Supplement to the Virginia gazette. Number 1218, December 8, 1774
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DECEM. 8, 1774, SUPPLEMENT to the Virginia Gazette. No. 1218.
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WILLIAMSBURG, December 8
LAST Saturday Morning the Right Honourable the
COUNTESS of DUNMORE was safely delivered
of a Daughter, at the Palace. Her Ladyship con-
tinues in a very favourable Situation, and the young
Virginian is in perfect Health.
Sunday last, in the Afternoon, his Excellency the
Governour arrived at the Palace in this City, from his Expedition
against the Indians, who have been humbled into a Necessity of
soliciting Peace themselves, and have delivered Hostages for the
due Observance of the Terms; which cannot fail of giving general
Satisfaction, as they confine the Indians to Limits that entirely
remove the Grounds of future Quarrel between them and the
People of Virginia, and lay a Foundation for a fair and extensive
Indian Trade, which, if properly followed, must produce the
most beneficial Effects to this Country.
We hear that four of the principal Shawanese Warriours are
expected here in a few Days, and that twelve Headmen and
Warriours of the Delaware and other Tribes are left at Fort Dunmore,
as Hostages. The Indians have delivered up all the white Prison-
ers in their Towns, with the Horse and other Plunder they took
from the Inhabitants, and even offered to give up their own
Horses.
Considering the present high Price of SALT, which we are
credibly informed was last Week sold, from on Board a Vessel in
York River, for 3s. 9d. a Bushel, Mr. TAIT’S Scheme for supply-
ing the Publick with that Commodity, manufactured in the Colo-
ny, deserves more general Attention and Encouragement. He
offers his Salt at a Shilling the Bushel, or a Pistereen at most.
The Donald, Ramsay (via Holland) in seven Weeks Passage,
and the Warwick, M’Vey, in 28 Days, from Glasgow, are ar-
rived in James River.
To his Excellency the Right Honourable JOHN Earl of DUNMORE,
his Majesty’s Lieutenant and Governour General of the Colony
and Dominion of Virginia, and Vice Admiral of the same:
The humble ADDRESS of the City of Williamsburg.
My Lord,
WE his Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Mayor,
Recorder, Aldermen and Common Council, of the City of
Williamsburg, in Common Hall assembled, beg Leave to embrace
the earliest Opportunity of congratulating your Lordship on the
Conclusion of a dangerous and fatiguing Service, in which you
have lately been engaged, and on your Return to this City.
It is with Pleasure we hear your Lordship has been able to de-
feat the Designs of a cruel and insidious Enemy, and at the same
Time that your Lordship has esaped those Dangers to which your
Person must have been frequently exposed.
Permit us also, upon this Occasion, to express our Congratula-
tions on the late Addition to your Family by the Birth of a Daugh-
ter; and to assure you, that we wish to your Lordship every Degree
of Felicity, and that we shall contribute towards its Attainment,
as far as lies in our Power, daring your Residence amongst us.
To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following
ANSWER.
Gentlemen,
I AM obliged to you for this Address. The Fatigue and Danger
of the Service which I undertook, out of Commiseration for
the deplorable State which, in particular, the back Inhabitants
were in, and to manifest my Solicitude for the Safety of the Coun-
try in general, which his Majesty has committed to my Care, has
been amply rewarded by the Satisfaction I feel in having been able
to put an effectul Stop to a bloody War.
I thank you for the Notice you are pleased to take of the Event
which has happened in my Family; and I doubt not that, as I
have hitherto experienced the Marks of your Civility, you will
continue in the same friendly Disposition towards me.
To his Excellency the Earl of DUNMORE, Governour of Virginia.
May it please your Excellency,
WE his Majesty’s dutiful and loyal Subjects, the President and
Professors of William and Mary College, moved by an Im-
pulse of unfeigned Joy, cannot help congratulating your Excellency
on such a Series of agreeable Events, as the Success of your Enter-
prise against the Indians, the Additon to your Family by the
Birth of a Daughter, and your safe as well as glorious Return to
the Capital of this Dominion.
May the great Fatigues and Dangers, which you so readily and
cheerfully undergo in the Service of your Government, be ever
crowned with Victory! May you ever find the publick Benefits
thence arising attended with domestick Blessings! And, may you
always feel the enlivening Pleasure of reading in the Countenances
around you, wherever you turn your Eyes, such Expressions of
Affection as can be derived only from applauding and grateful
Hearts!
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To which his Excellency was pleased to return the following
ANSWER.
Gentlemen,
I CANNOT but receive every Instance of the Attention of a
learned and respectable Body, such as yours, with a great De-
gree of Satisfaction; but the affectionate, and very obliging Terms,
in which you are pleased to express your good Wishes towards me,
on this Occasion, demand my cordial Thanks, and will ever be
impressed on my Mind.
The following is the Copy of a Letter from MR. JOHN NORTON,
Merchant in London, to his Correspondent in Virginia, dated
London, September 23, 1774.
SIR,
I AM very sorry I am under the disagreeable Necessity of being
obliged to vindicate my Character with Respect to a Charge
laid against me by my Friend (as I once throught him) Mr. John
Balledine.
I never heard of this Gentleman, even by Name, till I received
a Letter of Recommendation from you in his Favour. Upon his
Arrival here, I invited him to my House, as a Stranger, a Friend
of yours, whom I had Reason to wish to oblige, and particularly as
he was a Virginian. I made it my Study to introduce him to the
Gentlemen that I thought were most likely to be of Service to him
here, and in Liverpool. I never had the least Disagreement with
him, from the Time I first saw him to his Departure. He pro-
fessed great Friendship for me, and my Family, when he left
London; and from whence his Malevolence against me can pro-
ceed I am utterly at a Loss to conceive, unless I as not so liberal
as to advance him the Money he wished for, which I could not
with Convenience spare, especially to a Person I knew so little of,
except by Report, and who had no Letters of Credit to me to ad-
vance him any Money. His Estate in Virginia was much involved,
I was pretty well informed. However, upon his Application be-
for his Departure, that if I could let him have 100£ for six
Months, on a Bill he would draw upon Colonel George William
Fairfax (which would be accepted by that Gentleman, and should
be punctually remitted for as soon as he returned) it would oblige
him much, I consented thereto, and paid the Money. And be-
hold! this is the Return of Gratitude: I find I am to be the Sub-
ject of his Abuse in publick Places in Virginia, and my good Name en-
deavoured to be taken from me. However, lest I shoud be thought
to set myself down to be trodden upon, or by Silence to acquiesce
in the Charge, in my own Justification, I most solemnly declare,
to the best of my Knowledge, that the Whole of the Charge he
has laid against me, recited in my Son’s Letter of the 6th of Au-
gust, is, in every Part, a most egregious Falsity. I think the World
will never suppose me so weak as to say, I wish the People by
whom I get my Bread were at the Devil, provided my Debts
were paid. As a Christian, it would be base; and the Expression
is replete with Horrour and Want of Charity, not to say good
Manners. I never said, or even thought it.
As to the Merchants laughing at the Petition he says he gave
them to sign, praying his Majesty would not pass the Boston Bill,
with Respect to myself, I declare I never saw it but in Print, and
never was asked to sign it. It is true, in private Conversation with
a Gentleman, I declared I was ready to join the North American
Merchants in any Petition for the common Cause, when in a Body;
but I was of Opinion, that unless they united little Success might
be expected, and the Northern Merchants should in this Case take
the Lead. But as the Bill had passed the House of Commons and
Lords, it was judged by the Merchants in general to be absurd to
join in a Petition at that Time. As to his telling me in my
Compting House, “that he should publish my Declaration to his
Countrymen as soon as he arrived in Virginia,” it carries with it its
own Conviction, for I never made any such. Could such Words pro-
ceed without a Difference between us, which never existed? And
can it be supposed Mr. Ballendine would express himself to me in
those Words at a Time when he was soliciting the Loan of Money
from me, or I so mean as to take such an Insult from a Man I was
endeavouring to serve? It may be thought of little Consequence
to the World for me to give my political Opinion concerning the
Matters in Dispute between Great Britain and her Colonies, with
Regard to Taxation. However, I will venture to say, in a few
Words, that I am clear the Parliament of England have no Sort of
Right to tax America; and that, if at any Time it is judged neces-
sary, on Emergencies, to raise Money, it should be done by their
own Assemblies, in a Manner the most easy to themselves. And
as to the East India Company’s Meanness in forcing their Tea into
America, at the Request of the ministry, it ought to be resented
by every Wellwisher to the Colonies. I ask your Parden, Sir, for
taking up so much of your Time in the Perusal of this Letter,
which might be appropriated to better Purpose. I am, very res-
pectfully, dear Sir, your very obedient Servant,
John Norton.
***The original Letter is left with the Printer, for the Perusal
of such Persons as may be inclinable to see it.
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Mr. PURDIE,
Please to insert the following Queries in your next Gazette, and you will oblige
An ASSOCIATOR.
HOW comes it to pass that a Man, who from his office, as well as his outward
Professions, ought to be a warm Friend to his Country, should be so much on the
high Ropes at the Sentence given by the York Committee against a Ship belonging to his
Friend at London; who, it is admitted on all Hands, had knowingly violated the Associ-
ation of this Country with Respect to the Importation of Tea?
How comes it to pass that this same Gentleman, after having promoted on his Part,
as far as he was able, the general Non-importation Scheme, should secretly supply himself
with Goods for two or three Years to come, purchased in this Country; by which Means
he has avoided the Effects of a Non-importation, directly contrary to the true Spirit of the
Association?
How comes it to pass that this very Gentleman, when the Acts of Trade constitute one
of the main Grievances of America, should solicit for, at least not prevent, his Son’s
Appointment to the Office of a Comptroller, whose Duty it will be to see those Laws
carried into Execution?
Is there not a Rule subsisting in common as well as legal Justice, that he,
Qui non prohibet quod prohibere potest facere videtur.
He who does not prevent, what it is in his Power to do, is supposed to be the Doer
himself.
LONDON, October 13.
THEY write from New England, that General Lee, lately in
the Service of the King of Poland, said to be a very able
Officer, and a great Friend to the Pretensions of America, is very
active in travelling about that Country, conversing with the Officers
of their Militia, and giving his Advice for the Improvement of
their Discipline, &c. but General Gage keeps a strict Eye on him.
Orders are given for the two Regiments of the Light Infantry,
now lying in Chatham Barracks, to march for Plymouth, where
they are to be embarked immediately for New York.
This Day there was a numerous Meeting of People in Covent
Garden, in Order to nominate Persons to respresent the City of
Westminster in the ensuing Parliament. The Candidates that
were present were the Lords Montmorris, Mahon, and Clinton,
and Humphry Cotes, Esq. After some necessary Business was over,
Mr. Wilkes led the two former Noblemen forward, and they
addressed the Audience with assuring them, that should they have
the Honour of being elected they would fulfil, to the utmost of
their Power, the Articles they had signed, and returned Thanks
for the numerous Appearance there seemed to be in their Favour.
Mr. Wilkes then gave the first Vote for Lord Montmorris, and
Humnphry Cotes, Esq; after which a Party of Butchers, with
Marrowbones and Cleavers, and a Flag on which was wrote
”Piercy and Clinton, Natives of Westminster, Friends to Liberty,”
assembled before the Hustings, and behaved rather in a daring Man-
ner, which so exasperated the Populace, that the universal Cry was,
”Pelt them pelt them;” but they still persisting to wave the
Flag, some Persons on the Hustings seized it, and tore it to Pieces.
This occasioned a great Riot, in which a smart Altercation ensued
between Lord Viscount Mahon and Colonel Philips, which at last
terminated in a Challenge. The Riot was so great that no Polling
could go on, upon which the Books were shut at one o’Clock, and
the returning Officer declared they should be opened again to-
morrow Morning, at nine.
On Saturday the Hon. Charles Fox, and William Strahan, Esq;
his Majesty’s Printer, were elected Members for Malmsbury, in
Wilts, without Opposition.
Extract of a Letter from Banbury, October 7.
”This Day came on the Election of a Member to represent this
Borough in Parliament, when Lord North was unanimously elected.”
On Thursday Lord Irnham, and his Son Captain Luttrell,
were chosen Members for Stockbridge.
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth October 18.
”Yesterday 300 Marines embarked on Board the Asia and
Scarborough Men of War, for Boston.”
Extract of a Letter from Chatham, October 12.
”Yesterday a Detachment of Marines of this Division, consist-
ing of 150 Men, besides Officers, among whom is Major Pitcairn,
is ordered to march from thence to Portsmouth, to be embarked
in the Ships now fitting out at that Port for Boston.”
October 20. The Marines under Orders for Boston are to be
disembarked there, and to act in Conjunction with the Land Forces.
General Gage’s Line of Conduct is now most plainly discovered,
and proves how unfit he is for the exalted and powerful Situation
of a Commander in Chief. In his Answers to the Addresses pre-
sented to him by the Colonists, he entered into illiberal Invectives,
and condescends to stoop to Individuals in his Replies, by which
Means he loses all the Diguity of the Legislator.
Letters from Spain mention, that Orders are just received in all
the Seaports of that Kingdom, for fitting out a second Fleet for
America with the utmost Expedition.
This Morning, about eight o’Clock, a great Number of Free-
holders of Middlesex met John Wilkes and John Glynn, Esqrs.
at the Mansion House, from whence a Cavalcade soon after set out
for Brentford, in the following Order: Two Flags with French-
horns, and upwards of 100 Freeholders on Horseback, preceded
the Lord Mayor’s Coach drawn by six Horses, in which were the
Candidates and his Lordship. This was followed by between 60
and 70 Coaches and Post Chaises, and these were joined at Hyde
Park Corner by a great Number of other Carriages from West-
minster. At eleven o’Clock the Procession arrived, amidst the
loudest Acclamations, at the Hustings and Brendtford, and the Busi-
ness of the Day was immediately opened by the Sheriff, when John
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Wilkes, Esq; and John Glynn, Esq; were nominated as fit and
proper Persons to represent the County of Middlesex in the ensu-
ing Parliament; the former was nominated by Mr. Scott, the
latter by Mr. Reynolds. They were alternately proposed, and
seconded. The Sheriff repeatedly requested, whether there were
any other Candidates; and not any other Persons offering them-
selves, the Sheriff declared them duly elected. Lords Mount-
morris and Mahon then came forward, congratulating the Free-
holders upon the happy Event of the Day, recommending their
Cause to the Attention of the Freeholders who were Inhabitants
of Westminster: and declared, that would but the People of
Westminster speedily come forward, who were affected to the
Cause of Liberty, they had no Doubt of Success. The two Mem-
ers elect next came forward, and returned Thanks to the Free-
holders. Mr. Wilkes was then chaired, and carried through
Brentford amidst a great Number of Freeholders and others; but
Serjeant Glynn begged Leave to decline that Honour, on Account
of his being greatly indisposed with the Gout. And the Business
of the Day was ended.
Twenty Pieces of Cannon were discharded at Brentford Butts
when Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Glynn arrived, and the same Number
was fired off when they went away. After the Election was
over, the Lord Mayor, the two Members, the Sheriffs, and many
more Gentlemen their Friends, went to Richmond, to dine
together.
The Lord Mayor elect will be presented to the Lord Chancellor,
for the Royal Approbation, on the third of November.
This Day’s Gazette contains a Proclamation prohibiting the Ex-
portation of Gunpowder, Arms, Ammunition, and Saltpetre, dur-
ing the Space of six Months.
October 27. The Delivery of all Letters from America, on Government Account, is
now observed with the utmost Secrecy; three different Packets, by the Way of Holland,
are said to have been received in the Space of ten Days.
Saturday’s Proclamation, it is said, was occasioned by Intelligence received from Shef-
field and Birmingham of amazing Quantities of Fire Arms, &c. being nearly ready to be
sent to America, in Consequence of an Order received from thence some Time since.
Two Vessels laden with Gunpowder, and other military Utensils, bound for the other
Side of the Atlantick, were stopped at Gravesend on Monday by the out Clearers in Con-
sequence of the King’s Proclamation inserted in Saturday Night’s Gazette.
Several Stands of Arms have been sent off last Week from the Tower, to America;
where, from the Opposition daily gaining Ground, they are much wanted. One general
Order to all the Adjutants, in the several Regiments there, is to read over the Muster Roll
every two Hours; so strictly is the Discipline kept up, and so much are the Officers ap-
prehensive of Desertion.
Orders were sent down on Tuesday Evening to Plymouth for the Boyne and Ardent
Men of War to proceed immediately for New England, as soon as the Land Forces can be
embarked, which was to be set about as soon as the Express got down.
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, October 24.
”This Morning a Messenger arrived here from London, with Despatches for General
Gage at Boston. He was immediately put on Board the Scarborough Man of War, which
was waiting at Spithead, soon after which they weighed Anchor, and sailed with a fair
Wind.”
Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, October 29.
”Yesterday the Hind Sloop of War, Lieutenant Nichols, went out of the Harbour to
Spithead. A Detachment of Marines from Chatham are come here, and were embarked
on Board the Asia Man of War, Captain Vandeput, who has received Orders to sail im-
mediately with the Scarborough Frigat and Hind Sloop for Boston. The Marines were
drawn up in Barrack Yard before their Embarkation, but refused before they were paid,
which occasioned some Confusion; however, on their being paid, every Thing was quiet,
and this Day all their Camp Equipage was sent on Board.
The Asia and Scarborough Men of War are sailed from Portsmouth for America.
A Gentleman who lately arrived here from the North of Ireland says, the present dis-
tracted Situation of Affairs in America will greatrly affect the northern Parts of that King-
dom, as all Orders sent to New York for Flax Seed have been negatived; in Consequence
of which the Staple Manufacture of Ireland is likely to remain at a Stand until the Disputes
between Great Briain and her Colonies are settled.
The Duty on Tea in America after the Officers and other incidental Expenses had been
discharged, would have produced the enormous Sum of 85£ and upwards, and the dis-
continuing the Plantation of Tobacco will be productive of the inconsiderable Loss to the
Revenue of 800,000£. Government, therefore, has no Occasion to be affected at the Ob-
stinancy and Perverseness of the Americans, as they will be considerable Gainers in the End.
The Courts of Spain and France seem very jealous of the naval and military Forces sent
lately to America, as if it was sent out from other Motives than barely with an Intention of
bringing the Bostonians to Reason.
A Letter received in Town from an English Gentleman at Brest says, that a French Fri-
gat and a Snow lately sailed from that Port for America, laden with Firelocks, Gunpow-
der, &c. It is added, that two experienced military Gentlemen embarked on Board the
said Frigat.
They write from Toulon, that two fine new Ships of 74 Guns each, Genoese built,
and four Frigats completely manned, are lately sailed from that Port for the West Indies.
These Ships are full of Troops, and had six Months Provisions on Board.
The Portuguese seem to be preparing their Kingdom for Defence. By Advices no less
authentick than recent, if appears that 10,000 Seamen have been raised; that a general
Muster of the Forces has been made; that the Troops, consisting of 40,000, have been
exercised, new clothes, and practised in the Arts of military Discipline. From these Pre-
parations, it is evident that Portugal at least is determined to shake off that Supineness for
which her Councils and her Arms have been so much famed.
Lord North went down to Kew on Saturday last, being worn out with the Chagrin of
Office, and made the Offer of a formal Resignation of his Places; which his Majesty refused
to accept at so critical a Period, commanding his Lordship to continue the Business of Office,
till it was more convenient for the Affairs of the State to admit of such a Deciension.
Orders are given from the Navy Office for contracting for 1000 Oxen and 2000 Hogs,
in some of the western Counties, for the Use of the Navy.
Two West India Governours have received Orders, we hear, to retun home immedi-
ately, on Account of repeated Complaints of their Inattention and Inability.
Yesterday the City Remembrancer, &c. waited on the Lord Chancellor to know what
Day his Lordship would permit the Lord Mayor elect to be presented to him for his Appro-
bation, when he appointed Friday next, which happens to be Mr. Wilkes’s Birthday.
A Coach and a Chariot are finished in an elegant Manner, for the Use of the Lord Mayor
elect and his Daughter; the Chariot is for the latter, who is to appear as Lady Mayoress.
It is at last finally settled, that Sir Fletcher Norton is to be Speaker of the new House of
Commons, the Serive of Plate usually presented on these Occasions being now stamping
with his Arms.
The Wheat, almost through all the County of Bedford, is got into the Ground; and
the Farmers allow that the late serene Weather after the Rains has ocasioned the finest
Seed Time remembered for 50 Years past.
Yesterday Earl of Percy and Lord Pelham Clinton were elected Members of Parliament
for the City of Westminster.
This Day the Lord Mayor, Mess. Sawbridge, Oliver, and Hayley, were retuned by the
Sheriffs to serve as members of Parliament for this City.
GLASGOW, October 27. The Betsey, Orr, Freindship, Leitch, Brunswick, M’Larty,
Christie, Lee, Britannia, Watson, and William, Smith, are all arrived from Virginia,
with Tobacco.
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