The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-02-23 00:00:00, page 6

attended with all the success which the justice of our
cause and the vigour of our exertions seemed to pro
mile, that consequences more adequate to both may
result from the animated executions of firm and active
councils, which the time requires, and with which the
Spirited perseverance of the British nation has so often
surmounted the greatest difficulties.
It is with concern we learn, that the conciliatory
measures of Parliament have not yet had the good ef
fect uith your Majesty's revolted fubjeds which was
due to the wisdom and temper with which they were
planned.
In this foliation of affairs, fully sensible that the
natioanl honour and Gcurity loudly calls for the most
active exertions, we will ftrennoufly concur in suppor
ting your Majesty, that, under the blessing of God,
means may be derived, from the conduct and intrep
idity of your Majesty's officers andforces, by sea and
land, and the yet undaunted Spirit of the nation, to
vindicate and maintain the honour of the crown, and
the interests of the people of Great- Britain,
We return your Majesty our cordial acknowledg
ments for heaving called forth the militia, to assist in
the interiour defence of this country; andit is with joy
and exultation we hear the gracious testimony your Ma
jesty is pleated to bear to the public Ipirit, the Ready
ardour, and the love of their country, which animate
that national force, and unite all ranks of your Maje
ft'ys faithful fubjecßs in giving signal proofs, to all
the world, of a loyalty and zeal which muftreudei us
fafe at home and refpeded abroad.
His MAJES i Y's most gracious ANSWER.
My Lords,
I THANK you for this loyal and dutiful address:
The zeal you shew for my honour and support, and
the firmnefs and vigour you manifeft in the prefect
conjuodure, cannot fail to produce the best effe&s.
It must add confidence to my people, and encourage
animated efforts to withttaod,oppofe, and subdue, ev
ery hostile attack open the honour and interests of my
kingdom.
HOUSE o f COMMONS, Thursday, so. 26.
GOVERNOUR JOHNSTONE Shewed the impof.
fibility of keeping possession of new-York, Long-Island,
and Rohde-Ifland, without an expeafe of half a million
of meney, and additional troops. He added, that it was
neceffery to have a large army in Canada, and another
in the Weft-Indies; for the French would bring fuccours
to the Americans in all quarters, and it would not be
practicable almost with any force to stand our ground in
the different and distant parts of North-America. The
hour of reconciliation was passed. A party in the Cou
grefs were in the interest of France. The army and the
Coogrefs, and the people in America, were as much di
vided as the House of Commons in England. The people
in many of the provinces wished to return to their allegi
ance to Britain. He therefore advised, that we should ei
ther shew them we are in earnest, by declaring our refe
lution to exert ourselves with vigor, and to persist to the
end, or give up theconteft at present. He would not ad
vise which was best, but seemed to think we had not force
enough to spare from our natural defence against France,
or any other foreign enemy who might join in her sup
port.
Mr. Attorney General spoke for an hour, and told an
anecdote of the famous Admiral Blake, who addressed the
crew a few minutes before an engagement, and told them
their lives were no longer at their own disposal, for they
were under an indispensable duty to execute whatever they
were commanded. He seemed extremely dis, :d to cri
minate the Admirals and Generals employed ince the
commencement of the American war, butfpoke, th great
caution.\
Lord Howe said, as reports had got abroad, h should
be extremely glad that the conduct of the several fficers
employed was enquired into: He was included that
description, and of course expected that general iftice
which every man in his situation was entitled to.
Admiral Kepple spoke so very low, that it was dih.:ult
to diftiaguilh what he said; but as well as we could tol
lea, it amounted to this: That he did not imagine that
the passage in the speech alluded to him; that, howeve.,
he wished for an enquiry; but that in the present poflure
of affairs, when the question came to be put, he meant to
give his vote for the addsefs.
Dec. 15. We hear that the court martial appoin
ted to try Admiral Keppel, on the charges brough a
gainst him by Sir Hugh Pallifer, will be held on board
the Viftory at Portsmouth, on the ,thof January next;
the court will consist of Admiral Pye, Commanderin
Chief at Portsmouth, and the thirteen senior Captains
at that port.
Dec. 16. Yesterday the House of Commons agreed to
the report of Monday's resolution on the supply, viz.
Refolded, That 50,34.6 effe&ive men, including 3213
Invalids, be employed for the land service for the year
1779. That 8,33,91x1. be granted for maintaining the
said forces. Tnat 1,103,1181. be granted for maintain
ing the form in the plantations, &c. That 620,882!.
be granted for the charge of the embodied militia, in
the different counties, and the three regiments of fenci
bles, for <779. That 85 ,601. be granted forthe charge
of clothing of the said militia. That 259,713]. be grant
ed for the charge of an augmentation to the land forces.
That 395,438 I. be granted for th: charge of office of
ordnance, for 1779. That 521,9351. be granted for
the office of ordnance, for extra ferviees performed, and
not provided far by Parliament. Aud to several other
resolutions for the pay of foreign troops in the British
service.
The impossibility of having our reinforcement of troops
for America tiiere in due time tor the ensuing campaign,
as firft suggested in the papers, is now unanfwerably con
firmed by Sir John Wrottefley, who yesterday declared
in the House of Commons, that we fhtuld not be able to
- nu m^ CT ^#. OL n... a ucrumECTWOToi Auguit next ;
but it is of a piece wih every other part of the conduct of
our Ministers, who, b their confiflency be it spoken, have
never yet felt themfebes bold enough for any undertaking,
before it has been too late for it to have even a obance of
taking any good effe£i.
^ Extract of a letter irem Portsmouth, dated Dec. 15.
" On Saturday came here Sir Hugh Pallifer, in order
to colled the evidences to fu^port his allegations against
Admiral Keppel."
Lord Shuldham, the friend of Lord Sandwich, is ap
pointed to command at Portsmouth, in the room of Ad
miral Keppel.
Dec. 17. It is said that a certain person has dis overed
that he has been long deceived about the contest of Ame
rica, and is now convinced that the Americans can only
be brought to behave like children by Great-Britain prov
ing her^f to be the mother, and not the Step mother.
A nobleman of the firft diftindion, who rides a great
borfe, has offered to make a coalition of all parties, with
out removing any of the present Ministers, provided go
vernment will agree to withdraw all our land forces from
America. And this salutary scheme is said to be under
con fideration.
The tewofriends, az Lords North and Germaine are so
justly called, are determined to live and die together.
Lord George Germaine declares that he will not skulk
behind the throne for prote&ion, and Lord North pledges
himfelf to fall with his friend. The enquiry into the con
dud of the American war will decide their fate. The pa
pers are to be on the table against the firft day of the meet
ing, after the vacation. Governor Johnftone is to prove
that the expedition to Philadelphia loft America; the pa
pers are to prove that Lord George planned it.
One of the charges against Admiral Keppel is said to be
his returning home after the a&ion of the 27th of July;
though it is worthy of remark, that on a confutation of
the three Admirals on board the Victory, the 28th, such
a meafute was held necessary.
Application has been made to Lord Weymouth to ne
gociate the exchange of Captain Windsor and the Hon.
Albemarle Bertie, of the fox, it being Admiral Keppel's
desire they should attend the trial, as much of his juftifi
cation depends on their evidence.
Extract of a letter from Paris, Nov. 18.
“ The last advices from Alicant assert, that a procla
mation had appeared there, directing the inhabitants to
give every possible assistance to all French and American
mips of war, and to admit their prizes to be fold in all
the Spanish ports. The Court of France is in hourly ex
peaation of being joined by Spain, as every step aud per
paration denote its being just at hand. We have taken
34 of the English privateers, and have ,coo Engliti sailors
in our prisons. A French thip of war has just taken two
large English privateers or frigates , and carried them in
to Corunna. Two fleets are on the point of failing from
Bred, on different expeditions."
The Joze, Rodrigues, and the Neptune, Joze, de Lif
boa, from Goa, arrived at Lisbon, spoke withan Ameri
can privateer of 32 guns, off the cape of Good Hope, who
let them pass unmolested.
The little trade Ireland at present has is privateering.
If that should fail (which is merely accidental) a great
part of the natives must either emigrate, or adept Swift's
plan of eating their own children.
There are now lying in the river Thames, fix privateers
ready to put to sea, as soon as they can procure hands to
man them. They were this morning in the borough, beat
ing up for volunteers. For able sailors, they offered 12
guineas per man.
Yest rday a policy was opened at Change to ensure
Gibraltar for a twelvemonth, at five guineas per cent, on
which a good deal was done.
Considerable bets are depending, at the weft end of the
town, that the Spanish Ambassador will soon take a French
leave.
Dublin, Dee. 22. Thepublic have reason to rejoice that
any enquiry into the causes of our misfortunes is set on
foot, although an innocent gallant commander may be
comprehended in the accufition. The enquiry if fuffered
to go oa freely, may lead to some discovery; and when
we fee our Ministers, our Admirals, our Generals, our
Governors, and our Ambassadors, acenfing each other,
every honest citizen must wish to promote ap enquiry, as
the last resource of an almost ruined empire
Extras of a letter from Corke, dated Nov. 29, 1778.
“ Yesterday eleven fail of victuallers arrived at Cove
from New-York, which place they parted the 26th ult.
and left the Hook the third instant. They bring advice
of four 50 gun fliips, with one ship of|the|line, and 80
fail of transports, being failed thence, having on board
the 4th, stb, 15th, 27th, 28th, 35th, 40th, 4.6 th, 49th,
and 55th regiments, besides a large body of Hessians,
and were fnppofed to be detached to aft in the Weft-In
dies. That General Clinton, with 14,000 men had gone
on an expedition, supposed by some to co-operate with
Gener:l Butler, who is said to be advancing through the
back settlements with 12,000 Indians in the King's intere ft;
whilst others supposed hemay be gone to second Admiral
Byron, who, with 14 fail ofthe line and fomefrigates, wag
said to be gone towards Boston. In fliort, his Majesty's
friends were in great spirits, and had great expectations
fiom General Clinton's active spirit, who is determined
to push our enemies by fire and bayonet, wherever he can
meet them."
Cam, Middlebrook, February 11, 1779.
Mr. DUNLAP,
SIR,
IN December 17,7, I sent you for publication an ab
ftraa of the proceedings of a Court of Enquiry, acquit
ing me in the most explicit manner of certain charges that
were propagated to my prejudice, the opinion of that
Court, I thought, would effectually counteract the malig
nant designs of those, who, envy or folly had made my ene
mies. But I have since that time been under the disagree
able necessity of foliviling a trial by a General Court-Mar
tial of the line, in order 0 exculpate myfelf from the fol
lowing injurious and dilhonorable charges, viz.
to ift. Cowardice on York-Inland in face of the enemy.
2d. Difgracefull behaviour in refufing to take command
at Hackenfack of the regiment late Smallwood's, when or
dered to Fort Lee.
3d. Scandalously leaving Hackenfack at twelve o'clock
at night, when raining, on report of the enemies approach.
^ 4 th. Disgracefully leaving Kington, or the approach
of the enemy.
sth. Cowardice at Brandywine.
6th. Cowardice at Germ°otowu.
7th. Ungentleman behaviour in not complying with hid
promise to leave the service, made at a Court of Enquiry a'
White Marsh, by which he induced many of the wiineffe*
thro' compassion, to suppress their evidence.
. The Court commenced near Fish-Kill Landing, in tnj
State of New-York, November 9th 1778, and after a full
but tedious examination of evidences, offered in support
of the charges exhibited against me, but which rather lerv
ed to prove the envy and malice, than the wisdom and ju
stice of my persecutors. Colonel John Nevil, President of
the Court-Martial, made report to their sentences in the
following words, viz.
The Court coafidering the firft charge against Col. Price
the evidence and his defence, are unanimously of opinion
that he is not guilty of cowardice on York-Island, in the
face of the enemy, and do acquit him with honor.
The Court considering the second charge against Col.
Thomas Price, the evidence and his defence, are of opinion
that he is not guilty of difgraceful behaviour, in refufing
to take command at Hackenfack, of the regiment late
Smallwood's, when ordered to Fort Lee, and acquit him
with honor.
The Court considering the third charge against Colonel
Thomas Price and his defence, are unanimously of opinion
that he is not guilty of scandalously leaving Hackenfack at
twelve o'clock at night, when raining, on a report of the
enemies approach, and doacquit him with honor.
The Court considering the fourth charge against Cat
Thomas Price, the evidence and his defence, are unani
mously of opinion that he.is not guilty of difgracefully leav
ing Kiagfton, on the approach of the enemy, and do ac
quit him.
The Court considering the fifth charge against Colonel
Price, the evidence and his defence, are of opinion that
he is not guilty of cowardice at Brandywine, and do ac
quit him.
The Conrt considering the 6th charge against Colonel
Price, the evidence and his defence, are of opinion that he
is not guilty of cowardice at Germantown, and do acquit
him.
The Court considering the seventh charge against Col.
Price, the evidence and his defence, are unanimously of
epinioa that he is not guilty of ungentleman behaviour in
not complying with his promise to leave the service, made
at a Court of Enquiry at White-MaYfh, by which he in
duced many of the witnesses thro' compassion, to suppress
their evidence, and do acquit him with honor.'
^ The above fentances was approved by Major General
Lord Stirling, in the absence of his Excellency Genera!
Washington, in manner following.
Middlebrook Camp, January 7, 177%
The aforegoing fentances acquiring Col. Thomas Prica
with honor, of the several charges exhibited against him,
is approved and confirmed.
STIRLING.
My countrymen, among whom I wilh to maintain the
character es an honest man and good citizen, will readily
conceive that a trial upon such capital charges, lengthen'd
by the multiplicity of evidences taken to prove nothing in'
effed fubjeß^d me to much anxiety and trouble, but con
fidant of obtaining justice in the end I persevered in con
futing every malicious attempt to fix a stigma on my re
putation. T am happy to have the opportunity of offering
to the world this inconteftible proof of my not having de
served it in any one instance.
THOMAS PRICE.
PHILADELPHIA, February it.
Sunday last the gallant Captain Cunningham arrived
here in a large cutter from Martinico, after an absence of
near three years, during which time he has fuccefstully
annoyed the trade of our enemies on the coast of Engl m.%
by frequent prizes carried into France.
On Monday came round from Egg-Harbour, the arm
ed brig Hunter, Capt. Douglass.
Extract of a letter from Williamsburg, Virginia.
By two vtffels arrived from Europe we have London
papers to the Bth of Dec.
Gov. Johnftone has impeached Lord Geo. Germaine
—Admiral Keppel is under arrest for his condu& in tha
engagement with Monsieur D'Orvilliers—The King has
struck Gen. Burgoyne off the lift of General^, and ha
is coming to America to join the Convention troops---
The King is treated with great severity in the papers ;
and his American Generals much censured."
LO TTERY-OF FI C R,
After the drawing this afternoon, February 23, 1779.
THE wheels are 89,050 dollars richer Row in proportion
4 than they were when the drawing commenced.
There are now in the wheels the following prizes--
z of io,oQ@ dollars.
9of 5000
79 of 1000
651 of 500
15,840 Of 30
PAUL BOOKS, Check Clerk.
^^^^^^d^Xd^^^^^^d^-ft d,m
To be SOLD at Public Sale,
On Thnrlday the firft day of April next, on Chefnut.hill
in Germantown Township, Philadelphia County,
A TWO story stone HOUSE, with a valuable or
chard of one acre possessed of the best apple and
pear trees: There is a stable and exceeding good well
belonging to said house. The title is indisputable. At
tendance will be given by
MARTIN HAUSER.
G ODFREY 3H IVIN G,
GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLER,
frAKES this method to acquaint the Public in ge.
1 neral and his Friends in particular, That he is re
moved from Second-street to the south fide of Market
ftreet, between Third and Fourth-ftrcets, opposite to
the sign of the King of Prussia, where he carries on the
Goldsmith and Jewellery bufiaefs, in its different
branches, as usual.