POSTSCRIPT. NUMBER 27 AUGUST 4,
1775.

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NORFOLK, August 2.

THIS town and neighbourhood have been
much disturbed lately with the elopement
of their negroes, owing to a mistaken notion,
which has unhappily spread amongst them, of
finding shelter on board the men of war in this
harbour, notwithstanding the assurances given by
the commanding-officers that not the least en-
couragement should be shewn them.

On friday last, a deputation from the com-
mon-hall of this borough waited upon the cap-
tains Macartney and Squires, of the men of war
now lying here, with the thanks of the corpo-
ration for their conduct, in discountenancing the
runaway slaves that have made application for
service on board.

On monday last arrived here from St. Augustine
about 60 soldiers, on board the sloop tender some
time since belonging to mr. Bowdoin, of the
Eastern Shore. These, with about 40 more,
which are hourly expected, are to compose a
body-guard for his excellency the governour, at
his intended place of residence, on board the ship
William. The troops above-mentioned are under
the command of a captain and two lieutenants ;
the ensign, it is said, is on his way over land.

The committee of this borough, early yester-
day morning, despatched an express to the Hon.
the Convention of the colony, now sitting at
Richmond, informing them of the arrival of the
troops above-mentioned.

By a northern-papers, just come to hand, we are
informed there is a very great reason to apprehend
an attack from the Caghnawa tribe of Indians.
That governour Carleton had held conferences
with the Indians 1500 miles back of Quebeck,
and made them great offers to take up arms against
the colonies. That on sunday the 9th of July a
trumpeter was sent to the provincial camp, who
was conducted blindfold, with a letter from
general Burgoyne to general Lee, lamenting their
acting in opposition to each other, and desiring
a conference with him ; and that general Lee
had declined the proposal. That this letter had
been transmitted to the Congress, that they might
direct such steps to be taken as they should think
fit. That on tuesday following the provin-,
cials took prisoners on Long Island, in Boston har-
bour, 15 of the enemy, and carried off near 40
head of cattle, and about 100 sheep. That
governour Wentworth, of New Hampshire, had
taken refuge on board a man of war. That
general Gage, and his army, are greatly dispirited;
and that the unhappy people confined in the
town by the barbarous policy of their governour,
in defiance of the most solemn promises, are in
great distress for the common necessaries of life.
That several of the enemy's guard-houses had
been destroyed by the continentals, who drove
the guard back to their lines. That shot and
bombs are continually firing into Roxbury, which
have injured some of the houses, and killed one man.
That the continental camp was strongly fortified,
and forms a complete line of circumvallation
from Charles river to Mystick river. That the
possession of a hill called Cobble hill, lying

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between the main fortresses of the two armies,
was expected soon to be a subject of contest
between them, which will probably draw on a
general engagement, for which the continentals
say they are exceedingly well prepared. That
general Wooster, of Connecticut, has removed his
camp from New York to Haerlem. That a
number of rifle-men had marched from Pennsyl-
vania to the continental camp near Boston.
That, on the 11th of last month, capt. Morgan's
company of rifle-men passed through Frederick
town, in Maryland, on their way to the Ame-
rican army, and were in an hour or two after-
wards followed by the companies under the cap-
tains Cresap, Stinson, and Price, all chosen rifle-
men, eager to hazard their lives in their coun-
try's cause, and to follow the fortunes of their
beloved Washington!

Extract of a letter from North Carolina, July 30.

"We yesterday received an account, that
general Burgoyne had answered general Lee's
letter in very polite terms, protesting, "that
every thing in his power shall be done to pre-
vent the effusion of blood; at the same time de-
claring, that if it is only the legality of internal
taxation the colonies contend for, he makes no
doubt the matter may be speedily accomodat-
ed; but if for independency, nothing but blood
will purchase it; and requests an interview with
general Lee, for information. This general
Washington approved of, and the mode and
place of their meeting was settling, when the
person who brings the information left the camp."

WILLIAMSBURG, August 4.

LORD Dunmore reviewed his 60 body-guard-
men, lately arrived from St. Augustine,
last tuesday, at Gosport; and, we hear, that
he daily expects an additional reinforcement,
of 40 more soldiers, from the same place. His
lordship, it is said, as soon as they arrive, and
when joined by the marines from the Mercury
and Otter men of war, and a number of other
select friends in different places, intends coming
round to York town; from whence, if not pre-
vented, it is likely he will pay us a visit in
this city, although he cannot expect the same
cordial reception as on former occasions, but will
probably be received with such illuminations, &c.
as may make him forget his way to the palace.
The good people of Virginia now consider lord
Dunmore as their mortal enemy, and will no longer
brook the many gross insults they have received
from him, which are daily repeated; and the
damn'd shirtmen, as they are emphatically called
by some of his minions, it is mroe than pro-
bable, will make some rue, before long, their ill-,
timed, base, and ungenerous conduct.

The men of war's officers, we are credibly
informed, have been guilty of many outrages,
both at Norfolk and Portsmouth; which ungen-
teel behaviour lately exposed one of them to the
resentment of a certain mr. O'Shields, who
drubbed them handsomely.

The volunteers of several counties think
it their duty, in this publick manner, to return

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their most grateful acknowledgments to col.
John Quarles of King William, for the very
kind and hospitable treatment they received
from him when on their march to and from
Williamsturg.

We learn that col. EDMUND PENDLETON
arrived from the General Congress, which it
was thought would break up as last saturday.

The Juno, M'Cunn, in 8 weeks from Glas-
gow, is arrived in Hampton road. She brings
no news.

Deaths.] Mrs. MARY BLACKBURN, relict of
the late col. Richard Blackburn, of Prince Wil-
liam county. She was a most amiable lady,
and died in an advanced age.

IN CONVENTION, July 22, 1775./p>

RICHARD BLAND, esq; a member of this
Convention, and one of the deputies ap-
pointed to represent this colony in General Con-
gress, informed the Conventioin, that certain
false and scandalous reports, highly reflecting on
him in his publick character, had been propa-
gated ; to with, that he had made application to
the earl of Dartmouth, or some of the ministry,
for an appointment to collect the taxes imposed
on America by parliament ; and that, as an in-
ducement to promote the designs of the ministry
against this country ; and also, that his conduct
in General Congress had been such that he was
obliged suddenly to decamp from the city of
Philadelphia.

That he had served as a member of the Gene-
ral Assembly for upwards of 30 years, and hoped
the part he had always publickly taken would
have secured him, in his age, from an imputa-
tion so injurious to his character. That he ear-
nestly requested a full and publick inquiry should
be made into the truth of the said reports, and
that the rev. Samuel Sheild, the rev. John
Hurt, and Samuel Overton and Joseph Smith,
who, he understood, had propagated the said
reports, should be summoned to attend the said
inquiry ; and that every other person who had
heard any thing of the said reports would also
attend, that the fullest examination might be
made into the truth thereof.

Resolved, that this Convention will, on friday
next, examine into the truth of the reports men-
tioned in the said information.

FRIDAY, July 28, 1775.

THE Convention, according to the order of
the day, went into an examination of the re-
ports said to have been propagated to the preju-
dice of Richard Bland, esq; a member of this Con-
vention, and one of the deputies appointed to
represent this colony in General Congress ; and,
after examination of the rev. Samuel Sheild,
and the rev. John Hurt, and many other wit-
nesses, and a full inquiry into the same, do find
the said reports to be utterly false, and groundless,
and tending not only to injure the said Richard
Bland in his publick character, but to prejudice
the glorious cause in which America is now em-
barked.

Resolved, unanimously, that this Convention do
consider it as their duty to bear to the world
their testimony that the said Richard Bland hath

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manifested himself the friend of his country,
and uniformly stood forth an able asserter of her
rights and liberties.

PEYTON RANDOLPH, president.
(a copy)
John Tazewell, clerk of the Convention.

CAMBRIDGE, July 13.

LAST saturday morning, before day-light, a
party of our men marched towards the
enemy's advanced guard on Boston neck, drove
them within their lines, burnt their guard-house
(formerly the dwelling-house of mr. Brown)
with several contiguous buildings, took two guns,
a halbert, and a drum. Not one of our men
was either killed or wounded, notwithstanding
a heavy fire from the enemy's lines, which were
within a quarter of a mile of the buildings we
set on fire. It is thought several of the enemy
were killed or wounded.

We have intelligence from Boston, that the
enemy are much pleased with the thoughts of hav-
ing killed many of our men when we drove them
within their lines, and burnt their guard-house.

Major Spendlove, lieutenant Verner, and lieu-
tenant Jardain, secretary to general Howe, with
many others, we hear, have already died of their
wounds ; and that a great part of those who are
yeat alive are mortally wounded.

Last friday died at Boston, of the wounds he
received at the battle of Charlestown, the brave
colonel Parker of Chelmsford.

NEW YORK, July 21.

YESTERDAY, agreeable to the recommen-
dation of the delegates in the Honourable
Continental Congress, was observed with the
utmost solemnity, by fasting, abstinence, and
devotion. In all the churches were large con-
gregations, and excellent discourses delivered
from the several pulpits, expressive of the truly
calamitous situation of this unhappy continent.

An exact account of the troops under general Gage,
and of the provincials.

WILLIAMSBURG, August 4, 1775.

RUN away, a mulatto woman slave named
JENNY, about 5 feet 5 or six inches high,
and was formerly the property of mr. Eaton.
She has some marks in her face, that appear
blacker than her skin. I hereby foreward all
persons from harbouring or employing her, on
any account. Very likely she may pass for a
free woman. Whoever brings her to the sub-
scriber shall receive 20s.

JOHN CARTER.