The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume], September 15, 1774, Image 1

About The Massachusetts spy, or, Thomas's Boston journal. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1772-1775

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w Great LIBERTY infpixe Bur Souls-—And make our Lives in Th r Poffeflion happy—Or, our Deaths glorious in th y just Defence. /E3E
IV.) THURSDAY, September 15, 1774. (Numb. 189.
UMBO ’ N OPI W
hr th, MASS ACHUSBTTS SPY.
To T«ba»u««« G-
A WR IT E R in a late Spy aflerts that you made
many promife* not to be a mandamus Councellor.
Every body that knows you, can witnefa to the truth of
what he affirms. You was, nevertheless, one of the fore
moft to take the oaths. You hastened to swear deftrufhon
to your county. You agreed, more than a war ago, with
its mod inveterate enemy, to serve in the office. He pro
mised to procure your appointment. He transmitted a lift
which contained your name, to the ministry. This was done
soon after the Council pafed their resolves relating to his
Utters. You h*e, since that time, repeated your declara
tion that you would not accept, if appointed. You have
been long used to look one way and row another. Your
double dealing in politics has been notorious. But nobody
ftigmatiaed you so freely before the last administration, as
he that was the last administrator. Though a very Jan u s
himfelf, he severely cdnlured you. You have heard the
homely proverb of the pot and kettle. Since that you have
conftdered him as your friend and patron. You have ever
since been his obedient fervent. He has made use ot you
to answer his pernicious purposes. He thoroughly knew
you ; but his case was difficult s He had few friends. His
greatly superior abilities taught him how to manage you so
as to effe« his designs. He knew your dependance on him
for continuance in office would infare your aid. He has at
length involved his native country in misery and rain.
You afforded him all the assistance in your power. It you
doubt whether every body in this town speak of you as 1 do,
ask plain hearted Solomon. Though his business is fmug
gltng, he.fometimes adverts to politics. .
Among other things, you are charged with reproaching
widows. 1 have heard of a very worthy widow in a certain
town a few years ago. Her name I (hall not mention.
She was in the bloom of life. An old Dotard made love
to her. She wanted to rid herfelf of his fawning impor
tunity. To effect this she was necessitated to tell him (he
had no thoughts of marrying. At the time when she laid
so, the had none. Afterwards, upon a worthy gentleman's
paying his addrefles to her, she changed her mind. Could
the old Dotard be juftified in comparing thia to a foiemn
breach of promise t
Yc:;r were nbfoiute. They were onen re-
peated. Every Member of the Houses of Representatives
c f late years can teftify this. They were uttered a little
before fevcral last Wednesdays in May. They were repeat
ed in the winter fesGons following. In the winter sessions
civil officers are chosen, and the House grant falariet in the
lame sessions to the fervantsof the government. Your pa
triotism never appeared as a (laady principle. At such times
you would ad like a political enthusiast. When your ends
were answered you were in to’thcr box, or trimming be
tween court and country. . .
Of all vices Ingratitude is the most sordid. This is a
trite faying. You have a fortune. You acquired it by
the favour of the people. Time was when your circum
stances were low and scanty. You had nothing then to do
in the way of trade. TilJm had left oft’ going to Jamaica.
You (pent your time in talking about NM-Ligbti. You
ridiculed them and their teachers. You made mock sermons.
You went about from ihop to shop to read them. At length
nccdfity obliged you to seek for lome other employment.
You turned your thoughts to the Treasurer’s office.. You
said things of Foye which the golden rule would not juftify.
By arts and stratagems you got to be eledcd his fucceflbr.
These are well remembered. They will never be forgot.
The people put you into their best office. To requite them
you trample upon their dearest rights. You have been
continued in the office about twenty years. Your annual
grants have been rtberal and generous. You have been
better paid than any other officer in the government. For
I feme of your txeraordiiiary grants there was Scarcely any
colour. You made entertainments. You talked on the
popular fide. You sometimes made honed people think
Viey were obliged to you, when you had only done the com
non duty of your office. It is an advantage to an aspiring
tan to have the reedviag and /’Ajieg of all public monies,
be puMic creditors and debtors make a great part of the
yimumty. You improved this advantage to secure your
■I Councellor and Treasurer. You often concealed
i r feffiihnefr and ambition, under pretences of friendfhip.
• U often under the difguiie of patriotism. What artifi
i findings I Your own conduct has now fuffic'iently de
lft fed them.
fffi Ncttltba v Baronet you talked against with much
freedem ; Yet you were upon good terms with him. He
allowed you that liberty that you might be better able to
gain intelligence to carry to him. You were employed by
his fucceflbr in the fame dirty business. How often did you
inthat way dilhoaour the honourable office of a Conner lor 1
He did not, however, give you the fame indulgence to iyeak
tcainft him. You had, to lecure your places, said as
he tlwught, enough of all conkieace before ha came to
the chair. ~ - «
Upon bis departure, to answer your own ends, you addreU
t tha destroyer of your country, as if ha had been its guardian
Angel. The people having found you out, you dilpair of
kheir favour. You fall in with the cruel meaiures adopted
br their deftruftion. You axe hardened part all hope of
wentance. You glory in you: Ihame. You fncer at thof*
' to meekly reprove you. You have been told the people
U never eled you Treasurer again. Yon answer, the
»mor will negative whoever they fhali choose. \ou
t ve heard the opininn of your friends, that the-House wiU
that case never make you a grant. You reply, the rtatf
1 be in my own hands : I will pay myfelf.
7ngtatefel Man ! attend to what I offer by way of con
bn. The American caafe is just and righteous. Like
I lit is great, and will prevail. If you would save your-
V from unwerfal detestation, turn about immediately.
< . have been trifling till your day of grace is almost ox
ft/ \ Ft rthwith resign your feat at the foam council board.
tb Sly confels your errors. Implore the forgivenefs of
den op le. You cannot indeed secure your office of Trea
«3|| But you may put a flop to the maledifbons of your
kroen. You may even yet save your nuns from
of I recsalgd to future ages. ■
hat n you have fettled matters as well as you can. for
est rid, as you art an old man, you would do wdl to
think of the time whew you must leave it. The deftroyen
of their country's happiness are not in the faireft way to
secure their own hereafter. Certainly your political conduct
needs to be bitterly repented of. This hint,is honestly
meant. Though 1 have freely confuted you, I wilh you
well through every period of your existence. Adieu.
GALLIMAUFRY.
MONDAY, September 12.
B O S. T O N.
On Friday last the Selectmen of this town again waited
upon his Excellency the Governor with die following
Address, via.
May it fitafe your Excellency,
TH E Seieftmen of Boston, at the earned desire of a
number of gentlemen of the town and country, again
wait on your Excellency to acquaint you, that since our late
application, the apprehenfioru of the people, not only of this
but of the neighbouring towns, are greatly increased, by ob
serving the design of erefting a fortrefs at the entrance of
the town j and of reducing this metropolis m other refpedb
to the state of a garrison.— I'his with complaints lately
made, of abuse from some of the guards polled in that
quarter, in aflaulting and foiceably detaining several peiims
who were peaceably passing in and out of the town, may
difeourage the market people from coming in with provisions
as usual, and oblige the inhabitants to abandon th town.
This event we greatly deprecate, as it wilLp'<Muce miseries
which may-hurry the province into ads of desperation.
We should therefore think ourselves happy if wc could
fatisfy the people that your Excellency would suspend your
design, and not adt* to tlie diftrelles of the inhabitants occa
sioned by the port-bill, that of garrifuning the
John Scot lay, Cha rman of the Seled-mcn.
Tbt GOVERNOR’S Answer.
Gxntlcmkn,
HEN you lately onpiird to me rejf efling my
cannon to beyia.ed at the entrance of ti e tewn,wuyilr'
you term the ore fling a ftetrefi; Ijg fully cxprejfed on fptf*
menu, that I tbwgbt you wot fat 1 fed ebe fee fie w-
tbing to fear tram that measure, at no use wculd j
thereof, unlefi their bfUU prvceedimry Jbtuld make it neH*-~
jfary ; but at you have tbit day acquainted me, that your
f art are rather ittcreafed, I bovt tbvuglt proper to of ure
you, that I have no inreniion to prevent the free egrtft and
regreft of any person to and from tie town, or of reducing it
to the state of a garrison, neither jball I fuffer ..ny under my
command to injure the person or property of any of hit Ma
jefty'e fuijdh. But at it it my duty, so it jball be my en
deavour 10 prefirve tbt peace, ar.dpromote the bapptaeft of
every individual J and I earnestly recommend to you, and
every inhabitant, to cultivate the fame spirit—And heartily
wish tbiy may live quietly and happily in the town.
Boston, Sept. 9, 1774. 1 HO\ GAGE.
To the Gentlemen Sthcimer. of the town of Boston.
Last Friday morning, one Valentine Ducket, a deserter
from the 65th regiment, now at Halifax, was Ihot in the
rear of the camp in the Common, pursuant to the fcntence
of a court martial. He was born at St. Peter’s pariih in
Derbyflurc, and was but z 1 years of age.
Saturday last most of the 59th regiment marched from
Salem to this place, and are now Rationed on the Neck at
the entrance of the town; where great hostile preparations
ue making as though an enemy was approaching, when, it
is thought by some, the grea.eft number is among uurteives.
The public are hereby im’orewed dai George 'Waiion,
Efqj (who was lately appointed by mandamus nom h s ma
jesty, one of the unconilituiLnai council of this province)
has resigned his feat at said board, and communicated his
resignation to governor Cage by letter the fiJt inflant.
We hear horn Shutefbury, that on Monday fennight,
the inhabitants of that place met and ereded a |>ofe with
a flag of LIBERTY ! as a fipul of the general spirit of
resentment in that town, to the late oppieffive ads of par
liament.
The town of Marblehead have agreed that their regi
ment of militia ffiall turn out four times in a week, w<ih
arms and amumtion according to law, in order to perfed
themselves in the military art.
Extrafl of a Irtm from a gfntleman at Wind for, (Nova-
Scotia) to a gentleman in Halifax, dated August 12, J 774.
“ Such a spirit of liberty breathes even hue a: Wiudtor
(and I liope will through the other townftips) that a chest
ut that infamous tea, the property of the Sal-India com
pany, which had been privately conveyed from your town,
in order to be font to Cornwallis, was, with the greatest
difficulty, conveyed into Mr. George Defchamp’s store $
not a person being found to aflitt in doing 'he fame, until
Mr. Eurbridge and Mr. Isaac Defchamps assisted with their
own hands. Had it not been insme lately fcnt by water
to Cornwallis, it would have flwred the fate of the Boston
tea. The trucks which brought it to this place, though
deputed in Mr. Defchamp’s yard, was taken out on Sa
turday night and totally dem>4ifh«i, being cut to pieces.
The above may be depended on as fad.”
A Maft-Aip arrived at Poitfmouth, last Thursday, faren
London, having on board 30 chests of tea, consigned to
Edward Parry, Elqi of that place, the people were deter
mined it should not be landed in that province : the con
signee and Capt. appeared willing te do every thing in their
power to prevent any uneafnefa to the inhabitants; it was
generally thought the tea would be font to Halifax.
Twelve pieces of Cannon were last week brought from
Csftle-William and placed at the Fortification.
Extrafl of a letter from Governs London,
July, 8, 1774.
« Let the tea be paid for by or in behalf of the town,
as soon as may be ; and 1 hope you will da as much to pro
mote this as poflibte-—I find my applications every where
to have mote weight dun I could exped, and the profpad
of your speedy relief to be fairer every day As finally ob
tained, 1 thall think it one of the most happy cuumflanecs
of my life." ,
tAw-Yoax, Sept. 5. Fatly on Monday morning last,
John Jay, (without the inhabitants being apprised
of his departure ffet out from thisoty to attend the Coagrefe
gtPm l abutn 1 a j—andon Thursday the firft
other four Delegates COik their departure for 'JrtUccUid
abk purpose.
Issac Low, Elq; being under the necessity of going by
way of Fowles-Hook, was escorted to the Ferry Stairs by
a cunfiderable number of refpadable inhabitants, with co
lours flying, music playing, and loud Huxaas at the End of
each street. When they got down to the river, he,, in a
very polite manner, took kave of the inhabitants, fix of
whom accompanied him and his Lady over, with music
playing, Godsavk tnx Kino.
The inhabitants then returned to the Coffee-Houfe, in
order te teftify the like refped to the other three gentle
men, vis. Jamks Duanb, Philiy Livingston,
and John Alsop, Eiquires.
.About half past nine the piuceffion began, and wucon
duft*d in like manner as above. When they arrived at the
Royal Exchange (at which place they embarked) Jamis
Duan I, Elq, in a very aftedionate and moving manner
thanked the worthy inhabitants for the honour they had
conferred upon them, declaring for his own part, and he
had it in command from the whole of his Brother Delegates
to aqua*nt them, that nothing in their power should be
wanting to relieve this once happy, but now aggrieved
country.
When the gentlemrn got under way, they were saluted
by fe.eral pieces of Cannon, mounted on this joyous occasi
on, whuh was answered by a greater-number fiom St-
George’s Ferry; these testimonials and three huxeas, bid
them go and proclaim to all nations, that they, and the
virtuous People they represent, dare defend tier rigbtl at
Pao-VCSTANT ENGLISHMEN. »
As er the gentlemen had got a little diftancc from town,
a considerable number w{nt to St. George's Ferry to cele
brate their departute, --dating the salvation of the colo
nics fiom that hour,—well knowing in whom they have
placed the greatest torfideme that eve* men were intruded
with. There were many loyal, cunilitutmnai, and Ipirited
toafb drank, leafed with frequent dilchargcs ot Cannon,
and attended with this declaration, that each and every of
Trier, solemnly avowed, thiy would jupoort at the rifque of
1 foe red and dear, such lefulutunt at our Dele-
with theft Worthy gentlemen of the Colo-
mould think neetjjary to adept for the good of the com-
day was cooduded with, Gob »avb
—rfi» KmO.
John Harnng and Henry Wefacr, Efips. Dnlcgntas for
Orang* county, we are told, are gone to Philadelphia, to
attend the Congrets. «
We bear Col. Philip Schuyler, is chose a Delegate for
the couity of Albany.
Haitfokb, Sept. 6. On Tuesday last, being the
day tie county court was to set at Springfield, a great
umcuufe of people, judged to be about 3000, alfembled
at thr coui t-house in that place, and appointed a commit
tee lu wait on the court, and request their appearance a
mong the people, which they immediately complied with,
wl.nnthey very willingly finned live following engagement,
vis. •• Wc the lubfciibers, do teverally promise, and solemn
-1) enfpgc to ail pcopie now aifcmbled at Springfield, in the
county of Hauiphire on the 30th day of August 1774»
we never will take, fold, excute, or caerciie, ary CoflMuf
fion, Mxx, or employment whalfoever, under, or by virtue
of, or in an; manner derived fiom any authority p etendud
or a'Kmptcd to be given b ? a late act ot Parliament, enti
tled, ‘ an ait for the better regulating the government ot
the Province of Mafl'achuictts flay in New-England. ’
Ifnei Willizins» Oliver Eathidge, Timothy Dwight,
Thomas Williams, John Worthington, Joseph Hawley,
Wi.iAm Williams, Simeon Strong, Moles Blih, Jonathan
Afaley, FlifhaPwlft, Caleb Suui g, Samuel Fowler, Jo
nathan Blit*.
I. Ycflerday was observed, agreeable,
to our worthy governorproclamation, as a day of failing
and liumnia i»n throughout chi* colony.
St. Croix- July 0. On the 3d us June, about five
o'cioc k in the morning, lome imall (hocks of an Earthquake
wetc fen at a.i India.) village, about lix league* from Guati
maia, and very near the coast of the South-Sea, but did
then no damage except alarming the inhabitant*. The
Ihackt continued with trifling intermiflions till seven o clock
in the evening, when the effedh of nature began to break
forth in all their tenor* ; lightning and thunder w« in
cedant, attended with a heavier rain chan was ever known
there j the sea rose in such a onvulfive minner, that it
overflowed the highest banks, and at the fame time theland
was (> agitated by the earthquake, that the village wu fine
ly destroyed in a ihort time, and not a trace of it left. Ihe
ni >jor prt of the inhabitant* on the fuft appeaamces of the
tt mpeft, had fled toward* the city of Guatimala, but found
m (belter there, that unhappy place being involved in more
mi.ery than where they fled from. The two famou* moun
tains near that dry were in a state of the greatest eruption :•
th.* vac, which emits a liquid fire and amazing large (tones,
threw out it* mail enraged face, on the devoted city ; the
other, which, in a like manner ifl'ue* out water, daluged
the land about, and was fall fraught with deftrudion. Ihe
violentfhocks of die earthquake, the ligbtmng,thunder and
rain,made :medreadful fcence of confufion not to be paralleled.
This war of nature commenced in its fall force about 8
o’dock in die evening, and continued raging till the night
of the 17th day, in which time the university, the public
courts of justice, and cathedral, the parochial churches,. all
the public edifices, were destroyed, either by the earthquake,
by the fire and ftonea from the mountains, or by the im
petuosity of the river which roie above its banks, and bore
every thing before it with the greatest violence. Chafma
of a great extent were made in thr,earth and many whole
houses with number* of the m ferabie inhabitant* fell in
axid were seen no more. But how cm the augßilh of the
unhappy foflerers bedefaibed f The ads ofdqvotiun which
their tiwiuted fear* prompted them to use were all in vain ;
their ptiaft* fallowed up, (buck dead, or other* ife destroy
ed in the very moment of adminiftring abfoiution. Maw
appalled by the ixne, stood fixed, and received the inev“
table death that awaited; those who efraped from the city
were encircled with danger* and death, the field* afforded no
flttlter, th* earth was convuifed, a* with pain, and the vol -
canos and rocks with which that country abound, were
raging with fire, and throwing out Sona of» most prodigi-
G
Qq t* e night of the 7th, about the hour of ten, the
uwuaioa; ragfa txulLtclj, tic earth faoub with great vio-
lence, and the thunder encreafed j this fated about fiv«
, minutes, when the whole city of Guatimala, wudeittoyed
; was ('wallowed in a wide dulm, a rent in nature ; and the
1 fiery earth spread over in a manner wnich fam obfured it
from fight.—l he elements now as giatified with their prey,
| calmed most surprisingly j kv tlw noon of the neat day
every thing was again calm at. serene, but the face of the
earth was alteied, the city was gone, the burning mountain
fho ik in its base, and other rocks lunk with theu tops on
the earth ; the river wu parted in many place*, and form
ed into (landing pool* of a bitter, (musky water, and the
fine vale wa* covered with large ftene*, and the lava (cooled)
which had ifl’ued from the mountain*. The numbers of
of people loft are not yet nor possibly ever will be, really as.
certained, a* those who may have cfcaped have no* yet been
heard of, except the president of the audience, (he Bishop
of the place, and about 170 others, who have provident ally
rfcaped to Trimdad, ot Sonfonate, about thirty leagues from
Guatimala, and about too who have arrived here.
“ This event may be considered as one of the most dread
ful that ever happened : in it* beginning, continuance, and
consequence. • qualiy dreadful and tremendous. The vicious
lives of the inhabitants of that fated city; and in fad of
many other cities of Spaniffi America, would jufti,* an /
opinion that the great creator of all thing* did nut luJfer /
such a puniihment to fall in vain.” I
Salim, September 9. In tlie Brig Juliu*Crfar, Captl
Fea, arrived thirty-three cheft* and three Bo J
hea tea ; but so great ia the spirit of oppolrtffiflTflthi* A\
well a* the neighbouring town*, to the meafure* purfuod \
by the present administration, that no former had tIJ
newa of it* arrival reached the town, than it spread greats
confterr.ation, if poflibie, in the countenance* of peoplf
than the lu(s <|( Fort Will.um-Henry, or the repulse I
Ticonderoga in the late war, when most of us imaging
the French and Indians would soon march to the gal
of Boston : However our fear* soon subsided on the arrii
of Mi. Smith, of Boston, who was feut for by an npi
from the gentlemen Selectmen and the irvmmittee ot J
refpondenca, who have conduct'd with the grrauft p x
dence and caution on thio occasion. It appear* that th€-
abpve tea wa* a coiifignnMnc bom Moffie-m-Ayrr
Montgomery, merchant* in London, to Mcffieura Smith
and Atkinfa;, merchant s'in Boffon, who have behaved
in the most geared and polite manner to the ciftfliflittM
and people of the town, by voluntarily declaring it u their
determination that their tee (hould not be landed, abd
have promised to return it in Lyde, who it soon ro
fail for London, if |remiiffion can be obtained from the
cpmmiffionen of hi* customs, to whom applicatu
on is making for that purpose; which if not giantcti, they
will consent to return it in the Brig it came in without
breaking bulk.
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
» Mr. Thomas,
A Correspondent dehrci you would infrrt the following Ex.
trail from ife Earl of Chatbam'i Speech, delivered some
tim. ago in the House of Lordt.
“ T F we turn our eye* towurd* America, tlie profpefi i*
“ Jt equa.ly di(hef*fa!.—Much has been (aid of the difo
“ bedtorro t>f the colonies to the mother country.*My
“ Opinion, with rcgaid to America, is the fame now, it
“ eve r was. opinion is this, we ought to do justice, •
“ bc’fore we qxpett obedience.—l feel the warmest regard
M for America : 1 love the Americans, bccaufe they love
u liberty ! liberty has spread, like a vine, from this coun
“ try to the colon res ; liberty flourilhes in the wild* of A
“ merica ! I honour the plant ; I revere the tree; and I
“ would clteriih the b;snches. As to any tumult* that
M may have liapi>ened in A merica, they are the ebullition*
M of liberty ; they ve only some breaking* out in the (kin
" ol ffie body politic, which, if rudely restrained and im
properly checked, may (trike inwardly, and endanger the
** vital* of the conftikutiun.—l desire your lord/hip* to con
“ sider by what a precarious tenure the liberties of one part
“ of the Britilh Empire would be held, if the other part
“ were to be made flaA»—During your recef. in the coun
“ try, no doubt your “ worship* have read that exicUer.t
“ book. The AgeofCbarlei the fifth."
L T 0 N DON.
July 4. Gold and Uoer parent criffet, an article of
female dredi diluted since the fa ter end of queen Anne's.,
reign, are, since the passing of the Quebec bill, much
worn by the ladies at court ; upon whicn a great perfonagu
ha* remarked, that they are very piout, h well at becoming
ornaments.
WHEREAS the Affeflbra arc requir
ed by Law to girt feafijoabfe Warning to the Inha
bitants, to bring to the Afkßhtt, tree and perfect Lifts of
their Polls and Rateable Eftata they are poffefled of, or*
the firft Day of September, and Incomes by Trade or Fa
culty, and Gain by Money at Interest.
In Conformity W the Law, the AOdfon of the Town
of Boston, do hereby notify the Inabitants of said Town,
that they (hall attend at their Chamber, at the East-End
of Ferw.il/-Hall Mvket, to receive the fame, (rem Wed
nefay the save nth, to Friday the thirtieth of September,
at the usual Hours, on way Day in the Week, except
Lord's Dey* and Saturdays, ami no longer.
And if any Peifon or Perfon* ffiall not bring In a Lift
of thc< Estates as afortfaid, he (ft they for ncgleding will
not be entitled to any Abitemcnr.
B ftm, August M, Direaion of the Aflefan.
TO BESOLD, »
AL A R G E convenient Dwdling-
House inu Shop*, very pleafandy (ituated in Dedham
a Quarter of a Mite botow the Reverend Mr. Havin'*
M«nr.x-Houfe, eleven Mile, ttvm Boston, on the mam
Row) leading to Providence, very faicauie fa Weft-India
and Englifl* Goods, both of them are very much wanted
in laid DeOham, about one Acre of good Land now im
proved a* a Garden, and a fmail Barn almost new—En
quire of JtnxMiAN Gone, of Boston, Truckman, or
J a sex Bbowh, of fail