January 11, 1771
Portsmouth: Governor Wentworth publishes a proclamation of Commadore James Gambier extending amnesty to any of his majesty’s sailors who return to post, having deserted. Gambier also threatens press gangs if his majesty’s sailors do not return to their duty and promises a 40 shilling reward for the return of any seaman.
London: the electors of Westminster petitioned the king to dissolve parliament so as to elect new members who are not so dependent on royal favor.
London: A letter of Sir. Walter Raleigh of 1611 advising a future king to guard liberty and to be the peoples’ King, not Conqueror.
New Haven, CT: John Carrol and Alexander McMasters committed to jail (“Goal”) for breaking into a store. Carrol was given 10 lashes.
Boston: Spain rumored to be preparing for war with England. The 51st and 61st Regiments were rumored to be embarking for Portsmouth. (Not clear if that’s in old or new England.) An account given of Rev. Whitfield’s death. Any vessels coming through the mediterranean should be quarantined against plague when arriving in American ports.
Marblehead, MA: 1000 men mustered for militia training.
Nova Scotia: story of a mother who rescued her child from a bear attack and survived
New London, CT: A cutting and comic list of sacrifices Americans might be willing to make so as to further better government in “British America.” Number 11: “..We are willing bishoprics, metropolitan, diocesan, etc., be appointed when our Lord shall repeal his Laws, Mat. 23 8-13. And instead of saying “Ye are all Brethren.. ” — in “the ministry,” shall say “some of you shall be Lords, Metropolitans, etc. others Officials, Underlings, and the like: ” But not ’till then.
London: a recipe for avoiding the plague is printed, which includes muscadine wine, sage, rice, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, an ounce of mirthridate, angelica water, treacle.
London: rumors of war with Portugal getting stronger
London: an elderly “well-looking” man has paraded the streets prophecying the arrival of the plague in England.
London: three bomb vessels are reported to sail to Lisbon with orders to bombard the capital in the event of war.
London: should war break out, some in the ministry believe there is scarce a commodity capable of bringing in revenue because all commodities have been taxed — soap, coffee, tea, sugar, starch, wig powder, salt, porter, the light that enters their windows (glass tax) and the candles that light the night.
Boston: Mrs. Anna Green died at age 69, celebrated for her Christian character and learning. Notice followed by a poem.
Newport, RI: A great fire broke otu at five o’clock in the morning, consuming three great houses and the customs house.
Portsmouth: five persons jailed for breaking into Mr. Isaac Hill’s store in Dover, (see last). One of the offenders was a repeat offender and had suffered the lash upon his previous sentence. Editors hope for just punishment.
Portsmouth: a negro boy of 18 for sale, fit for “country business.”
Portsmouth: John Jackson, intending to leave the town, requests all who have “open accounts with him” settle up, so as to avoid the use of an attorney. Jackson sells medicines.