forces in North America, &c &c.
WHEREAS some soldiers have deserted his majesty’s service, be-
longing to the regiments lately arrived from Great Britain and Ireland,
this is to give notice, that all soldiers who deserted from the said corps,
previous to the 10th day of this instant (July) shall receive their pardons,
upon surrendering themselves before or on the tenth day of August next
ensuing; and on failure of so doing, they are not to expect mercy.
GIVEN under my hand, at Head Quarters, at Boston this 15th day of
July, 1774. T .GAGE.
By his excellency’s command, GAB. MATURIN, secretary.
Thursday last three transports arrived here from Boston; they are now
taking in ordinance, and a proportion of military stores, among which are
500 barrels of gunpowder, and, we hear, the Royal Welch Fuzileers,
now here, are to embark this week.
Captain Maitland, of the ship Magna Charta, has brought over a
quantity of tea to Charlestown, South Carolina; but as the persons to
whom it was consigned refused to receive it, the captain, we are in-
formed, proposed to carry it back with him to London. From the same
place we are informed that a second present of rice from the gentlemen
of that province to the indigent sufferers at Boston is preparing to be sent
to that port.
PHILADELPHIA, JULY 26.
AT a provincial meeting of deputies chosen by the several counties
in Pennsylvania, held at Philadelphia, July 15, 1774, and con-
tinued by adjournments from day to day; agreed, that in case of any
difference in sentiment, the question be determined by the deputies voting
by counties. The letters from Boston of the 13th of May were then
read, and a short account given of the steps taken in consequence thereof,
and the measures now pursuing in this and the neighboring provinces;
after which the following resolves were passed:
Unan. I. THAT we acknowledge ourselves, and the inhabitants of
this province, liege subjects of his majesty king George the third, to
whom they and we owe and will bear true and faithful allegiance.
Unan. II. That as the idea of an unconstitutional independence on
the parent state is utterly abhorrent to our principles, we view the un-
happy differences between Great Britain and the colonies with the deep-
est distress and anxiety of mind, as fruitless to her, grievous to us, and
destructive of the best interest of both
Unan. III, That it is therefore the ardent desire that our antient
harmony with the mother country should be restored, and a perpetual
love and union subsist between us, on the principles of the constitution,
and an interchange of good offices, without the least infraction of our
mutual rights,
Unan. IV. That the inhabitants of these colonies are entitled to the
same rights and liberties within these colonies, that the subjects born
in England are entitled to within that realm.
Unan. V. That the power assumed by the parliament of Great Bri-
tain to bind the people of these colonies, “by statues in all cases what-
soever,” is unconstitutional, and therefore the source of these unhappy
differences.
Unan. VI. That the act of parliament for shutting up the port of
Boston is unconstitutional, oppressive to the inhabitants of that town,
dangerous to the liberties of the British colonies, and therefore, that we
consider our brethren at Boston as suffering in the common cause of these
colonies.
Unan. VII. That the bill for altering the administration of justice in
certain criminal cases within the province of Massachusetts Bay, if passed
into an act of parliament, will be as unconstitutional, oppressive, and
dangerous, as the act above mentioned,
Unan. VIII. That the bill for changing the constitution of the pro-
vince of Massachusetts Bay, established by charter, and enjoyed since the
grant of that charter, is passed into an act of parliament, will be uncon-
stitutional and dangerous in it is consequences to the American colonies.
Unan. IX. That there is an absolute necessity that a congress of depu-
ties from the several colonies be immediately assembled, to consult to-
gether, and form a general plan of conduct to be observed by all the col-
lonies, for the purposes of procuring relief for our suffering brethren,
obtaining redress of our grievances, preventing future dissentions, firmly
establishing our rights, and restoring harmony between Great Britain and
her colonies on a constitutional foundation.
Unan. X. That although a suspension of the commerce of this large
trading province with Great Britain would greatly distress multitudes of
our industrious inhabitants, yet that sacrifice, and a much greater, we
are ready to offer for the preservation of our liberties; but, in tenderness
to the people of Great Britain, as well as of this country, and in hopes
that our just remonstrances will, at length, reach the ears of our gracious
sovereign, and be no longer treated with contempt by any of our fellow
subjects in England, it is our earnest desire that the congress should first
try the gentler mode of stating our grievances, and making a firm and
decent claim of redress.
XI. Resolved, by a great majority, that yet, notwithstanding, as an
unanimity of councils and measures is indispensably necessary for the com-
mon welfare, if the congress shall judge agreements of non-importation
and non-exportation expedient, the people of this province will join with
the other principal and neighbouring colonies in such an association of
non-importation from and non-exportation to Great Britain, as shall be
agreed on at the congress.
XII.Resol. by a majority, that if any proceedings of the parliament, of
which notice shall be received on this continent, before or at the general
congress, shall render it necessary in the opinion of that congress, for the
colonies to take farther steps than are mentioned in the 11th resolve; in
such case the inhabitants of this province shall adopt such farther steps,
and do all in their power to carry them into execution.
Unan. XIII. That the venders of merchandise of every kind, within
this province, ought not to take advantage of the resolves relating to
non-importation in this province or else where; but that they ought to
sell their merchandise which they now have, or may hereafter import,
at the same rates they have been accustomed to do within three months
last past.
Unan. XIV. That the people of this province will break off all trade,
commerce, and dealing , and will have no trade, or dealing of
any kind with any colony on this continent, or with any city or town,
which shall refuse, decline, or neglect to adopt, and carry into execution,
such general plan as shall be agreed to in in congress.
Unan. XV. That it is the duty of every member of this committee
to promote, as much as he can, the subscription set on foot, in the seve-
ral counties of this province, for the relief of the distressed inhabitants
of Boston.
Unan. XVI. That this committee give instructions on the present
situation of public affairs to their representatives, who are to meet next
week in assembly, and request them to appoint a proper number of persons
to attend a congress of deputies from the several colonies, at such time
and place as may be agreed on, to effect one general plan of conduct, for
attaining the great and important ends mentioned in the ninth resolve.
That John Dickinson, Doctor William Smith, Joseph Reed, John
Kidd, Elisha Price, William Atlee, James Smith, James Wilson,
Daniel Broadhead, John Okely, and William Scull, be appointed to
prepare and bring in a draught of instructions.
The remainder of the Philadelphia proceedings in our next; also those
of New Jersey, New York, and South Carolina.)
WILLIAMSBURG, AUGUST 4.
ON Monday last, agreeable to appointment, the general meeting of
the late representatives of this colony was held at the Capitol in
this city, to deliberate and consult upon the most effectual measures to
be taken to relieve American from her present distressed situation. But
as they still continue sitting, it is out of our power to oblige the public
with a particular relation of what has been done until next week,
when we hope to publish all their proceedings, which we doubt not will
be highly satisfactory to all the colonies.
A letter just received in this city from Boston, says, that the Bostoni-
ans have come into resolutions not to import or export any commodities
whatever after the 31st of this instant; and also, that they will not
purchase goods of any person without oath being first made that they
were engaged before this plan was adopted. This letter concludes, that
four regiments are now on the common, and more are daily expected.
The Northumberland, Orange, King George, Amelia, Frederick,
Lancaster, Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Accomack, King William, War-
wick, and a few other resolves, we have received, but could not possibly
insert them. They promise the greatest loyalty and affection towards his
majesty, but at the same time, are spirited and determined in the pursuit
of their just rights and privileges.
Mr. Jacob Belcher, at Cabin Point, and Mr. Faulcon at Cobham, are
kind enough to provide store rooms for the reception of any commodities
for the use of Boston,
A few days ago a fire happened at the governor’s farm, near this city,
which entirely consumed a kitchen, and another out house; two or
three people narrowly escaped the flames.
Last Wednesday 300 stand of arms, with the proper accoutrements, were
sent from this city to his excellency lord Dunmore, now at Winchester,
agreeable to his order.
FRIDAY, Agust 5. This day Peyton Randolph, esquire, moderator,
of the present general meeting, Richard Henry Lee, George Washing-
ton, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, and Edmund
Pendleton, esquires, were appointed to attend the general congress, on
behalf of this colony, on the 1st of next month, in Lancaster town, in
Pennsylvania,
To be SOLD, at Rockit’s landing, near the FALLS of
JAMES RIVER,
ANY QUANTITY OF
PIT COAL,
For 10d. per bushel, ready money, or 12d (that being
the usual price) on credit, provided any good merchant,
in Richmond or Manchester towns will undertake to see
the money paid in a reasonable time.
3 SAMUEL DUVAL
SWAN’S POINT, August 3, 1774.
AGREEABLE to the wish of many gentlemen(my friends) I have
rented the houses, &c. at colonel Blond’s mill, in Prince George,,>
and intend (God willing) to open TAVERN there on the 1st day of
January next. I have contracted, that the houses shall be in good re-
pair, and furnished with a good stable, &c. and I have an extensive ac-
quaintance with gentlemen that travel that way, I shall hope for small
favours, when convenient, and will endeavor to deserve them. Many
small debts are due me for ferriage, &.c. at this place, which would be
of infinite service in my present circumstances, and I hope they will be
discharged before my departure; nor shall I have inclination to keep such
accounts in future.
(2) THOMS FENNER,
PURSUANT to an order of Amberst court, will be let, to the lowest
bidder, at the courthouse of the said county, on the first
Mondayin November next, being court day, the building of a PRISON, 37 by
22, the walls of which to be of brick and timber, 3 feet thick, to be
9 feet pitch in the clear, and to have a brick roof; a plan of which will
be shewn, and a more particular description given, on the day. Bond
and approved security will be required of the undertaker for his perform-
ance of the same.
WILLIAM CABELL,
COR. THOMAS,,
(3)AMROSE RUCKER.
NORFOLK, July 30, 1774,
WANTED, for Elizabeth River parish, a CLERK. As the
emoluments arising from the said parish are very considerable,
none need apply unless he produces a recommendation of his good cha-
racter, who can read tolerably, and perform psalmody well.
(3) THOMAS DAVIS, MINISTER.
NORFOLK, July 30, 1774.
THE DUMFRIES JOCKEY CLUB PURSE of the 100 GUINEAS
is to be run for on Tuesday the 15th of NOVEMBER next, which is
fixed on for the first day of the Dumfries races for this year. NO person
will be allowed to start a horse, mare, or gelding, for this purse, but an
actual member of the club. There will be a SUBCRIPTION
PURSE run for the second day, and another the third day, of the
races. The particulars with regard to them will be advertised hereafter,
A premium of five GUINEAS will be given to the person or per-
sons that brings the six largest and fattest muttons; and a premium to
the person or persons that brings the two largest and fattest veals.
4 RICHARD GRAHAM, SECRETARY,
NORFOLK, July 30, 1774.
I SHALL leave this colony in a few weeks.
JOHN BRUCE.
**The school kept here for some years past by Mr. Bruce will be
continued, to its usual extent, by Mr. Stevenson. The debts that shall
become due to the said school in Mr. Bruce’s absence will be collected by
Mr. James Ingram his attorney, to whom such as intend to enter any
new, or withdraw any of the present members, will be pleased to make
known their intentions. (3)
THERE is now in my possession FOUR BALES of SAIL CANVAS,
marked G N I, NO, 114, shipped at Liverpool by one Mr. Baines
and to be delivered to some gentleman in Norfolk. As no bill of lading
was signed for them, the gentleman who has a right to receive the four
bales must pay the craft hire, storage, and the expence of twice adver-
tising in this paper. 3 ISSAC YOUNGHUSBAND.
A STOCKING WEAVER, who understands his business well, and
is willing to carry it on in Norfolk,<.em> may be supplied with a
LOOM for weaving coarse stockings, without any expence for the use of
it, and will meet with great encouragement from the inhabitants. For
the loom apply to (3) JAMES HOLT.
THE PURSE of FIFTY POUNDS, to be run for at Aquia, in
Staffordcounty, on the 2d Thursdya in September, is still conti-
ued. (2)
YORK county, to wit.
WHEREAS Peter Pelham hath informed me, one of his majesty’s
justices for the country aforesaid, that JOHN GORDON, WIL-
LIAM MOORE, and CHRISTOPHER WISECARVER, who were
committed on suspicion of felony, did, on the night of the 24th instant,
break out of and make their escape from the public gaol, I have there-
fore thought fit to issue this warrant, hereby, in his majesty’s name,
strictly commanding all sheriffs, constables, and other his majesty’s liege
subjects, to make diligent search and pursuit after the said felons, and
them, or either of them, having found, to convey them to the keeper
of the public gaol. Gordon is about 6 feet high, had on a light blue coat,
and striped waistcoat, has long hair tied behind, and is about 24 or 25
years old; from Prince Edward, for horsestealing. Moore is about 5
feet 6 inches high, had on a light coloured coat, has short red hair, ap-
pears to be about 22 years old, and has two biles upon one of his wrists;
from Charlotte, for robbery. Wiseacre is about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high,
a young man, with short black hair, much pitted with the smallpox, and
dressed in oznabrigs; from Dunmore, for murder.
Given under my hand and seal, this 25th day of July, 1774.
JOSEPH HORNSBY.
**Those who are aiding and assisting in re-taking and conveying to
the public gaol the aforesaid John Gordon, William Moore, and Christopher
Wiseacre, shall be amply rewarded for their trouble.
To be SOLD, on Friday the 2d of September, as the late dwelling house of
Mr. Thomas Tinsley, deceased, in Hanover towne,
NINE very valuable SLAVES, together with all his personal estate,
consisting of every kind of useful and fashionable HOUDSEHOLD
and KITCHEN FURNITURE, a valuable stock of CATTLE, HOGS,
HORSES, and SHEEP. At the same time will be rented, the LOT
and HOUSES thereon, being a dwellinghouse, smokehouse, dairy, kit-
chen, stable, billiard house, two very good shops, and garden well paled
in. The buildings are all in good repair, and remarkably well calculated
for keeping tavern. Twelve months credit will be allowed for all sums
above twenty five shillings, on giving bond, with approved security, to
the subscriber; who requests the favour of all persons indebted to the
estate to make speedy payments; and those who have any demands
against it are desired to make them known, without delay, to Leighton
Wood, junior, who is empowered to adjust the same. All debts not
punctually discharged are to carry interest from the date of the bonds.
AGNESS TINSLEY, Administratrix.
To be SOLD, by the subscriber, in Brunswick county,
A TRACT of LAND, containing 900 acres, on which are two
plantations in good order for cropping, with several valuable im-
provements thereon; the quality of the land is exceeding good for grain.
Credit will be given for one moiety of the sale of it for a considerable
time, the purchaser giving bond, with approved security. If the land
is not sold before the last Friday in October next at private sale, it will
then be exposed to public sale, in order to enable me to discharge my
engagements with my creditors. Any person, inclinable to treat for the
same may know the terms by applying to the subscriber on the premises.
3 CHRISTOPHER MASON.
To be SOLD, to the highest bidder, at WESTBURY, the seat of the late
colonel Littlebury Cocke, in Charles City, on Thursday the 25th of
August next, of fair, if not the next fair day,
TEN likely Virginia born SLAVES consisting of men, women, and
children, one of which is a very good HOUSECARPENTER;
also stocks of cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep, and sundry household and
kitchen furniture, belonging to the estate of the said Littlebury Cocke.
One or two of the slaves will be sold for ready money, and six months
credit allowed for the remainder, on giving bond, with approved security,
to carry interest from the date, if not punctually paid. All persons hav-
ing demands against the said estate are desired to attend the sale with their
several claims, properly authenticated.
WILLIAM EDLOE,
tdf WILLIAM GREEN MUNFORD.
THE subscriber intends to leave Petersburg about the 1st of September,
and as he has several WATCHES belonging to different people in
his custody, will be much obliged to the proprietors to call for them as
soon as possible, otherwise I propose taking them away with me.
(3) WILLIAM BATHGATE.
STRAYED or stolen from the subscriber’s plantation, near WIilliams-
burg, about 10 days ago, a roan mare, about 14 hands high, with
a switch tail, paces slow, and has the usual marks of a work beast; her
brand, if any, is forgot. Whoever brings her to the subscriber, or to
Mr. William Douglas, at Providence forge, (where she belongs,) shall have
TWENTY SHILLINGS reward, and if stolen, FIVE POUNDS, on
conviction of the thief. 3 WILLIAM HOLT.
TEN POUNDS REWARD.
RUN away, from Baltimore, SAMUEL POWIS, a tailor and stay-
maker, born in the west of England, speaks broad, is a small man,
about 40 years of age, and wears short brown hair; had on a white
Welch cotton coat with a falling collar and short skirts, a dark wilton
jacket, linen breeches, and small old shoes, with nails in the heels. His
other cloaths unknown. He took with him a country made sickle,
stamped Hews. EDWARD WILLIAMS, a stout, down looking fel-
low, of a brown complexion, born in Wales, and speaks on the Welch
dialect, has short brown hair, and is about 30 years of age; he took with
him a new bed tick, a light coloured superfine broadcloth coat, which is
too small for him, a dark coloured cloth coat trimmed with brass but-
tons and brown binding, a brown broadcloth jacket, a green birdeyed
ditto, several pair of coarse grey stockings, a new felt hat, sundry knives,
buckles, buttons, &c. some store goods, unknown, and a silver watch,
the winding chain of which is broke. Whoever secures the said servants
shall have 40s. for each or either of them, and if taken up 50 miles off
and brought home 5l. for each, and all reasonable charges paid. All
persons are forewarned taking them out of the colony,
* ABRAHAM JARRETT,
RUN away from the subscriber, in Faquier county, near the court-
house, two servant men, born in England; one of them is
named THOMAS BOYCE, between 30 and 40 years of age, of a dark
complexion, black hair, black eyes, and much pitted with the smallpox,
about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, and middling well made; had on,
and took with him, a brown shirt, brown linen trowsers, a fine hat half
worn, check shirt, old brown coat, the skirts of which not hemmed, and
has an indenture of John Steel’s, with a discharge on the back of it
and signed by me; therefore, in all probability, will endeavour to pass
as a free man. The other is named THOMAS GOODE, an indentured
servant, who has, I understand, forged himself a discharge in captain
Robinson’s name, about 20 years of age, middling tall, has a pleasant
countenance, dark eyes and hair, and has a very clumsy way of walking;
had on a brown lined shirt and trousers, English made shoes, an old
coarse hat trimmed round the brim, and a short striped jacket with sleeves.
Whoever will deliver me both the above mentioned servants shall have
FIVE POUNDS, or FIFTY SHILLINGS for either, if taken in the
colony, and if in any other, reasonable satisfaction shall be made. I
forewarn all masters of vessels and others from taking them on board
their vessels, or carrying them out of the colony.
WILLIAM SETTLE.
RUN away from the subscriber, in Amherst, the 10th of July, a
mulatto woman slave named SALL, though commonly goes by the
name of SALLY GREY; she is of the middle size, well shaped, Vir-
ginia born, about 25 years old, and had on a brown linen jacket and pet-
ticoat; I cannot learn that she carried any other clothes with her, She
is of a numerous family of mulattoes, and formerly belonged to a gen-
tleman of the name of Howard, in York county, from whence I pur-
chased her a few years ago, and where probably she may attempt to go
again, or perhaps into Cumberland orAmelia,, where, I am informed,
many of her kindred live. I shall esteem it as a particular favour of those
gentlemen who have of her relations in their possession to have her ap-
prehended, should she be lurking about their plantations; and I will give
a handsome reward, besides what the law allows, to any person who shall
deliver her to me. 6 GABRIEL PENN.
COMMITTED to the gaol of Middlesex a negro man slave, who says
he belongs to Mr. Benjamin Grymes, of Spotsylvania; he appears to
be between 30 and 40 years of age, and is about 5 feet 6 inches high.
The owner is desired to take him away, and pay charges.
JOHN CRAINE, Gaoler.
TAKEN up, in Cumberland, a dark bay horse, about 4 feet 6 inches
high, with a star in his forehead, branded on the near shoulder EM,
and on the near buttock D, has a large scar under his tail, about 23
years old, and had a bell on. Posted, and appraised to 4l.
() JOSEPH HARRIS.
TAKEN up, in Albermarle, near the Piney mountains, a SORREL
MARE, much mixed with white hairs, paces and trots, has a
star in her forehead, a snip on her nose, some saddle spots, and branded
on the rear shoulder IP; also a sorrel horse colt, supposed to be four
months old, paces and trots, has a star in his forehead, and a snip on
his nose. They are posted, and appraised to 7l. 10s.
() WILLIAM DOWELL.
TAKEN up, in Culpepper, a chestnut sorrel mare, about 10 years old,
4 feet 7 inches and a half high, branded on the near shoulder IP, has
a star in her forehead, a small snip on her nose, some white hairs on the
root of her tail, and some saddle spots on her back. Posted, and ap-
raised to 10l. () AMBROSE POWELL.
TAKEN up, in Louisa, a bay horse, about 4 feet 7 inches high, 4
years old, docked and branded on the near buttock. D. Posted, and
appraised to 12l. () JOHN LIPSCOMB.
TAKEN up, in Culpepper, a bay mare, 4 feet 3 inches and a half high,
branded on the near shoulder N. and on the near buttock with a
blotch, paces slow, and appears to be about 8 or 9 years old. Posted,
and appraised to 7l. () ZACHARIAH GIBBS,
TAKEN up, in Orange, a large red and white steer, is old, and ap-
pears to have been worked, marked with a slit and underkeel in his
right ear, and there appears to have been a hole at the bottom of the
slip, and has an overkeel in the left. Posted, and appraised to 4l. 10s.
() WILLIAM CAVE.
TAKEN up, in Orange, a black horse, about 15 years old, branded
on the near buttock ), and on the far shoulder with a W and a V
joined in each other, about 4 feet 7 or 8 inches high, has several saddle
spots, and a small star in his forehead. Posted, and appraised to 8l.
() JOHN SNELL, junior.
TAKEN up, in the lower end of Amelia, a middle sized pale red cow,
about 7 or 8years old, marked with a crop and underkeel in the
left ear, and a slit in the right; she has a calf with her. Posted, and
appraised to 2l. 10s. () LAWRENCE WILLS.
TAKEN up, in Amerlia, on Sandy Creek,<.em> near Appamattoxriver, a
dark red steer rather inclined to a brindle, with a white face, and
a white streak along his back, 4 feet 2 inches high, a crop and two un-
derkeels in the left ear, and a crop and one underkeel in the right; he
appears as if he had been worked. Pasted, and appraised to 4l.
() JOHN CHAPMAN.
TAKEN up, in Elizabeth City, a small bay mare colt, neither docked
nor branded. Posted, and appraised to 1l. 10s.
() WILLIAM POOL.
TAKEN up, in Amherst, a black mare, about 4 feet 4 inches high,
8 or 9 years old, with a star in her forehead, some saddle spots on
her back, and had on a large bell. Posted, and appraised to 6l.
() JOHN SANDIDGE.
TAKEN up, in Mecklenburg, a grey mare, about 4 or 5 inches high,
docked, but not branded, has a saddle spot on the off side, and
about 5 years old. () THOMAS MOORE.
TAKEN up, in Culpepper, a red cow, with a white face, not marked,
and about 7 years old; also a steer, about 3 years old, with an un-
derkeel in the right ear, and crop, slit, and underkeel, in the left.
Posted, and appraised, the cow to 2l. 10s. and the steer to 1l. 5s.
() JACOB RIFFY.
TAKEN up, in Culpepper,<.em> a dark bay horse, 14 hands and a half high,
branded on the near buttock IG, has a ridged mane, some saddle
spots on the back, paces and is about 12 years old. Posted, and ap-
praised to 12l. () JOHN WHITESIDES.
TAKEN up, in Halifax on Staunton river, a chestnut sorrel horse,
with a blaze in his face, two of his fore, and one of his hind legs
white, as high as his knees, branded on the near shoulder MG, has a
hanging mane and switch tail, and appears to ne about 8 or 9 years old.
Posted, an appraised to 1l. () WILLIAM EMBRY
TAKEN up, in Caroline, an unmarked heifer; she has some white
under her belly. Posted, and appraised to 1l.
() WILLIAM KIDD,
FOR SALE.
TWO thousand ACRES of exceeding fine LAND for tobacco,
wheat, or Indian corn, lying on both sides of Bull Run, in Loudoun
and Prince William, about 300 acres of which are rich low ground and
meadow land. It lies within four miles of two merchant mills, and
about ten miles of two other merchant mills in Loudoun; thirty miles
from Colchester, Alexandria, and Dumfries. If any person or persons in-
cline to purchase the whole, or any part of the said lands, they may be
shewn them, and know the terms, by applying to captain Francis Peyton,
in Loudoun county, who has full power to treat for the same, or to the
subscriber. It is laid off in lots of two, three, and four hundred acres,
with an equal quantity of low ground and meadow land to each lot.
1 m tf) ROBERT BURWELL.
PORTSMOUTH, July 5, 1774.
A PURSE of 100 guineas to be run for by any horse, mare, or
gelding, over the two mile course at this place, the best two heats
in three, on Tuesday the 20th of September, carrying weight for age,
agreeable to the articles of the said purse, which are to be seen in the
hands of Mr. Richard Nestor, merchant there, with whom all horses
starting for the said purse are to be entered, the day before the race at
farthest. The money to be paid to the winner immediately after the
race, It is also proposed to have two more races, one on the Wednesday
following for 50l. the other on Thursday, for 30l. which will be adver-
tised particularly, as soon as the subscriptions are full.
YORK TOWN, July 27, 1774,
MY mulatto fellow CORNELIUS ran away from this town about
5 weeks ago; he was apprehended at Fredericksburg, brought
here and imprisoned, and last night broke gaol. While he continued at
Fredericksburg unmolested, he passed for a free man. His wife, a mulatto,
was in company with him; both were considered as free people, and
hired in the harvest by some planters. Their scheme was to get money,
and to proceed back upon the frontiers of Virginia. Whoever apprehends
the mulatto fellow in this colony, and delivers him tot me, will be en-
titled to a reward of FIVE POUNDS, and if take in another colony, and secured
in any of the county gaols here, SIX POUNDS.
JOHN H. NORTON.
**The fellow is middle sized; he carried with him a russia drill
postilion coat and waistcoat, and an old blue livery cloth suit.
RUN away on the 10th instant (July) from the subscriber, living
at Aquia, in Stafford, a convict servant man named ROBERT
RIVERS, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, has black hair, and a swarthy
complexion; had on a felt hat almost new, a brown Newmarket coat and
waistcoat, check shirt, brown linen trowsers, cotton breeches, and old
shoes. He is by trade a shoemaker. Whoever takes up the said servant,
and secures him so that I get him again, shall have TEN DOLLARS
reward, and reasonable charges allowed. JAMES HOLLAWAY.
COMMITTED to the gaol of Prince George a negro man who says
he belongs to one Gibson in Suffolk,and was sent up the river to
be sold, at which time he run away. He appears to be about 35 years
of age, is well made, and has on an oznabrig shirt and towsers; he is
about 5 feet 10 inches high. Whoever owns the said negro is desired to
apply for him, and take him away, after proving his property, and pay-
ing charges. () HENRY BATTE,
COMMITTEED to Dinwiddie gaol, two negro men, who cannot, or
will not, tell their masters names. They have on oxnabrig shirts,
sailors jackets, and cotton breeches; one has a short petticoat over his
breeches, the other calls himself JEMMY, is very black, and much
pitted with the smallpox. The owners are desired to apply for them.
() MATTHEW MAYES.
RUN away from the subscriber, in Orange, a convict man named
HENRY HURST, about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, of a fair
complexion, and a little pitted with the smallpox, has black hair, grey
eyes, and stammers much when frightened; had on a check shirt, with
a brown one over it, a white dimity waistcoat, and oznabrig trowsers.
I will give FORTY SHILLINGS, besides what the law allows, to
whoever will secure him in any gaol, so that I may get him; and if
brought home, will allow all reasonable charges. All matters of vessels
are forewarned from carrying him out of the colony.
(1) THOMAS ROBINS.
STRAYED from the subscriber the 12th of May last a yellowish bay
mare, with a blaze face, near 11 hands high, and had a star on her off
side. As she was bred in Prince Edward county, she will probably en-
deavour to return there. Whoever brings the said mare to me, in Rich-
mond town, shall be well rewarded. 2 JAMES BUCHANAN.
TO BE RENTED,
From year to year, or for a term of years, and entered upon the first day of
September next,
A CONVENIENT TENEMENT in the town of Petersburg,
at present in the possession of Mr. Andrew Johnston, whereon is a
commodious storehouse, with a large counting room, and lodging rooms
under the same roof, lumber houses of different sizes and for different
purposes, stable, charthouse, and a garden well paled in. Any useful
repairs may be made by the tenant, and the expence deducted out of the
rent. The terms, which are extremely low, may be known by applying
to 3 BOLLING [damaged, illegible].
TO BE SOLD,
THE noted and well accustomed TAVERN, at present occupied by
the subscriber, lying in James City county, about 15 miles from
Williamsburg, on the main road leading to New Kent courthouse and
Ruffin’s ferry, with 500 acres of LAND in good order for cropping, and
6 fields under good fence. The terms of payment will be made easy by
the subscriber. THOMAS DONCASTLE.
THE ship TRIUMPH will certainly sail for London in six weeks,
agreeable to charter, and will take in tobacco, on liberty of con-
signnment, at 8l. sterling per ton. Any person inclinable to ship tobacco
in her will be pleased to send their orders to Mr. James Donald at Man-
chester, to Mr. Charles Duncan, at Blanford, to captain Rogers at Ber-
muda Hundred, to the subscriber at Curle’s, who will be extremely
obliged by the assistance of his friends.
3 PHILIP MAZZEI.
FOR SALE,
NINE hundred and forty acres of valuable land, lying
on both sides of Contrary River, in Louisa, with
those plantations thereon, two of which has sufficient
houses for overseers and negroes; the other is improved
with all necessary buildings, and orchards of all kinds,
fit for the reception of a gentleman, the houses being
finished in the best manner. This tract is well timbered
and watered, lies within 32 miles of Fredericksburg, and
43 of Page’s warehouse; there are at least 400 acres of
low grounds, of the best soil, 300 of which are now to
cut. The three plantations are under good fences, and
in good order to work 12 or 15 hands. Robert Flem-
ing, John Massey, and John Lain, are now in possession
of the plantations, who will shew the land to any person
inclinable to purchase, and Major Thomas Johnson will
agree with them for the price. The above tract is esteem-
ed the most valuable in Louisa for growing corn, wheat,
or tobacco, and situated in the best range for stock of any
below the great mountains. (tf 1*)
RUN away, from Neabsco furnace, the 16th of
March a light coloured mulatto man named
BILLY, or WILL, the property of the honourable
John Tayloe, esquire. When I tell the public that he
is the same boy who for many years used to wait on me,
in my travels through this and the neigbouring pro-
vince, and by his pertness, or rathe impudence, was
well known to all my acquaintances, there is the less
occasion for a particular description of him. However,
as he is now grown to the size of a man, and has not at-
tended me for some time past, I think it not amiss to say
that he is a very likely young fellow, about 20 years
old, 5 feet 9 inches high, stout and strong made, has a
remarkable swing in his walk, but is much more so by a
surpriziing knack he has of gaining the good graces of
almost every body who will listen to his bewitching and
deceitful tongue, which seldom or ever speaks the truth.
He has a small scar on the right side of his forehead, and
the little finger of his right hand is quite straight by a
hurt he got when a child. Had on, when he went away,
a blue fearnought jacket, and an under one of green
baize, cotton breeches, oznabrig shirt, mixed blue sale
stockings, country made shoes, and yellow buckles.
From his ingenuity, he is capable of doing almost any
sort of business, and for some years past, has been chiefly
employed as a founder, a stone mason, and a miller, as
occasion required; one of which trades, I imagine, he
will, in the character of a free man, profess. I have
some reason to suspect his travelling towards James river,
under the pretence of being sent by me on business.
Whoever apprehends the said fellow, and brings him to
me, or to his master, the honourable John Taylor, at
Mountairy, or secure him so as to be had again, shall
have treble what the law allows, and all reasonable
charges paid. tf
THOMAS LAWSON.
FOR SALE,
ABOUT twelve thousand acres of exceeding rich
TOBACCO LAND, in Amherst county, whereon
are several plantations and improvements sufficient to
work forty or fifty hands. There is on this land for sale
a very valuable GRIST MILL, lately bult with a
stone dam and a pair of good COLOGNE MILL-
STONES, which mill has for two years past got up-
wards of 100 barrels of toll corn, and is situated on a
never failing stream. The land will be shewn by William
Womack, who lives at one of the plantations, and the
prices of the land made known by him. One or two
years credit will be allowed, interest being paid for the
second year, and also for the first, if the money is not
paid agreeable to contract. The land is to be laid off
and surveyed by Colonel William Cabell, at the expence
of the purchaser. Deeds will be made, upon bond and
approved security being given, either to Call, William
Cabell, or the subscriber. Six per cent, discount will be
allowed for ready money, or good merchants notes. If
any person would chuse to exchange lands in the lower
part of the country, on or near some navigable river,
that are good, it is more than probable we should agree.
CARTER BRAXTON.
To be SOLD, and entered upon immediately,
A TRACT of LAND containing 1300 acres, more
or less, on Pianketank river, in Gloucester county.
It is needless to be particular about it as it is the same I
advertised last year and then gave a full account of it,
since then I sold it to John Attway Clarke, of Maryland,
but as he refuses to take it, necessity obliges me once more
to offer it to he public. Any person inclinable to pur-
chse may know the terms by applying to me in Mid-
dlesex. I want part of the money at the meeting of the
merchants, and for the remainder I will give reasonable
credit. tf AUGUSTINE SMITH.
YORK town, June 9, 1773.
THE subscribers being very solicitous to comply with
the will of their testator, the late Honourable
William Nelson, desire that all persons who were indebted
to him will endeavour to make as speedy payments as
possible. Those who have accounts open on his books,
and who cannot immediately discharge the balances,
are desired to give their bonds. This request is the
more necessary, as most of the legacies bequeathed by
the testator are to be paid in sterling money, and he has
directed that his younger sons fortunes shall be placed
out at interest upon undoubted securities, so soon as it
can be done. Those who have any demands are desired
to make them immediately known.
THOMAS NELSON, HUGH NELSON,
THOMAS NELSON, jun. Ro. C. NICHOLAS.
To be SOLD, at public auction, at Westmoreland court-
house, on Tuesday the 27th day of September, being
Westmoreland court day,,
TWENTY very likely VIRGINIA born SLAVES.
Credit will be allowed until the 10th of November
following, on giving bond and good security. The
bonds to bear interest from the date if not punctually
discharged. tdf RICHARD PARKER.
FOR SALE,
FIVE hundred acres of land, lying on Deep Creek, in
Louisa, about 45 miles of Richmond town, and is
exceeding good land, well watered by Deep Creek, and
a large branch thereof, which runs though the middle
of the land, and affords a large quantity of rich meadow
ground. Any person inclinable to purchase may see the
the land, and know the terms, by applying to the subscriber,
living near it. tf 1* GEORGE MERIWEATHER.
TO BE RENTED,
FROM YEAR TO YEAR, OR FOR A TERM OF YEARS,
BELVOIR,
THE beautiful seat of the honourable George William
Fairfax, esquire, lying upon Potowmack river, in
FAIRFAX county, about 14 miles below Alexandria. The
mansion house is of brick, two story high, with four con-
venient rooms and a large passage upon the lower floor,
five rooms and a passage on the second, and a servants
hall and cellars below; convenient offices, stables, and
coach house adjoining, as also a large and well furnish-
ed garden, stored with great variety of valuable fruits, in
good order. Appertaining to the tract on which these
improvements are, and which contains near 2000 acres
(surrounded in a manner, by navigable water) are se-
veral valuable fisheries, and a good deal of cleared land
in different parts, which may be let altogether, or sepa-
rately, as shall be found most convenient. The terms
may be known of Colonel Washington, who lives near
the premises, or of me, in Berkely county.
tf FRANCIS WILLIS, junior.
NORFOLK, April 21, 1774.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a number of vessels
will be wanted this summer to bring about 6000
tons of stone from Mr. Brook’s quarry, on Rappahan-
nock, and land the same on Cape Henry, for the light-
house. Any person inclinable to engage in such work
are desired to treat with Matthew Phripp, Paul Loyall,
and Thomas Newton, junior, esquires. The directors
of the lighthouse will also be glad to purchase one or
two flat bottomed vessels form 80 to 120 tons burthen.
tf BASSETT MOSELEY.
For SALE,
A TRACT of land, on Charles river, York county,
containing about 600 acres, part of which is marsh,
that may be drained with very little expence. The situ-
ation of this place is very convenient for a family, as it
lies upon a river that abounds with oysters and fine fish,
particularly sheepsheads; it is within 200 yards of a mill,
and 2 miles of the church. My reason for selling it is,
my having bought a tract of land more convenient to me.
Whoever inclines to purchase may know the terms by
applying to the subscriber, in York town.
THOMAS NELSON, junior.
To be SOLD, together or in parcels,
THAT fertile and well timbered tract of LAND,
lying in Princess Anne county, known by the name
of GIBB’S WOODS, whereon are several settlements,
and whereof Jeremiah Tinker, esquire, grandson of the
late governor Gibbs now stand seized, under the deed
of gift of his mother, the daughter and heiress of the
said governor Gibbs. Persons inclining to purchase may
be informed of the terms by applying to Mr. James
Parker, merchant in Norfolk, or to Edward Foy, in
Williamsburg, who will give an undoubted title. tf
WANTED for the lighthouse directors eight second-
hand ANCHORS, nearly a thousand weight
each. Any person having such for sale are desired to
make their terms known to the subscriber in Norfolk.
t.f. BASSETT MOSELEY.
KING HEROD
STANDS at Rosegill, and will cover mares at FOUR
POUNDS the season. Those who send mares must
send the money, otherwise they shall not be left. The
valuable qualities, and the pedigree, of this horse, are
sufficiently notorious. RALPH WORMELEY, junior.
FOR SALE, AND VERY CHEAP,
A PLANTATION in good order for cropping, none
of the land having been cleared above six years,
with all necessary houses, quite new, together with 1500
acres of exceeding rich land, the soil of which is so good
that it will bring large tobacco for five or six years with-
out dung. I have made on this plantation above three
thousand pounds of tobacco per share. The place is very
healthy, and has a fine range for stock. This land lies
in the lower end of Buckingham county, near to Appo-
mattox river, on each side of Great Ducker’s and Mayo
creeks. Tobacco has been carried above this land near
to Petersburg, and the canoes brought back; they were
loaded but a little below this land. I make no doubt
but Appomattox river will be soon cleared, and then the
expence of sending wheat, tobacco, &c. will be trifling.
Any person inclinable to purchase will see, by the produce
of the land, that it is exceeding rich. I really do not>
know any better high land in the colony. This tract of
land is well timbered, and has excellent water on it. I
do not know a better place for a merchant mill than is on
Ducker’s creek. People are going much on raising wheat
in these parts, and a good mill would be very advantage-
ous to the owner. Also another tract of land of 826
acres, in Albemarle county, I believe about ten miles
from the courthouse, joining Mr. James Harris and the
quarters of Mr. John Winston. On this land is a small
plantation, a good apple orchard, &c. The land is
good, and my price so low, that I am convinced any
person who viewed either of the above tracts of land
would not hesitate to give the price I shall ask. Neither
of these tracts are under any incumbrance whatsoever.
A reasonable time of payment will be allowed.
tf ANTHONY WINSTON.