The Virginia Gazette from Williamsburg, Virginia • Page 2

V.J. I. c' If. :4 i A st! qVdlity till they received an tccount of ycur Lordlhip's removal of the gunpowder from the public magazine, to one of his Mijefty' Jhips of war, and of your irritating and mod unjufLfiable threats. The inhabitants of this country, ray Lord, could not be (b angers to the many attempts in.

the northern colonics to difarm the people, and thereby deprive them of the only mesns of defending thtir lires and property." We know, from good authority, that the like meafures were generally recommended by the miniftry, and that the. export of power from Great Britain had been prohibi ted. Judge then how very alarming a removal 6f the fmall ftock remained in the public magazine, for the defence of the (country, and the ftripping the guns of their locks, mult have been to any people, who had the fmalleft regard for their fecurity. The manner, and time, of doing it, made no fmall addition to the general apprehenfion of your Lordlhip's views. The reafon aflign ed by your Lordhip for taking this ftep, we mould have thought the moft likely at any other time, to have directed a very different conduct.

We mould have fuppofed, that a well grounded appre henfion of an infurrtction of the flaves ought to have called forth the utmoft exertions to lupprefs it. The world will probably judge your Lordhip's method of doing this, the leaft likely to effect the neceflary purpofe. Your Lordihip having reprefented this powder as the lung's peculiar property, luppofing it to have been brought from one of his fhips, we have made inquiry into that matter, and cannot find that there ever was any powder brought either from the Rippon'or any other man of war; fo that we prefume your Lordihip muft have been mifinformed as to this fince the powder was removed, as it was not relied on in your anfwer to the addrefs of the corporation of the city of Williamftwrg. Be this, however, as it may, we conceive the cafe would not be materially altered. We muft remind your Lordihip, that, by a very ancient law of this country, enacted fo long fmce as the thirty fe cond year of the reign of his Majefty King Charles the fecond, for raifing a public and for the better fupnort of this govern merit, amongft other provifions, an impoft or one half pound of new gunpowder, and three pounds of leaden (hot, or one (hilling and threepence fterling, was impofed on all fhips or veffels coming into this colony.

In the ninth year of the reign of Queen Anne, the impoft of one (hilling and threepence on the tunnagc of veflels 'was continued, for port duties. It is evident, my Lord, that the original and chief defign of this particular impoft was to provide, from time to time, a proper ftock of munition for the defence of the country. We have examined the produce of this fund for j. thirteen years pad, and find that it yielded in that time twenty thoufand five hundred and three pounds three (hillings and ninepence fterling, which, on an average, amounted to noil, sis. fterling per annum; and it is obfcrvable, that for the four laft years it yielded confidently more than three thoufand pounds 7 in each year.

It may from hence be fairly fubmitted, whether it was not incumbent on the executive part of 'government to have provided, in the firft place, from fo large and ample a fund, a 'proper ftock of arms and ammunition, which was fo effentially necefTary for the fecurity of the country. If, my Lord, inftead of applying a reafonable part of this money to fuch neceflary purpofes, the whole has been applied to other occafions of government, and 'powder and arms had been procured through fome other channel, we (hould prefume that thefe, when ftored the public magazine, built at the expenfe of the country, and appropriated to. the fafe keeping of ail military fibres, ought there to nave remained, till the exigencies the country demanded them. 'We find, my Lord, that the inhabitants of the city of Williamf burg, in the midft of which the magazine is fituated, upon difco vering that powder was removed, "the time and manner of its being done, in the dead of night, under an efcort of armed marines, commanded by Capt. Heniy Collins of the Magdalen, were exr alarmed; that many of them were fo exafperated that they had recourfe to arms, intending, as we underftand, to com jel Capt, Collins to reftore the powder; but we cannot difcover that the leaft infult was intended! to your Lordihip.

We find that the Corporation of Williamfburg prefented a very decent and re Jpectful addrefs to your Excellency, defiring that you would be pleafed to order the powder to be returned and, on receipt of your aniwerj amoiign. outer iiiiugs, nuwniguiii uscu moved bv vour orders, under which Capt. Collins had afted, and. proraifing that it (hould be returned in cafe of an infurrection, the people aflembled were loon appeafed, returned quietly to their re fpective homes, and perfect tranquillity was reftored in the city; that in the fucceeding night, on a report that a number of armed men had landed at a ferry about four miles from the city, the in habitants wtre again much alarmed; but, upon the interpofition fome Gentlemen, they were quieted, and nothing farther was done than flrengthening the ufual patrol for the fecurity of the city. We farthes find, that on the next day, when every thing was perfectly quiet, your Lordihip fent a menage into the city by one of the maeiftrates, which you delivered with the moft folemn afleverations, that any intuit was ottered to uapt.

roy, or uapt. Collins, vou would declare freedom to the (laves, and lay the town ixr afhes and that you could eafily depopulate the whole country. What could have provoked your Lordihip to this we cannot dif cover, as oom captain roy ana v.apiain couins, ana jevenu other had been requcntryfeen walking publicly in the firects, and no one offered either of them the leaft injury; nor can we difcover any reafon to believe that any thing of the fort was intended." The inhabitants, my Lord, could not but be exceedingly alarmed at fo cruel a threat; many people confidered it as part of that general plan, they had heard was recommended in England, ana which was difcoveredby your Lordihip through accident; they however, tiid nothing that we can learn, than continue their former patrols. A report thefe feveral matters having foon circulated throughout almoft the whole country, with this addition, that the moft valuable guns in the magazine had been (tripped of their locks, and that the inhabitants of WUHamfturg were in the moft imminent danger, the minds of the people in general were much agitated they aflembled in different quarters, and a number of exprefTes were fent to in auire and obtain a true ftate of things. It appears, that, during lis general uncafinefs, an account was received from the north wardof the engagement at Concord; the General, it feeras, had fent an armed force to feizc a provincial magazine.

This, your Lordflup may fuppofe, increafed the apprehtnhons of our people, as.it held out to them an additional proof that the fteps you' had taken formed a part of that general lyftem adopted to render the colonies defcncelefs. If, upon fuch alarms, when the minds of the people were fretted to an extreme degree, fome irregularities were committed, the caufes may be found in thofe extraordinary atttempts to (Iretch the powers of government fo much beyond their ancienLandconftitutioiul limits. It gave the greateft concern, my Lord, to alFlicquaTnt witrryourmoft amiable Lady, and her diitinguilhed character, to hear that (lie had removed with her children to ore of the King's (hips. We have inquired into the caufe of this; and though we do not prefume to prel'cribe to Ladyfhip, yet we are pcrfuaded, that, had (he known the fentiments ot all ranks of people in this colony, every uneafinefs would have been removed. We find, my Lord, that from the reat pains taken by the magiftrates, and other inhabitants of the city of Williamlburg, there could have been no real ground for fear at the time of her Lady (hip's removal, unlcl's it was produced from your Loidlhip's threats, which might have kept the minds of fome of the citizens in fufpenfe.

A few Ladies, it appears, left the city; but it was not through apprehenfions of any other danger than what your Lordihip held over them. The inhabitants certainly could have entertained no fufpicions of injury from their friends in the country, who had kindly offered to to their afTiftance fo that it was in the power of your Lordihip, alone, to have removed her Ladyftup's uneafinefs. It gives us the greiteft pain, my Lord, to find, in yo'ir Excellency's hiefl'age, lb determined a. lefolution to purfuci courfc the mod likely to revive the uneafinefs of the people, and prevent that reftoration of harmony fotrxleritly wifhed for by all good men. You are pleafed to fubmi to our judgmenT, whether you could reafonably have expefted any good etfct from communicating the ground of your uneafinefs to us." We give it as our opinion, that your Lordihip had the greateft reafon, if you had viewed our conduct in its proper light, to have exported the bed effecW from fuch communication, as we met.

your Lordfhip in General Afiembly with the Gncereft difpofitions to do every thing in our power to provide for the tranquility of the country. The reafons afligncd for your contrary apprehenfions, we are per fuaded, muft have been fuggefted to your Lordihip by fome de figning, malevolent We can hardly fuppofe your Lordftiip could have had any well grounded fear of perlonal danger, when it is notorious that you appeared publicly, as ufual and it is in proof to Ub, that the fame night in which you left the palace, you walked alone to the Attorney General's, at the diftance of upwards of a quarter of a mile, and returned unmo leftedj and we cannot difcover that even the fiighteft infult was offered. If you judge of the difpofition of the Houfe of Bur gefles, as to public matters, from their declining to accept an invitation to dine with your Lordihip (the inftance of refpecl and civility alluded to, and which you fay you had been forward in offering to them) you have entirely miuaken their motives. A piece of civility of this fort had formerly its due weight with us; but we had little reafon to fuppofe that fuch a ceremony would, at this time, be attended, on your Lord (hip's part, with that cordiality which we thought we had obferved on former occafions. How could your Lordflup think of admitting to your table a ftt of men, whom, together with the whole body of their conftitu ents, you had endeavoured to paint in fuch deipicable and odious colours That the Houfe of Burgefl'es ever countenanced the violent and diforderly proceedings of the people, we muft, in jufticc to ourfelveb, take leave to deny.

As to the magazine's being rifled, which you are pleafed to infinuate was done with the approbation of the Houfe, we muft fay, that in this alfo the greateft injuftice is done to us. The Hou(e was fitting, clofely engaged in public bufinefs, when this affair happened. Some of our members, as we believe the truth is, upon hearing what was going forward at the magazine, went up in hopes of preventing it. We are informed, that a great concourfe of people, from different parts of the country were aflembled, and that many of the arms had been taken out of the magazine. Several of the members, as private Gentlemen, remonftrated with all the people they met with againft fuch proceedings, and prevailed with them to return what they had taken.

When your Lordihip was pleafed to accul'e the Houfe of BurgelTes of ufurping the executive power," from what happened on this occafion, we prefume it would have been well to nave confidered with what propriety they could have interfered! Had they made an order for apprehending the perfons concerned, who were unknown, it would have been fruitlef's, and, moreover, a plain departure from tne line of their authority. Such a ftep your Lordfhip might, indeed, have juftly cenfured, as an ufurpation of the executive power. Or would your Lordihip have recommended to the individual members to have afted as bailiffs, in feizing all offenders they met with? We never have, nor will we ever give countenance to fuch unjuifiable proceedings as happened that day. Your acquaintance, my Lord, with mankind, muft fuggeft to you the difficulty there is in retraining an incenfed multitude. Many people, the irritation of whofe minds had but lately fub fided, we underftand, had been again greatly alarmed at a late unfortunate accident, which happened to fome inconfiderate young men, in their unlawful attempt to fuinifh themfelves with arms out of the magazine; an attempt, my Lord, which we condemn as highly as your Lordihip can.

But whether fome little apology may not be fuggefted, from thatuniverfal anxiety which all mankind have to prepare for the defence of their lives and property, we will not determine; the point is delicate, and we leave the world to judge of it. But the means contrived, in purfuance of your Lordlhip's orders, by which an unfortunate culprit might probably have been hurried into eternity, without a moment's time for reflection, we conceive, can do no great honour to humanity; which, we (hould have fuppofed, would have dictated the neceflity of at lealt giving public notice that fpriug guns were prepared arid fixed; which, it is imagined, would have anfwered every purpofe of fecurity to the magazine. Your. Lordlhip's reflections on oitr committee, and, through them, upon this whole Houfe, we think might have been fparcd, after what palled early in the feflion. Had the com.nittee inilbehaved, wc (hould not have been backward in taking proper notice of it.

When we received your Lo.i dfhip's very temperate mcfl'tge reflecting their conduct, we ad irefl'cd your Excellency, in hopes, by having matters properly explained, of removing all umbrage you might have taken. Your Lordlhip's reply to this meffage induced us to believe that you were f'atisfieil; but it feems we mult again enter on the fame fubject, or remain cxpofed to the weight of your Lordlhip's ccnfuic. For the remainder fee I be lafi page. CAMBRIDGE, July 6, Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Efq; Gene ral and Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. May it thafeyour Excellency, THE Congrel's of the Maflachufetts colony, imprefltd with every fentiment of gratitude and refpect, beg leave to congratulate you on your fafe arrival, and to wilh you all imaginable happinefs and fuccefs in the execution of the important duties of your elevated ftation.

While we applaud that attention to the public good, manifelted in your appointment, we equally admire that difinterefled virtue and diftinguifhed patriotifm, which alone could call you from thofe enjoyments of domeitic life, which a fublirae and manly tafte, joined with a moft affluent fortune, can afford, to hazard your life, and to endure the fatigues of war, in the defence of the rights of mankind, and the good of your country. The laudable zeal for the common caufe of America, and com paflion for the diltrtfTes of this colony, exhibited by the great def patch made in your journey hither, fully juftify the univeifal fatisfaction we have with pleafure obferved on this occafion; and are proraifing prefages that the great expectations formed from your prfonal character, and military abilities, are well founded. We wifh you may have found fuch regularity and difcipline already eftablilhed in the array, as may be agreeable to your ex hurry with which it was nererLrily collefted, and the many diladvantages anling go vernment, under which we have railed, and endeavored to regulate the forces of this colony, have rendered it a work of time and though in a great meafure effected the completion of fo diiii cult, and at the fime time fo ncceflitry a talk, is'reftived to your Excellency; and we doubt not will be properly confidered and attended to. We would not prefume to prefcribe to your Excellency, but fuppofing you would choofe to be informed of the general cha rafter of the foldiers who compefe this army, beg leave to repre fent that the greateft part of them have not before feen fervice and although naturally brave, and of good unclei yet for want of experience in military life, have but little knowledge of divers things molt effential to the prefer; of health, and even life. The youth in the army are not pofl'efl'ed of die abfolute neceflity of cleanlinefs in their diefs and lodging, cor tinual excr cife, asd ftiiSk temperance, to prefeive them from difeafes fre quently prevailing in C3mps; efpenally nmorg; thole, who fr their childhood have been ultdto a laborious life.

We beg leave to afiure you, that this Congiefs will, at limes be icady to attend lucii Kquilitions as you mav have occafion to make to us and to contribute all the aid in our power to the caufe of America, and your happinefs and cafe," in the dif charge of the duties of your exalted orricc. We moft fervently implore Almighty God, that the bledings of Divine Providence may reft on you; that your head may be covered in the day of battle that every neceflary afliftance may Lc afforded; and that you may be long continued life and health a bleffing to mankind. His Excellency's ANSWER. Gentlemen, YOUR kind congratulations on my appointment and arrival demanded my warmeft acknowledgments, and will ever retained in grateful remembrance. In exchanging the enjoyments of domeftic life for the duties of my prefent honourable, but arduous ftation, I only emulate the virtue and public fpirit of the whole province of Maflachufetts Bay, which with a firmnefs and patriotifm without example in modern hiftory, has facrificed all the comforts of focial and political life, in fupport of the rights of mankind, and the welfare of our common country.

My higheft ambitidn is to be the happy inftrument of vindicating thofe rights, and to fee this devoted province again reftored to peace, liberty, and fafety. The ftiort fpacc of time which has elapfeJ fince my 'arrival doet not permit me to decide upon the ftate of the army. The courfe of human affairs forbids an expectation, that troops formed under fuch circumftances (hould at once pollefs the order, regularity, and difcipline of veterans. Whatever deficiencies there may be, will, I doubt not, foon be made up by the activity and tea) of the officers, and the docility arid obedience of the men. The(V qualities, united with their natural bravery and fpirit, will afford a happy prefage of fuccefs, and put a final period to thofe diftrtfles which now overwhelm this once happy country.

I moft fincerely thank you, Gentlemen, for your declarati( nv ofreadinefs, at all times, to afliftmeinthedifchnrgeofthedntits of my ftation; they are fo complicated and extendtd, tint I fhaii need the afliftance of every good man, and lover cf his country: I therefore repofe the utmoft confidence in your aid. In return tt your affectionate wifhes to myfelf, permit me to fay, that I earneltly implore that Divine in whofe hands are all human events, to make you and your conllituqits as diftinguifhed in private iu4 public happinefs, as you have been by minitterial opprelfion, and by private and public diftrefs. GEORGE WASHINGTON. To the Hon. CHARLES LEE, Efq; Major General of the Continental army.

SIR, THE Congrefs of the Maflachufetts colony, pofTefltd of the fulled evidence of your attachment to the rights of nirttj. kind, and regard to the diftrefTes which America in general, 'and this colony in particular, are involved in, by the impolitic, wicked, and tyrannic fyftem adopted by Adminiftration, and purfued with relentlefs fury, do, with pleafure, embrace this opportunity to exprefs the fatisfaction and gratitude they feel in your appointment as a Major General in the American arrny We fincerely congratulate you on your fafe arrival here, and wifh you all poflible happinefs and fuccefs in the execution of fo important a truft. We admire and refpect a man, who, difre garding the allurements of profit and diltinction his merits mih: procure, engages in the caufe of mankind, in defence of the in jured, and relief of the oppreflcd. From your character, from your great abilities and military experience, united with the com mander in chief, under the (miles of Providence, we flatter our felves with the profpect of difcipline and order, fuccefs and victory. Be allured, Sir, that it will give us great pleafure to he able to contribute to your happinefs.

May the favours and bleflings of Heaven attend you. May Divine Providence guard and protect you, conduct you in the paths of honour and virtue, grant yoii the reward of the brave and virtuous, the applaufts of mankind, and the approbation of your own confidence, and eternal happinefs hereafter. His Honour's ANSWER. To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congrefs of Majfachufctts; Gentlemen, NOTHING can be fo flattering to me as the good opinion and approbation of the Delegates of a free and uncorrupf people. I was educated in the higheft reverence for the rights of mankind, and have acauired bv Ion? acauaintance a moft particu lar regard for the people of America.

You may depend, therefore, Gentlemen, on my zeal and integrity. I can Dromife you nothing from my abilities. God Almighty grant us fuccefs equal to the righteoufnefs of the caufe. I thank you, Gentlemen, for an addrefs which does me fo much honour, and (hall labour to de ferve it. July 13.

On Tuefday night a party of men was fent from Roxbury camp to Long ifland, in Bofton harbour, from whence they brought off 1 5 of the enemy prifoncrs, between zo and 30 horned cattle, and about 100 (heep. The prifoners were brought to Head quarters yefterday, and foon after fent to Concord. PORTSMOUTH, July 11. We have the moft certain intel ligence that the Indians of the Caghnawaga tribe have taken their children from Dartmouth college, from which there is great reafon to fear fome attack upon our back fettlements will (hortly be commenced. We alfo hear, Governor Carlton of Quebec is endeavouring to procure, and has had conferences with Indians 1500 miles back of that city, and has made them great offers to take up arms againft the Englilh Colonies.

NEW LONDON, July 7. Laft Lord's day, arrived here from New Y01 feveral Gentlemen, volunteers from Virginia, on their way to the provincial camp at Cambridge. HARTFFORD, July 17. We. hear General Gage has re quelled of our army to lend neceffaries for the diftreffed poor confined in Bofton.

PROVIDENCE, July 1. The General Afiembly of this colony have ordered an additional number of 360 men to be iir.mc diuiely railed lot the common defence, and one quarter of the militia throughout the colony tobeenliftedas minute men. CH ARLESTOWN, July 14. THE General Afcmbly of this province met here on Monday laft, agreeable to the laft prorogation, when his Excellency the Governor was. pleafed to open the feflion with a lpcech, to which the Aflcmbly returned the following anfwer: To his Excellency the Rkht Hon.

Lord WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Captain General, Governor, andTfmanderinChiefn aniwiet his Majefty colony oSoUTH CAROLINA: The humble ADDRESS of the Commons Houfe of Afiembly of the faid colony. May it pleafeysur Excellency, WE his Majefty's loyal fubjefts, the representatives of the inhabitants cf this colony, met in General A at this very alarming and critical period, beg leave to afiure your Excellency that we are willing to poftpone the confidei arion our private affairs', whenever the public exigencies demand our attention; fully convinced, that the fafety of private property entirely depends upon the fecurity of public rights. We molt fincerely lament that his Majefty's counfels, and the conducct of his Minifters, have incapacitated us from meeting your Excellency, whofe zealous endeavours in Great Britain, tor the welfare of this' colony, claim our grateful acknowledgments,.