Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

The Virginia Gazette. Number 450, Thursday December 22, 1774

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The Virginia Gazette. Number 450, Thursday December 22, 1774

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1774. THE NUMBER 450.
VIRGINIA GAZETTE.
Open to ALL PARTIES, But Influenced by NONE.

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WESTMORELAND, December 13, 1774.
To the PRINTER.
SIR,
*MOVED by an impulse of unfeigned joy, I
cannot help congratulating his majesty’s
most dutiful and loyal subjects, the pre-
sident and professors of William and Mary
college, on such a series of noble events as
their repeated election
of the patriotic a_______y for their
representative, their most hearty dissent from the asso-
ciation of the whole continent, and their late well writ-
ten address to his excellency, on his safe as well as glorious
return to the capital of this dominion.

+May the many virtues and literatry abilities which
that most learned and respectable body so chearfully exert
in the service of this country and the college be ever
crowned with success! May their pupils be ever dis-
tinguished in public life by a conduct perfectly contrasted
to that of their preceptors! And though they may not
be happy enough to catch that spirit of LOYALTY which
breathes through the address, yet may they ever observe
the address itself, as an example of composition not to
be parallelled! And may their venerable tutors never
have reason to lament that they have rejected the state
virtues of plain truth and patriotism for the more fashion-
able qualifications of sycophantry and adulation!
OPTATOR.
* See the address of the college.
+ See the governor’s reply.

From a late ENGLISH PAPER.
An ADDRESS to PROTESTANT DISSENTERS
of all DENOMINATIONS, on the approaching ELECTION
of MEMBERS of PARLIAMENT, wIth respect to the state
of PUBLIC LIBERTY in general, and of
AMERICAN AFFAIRS in particular.

PART I.

MY FELLOW CITIZENS,
THE present very critical situation of things in this
country, in which you have so much at stake, and
in which it cannot be denied that you have considerable
weight, is a sufficient apology for an address to you with
respect to it. The approaching election for members of
parliament calls for all and perhaps for the last efforts
of the friends of liberty in this country; and every real
friend of this great cause among us, who is acquainted
with the history of your ancestors, will naturally look
to you for the most acting concurrence and support.

Religious liberty, indeed is the immediate ground on
which you stand, but this cannot be maintained except
upon the basis of civil liberty, and therefore the old pu-
ritans and nonconformists were always equally distin-
guished for their noble and strenuous exertions in favour
of them both. Their zeal in this cause, and the valuable
effects of it, are so well known, that even Mr. HUME
(an historian of the most unsuspected impartiality in this
case) acknowledges, that whatever civil liberty we now
enjoy, is to be ascribed to them. In fact, all our princes,
who have ever entertained designs upon the liberties of
their subjects, have been jealous of your principles and
influence, and have accordingly used their first and ut-
most efforts to crush you.

The race of the Stewarts felt that they could not rise
except by your fall; but fortunately your rise and esta-
blishment ended in their extermination. The tory
ministry, which prevailed at the end of the reign of queen
Anne, naturally enough began their attempts to restore
the pretender and arbitrary power by hostilities against
you, and nothing but the most seasonable and providen-
tial death of that unhappy and misguided princess saved
you with your country. And lastly, to come to the pre-
sent times, that those who actually guide the measures
which are now carrying on in this country are equally
enemies to civil liberty and to you, can no more be de-
nied than that William the IIId. of glorious memory,
and the two first princes of the house of Hanover, were
friendly to both. Be assured that your peculiar privi-
ledges, and the general liberties of this country, are in-
separably connected, and that whenever the altar of civil
tyranny shall be erected, you will be the first victims. As,
therefore, you value the one, contend for the other.

What was it but the tricks and artifices of the court,
and the influence of the bishops, who have the same
views and interest with the court, that frustrated your
late attempt to procure the repeal of but part of the
many laws which bear hard on you, and the rights of
humanity? The laws themselves are so repugnant to com-
mon sense and common justice, that even your most vio-
lent enemies could not but say, that “no man could
find in his heart to put them in execution.” The equi-
ty of your bill twice carried it with eclat through the
house of commons; but all was blasted by a nearer ap-
proach to the throne, a thrown from which mercy is ex-

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tended to papists and rebels, because friends of despotism,
and even to murderers, if they be employed against the
constitution of the country.

It was by the artifices of courtiers that you were at
first persuaded to believe that the present ministry wished
well to your application; but by them you were even
then so far deceived as to be persuaded to clog it with a
declaration, which besides making it less acceptable to
many among you, and intolerable to some, made it easy
for the bishops to defeat the whole purpose of it.

What can more plainly shew the insidious and hostile
intentions of the court than the disgraceful history of
your late transactions with respect to the same applica-
tion? Was it not by courtiers that a majority of the
members of your own committee were prevailed upon to
drop the solicitation of the bill, at the only time when
there was a prospect of its success, viz. before the disso-
lution of a house of commons peculiarly friendly to you?
Circumstances speak too plainly to deny this, when it is
known that all who gave the decisive and fatal vote were
those who distribute the regium donum, except one, who
is known to be particularly acquainted with some ministe-
rial persons, a man of a weak and timid nature, and
therefore peculiarly unfit to take the lead in a business of
this kind. One ministerial tool, and false brother, is
even said to have had the assurance to promise the mi-
nistry that they should have no disturbance from the dis-
senters this year. Does not the painful recollection of
these things stimulate you to do something to wipe off
your disgrace?

The measures that are now carrying on against the
North American colonies are alone a sufficient indication
of the disposition of the court towards you. The pre-
tence for such outrageous proceedings, conducted with
such indecent and unjust precipitation, is much too slight
to account for them. The true cause of such violent
animosity must have existed much earlier, and deeper.

In short, it can be nothing but the Americans (parti-
cularly those of New England) being chiefly dissenters
and whigs; for the whole conduct of the present ministrty
demonstrates, that what was merit in the two late reigns
is demerit in this. And can you suppose that those who
are so violently hostile to the offspring of the English
dissenters should be friendly to the remains of the parent
stock?
I trust, that both you and they will make it ap-
pear that you have not degenerated from the principles
and spirit of your illustrious ancestors, and that you are
no more to be outwitted or overawed than they were.

It is said that a great part of the resentment of the
court against the dissenters has arisen from a notion that
they were the chief abettors of Mr. Wilkes; and I be-
lieve that, in general, they were the friends of his
cause, because it was the cause of liberty, and of the
constitution. But they took no part in this business more
than the other friends of this country, except that dissent-
ers, having more depending upon public liberty, are
more interested to keep a watchful eye upon every thing
that relares to it; so that if your conduct in this affair
has given peculiar offence, it must have been because the
same conduct appears more offensive in you than in any
others, which implies a prejudice against you as dissenters,
of which you ought to be apprized, that you may act
accordingly.

Do not imagine, however, that what I have hitherto
said is a preamble to a declaration of war, or that I wish
you to take arms in defence of your liberties, as your
brethren in America will probably be compelled to do.
That were equally ineffectual, and improper. But it is
most earnestly to be wished that you would exert your-
selves in doing what the constitution of your country
both permits and requires of all good citizens. Carefully
avoid all undue influence on the approaching election, and
strenuously exert yourselves to procure a return of men
who are known to be friends to civil and religious liberty.

Attend particularly to the characters of the several
candidates for whom your votes are requested. Regard
none of their prosessions of zeal for the public service, but
look to their past conduct; and if in any case they have
promoted the corrupt measures of the court, and have
concurred in passing any of the late laws that are unfa-
vourable to your liberties, be not accessary to their future
crimes,
by giving them another opportunity of betraying
you, and acting the same part over again. More especi-
ally avoid, as you would the pestilence, every man who
voted against the repeal of the oppressive laws to which
you are exposed, and take every proper method of ex-
pressing your just sense of their enmity toward you..
Consider them as the declared enemies of liberty, justice,
and humanity.

The conduct of the quakers is said to be peculiarly
chaste and exemplary with respect to elections. They
join as a body to discountenance all undue influence and
admit not the smallest favour, or hardly a civility, from
those for whom they give their votes, And certainly

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you cannnot too carefully avoid all suspicion of corrupti-
on in a business of so much importance, and where free-
dom and independence of mind are so much concern-
ed.

The popular cry against members of parliament is,
that they are corrupt, subservient to all the measures of
the court; and that, in fact, they sell their constituents.
But is it really any wonder that a man should sell what
he is known to have bought and paid for? Instead of
making the office a matter of favour, honour, and trust,
is it not made exceedingly burthensome and expensive to
them? And is this an age in which a man can be ex-
pected to be at very great expences, without endeavouing
to reimburse himself? There are characters so truly dis-
interested and great. I could name several such; but
certainly, it were absurd to expect they should be found
every where.

If then you would have it in your power, with any face
and decency, to call your constituents to account, or
even upbraid them for sacrificing your liberties in the
house, do not oblige them to sacrifice their fortunes in
order to get thither. Have no demands upon them be-
fore
they enter upon their office, that you may have the
more afterwards.

An eminent foreigner has foretold, “that England
will lose its liberty whenever the legislative part of the
constitution should be more corrupt than the executive.”
But he had no occasion to have said so much. Our liber-
ties must necessarily be gone, whenever the power of the
house of commons shall be untied to that of the crown,
whether the court be corrupt or not. For how can there
be any equilibrium, when every weight is thrown into
one scale. But he might have said farther, and more to
my present purpose, that the house of commons will lose
its liberty and independence whenever the electors shall
be more corrupt than the elected.

If, therefore, you wish that your representatives be un-
corrupt and independent, first shew them the example of
being so yourselves. This step is certainly necessary in
order to gain your point, though it will not absolutely
insure it. The disease may perhaps be too desperate for
any power of medicine; acquit yourselves however of all
just blame, by applying all such as are of approved effi-
cacy. This conduct will at least mitigate the evil, and
make you the objects of compassion in your sufferings.

The diseases of our constitution are too many to yield
to any remedy, while the court has so much to give, and
so many lucrative places to dispose of; so that it is to be
feared, that though your members be sent to parliament
in the most uncorrupt and honourable manner, they will
not long continue uncorrupt. It is too much to be ex-
pected of human nature, especially in this luxurious and
expensive age.

The radical fault is in the administration of the reve-
nues. If this were in proper hands, and managed with
propriety and frugality, so that no part of it, and no
place created by it, should come into the hands of your
representatives; or if the multitude of places were re-
duced to such only as are necessary, and their enormous
emoluments to a mere equitable payment for service done,
it could not be made the interest of your servants to be-
tray you, and they would then make your interest their
own; because there would be no other to come into com-
petition with it.</[>

But though an effectual remedy may not be found, a
palliative may be administered, which may abate the
virulence of the disease, and procure time for the appli-
cation of someting more efficacious. Though you can-
not remove every temptation to which your representa-
tives are exposed, because many of them arise from others,
at least remove all those that depend upon yourselves.
However they may be influenced to betray your interest
after their return to parliament, let them not have it in
their power to excuse their conduct by any necessity laid
upon them antecedent to their being returned.

There is the more reason why we, in England, should
watch with care and jealousy over the remains of our
civil liberty, because the state of the rest of Europe is so
extremely critical and alarming in this respect. In no
part of the world was there ever such a scene of revolutions
as there has been in this. Power has shifted and fluctu-
ated in a most extraordinary manner among the different
ranks of men, people, lords, clergy, and princes: But,
after almost all the modes and combinations of which the
distribution of power is capable, it has at length almost
wholly, and every where, reverted to the princes; so
that they are nearly as arbitrary in Europe as in the east,
though established maxims and customs (from which re-
sults, what we call the spriit of the times) have hitherto
prevented their giving into so wanton an abuse of their
power. But a longer continuance in power may be at-
tended with these excesses; as was the case with the
Romans.

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In their instructive history, we see as brave and as high
spirited a people as the English, tamely submitting to so
vile an abuse of power, as one would have thought a
priori,
had been absoutely impossible among men; indeed
such as nothing in the shape of men could be trained to
bear. And why may not this be the case with us? We
have already taken the first steps towards it in the corrup-
tion and venality of the lower ranks of the people. Had
not they been needy, profligate, and willing to sell them-
selves, Sylla, Caesar, or Augustus had never been their
masters.

Such, however, is the face of Europe, in all the states
of which the princes were, originally, the farthest in the
world from being arbitrary, that they are now almost
universally so. Indeed not one who bears the name of
king is excepted besides that of Great Britain. And
when things shall be equally ripe for it, who can tell but
that, by a revolution as sudden as that of Denmark, or
more lately that of Sweden, the very forms of our free
constitution may be set aside at once, and undisguised
despotism take place. It is not disparagement to the En-
glish to say that they are not more brave or independent
than the Swedes, and it is certainly not saying less than
the truth, of our princes, to affirm, that like the kings of
Sweden, they are men.

Supposing now the three powers of Russia, Prussia, and
Austria, to have completed the partition of Poland, in
which they have already made considerable progress;
nothing will remain but the much easier work of similar
partition of the states of Switzerland, and of the united
provinces, and despotism will appear without controul
over all the continent of Europe. And shall we flatter
ourselves that these islands will then remain a sanctuary
for the sons of freedom, and not (after having been the
spectators of the progress of arbitrary power abroad)
become the last and most dreadful sacrifice to it?

The hope of mankind (who have been so long debased
and trampled upon by forms of unequal government) is
that, in time, this horrible evil may find its own antidote
and cure. Kings being always worse educated than other
men, the race of them may be expected to degenerate,
till they be little better than ideots, as is the case already
with several of them, needless to be named, and, it is
said, will be the case with others, when the present
reigning princes shall be no more; while those that are
not the objects of contempt will be the objects of hatred
and execration.

In this situation, the temptation to men to assert their
natural rights, and seize the invaluable blessings of free-
dom, will be very great; and it may be hoped that, en-
lightened as the world now is, with respect to the theory
of government, and taught by the experience of so many
past ages, they will not more suffer themselves to be trans-
ferred, like the live stock of a farm, from one worn out
royal line to another, but establish every where forms of
free and equal government; by which at infinitely less
expence than they are now to be oppressed and abused,
every man may be secured in the enjoyment of as much
of his natural rights as is consistent with the good of the
whole community. If this should ever be the case, even
the past usurpations of the pope will not excite more
astonishment and indignation, than the present disgrace-
ful subjection of the many to the few in civil respects.

PART II.

MY FELLOW CITIZENS,
AS your late representatives have acted as if they
were the representatives of all North America,
and in that assumed capacity have engaged in measures
which threaten nothing less than the ruin of the whole
British empire, it were greatly to be wished that their
successors might learn by their example to know them-
selves better, and keep within their proper province.
This is a business of so much consequence, that I cannot
help subjoining a few plain considerations relating to it.
It is true that I can advance nothing new upon the sub-
ject, but I shall endeavour to comprise the merits of the
case in a very small compass, which may give it a chance
of being better understood; and some advantage may
arise from the same things being said in a different man-
ner, and upon a different occasion.

The minds of many, indeed, are so obstinately shut
against conviction, and they are so blindly bent of push-
ing the vindictive schemes of the present ministry, with-
out regard to reason or consequences, that I despair of
making any impression upon them. But I wish to address
myself to those who have not yet taken their part, or
who, though they may have been deceived by the false
lights in which this affair has been represented, are cool
enough to attend to what may be said on the other side.

On such I should think that some impression might be
made by three considerations; one drawn from the nature
and history of our constitution, another from the nature
of things and the priniples of liberty in general, and the
third from the effects which the oppression of America
may have on the liberties of this country.

It has ever been a fundamental maxim in our govern-
ment, that the representatives of the people should have a
voice in enacting all the laws by which they are governed,
and that they should have the sole power of giving their
own money. Without these privileges there can be no
true British liberty. These maxims were so well under-
stood, and were held so inviolable in all former times,
that though all the kings of this country, since the con-
quest, have had several realms, or principalities subject to
them, each has always had its separate legilative body,
its separate laws, and its separate system of taxation; and
no one of them ever thought of laying a tax upon another.

When the kings of England were likewise dukes of
Normandy, and held other prinipalities in France, the
English parliament never thought of making laws for
the Normans, or the Normans for the English; and still
less did either of them presume to tax the other. Scot-
land,
though united under one head with England, had
its own system of laws, and taxation, altogether inde-
pendent of the English, till the union of the parliaments
of both nations. Wales also, and several counties palatine,
taxed themselves, without any controul from the parlia-
ment of England; and so does Ireland to this day. So
independent were all these governments of one another,
though the same king had a negative upon the resolutions
of them all, that when a man fled from any one of the

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realms, and took refuge in another, he was as effectually
exempted from the jurisdiction of the country he had left,
as if he had gone into the dominions of another prince;
so that no process at law commenced in the former could
affect him.

Agreeably to these ideas, it could not but have been
understood, that when many of our ancestors, the old
puritans, quitted the realm of England, they freed
themselves from the laws of England. Indeed they could
have had no other motive for leaving this country; and
how could they have expected any relief from taking
refuge in America, if they had found in that country, or
carried with them the same laws and the same admini=
stration by which they were aggrieved in this? But going
into a country which was out of the realm of England,
and not occupied, they found themselves at first without
any laws whatever. But they enacted laws for themselves,
voluntarily chusing, from their regard to the country
from which they came, to have the same common head
and center of concord, the king of Great Britain, and
therefore submitted to his negative upon all their pro-
ceedings. They adopted as many of the laws of England
as the chose, but no more; and if they had preferred
the laws of Scotland, those of Ireland, or those of any
foreign country, they were at liberty to have done it.

These colonists also provided for the expences of their
own separate governments, granting the kind aids for
that purpose, according to their own judgement and abi-
lity, without the interfence of the English parliament,
till the fatal period of the stamp act, which was absolute-
ly an innovation in our constitution, confounding the
first and fundamental ideas belonging to the system of
different realms subject to the same king, and even intro-
duced a language quite new to us, viz. that of America
being subject to England.
For America was never thought
to be within the realm of England, any more than Scot-
land or Ireland. If there have been any exceptions to
this sytem of legislation, or taxation, with respect to
America, it has been the exercise of tyranny, and it has
not beeen the less so for having them disguised, or having
passed without suspicion.

According to the language that was universally in use
till of late years, to say that America was subject to Eng-
land,
would have been considered as equally absurd, with
saying, that it was subject to Ireland or to Hanover, that
is, the subject of subjects, all being equally subject to one
king, who is himself subject to the laws, and who is no
longer our legal and rightful king, than he is so. In this
great principle the very essence of our liberty, and the
independent liberty of each part of the common Empire,
consists.

Secondly, whith respect to the principles of liberty in
general, I would observe, that if any realm or country
be taxed by another, the people so taxed have no proper
liberty left, but are in a state of as absolute despotism as
any of which we read in history, or of which we can form
an idea; since the same foreign power that can take one
penny
from them without their consent, may take the last
penny that they have;
so that, in fact, they have no pro-
perty at all of their own,
every thing they have being at
the mercy of others. This would be the case with Eng-
land, if we were taxed at the pleasure of the king, or by
the parliament of Ireland, or by the houses of represen-
tatives of America; it would be the case of the Irish if
they were taxed by the English; and therefore it will be
the case of the Americans if they be taxed by us.

It is said that Leeds, Manchester, and other large
towns in England, send no representatives to parliament,
and yet are taxed by it. But there is this very essential
and obvious difference between their case and that of the
Americans, viz. that those who tax Leeds, Mancheser,
&c. always tax themselves at the same time, and in the
same proportion; and while this is the case, those towns
have no reason to be apprehensive of partiality or oppres-
sion. To make the cases parallel, let the parliament lay
a separate tax on the towns that send no representatives,
and exempt from such tax those that do send members.
In this case, I doubt not, but the unrepresented towns
would complain as loudly as the Americans do now, who
see that we assume a power of loading them, and easing
ourselves; and that we are endeavouring to establish a
principle, which will at once give us all the property they
have. If there be in nature a justifiable case of resistance
to government, it is this; and if the Americans have
any thing of the spriit of Englishmen, they will risk every
thing, rather than submit to such a claim. They are
willing to be our fellow subjects, having the same com-
mon head; but are not willing to be our slaves.

It is alledged that we have protected the Americans,
and that they ought to pay for that protection; but have
we not also protected Ireland and the electorate of Hano-
ver without pretending either to make laws for them or
to tax them? What we may do, or attempt to do, when
this new doctrine shall have been establsihed in the case
of the Americans, is as yet unknown. Any favour that
we do to the Americans certainly gives us a claim upon
their gratitude, but it does not make them our slaves.
Besides they have, in many respects, made abundant re-
quital, and we were actually reaping a rich harvest for
the little we have sowed in that fruitful soil. But our
present ministry resemble the man who would kill the hen
that laid the golden eggs, in order that he might come
at all the treasure at once; and the event will equally dis-
appoint them both, or rather they resemble the dog,
who, by catching at the shadow, lost the substance.

Many persons of this country are so grosly ignorant
as to imagine that while we are heavily taxed for the
welfare of the common empire, and have even incurred
a prodigious debt on that account, the Americans pay
nothing at all. But have not the Americans their own
separate governments to support, as well as we have ours,
and do they not tax themselves for that purpose, and
do we help them to bear any part of those taxes? If they
incur debts, as they sometimes do, do they not discharge
them as well as they can? And should we not laugh at
them if they should pretend to have any demand upon us
for the payment of them? Should we not also treat the
Irish with the same contempt in the same case?

In a comon cause the Americans have always been
ready to exert themselves with as much zeal as we have
shewn; nay, by our own acknowledgment, they have
done more; for at the close of the last war we voluntarily

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voted them large sums of money, because we were sensi-
ble that they had exerterd themselves even beyond their
ability. But their exertions were voluntary as was our
acknowledgment.

As to the conduct of the present ministry with respect
to America, it is no part of my present argument; but
I cannot help observing, that it must give pain to every
reasonable man to see an English parliament so readily
giving their sanction to measures so exceedingly absurd
and ruinous. Admitting that the East India company
has been injured by some of the inhabitants of Boston,
reasonable people would have contented themselves with
demanding satisfaction, and would not have punished the
innocent with the guilty, by blocking up their port.

An offence of this nature could not in reason or equity
draw upon them the abolition of their charter; which
demonstrates that none of the colonies have the least se-
curity for so much as the form of a free constitution, all
being at the mercy of a foreign power.

An offence of this kind did not require that a fleet of
eleven ships of war, and eight regiments should be sent
thither, with a power to commit all crimes and murders
with impunity, and that the wretched inhabitants should
be compelled, upon every accusation, to leave their
friends, and submit to a trial, and consequently an ini-
quitous trial, in a foreign country; an instance of op-
pression which, of itself, is absolutely intolerable, and
which it cannot be conceived that any person who has
arms in his hands, and the spirit of a man within him,
can possibly submit to.

What man, finding that the government of his country
provided him no satisfaction for the murder of a near re-
lation or friend (which will necessarily be the case, when
a trial cannot be had upon the spot, or without crossing
the Atlantic ocean, whither he cannot carry his wit-
nesses, and still less his feelings) will not think himself
not only excuseable, but even bound in conscience to
take his own satisfaction, and engage his private freinds
to assist him in procuring blood for blood?

I need not ask any Englishman how the Americans (whom
prelatical tyranny drove from this country, and who are
grown numerous, strong, and high spirited under a very
different treatment) must feel in these circumstances; es-
specially when, at the same time, they see the boundaries
of Canada extended, and made a prefect arbitrary go-
vernment, as a model no doubt, for their own, in due
time, and a check upon them till that time. It is what
he himself would feel in the same circumstances.

Lastly, do you imagine, my fellow citizens, that we
can sit still, and be the idle spectators of the chains which
are forging for our brethren in America, with safety to
oursleves?
Let us suppose America to be conpleatly en-
slaved, in consequence of which the English court can com-
mand all the money, and all the force of that country; will
they like to be so arbitrary abroad, and have their power
confined at home, especially as troops in abundance can
be transported in a few weeks from America to England,
where, with the present standing army, they may in-
stantly reduce us to what they please? And can it be
supposed that the Americans, being slaves themselves, and
having been enslaved by us, will not, in return, willingly
contribute their aid to bring us into the same condition?

These consequences appear to me so very obvious, that
I think none but the absolutely infatuated can help seeing
them. Indeed the infatuation is of so gross a nature,
and of so dangerous a kind, that I cannot help thinking
it resembles that which usually proceeds the downfall of
states; and it calls to my mind the Latin proverb, Quem
Deus vult perdere prius dementat.

Philip the second, and the king of Spain, at the height
of its power, so as to threaten Europe with universal mo-
narchy, were under a like infatuation. That proud and
obstinante prince imagined that he could easily reduce the
Belgic provinces by writing dispatches from his closet. But
the thing that was really effected by all his orders, his
generals, his fleets, and his armies, after a bloody war of
many years, was the independency of those provinces,
and the ruin of Spain.

We too affect to speak with the same contempt of the
people of North America, though the disparity of forces
between Great Britain and them is nothing, compared
with the apparent disparity between those of Spain and
the Belgic provinces.

Also, because the Americans have more of the appear-
ance of religion than ourselves, we ridicule them as hypo-
crites.
But if they be such hypocrites as the puritanical
party in England (whom the royalists diverted themselves
with stigmatizing in the same manner) in the time of the
civil war, true valour and prerseverance will go hand in
hand with their hypocrisy; and the history of our ap-
proaching contest will teach mankind the same lesson with
our last, and shew the diffferent effects of sobriety and pro-
fligacy
in soldiers. The king began with a manifest ad-
vantage in point of discipline and generals; and so may
we in this war. But it soon appeared that generals and
discipline are more easily acquired than principles; and in
the course of two or thee years, the superiority of the
parliamentary forces was a great in one respect as in
the other.

To pursue this subject, would carry me far beyond the
bounds of my present purpose. I shall therefore return
to it, by earnestly advising to oppose, at the next electi-
on, every candidate, who, in the present parliament,
has concurred in the late attrocious attempts to establish
arbitrary power over so great a part of the British empire,
to the imminent hazard of our most valuable commerce,
and of that natinal strength, security, and felicity,
which depend on UNION and on LIBERTY. If you make
any terms with your future representatives, do not forget
to require of them, to do by others as they would have
others do by them.
It is only by justice, equity, and gene-
rosity that nations, as well as individuals, can expect to
flourish; and by the violation of them, both single per-
sons, and states, in the course of the righteous provi-
dence of God, involve themselves in disgrace and ruin.

That thinking persons may form some idea of what
we have to expect from a war with our colonies, I shall
conclude with citing two paragraphs from Doctor Price’s
additional preface to his appeal to the public, on the subject
of the national debt.

”Before the revolution, the supplies of every year
were raised within the year, by temporary taxes. After

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Column 1

the revolution this became too difficult; and money was
raised by perpetuating and anticipating the taxes, and
forming them into funds for discharging the principal
and interest of sums borrowed upon them. But even in
this way, sufficient supplies for carrying on king William’s
and queen Anne’s wars could not have been procured,
had it not been for the establishment of the bank. This
provided a substitute for money, which answered all its
puposes, and enabled the nation to make payments that
it could not otherwise have made.

”From that period, paper credit and taxes have been
encreasing together. When moderate, these promote
trade, by quickening industry, supplying with a medium
of traffic, and producing improvements; but when ex-
cessive, they ruin trade, by rendering the means of sub-
sistence too dear, distressing the poor, and raising the
price of labour, and * manufactures. They are now,
among us, in this state of excess; and, in conjunction
with some other causes, have brought us into a situation,
which is, I think, unparrallelled in the history of man-
kind—hanging on paper, and yet weighed down by
heavy burdens: Trade necessary to enable us to support
an enormous debt, and yet that debt, together with an
excess of paper money, working continually towards the
destruction of trade; public spirit, independency, and
virtue, undermined by luxury, and yet luxury necessary
to our existence. Other kingdoms have enacted sump-
tuary laws for suppressing luxury; were we to do this
with any considerable effect the consequence might prove
fatal. In short, were our people to avoid destroying
themselves by intemperance, or only to leave off the use
of one or two foreign weeds, the revenue would become
deficient, and a public bankruptcy might ensue. On
such grounds it is impossible that any kingdom should
stand long. A dreadful convulsion cannot be very dis-
tant. The next war will fearcely leave a chance for
escaping it. But we are threatened with it sooner: An
open rupture with the colonies may bring it on immediately.”

* The poor rate alone is now equal to all the ordinary taxes former-
ly, and the expences of peace double to those of war in King William’s
time.

MR. PINKNEY,
AS you at present sustain the character of public printer, it is expect-
ed of you that you should communicate to the public all such
matters as materially concern them. In this, many of his majestry’s
most dutiful and loyal subjects, and your readers, appear to be disappoint-
ed; for while the country are alarmed with the apprehensions of the
expences attending the late campaign to the westward, and dread heavy
taxes, and another emission of paper money, joy and gladness seem to
reign in the city of Williamsburg. All your readers are glad to hear of
his excellency’s arrival at your city, and pleased with the addition to his
domestic felicity, but till they have some more particular account of the
rise, progress, and conclusion, of the late manoeuvres on the frontiers
than has hitherto appeared, they cannot partake of that unfeigned joy
and gladness that diffuses itself so plentifully through Williamsburg. It
may reasonably be supposed that you can, from proper authority, give a
satisfactory account of these matters, and until you do it, many of your
readers will think themselves neglected. Pray do not omit the article of
expence that may arise to the country (if any) and let us know what in-
fluence it may probably have in raising the exchange. This is expected
of you, and if you cannot comply with it, be pleased to publish your
reasons, with this letter.

*** I am sorry that the above correspondent, and many of my readers,
as he tells me, are displeased with my papers of late, on account of their
not containing a minute detail of the expences his lordship has been at
with respect to his late manoeuvres, &c. It would be useless to give a long
answer to the gentleman’s letter; indeed, I have not time to do it. All
I can say is, that reports have been various; insomuch, that I have not
been able to draw any satisfactory conclusion, or I should most readily have
obliged those readers whom I have so unluckily neglected. In a little time
our assembly meets; at that period, in all probability, the gentleman
will be more sufficiently informed, and from far greater authority than I
am at present able to produce, with the late disturbances to the west-
ward, and also of the expences which may have attended them.
THE PRINTER.

LONDON, October 24.
The following is MR. EDMUND BURKE’s speech to the
ELECTORS of BRISTOL.
GENTLEMEN,
I AM come hither to solicit, in person, that favour which my friends
have hitherto endeavoured to procure for me, by the most obliging,
and to me the most honourable exertions. I have so high an opinion of
the great trust which you have to confer on this occasion, and, by long
experience, so just a dissidence in my abilities, to fill it in a manner
adequate even to my own ideas, that I should never have ventured of
myself to intrude into that awful situation. But since I am called upon
by the desire of several respectable fellow subjects, as I have done at other
times, I give up my fears to their wishes. Whatever my other defici-
encies may be, I do not know what it is to be wanting to my friends.
I am not fond of attempting to raise public expectation by great pro-
mises. At this time there is much cause to consider, and very little to
presume. We seem to be approaching to a great crisis in our affairs,
which calls for the whole wisdom of the wisest among us, without being
able to assure ourselves that any wisdom can preserve us from many and
great inconveniencies. You know I speak of our unhappy contest with
America. I confess it is a matter on which I look down as from a pre-
cipice. It is difficult in itself, and it is rendered more intricate by a
great variety of plans of conduct. I do not mean to enter into them. I
will not suspect a want of good intention in framing them. But how-
ever pure the intentions of their authors may have been, we all know
that the event has been unfortunate. The means of recovering our
affairs are not obvious. So many great questions of commerce, of
finance, of constitution, and of policy, are involved in this American
diliberation, that I dare engage for nothing, but that I shall give it,
without any predilection to former opinions, or any sinister bias what-
soever, the honest and impartial consideration of which I am capable.
The public has a full right to it; and this great city, a main pillar in
the commercial interst of Great Britain, must totter on its base by the
slightest mistake, with regard to our American measures. Thus much,
however, I think it not amiss to lay before you: That I am not, I
hope, apt to take up or lay down my opinion lightly. I have held, and
ever shall maintain, to the best of my power, unimpaired and undimi-
nished, the just, wise, and necessary constitutional superiority of Great
Britain. This is necessary for America, as well as for us. I never mean
to depart from it. Whatever may be lost by it, I avow it. The for-
feiture even of your favour, it by such a declaration I could forfeit it,
though the first object of my ambition, never will make me disguise my
sentiments on this subject.

But I have ever had a clear opinion, and have ever held a constant
correspondent conduct, that this superiority is consistent with all the
liberties a sober and spiritied American ought to desire. I never mean to
put any colonist, or any human creature, in a situation not becoming a
free man. To reconcile British superiority with American liberty shall
be my great object, as far as my little faculties extend. I am far from
thinking that both, even yet, may not be preserved.

When I first devoted myself to the public service, I considered how I
should render myself fit for it; and this I did by endeavouring to dis-
cover what it was, that gave this country the rank it holds in the
world; I found that our prosperity and dignity arose principally, if not
solely, from two sources; our constitution and commerce. Both these I
have spared not study to understand, and to endeavour to support.

The distinguishing part of our constitution is its liberty. To preserve
that liberty inviolate seems the particular duty, and proper trust of a
member of the house of commons. But the liberty, the only liberty I
mean, is a liberty connected with order, that not only exists along with
order and virtue, but which cannot exist at all without them. It in-
heres in good and steady government, as in its substance and vital princi-
ple. The other source of our power is commerce, of which you are so
large a part, and which cannot exist, more than your liberty, without a
connection with many virtues. It has ever been a very particular and
a very favourite object of my study in its principles, and in its details. I

Column 2

think many here are acquainted with the truth of what I say. This I
know, that I have ever had my house open, and my poor services ready,
for traders and manufacturers of every denomination. My favourite am-
bition is to have those services acknowledged. I now appear before you
to make trial, whether my earnest endeavouors have been so wholly op-
pressed by the weakness of my abilities as to be rendered insignificant in
the eyes of a great trading city, or whether you chuse to give a weight to
humble abilities, for the sake of the honest exertions with which they
are accompanied. This is my trial to day. My industry is not on trial;
of my industry I am sure, as far as my constitution of mind and body ad-
mitted.

When I was invited by many respectable merchants, freeholders, and
freemen, of this city, to offer them my services, I had just received the
honour of any election at another place, at a very great distance from this.
I immediately opened the matter to those of my worthy constituents who
were with me, and they unanimously advised me not to decline it; that
they had elected me with a view to the public services; and that as great
questions relative to our commerce and colonies were imminent, that in
such matters I might derive authority and support from the representati-
on of this great commercial city; they desired me therefore to set off
without delay, very well persuaded that I never could forget my obligations
to them, or to my friends, for the choice they had made of me. From
that time to this instant I have not slept, and if I should have the honour
of being freely chosen by you, I hope I shall be as far from slumbering or
sleeping, when your service requires me to be awake, as I have been in
coming to offer myself a candidate for your favour.

October 26. A letter from a gentleman of veracity, who was present
at the late sale of the French East India company’s good at l’Orient,
says: “That the merchants of Nantz purchased there almost all the
tea, and are going to embark it for America, in order to sell it, in a
clandestine manner, to the English colonies. It is pretended some of the
officers of the English ships on that station favour such commerce. Se-
veral ships belonging to Bourdeaux, Rochelle, and Marseilles, are arrived
in those ports with rich returns, in exchange for all sorts of silk and
woollen goods, stockings, linen, &c. which they have sold there by the
same means. The manufacturers of Louvier, Rhodes, Sedan, and
Poitou, in the woollen branch, and those of Lyons and Nimes, in the
silks, have been so fully employed for 18 months past that the workmen
can with difficulty supply the demands. This shews the effect of the act
of parliament made against the colonies. M. de Vergennes will take advan-
tage of the mistakes of the English government, to ruin their commerce,
and augment that of France; and unless a speedy remedy be applied, in
less than six months, England will lose all the commerce of her colonies.”

An estimate by bills of lading of all the British manufactures which
were shipped last summer for America, and have lately been returned on
mercants hands in London, and other out ports, is ordered to be laid
before the privy council.

Tuesday two fellows took snuff for a wager at a public house, Goswell
Street, till one of them strangled himself, and died on the spot. A
surgeon was sent for, but his assistance was in vain.

WILLIAMSBURG.
BY the Peggy, Fisher, just arrived in James river, we learn that Mr.
WILKES is at length LORD MAYOR of London, to the great
displeasure of his majesty. The mob, upon this occasion, was extremely
clamorous, going through the streets with a continual cry of WILKES
and LIBERTY! and shewed every other mark of joy and gladness that
so proper a person was chosen for the mayoraly. Captain Fisher also in-
forms that the new parliament was sitting before his departure from
England.

AT a meeting of the freeholders of the county of Caroline, assembled
at the courthouse, on Thursday the 8th day of December, 1774,
for the purpose of chusing a committee to see that the association is duly
kept, agreeable to the resolutions of the continental congress, the fol-
lowing persons were elected: Edmund Pendleton, James Taylor, Wal-
ker Taliaferro, William Nelson, James Upshaw, William Woodford,
Anthony Thornton, George Baylor, Thomas Lomax, Richard Johnson,
John Tennent, George Taylor, John Minor, Thomas Loury, John
Armistead, John Jones, George Guy, Benjamin Hubbard, Samuel
Haws, and Edmund Pendleton, junior, gentlemen.

Edmund Pendleton, esquire, was unanimously elected chairman of the
committee, and Samuel Haws, junior, appointed clerk.
Samuel Haws, Clerk.

THURSDAY, December 4, 1776.
ORDERED, that the clerks of the several county courts in this
colony do transmit to the clerk of this house, in the first part of
every meeting of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY, a list of the tithables
in their counties, containing the names of such tithables; and that they
transmit also , at the same time, a list of the public charges of their
respective counties;

Ordered, that the clerk of this house do cause the same to be published
in the Virginia gazette,
BY THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES.
G. Wythe, C. H. B.
*** I have already received copies of the lists of tithables in Accomack,
Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Dinwiddie, Dunmore, Isle of Wight, King
and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, Northum-
berland, Princess Anne, and Prince William,
and certificates of the num-
bers of tithables, on which the levies were laid, in Charlotte and Halifax,
with the accounts of the two latter, counties, and of Lancaster, against
the publifc. G. Wythe.

To be SOLD, at the plantation of Mr. William Cammock, senior, in
Spotsylvania county, on the 2d Tuesday in January next,
ALL the PERSONAL ESTATE of William Cammock, junior, de-
ceased, consisting of cattle, hogs, and plantation utensils; like-
wise several fine colts of the first blood in Virginia, one 3 years old, a
stone colt, got by colonel Tayloe’s Yorick, his dam a Fearnough, out of
a Diamond; also a grey, 2 years old, and very large to age, got by Fear-
nought,
out of a Nonpareil mare; likewise a fine Diamond mare and filly
colt, got by captain Upshaw’s Tristram Shandy; with many others, too
tedious to mention. Credit will be given till the first day of August,
1775,
the purchaser giving bond and security to
(I) MARY CAMMOCK, Administratrix.

To be SOLD, on Wednesday the 25th of January next, at the Rocky
Ridge,

THIRTY valuable Virginia born SLAVES, consisting of men, wo-
men, and children. Twelve months credit for one half, and two
years for the remainder. Bond and security will be required, to carry
interest from the date, if not punctually paid to
PPILIP W. CLAIBORNE’S EXECUTORS.

WILLIAMSBURG, December 21, 1774.
To be SOLD, on Monday the 9th day of January,

THE houses and lots of the late Mathew Tewell, deceased, very
pleasantly situated in St. Mary’s street, leading to the capitol
landing, with a well of good water. At the same time will be sold, a
great variety of exceeding good household and kitchen furniture, carpen-
ters, joiners, and turners tools, a quantity of timber, plank, boards,
and pipe staves, a riding chair, cart, &c. on six months credit. Bond,
with sufficient security, will be required for all sums above fifty shillings.
All persons that are indebted to the said estate are desired to make immed-
diate payment, and all those who have any demands are desired to bring
them in, properly authenticated.
MARY TEWELL, executrix.

For SALE,
By the SUBSCRIBER,
The following PARTICULARS, viz.
COFFEE, single and lump sugar, brown ditto, butter, cheese, mo-
lasses, candles, bacon, hard soap, vinegar, and many other arti-
cles, which to mention, is too tedious. I have two hogsheads of good
West India rum, which will be sold reasonably to any person that will
apply soon; or if it would not be convenient to purchase the whole, I
will draw it off, but not under ten gallons. Ready cash must be paid for
the above articles.- - - Also for sale, a very good horse and chair, having
every thing complete for them, three feather beds, half a dozen of black
walnut chairs, two or three balck walnut tables, a looking glass, some
pictures and other houshold furniture. Credit for these articles will be
allowed till the 10th of June next, or longer, if required, on bond and
good security. Likewise an excellent negro wench to be sold, for which
credit will be given till next October. Bond and security will be expected.
N. B. A good, well disposed woman, properly recommended, will
meet with great encouragement by applying to me. Her whole business
will be, as I have long laboured under a cruel disorder, to take care of
me, and to see that family affairs are properly regulated.
*** I have two or three rooms to LET to young gentlemen; the
price of which will be far from unreasonable.
DANIEL BAXTER.

TAKEN up, a pied steer, each ear marked with something like a
swallow fork, and is posted and appraised.
BENJAMIN WELDON.

Column 3

THE owners of 200 acres of LAND drawn in colonel Bernard
Moore’s
lottery, in Caroline county, are desired to make it known
to Edmund Pendleton and Peter Lyons,</em,> esquires, administrators of John
Robinson,
esquire, numbered in the said lottery 12 and 47.

LOST, in the road, the 18th of November last, about 3 miles above
Hanover town, a piece of Irish HOLLAND, 25 yards in quantity,
wrapped in blue paper, and in an oznabrig wallet marked with copperas
cotton W A. Whoever will deliver the said piece of holland to Mr.
Thomas Simpson of Hanover town, or the subscriber in the said county,
shall be entitled to a reward of 30s. THOMAS ANDERSON.

WHEREAS Hannah Burk, daughter of Patrick and Mary Burk,
was taken prisoner by the Shawanese Indians, but was relieved
from them about three years ago, is now living at Fort Pitt, and married
to one Robert Rosebrock, has heard her mother was living on Hogan’s
Creek, Dan River,
in Orange county North Carolina, but has reason to
believe she has sincne moved, any account given of her parents to Mr.
Thomas Dalton, of Pittsburg, will be forever acknowledged. She was a
captive about 10 years. Her mother was taken at the same time, and
relieved at colonel Bouquet’s treaty.

RICHMOND county, December 10, 1774.
MR. PINKNEY,
OBSERVING lately an advertisement in your paper, under the sig-
nature of Joseph de Sabbe, informing the public of his arrival and
proposed residence in Williamsburg, in the character of a physician, and
as such professing a rare depth of skill in effecting the cure of several
dangerous diseases, we whose names are hereunto subscribed, actuated
by a principle of the purest regard for the welfare of the community we
live in, and esteeming it our bounden duty as members thereof, to en-
deavour, by all possible means in our power, to obviate every (what we
conceive) intended imposition upon any part of the same, do certify,
that having been some time afflicted with a hectic disorder and pre-
vailed upon by his pompous recommendation of himself, whereby he
obtained a little credit among us, in the course of the last year we be-
came his patients, in which capacity we continued five or six months,
adhering most invariably, through the whole time, to every regimen by
him prescribed for our observation. Notwithstanding this strict attention,
finding ourselves considerably weakened, rather than relieved, we at
length deemed it highly expedient to decline any further use of his simple
applications, for with these only he pretended to practise, which step
was generally found necessary to be pursued by almost all who were un-
lucky enough to have employed him in these neighborhoods. This
suspicion in us, of his want of acquaintance with physic, seems so well
strengthened by many concurring accounts received from Maryland,
where he resided a short time before his coming hither, that we think
ourselves sufficiently authorized to make this insertion.
We are, sir,
Your most obedient servants,
JAMES WEBB.,
Newman Miskell.
The subscribers having applied to the above mentioned Joseph de Sabbe
for his assistance in several kinds of sickness, so fully experienced therein
the ill success attending his practice, that we do most cordially agree in
sentiment, respecting him, with the above gentlemen.
SAMUEL HERRINGTON,
ISAAC ALLOWAY.

WILLIAMSBURG, December 12, 1774.
The subscriber intends going to England about the middle of Febru-
ary
next, and requrests the favour of all persons indebted to him to
be as speedy as possible in their payments; those who cannot immediately
pay, are requested to settle their accounts by giving bond, with aproved
security. And whereas many debts due to the estate of Mr. Thomas
Hornsby,
deceased, yet remain unsettled, notwithstanding many former
advertisements relative thereto, all persons indebted to the same are
earnestly requested to settle, and if they cannot immediately pay, to give
bond to the subscriber, with approved security. All debts that remain
unsettled will be left in the hands of my attorney, with directions to
commence suits as soon as the courts of justice ar opened. The subsciber
has on hand about 1200£. sterling worth of European goods, which he
would sell wholesale, at a low advance, and allow credit; also 500 acres
of land, in James City county, to dispose of, very cheap, and on long
credit. JOSEPH HORNSBY.

CHARLES CITY, December 10, 1774.
To be RENTED for a year, and entered on at Christmas,

A TRACT of LAND on Powhattan swamp, in James City county,
containing, by an old survey, 550 acres, the farthest part of which
is not more than 6 miles from Williamsburg. This land I formerly ad-
vertised for sale, and now would willingly sell it for 1000£ on long credit,
a price much under its real value, as the wood alone is worth more mo-
ney to a gentleman in the city. At least 499 acres of the above land are
to clear, which are exceeding good for grain, and several meadows, rich
and firm, that, by little pains, may be made arable. If I do not part
with the above by Christmas, I purpose to sell wood by the load, to those
who chuse to cart it. For further information apply to Mr. Robert
Anderson,
in Williamsburg, or the subscriber. 2 JOHN TYLER.

WHEREAS about the ninth day of April, 1772, I, Amos
Livesay
was arrested, or pretended to be arrested, by one Peter
Williams,
at the suit of Gloucester Hunnicutt, of the county of Suffex,
merchant, which said Hunnicutt refused to accept bail, though I offered
the same, and insisted the said Williams should take me to prison, unless
I would give him security on my land in Prince George county for a debt
of 24£ 10s. which he pretended to be due to him, when there was not
13£ due; I do hereby therefore give this notice to prevent any person
or persons whatsoever from taking any assignment of my said land from
the said Hunnicutt, being determined to pay only my own debt (for
which I have given him notice) and not to deliver up to him, or any one
else, the possession of my said land. AMOS LIVESAY.

I HEREBY forewarn ALL PERSONS
from HUNTING or SHOOTING on my
LANDS at WESTOVER and BUCKLAND.

3 W. BYRD.

To be SOLD, on Friday the 13th of January, if fair, otherwise next fair
day, at a plantation near Petersburg, lately the property of doctor John
Ravenscroft, to the highest bidder,

ABOUT twenty very likely NEGROES, chiefly Virginia born,
consisting of men, women, boys, and girls; also severl HORSES
and CATTLE, a yoke of OXEN and CART, all the UTENSILS of
husbandry belonging to the said plantation, and a considerable quantity
of FODDER. Twelve months credit will be allowed for all sums above
5£ the purchasers giving bond with approved security, and, if the bonds
are not punctually discharged, to carry interest from the date.
3 BOLLING STARK
Attorney for George McMurdo, and John Ravenscroft.

TEN POUNDS REWARD.
RUN away from the subscriber’s plantation on Bull Run, the 7th of
September last, a convict servant man, who says his name is John
Horne,
but was convicted by the name of Pooling Horne, and imported
into Potowmack river, last month, in the ship Tayloe. He is an English-
man,
about 24 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, with short black
hair, a smooth face, and a scar under his left eye. Had on, and took
with him, an old blue sailor’s jacket, very short, with small black but-
tons, set thick on both sides, a black waistcoat, cord duroy breeches,
light marled stockings, and old shoes; also new light grey jacket and
breeches of coarse cloth, with white metal buttons, and two new
oznabrig shirts, with several other shirts, silk handkerchiefs and other
things. He carried off a likely black blooded mare, about 14 hands
high, with a star on her forehead, branded on the near shoulder H, and
on the near buttock M. I will give the above reward for the servant
and the mare, delivered to me in Colchester.
(3) ALEXANDER HENDERSON.

THERE was a hogshead of tobacco inspected at Rockey Ridge ware-
house the 9th of August, 1769, for Francis Smith, and entered on
our book, number 1370, 1170, 80, 1090, nett. If not claimed in
time, it will be sold according to law.
SCOTT and PANKEY, Inspectors.

TAKEN up in Spotsylvania, 4 sheep, viz. one ram, marked with a
swallow fork in each ear; one ewe, marked with a crop, slit, and
underkeel in the right, and crop and underkeel in the left; one wether,
marked with a crop and slit in the right, and a crop in the left ear; the
other is a lamb, unmarked. All the above sheep are white. Posted,
and appraised to 1£ 18s. * WILLIAM CARTER.

TAKEN up, in Orange, a small flea bitten grey horse, about 11 years
old, and branded on the near buttock with a cross. Posted, and ap-
praised to 3£.
* REUBEN DANIEL.

TAKEN up, on Deep Creek, in Cumberland, a bay mare, about 4 feet
6 inches high, about 5 years old, a switch tail, and no brand per-
ceivable. Posted, and appraised to 12£. *JACOB MAGEHE.

Page 4
Column 1

Mr. PINKNEY,
AN advertisement having appeared in your paper some time ago,
signed John Green, the tendency of which may be extremly in-
jurious to me, I should be glad, through your press, to controvert what
the said Green has urged with respect to myself. He says that a partner-
ship never existed between us, but only intended: In answer to which,
I declare we were permanently engaged in partnership some time before
the death of the late Mr. Houston; at whose decease the said Green con-
sulted me about purchasing a wench of Mr. Houston’s widow, which I
readily agreed to, as also towards purchasing a stock of goods; all which
I looked upon myself culpable for, in case of default in him. It would be
useless to take notice of the frequent reports of the said Green, relative
to our partnership; I shall therefore rest my cause with those friends who
have given me their custom, to whom I return my sincerest thanks.

All persons indebted to the above partnership are requested to make
payment to me immediately, as I have the books in my possession; and
those to whom we are indebted are desired to bring in their claims.

I think it necessary to inform the public that I now carry on the bu-
siness for Mr. Richard Lewis, of Fredericksburg.
(3) JOHN SORREL.

To the PUBLIC.
WHEREAS David Hamilton obtained a bond illegally from the
subscriber, therefore he forewarns all persons from taking an
assignment of the same, as he will not answer it.
FREDERICK county,
October 20, 1774. JAMES BLACKBURN.

MARYLAND, September 25, 1774.
FIFTEEN POUNDS REWARD.
RUN away last night from Dorsey’s forge, 3 servant men, viz.
William George,, born in England, about 30 years old, about 5 feet
7 inches high, has a down look, light coloured short hair, pock marked,
round shouldered, and has had his left wrist broke, which occasions it to
be much larger than his right; he is a carpeter and joiner by trade; had
on and took with him, 1 check and 1 oznabrig shirt, old leather breeches,
light blue jacket without sleeves, a small round hat, bound with black
worsted, and has a small piece of crape tied round the crown, a pair of
stockings, and a pair of pumps, with steel buckles; he
had on an iron collar.

Solomon Burnham, born in Yorkshire, and speaks in that dialect; he is
about 26 years of age, about 5 feel 10 inches high, swarthy complexion,
down look, short black curled hair; had on and took with him, 1 ozna-
brig shirt, blue grey jacket without sleeves, leather breeches, a coarse hat
about half warn, a pair of yarn stockings, and 1 pair of shoes and buckles,
professes himself to be a complete farmer, and had on an iron collar.

Samuael Chapman, an Englishman, 28 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high,
a lusty well made fellow, a little round shouldered, swarthy complexion,
has a large boney face, thick lips, and a very full set of teeth; had on
and took with him, a cloth jacket, 1 oznabrig and 1 check shirt, ozna-
brig trowsers, a pair of stockings, new shoes with buckles, and a new
felt hat. Whoever takes up said servants, and brings them to the sub-
scribers, shall have, if 20 miles from home, 30s. if 30 miles, 40s. and if
60 miles, 5£ for each, including what the law allows, and reasonable
charges. SAMUEL DORSEY, junior,
EDWARD NORWOOD.

COMMITTED to the gaol of Hampton county a negro man named
John, who says he belongs to Jack Dashon in St. Martin’s, in the
West Indies, and was sold to him by captain Atkinson, at whose quarter,
in Charles City county, he formerly lived. He is about 5 feet 9 inches
high, and has on an oznabrig shirt, green coat, and rolls breeches.
The owner is desired to prove his property, pay charges, and take him
away. (3) JOHN SCOTT, Gaoler.

TAKEN up, in Spotsylvania, a sorrel mare, 3 years old last spring,
about 4 feet 6 inchers high, with two small black spots in her fore-
head, and branded on the near buttock WH in a piece, as near as can
be made out. Posted, and appraised at 8£.
() REUBEN STRAUGHAN.

TO BE SOLD,
THE purchase I lately made of Warner Washington, esquire, con-
sisting of an exceeding good BRICK HOUSE, five windows in
front, a very good KITCHEN and LAUNDRY, COACH HOUSE
and STABLES, the latter entirely new, NEGRO QUARTERS, &c.
together with 2000 acres of LAND, more or less, whereof about 500
adjoin to the house, and the rest in two tracts, contiguous to each other,
lies but at a little distance, on one part of which are two new CORN-
HOUSES and sufficient QUARTERS for negroes, the other
part is let out to three under tenants; also an exceeding well watered
MILL, now in hand, which (before the addition of a new sluice) was
let at 100 barrels of corn a year. Likewise all the stock of horned cattle,
sheep, hogs, and horses, belonging to the farm, English and country
made ploughs, carts, waggon, axes, and all other implements of
husbandry, together with all or any part of the corn, wheat, fodder,
and the rest of the stock in hand and in the ground; and also the stock
of NEGROES, consisting of 11 men, 3 women, and 8 children, will be
all sold together with the land, or separately, as the purchaser may
chuse. All or any part of the houshold and kitchen furniture (plate and
pictures excepted) linen, china, books, &c. with the stock of liquors in
the cellar, will be disposed of; likewise an exceeding good coach and
phaeton, almost new, a one horse chair, and the coach and saddle
horses, with two very fine brood mares, one, if not both, with foal, and
three fine colts, just fit for use. A sufficient discount will be made for
ready money, which will be expected for most of the articles, and for the
house and land also a proportionable abatement; but credit will be al-
lowed the purchaser, if desired, upon giving approved bond and security
to the subscriber, who intends to quit the colony in a few months, or
sooner, if he possibly can settle his affairs therein.
JONATHAN WATSON.
***The plantation being situate on Pianketank river, its landing is
very convenient to fish and oysters. It has also been long remarkable for
its fine peach orchards.

RUN away from the subscriber, on the 1st of October, two Negroes,
man and wife, the man named TOBY, an old fellow, of a yel-
lowish complexion, grey beard, a bold head, walks with his feet pretty
much out, and has on the clothing of common negroes. The woman is
named Betty, is pretty tall, and very black. They are supposed to
have made off by water towards the lower end of North Carolina as they
were first brought from the county of Passpatank in that province. Who-
ever takes up and secures the said negroes, so that I get them again,
shall be handsomely rewarded, by applying to me in Brunswick county.
3 JAMES ADAMS.

THE DISTILLERY at Alexandria, in Virginia, with other im-
provements, to be LET for a term of years. Enquire of Mr.
William Holt, at Williamsburg, William Davies, esquire, at Norfolk, Mr.
George Gilpin, or Messiures Harper & Hortsborne, at Alexandria, Mr.
John Cornthwait, at Baltimore, or of Daniel Roberdeau, esquire, at Phi-
ladelphia.
The distillery and improvements consist of a distillery built of
stone, 71 feet by 39; a stone store 50 by 50, with granaries, in 2 stories
above the ground floor, and a sail or rigging loft above, the whole length
of the building; a molasses store, framed, that will contain 140 hog-
sheads; and a framed cooper’s shop 16 by 23, with a suitable chimney.
The distillery is furnished with two new stills about the same size, that
will hold to work 2500 gallons; and the working cisterns, 20 in num-
ber, will contain the same quantity each. It is also furnished with a
third still, that contains to work 600 gallons, for low wines. Each of
these stills have suitable worms and worm tubs. There is also a suitable
low wine cistern, and 5 very ample return cisterns outside of the house,
and under cover. The whole, and every part of the improvements, are
entirely new, executed by workmen from Philadelphia, and the distillery
under the immediate eye and direction of a gentleman of eminent capacity
in distillation. The works are supplied with good cool water from an
ample spring, by 2 pumps with brass chambers 6 inches diameter; and
the cisterns are charged with two other pumps, with chambers of block
tin of 5 inches diameter, through suction pipes of yellow poplar. All
these pumps are worked by a horse, in an adjoining millhouse of large
diameter, well constructed. There is also a woodyard, boarded 7 feet high,
that will contain much more than necessary for the distillery, into which
the wood may be thrown from the water. The whole of these improve-
ments are situated in Alexandria, below the bank; the distillery on fast
ground, and the cisterns fixed above the highest tide waters; the stores
and yard on a warf which, with the public wharf adjoining, of 66 feet,
makes an extent of more than 200 feet in width, 156 feet of which run
300 feet into Potowmack.

As it does not suit the owner of these improvements to remove his
residence from Philadelphia, he will let them at a moderate rent, with a
contract of 300 cords of ash wood yearly, for 5 years, cut into 4 feet
lengths, and deliverered on the Maryland shore, directly opposite to the
distilllery, and so near the water as to render any carriage unneccessary by
the heirs of Thomas Addison, esquire, deceased, at the rate of a dollar
per cord.

Any person inclining to lease the premises, may be furnished, on a
speedy application, wIth about 160 hogsheads of good, well chosen
molasses, with indulgence for payment. Enquire as above. tf

Column 2

FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD
FOR taking, and delivering to the subscriber, CAESAR, a remarkable
likely Virginia born negro man, about 22 or 23 years of age, 5
feet 10 or 11 inches high, has rather a sulky countenance, and lost 2 of
his upper teeth; had on, and took with him, a dark Virginia cloth coat,
with an under jacket of fearnought, 3 or 4 brown linen shirts, crimson
cloth breeches, and rolls trousers, blue yarn stockings, a pair of shoes, he
wore a hat, which he is fond of cocking three ways. As I lately purchased
him of Mr. Holt Richeson of King William county, I have some suspicion
he may be gone that way, but as he has a brother belonging to one Mr.
Ellington, of Amelia, who as often absconds as himself, it is possible he
may be lurking about there. I will give the above reward to the person
who will deliver him to me, or 20s. if he be confined in the county
prison where he is taken, or elsewhere, and notice give to
WILLIAM DANDRIDGE, junior.

RUN away from the subscriber, a Virginia born Negro fellow named
WALTON, 23 years of age, of a light complexion, middle sized,
has a pleasing countenance, his skin very smooth, one of his upper fore
teeth is decaying, which it is likely he will pull out, his hair on the fore
part of his head is cut short; he carried with him 4 shirts, 2 of them new
made, out of sheeting, 2 suits of cloaths, 1 of them made out of Russia
drilling, the other a dark brown, made out of duffil, trimmed with gilt
buttons, a surtout coat, velvet cap, hat, and every thing suitable for a
waitingman. As he is a very artful likely fellow he may endeavour to
pass for a free man; and I am doubtful he has got a pass from a Negro of
mine who can write a good hand. This fellow has waited on me for
3 years past, and always rode with me, so that he has a general acquaint-
ance; but as he was raised in Nansemond, near the place called the Old
Town,
it is probable he is gone there, as his friends live in that neigh-
bourhood. Whoever will take up the said runaway, and bring him home,
shall have 3£ or 30s. if committed to gaol. All persons are forbid to
harbour or carry the said fellow out of the colony. As he run away with-
out receiving any abuse, the taker-up will oblige me much by giving him
10 lashes every 10 miles.
PETERFIELD TRENT.

FREDERICKSBURG, November 23, 1774.
THE subscriber has just received by the last ships from London and
Liverpool, a general assortment of GOODS, which he will dispose
of, at his store in this place, upon the most reasonable terms for ready
money, tobacco, wheat, flour, corn, &c. As he intends to leave the
colony as soon as possible after the ensuing April general court, he in the
mean time earnestly requests all those indebted to him to be as speedy as
possible in their payments. Those who cannot immediately pay, he
hopes will by no means have any objection to giving their bonds, in order
that he may be enabled properly to settle his affairs before his departure.
WILLIAM PORTER.

To be SOLD on Thursday, the 29th of December, if fair, otherwise next
fair day, at the late dwellinghouse of Mary Booker, deceased, in Glou-
cester county,

ALL HER PERSONAL ESTATE, CONSISTING OF HOUSHOLD and
KITCHEN FURNITURE, stocks of CATTLE, HORSES,
SHEEP, and HOGS, the crop of CORN and FODDER, with the
PLANTATION TOOLS, &c. Six months credit will be allowed the
purchaser, on bond and good security. The bonds to carry interest from the
date, if not paid when they become due. Those who have demands a-
gainst the said estate, are desired to send in their accounts, properly
proved, to 4 THE EXECUTOR.

YORK, November 12, 1774.
For SALE,
MY DWELLINGHOUSE, &c. in York town. Five
years credit will be allowed, the purchaser giving
bond (with approved security) bearing interest from the
time the bargain is concluded upon.
tf J. H. NORTON.

To be SOLD, for ready money, by the executors of Newton Keene, deceased,
pursuant to his last will, by public auction, to the highest bidder, on
Monday the 19th of November next, if fair, otherwise the next fair
day, at the place called Newgate, in the county of Loudoun,

A TRACT of valuable LAND, lying in the said county, adjoining
to the said place called Newgate, and partly bounded by the Moun-
tain
road, containing about 1400 acres; about 100 acres whereof are
under a lease for one or two lives, at a small yearly rent. There is only
one small plantation, and but very little ground cleared thereon. It
has a considerable quantity of ground upon it, fit for improving into
meadow, and is extremely well watered and timbered. This land is
very conveniently situated, being only 25 miles from Alelxandria, 23 from
Dumfries, and 18 from Colchester, and has a merchant mill within less
than a mile of it. Newgate is a very public place, and well situated for
trade and public house keeping. Deeds will be executed on the day of sale.
There will also be sold, by the said executors, for ready money, at public
sale, on Monday the 9th of January next, if fair, otherwise the next
fair day, at the last dwelling plantation of the said Newton Keene,, in
Northumberland county, TWENTY very likely VIRGINIA born
NEGROES,
BELONGING TO HIS ESTATE.
RICHARD LEE,
DAVID BOYD, Executors.

RUN away, about the middle of September, a negro fellow named
JACK, about 35 years old, and about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high,
blind of one eye, and is cloathed as negroes generally are. TEN SHIL-
LINGS will be given to any person that will bring him to me, near
Williamsburg.
ANDREW ESTAVE.

PURSUANT to a decree of the honourable the general court, and by
letter of attorney from colonel George Mercer, of Virginia, now in
London, will be sold, at public auction, about 3500 acres of LAND,
in the county of Loudoun, near West’s ordinary, about 12 miles from
Leesburg, 40 from Alexandria, and 35 from Dumfries, on Potowmack.
This land is well known by the description of the Bull Run Mountains,
and is very fertile. Also 6500 acres on Shanandoah river, in the county
of Frederick, opposite to Snicker’s ordinary, and binding on the river
about 7 miles. As this tract is part of a survey, one of the first in that
part of the colony, its quality cannot be questioned; it is well watered,
will admit of 2 mills on land streams, and others on the river. There
are now in it 6 plantations, well improved for cropping, 110 slaves, and
very large and choice stocks of horses (some of the dray breed) black cat-
tle, 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 of Novermber next, or next
fair day. The Loudoun lands will be sold at West’s ordinary on the 21st
day of the same month, and both tracts laid off in lots to suit every pur-
chaser, who may see them by applying to Mr. Francis Peyton, living near
the Loudoun lands, and Mr. William Dowson, who resides on the Shanan-
doah
tract. Among the slaves are 2 good blacksmiths, 2 carpenters, and
an exceeding trusty and skilful waggoner. The aged black cattle and
grown hogs will be fattened for slaughter. Purchasers above 25£ will be
allowed credit for 12 months, on giving bond and security to the sub-
scribers, who will be prepared to make conveyances.
John Tayloe,
George Washington.

NEW YORK, July 27, 1774.
FIFTY POUNDS REWARD.
WHEREAS on the 19th of June last past a certain JOSEPH
THORP was entrusted with a considerable sum in half jo-
hannes, of nine penny weight, to be delivered by him at Quebec, and as
he has not yet made his appearance there, with other suspicious circum-
stances, it is apprehended he is gone off with the money. He is a native
of England, about 6 feet high, swarthy complexion, very dark, keen
eyes, and pitted with the smallpox, of a slender make, stoops as he walks,
talks rather slow, and has some small impediment in his speech. He
lived some time in Boston, from whence he removed to Quebec, assuming
the character of a merchant in both places; he was also once in trade
in Newcastle, Virginia, and has a brother settled there. It is believed
he went on board captain John F. Puym, for Albany, and took with
him a blue casimir, and a dark brown cloth suit of clothes. Whoever se-
cures the said Joseph Thorp in any of his majesty’s gaols on this continent
shall be entitled to ten per cent. on the sum recovered, and the above
reward of 50£ when convicted. Apply to Cuson and Seton of New York,
Joseph Wharton,
junior, of Philadelphia, Robert Chistie of Baltimore,
James Gibson,
and company of Virginia, John Bondfield of Quebec, Me-
latiab Bourne,
or John Rowe, of Boston. It is requested of those who
may have seen this Joseph Thorp since the 19th of June last past, or
know any thing of the rout he has taken, that they convey the most
early intelligence thereof to any of the above persons, or Greenwood, Rit-
son,
and Mash, in Norfolk, or to Mr. Robet Pleasants and company, at
Four Mile creek, Henico county; the favour will be gratefully acknow-
ledged. All masters of vessles are forewarned from taking him off the
continent.

Column 3

COLCHESTER, November 1, 1774.
THE subscriber some time ago adverised in the neighbourhood of this
place, that the business formerly transacted by him here, on ac-
count of Messieurs David Dalyell, George Oswald and company and
Oswald, Dennistbun, and company, of Glasgow, was declined by him on
the 10th of January last, and committed to the management of Mr.
John Gibson; and as he intends soon to leave the colony, he requests all
who have had dealings with him on account of either of the said com-
panies, and have not already settled their accounts, to come immediately
and settle with Mr. Gibson, who has transacted the business since the
10th of January last, and continues to carry it on. Those who have
claims against the said company for transactions with them, are desired
to apply to Mr. Gibson, that they may be adjusted.
HECTOR ROSS.

To be SOLD, to the highest bidder, for ready money, at Albemarle court-
house, on the 12th of January next,

SIX hundred and fifty acres of land, lying on Great and Little Buck Island
creeks, in the said county, by virtue of a deed of trust from Roland
Jones
to William Clopton. We shall attend on the said land the day before
court, to treat with any one that has a mind to purchase privately.
ROLAND JONES,
WILLIAM CLOPTON.

FOR SALE,
NINE hundred and forty acres of valuable land, lying
on both sides of Contrary River, in Louisa, with
three plantations thereon, two of which has sufficient
houses for 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 tobafcco, and situated in the best range for stock of any
below the great mountains. (ft 1*)

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 by water, and last month, in the dry wea-
ther, two canoe loads of wheat were carried 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 mechant 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.

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 pasage 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 Berkeley county,
tf FRANCIS WILLIS, junior.

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.

Original Format

Ink on paper

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Citation

Pinckney, John, -1777, printer, “The Virginia Gazette. Number 450, Thursday December 22, 1774,” Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, accessed March 29, 2024, https://cwfjdrlsc.omeka.net/items/show/150.
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