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

Supplement, No. 39, Friday, October 27, 1775

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Supplement, No. 39, Friday, October 27, 1775

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[Supplement to the Virginia Gazette, No. 39, Friday, October 27, 1775]

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[2] pages

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SUPPLEMENT. {No. 39. FRIDAY,
October 27, 1775.}

WILLIAMSBURG, October 27.
BY advices from Philadelphia, we learn that a
ship had arrived there in a short passage, which,
on the 18th of August, fell in with several transports
full of Hanoverian troops bound for Gibraltar and
Minorca, to replace the bloody backs in garrison
there, who are to be sent in the same ships to Ame-
rica. Mr. Penn was to present the petition from
the Congress to the King.

Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, October 17.
"We hear that general Gage, with lord Percy,
and all the principal officers who were in the Lex-
ington affair, have gone on board ship to take their
departure for England. We know not the mean-
ing of this. One of the transports expected fro
Britain is arrived at Boston. By the last advices
from col. Arnold, he was far up Kennebeck river,
and expected to be at Quebeck about the middle of
this month. There are no royal troops there; so
that if the inhabitants are on our sid, that place is
ours, with the greatest collection of military stores
ever known in America. By letters, dated the
28th ult. received last night by express from gene-
ral Schuyler, we find our affairs under his care in
the following state: Montgomery, with the main
body of the army, was then plying St. John's with
mortars, cannon, &c. which, from several priso-
ners taken, and examined separately, it appeared
did very great execution, insomuch that Prescot,
finding he could not hold out much longer, was
meditating an eruption, and to force our lines on
the lower side, that he might get to Quebeck.
Mr. Livingston was before Chamblee, expecting
some mortars, &c. to begin a bombardment of that
place, which could make little resistance. Another
party of our men were at La Praire, and a fourth
at Longuiste. Col. Allen had gone from the latter
place with 30 of our soldiers and 50 Canadians, in
order to surprise Montreal. He crossed the river
about a mile below the town. Prescot having ad-
vice of this, tempted a strong party of Canadians,
by the offer of half a joe a man, to join some regulars,
and meet Allen. An engagement ensued, in which
Allen was taken prisoner, with two or three others, as
many of our men killed, besides some of the Cana-
dians killed and taken, and our party were forced
to retire. The Canadians anxiously wish to see us
establish such a superiority in their country as may
protect them in a declaration to join us, which there
will be no danger of our doing if Montgomery gets
possession of St. John's."

There is authentick intelligence, that the people
of Nova Scotia have declared their disposition to join
the GLORIOUS AMERICAN UNION; which will
deprive our enemies of the only safe harbour they
have to lay up and refit their ships, and it is hoped,
without this, that they cannot keep a fleet afloat
through the winter.

After lord Dunmore, with his troops, and the
navy, had been for several weeks seizing the persons
and property of his majesty's peaceable subjects in
this colony, on wednesday night last a party from
an armed tender landed near Hampton, and took
away a valuable negro man slave and a sail from
thw owner. Next morning there appeared, off the
mouth of Hampton river, a large armed schooner,
a sloop, and three tenders, with soldirs on board;
and a message was received at Hampton from capt.
Squire, on board the schooner, that he would that
day land and burn the town. On which a company

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of regulars, and a company of minute-men, who
had been placed there in consequence of former
threats denounced against that place, made the best
disposition to prevent their landing, aided by a body
of militia who were suddenly called together on the
occasion. The enemy accordingly attempted to
land, but were retarded by some boats suuk across
the channel for that purpose. Upon this they fired
several small cannon at the provincials, without any
effect; who, in return, discharged their small-arms
so effectually as to make the enemy move off with
the loss of several men, as it is believed. But
they had, in the mean-time, burnt down a house
belonging to mr. Cooper, on the river. ON
intelligence of this reaching Williamsburg, about
9 o'clock at night, a company of rifle-men were
despatched to the aid of Hampton, and the colonel
of the 2d regiment sent to take the command of the
whole, who with the company arrived about 8
o'clock next morning. The enemy had, in the
night, cut through the boats sunk, and made a
passage for their vessels, which were drawn close
up to the town, and began to fire upon it soon af-
ter the arrival of the party from Williamsburg;
but as soon as our men were so disposed as to give
them a few shot, they went off so hastily that our
people took a small tender with five white men, a
woman, and two slaves, six swivels, seven muskets,
some small-arms, a sword, pistols, and other things,
and several papers belongint to lieutenant Wright,
who made his escape by jumping over-board and
swimming away with mr. King's negro man, who
are on shore, and a pursuit it is hoped may over-
take them. There are two of the men in the
vessel mortally wounded; one is since dead, and
the other near his end. Besides which, we are in-
formed nine were seen to be thrown over-board from
one of the vessels. We had not a man even
wounded. The vessels went over to Norfolk, and
we are informed the whole force from thence is in-
tended to visit Hampton this day. If they should,
we hope our brave troops are prepared for them;
as we can, with pleasure, assure the publick, that
every part of them behaved with spirit and bravery,
and are wishing for another skirmish.

We hear that lord Dunmore lately seized a great
number of letters, directed to various persons in
Maryland and North Carolina, from London; and,
after reading them, wrote on all the letters, By or-
der of the Committee of Safety.

We have intelligence, which we think may be
relied on, that a small fleet consisting of a 64 gun
ship, a 20 gun, two sloops of 18 guns, and two
transports with about 600 men, were immediately
to sail from Boston; their destination a profound
secret. They took on board two mortars, four
howitzers, and other artillery; from which, it is
suspected, that they intended to bombard some
town on the coasts.

TREASURY OFFICE, October 27, 1775.
THE inspectors and other collectors are desired to
remember that their accounts are to be settled
by the 10th of
November, and may be assured that
no indulgences will be given.

ROBERT C. NICHOLAS, treasurer.

NEW YORK, October 12.
WE hear from St. John's, that capt. Prescot,
commander of the fort, sent word to general
Montgomery, that he would deliver it up to him

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if he would permit him and the king's troops to
march to Quebeck, with their arms, stores, and
artillery; but the general refused to comply with
his request.

Governour Carleton, it is said, has brought up
all the powder from the merchants at Quebeck,
and stored it there, the whole of which amounts to
upwards of 10,000 barrels.

Extract of a letter from Cambridge.
"Dr. Church (surgeon-general of the army,
and chairman of the committee of safety at Water-
town) having being found guilty of traiterous
practices, in corresponding with the enemy, is
put under an arrest."

We are informed that Dr. Church is confined in
a house opposite to the head-quarters in Cam-
bridge. His correspondence, it is said, was car-
ried on in ciphers with a field-officer in general
Gage's army.

Extract of a letter from Hartfort.
"It is reported that general Washington, a
few days ago, sent in a flag of truce to Boston,
proposing an exchange of prisoners. Major French
for colonel Parker; lieut. Kinght, of the navy, for
capt. Scott; and his excellency governour Skeene
for corporal Cruise, of capt. Doudle's company of
rifle-men. The two former were accepted with
readiness, but the last exchange general Gage re-
jected with scorn, as an insult to his understanding;
so that in all probability we shall have the honour
of his excellency governour Skeene's residence
among us ----- God knows how long."

PHILADELPHIA, October II.
LAST week arrived here the shi King of Prussia,
captain Potts, with a number of Germans.

Letters from New York say, that general Am-
herst is coming out to America, and a ship of 40
guns is getting ready to bring him.

By capt. Barry, we learn that some of the trans-
ports sailed from England for Ireland the beginning
of August, to take in the five regiments for America.

By all accounts from London, we have reason to
believe the ministry are determined to draw more
blood in America; therefore it behoves every Ame-
rican to convince those dogs of war that Americans are
ready and willing to let them know they will de-
fend themselves whenever and wherever attacked.

Extract of a letter from the camp at Cambridge,
October
I.

"In the course of this week, two vessels laden
enemy. One of them is a brig from Quebeck,
laden with cattle, &c. a donation from the tories
in Quebeck to the ministerial troops at Boston, but
will now be more properly applied. This last was
taken by some men from Cape Anne, with muskets,
in open boats. There are several intercepted let-
ters; one of them contains the following paragraph,
which must give great pleasure to every friend of
his country, as it confirms the accounts we have
had of the temper of the Canadians. The letter
is from Gamble, deputy quartermaster-general to
major Sheriff, dated Quebeck, Sept. 6th. "The
"rebels have taken post at Port au Fare, and an
"invasion of the province is expected. Should
"that take place, I am apt to think the Canadians
"will lay down their arms, and not fire a shot.
"Their minds are all poisoned by emissaries from
"New England, and the damned rascals of mer-
"chants here and at Montreal. General Carleton
"is (I believe) afraid to order out the militia,
"left they should refuse to obey. In short, the
"Quebeck bill is of no use; on the contrary, the
"Canadians talk of that damn'd abused word

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"liberty." There are other letters, of the same
import. We have just received an account, that
col. Arnold had got safe 50 miles up Kennebeck
river, found the batteaus ready, and proceeded
six days ago, his men in good spirits, and with
every encouragement. The captain of this vessel
says, if he gets to Quebeck before Carleton can get
down from St. John's with the troops, it will sur-
render without a shot being fired. That there is
the greatest collection of arms and ammunition that
has been in one place in America for a long time.
He says he saw not less than 10,000 quarter casks
of powder in the magazine, and that there is all
other ammunition in proportion.

The general has directed three vessels to be
armed and manned, to intercept the transports daily
arriving at Boston with provisions, &c. The people
of this province, particularly on the coast, are much
pleased with it, and we expect to derive no small
advantage from it. There has been no movement
in either camp here for several days, and scarcely a
gun fired, except, about five or six days ago, a
cannon shot from our lines, passing through the
barrack on Boston neck, took of the leg of a cap-
tain of the 44th, which brought on a heavy firing
from them for some time, but with no effect. Our
lines are now extended very near within point-blank
musket shot of their sentries. It is proposed to drive
them quite within their lines, which may be easily
done this week. Two deserters yesterday, but
brought no news."

Extract of a letter from Boston, September 26.
"I should be glad if you would move into the
country, as there are four sail of men of war going
to your port, as I am informed, and have got on
board materials for destroying the town. There
are no signs here of matters being made up."

By an express from Ticonderoga, which arrived
here on friday last, we are informed that general
Montgomery, on the 8th of September, marched
with 500 of the forces under his command round
St. John's, and had a slight skirmish with a party
of the regulars, who, after a few shot, retired
before him; and that he then set himself down
before St. John's.

There are flying reports that 2000 Canadians had
joined general Montgomery; that he had got pos-
session of Montreal, Chamblee, and La Praire; that
he had found there a great deal of provision, and
taken 14 prisoners; and that they had not 18 days
provision in fort St. John's.

On friday last a discovery was made of some let-
ters sending by Christopher Carter, who had taken
his passae on board the snow Patty for London.
The vessel was pursued to Chester, where the letters
were found on Carter, by which it appeared that
dr. Kearsly, Leonard Snowden, James Brooks, and
the above-named Carter, were concerned in writing
the most infamous lies their malice could invent, to
spirit up the ministry against this city and province,
to incite them to send troops here; and that Carter
was the carrier, and was instructed to tell a great
deal which they were afraid to trust to paper. In
consequence of the above discovery, Kearsly, Brooks
and Snowden, were taken up on friday night, and
put under a strong gunrd; and Carter, who had
been suffered to go from Chester after the delivery
of the first letters, was pursued by order of the
committee, taken from on board the snow at Reedy
island, and brought back. They have all been since
examined by the committee of safety, in which
examination such a scene of villainy was opened that
it was thought proper to keep them confined from
the fury of the populace, till they shall think of a
proper punishment for such enemies to this country.

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Purdie, Alexander, -1779, printer, “Supplement, No. 39, Friday, October 27, 1775,” Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, accessed April 29, 2024, https://cwfjdrlsc.omeka.net/items/show/2934.
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