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The New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury

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The New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury NEW-YORK GAZETTE And The WEEKLY MERCURY ISSUE No. 3 NOVEMBER 1775 LATEST INTELLIGENCES: Congress Votes to Raise Troops for the Continental Army, Johannes Snyder northward, it is rumored that they are to NEW-YORK: appointed to Command invade Canada. Likewise, Henry Knox, a corpulent Boston bookseller become Alexander McDougall Slain by Mob The Congress voted to raise 2000 troops Washington’s Colonel of Artillery, has and dispatch them to Boston to join George departed camp; it is said that his A unruly horde of mischief makers attacked Washington’s Continental Army. It also destination is Fort Ticonderoga on Lake the bowery home of Alexander McDougall appointed Johannes Snyder General and Champlain, with an eye toward creating a determined to give him a coat of tar-and- commander of the New York Continental “noble train of artillery” for the army from feathers (they claimed to be outraged by the Brigade. It remains however to be seen, if the cannon that were captured at that place secret proceedings of the Congress – which Brigade. It remains however to be seen, if last May. the hellish demons attributed to the wily sufficient recruits for this force can be Scot’s machinations). McDougall remained found and how the brigade is to be paid for. true to his Whig principles refused to either Doctor Church Exposed as a Spy flee or to beg assistance from the King’s Troops in Fort George. When the crowd In his dispatch to Congress of October 4, began to try to break down his door, Congress votes to allow Plebians to elect one member to the Provincial Congress. 1775, General Washington describes the McDougall fired upon them from an shocking revelation that Benjamin Church, upstairs window with his blunderbuss. This The Congress, after much debate, voted to one of the leading Patriots in Boston before however, only succeeded in enraging the the war, and now the Surgeon general of “swinish multitude” into a frenzy. They permit the city’s disenfranchised masses, to collectively appoint one member to the the Continental Army, has been caught broke into his house and ransacked it, passing information about troops, etc.. to while honest citizens looked on helplessly. Provincial Congress. However, it was also determined that political prohibitions the enemy: When the melee at last dispersed, the corpse of McDougall was found lying on his against women, the propertyless, and the unfree should be maintained and that only “I have now a painful though necessary stairs, a single bullet hole in his chest. All duty to perform, respecting Doctor Church, peace-loving, law-abiding, (and property the religious test (against Catholics should be lifted). Accordingly, James Ury was the [Surgeon General of the Continental owning) inhabitants of the city are shocked Army]. About a week ago, [I received an at the bloodshed. It is wondered where it all elected to the seat. Although, perhaps anointed would be more accurate intercepted] letter directed to Major Cane in might end. Boston, in occult [coded] letters, which … description as he was the only person able could qualify under the new rules – being had been left … some time ago by a woman free male property holder (albeit a rank who was kept by Doctor Church. … I Joseph Martin Charged with Murder papist). immediately secured the woman, but for a long time she was proof against every Information being received by the city threat and persuasion to discover the constable that Joseph Martin, a landless author. However she was at length brought laborer living in New York, was the person Iroquois “Ambassador” Arrives in City to a confession and named Doctor Church. who instigated the mob responsible for the I then immediately secured him and all his death of Alexander McDougall (see above This past week a mysterious figure arrived papers. Upon the first examination he story), a warrant for his arrest on a charge in the city from the north claiming to be a readily acknowledged the letter and said of murder was issued by Judge William delegate sent from the Six Nations of the that it was designed for his brother, etc. Smith. Martin will be held in custody in the Iroquois to the Provincial Congress of New- The army and country are exceedingly city gaol until his trial (scheduled for York. Who this person is, and what his irritated.” November). It is understood that his father presence may portend remains to be seen, was involved in the riotous disorder among but New Yorkers would be wise to keep an Washington Bans Traditional “Pope’s the tenants living in Hudson River estates eye on their scalps. Day” Festivities nine years ago. Truly, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Washington’s General Orders, November 5, BOSTON: 1775: All Quiet on the Northern Front As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form'd for the From George Washington’s headquarters in observance of that ridiculous and childish Cambridge, we learn that little has changed custom of burning the Effigy of the pope-- in the military situation. The Ministerial He cannot help expressing his surprise that Army remains confined to Boston, and the there should be Officers and Soldiers in this Continental Army is encamped upon the army so void of common sense, as not to surrounding hills. A few days ago, a see the impropriety of such a step at this detachment of 1000 troops under Colonel Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, Benedict Arnold was dispatched to the and have really obtain'd, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we Purposes, by Officers properly authorized belonging, are bound by law to be aiding ought to consider as Brethren embarked in to receive the fame. and assisting in the suppression of such the same Cause. The defence of the general rebellion, and to disclose and make known Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and GIVEN under my Hand on board the ship all traitorous conspiracies and attempts in such Circumstances, to be insulting WILLIAM, off NORFOLK, the 7th Day of against us our crown and dignity; and we their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be NOVEMBER, in the SIXTEENTH Year of do accordingly strictly charge and suffered or excused. His MAJESTY'S Reign. command all our Officers, as well civil as military, and all others our obedient and DUNMORE. loyal subjects, to use their utmost VIRGINIA: (GOD save the KING.) endeavours to withstand and suppress such rebellion, and to disclose and make Governor Dunmore Offers Liberty to Since the issuance of this proclamation it is known all treasons and traitorous Slaves Who Fight for the King learned that several hundred slaves have conspiracies which they shall know to be escaped and found refuge with the against us, our crown and dignity; and for From Norfolk, word is received that Governor in Norfolk, where he has begun to that purpose, that they transmit to one of Governor Dunmore, Royal Governor of that organize them into a battalion called “Lord our principal Secretaries of State, or other province, having fled his palace in Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment” and whose proper officer, due and full information of Williamsburg for the safety of HMS William, Uniform will consist of a White Hunting- all persons who shall be found carrying on now at anchor off this city, has issued the Shirt emblazoned on the front with the correspondence with, or in any manner or following proclamation: motto: “Liberty to Slaves.” Learning of these degree aiding or abetting the persons now events, General Washington wrote that if in open arms and rebellion against our By His Excellency the Right Honorable Governor Dunmore “is not crushed before Government, within any of our Colonies JOHN Earl of DUNMORE, His MAJESTY'S Spring, he will become the most formidable and Plantations in North America, in order Lieutenant and Governor General of the enemy America has. His strength will to bring to condign punishment the Colony and Dominion of VIRGINIA, and increase as a snow-ball, by rolling, and authors, perpetrators, and abettors of such Vice Admiral of the fame. faster, if some expedient cannot be hit upon traitorous designs. to convince the slaves and servants of the A PROCLAMATION. impotency of his designs.” Given at our Court at St. James's the twenty-third day of August, one thousand As I have ever entertained Hopes that an seven hundred and seventy-five, in the Accommodation might have taken Place LONDON: fifteenth year of our reign. between GREAT-BRITAIN and this colony, without being compelled by my Duty to this King George Rejects Olive Branch, GOD save the KING. most disagreeable but now absolutely Proclaims Colonies in Rebellion necessary Step, rendered so by a Body of armed Men unlawfully assembled, and the News from the Court of St. James is that ANNOUNCEMENT: formation of an Army, and that Army now King George III has refused to receive the on their March to attack His MAJESTY'S Olive Branch Petition passed by the Let it be known to all that a debt is owed to troops and destroy the well disposed Continental Congress in July. Instead the the silversmith Abraham Brashear by the Subjects of this Colony. To defeat such palace has issued the following Widow Campbell for his services in crafting unreasonable Purposes, and that all such proclamation: for her a silver punch bowl and forty-five Traitors, and their Abettors, may be silver cups. It was agreed upon that the fee brought to Justice, and that the Peace, and Whereas many of our subjects in divers would be paid in annual installments, the good Order of this Colony may be again parts of our Colonies and Plantations in last of which is due by the next meeting of restored, which the ordinary Course of the North America, misled by dangerous and ill our Provincial Congress in November 1775.
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