[list-cumbria] Cumberland Pacquet - 32

Sun Aug 25 18:39:28 UTC 2024

Whitehaven  - May 25 - 1775.

Accounts received here by the Tryal, Capt. Peele, in 5 weeks from York River, Virginia; mentions the great apprehensions which prevail through the whole continent, with regard to the negroes; several insurrections having been attempted at different places; the planters in many places are distressed beyond measure; several of the conveniences and even necessities of life are already very scarce.

A letter by the above vessel says, that most of the people of middle rank are secretly murmuring at the proceedings of the associators; and that if nothing material happens before winter, that season will be severely felt by thousands.

Tuesday last, a curious affair happened at a public house in this town; three people were drinking in a room, in which was a Raven. One of them took a guinea, and threw it upon the floor, the Raven fixed its eyes on it, but did not attempt to pick it up; when another of the company took it up, and the Raven opening its bill he though the guinea in; which the ravenous bird readily swallowed, contrary to the desire of either party. Some disputes have arisen from this; an Attorney and a Surgeon have been consulted; the owner of the Guinea insists upon having his money again; The owner of the Raven, has no objections, provided the bird is not injured, The point in dispute is, whether it is not lawful to cut the throat of the Raven, and give it owner consideration, at the rate of 4 pence for the head, (the price to be paid by the Churchwardens of our Parish Church at St.Bees,) 4 pence for the wings, &c. -----Time, which determines all great events, will certainly discover this. The bird, however, at present is undoubtably worth on Pound, one Shilling, and eight Pence

A gentleman just arrived from Belfast says, that the principle business carried on in the North of Ireland at present is what they called Soul-Driving; as this term cannot possibly be understood by many, we have the following explanation of it. There are several people in that kingdom, who engage in certain vessels, passages for a number of Emigrants to America; 100, 150, 200, or any other number; where these are secured, they ride through the country, to indent men and women, easily convincing them that it is the same thing their Time to them, as to the Captains trading to the Continent, When their numbers are completed, they embark along with them, and expose them to sale on their arrival in America. Those they do not find a market for at the principal trading towns, they drive up into the country, and dispose of at the plantations; hence these dealers are called Soul Drivers, and their occupation (which is very reputable there) is termed Soul-Driving.

We hear from Ireland that the spirit of emigration to America is very great in every part of that Kingdom; several hundreds are now waiting at different sea ports, rady to embark the first opportunity. The major part of them (pro tempore) are the property of Soul drivers: and so careful are they not to lumber the vessels with unnecessary articles, that many of them will not venture to take either shoes or stockings; and some of them are ready to sail with – scarce any clothes at all.

When Capt. Maxwell, of the Eagle Pacquet left Douglas the 18th inst. at night, the following Whitehaven vessels were in the harbour, viz. The Integrity, Capt. Peele, who had carried away, his main top mast, and lost a man off the [Resbrees?] [Crosstrees?]; the Ledger, Capt. Hodgson; and the Rose, Capt. Harrison.

Thursday last, one Wilton, who was formerly Ostler at the Globe in this town, was committed to Carlisle gaol, by virtue of an Exchequer Writ, for being some time concerned in smuggling teas, etc.

Monday last was married at St.James’s Church by the Rev. Mr. Spedding, Mr. Inman, merchant of Lancaster; to Miss Sargeant of this town.  

This was Mr. Henry Inman marrying a Miss Sarah Serjeant of Whitehaven on the 22 May 1775.

Lately was married At Norfolk in Virginia, Mr. Jonathon Eilbeck, formerly of this place, to Miss Talbot of Norfolk.

On Thursday last Joseph Ashley, Esq.; returned to his house at Brigham, nigh Cockermouth, from London; near which place he has got possession of estates to the yearly value of £3000. On the above occasion the bells of Brigham Church were rung the whole day, at intervals: in the afternoon the inhabitants of Brigham assembled on the Town green, where, all who were capable and could procure firelocks were properly instructed in the martial exercise by Mr. Walker, corporal, who was genteelly dressed in his regimentals; after giving them proper directions on the green, he marched with his men through the town, to the Squire’s door where he drew them up in rank; and fired three vollies, to the great credit of the officer; after which the populace join’d in huzzas; then they had a genteel treat given them by the Squire, at the Seven-stars Inn, where, his, and many loyal and constitutional health’s were drank; the whole was conducted with great regularity and decorum.

We hear from Carlisle, that there has lately appeared wandering about that neighbourhood, under the name of Nancy M’Annas, a young woman disordered to her senses, who says, she once kept a milliners shop in London, and was deprived of her reason through a fit of melancholy occasioned by the death of a young man who had lately robbed the English mail. She appears to have been well educated, and gives the following further account of herself: That her parents live in Aberdeenshire, who are great distillers of Scottish spirits, and keep several fishing boats; that she has an Aunt married to one McIntosh, who lives in the Cowgate of Edinburgh: and that she has £600, lying in one of the banks there, which was lately left her by an uncle.

A few days ago, died at Douglas in the Isle of Mann, Capt. Michael Finch, many years in the Guinea trade from Liverpool.

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Nev.Ramsden
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