[list-cumbria] Cumberland Pacquet - 49

[Nev Ramsden]

Whitehaven  - September 21,  - 1775. - 49



We hear from Lancaster, that the anniversary sermons for the Charity School for Boys, will be preached on Sunday next, in the morning at the Parish Church, by Revd Robert Fletcher, A.M. and in the afternoon by the Rev. John Tatham M.A., vicar of Melling.



Last Saturday’s Gazette contains the Address from Manchester to His Majesty the King. [ Then follows a complete copy of this Address – dated 6th day of September 1775]



Several owners and masters of vessels, in this and neighbouring ports, were yesterday treated with, concerning the freight of coals from hence to Boston for use of the troops.



A Mushroom was brought a few days ago, to the George in this town, which was cut on Bigrigg nigh Egremont, the diameter of which was 11 inches.



We hear from Keswick, that they have had a great resort for ladies and gentlemen this summer. The imperial mountain which Mr. Cowper thus describes :-

            “Skiddaw shrouds

            His hoary temples in a veil of clouds

            And, Ten’riffe like, a faithful land-mark stands

            Seen by far distance seas, and distant lands.”



Was frequently ascended by large parties; who returned struck with astonishment at the majesty and grandeur of the prospect. The first day on which Sir Joseph Mawbey, with a number of ladies and Gentlemen, visited the mountain, the atmosphere was clear, and by the help of a telescope, the mountains in Ireland, Wales, Scotland  and the Isle of Mann, were all discovered from one spot; while the minuter objects of Carlile Cathedral, Penrith Castle etc. were equally discernable: the Vane lately fixed on the former , is a very distinct object from the mountain.



A correspondent at Milham [Millom] informs us, that on Sunday se’nnight, in the evening, an affray happened at Holborn Hill between three sailors and ten of the neighbouring people, which occasioned a great deal of confusion and disturbance, highly disagreeable to the more sober and better disposed people. What I pity is that any misunderstanding should in fluence me to act so contradictory to reason, so inconsistent with the religion they profess, and on that day set apart for purposes so widely different.



The account first published in a Morning Paper of Monday the 11th inst. concerning the a a Battle between the Regulars and Provincials, on the 7th ult. on Roxburgh Hill, in which the former, (consisting of 5000 chosen men) took 2500 of the latter prisoners, and amongst them Generals Lee and Putnam; killing vast numbers of them, and seizing 6000 stand of small arms, 13 field pieces, 16 twenty-four pounders, 24 twelve pounders and a vast quantity of provisions, and £100,000 in species; with the loss of only 400 of the King’s troops, favoured too high of the marvellous to be readily swallowed.



The printer of that paper, in order to exculpate himself, has produced two anonymous letters, which inserted, and a third, which he suppressed. Many letters have been received in different parts of this kingdom, from Boston, and Newspapers, as late as the 12th ult. which mention nothing particular except the following.



“That the Provincials have thrown up strong intrenchments for many miles round the bay; have made frequent attempts upon the Island. The harbour and out ports. They have burnt the light house, and on the 28th of July attempted to surprise and carry off the out-guards of Bunker’s Hill. Boston is very sickly; most of the families who are friends to Government are embarking for Great Britain; the remaining inhabitants also who are adverse to Government are leaving the town. Earl Percy, by being the foremost in all the fatigues and hazards of his profession, gives life and spirit to the service.

On the 3rd of July (at one o’clock in the morning) the Provincials cannonaded, and pored on the town a heavy fire of small arms from different quarters. The inhabitants of Boston every night expect an attack; the regular troops are supposed to be about 8,000, and the Provincials (intrenched about sixteen miles) 30,000; amongst these, however several disorders are raging. They are provided with vast numbers of whaleboats, which row prodigious fast, and with these they go upon the islands in sight of the men of war. These boats can be easily carried upon men’s shoulders. The Provincials have made a second descent at the light house, killed the officers and some troops lately stationed there, and made prisoners of the rest.



A most inhuman murder was committed nigh Dumfries, on Tuesday se’nnight. Intimation had been given to one White, a supernumerary at that port, that a party of smugglers purposed bringing some tea into the town that night; he took along with him a companion or two to stop them on the road, and seize it. About nine o’clock at night, the smugglers, coming the town, sent a man, who was a blacksmith in Dumfries, at a little distance before them, in order to give a signal , if they were likely to meet with any interruption; on the approach of White, the smith gave the signal , which being understood by White, and despairing of his prize, he seized the smith; a struggle ensued, when the latter threw White upon the ground; but one of Whites companions coming up, struck the smith over the arm with a hanger [A hanger is a short sword with a curved single edge blade; which hangs from the users waist belt]; White then disengaged himself, making a stroke with his hanger, cut the arm entirely off; he then cut him across the forehead, wounded him in the other arm , and stabbed him three times in the body. After perpetrating this unheard of cruelty, the inhuman associates drag’d the body to the hedge, placed it on the feet, and tied the hair of the head to a bush; in this posture it was found, a spectacle too shocking to be conceived. Whit returned that night to Dumfries, and boasting of the fact, was immediately committed to gaol; his companion has not yet been taken.



Since the above account was received, we hear the other is taken, and has impeached White; from whom (had not as above mentioned from White’s boasting) the foregoing particulars have transpired. The blacksmith was a young man of a good character, and is not certain that he was any way concerned with the smugglers: he had received seven woods, each of which was mortal.



A vessel sailed from Newcastle last week with upwards of 100 emigrants for Savannah in Georgia.



The three felons lately committed to Carlisle gaol attempted an escape on Thursday night the 14th inst. but were discovered before they could effect it.



The septennial meeting of the quakers, held for six counties, began a Coleshill on Saturday se’nnight; the concourse of people is the greatest ever known there, a booth is built which will contain 2000 people; the most distinguished speakers are Mrs. Cath. Phillips (formerly Peyton) from Cornwall; Mrs Esther Tuke of York, Mrs Millum of Ross and Mr George Boone of Birmingham.



The Kings Garrison at Cape Fear, North Carolina is destroyed by the provincials. In our last, we inserted the substance of a letter from thence, mentioning the great disturbances there; and the above confirmation has come by way of Liverpool.



A few days ago a young woman, servant to a lady in Carlisle, on account of a disappointment in a love affair, took poison; on the first operation of the drug, she relented; the assistance of the most eminent in the Faculty was called in, but too late to prevent the effect the unhappy girl had proposed it.



The shock of an earthquake, on Friday se’nnight, was felt in almost every part of the kingdom. The direction seemed to be from South to West.



Capt. Bell of the Linnet, arrived here from the Highlands, reports that the fishery there has proved poor this season and the harvest in those parts is entirely in.



Yesterday se’nnight, in the afternoon, a quantity of Tea was seized by the revenue-officers at Workington





            MARRIED

Tuesday the 5th inst. at Maryport, Mr. Fell, grocer to Miss Woods, daughter of Mr. Wood an eminent ship-builder at that place.



A few days ago, Mr. Huddleston, Merchant in this town to Miss Hannah Gardner of Cockermouth,

This marriage took place on the 6 Sept. at Brigham church and he was a John Huddleston.



Thursday last, at Caldbeck, Capt. Jackson of Hesket New Market, to Miss Peggy Dennis of the same place.



            DIED

Friday last, in Church Street, Mr. John Dixon in the 84th year of his age.



On the same day, at Bassenthwaite, in the prime of his life, Mr. William Hodgson, formerly an Usher in St.Bees School, and master of the free school at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire



Sunday morning at Flimby, after a long illness, Mr. Allonby, in the 84th year of his age.

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Nev.Ramsden
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