Virginia Gazette (Purdie), 6 December 1776

Published in the Virginia Gazette on 21 June 1776. A summary of recent news states that George Wythe has been reappointed to represent Virginia in the Continental Congress alongside Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Nelson, Richard Henry Lee, and Francis Lightfoot Lee.

Article text, 21 June, 1776

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Williamsburg, June 21

LAST Monday an express arrived at head-quarters from general Lee, who lest his excellency the 6th instant, at Little river, on the road to Charlestown, with three battalions of the North Carolina troops, marching with all possible expedition to the assistance of that place; general Clinton, with upwards of 50 sail of men of war and transports, hanging appeared off their bar the Tuesday before, where they cast anchor. Two other North Carolina regiments, and col. Muhlenberg Virginia battalion, were like wife on their march for Charlestown; with whose assistance it is not doubted but our brethren in South Carolina will be able to defeat any attempts of their enemies, and, when under the conduct of so able and experience a commander, give them that chastisement which they are so richly entitled to.

By the same express, we learn that a sloop arrived at Charlestown the 25th ult. from St. Eustatia, with 10,000 wt. of gunpowder; the master of which informed, that a large vessel had arrived at that island from Holland, deep loaded with arms and ammunition. He also said, that all the French ports in the West Indies were now open to us, and that their ships of war have received orders to protect our vessels in and out of their harbours; that the French are fortifying Dunkirk, which produced a remonstrance from the British court, but without effect.

Yesterday the Hon. Convention made choice of the following gentlemen to represent this dominion in General Congress, for one year, viz. GEORGE WYTHE, THOMAS NELSON, jun. RICHARD HENRY LEE, THOMAS JEFFERSON, and FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, esquires.

This morning capt. James Barron came to town from Jamestown, with the agreeable news that he and his brother, in two small armed vessels, were safe arrived there, with the Oxford transport from Glasgow, having on board 217 Scotch Highlanders, with a number of women and children, which they took last Wednesday evening, on her way up to Gwyn's island, to join lord Dunmore. The people on board inform, that they are part of a body of 3000 troops which failed from Glasgow for Boston, but upon hearing that place was in our possession, they steered their course for Halifax; that they ha been taken by the Andrew Doria, one of the continental fleet, who, after disarming them, and taking out all the principal officers, with such of the transport's crew as were acquainted with navigation, put eight of their own hands on board to bring her into port, but that the carpenter of the transport formed a party and rescued the vessel from them, and was conducting her into Hampton road, when the two capt. Barrons very fortunately came across them, and moored them safe at Jamestown, where they are now disembarking, and are expected in town this day. </div>

See Also

• Virginia Gazette (Dixon & Hunter), 6 April 1776
• Virginia Gazette (Purdie), 6 December 1776