The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA. May 25.

Extract of a letter from Sunbury, May 12.

You must have heard of the misfortune which attended the party, under poor Lieut. Vancampen, who proceeded from Muncy up Bald Eagle, in which 15 privates with himself (a brave and valuable officer) were killed and lost. I am sorry to acquaint you, that here our distress did not terminate: we had but a small interval of peace, when the savages commenced their scalping again in the beginning of this month, and in a few days killed several of our inhabitants and poor women and children, in different parts. This has thrown their families into the deepest distress imaginable. The wife of one Trindle near Penn's Creek, endeavored to escape with an infant in her arms; but so close was the pursuit, she dropt the child, was overtaken and tomahawked - the little child scalped, and having some small remains of life, made way by the traces of blood to its mother, and was afterwards found expiring on her breast. The party since fled, having plundered the county, and taken a number of people. Never, since the British able headed allies have been massacring us, were we so weak of inhabitants, nor so naked and destitute of troops, as at this day. Our frontiers are swimming with blood, and at the mercy of a merciless enemy, a savage enemy, the worst of enemies. I cannot help saying, I think we merit some attention from government. However insignificant we may be treated and considered, we are certainly a cover and defence to three of the interior counties, which must be exposed to their wanton cruelties, if we give way. I hope something will be done for us, and that ere long the key of communication may fall in our hands, between the Royal Brute of England and his savage allies. This accomplished, we shall be at peace, and our county must flourish as formerly. It was once esteemed and admired, and though neglected and abandoned in some measure, to its own security, must on some future day be not a little respectable. Northumberland will then acknowledge the favors she hath received from the hand of administration, and hold in grateful remembrance those persons and characters, who have so gloriously contributed to her assistance. Communities, like individuals, possess nearly the same affections, and they cannot be ungrateful.