Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from the London Evening Post
January 13, 1776.
(Note : I only have the second page of this newspaper)
Yesterday arrived a Mail from France
St. Jago in Guatimala, Aug. 1. The burning mountain called Pacayita, seemed by earthquakes and subterraneous noises, to threaten an eruption, which really happened on the 2d of July, at eleven o'clock at night, preceded by a most violent report, after which a lava of nitrous and sulphurous matter poured down the side of the mountain, which threw up clouds of cinders and smoak, which consumed near 40 leagues of the district of St.Antonio Cuchutepeque. The town of St.Christoral Amaticlan was entirely deserted; from nine cavities in this mountain, the flaming lava continues to run to the South sea. It is now feared that the Pecaya Grande will also break out, as it is in vast agitation, which will finish the destruction of the valley of Panchoi, in which stands the town of St. Jago, the capital of the province.
LONDON.
Extract of a letter from Whitehaven, Dec. 28.
"The money bill framed by the House of Commons in Ireland, having been altered in England, was, on its return, unanimously rejected, by which there is no law to collect what is called the additional duties on rum, tobacco, and other goods imported for Ireland. In consequence whereof several gentlemen came here from Dublin, &c. and have purchased large quantities of tobacco, which were shipped yesterday, and the vessels sailed in the evening tide, in hopes of reaching Ireland to save the said duties, and before the new bill, formed immediately on rejecting the one before sent over could arrive, to receive the assent in Ireland. This is similar to what happened in December, 1771."
Extract of a letter from Providence, Rhode Island, Nov. 13.
On the 6th instant the General Assembly here passed an act for the punishment of persons who shall be found guilty of holding a traiterous correspondence with the Ministry of Great Britain, or any of their officers or agents, or of supplying the ministerial army or navy that now is, or may be employed in America, against the United Colonies, with provisions, cannon, arms, ammunition, or warlike naval stores, or of acting as pilots on board any of their ships or vessels." Any person so offending is to suffer the pain of death, as in cases of felony, and shall forfeit his lands, goods, and chattles to the Colony to be disposed of by the General Assembly as they shall think fit, all necessary charges for the prosecution, condemnation, and execution, being first deducted."
By a letter, as well as by other accounts received from Quebec of late, we find that the temper of the new government was so very arbitrary, that the right of petitioning the Crown for redress of grievances, was not allowed to the inhabitants of that unhappy province.
Yesterday six more large ships were taken up by government for the transport service, and, it is said, are to mount guns in the same manner as the merchants ships do in in time of war.
The schooner Fox, Kirby, was cut off at Cape Masserada by the natives (three of whom he had detained a few days before) himself, and all hands were killed, and the vessel run on shore and plundered.
The Polly, Hoggan, from Scotland to Dunkirk, is lost near the Port of Gravelines. The crew is saved.
The Argo transport, with three companies of the 46th regiment were spoke with, the 12th of November, entering the river of St. Lawrence, all well.
A gentleman who arrived yesterday from France, brings dreadful accounts of the damage done on that coast by the high winds last Saturday and Monday; he says that the shore is covered with ship-wreaks and dead bodies, and that the inhabitants near the sea coast had plundered all the wrecks, stripped the dead bodies, and left then naked for the tide to wash away.
On Monday next will be issued from the Pay-office 183 days half-pay to his Majesty's land-forces, from the 25th of June, 1775, to the 25th of December following, both days inclusive. At the same time will be issued six months allowance to the officers and private gentlemen of his Majesty's third and fourth troops of horse, for the same time.
At Newcastle, in the course of last year, 4078 vessels were cleared coastwise, and 405 oversea, making in all 4483.
Tynemouth light-house, at the entrance of Newcastle river, which has for some time been repairing, was last week opened for the direction of the shipping.
Yesterday about half after one o'clock, the Chester mail, which should have arrived on Monday, came to the General Post office. The post-boy says, that it was detained at Dunstable, where the snow was so thick that he could not get through it, and was obliged to take out his horses to save their lives.
The Newbury waggons, which should have arrived on Tuesday, did not come in till Wednesday, though the distance is only fifty-six miles, and the road the most level in the kingdom. In the neighbourhood of Ramsbury, Auborne, &c. the roads are so clogged, that the waggons cannot travel at all.
Twelve coaches, besides waggons, have been snow-bound at Dunstable since Monday last, where it is so difficult to get provisions, that mutton and beef is sold from 8d to a shilling a pound.
It is said , but we earnestly hope without truth, that one of the Southern coaches coming to town on Wednesday, was lost in a pit filled with snow, and that all the passengers perished.
No less than seven coaches are left fixed in the snow between Hockley and Little Brickhill, the horses being unable to draw them, though the distance is only two miles. Many stages have arrived in town drawn by eight horses.
On Thursday one of the Bath coaches came to town to the Bear in Piccadilly, being one out of six that should have been in town the evening before; the above coach got to town with fourteen horses, and near Hungerford was dug out of the snow. - It is more than eight feet deep at Marlborough, and several other places in the Western road.
The roads are so bad in Gloucestershire, that the mail could not get to town, and several carriages, near Snaresbrook, were obliged to be dug out of the snow, but afterwards could not proceed on their journey to town.
On Thursday came on at St.Margaret's Hill, the trial of the principal rioter at Vauxhall, on the last night of the season, when after the trial of seven hours, he was fined, and obliged to give security for his good behaviour for two years. The fine was paid in Court.
Yesterday 25 prisoners were tried at the Old Bailey, three of whom were capitally convicted, viz. Richard Cole, for breaking and entering the dwelling house of James Rose, and stealing five cotton handkerchiefs; John Proctor, for breaking and entering the dwelling house of Benjamin Hall, at Ratcliff Cross, with intent to steal : Robert Williams, for the wilful murder of Henry Stubbins, late coachman to Mr. Pratt of Bloomsbury; he is to be executed at Tyburn on Monday next, and his body to be afterwards dissected and anatomized : eight being convicted of grand larceny, were ordered to be burnt on the hand, and imprisoned in the house of correction six months each; and 14 were acquitted.
Yesterday morning about two o'clock (and not before) died Mr. Thomas Weston, Comedian, of the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. His disorder was a galloping consumption, arising from an ulcer which had formed upon his lungs, and baffled the skill of the most eminent phisicians.
Captains COOKE and FURNEAUX's last
Voyages round the World.
This day was published,
In one volume, 8vo. price 5s. in boards, illustrated with a chart, in which the tracks of both vessels are accurately laid down, and other cuts;
A JOURNAL of Capt. COOKE's VOYAGE in the Resolution, in the years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775, on Discovery to the Southern Hemisphere; by which the non existence of an undiscovered continent, between the equator and the 50th degree of the Southern latitude, is demonstratively proved.
Also a JOURNAL of Capt. FURNEAUX's VOYAGE in the Adventure, in the years 1772, 1773, and 1774; with an account of the separation of the two ships, and the most remarkable incidents that befel each; interspersed with historical and geographical descriptions of the islands and countries discovered in the course of their respective voyages.
Printed for F. Newbury, at the corner of St. Paul's Church-yard.
For the London Evening Post.
To the KING.
SIR,
YOUR Majesty is pleased to pay a particular attention to this paper. I am therefore led to hope this respectful address will not escape your Majesty's eye.- Unacquainted with either of the unhappy men now languishing in dismal cells, expecting death with horror. I am compelled by humanity to intreat your Majesty may reflect, that when a doubt of guilt can possibly arise, then mercy should interfere. I must doubt the guilt of Robert Perreau, and if he dies on Wednesday, I shall always think that he suffered improperly. It is the conviction I feel in my mind, that for aught we know he may be innocent, that forces me to pen this letter. It has ever been a received maxim, that "we should always lean to mercy, when ever we possibly entertain a doubt of guilt." And surely no human being can be certain of Robert Perreau's guilt, since the guilt could lie only in the knowledge of the forgery; and there is every reason to conclude, that he was ignorant of that knowledge, since, otherwise, he merits pardon as a lunatic.
Can we imagine, that knowing the forgery, he would have persisted in his desire of going with Mr. Drummond to Mr. Adair ? Would be not have taken advantage of the precious moment, and flown for his life ? From Mrs. Rudd's character, it may be concluded that he was imposed upon, for her wiles might entrap a Jesuit. If he was to suffer, was it not cruel to suspend his fate so long ? Why keep him languishing in Newgate, unless to restore him [to] an amiable wife, and permit his infant children again to embrace a father's knees ? An housebreaker has been saved by your clemency, though no crime is so dreadful to society. I will not then doubt, but this miserable man will be raised from death to life by your pity. Think of a wife and family, to-morrow widowed, and fatherless, for ever deprived of that happiness which your mercy yet can this day bestow, and your tender feelings will lead you to stretch out your hand to lift from the grace ! Let not every future sun rise on a worthy woman, only to light her wretchedness ! Rather let every returning day remind her of blessings received from you ! As I hope for mercy from Heaven, I never to my knowledge saw either of these women, Mrs Perreau or Mrs Rudd; compassion alone prompts my pen. Wipe away the tears from a wretched woman's eye ! Hear the cries of her children ! Suffer not the acquittal of Mrs Rudd to influence your conduct. Robert Perreau must have been innocent. Let not any future discovery make you miserable, by reflecting on his death. Stretch out your hand, and
GIVE LIFE.
For the London Evening Post.
ELECTION SONG.
By an HEREFORDSHIRE INDEPENDENT
FREEHOLDER.
Tune - Jolly mortals, fill your glasses.
JOLLY sons of Mirth and Freedom,
Banish care and come with me;
Slaves must go where tyrants lead 'em,
True-born Britons dare be free.
No Right Hono'rable contractors
On our country shall impose,
Government's implicit actors
And the kingdom's worst of foes.
All their boasting make a jest of,
Ministerial arts distain;
To elect a London cast-off,
On our land would throw a stain.
Tell the Court curmudgeon fairly,
Honest Britons, born and free,
Spite of Devil, North, or Harley,
Will assert their liberty.
If the Premier, to befriend him,
Wants him in Corruption's school,
To some rotten borough send him,
Here he shall no place his tool.
He who ever was a dupe to
Those you plead for tyranny,
Slaves and sycophants may stoop to,
But he's not the man for we.
Years ago he cut a caper,
Mark the curious anecdote,
When he boldly drew his rapier,
Storm'd the boot and petticoat.
Since he begs another drubbing,
Give him boys a hearty tweak,
Send him from the county sobbing,
Twill his very heart-strings break.
Imitate the bright example
Of the lads in Warwickshire; *
On despotic mandates trample,
And the friend to Freedom chair.
* Holte's election.
Hereford, Dec. 23, 1775.
For the London Evening Post.
Oportet mendacem esse memorem.
IT has been asserted, that Colonel Grant should say in assembly,
Where crowns of freedom by the fathers won,
Drop leaf by leaf from each degenerate son,
"That the Provincials were cowards. " If the assertion be true, the Colonel is to be pitied; for I find a letter from Sir Jeffery Amherst (see Annual Register for 1761, page 158) giving an account of some operations against the Cherokees, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, the following passage : "Colonel Grant says, that the Provincials behaved well, as he always expected they would, and that they seem to despise the Indians as much as they were suspected to fear them; and that the officers commanding the several corps have exerted themselves, and every body has behaved with a proper spirit."
GRACCHUS.
For the London Evening Post.
AFFLAVIT Deus et dissipavit was the language even of Courtiers, in the days of Elizabeth, after the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Words and actions are the index by which we discover the thoughts of the heart; at least, at this distant period of time, we have nothing better to signify to us how Englishmen were affected in those days; though, by the bye, I would no means hold up Courtiers as patterns of piety. But such was the language of this nation a little more than two hundred years ago. The Americans, at this crisis, use the same; and if their writing are allowed to be an index of their thoughts, they hold their present afflictions to be sent by God; and to him that wounds they look for healing. The unthinking man may treat their fastings and thanksgivings as the effects of delusion, and the remain of puritanic enthusiasm. Time will decide this point, and mayhap convince us whether a praying or unpraying people are most in the right.
We in other war used to have our fasts and thanksgivings. What Courtiers think of them I will not say; but if credit is to be given to what Mr. Whiston tells us of a Secretary of State in Queen Ann's time, they have only been treated as state engines : " A fast was proposed in Council, the Secretary approved of it, and added, that the Queen should go in state to St. Paul's; that, replies another, would be making a farce of it : is the fast, answered the Secretary, any other than a farce ?" Wicked men, in all ages, have made piety their jest. But I believe I may venture to say, had a Secretary in Queen Elizabeth's days delivered himself in so profane a manner, his place would have been given to one more worthy, and his name would not have been suffered to disgrace the council book.
But every age has had its Atheoi. The present produced a man who could write that wonderful voyage of Lord Anson, in which appear to the reader the greatest providence, without ever attributing one escape or protection to God. And who can doubt, when he hears what are done at our masquerades, that the land swarms with such wretches ? Who has not read in the papers of men and women dressing themselves to appear as Adam and Eve, to ridicule that awful and most dreadful catastrophe, the Fall of Man. And so hardened and beyond all feeling was another wretch some years since, to appear as a corpse in a shroud in a coffin. Poor creature ! Would he by this bravado make us believe that he had conquered the fears of death ? Credat Judeus Apella, non ego. As fool-hardy as he, have shrunk and trembled at their last moments.
But this, Sir, marks the colour of the times. We throng to our masquerades, and strive who can get first to our theatres. The Americans fill their churches and meetings, and falling on their knees, confess themselves sinners, own their provocations to God, and beseech him, for Jesus's sake, to have mercy on them.
AS yet they have been successful. Our want of success has been attributed to a national failing. A noble Lord told us, that the English always fail in their first outset. But when I behold the winds and seas adverse to us, I am ready to conclude, as Pharaoh did respecting the Israelites, the Lord is against us, and fighteth for the Americans.
But perhaps I may be too hasty in my conclusions. Let time, therefore, decide whether the battle is to the strong, or the race to the swift. Only I would remark, that when God will punish a people, he sometimes does it by another nation, or by intestine troubles amongst themselves. in this light the Americans seem to see their afflictions, and therefore humble themselves before God in fasting, prayer, and thanksgivings. Amongst us there is nothing of this nature. Our trust in in the arm of flesh; and THAT NAME which by their writings appears precious to them, and for rejecting which the Jews at this day are a dispersed and despised people, is with too many become an outcast, and scarce finds a reception amongst us.
The contrast, Sir, is striking. Either the Americans or we are wrong. But perhaps, to excuse ourselves, we may call them Hypocrites. They, in their turn, will certainly retort, and call us Reprobates. However, a reviler of religion dares not, at this time, shew his head amongst them; whereas a friend of piety amongst us scarce dares to open his lips. Our attention is only to mirth and jollity, fiddling and dancing. An Aristophanes suits our taste much better than a Bible.
MENTOR.
For the London Evening Post.
HAVING found the following extract in a work of some repute, I shall leave your readers to judge, without a comment, to what time they are best applicable. I know not whether they will have less or more credit for being the words of a Bishop.
ADDISON.
"THE empire is indeed vast, and under the direction of a bigotted, vindictive Prince, but the administration is odious and corrupt in every part; so that wise men see, there is more of bulk than force in this unwieldy monarchy. And the successful struggles of a handful of his subjects, inflamed by the love of liberty, and made furious by oppression, proclaim its weakness to the world."
LONDON.
The distress of the troops and people at Boston exceed the possibility of description. There are advices in town of December 14; not a coal ship was then arrived. The inhabitants and troops literally starving with cold. They had taken the pews out of all the places of worship for fuel; had pulled down empty houses, &c. and were then digging up the timber at the wharfs for firing. No provisions nor cloathing. Expecting every day the Provincial General to storm the town; and that it would be burnt. In short no words can describe the horror and miserable condition of the place. They have been eating horse flesh for some time. - But the ------ goes to the play, and laughs as usual. - Jemmy Twitcher sings catches with his whores at Huntingdon - Lord George Minden says its all wrong; if he were Minister, he could do wonders. - Sly old Jefferies drops hints for spilling more blood; - more blood, more blood, the old fox whispers.
The Americans have taken five transports going to Boston, two of them laden with woollens for the soldiers, within six miles of the place. Another with shoes, &c. another with rum, &c. and another with stores. When the above accounts came from Boston, the Provincials had begun to cannonade the town, and expect to be masters of it by New-Year's day.
The Congress have appointed two Admirals, viz. Hopkins, a brave old seaman; and Brice, and Englishman. Also 300 marines and officers. They have sent Brice after Lord Dunmore, whom they intend to bring to trial for piracy. The Americans say, he had broken four of the Provincial laws, which he was bound by oath to preserve, any one of which is capital; therefore, in a paper printed there, "they caution him, that his privilege of Peerage will not protect him in that Province. " It is more than probable, that vapouring story, circulated with such avidity yesterday, by the Ministry and Scotch, will appear very ridiculous (like the lying Gazette) when the next Carolina packet arrives. Hopkins was to sail with his fleet on the 25th of December, to intercept the transports from England and Ireland.
The Americans say that their enemies, the English Ministry, flatter themselves they have no ammunition; while the fact is, as they will find (if the English nation are so simple as to suffer them to carry on the war so long) that in the Province of Massachusett's alone, they have at this time powder sufficient for two years. We have had experience enough to convince us, that our Ministry know nothing of their strength or resources.
A corps of American troops are getting ready in the Jersey, &c. to go to Philadelphia, and Virginia, to act as exigencies shall require. It is apprehended that the Americans will burn New York, to prevent its falling into the hands of the ministerial troops. When the last accounts came from thence, the inhabitants were moving all their effects. How miserable are these once happy people made, by the obstinate, vindictive spirit of the Ministry. Where is the money to come from to support this war, now the trade is lost.
The friends of the Ministry blame the Americans for invading Canada, the Canadians had not offended them ? The Canadians had not interfered in the question of taxation, &c. These gentry forget, or do not care to mention, the extraordinary commission given to Governor Carleton; by which he was to arm the Canadians, march them out of the Province, and attack all the back settlements. The General Congress, with their usual sagacity, judged it was better to take Canada, than suffer Canada to take them. If any person can doubt this, let them read General Carleton's new commission in the Parliamentary Register. The commission well deserves enquiry. Who framed it ? Who advised it ? - The loss of Canada is solely owing to it. If this commission had not been given, General Montgomery would not have been sent. After giving the Governor such powers as no Governor before ever had, follows this passage, and many others, equally alarming and extravagant:-
"And we do hereby give and grant unto you the said Guy Carleton, by yourself, or by your captains and commander by you to be authorised, full power and authority to levy, arm, muster, command, and employ all persons whatsoever residing within our said province; and, as occasion shall serve, them to march, embark, or transport from one place to another, for the resisting and withstanding of all enemies, pirates, rebels both at land and sea; and to transport such forces to any of our plantations in America, if necessity shall require, for defiance of the same against the invasion attempts of any of our enemies; and such enemies, pirates and rebels, if there shall be occasion, to pursue and prosecute in, or out of, the limits of our said province; and if it shall so please God, them to vanquish, apprehend, and taken, and being taken, according to law, to put to death, or keep or preserve alive at your discretion."
This morning a letter was read at a coffee-house in this city by a merchant, which gives an account of Quebec surrendering to the Americans; that most of the soldiers are made prisoners; and that General Carleton got on board a small vessel with his family, and is gone for Boston. The letter also says, that the weather was so severe, that no men of war can venture into the River St. Lawrence till towards the Spring.
Extract of a letter from Dunwich, in Suffolk, Jan. 9.
"We have had here last Sunday and Monday such blowing weather, with a great fall of snow, that a vast deal of damage is done among the shipping on this coast, according to the pieces of wrecks that appear upon the sea, and the number of dead bodies that are thrown on shore. The snow is so deep that several persons have fallen into the hollow ways and been smothered. Our roads are impassable, and I was obliged to send this by a vessel to Harwich; but as the wind blows so hard, I did not chuse to venture myself, and therefore shall not come to town till I can come by land."
Early this morning an outward bound West-India ship was drove on shore by the violence of the wind just below Rotherhithe, and must unload to repair her damages.
A ship called the Ave Maria, bound from Bourdeaux to Ostend, was drove into Yarmouth Roads last Sunday morning by the violence of the wind, where she was run foul of by a Dutch ship, and both so much damaged that they sunk. Part of the crews were drowned.
Yesterday the Salisbury stage coach coming to town, got out of a track, fell into a gravel pit, and all the inside passengers were killed; as were likewise both the horses, coachmen, &c. and the coach broke to pieces.
By the badness of the roads, and the great fall of snow, the Kent mail could not arrive, so that there is neither Deal nor Gravesend list. A circumstance that has not been known since the hard frost in 1739-40.
There is one circumstance in the case of the unhappy Perreaus, which pleads strongly at the throne for mercy in his favour; and that is, that every possible end to be obtained by their execution, is obtained already. In respect of the punishment inflicted by the law, who is it who will say they have not doubly suffered worse than the temporary bitterness of death, during the long respite of their sentence ? And in respect to their being an example to others, their sudden fall from propriety, their suffering the miseries of a dungeon for above seven months, and their names, characters, and family, being the sport of an unfeeling crowd. Surely all these are forcible examples enough, without depriving them of that life, which may in future be atoned for by the most exemplary conduct.
We are exceeding happy to be able to inform the public, that the great and good man, Stephen Theodore Jamsen, is out of all danger from his late indisposition, and in a happy way of recovery. Indeed his illness has not been so great as hungry expectants have represented.
Yesterday Mrs. Perreau and her three children, dressed in deep mourning, attended at the Queen's Palace, and procured another petition to be presented to her Majesty.
The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland have given orders, during the severity of the weather, for victuals to be dressed every day for the relief of the neighbouring poor, which is distributed to great numbers between the hours of 12 and two.
Last night a fire broke out at Mr. Spearman's upholsterer, in Derbeigh-street, Spitalfields, which consumed the same before it could be extinguished.
On Thursday was married at St.Margaret's church, Westminster, James Flowers, Esq; of Abingdon-street, to Miss Jane Tomlinson, of Park-street, Westminster.
On Thursday last was married at Tenterden, in the county of Kent, Mr. James Simmons, one of the Aldermen of the city of Canterbury, Miss Charlotte Mantell, daughter of the late Edward Mantell, Esq; of Ashford.
Yesterday died in great agonies, Miss Parnell, only child of Mr. Parnell, in Thames-street, whose death was occasioned by swallowing a pin, while the maid was dressing her. What renders this occurrence more melancholy to the unhappy parents, they had a son unfortunately drowned last summer coming from Woolwich.
Yesterday died at his house at Epsom, --- Peat, Esq.
This morning died at his house in Broad-street Buildings, Samuel Da Costa, Esq; a Portugal merchant.