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

Supplement, No. 4, February 24, 1775

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Supplement, No. 4, February 24, 1775

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[Supplement to the Virginia Gazette, No. 4, February 24, 1775]

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[2] pages

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SUPPLEMENT. No. 4. FEBRUARY 24,
1775.

BOSTON, January 30.
IN our last we mentioned several instances
of the most flagrant abuse offered to the
inhabitants of this town by some of the
officers of the army, especially a high-
handed riot on the evening of Friday the
22d instant, the particulars of which we
deferred till the matter had been inquired
into by the magistrates before whom com-
plaint had been made by the town watch.
On Tuesday and Wednesday last there
was a full and impartial examination of
witnesses before the Worshipful Edmund
Quincy and John Hill, Esquires, two of
his Majesty's justices of the quorum for this
county. By the evidence, it appeared as
we are informed, that previous to the riot
the following circumstances took place :
A little after 10 o'clock two young men
passing down Milk street, near the entrance
into Long lane, they were accosted by an
officer, not in the English, but as they
supposed in another language, which they
did not understand; they asked him what
he meant; he said, he meant to tell them
to go about their business. They said they
were going, and passed along into Long
lane. They had not gone far before the
officer called to them to stop; they stop-
ped till he came up to them, and angry
words ensued. The young men, however,
parted from him the second time, and
went on their way toward their homes. The
officer followed, and overtook them near
the head of the lane, and stopped them
again, telling them he supposed they were
stiff Americans; to which one of them said,
he gloried in the character. Here again
angry words ensued, and the officer drew
his sword, flourished it, and struck one of
the young men on the arm, who imme-
diately seized him. At this juncture, three
or four of the town watch, who were up-
on the patrol, came up and separated them,
advising them to go home. The two
young men did so, but the officer refused,
saying he was the prisoner of the watch,
and would go with them; they told him
he was not their prisoner, but might go
where he pleased, and, if he desired it,
they would see him safe home, but he in-
sisted upon it that he was their prisoner.
The watchmen went down the lane towards
their head quarters in King street, where
they had been going before, and the offi-
cer accompanied them. In the way they
met with several persons, whom they took
to be servants of officers, who, supposing
this officer to be in the custody of the
watch, attempted to rescue him; but he
insisted upon his being a prisoner, and said
the watchmen were his friends, and he
would go with them. They then went
forward, and in Quaker lane, which leads
into King street, they were met and as-
saulted by more than twenty officers of the
army, who took their watch poles from
them, and wounded some of them. We
thought it necessary thus far to give a de-
tail of the affair, that our readers might
know by what means this riot was intro-
duced.

The particulars that happened after-
wards are too many to be enumerated in
a newspaper. It is sufficient to say, that
upon the evidence the justices thought pro-
per to bind eight of the officers, and a sad-
dler who has lived a few years in town, to
answer for their conduct at the superiour
court, and in the meantime to be on good
behaviour; but the good people of this
county will rather choose to hear no more
of this matter than return jurors to the
superiour court upon the act of Parliament
to regulate the government of this province,
which they have resolved never to sub-
mit to.

Our friends at New York, and the other
colonies, are again desired not to pay the

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least regard to the false assertions, and
lying extracts of letters, published in
Rivington's paper, designed to aggra-
vate the sufferings of, and render odious,
the oppressed town of Boston. The
enemies of our common cause are reduc-
ed to such straits as to avail themselves
of little temporary misrepresentations; of
this nature we may reckon the account
given in the above mentioned paper of the
horse that was stabbed by the soldiery, and
the letter asserted to be wrote by two or
three of our committee of correspondence
to the committee of Portsmouth, respect-
ing the designs of General Gage upon their
fort. The falsity of the former is so no-
torious in this town, that no person will
venture to own himself the author of it;
and the committee of correspondence are
ready to prove, to every one who desires
it, that the latter is equally false. As to
another assertion, in the same paper, that
the Farmer of Pennsylvania had deserted
the cause of the colonies, in which he had
hitherto been so gloriously and successful-
ly engaged, it is impossible even the prin-
ter himself could really believe it. The
late publications of that Gentleman, and
some very recent letters to his private
friends, breathe the same noble sentiments,
the same temperate but fixed and deter-
mined spirit of patriotism, which have ren-
dered his character so illustrious. Such
kind of publications can proceed from no-
thing but an over-eagerness in the printer
to convince his employers that he is ready
to do any kind of work for his pension.
A despicable pamphlet lately printed here,
now commonly called the Gray Maggot,
has asserted, "that the only apology that
could be made for the conduct of the Con-
tinental Congress in adopting the Suffolk
resolves was that they came into this vote
immediately after drinking 32 bumpers of
Madeira, of which, the next morning,
when their heads were cool, they were
ashamed, and then prudently determined
to do no business after dinner for the fu-
ture." If it would not affront the vene-
rable characters of that truly august as-
sembly to take so much notice of this most
impudent and false assertion, as seriously
to contradict it, we would say, that it ap-
pears, from the minutes of the Congress,
that as they sat till late in the afternoon,
they never did any business after dinner,
and that the Suffolk resolves were acted
upon on a Saturday in the forenoon. From
an astonishing height of unblushing false-
hoods, and the basest calumny against the
most respectable characters, the enemies
of our common rights have now obtained;
and how ready they are to perform any
dirty drudgery, for the sake of procuring
or preserving a title or lucrative place.

We hear from Eastou, that on the 18th
of October last 53 of the amiable Daugh-
ters of Liberty met at the Reverend Mr.
Campbell's, and presented Mrs. Campbell
with 280 skeines of cotton, linen, worst-
ed, woollen, and tow yarn, some stock-
ings, and pieces of cloth, &c. Then they
walked in orderly procession to the meet-
ing-house, where a sermon was preached
by their reverend pastor, suitable to the
occasion; and after divine service they re-
turned to the house of their reverend pas-
tor, in the same orderly manner, where
they pleasantly regaled themselves with
cake, cheese, and wine. Then each one
of them seasonably returned to their res-
pective families. The whole was conduct-
ed with the greatest decency and good or-
der, and every countenance indicated a
noble spirit for liberty, and the promotion
of our own manufactures.

The following extract of a letter from
Marshfield, dated the 23d of January, will

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in some measure account for the ma-
noeuvre, mentioned in our last, of sending
a detachment of 100 men to Marshfield :
"That he is in the midst of a set of the
worst tories now on New England ground;
that Beau Ford and his club collected the
Tuesday and Wednesday before at Daniel
White's, to the number or about 200 (boys,
negroes, &c.) and most of them went on
board a sloop, and appointed said White
master, being all armed, and having with
them two swivel guns; that they had sent
young Simple Sappling express to the
Governour, to whom they had wrote all
the falsity possible, and would make him
believe they were in danger of being visited
on account of signing Brigadier Ruggles's
association, though no person ever took
the least notice of it to them; they say
they intend to stand by one another, and
expect an armed schooner in the river to
protect them, and that the King will make
them masters of our estates, and pay them
well for their time. Never was there such
a set collected together before, and we
shall as soon as possible collect their names,
and more of their proceedings; that so
their accounts may be contradicted, as
their reigning principle is lying.

By a vessel from Cape Nichola Mole, we
learn that on the 8th of December there
was a most violent gale of wind off Hispa-
niola, in which a sloop, Capt. Williams,
belonging to Newbury, was drove out of
Turk island, but returned again, having
one man killed. Capt. Martin, of Ma-
ryland, in a sloop, was drove out of the
same place, and lost his boat, cabouse,
and rudder, on the Caicos bank, and put
into the Mole to refit. Capt. Cunning_
ham, in a schooner belonging to New
York, was also drove out, and was o the
Caicos bank from 10 in the morning till
8 at night, lost a passenger overboard, his
boat and mainmast, drifted aboard a vessel
bottom up, and afterwards got into the
Mole. Capt. Stiles, in a large schooner
from St. Thomas's, belonging to Marble-
head, foundered; the Captain, mate, and
one more saved, all the rest perished.
Capt. Graham, in a brig belonging to
Philadelphia, bound to Virginia, was lost
on the Caicos bank, the people all saved.
A sloop, belonging to Mr. Paul Bascom of
Bermuda, foundered, and three men only
saved. Capt. Wallace, in a ship from
Philadelphia, was lost on the Caicos bank;
but the people, and part of the cargo,
saved. Capt. Morgan, in a sloop belong-
ing to Bermuda, was drove out from Turk
island, and had not been heard of since,
Capt. Wattles, in a brig from Connecti
cut, lost his foremast, rigging, sails, and
four horses; he refitted at the Mole, and
proceeded to Jamaica. Great damage is
said to be done by the gale to the planta-
tions on Hispaniola.

A Gentleman at Newport, who had
been suspected of being an enemy to his
country, to convince his townsmen to the
contrary, had bought a dog and named
him Tory.

By the Acconnt kept of the burials in
this town, it appears that there have been
buried from the several regiments, from
the 10th of July 1774 to the 27th of Jan.
1775, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, and 185
men, women, and children, besides several
seamen from the men of war and transports.

The Governours of New Jersey and New
York have lately met their Assemblies, to
whom they made just such speeches as Lord
North would have made. Some say those
speeches were actually imported, from St.
James's juncto, in one of the late ships.

We hear that a man in Dunstable, in
this province, owing another about 100l.
O.T. he went to him for the money, but
he told him, that, as there was no law in

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the province, he was resolved not to pay the
debt; upon which the creditor expostu-
lates with the debtor, tells him his necessi-
ty, that he wanted the money to pay an ho-
nest debt, which he had promised to do by
that time, and must have it. The debtor
still persisted in his resolution not to pay
the money, repeating, that there was no
law in the province.
The creditor begged
him not to take advantage of the times to
evade the debt, but the debtor still per-
sisted in his resolution, and they both walk-
ed to the door. The creditor says to him,
you said there was no law in the province,
and immediately knocks him down with
his fist; the debtor gets up again, and a-
gain is knocked down by the creditor;
who repeats, you say, there is no law!
This being thrice repeated, the debtor
begs the creditor to desist; assuring him,
that if he would return with him into the
house he would pay the money, which he
accordingly did.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 1.
PROCEEDINGS of the CONVENTION for
the province of
PENNSYLVANIA, held at the
Statehouse in Philadelphia, January 32,
1775, and continued by adjournments to
the 28th.

THE chariman of the Philadelphia com-
mittee opened the convention, by
explaining the motives which induced
said committee to propose the holding this
convention.

Joseph Reed, Esq; was chosen Presi-
dent
of this convention.

Mess. Jonathan B. Smith, John Benezet,
and Francis Johnson, Esq; were chosen
Secretaries.

On motion, resolved unanimously, that
the committee of the city of Philadelphia,
and each county committee, shall have
one vote in determining every question
that may come before this convention.

Resolved unanimously, that this conventi-
on most heartily approve of the conduct
and proceedings of the Continental Con-
gress, that we will faithfully endeavour to
carry into execution the measures of the
association entered into and recommended
by them, and that the members of that
very respectable body merit our warmest
thanks, by their great and disinterested
labours for the preservation of the rights
and liberties of the British colonies.

On motion, resolved unanimously, that
it be, and it is hereby recommended to
the several members of this convention,
to promote and encourage instructions or
advice from their several counties, to their
representatives in General Assembly, to
procure a law prohibiting the future im-
portation of slaves into this province.

Resolved unanimously, that in case the
trade of the city and liberties of Philadel-
phia shall be suspended, in consequence of
the present struggle, it is the opinion of
this convention that the several counties
should, and that the members of this con-
vention will, exert themselves to afford all
the necessary relief and assistance to the
inhabitants of the said city and liberties
who will be more immediately affected by
such an event.

Resolved unanimously, that if any oppo-
sition shall be given to any of the commit-
tees of this province in carrying the associ-
ation of the Continental Congress into
execution, the committes of the other
counties, in order to preserve the said
association inviolate, will give all the
weight and assistance in their power to the
committee who shall meet with such op-
position.

Resolved immediately, that it is the most
earnest wish and desire of this convention
to see harmony restored between Great
Britain and the colonies; that we will
exert our utmost endeavours for the attain-
ment of that most desirable object; that
it is the opinion of this body that the com-
mercial opposition pointed out by the

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Continental Congress, if faithfully adhered
to, will be the means of rescuing this
unhappy country from the evils meditated
against it. But if the humble and loyal
petition of said Congess to his most gra-
cious Majesty should be disregarded, and
the British Administration, instead of re-
dressing our grievances, should determine
by force to effect a submission to the late
arbitrary acts of the British Parliament, in
such a situation, we hold it our indispen-
sable duty to resist such force, and at every
hazard to defend the rights and liberties of
America.

Whereas it has been judged necessary,
for the preservation of our just rights and
liberties, to lay a restraint on our impor-
tation, and as the freedom, happiness, and
prosperity of a state, greatly depend on
providing within itself a supply of articles
necessary for subsistence, clothing, and
defence, a regard for our country, as well
as common prudence, call upon us to en-
courage agriculture, manufactures, and
economy; therefore, this convention do
resolve as follows:

Resolved unanimously, that, from and
after the first day of March next, no per-
son or persons should use in his, her, or
their families, unless in cases of necessity,
and on no account sell to the butchers, or
kill for the market, any sheep under four
years old; and where there is a necessity
for using any mutton in their families, it
is recommended to kill such as are at least
profitable to keep.

Resolved unanimously, that we recom-
ment the setting up of woollen manufac-
tures,
in as many different branches as
possible; especially coating, flannel, blan-
kets, rugs or coverlids, hosiery, and coarse
cloths, both broad and narrow.

Rosolved unanimously, that each person,
having proper land, should raise a quantity
of flax and hemp, sufficient not only for
the use of his own family; but also to spare
to others in moderate terms; and that it
be recommended to the farmers to provide
themselves early with a sufficient quantity
of feed, for the proposed increase of the
above articles of hemp and flax.

Resolved unanimously, as salt is a daily
and almost indispensable necessary of life,
and the making of it among ourselves
must be esteemed a valuable acquisition,
we therefore recommend the making of it
in the manner used in England and other
countries; and are of opinion it may be
done with success in the interiour parts of
the province, where there are salt springs,
as well as on the sea coasts.

Resolved unanimously, that saltpetre being
an article of great use and consumption,
we recommend the making of it, and are
of farther opinion it may be done to great
advantage.

Resolved unanimously, that the necessity
we may be under for gunpowder, especially
in the Indian trade, induces us to recom-
mend the manufacturing that article as
largely as possible, by such persons who
are or may be owners of powder mills in
this province.

Resolved unanimously, that we recom-
mend the manufacturing of iron into nails
and wire and all other articles necessary
for carrying on our manufactures evidently
in general use; and which, of consequence,
should our unhappy differences continue,
will be in great demand.

Resolved unanimously, that we are of
opinion the makig of steel ought to be
largely prosecuted, as the demand for this
article will be great.

Resolved unanimously, that we recom-
mend the making of different kids of
paper, now in use among us, to the several
manufacturers; and as the success of this

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branch depends on a supply of old linen
and woollen rags, request the people of
this province, in their respective houses,
may order the necessary steps to be taken
for preserving these, otherwise useless,
articles.

Resolved unanimously, that as the con-
sumption of glass is greater than the glass
houses now established among us can sup-
ply, we recommend the setting up other
glass houses, and are of opinion they would
turn out to the advantage of the propri-
etors.

Resolved unanimously, that whereas wool
combs
and cards have, for some time, been
manufactured in some of the neighbouring
colonies, and are absolutely necessary for
carrying on the hosiery and clothing busi-
ness, we do recommend the establishing
such a manufactory in this province.

Resolved unanimously, that we also re-
commend the manufacturing of copper
into sheets, bottoms, and kettles.

Resolved unanimously, that we recom-
mend the making tin plates, as an article
worthy the attention of the people of this
province.

Resolved unanimously, that as printing
types
are now made to a considerable degree
of perfecting by an ingenious artist in Ger-
mantown, it is recommended to the prin-
ters to use such types, in preference to any
which may be hereafter imported.

Resolved unanimously, that we recom-
mend the erecting a great number of
fulling mills, and mills for breaking, swingling,
and softening hemp and flax; and also the
making of grindstones in this country.

Resolved unanimously, that as the brew-
ing of large quantities of malt liquours
within this province would tend to render
the consumption of foreign liquors less
necessary, it is therefore recommended that
proper attention be given to the cultivation
of barley; and that the several brewers,
both in city and country, do encourage it,
by giving a reasonable and sufficient price
for the same.

Resolved unanimously, that we recom-
mend to all the inhabitants of this province,
and do promise four ourselves in particular,
to use our own manufactures, and those of
the other colonies, in preference to all
others.

Resolved unanimously, that for the more
speedily and effectually putting these re-
solves in exeeution, we do earnestly re-
commend societies may be established in
different parts, and are of opinion that
premiums ought to be granted in the seve-
ral counties to persons who may excel in
the several branches of manufactory; and
we do farther engage, that we, in our
separate committees, will promote them
to the utmost of our power.

Resolved unanimously, that if any manu-
facturur or vender of goods and merchan-
dises in this province shall take advantage
of the necessities of his country, by selling
his goods or merchandise at an unusual and
extravagant profit, such person shall be
considered as an enemy to his country, and
be advertised as such, by the committees of
the place where such offender dwells.

On motion, resolved unanimously, that
the committee of correspondence for
city and liberties of Philadelphia be a
standing committee of correspondence for
the several counties here represented; and
that if it should at any time hereafter ap-
pear, to the committee of the city, and li-
berties, that the situation of publick affairs
render a provincial convention unnecessary,
that the said committee of correspondence
do give the earliest notice thereof to the
committees of the several counties.

Ordered, that the proceedings of this
convention be sent to the press, and printed
in English and German, under the direction
of the President, and Mess. Jonathan B.
Smith and John Benezet.
JONATHAN B. SMITH,
JOHN BENEZET,           Secretaries.
FRANCIS JOHNSON,

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Purdie, Alexander, -1779, printer, “Supplement, No. 4, February 24, 1775,” Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, accessed May 4, 2024, https://cwfjdrlsc.omeka.net/items/show/2871.
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