Reported 280 Years Ago (June 16 1739): Boat is now ready to set sail for America, via Scotland

BELFAST.

The snow, Charming Molly, belonging to Mr. Henry Mc.Lachlen, of this place, is now clear to sail hence for the isle of Gea, in the Highlands of Scotland, where a great number of Highland gentlemen are to go on board her and another vessel, whereof one Mr. Brown is master, and will carry with them upwards of 200 musquets, and a greater number of broad swords and other arms, bound for Cape Faire, in South Carolina, in America.

[Gea is Gigha, an island in Argyll, off the west coast of Scotland.

Advertisements that appeared in the News Letter earlier in the year had said that the Charming Molly would be leaving for either Newcastle in Delaware or nearby Philadelphia in Pennsylvania on May 1. But as this ad shows, the boat is only now clear to sail, via Scotland, for South Carolina, further south]

THE good Ship WILLIAM and JAMES, burthren two hundred Tuns, James Agnew Owner, commanded by John Adams; well fitted, and of excellent Accommodations; being a Ship built for the Trade, and very Commodious for carrying PASSENGERS; Will be clear to sail from the Lough of Belfast, where she now lies, for New-Castle or Philadelphia, in America, against the first Day of June next. Any Persons, who incline to go as Passengers, Apprentices, or Redemptioners, may apply to said James AGNEW, HENRY Mc.LACHLEN, or JOHN BOYD in Belfast, who will agree with the easiest Terms, and they may depend on the best of Usage. [This is a reappearance of the second surviving News Letter ad for a boat to America. When it appeared earlier in 1739 the reference to “first Day of June next” was ambiguous and seemed to refer to June 1739, but now seems to refer to 1740, unless perhaps departure has been delayed, as with the Charming Molly, but the ad not updated]

PORT-NEWS.

Since my last arrived the Unity of Irvine, James Boyd, thence with Coals, --- The Nathaniel, Robert Moor, from Liverpool with Rocksalt, Sugar and Earthen ware. --- The Dolphin of Portpatrick, William Beard, from Liverpool, the white sale and Tobacco. --- The John and Archibald of Irvine, Thomas Hendry, thence with Coals. --- The Thomas of Whitehaven, John Rodgers, thence with Coals. --- The William and Mary, Boyle, with Merchant Goods, from Dublin.

DUBLIN, June 2.

Thursday last about two o’clock, a fire broke out in a house in Cole-Alley near Meath-street but by the timely help of engines, it was extinguish’d without doing much damage.

We hear the following regiments are to be on Dublin duty this year, viz. the late right hon. lieut. general Pearce’s horse, the hon. lieut. general Dalzel’s, colonel Howard’s, and colonel Campbell’s regiments of foot.

Just published, by the Printer hereof, Price 2d.

THE ART of PREACHING, in Imitation of HORACE’s ART of POETRY.

We have advices from Paris, that they are under great apprehension, that the scarcity of corn will occasion some disturbances in the provinces of France, and that even several intendants of provinces have desired leave to lay down their posts, that they may not be exposed to the fury of the people, who in some places, are possess’d with a notion that fault lies party at their door.

This evening a committee of council met at the cockpit, to examine into several complaints made by the inhabitants of Minorca, against colonel Charles Pinfold commandant of that place.

This Day is publish’d,

THE LONDON MAGAZINE, for the Month of APRIL, 1739.

Containing, I. The Journal of a learned and political Club, &c. continued: Containing the Speeches of the Right Hon.Pisistratus, and the Right Hon. Pericles, upon the Question, Whether by the original Form of our Government, the People, in some Shape or other, ought not to have the Nomination of, or at least a Control over, all the Magistrates and Officers necessary for the Support of our Government?

II Trials of the Weavers, and others concerned in the late Riot at Melksham.

[In 1738 weavers had destroyed mills in Melksham, Wiltshire, in a dispute over pay. Three of the rioters were executed]

III. A Letter to the Proto Pyrate, who calls himself the Author of the Gentleman’s Magazine: Postscript in Relation to him: Remarks on Mr. Heath’s Letter to him.

IV. A View of the chief political and other Essays, viz. The Danger of Corruption in a State; Observations on the famous Secession; Case between Lord Strutt and ‘Squire Bull; Will. Foremast’s Letter to C Sense; Remarks on the Grand Question, &c. some odd Characters expos’d; of imitating the French; C. Sense’s Answer to a certain Writer in the Gazeteer; his Petition to the Post Master General; of our late Measures; of the Writers for the Convention; on the Report of a Project for regulation News Papers; Occurrence relating to the Spanish Frier; Places more in fault than Persons; a new Distinction of Parties, &c.

V. POETRY: To the Rev. Mr. ———; the Rape of the Lawn; Mrs. Master’s Justification; Country Innocence; upon seeing M——m V ——te’s Picture; Marriage for Interest; upon the Birth of the young Prince; the Ivy and Oak, a Fable; Stoke’s Bay; to Miss U——la W--n; a Riddle, &c. &c.