PHILADELPHIA, February 7. The Pennsylvania Gazette
Friday last ended the Court of Oyer and Terminer (after a Session of nine Days) when JOHN WOOD, labourer, received Sentence of Death, for Burglary; being convicted of Breaking open the House of JOHN COX in PASSAYUNK Township, and stealing thence sundry Pieces of Pewter. And Dr. EVAN JONES, Chymist, being found guilty of MANSLAUGHTER, was accordingly burnt in the Hand. His Tryal lasted 15 Hours, for the Substance of which the Reader is refer'd to the following Letter.
MR. FRANKLIN, YOUR Readers, no doubt, will expect some Information concerning the Tryal of Dr. JONES, for the MURDER of his Apprentice. As I was present as a Spectator, and observed the whole Proceeding with Attention; I send you the following Account. Mr. GROWDEN, the King's Attorney-General, opened the Charge laid in the Indictment, with his usual Eloquence. He begun by informing the Court and Jury, That the deceased being young and unexperienced, had expressed a great Inclination to be initiated into the Mystery of Free-Masonry: Whereupon his Master the Prisoner at the Bar, combined with several others to divert themselves with the Lad's Simplicity. They made him believe, that, before they could gratify his Inclination, it was necessary they should invoke and raise the Devil. To which the Youth, being under the Direction of his Master, unhappily consented. Preparatory to this, the Deceased, with a Bandage on his Eyes, was led into the Doctor's Garden, where on his Knees he repeated after another, in broken Sentences (whence there is room to hope he might not conceive their Meaning) a stupid blasphemous Writing (which, tho' not penned by the Doctor, he was made privy to) whereby Satan (suppos'd to be present) was acknowledged and adored as a supream and mighty Power, with Expressions of a true and faithful Allegiance to the Prince of Darkness. Then they administred to him a Cup, in imitation of the Sacrament, which contained a strong Dose of Physick; after which one of the Company indecently discovered his Posteriors, to which the Lad, under the same Impediment of Sight was led to kiss, as a Book to swear upon. Afterwards he was conducted into a Cellar, where the last Scene of this Hellish Action was laid. Several Persons were formally invited to the Celebration of these Diabolical Rites. The Doctor having twice endeavoured, but without Effect, to set Fire to some Rum or other Spirit, that was in an earthen Pan, which he had prepared for that Purpose, went up Stairs to his Shop, and presently returning with a large Bottle in his Hand, poured into the Pan an additional Quantity of Spirit, which, on a third Essay, immediately took Fire; some of the Company then diverted themselves at a Play called SNAPDRAGON, holding their Heads over the Pan, that their Countenances, from the blue Reflection of the Flames, might appear ghastly and hideous; hoping from thence, that the Youth, upon taking the Bandage from his Eyes, would imagine he saw the real Servants of the Devil, who was personated by a Fellow dressed in a Cow's Hide with Horns. But the Deceased not expressing that Surprize which was expected, his Master asked him if he was not afraid; He answers, he is not. The Doctor thereupon takes up the Pan in his Hands, and throws the burning Spirits on the Breast of the Youth, who being covered with Flames, his Master threw himself upon him, and extinguished them. Here the Scene of Hell closed, but with a fatal Consequence. The unhappy young Man languished for about three Days, almost continually delirious, and then died in a miserable condition. The Parts burnt, which were from the Breast down to the Thighs, appeared like the Skin of a toasted Pig, varied with several Spots, some black, some of a livid Colour.
August 3, 1758 The Pennsylvania Gazette
NEW YORK, July 24.
The following further Particulars of the Repulse of our Army at Ticonderoga, we have given us in a Letter from Lake George, dated July 10, 1758.
"On the 5th Inst. the Army, consisting of 15000 Men, proceeded down the Lake, in Batteaus, with 30 Days Procision: That on the 6th in the Morning, half an Hour after 8, we landed at the Advance Guard, who were easily drove from their Post, with no Loss on our Side, but 4 on theirs, About 12 o'Clock P.M. the whole Army marched, saving a Battalion of the York Regiment, who were posted as a Guard on our Batteaus. ABout 3 o'Clock we were attacked by a Party of the Enemy; in which Engagement we unfortunately lost the brave Lord Howe. There were taken of the Enemy 156 Prisoners, 8 of which were Officers. Our Army was much scattered, by reason of the Firing in the Woods; and it was thought adviseable to return that Evening to our BAtteaus. The next Day Co. Bradstreet was ordered with 1500 Batteau men, and two regular Regiments, to take Possession of the Saw Mill, which he did without the loss of a Man. The same Evening the whole marched up to the Saw Mill. The 8th (the fatal 8th) were ordered to proceed in the following Manner: The Batteau men, Light armed Infantry, and the Rangers were ordered to form a Line about 200 Yards from the French Intrenchments, which extended from Lake George to Lake Champlain. The Regulars were to form a Line Behind the first Line, who, after they were formed, were to pass thro' the first Line, they making Avenues for them; after that, they were to form the Line again: A Captain and 50 Men out of the Line, were detached for Piquets, who were to form in Front, the Grenadiers were to form behind them; and in this Manner they were to attack the Trenches, and were to march with shouldered Firelocks, till they should get on the Top of the Trenches. They accordingly marched on with great Intrepidity, but were received so warmly, that they were obliged to give Ground, after making most vigorous Efforts. They even went up to the Breast work, but were knocked down so fast, that it was very difficult for those behind to get over the Dead and Wounded. Before the Attack of the Regulars, the Enemy began with firing upon the Yorkers in the Rear of the Regulars. The Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island Troops, were ordered to form about 300 Yards behind, who were to support them if necessary. About an Hour after the Attack, we were ordered to march with the Regiment to relieve those that had been engaged. We went up within about 40 Yards of the Breast work. Co. Babcock was wounded in the left Knee, Capt. John Whiting, and Lieutenants Russel and Smith, are slightly wounded. The same Evening, the whole Army was ordered to return to the Batteaus, and the next Evening we arrived here. We have lost a great many brave Officers. In Lord Howe's Regiment, all the Field Officers are killed. Sir William Johnson joined us four Hours before the Engagement; but the Indians not being used to attack Trenches, soon went off.
"In the Rhode Island Regiment, 18 were killed, and 52 wounded.
"Our Army was thrice repulsed, and as often returned to the charge. Our Intelligence was bad, for the French had a regular Intrenchment faced with Logs, a Trench 20 Feet wide, and Parapet in Proportion. No Regiment suffered so much as the Highlanders, Part of which got upon the Top of the French Lines every Time they entered; but not being properly supported, were cut down as often as they entered.
"Lieutenants FRANCIS and SAMUEL MACKAY, of the Fourth Battalion of the Royal American Regiment, did really distinguish themselves in this Affair, principally in the first REtreat; when they saw, with Regret, the Army retiring in much Disorder, they went both before the Front, and made 200 Soldiers hold immediately, and turned them towards the Enemy, encouraging them with good Words and their own Example; which seasonable Example having been seen and following by the other Regiments, the Army was thus soon brought out of that Confusion, in good Order, and the Whole went to assault the Enemy again."