[list-cumbria] Cumberland Pacquet - 69

[Nev Ramsden]

Whitehaven  - February 6,  - 1777.



The following gentleman has been appointed High Sheriff of Cumberland for the year; Robert Watters of Whitehaven.



I the list of the paupers to be relieved on Sunday next, by the profits arising from the late charity play, is one person aged 100 years.



Three men are committed to Carlisle gaol, on suspicion of Murdering John Little of Workington, as mentioned in our last.



Early on Tuesday morning we had a great fall of snow here.



A correspondent informs us that a duel was fought a few days ago at Dumfries, between a gentleman belonging to the army, and a gentleman of Edinburgh; the latter wounded his antagonist in the sword arm, when the second interposed, and the affair was conciliated in an honourable manner, and to the entire satisfaction of both parties. The cause of the quarrel is not known.



NOTICE – All guineas, standing weight, at 5 dwts 8 grs are current by act of Parliament, and cannot be legally refused, [dwts = pennyweight & grs = grains]



Yesterday morning one Boyne Coppin, a seaman belonging to the Rachel, Capt. Dixon, of this port, fell overboard, and was drowned.



Monday last the Wool combers of Cockermouth formed a public procession through the town, they were dressed very suitably, and made a handsome appearance.



The Rev, Mr. Armstong, curate of Penrith is appointed master of the free grammar school of Blencowe.



We hear from Chester that a petition is signed by a number of gentlemen for an Act to licence a Theatre in that city.



Extract of a letter from Antigua – Dec. 8, 1776 ---

Dry goods and provisions are not in the demand that might be expected at this time of year, and our trade amongst the islands is much hurt by the provincial privateers which infest these seas, notwithstanding we have the pleasure of seeing an American prize brought in now and then. There are several of their armed vessels cruising near us, and have taken some of our trading craft, two or three of which they carried to Guaduloupe , but, by order of the Governor, were obliged to give them up, as they were taken within his jurisdiction. A captain of one of their privateers had the assurance to go to the commander of a fort in that Island, to demand one of the Antigua boats which had taken protection under his guns. Some days ago, one of their armed vessels took a schooner belonging to Dominica, bound for Marrinico, with a flag of truce; they sent the schooner off, but landed the 



gentleman she belonged to at Marinicho, who on his arrival, applied to the Governor of that Island. The governor immediately sent for certain American gentlemen, told him he had information of his being an Agent to the Congress, that such an affair (mentioning the schooner) had happened, and that infringement of that sort must be allowed by him. In short, he obliged the agent to give security for the value, if the vessel and negroes were not returned within three months.



Double hire is now asked for vessels to go amongst the islands; it has been said, but with what degree of truth I will not pretend to know.



A gentleman just arrived from Bermuda informs us --- that in the beginning of November, his Majesty’s frigate Galatea, Capt. Jordan, took and carried into that island a large schooner from Bordeaux to Philadelphia; she had on board 1050 stand of arms, 10 tons of gunpowder, 20 tons of lead, 2 barrels of oil, and £2,000 worth of canvas, silks, wine and brandy. The goods, except the arms and ammunition, were sold at vendue. This is the 11th valuable prize the Galatea has taken.



Extract of a letter from Liverpool – 31 Jan. 1777

“Tuesday last was brought into this port, the ship Oxford, from York River in Virginia, loaded with 412 hhds [hogsheads] of tobacco and slaves intended for Nantz in France; on passage, four of the ship’s company took the vessel from the rest, being eight, besides the supercargo, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Richards a passenger. It appears that these four brave resolute men (two are from Liverpool, and the other two Lancaster lads, had, in conjunction with others of their comrades who were put on board other vessels) combined together in Virginia, to attempt, on their passage, to take the respective vessels they belonged to; this was effectually accomplished in the Oxford, on Sunday the 11th instant, 

and with safety brought into this harbour, in the presence of thousands of rejoicing spectators. These



brave sailors say that a brigg loaded with tobacco, from the same place, with some men, part of their association, may be daily expected to arrive here. The Oxford originally belonged to Glasgow, and was in the transport service when took by the Americans. ----- As this vessel was not taken by the officers and seamen of his Majesty’s ships of war, the  xxxxxxxx  unreadable   xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



A report has been spread amongst the seamen of this port, that the protections are broke through, which has caused some of them to refuse going to sea : --- it is to be wished (says our correspondent) that the inventors of such fallacies (which have not even the shadow of truth) were known, so as they might be exposed in a proper manner. Does anyone on this list understand the meaning of expression -  the protections are broke through? 



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Nev. Ramsden



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