Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Freeman's Journal 21st - 24th February 1784

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE

AMERICA

Philadelphia, Dec 9. Yesterday, at noon, his excellency general Washington arrived here from New York. His excellency was met at Frankfort, by his excellency the president of this state, the hon. the financier, general, St. Clair and Hand, the Philadelphia troop of horse, and a number of citizens, who had the pleasure of accompanying the general into the city. His arrival was announced by a discharge of cannon, the bells were rung, and the people testified their satisfaction, at once more seeing their illustrious chief, by repeated acclamations.
The council appointed for the present government of the city of New York have ordered, that all persons becoming inhabitants of that city, do, within 24 hours of their arrival, report their names, former place of residence and number of their family, to the secretary of the council : and that all inhabitants receiving inmates or lodgers, do, in a like manner, report their names and former place of abode, &c.

LONDON, Feb. 16
...
Friday evening a duel was fought in the fields near Chelsea, between capt. Mostyn, of the navy, and lieutenant Clarke, of the African corps, which terminated most fatally to the former, who, on the second fire from his adversary, received the shot through his body, and expired immediately on the spot. This unfortunate circumstance arose from a trifling dispute at the New Exchange coffee house, and is the more to be lamented, as capt. Mostyn was only 25 years of age, and at that early period of post captain in the navy, and possessed the most manly and endearing accomplishments.

...

A society of gentlemen are fitting out a large ship at Deptford for the purpose of making discoveries to the north pole ; she is to sail with the first Greenland ships, and after exploring those seas, is to go N. W. to Hudson's bay, where the passage into the Indian seas ( the probability of which is no longer doubted) is expected to lie. These explorers are to have the sanction of administration, but the nation is to be at no expense whatever, except they should find the so much wished for passage, in which case they will have a reward. Some of the most experienced seamen, and other necessary persons, are already engaged, and if the weather permits, they will sail the beginning of next month. The vessel is Dutch built, and equipping with every king of accommodation for the purpose.

...

The scarcity of mint halfpence, which at this time is a general complaint, is by no means owing to a less number being coined than heretofore, but to a species of traffic carried on lately, by exporting them to North America, and getting dollars in return. A profit of 28 per cent, is made by this illicit business.

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