The Olden Time Series: Vol. 2: The Days of the Spinning-Wheel in New England | Page 7

Revolution; and the following item, in the "Boston Gazette," June 30, 1762, noticing without comment the arrival of a Guinea trader there, would seem to show it to have been not an uncommon occurrence.
We hear from Newport, Rhode Island, That Capt. Carpenter was arrived there from the Coast of Guinea, having had 104 Days Passage, ten Days whereof they were without Meat, but had a Sufficiency of Rice and Corn. They lost but six Slaves out of 69 they bro't out with them.
* * * * *
On the 5th of November "the gunpowder treason and plot" was formerly pretty generally remembered,--by the boys, at least, who made bonfires and burned tar-barrels. We believe the custom has fallen into disuse except in Salem and Marblehead, where there seems to be a little "Colonialism" left. As recently as 1885 the writer saw a bonfire in honor of the occasion on a hill near the latter place. In 1762 there must have been quite a demonstration, if we can judge anything by a vote of the town of Boston. Englishmen visiting us have sometimes expressed astonishment at learning that this curious custom should still be kept up here, while it had been abolished at home.
Upon a motion made, Voted, That the Town will take all proper Measures, by keeping in their Children and Servants, & other Ways, to prevent the Disturbances which have sometimes happened on or about the 5th Day of November.
Attest, William Cooper, Town-Clerk.
Tuesday last (5th November) being the Anniversary of the happy Deliverance of the British Nation from the Popish Powder Plot, at Noon the Guns at Castle William and at the Batteries in this Town were fired: At One all the nine Men of War then in this Harbour also fired.
From the Essex Gazette, Nov. 12, 1771.
The accommodation offered for travel between Boston and New York before the Revolution must have been slim enough, judging from an advertisement in the "Boston Gazette" in 1761. Passengers then went by vessel from Providence; that is, "Gentlemen Passengers." Whether ladies were accommodated or not, does not appear; but perhaps they were in the habit of going by stage, taking a week or so to accomplish the journey, or, more than likely, few ever travelled at all in those times. In our day, when every one is on the move, it is hard to realize this state of things.
* * * * *
Notice is Given, That SAMUEL and WILLIAM CHACE, of Providence, have a suitable Vessel that goes steadily between there and New-York. So that all Gentlemen Passengers and others that incline to take the Rout from Boston to New-York, or from New-York to Boston, may be well accommodated.
Providence, Aug. 29, 1761.
"In 1756," Watson says, "the first stage was started between Philadelphia and New York by Mr. Butler; three days through in summer time, five and six in winter. In 1765 a second stage was started, to go through positively in three days. This was a covered Jersey wagon,--fare, twopence per mile. In 1766 another stage, called the 'Flying Machine,' was started, to go through in two days,--threepence per mile."
* * * * *
A brief account of Montreal in the "Boston Gazette," March 30, 1761.
NEW-YORK, March 23.
Extract of a Letter from Montreal.
----"The Case of the poor Canadians is really deplorable, occasioned by the bankruptcy of the crown of France. Many of them who had, with great danger and labour, acquired estates worth 20,000 l. sterl. by the fur-trade, or otherwise, can now scarce procure a dinner. All their remittances from their mother country, consisted in bills on the French King, which are not now worth one farthing, as no body whatever will accept of them in payment. It is computed there is above the value of 3,000,000 l. sterling of these useless paper scraps, circulated through the colony, which, as a reward to the wretched inhabitants for all their hardships and fatigues, must now supply the place of affluence and independence. Most, if not all of them, are perfectly reconciled to the British government, as they can now with security enjoy any little property they have; whereas formerly, Governor Vaudreuil made no ceremony of seizing the produce of their lands, their merchandize and manufactures of every kind, and after conveying them to the King's store houses, paid to the proprietors any price he pleased. If the owners thereafter had occasion for any of their own commodities, they could not procure them under twenty times the price they had received.
"Montreal in general is a well built town, but incapable of any defence. The churches are elegant, and the houses of some of their principal men are really magnificent; though few in number. The Hotel Dieu is by far the finest hospital I ever saw, every thing in it is extremely neat and convenient.
"The people