The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-07-19 00:00:00, page 3

Extract , a letter from St. Pic-re's, Martinique, June 9.
" Since the arrival of the French fleet, we have made
a descent 011 St. Lucia, attended wth no other confe
qutoce than about one hundred prisoners, taken by
furprize at Gros-lfirthy the French. The mifatriage
of this enterprizc was owing to a considerable reinforce,
ment received there, of which our general had no in
formation till after his land ng, which obliged him to
decline on attack on the garrison. This expedition has
not been altogether fruitlefs, as they have since taken
Tobago, which surrendered at diferetion. Several
large fliips with their cargoes have by this flroke fill,
cm into the hands of our goodallies. Reports from di -
ftren; quarters agtee that our fleet are at Barbados,
where they have landed 6000 men. That the inhabi
tants have rfuftd to take up arms, apprehensive of
the fame treatment as the Dutch and Americans met
with at 'Statia; that Rodney was blocked up ina nar
row bay by the F.^nch fleet, refufing a surrender of
the island, tho' he had no troops to de'end it ; and that
the French had erected a bomb battery within reach
of his Crps, which from the best authenticated of these
reports, are only feveo in number "
Extra& of a letter from Standing Store, Bedford coun
ty, dated July, 4, 1781.
“ Wie are continually alarmed by the savages. There
have been, within a month pad, 47 inhabitants hilled
and scalped on Bushy run, Raccoon creek, Frank s
town, and some near Bedford and Sufquehaqnal;, North
Branch. With the help of some of my good neighbours,
we shall have this week a good blockhouse, which
will contain thirty men, besides women and children,
which I truf twill be a fafe retreat."
On the 23th of June, the privateer ship Lord North,
belonging to Goodrich and co. lying in CharleftoWn
harbour, was struck with lightning, by w'ich acci
dent file funk, and the crew were witu difficulty saved.
Extras of a i tter from a gentleman in the neighbour
, hood of iVillhmfburg, dated July 9, 1781.
" The enemy have plundered federal people in this
neighbourhood. They are now encamped at James
Town, and we daily expe& a general engagement, if
it has not already happened. General Wayne was en
gaged with them the 6th instant, and had 200 men
killed and wounded, 12 officers miffing. They took two
fiel piecesfrom him, one of which was re taken, and the
other would have ben recovered, but the horses were
shot down> The battle was fought in the old field by
James town church. We had only three brigades en
gaged. The enemy's loss cannot be afeertained ; some
accounts fay 3 or 400 killed and wounded.
Extract of a letter from Fredericksburg, July to.
46 It is this day reported that a very smart a&ion
happened on Friday lad near Williamiburg, between
the British and general Wayne, wherein both sides left
a number of men, but as the particulars which have
come to hand cannot be depended upon, must wad for
a confirmation, which we hourly expert, ft is also laid
our army was fkirmilhing all Saturday, that the enemy
have crossed James river, and that our army was on
their march to Richmond."
Extras of a letter from St. Thomas, dated June 26.
" Tobago is certainly taken, and, ftrahge to tell,
no body plundered; not a Rodney or a Vaughan in t^e
French army to be found. Pondicherry, in the East
Jodies, taken, and it is said the whole of the fleet from
Statia are tak p n by the combined fleets."
Extras of a letter from Bo^on, dated July 2, 1781.
" The 20th of last month arrived in this port a schoo
ner, in 17 days passage from Martinicn. The captain
reports, that two days before his departure, a transport
fllip from the army under the command of count de
Graffe arrived ar that Inland with the news that, that
general officer had taken Tobago from the English, and
had blocked unßarbadoes, where Mr. Bouille had made
^defcent with 6000 regular troops. Rodney is at Bar
badoes with 17 ships of the line, and his situation is
such, that he cannot avoid an engagement with the
French admiral, who has under his command 24 ships
of the line There were in Tobago 17 vessels, richly
loaded, w^en the French took possession of it."
Extras of a letter from a gentleman in public charac
ter in France, to his friend in this city, dated March
7, 1781, accompanied with Mr. Neckar's state of
the finances of France.
" You will, I am sure, be as much furprized as
delighted with this state of the finances of France, un
der Mr. Neckar, who is at prefect the idol ofthe na
tion.
" We are impatiently waiting to find what use will
be made by the opposition in England of this state of
Mr. Neckar's, as the ministerial hirelings have been
trumpeting all over the kingdom the wretched flare of
the French finances. You will find by it that there is
a surplus or facing of 28 millions of livres, equal to
twelve undrd thousand poun ! s sterling annually.
'" March 10, 781. A loan was opened in this city,
a few days after this publication, for sixty millions;
which ibflantly was filled up, and many were too late
and much disappointed, who had immense sums to
thtowin."
Extras of a letter from ah officer of the American ar
my in South-Carolina, dated camp before Ninety
'S x, January 1% 1781.
" After a laborious siege of 27 day-, and having
prosecuted our approaches, to the very ditch of the
enemy we are upon the print of being interr pted by
the advance of I>r| Rawd^n ; the (kill of both ar
mtes ,"' be put to the fefl, and I have the hones of
a fcd^r tiat our labours here will be rendered more
important by a Spirited victory in the field. His lord
f';P J 3s b en ind iced to make this njpve, from the (mail
ref: lorcrn? nt he received by the Cork fleet. We fiave
a numerous and powerful body of cavalry, and may
fight generally without rifquing a total defeat. A
*% most pro 'uce the event; an event upon
" !ci; the hbpm f s of this country, in a great mea
s re, depnd."
Ix*r tof a letter from an officer of rank who was in
, e rate aftum in Virginia, dated July 8, 1781.
Tee flo^nrfs 6f the enemy's pursuit was rernarka
band mutt 1 e owing to the great lots they fußained,
ours does not exceed 120 killed and wounded : no offi
cer among the former, but a great many among the lat
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
Joseph Reed, Esquire, President,
And the SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of
the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
A PROC L AM A T.IO N,
WHEREAS divers ill disposed persons have manu
factured, or imported into this state, quantities
of base metal, in the fimilitu le of British half-pence,
but much inferior in value and weight to genuine Bri
tish half-pence, to the great depreciation of that coin,
the injury of the community in general, and the poor
in particular ; such practices having a natural tenden
cy to raise the prices of the necessaries of life, and
introduce new confufion in the currency of the count
ry. Wehavc therefore thought proper to prohibit, and
do hereby flriftly enjoin all officers employed in the re
ceipt of taxes or other public dues, not to receive such
base coin in any payments whatsoever : And do ear
neflly recommend to all the faithful inhabitants of
this state to refufe it in payment, and by all other law
ful ways and means difeourage the currency thereof.
And we do in a Special manner direct and enjoin all
magistrates, flierifFs, constables and ot er civil officers
within this state, to make due enquiry after offenders in
the premises, that they may be brought to speedy
and condign puniihment.
Given, by order of the council, under the hand of his
excellency JOSEPT REED, eftuire, president,
and the seal of the state, at Philadelphia, this
fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
one thousand (even, hundred and eighty-one
JOSEPH REED, Prudent.
Attest. T. Matlack, Sec.
GOD SAVE the PEOPLE!
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette.]
NEW- YOR K, July 6.
The pacquet having brought his majefly's. leave to
vice-admiral Arbuthnot, -to return* home his excel
lency on Saturday jaft embarked, went to Sa-ndy-Hook,
and to morrow-, .it is said, will proceed on his. y,yape
for England : nice which the comm aid of hi§ toajedy's
fleet has devolved on Thomas Graves, efq ; rear admi
ral of the red, *
On the 26th ofJune, fix miles beyond Williamfbur^
the enemy, confining of of 2200 men, with 70 French
Dragoons, met 350 of the queen's rangers, and 80
mounted yagers,,, comminded by colonel Simcoe. The
fire and attack was from the rebels hot and well kept
up ; but when cooky charged, they gave way, were
put in confuhoty when numbers fell; and the little
party, who behaved to the aflouifhment of t eir ene
mies, rem ined mafr rs of the field. Lieutenant Jones
of the rangers, killed, and two Subalterns war- wounded :
of rank ant file 51 were kilted and wounded Noaf
fiftance coukl get up in time till it was over. Earl
Cornwallis, with his ordihip's wonted fenfibilty and
elegance, expre^ed the highest approbation of the con
duct of the commander, officers and men, who had
thus Angularly anl gloriously distinguished themfeives.
ter. Almost every field officer's horfekilled or wounded,
one cf the marquis's horses was killed ; not a man in
the whole detachment was more ex; ofed than him.
The enemy have precipitately crossed the river, leaving
our wounded on th:s fide. They are apparently leav
ing the flare."
< ongrefs have received from France a I rge packet
of public difpatcl.es, from the ; ri:ifh minihry to fir
Henry Clinton, and other of their officers in America,
found in the mail of the Maria Tnmeifa packet, I te
ly carried into I'Orient.—Thefe letters are under ex
amination, and in our next paper we expea to begin
the publication cf them.
The privateer ship America, bel'on ing to Salem,
lately took a large (hip which 1 ad jud arrived in Five
Faspm Hole, within the bar of Charlefiown, from
Glasgow. The above privateer followed the flbp over
the bar, and immediately brought h<r clear off: she is
a very valuable vUfebhaving a cargo which chiefly
conlifis ofdry goods, &c. The comm ndaiv of Charles
town, he ring of this disaster, immediately issued or
d rs for a frigate to pufli out and give cease to the
above privateer and her prize, but it C ems the captain
of the frig te did not think proper ho comply with his
directions.
T efday evening arrived a prize brie, laden with
winfe, &c. from Tenerieff, bound to this port, but
was taken ' y one of the enemy's cruizers, and after
wards re-taken by the Rising Sun privateer.
CONTRAST and PROPOSAL.
I' H E^BrZifli govermren' turns °ut to penury and
1 want, all those, whose attachment to our cause
will not permit them to take the oath of allegiance to
their kig, and arm against their Country, yet
Britons are the most HUMANE p ople in the
world and their government tee m^T LENIENT.
The Fennfylvanians permit such as refute to take an
oath of allegiance to the state, and openly acknowledge
themfeives the partizans of Britain, to I ve qaie ly a
mong them, to enjoy their estates, and oni y to pay
their taxe : in specie ; but the freemen of Perofylvnha
are a cruel, hot headed, violent f t of Prelby
terians, and their g vkrumxnt the most t t.asni
cal on tie face of the earth.
Such is the judgment passed by some on the citizens
and governments of the two hates, refpc&'vely. Now
as I would do injury to.no man, and wifn eve y one
to possess what he love's, I make th^ following PR 0-
POSAL—
Let a day be appointed, on which every one (hall
declare his choice ; thej let those who prefer the Brtifh,
be permitted to retire to their friends, and enjoy among
them the humanity and government of which they are
so fond ; and let the rest be sworn to support the con
test until independence is fully eflabliQ id, and let each
government reward its adherents as well as it can.
Then, as every one will enjoy the v/ifh of his heart,
party quarrels, faction and toryitm will cease in Penn
sylvania, and we fhtll be a happy and united people.
This Proposal murt meet with every man's wish.
left published, and to be SO LD, Bv
CHARLES CIST,
Puhi'er nd Bookseller, in Market-ftrert, between
F?ur h and F t^-Are<t„ Philadelphia,
(Price F ve S riling )
A short Introduction to Latin.
Grammar ;
For the C'^ of the University and Academy of Penn
lyivn.a, in Philadelphian
I „
Cardfl:, July 5 1781.
L O S T,
On the road from Lancaster to Yoik-Town,
// Parchment Pocket-Book,
Cont eninr, b fide# different other Papers, T WO
( ER niFICATES o' the depreciation of the pay of
JO^N ROSE, late Surgeon to the 7th Pennsylvania
Rg! n-nt; one of 100. anl the other of 150!. lome
odd so lifgs ; date 4 ju .e23 1781. Whoever return#
Aid C^tificaus to Colonel DAVID GRIER, in
York To n, or to the fubfefiber, in Carl fl:, fliall re
ceive a Utisfia?ry Reward; but Should any body
fraudulently att mpt to pals these Certificates, the
Public is hereby warned not to receive them, as there
has been proper precaution taken to flop the r payment
at the pubic effi es, and to annihilate their numbers,
JOHN ROSE, Enfi n cf 4th Pennf. Reg.
yyAS teken up, near the B idge on Schuylkill, at
Mr. Delap's place, known by the name of the
Bunrt-Houfe, A Brindle COW, with a white head and
Some more white abort her, and had a piece of rope
arout her horns. The owner is required to come,
prov? property, pay charges and take her away ; other
wise (he will be fold fo< the fame, after the firft day of
August nex. JACOB FISS. July 6.
STRAY HORSE was taken up on the firft
£1 instant, by the fiibf riher, at the Old Rising-sun:
He is about 14 hands high, a chefnut brown, has 2
flip on ha nose, no brand, trots and canters, and ii
th>d before. The owner, proving his property and
pa. nz < ba ges may Lae him azain, by applying to
J ul y 4 MARY DAVIS.'
James Hepburn, Affi .
. . '•. ISuie Facias, Re tie, Aug,
Benjamin Alifon,Ex.de > 1781, and judgment,
fonjate J< ho Freeman, I Mr. Vannoft, p q u er.
decerfai.J
By virtue of a Writ of Levari Facias, to
me dir & d, dated at Northumberland, the 21st of
May, 1781, will he exposed 10 Salr, on Saturday, the
4th d yot Au uft nsxt, at the house of M'Lmghlin
MCirto,, o' Northumberland town, in this county,
a ce r t^in Lot or Pi ce of Ground, No. 5, situate in
the said town and countv. bounded weft^ard by North-
W)'.fNorthward by lot No 6, eastward by the Qu?y,
• end foilhw rd by Duke-ftrert; containing in breadth;
<n North Wry, 50 feet, and in length, on Duke
ftrect; 180 Her : Seized and taken in exrcuti..n as the
property of John Freemen, d coated, in the above
aafon James Crawfor d, sheriff
Northumb^r! rd, May 26 of Northtun edand county.
Six Pounds Specie Reward.
^A7 HRREAS a cer an WILLIAM BROOKS
( & 0: railed hunfe f) wes committed to my
,cr,ft>ly , s ^ runaway Servin!, and has since made his
I GHfr s a small izrd man, of a p I: completion,
I fh it, : ighrfl) olou ed hair, an Englifhmin born: had
I on w% he made hit efcree, a white linfey coat, lin-
I cn vest ind breaches ; fa"d beh d friends i^pmla i e |.
I pm; and when commi ted to my care wss ^tempting
§ to paR, by radars of an old indert^reof a convi& of ~
I the fem: name. Whoever will feccre the kid fellow,
,and d^to him to me, (hall have the above Reward
and rc.Gn'ble charges, from
I Ju ex.J AMEo HORNER, Iherifl of Harford county.
F I S H-K I L L, July 12.
On Tuesday the 3d instant, colonel Scammell, with *
party of light troops, embarked in boats, and landed
at Spiten Devil, near King's Bridge. Th. enemy
having had intelligence of their approach, were pre
pared to meet them, and soon after their landing,
made their attack';but our brave men opposed them
with gallantry, tedugu inferior in numbers, drove
them, killed and wounded Several. Our loss was five
killed and a few wounded.
CHATHAM, July it.
The most particular account we have been able to
obtain from King's Bridge, is as follows : That on
Wednesday last a detachment under the command of
col. Scammel, confiftihg of his excellency's guards, &c.
attacked a party of the enemy, who, after some resist
ance, gave way, and retreated over the bridge with con
siderable loss in killed and wounded. Our loss is not as
certained, though it is said the guards Suffered conside
rably. — We also hear there has been another rencoun
ter since, but nothing to be depended upon has come
to hand
A Negro Girl to be fold.
She is healthy, sober, strong, honest, well
tempered, and used to take care of child
ren. Ihe reason of her being fold is, her
not bring capable of country work, for
which her present matter bought her. En
quire of Jacob Morris, Front-street.