[list-cumbria] Cumberland Pacquet - 68

Wed Feb 12 19:05:40 UTC 2025

Whitehaven  - January 30,  - 1777.

By the Triton, Capt. Martindale, arrived at Corke from Rhode Island, which place she left the 16th December we have the following intelligence. 

In consequence of a petition from the prisoners at Providence, the Congress passed an Act granting to the captains, mates, apprentices and passengers, of sundry captures taken in there, free liberty to purchase a vessel, and return with her to England.

A number of captains accordingly purchased the Triton (belonging to Workington at the time she was made a prize of by the Americans) and equipped her in a manner fit to proceed to sea; but some demur being made by the Governor and Sheriff, they were detained for a few days under a pretence of their having received some fresh advices from the Congress. After they received a second leave to depart, they were again stopped by the commander of a small fort on the river, who informed them that the ship was remanded back to Providence.

During their detention under this fort, they found means to put two captains on shore, who fortunately escaped to the fleet at Rhode Island, and acquainted Sir Peter Parker with the disagreeable situation of the ship and their friends. Sir Peter immediately gave orders for a vessel to0 go up the river and release them; but before his commands could be put in execution, the Provincials had disannulled their order of returning to Providence, and Triton, being dismissed, arrived safe at the fleet with all her passengers.

The Commanders in chief having taken every means in their power, to inform themselves of the situation strength etc. of Providence, were making preparations for an immediate attack upon it, and were to proceed up the river that second day after the Triton sailed. A captain of a ship belonging to this town was requested by Sir Peter Parker, to pilot the fleet.

Several seamen and carpenters who had been carried up to Providence, had made their escape at different times on board sloops from Cape F????odle, in hopes of getting home by French Vessels.

Many of the inhabitants of Rhode Island and providence are still well affected to the Mother Country. And seem ardently to wish for the restoration of their ancient Government.

The following transports belonging to this port were well at Rhode Island the 12th of December, viz. Mars Capt. Mitchinson; Chambre Capt. Smith; John & Bella, Capt. Green and Sovereign, Capt. Flinn.

The latest advice from New York by way of Corke say, that none of the principal people have accepted the terms of pardon offered by the Hon. Commissioner’s proclamation of the 30th November.

There follows a piece concerning the conditions pertaining within General Washington’s army of 6 to 7,000 men, these accounts were brought by the brigg Carron in 31 days from New York.

The ship mentioned in our last as being put ashore nigh Saltcoats in Scotland, belongs to Liverpool, and is called the Thames; Capt. Price the master.

A surgeon in Wigton, Cumberland, who last week restored life of a child at Holm Cultram by rubbing warm flannels and giving brandy.

Monday se’nnight the Coroners inquest sat upon the body of one John Little of Workington, which was found upon the beach on the North side of that harbour; a verdict of accidental death was given, but not being satisfactory, a second inquest was taken and the verdict brought in was ‘wilful murder’ by a person or persons unknown. His death, it appeared, had been occasioned by a shot from a gun; several slugs and part of the wadding had lodged in his right side. He left a widow and six small children.

Last Thursday night by the desire of several gentlemen, a play was performed here for the benefit of the Poor of the Town. The bad weather doubles prevented many from attending, yet there was a genteel audience, and the nett receipt amounted to £31  14s  6d. which will be divided amongst 120 poor persons who do not receive relief from the town, and who are otherwise recommended as proper objects.

Since the breaking of the frost, large quantities of Salmon are caught in Carlisle. Cod fish is also very plentiful.

The Sarah Rigg, from Jamaica for Lancaster, is taken in Lat. 37 by an American Privateer called the Montgomery, and carried into Maryland. The master, mate and part of the crew were put on shore at Philadelphia.

Yesterday se’nnight at the sessions in Newcastle , Matthew Starker of Leeds, and Robert Armstrong of Parknook in this county, were severally convicted of Petit Larceny, and sentenced to hard labour in the House of Correction; the former for 12 months and the latter for two months. 

[There is a Parknook in Corney parish]

Letters have been received at Edinburgh, importing that Col. Archibald Campbell, in travelling (by a pass of the Congress) from Philadelphia to New York, fell in with Lord Cornwallis’s army, after meeting with that of Gen. Washington in the Jerseys, which he thinks could not exceed 7000. And those poorly clothed.

As soon as news of the villainous attempts made at Bristol, reached Liverpool, a meeting was called at the exchange, when proper measures were taken to prevent any the like practices in that town and port. The gentlemen present were very spirited in the affair; many of them were made special constables, watches were appointed for the town, docks and on board the ships; Public notices were given for apprehending and examining all suspicious people and even travellers were cautioned to avoid being out of their respective Inns at unreasonable hours. We are also informed that the like prudent steps are taking in other Sea-ports.

Last week Mr. Howie’s wagon was robbed between Wooler-haugh head and Newcastle, of a box containing £800 in cash and notes; the carrier had taken charge of them as such.

There was more information given concerning recent events in Bristol

Sunday last, a heavy gale of wind came on here from the SW which continued several hours. The Elizabeth, Capt. King, from this port to Jamaica (which only sailed the day before) was put ashore behind a place called the Garth, on the North side of Workington harbour; but it is hoped has not received much damage. The Endeavour, Capt. Pilkington from Drogheda was also put on shore; the Active, Capt. Allison from Cork, likewise on the North side of Harrington Harbour.

The Triton, Capt. Martindale, brought 79 passengers to Corke. 

 “There will, by the latter end of May, be 25 Battle ships of the line and 10 frigates, ready for any service, at Spithead; a force fully sufficient to secure the safety of the Kingdom and its dependencies.”

A Letter from Marseilles says – “The son of the Mogul is arrived in this city and will soon leave for Paris. He travels with a train of 200 persons, amongst which there are twenty five ladies of his seraglio, his father allows him for his expences  a million livres (about £5000 – which is £692,000 today) a month. There is more on this subject.

A letter from Barbadoes  dated November 20, 1776 says – “The ship Sam, Capt. Richardson, who sailed from hence, the 20th ult. with about 20,000 dollars and 52 cwt of ivory on board, bound for Liverpool, was taken the 25th, in lat.20, by the Independence, a rebel privateer of 10 guns and 45 men, John Young, Commander, belonging to Congress. The ship was sent away to Philadelphia, with the ivory and silver; the Captain and Boatswain were landed at the port of St.Piers in Martinico [Martinique], the Doctor, Mate and two servants, and four of the people, were left on board the Sam, all the rest of the hands entered on board the privateer.

There follows a long Account of a serious fire at a Warehouse and surrounding buildings, along with two ships, in the Docks area of Bristol; which was considered to be a matter of arson.

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Nev Ramsden
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