[list-cumbria] Cumberland Pacquet - 53

[Nev Ramsden]

Whitehaven  - October 19,  - 1775.



Thursday last, in the afternoon, as some boys were playing in the Old Church Yard, they perceived a piece of a napkin sticking out of the ground, and on removing the turf which laid loose upon it, about one foot below the surface, they found the body of a female child; it was immediately taken into the church, and a coroners inquest being summoned, a verdict was given – “Wilful Murder, by a person or persons unknown.” The child appeared to be about two or three days old.



Monday last the Gentlemen nominated in the Commission for regulating the Admeasurement of Coals, met at the Custom House, agreeable to Advertisement.



Several tons of potatoes and other vegetables, have been be??? shipped here within these few days, for Boston.



We hear that a few nights ago, a young lady in Kendal, rising in her sleep, had the misfortune to fall from her chamber window into the street, by which both her legs and one arm were broke, and she was very much bruised.



Friday night, about 9 o’clock, a young woman passing through the Market-place had one of her hands burnt by some sparks falling from a Kite which had been thrown up with a squib fixed to it. Such amusements as these are not altogether safe.



One night last week a house in Workington was attempted to be broke into by thee or four men, who were immediately pursued towards the harbour, but through the darkness of the night made their escape.



We hear from Cockermouth, the Assemblies for this season commenced there last Tuesday night, several ladies and gentlemen from different parts of the kingdom (now residing in Cockermouth) were present. Upwards of 30 couples danced Country Dances.



The trial of Gilbert White, indicted for the murder of John Nicholson, blacksmith, of Dumfries (account of which was given in this paper of the 21 ult.) should have come on there last Wednesday fortnight but was postponed.



Captain Skeffington Lutwidge of the Triton (a new Frigate of 28 guns and one of the finest ever built for the service) was to sail from Portsmouth  last Friday, for Antigua.



A letter from Virginia, received here yesterday morning says, that on the 2nd of September (in the most violent gale of wind ever known) the Mercury man of war was drove on shore, and likewise her tender was put shore nigh Norfolk, and burnt by the Provincials. The men were taken prisoner. Several other vessels were stranded. This account is too authentic to be disputed.



A vessel which sailed some time ago from Corke (Capt. George Curwen of Workington, the Commander) with cloaths for two regiments of the Kings soldiers, is seized at New York; the cloaths taken from her, and some military officers made prisoners. This account is from a merchant in Corke; the vessel belonged to Philadelphia.



Another vessel belonging to this port is impressed into Government service, in America.



The Communion of the Church of Rome, in Ireland, have published an Anathema against the White Boys.



We hear fro Carlisle Races that last week the Race Ground on Thursday (owing to the excessive heavy rain on Wednesday night) was almost totally covered with water, and one of the horses with its rider (in a bye race for a saddle) had nigh perished, by plunging into the river; it is said the Kings Hundred will shortly be run for.



The report of Kelly (alias Knight) having hanged himself in Kilmainham gaol, is entirely false; by the last ships from Dublin we are informed, that his trial is to come on next Tuesday. Capt. Miller of the Dash (with whom he came passenger here) is detained as an evidence against him. 



When the Albion, Capt. Hogg, of this port, arrived at Bristol from New York, an express was immediately sent to London. The Favourite, Capt. Fisher (of this port) and the Albion are the last vessels that would be loaden from New York., the port being shut the day after they sailed.



James Burrow, Esq. (son of our late Collector of Customs) the Comptroller of Hallifax, Nova Scotia, and one of his Majesty’s Justices there, is arrived express at London. The particular accounts that he brings, are not yet known, but, it is said, affairs are in a dreadful situation.



Extract of a letter from Alexandria, dated Sept. 1, 1775 to a gentleman in this town.

“This may be the last opportunity I may have of writing to you; our exports stop the 10th inst. and if there is not more than hopes of a settlement of the dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies, I am afraid there never will, Foreign aid will be called in; that has actually been already offered; if accepted, what will be the consequence! An external breach between the favoured mother country and the Colonies, and perhaps the destruction of both. You will see (and we well know) by the papers, that the Provincial or Colony troops are mor than equal to the King’s troops man to man; and are ten times their number; any attempts by force are ineffectual. The King’s army have lost near half by sickness, skirmishes and Bunker’s hill; are now 8,000 men, and surrounded by 20,000 and more, well disciplined and with good officers; they in Boston have the flux, no fresh provisions; have been beat in every attempt, and are dispirited; the Provincials are healthy and fight for liberty. See the difference.

Our Colony is aiming 10,000 and 40,000 more may be raised at any time. May god the giver of Wisdom and all good gifts enlighten the eyes of the King and ministers. 

The conclusion of the letter included :-

What will be the consequence – a loss of exports of at least £6,000,000 per annum [ todays value  £812M]. Who will suffer most --- that you may judge. 

There were several more such extracts given in this paper



                       MARRIED

John Hancock Esq. was married, August 28th, to Miss Quincey of Boston.



Saturday se’nnight, at Cockermouth, Mr. Webster, attorney at law, to Miss Lucock, daughter of Joshua Lucock Esq.



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Nev.Ramsden
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