Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon), 18 August 1775
Published in the Virginia Gazette on 18 August 1775.[1] A summary of recent news states that George Wythe, alongside Thomas Nelson, Thomas Jefferson and Francis Lightfoot Lee, has been chosen as a delegate to represent Virginia in the upcoming Continental Congress. [2]
Article text, 18 August 1775
Page 3
WILLIAMSBURG, August 18.
FROM unquestionable authority, we can assure the publick that forty tuns of GUNPOWDER have been lately imported into Philadelphia, six tuns and a half of which were sent to the continental camp, and one tun to Virginia; also, that the colonies may depend upon a constant supply of that very useful commodity, at this juncture.
Letters from the camp at Cambridge say, that his excellency general WASHINGTON, as well as general LEE, have been indefatigable, ever since their arrival, to put the army under the best regulation, which is now very strongly intrenched, remarkably healthy, being abundantly supplied with provisions, and that the most perfect harmony subsists between the officers and men. The ministerial camp is likewise strongly fortified, so that there was no likelihood of there being a general engagement soon.
We congratulate the public on there being soon to be established, throughout the united colonies, a safe, speedy, and reasonable CHANNEL of INTELLIGENCE, upon constitutional principles, under the direction of that unshaken patriot, the celebrated doctor FRANKLIN, who is appointed sole postmaster-general by the Continental Congress.
Capt. Hill, from Boston, informs, that just before his departure a brig arrived there from Virginia, with pork and live stock, which was delivered to the king's contractor. The master (whose name he has forgot) is a slim man, about 5 feet 8 inches high, of a dark complexion, were his own dark hair, and light coloured sagathy clothes. The brig was about 100 tuns burthen, with yellow sides, came from James river (the captain believes from Norfolk) and was cleared out for Jamaica. Captain Hill asked the make the brig, if any of his hands had been pressed; who answered in the negative, for that the business they came upon was of such a nature as prevented it.
THOMAS NELSON, THOMAS JEFFERSON, GEORGE WYTHE, and FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, esquires, are chosen delegates to represent this colony in General Congress, on the 5th of next month, in the room of his excellency general WASHINGTON commander in chief of the continental army, PATRICK HENRY, esq; appointed to the command of the troops to be raised for the defence of this colony, and EDMUND PENDLETON and RICHARD BLAND esquires, who have resigned, upon account of their infirm state of health.
WILLIAM WOODFORD esq; of Caroline county, is appointed by the Hon. The General Convention colonel of the second battalion of troops to be raised for the defence of this colony; and capt. JOSEPH NEAVILL of Hampshire, is appointed commander of the troops to be stationed at Fort Pitt.
Tuesday last, the 15th instant, being the anniversary of the TRANSFER DAY, a sermon was preached in the college chapel by the reverend mr. Bracken; afterwards the president, masters, and scholars, convened in the hall, when the two medals adjudged a few days before, one to mr. JOHN WHITE, for his superiour skill in the mathematicks and natural philosophy, the other to mr. THOMAS EVANS, as a prize due to the best chassick scholar, were delivered to those young gentlemen, with a congratualatory Latin speech, by the president. Mr. EVANS then ascended the rostrum, and pronounced a Latin oration in praise of the sounders and benefactors. Mr. WHITE afterwards pronounced one in English, setting forth the advantages of education, and the grateful memory of the founders. Lastly mr. GRANVILLE SMITH pronounced a Latin oration, on the same subject as mr. EVANS.
