The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-11-02 00:00:00, page 2

77 E W-YO R K, October 28.
Prizes sent in since our last.
A (loop from the Havannah by the Fair American.
And a brig from the fame place, of 18 guns, by his
majefly's thip the centurion.
The brig Racehorse, from Havanna, mounting fix
6 pounders, prize to the privateer Digby, captain
Lawton ; her cargo consists of about 8c boxes of Su
gar, force gold and dollars. This vessel had been 30
daysout when taken, and was bound for the Delaware.
She brings advice that the Spanish fleet of the line at
Havanna confided of sixteen fail.
PAR I S, August 16.
They write from Soiffons, that in the the night be
tween the 16th and 17th of last month, a violent tem
ped, accompained with hail of extraordinary size, had
destroyed 15 parishes on the diftria of Soiffons, Those
which fuffered most are the village of Fon enoy,Nouv
ron, Tartier, and the Little Beuxi The rye, wheat,
oats, hemp, and vines, have been destroyed in a man
ner so deflruaive, that the unhappy inhabitants can
not discover what had been sowed.
The fieur Pelletier, intendant of that province, has
verified and Bated those lories. It is computed that it
will require tour years at least to put the country into
the date of production in which it was, and the gene
ral loss is computed at about 400,000 livres.
The fame misfortune has been experienced, but less
rigorously, in 16 parities of the diftrid of Clermonf in
Beauvoifis.
Aug 19. The count de Graffe arrived here on the
16th in ftant at nig t. On the 17th he went to Versail
les, where, being presented to the king by the marquis
de Carries, secretary of state for the marine depart
ment, he had the honour of a private conference with
his majesty for a quarter of an hour ; and at half past
fix in the evening he returned hither with a chearful
countenance; all his officers, prisoners from England,
as himfelf on their parole of honour, juflify him en
tirely.
August 29. We have received some accounts of the
combined fleet from Brest ; they were at anchor off
cape Ortegal on the iSth, and had fuffered much from
contrary winds, and it is feared they would arrive in
great disorder at Cadiz.
By the Duke of Cumberland Packet, captain Paddy,
who arrived here on Saturday last in 42 days from
Falmouth, we have the following advices, viz.
H AGU E, August 25.
Sept. I. Letters from Paris fay the negociations of
Nr. Fitzherbert 4iave, as yet, produced no effect, as
the count d'Aranda, ambassador of the court of Spain,
had not received the inftruClions of his court refpe&-
ing the preliminaries to a general peace.
fr^HE states of Holland and Weft-Friefland having
7 assembled on the 17th inflant, took into considera
tion the proposition of the deputies of the city of Am-
Berdam for the continuation of the operations in con
cert with France against England for the campaign
of 1783, and the renewal of the treaty of commerce of
the year 1739. And after mature deliberation it was
r^folved, that the said proportions be examined by
the lords of the corps of nobility and other deputies of
their noble and grand mightinesses for important as
fairs, in order that the assembly may avail itt'elf of
their considerations and advice.
LONDO N.
July 29. Lord Thurlow has the complete direction
of the state machine at this time. Nothing is under
taken,without bis consent. He is the very center of all
the parties that now form the orefentadministration un
der the character of " an independent peer "
August 3. At present all thoughts of a peace seem
to b given up by all parties, nor indeed was it to be
supposed, that Great-Britain would accept of such hu
miliating terms as those said to be proposed to her by
the court of France, especially since the glorious vic
tory obtained by our arms in the Weft Indies. The
condud of our cummanders, and bravery of the Bri
tifh tars on that day, added a luftre and brilliancy to
the British flag, and convinced the foes of England that
it would never tarnish in their hands.
August 5. It is generally believed in Holland, that
if peace is not Shortly agreed upon, the king of
Prussia will certainly take the field in opposition to the
emperor, whose preparations indicate an approaching
rupture.
They write from Rotterdam, that there were 2000
men on board their fleet destined for the East Indies.
A letter from Constantinople fays, that orders are
given for repairing the castles at the Dardanelles, and
raising some new works ; also for augmenting the navy,
and raising forces in every part of Turkey, which makes
it conjectured, that a war with some power is near at
band ; but where the firft blow will be Bruck time can
only difeover.
Aug ft 7. No negotiatiors are at this time thought
of by any of the belligerent powers; neither is there
any one of the neutral' powers, except the empress,
inclined to afford a mediation towards a peace.
It is in contemplation to fend out such a military
force to the Weft Indies, as, with the naval superiority
we now have in that quarter, (hall enable us to recover
some of the chief of our loft possessions.
1782.
Extract of a letter dated off the coast of Brazil, June 4,
'* We left tie harbour of Rio Janeiro yesterday,
but the wind being contrary, were obliged to anchor
here. The fleet in general are very healthy, and fit
to undertake a voyage round the cape of Good Hope,
which at this time of the year requires good stout men
and flour ships. We have some intelligence of the
French having a design to intercept us near Ceylon."
August 13. Don Cordova is spoken very slightly of,
as a puny and irresolute commander. The Spanish
ships wear more canvas than the French, yet fail worse ;
this is probably owing to the great quantity of upper
furniture they carry, poop and poop royal, a great
deal of carve ri work, and the Trinidade is particular
ly so; it is said she has as many little angels in her
stern as would serve half the churches in Paris,
Exfraft of a letter from Paris, August %
" A few days since the eldest son of admiral conite
'de Graffe, an amiable character, and an officer in the
king's guards, who, in the course of eight days,
fought as many duels with the traducers of his fa
ther's honour, unable to bear up any longer against
the popular indignation that encreafed against him,
put an end to his exigence by a coup de piftolet.''
A captain who lately arrived from Gibraltar, escap
ed out of the Mole in an op^n Tartan, in the night of
July, and was going over to Barbary to grt (hipping
for Europe, but luckily fell in with an Imperial vessel
for Offend, which agreed to take him in, on a promise of
230 guineas : this officer's coming ever is said to be ow
ing to a French deserter from the Spanish camp having
furnifhed governor Elliot with such intelligence as he
thought necessary to be communicated by the earliest
opportunity to government.
A letter from Hanover faya; tha^the troops of that
eeflorate are rea^y to march as soon as orders arrive
from England for that purpose; that they are to be
joined on t! eir march by a body of Hessian troops, but
their dedication is not yet known; but it is whis
pered it will be towards some of the provinces of Hol
land.
A letter front an officer on board his majefly's ship
the Gib altar, of 80 guns, commodore Bickerton, to
his father, in the neighbourhood of York, dat'd Rio
Janeiro, South America, has the following very inter
effig passage: " A Portuguese gentleman came on
board the other day, and brought us intelligence from
the river De la Plata, that the Indians had rebelled
again' ? the Spaniards, put 20,000 of them to death,
had taken 20 of their ships, and it was expe&ed the
Spaniards would be driven entirely out of the coun
try."
Aug. 24. The whole exertions of government are at
this time directed to the proteaion of Gibraltar. The
principal inconvenience which they have for some time
laboured under, with refpea tothat important fortrefs,
has arisen from the total want of transports to convey
the necessary materials for the relief of the garrif'on.
To remove that obstacle, however, a propolal was
yesterday sent from the navy board to the Oporto mer
chants to this effect • ,that they would agree to pay the
company after the rate of 12s. 6d. per ton, for every
thing they would carry on government account to
Gibraltar, and would afterwards engage to furnifh
them with Case convoy to Lisbon. No answer has yet
been transmitted to this proposal, but it is deemed too
advantageous to admit the probability of refufal. If it
be acceeded to, the 22d of the present month is fixed
upon for the general rendezvous of the transports at
Spithead, and fix days being allowed for compleatiag
their lading, on the 28th lord Howe is to be ready to
escort them with,the whole of he naval power of this
country that is not employed on foreign service. The
board of ordnance have issued orders to the officers be
longing to the laboratory at Woolwich, to prepare
20,000 live (hells, to be in readmefs against the 20th
instant, to proceed with the grand fl et to the relief of
Gibraltar ; and the Bad-India (hips which have been
for some time past, in waiting to proceed on their
voyage, have received orders to remain till the failing
of lord Howe, when they are to accompany him to Gi
braltar.
Aug. 31. Yesterday an express arrived at the ad
miralty from admiral lord Howe at For/fmouth, in
forming ^he board of the melancholy drafter of his
majesty's ship the Royal George of 100 guns, with
most of her crew, being loft at Spithead about half
pad ten o'clock in the morning of the preceding day
This unfor unate accident happened while the ship
was hove upon a careen, in order to have the water
pipe to her cistern repaired, at which juncture, a
strong squall at N. N. W. came on, and her keel ly
ing across the tide current, (he fell suddenly on 4 her
beam ends, and before they could right ship, (he filled,
and wentdown, her toomafts only appearing at the wa
ter's edge ! At the time of this calamitous event. 848
officers and seamen were on board, 331 only of whicn
were saved by the boats of the fleet.
Among the officers who perifhd, it is with the utmost
concern we mention that brave and experienced com
minder rear admiral Kempenfelt, who was writing in
his cabbin when the ship went down. Mr. Saunders,
his firft lieutenant, the fifth lieutanant, together with
major Graham, and two lieutenants of the marines,
the surgeon and carpenter, (hared the fame fate >The
rest of the officers were fortunately saved. What adds
to the national loss on this occasion is, that the crew of
the Royal George principally confided of the best sea
men of the whole fleet.
The following account is transmitted from a corres
pondent at Portsmouth, of such officers as were loft
by this melancholly accident and a few that were known
to be alive when the express left that place:
Admiral Kempenfelt downed.
Captain Waghorn taken up by the Victory's boat,
and now living.
Major Gratham, of marines, and lieutenants Saun
ders and Currie, of ditto, drowned
The purser, boatswain, and Mr. Harrison, gunner,
on (hore when the accident happened.
Mr. Surrel, master, Mr. Bartrim, surgeon, Mr. Wil
liams, carpenter, Mr. Kenwood, Mr. Cock, and Mr.
Fish, master mates ; and all the midshipmen, except two
or three (names not known) —drowned.
Upwards of two hundred women were on board, it
is said, when die went down.
The Lark (loop victualler, that was alongfi le the Roy
al George, was (wallowed up in a whirlpool occasion
ed by the finking of the latter, and several people that
were on board her are said also to have perithed.
The Royal George was just 27 years old at the time
(he was loft, having been launched at Woolwich in
September, 1755. She was built in four years, her keel
being laid in 1751. The naval people fay, she can be
weighed up, if the weather ptoves favourable, in the
course of a month.
August 30. The York privateer, of Jersey, has
taken, and sent in there the Lucy, an American vessel,
bound from the Havanna to Cadiz, laden with sugar
and tobacco.
'' It is certain that the comte de Graffe has enemies
in the fleet, but there are also a large number of offi
cers ready to give evidence in his favour. He Shews
in the mean time, by the confidence of his conduct and
his difeourfe. that he is certain he has done his duty
This affair will be soon cleared up by the court marti
al, which is to be held at Brest, where that unfortu
nate admiral, it is said, has had orders to repair.
Extract of a letter from Gibraltar.
Yesterday morning lord Temple, accompanied by la
dy Temple, (et out from his [ordfhip's house in Pall
mall, on his way to Ireland.
The Dutch ship of war driven on Shore at the Gaats,
which is the entrance into the Texel Sound, is the Uni
on of 64 guns, a new vessel, just arrived from her firft
cruize, and commanded by captain de Welderen, son
of the count, who was ambassador in England.
The Union is the fourth Ship the Dutch have loft by
accident, &c. The other three were the Hollandia of 68,
Prince William of 64, and Joseph of 50.
The 59th regiment of foot have received orders to
march from Coxheath to Hilfey barracks, Portsmouth,
from whence they are to embark on board the grand
fleet for .he relief of Gibraltar.
" You will easily conceive the incessant fire kept up
against this place, when I assure you, that a parapet
seventeen feet high and two hundred long, has been
raised near Willis's battery, confining entirely of the
Shells and balls thrown in by the ep^hy."
They write from Cadiz, by way of Lisbon, that the
Bucep alus, a fine Ship of 74 guns,built at the Havan
nah, was loft in her passage from thence to Spain, and
all the crew perished.
Extras of a letter from Deal, September 3.
“ Remain, his majefly's ship Rippon, admiral Drake,
Cameleon and Scourge (loops ; 7 Ruffian men of war
ad one Swede"
Yesterday fir James Wright, hart, governor of the
province of Georgia, was at the levee, it being the
firft time since his return from America, when he was
most graciously received, and had the honour to kiss
bis majefly's hand. Sir James also had the honour to
deliver to his majesty a memorial, Bating the true and
real situation of affairs in that province, from the de
feat of the French and rebel forces in Oaober 1779, to
the time of receiving the cruel orders for evacuating
that province in June last ; also Bating the distressed
condition and (offerings of his majefly's loyal and faith
ful fubjeßs in Georgia.
Many people venture to lay considerable betts that
Gibraltar is in a great degree relieved already, and
will, to the surprise of the enemy, be further relieved,
and that effectually, before the grand fleet fails from
Spithead.,
Extract cf a letter from Bombay, dated April 13, 1782.
" Mons. Suffrein, with 12 fail of the line, and 14
transports, wilt 2000 Europeans and 1200 negro fol
d ers, appeared off Madras in February last. Sir Ed
ward Hughes fell in with him, with only 9 fail of the
line and one 50 gun ship, and had the good fortune in
manoeuvring to cut off the transports. He took three,
funk one, and drove 4 on Shore at Tranquebar, which
were loft, with all their Bores, and many of their men
in the furf. He took also their hospital ship, with all
their land surgeons on board, with the surgeon of the
Hannibal, and 40 of our English sailors, with all their
hospital and many of their marine Bores. On board
of their transports were taken 1200 of their troops, two
lieutenant generals, two colonels, with other officers,
and 1500 barrels of gunpowder. After many fruitlefs
attempts to bring the enemy to a general engagement,
fir Edward Hughes only could get five of his ships a
gainst tight into action. The Superbe, admiral Hughes,
had three ships engaged him for some time, and his
captain (Stephens) was killed. The Exeter, commo
dore King, engaged two, and captain Reynolds was
also killed. The Hero, Monarca, and His engaged
each their ship, but the two flags being so unequally
matched, fir Edward drew off his Blips, without any
men of war being taken on either fide.
Yesterday an individual waited upon lord Keppel,
and offered a 74 gun ship, full manned, which has
been accepted. Such an example has not been in Eu
rope, even among the princes of the blood in France.
Too great honours cannot be paid to such a man. It
is hoped the example will be followed, as we'l by indi
viduls, equally capable, as by collective bodies of
men.
Sept. 3. Fy our late advices from the east we learn,
that general fir Eyre Coote is gone to Bengal, and left
the command at Madras to colonel Stuart, and fir
HeCtor Munro; general Meadows, and several other
general officers, are on their passage home.
Extract of a letter from Paris, Aug. 19.
On Thursday, in the afternoon, admiral Milbank,
with 17 fail of men of war passed $y the bank of the
Goodwin lands for the North seas, to convoy home the
Baltic fleet. It appears that he failed from the Downs
early on Sunday morning and arrived off the Texel on
Tuefdav evening, wheß he found the Dutch fleet in
port ; the fame evening he likewise received advice
from some of his Cruizers, which had been dispatched
ahead, that the Baltic fleet was failed from Elfineur,
and no doubt by that time out of danger.
On receipt of the above intelligence, an express was
immediately sent to lord Howe, for the grand fleet to
fail for Gibraltar, as soon as admiral Milbank's fquad
rnn arrived at Spithead, and likewise for the East and
Weil-India fleets, to fail at the fame time.
Sept. 7. On Tuesday last rear-admiral Alexander
Hood hoisted his flag on board the Queen man of war
at Porfmouth, in the room of admiral Kempenfelt,
deceased.
Yesterday major Stanhope, brother of lord
Harrington, (et off for Portsmouth, to embark with
the second son of lord Townsend, and another gentle
man for Gibraltar.
They write from Utrecht, that the treaty between
the republic of Holland and America, under the guar
antee of France, was signed and exchanged at Amster
dam the 20th of last month ; on which account they
had public rejoicings.
The Dutch have no more than twelve fail of the
line ready at the Texel, as will appear by the follow-