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SUPPLEMENT. {No.48. FRIDAY,
December 29, 1775.}

URBANNA, Nov. 1775.
Mr. PURDIE,
FROM a real disposition in me to amend, if I
can, as well the errours which may have fallen
to the share of others, however few they may be,
as my own, however numerous, I cannot but fancy
that a publication of the following verse from
Ecclesiasticus will be looked upon as a real kindness
to some, especially those who are so unhappy as
either originally to differ from the general sentiments
of their country, or have since become offenders
against if by enlisting in the present opposition
through some mistaken or false principle. There-
fore, I cannot doubt but your printing it with the
same good intention must meet with the same ap-
probation; at least it may operate as a proper pre-
face to a TEST ordinance, which every body al-
most hopes the tenderness of the Convention will no
longer delay determining upon, even though they live,
marry, grow wealthy, and fat, among us, will not
own any other country than the soil they were born
in, I say, than did before, should as artfully petition
them against it, that tenderness which perhaps has
been more generally condemned than any other
publick act ever was in this colony. The cause of
this seemingly just reprehension need not to be here
particularised; for, if I mistake not, its several un-
happy consequences are so very evident that every
body, with either an eye or an ear, may see and hear
of them every day.

Ecclesiasticus, chap. vii. verse 7th. Offend not
against the multitude of a city, and then thou shalt
not cast thyself down among the people. I cannot
think that any parphrase, or other mode of ex_
planation of these words, need be given; as they
not only point out the offence, but also the punish-
ments which will probably attend it. It was this
text, Purdie, which many years ago confirmed me
in a proper sense of publick duty, otherwise called
publick virtue; and perhaps it may teach some
others how to conduct their private opinions, which
must be founded on false principles only in every in-
stance that militates against the publick happiness;
and I believe it cannot long admit of a doubt in
sound reasoning, who are the most inclined to pro_
mote the happiness of the publick, the multitude,
as the preacher terms them, or here and there a
private individual. Apropos to this, it is much to
be wished that a certain vociferator among us would
pay a proper attention to this kind admonition of
this wise son of Sirach. Possibly, whilst he fancies
himself secure against these poaching tenders, who
may not incline to swivel at his well known leaning
friendship for them, he may not be quite so secure
against the offended multitude, who may, if he per-
sists, be disposed to cast him so low down among
the people as to render it something difficult (if
ever) for him to rise again. This pen is really much
nearer to him than he may probably imagine; but
nevertheless, let it advise him to moderate his re-
joicings at these victories (as he is pleased to call
them) which have been or may be obtained over
America, during her contest for her natural right,
her LIBERTY.

The residue of the above piece, containing
an inquiry into some late transactions, which are
now pretty well investigated, will, the Printer

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hopes, apologise for his not inserting it, especially
as he is much put to it for room to contain the im-
portant intelligence received by this week's post.

WATERTOWN, Dec. 4.
YESTERDAY se'nnight a large ship being
off Cape Anne was struck with lightning,
which set her on fire, and burnt to the water's
edge, till she sunk. A number of cannon were
heard to go off, while she was on fire, and it was
thought at first that she was at least a 20 gun ship;
but we have an account from Boston that it was the
Juno transport ship from London, laden only with
hay for Burgoyne's heavy horse at Boston, which
will soon become light, if forage fails at this rate.
At the same time, a sllop being near her, laden
with wood and hay, bound also for Boston, was
likewise struck with lightning, which so disabled her
that she put into the Gurnet, when our people
went and took possession of her and carried her
into Plymouth. One Hull is master of the sloop.
About a fortnight ago one of the privateers at
the eastward took a schooner and a sloop, bound
from St. Lawrence river to the West Indies, and
carried them into Cape Anne, laden with fish and oyl.

Last week the privateers from Plymouth took
several small craft bound into Boston, with provisi-
on and fewel.

A person lately from Halifax to Cape Cod reports
that he saw at Halifax a particular account of the
loss in the several harbours of Newfoundland, on
the 9th September, amounting in the whole to
more than 4000 men, who had nearly finished their
fishing voyages, intending to go not more than
one or two trips, and then the greater part of
them to enlist into the regular service, there being
at that time a lieutenant there, on the recruiting
service, who had enlisted 120 men, which he after-
wards brought to Halifax, and on his arrival there,
in the hearing of the person who gives this ac-
count, declared that he was determined to sell or
resign his commission, as the winds, the seas, the
people, and GOD ALMIGHTY, were against them,
he would not be concerned in such a damned cause.
It was said at Halifax, that the loss in ships, fish, oil,
and merchandise of various kinds, was computed
to amount to 140,000l. sterling. An account re-
ceived from Boston, just as this paper was going to
the press, confirms the foregoing, and mentions,
that nearly all the shallops employed in that fishery,
as well as other vessels. [poopr Poole.] were wholly
lost, and those which rode out the gale were chiefly
dismasted, and otherwise damaged; that
many houses, &c wer blown down; and that it
would thake the chief part of the spring to repair the
flakes, they having received almost incredible da-
mage.

NEW YORK, December 11
SATURDAY night arrived here, from our army
in Canada, lieut. Norton of col. Clinton's regi-
ment, mr. Bean, gunner, and mr. Phineas Champ-
man, who bring the agreeable news that all
the shipping which lay at Montreal, among them
the Gaspee brig of war, with all the prisoners (col.
Allen excepted) lately taken near St. John's. The
fleeet, with goveernour Carleton on board, had sailed
for Quebeck, but was intercepted by a gondola,
and a battery erected by col. Easton, near the river

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Sorel, and there taken, with about 150 soldiers,
&c. who were arrived at Ticonderoga, a few days
ago, on their way to Connecticut. That Carleton,
Luke La Corn, and two others, went off in a boat
from the fleet before it struck, but were taken pri-
soners by col. Arnold, near Quebeck; that general
Wooster was left to command at Montreal, and
general Montgomery was gone to assist col. Arnold
to secure Quebeck.

Yesterday afternoon capt. Brown arrived here in
a sloop from Providence, and assures us that five
vessels have been taken by our privateers within
these few days, and carried into Beverley; one of
them a schooner from the eastward with stock,
another a Scotch vessel with goods, the third a brig
from Newfoundland, with the governour and his
secretary, &c. the other two unknown.

By a letter from St. John's, dated Nov. 24th,
we are informed that the continental troops have
received intelligence, that there were concealed un-
der ground about ten tuns of gunpowder, and
7000 stand of small-arms, that were to be put into
the hands of Canadians and Indians, to assist
the ministerial troops; that they were digging for
them, and had found several chests of small-arms,
and likewise had fished out of the lake a royal
standard, and a number of muskets.

PHILADELPHIA, December 14.
LATE last night, a gentlewoman, going along
Second street, was insulted by a negro, near
Christ church; and upon her reprimanding him for
his rude behavoiur, the fellow replied, "Stay you
d----d white bitch, till lord Dunmore and his black
regiment come, and then we will see who is to take
the wall."

We hear that the armed schooner Lee has taken
a Scotch ship dunnaged with coals, and filled up
with bale goods, consigned to James Anderson, a
Scotch merchant in Boston, and has on board rum,
sugar, port wine, boots, shoes, and a great quan-
tity of coarse goods fitted for the use of soldiers.
The foot of invoice is about 3600l. sterling.

Dec. 16. A writer in the Bristol gazette of Sept.
21st., directed to the magistrates of that city, says;
"As you intended addressing our most gracious
sovereign to deign to hearken to the distresses of
his subjects, I beg leave to inform you, that, in the
compass of my small acquaintance, I know two
worthy tradesmen who have been obliged to turn
off several hundred people in this city and environs,
who are now unemployed, and in the greatest dis-
tress, entirely owing to a stop being put to the
American trade."

We hear that the mortar which was taken in the
storeship is fixed on its bed before the continental
laboratory, at the camp in Cambridge, and is called
THE CONGRESS. It is pronounced to be the
noblest piece of ordnance ever landed in America.
Indeed the acquisition of it at this juncture renders
the value of it almost inestimable.

"I have now the pleasure of informing you that
general Washington has a letter from col. Arnold,
of the 14th ult. acquainting that he had been joined
by 4 or 5000 Canadians, was within a very small
distance of Quebeck, prepared with scaling ladders,
&c. and expected to be in possession of it in a day
or two. This account is confirmed by deserters
from Boston, who say that vessels have arrived
there, the captains of which declare they were
obliged to cut their cables and run.

P.S. Col. Arnold writes, that general Carle-
ton's situation is such as renders his escape impossible.

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WILLIAMSBURG, December 29.
Extract of a letter from col. Howe, to the Hon.
Edmund Pendleton, esq; President of the General
Convention, dated Norfolk, Dec. 25.
YESTERDAY, by a flag of truce, I received a
letter from capt. Bellew, a copy of which I
have the honour to transmit to you, with the copies
of those I have written to him. Though col.
Woodford and myself were sensible it was our duty
to withhold from him, as much as in our power
lay, those supplies he wishes to obtain, yet the mo-
derate conduct he has pursued, and the sentiments
of humanity by which he seems to be actuated,
induces us to delay an answer till to-day, and to
couch it in terms which cannot but show him, that
occasion, not inclination, had influence upon our
conduct. Capt. Bellew's letter was brought us by
one of his lieutenants; he expressed for himself
and every officer on board, the reluctance they
should feel, if compelled by necessity, they should
be obliged by marauding parties to snatch from
the indigent farmers of this colony those provisi-
ons they were so willing to purchase. I thought
proper, sir, to give you this information; and,
to submit it to the consideration of your Honour-
able Board, whether we are to show any indulgence
to those people, and, if we are, to what bounds
we are to extend it.

"Major Ruffin, and about 180 minute-men,
arrived last night; it was a seasonable relief to our
soldiers, almost worn out with duty, this very
bad weather."

"I was honoured with your letter yesterday,
and am made happy to find our proceedings are
approved of. The orders it conveys, and all others
which we may receive, we shall endeavour to exe-
cute with the greatest punctuality."

Extract of a letter from col. Elliott, to the Hon.
the President of the convention, dated Hampton
Dec. 29.
"I had brought into Hampton river, the night
before last, a sloop (in ballast) capt. Bartlett Good-
rich, who has been 20 days only from St. Eustatia.
I detained this express, expecting to have some
news from Norfolk, as there was a very heavy firing
of cannon heard there yesterday, which continued
till 9 o'clock at night."

The Honourable General Convention have re-
solved that no provisions of any kind shall be fur-
nished to the king's ships, so long as they come here
with hostile intentions; which resolution they have
communicated to cols. Howe and Woodford, and
it is supposed brought on the firing from the men
of war, mentioned in col. Elliott's letter to his
Honour the President, though, from a gentleman
just arrived from Norfolk (Saturday 2 o'clock) we
hear it was only a Christmas frolick between lord
Dunmore and the captains of the navy, upon visit-
ing each other on board their ships.

In the course of this week, upwards of 350 mi-
nute-men of the Prince William battalion, com-
manded by col. William Grayson, have arrived in
this city.

Last Monday night arrived in town, from Hamp-
ton, under a strong guard 33 black and white pri-
soners, coupled together, who were committed to
the publick jail; since which a vessel was drove
ashore near Hampton, in the last snow storm, go-
ing on a pirating voyage to the Eastern Shore for
provisions, which had on board 14 whites and two
blacks.

Marriages.] Mr. JOHN TYLER, of Charles City,
to miss POLLY ARMISTEAD, of the same county.