VOL. XIV THE MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WITH NOTES AND QUERIES NOVEMBER, 1911 No. 5 EXTRACTS FROM THE PROVIDENCE GAZETTE T 1778-1780 (Sixth Paper) March 13, 1779. IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HIS Assembly, being sensible of the abilities and good conduct as an Officer of the Honorable Major General Sullivan since his taking the Command of the Army within this State, and of the active zeal with which he hath exerted the Forces under him for the preservation of this State and the security of its inhabitants do unanimously Resolve That His Honor the Deputy Governor, Mr. John Brown, and Theodore Foster, Esq., as a Committee of this Assembly wait upon the General and in their names return him their sincere Thanks and assure him that as they cannot entertain a doubt of his perseverence in such measures as may in subservience to the public interest best promote those of this State, so they most cordially wish an uninterrupted continuance of that mutual harmony which hath ever subsisted between the General and this Assembly in all such measures. To which His Honor the General returned the following answer: Permit me, Gentlemen, to return you my unfeigned Thanks for your polite address and the satisfaction you are pleased to express of my conduct and services while I have had the honor to Command in this Department. * If my Zeal for the interest of my Country, if my well-meant endeavors to do justice to my Trust and my exertions as an Officer have contributed to the security of the people, the voice of approbation from their Representatives in Assembly is an and flattering compensation. For the honor of my profession and the respect I have for the Legislative Authority, it shall ever be my study to cultivate harmony and by promoting the interest of the public, attend particularly to that of this State and I hope, Gentlemen, under the influence of Divine Providence your patriotism and perseverance will be finally crowned with success and by the expulsion of our Common Enemy from the Country you may enjoy the fruits of your honest industry and the blessings of peace, so virtuously contended for. In this hope I remain, Gentlemen, Your Grateful, Humble Servant, JOHN SULLIVAN. March 20, 1779. Capt. Rufus Potter in the Ship Union from this port is arrived at South Carolina, as is Captain Dunn in a Sloop from Connecticut at Cape François. (Hayti:) Since our last, five of Wightman's Tory Regiment and one Hessian arrived here from Rhode Island. Capt. Gideon Crawford in the Ship Peggy from this Port, bound to South Carolina, was taken the 22d of January off that coast by a small Privateer from Georgia, which he fought till he had expended all his ammunition. The Enemy gave Captain Crawford and his men a small boat in which they arrived safe at Charleston. March 27, 1779. By a Flag of Truce from Rhode Island which came to Warwick Neck on Saturday last, we learn that Admiral Gambier arrived at Newport from New York a few days before. We since learn that he has sailed with several vessels under Convoy, having on board about 259 invalids. In the above Flag came a number of the distressed inhabitants of Rhode Island, and a few Prisoners of War. Saturday (March 29) last about 29 Sail of Vessels from New Port (supposed to be a Wood Fleet) went up the Western Sound under Convoy of the Nautilus Sloop of War, since which it is said several of them have been driven ashore on Gardiner's Island. Remain at Rhode Island. One Ship of 64 Guns, One of 50 Guns, and 12 small armed vessels and Transports. April 3, 1779. General Sullivan left Providence, March 29, 1778. The Honorable Major General Gates who is appointed to Command this Department, was last night at Wrentham and is expected to arrive in town to-day (April 3). Sunday morning last (March 28) a Fleet of 25 Sail of Transports said to have Troops on board, and convoyed by Two Frigates, arrived at Newport. They sailed from Sandy Hook a few days before. Wednesday Evening (March 31) Ten sail of Transports with some Troops and flat bottom boats, passed by Seaconnit steering Eastward, and are supposed to be bound on a Sheep-Stealing Expedition. Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in the Southern Port of this State dated March 31. A brisk firing of cannon has been heard this day. Report tells us, and with some degree of certainty, that 164 Sail of the Enemy's Shipping are now at anchor between Saybrook and New London. The Enemy at Rhode Island are in motion. Should they be hardy enough to attempt an Expedition up the Bay, have no doubt but they will meet with a proper reception. We learn that the famous Joseph Wanton, Jun., of Newport, was lately appointed by General Prescott, Superintendent General of Police for the Island of Rhode Island. April 10, 1779. Saturday last (April 3) the Hon. Major General Gates having been appointed to the Command for this Department, arrived here from Boston. General Glover's Brigade of Continental Troops who in new uniforms made a very martial appearance, with a large number of other Gentlemen met him a few miles out of town and escorted him to Head Quarters. On the General's entering the town he was saluted by a discharge of Thirteen Guns from the Continental Park of Artillery stationed here. Last Tuesday (April 6) the Hon. Gen. Gates together with Brigadier Generals Glover and Cornell, most of the Officers of the Army in this Department and a number of Gentlemen of this Town, partook of an elegant Entertainment at Hacker's Hall. After Dinner the following patriotic toasts were drank and the pleasure diffused through the whole Company was, we doubt not, a happy presage of the Blessings we are to reap, under so worthy and distinguished a Commander. 1. The United States. 2. Congress. 3. Our great and glorious Allies. 4. General Washington and the armies of the United States by Sea and Land. 5. General Lincoln and success to the Southern Army. 6. The States of Holland. 7. Our Ambassadors at Foreign Courts. 8. A Successful Campaign. 9. Glad Tidings from Europe and the West Indies. 10. The Governor and State of Rhode Island. II. Our European Friends. |