The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-11-21 00:00:00, page 2

PETERS3URGH, August 13.
h^HE minifies of France and Spain yelierday and
J the day before received couriers from their courts.
These have without doubt broughtthe answers of their
fovereignsto t'e last proportions and infiances of the
two Imperial courts, for to engage the powers at war to
begin as soon as poffibb, toe negotiations of peace, and
for this puepofe to name the plenipotentiaries.
The court is very fecr^t "bout the affairs of the Cri
mea. It is said only, thA a body of troops is advanced
towards the Peninsula. This reserve, leads us to think,
that this business is of a very delicate and embarrafing
nature.
FRANK F OR T, Augufl 30.
The dispositions for the emperor's journey to Prague,
to r ceive the count and countess of the N rtn, were
all countermanded on Sunday the 18th of Auguil, as
ter the arrival of a Ruffian courier, who mus shave
brought very important difoatches as the council of
of war fat immediately,and held divers greetings after
wards. Tin's however is certain that this courier
brought an account that the count and counters of
the North, had changed their route, not passing thro'
Prague as intended, but were arrived at Dresden, where
they were to halt four days, and then proceed by the
shortest toad to Ruflia. It is conj Hured that 'ome
important matter has risen between the courts of Vien
na and Peterfburgh.
been sent to his lordfhi, from the admiralty on Friday,
with orders to proceed for' the relief of Gibraltar im
mediately on the arrival of admiral Milbank, it is sup
posed the grand fleet failed on that important expedi
tion (as the wind was fair) yesterday morning. The
East and Weft-India fie ts were to fail at the fame time.
The grand Beet for the relief of Gibraltar consists of
forty fail of the line, including two fifties: but it is
said two ships of 74, and one of 50 besides a frigate,
are to be detached for the Ifind of St. Helena with
the Eiilmdiainen. besides the convoy and reinforce
meat for the Weft Indies.
It is generally believed, that lord Howe will have
orders to detach ten line of battle ships for the Weft In
dies, immediately after he has relieved the garrison of
Gibraltar: which force, united with that under admi
ral Pigot, mud, no doubt, regain our possessions in
that part, if the latter should have orders to carry
the troops with him from New York, when he returns
to the windward flation, it is not unlikely but Martini
co or Gaudaloupe will fall into our hands.
It is said, admiral Hood will command the detach
ment for the Weft-Indies after Gibraltar has been re
lieved.
Lord Keppel went from town on Saturday for Ports
mouth, to be prefent'at the failing of the grand fleet,
under the admirals Howe, Barrington, Hood and com
modore Hotham, which was expected to have taken
pl ce yesterday morning.
The East India fleet never experienced such a long
demurrage as at prefect ; many of the ships have been
at Portsmouth waiting for convoy near four months.
Almost all the neutral powers have intruded their
atybaffadors to forward pacific measures at the court
of Versailles, except the emperor: this consum
mate politician forefees, that the Dutch will inevitably
deprive him of great part of the trade now carrying on to
Oftend, as soon as there is an end to the war ; and there
fore has given the firongeft assurances to the French
court, of his resolution to assist the arm^ of France, in
case any other upon the continent (hall openly declare
in favour of Great Britain.
Mr. Fitzherbert has not returned to Brussels, but
continues at Paris at this time, under the character of
a negociator for Great-Britain.
When the Royal George overFt, there were more
than fifty jew pedlars on board felling trinkets to the
seamen, who had received their wages but a few days
before.
Rhode IHand is now considered as the Gibraltar of A
m rica, the fortifications being so strong and compact,
tha 5000 men, property supplied from the sea, may de
fend it aginft any Superiority of numbers.
A correspondent of the firfl information assures us,
that soon after lord Shelburne came into office, expref
fa were forwarded to Berlin, on the fubjeft of a defen
CuaHnuarinn of Extracts fro:r I ondon Pa
pers' found on board the prize brigantine
GRAC K,
The Madrid gazette of the 231 of August, has the
following article: " Last Weduefday noon his excel
lency prince Mafferana arrived at St. Ildephonfo, dis
patched from the camp at St. Roche, by the due de
Crillon, with the fortunate, news, that in the night of
the 15th, they had erected, in the space of five hours,
an epaulement ro feet in tbicknefs and 9 in height ;
and that they had also conveyed thither 600,000 sacks
of earth, in a parallel of 230 toifes, and that they had
opened a communication 630 toifes, with fafcines, &c.
10,000 men, French and Spaniards, were employed in
the work, and though it was performed under the fire
of the place they did not lose a fingie man, wich they
ascribe to the very great Silence of the men. The gene
rals who attended declare that they did not hear the
(mallei noise at the distance of fix paces.
L ONDO N,
Sept. 9. The most honourable terms of peace have
been lately offered both to America and Holland. If
they are accepted, it will be happy for all parties. If
not, we (hall certainly have the most bloody war Eng
land was ever engaged in.
Admiral Milbank after having on Tuesday lafl taken
a peep into the Texel, where he found the Dutch fleet
in port, and being fully informed the fame evening by
some of his cruizers which had been dispatched a-head,
that the Baltic fleet was failed from Elfineur, and out
of all danger, flood immediately for the English coast,
and on Saturday morning arrived at Spithead, where
the fqudron under his command formed a junction
with the fleet under lord Howe An express having
BRUSSELS, September 9
A gentleman of good intelligence at the weft end of
the town assures us, that government has lately difeov
erel a correspondence of a firing? nature between some
people lately in office and Dr. Franklin. The letters
have all passed by the way of Oftend, and were direct
ed to a merchant in that city.
It is calculated there are at this time near half a mil
lion of military men among the northern powers in
Europe, al! of whom are likely to take the field in the
course of the next year, if a general peace should not
in the mean time take place between England and the
other powers at war.
The present is a period big with the greatest events,
and America seems to be the grand feene of revolution.
Fouteen Bates are formed in the course of a few years
in the north, and another new empire is springing up
in the south of that vast continent. The defeendants
of the millions of Peruvians murdered by the Spaniards,
are like instruments of Divine Providence, retaliating
the cruelties experienced by their forefathers. Domi
nions aid climates seem to be altering, and nature
seems big with an event in the disposition of the world.
Extras of a letter from Offend, Sept. 3.
" Arrived ten fail of ships from different ports of
America, laden with tobacco and indigo."
Sept - 10. The grand fleet had not failed from Spit
head yesterday forenoon; nor was lord Howe expect
ed to take his departure before Friday.
No certain accounts have yet been received of the
Combined fleets of France and Spain making any move
ment towards Gibraltar
five alliance, or such a friendly interference as might
tend to terminate the war. And from the fame au
thority we venture to inform the public, that some in
firuaions were soon after lent to the Prussian minister
at Paris, supposed to fignify the wishes of that north
ern potentate, to be the means of a general reconcilia
tion.
Many princes may have equalled the emperor in the
theory of found policy, but few have had equal reso
lution to pra&ice it; partial and progressive resources
have taken place occasionally in most countries; but
there is no instance in .history of such a general and
sudden alteration in the manners o' a people as has been
made in Germany within the present year.
The Moors find such an extravagant profit from all
the goods they convey to Gibraltar, that every reli
ance may be placed on their fupphes, while the wind
favours their approaches ; there is besides a motive of
policy wh f ch governs them in the relief they afford the
Rritifh garrison, as they are fearful of Spain's get
ting pofrffion of a fortrefs which may enable them to
be very troublesome neighbours in future.
There were some very difagrecable circumflances in
the lart intelligence received from India, which were
(uppreffed for prudential reasons: we sincere y hope
the next dispatches will dispel the gloom, as our Asi
atic settlements are now almost the only valuable flake
th^t is worth contending for.
Mr. Rigby and fir Thomas Rumbold each, it is said,
intend following the example of fir James Lowther,
and offer a (hip to his majefly.
Yesterday flocks rose half per cent, in consequence
of the late important advices from New-York.
Advice is received from Liflbon, that an American
vessel had entered that port under French colours, in
order to take in a cargo of wine, and had got pa t of
it on board; but being difeovered an embargo was
laid on her til! the wines were taken out, and the was
then ordered to put to sea immediately.
Admiral Milbank will have the command of ano
ther squadron as soon is it can be got ready, to look
after the Dutch fleet from Fluffing and Rotterdam,
which are exported to come down the Channel, as soon
as our grand fl er are failed.
From the circumflances of the ships under commo
dore Elliot's squadron having taken soldiers on board,
it is exptßed that small squadron is bound to the coast
of Africa with reinforcements,
One thousand recruits are now railing for the firvice
of the East India company in Scotland, tp be sent to
their Asiatic settlements by the next fleet.
A report was current on Sunday evening, that 20
regiments of foot, including those already voted by
the house of commons of Ireland, will be immediately
sent to the Weft Indies, and that our squadron in those
seas, as soon as the hurricane months are over, will
be augmented to sixty men of war of the line, in or
der, by making one grand effort, to compel France
and her allies to liflen to reasonable term's of accommo
dation, (houd (he Fill persist, on her part to noorifh
in her invenomed breast such ungenerous resentments,
and endeavour to efl.abllfh her own naval power on the
ruin of that of Great-Britain.
Two very large trains of artillery are drawn out at
the Tower, ready to be sent to any part of the king
dom, where t ey may be wanted.
Extrad of a letter from Portsmouth, Sept. 8.
" Yesterday the Royal George most surprisingly
righted, so much that half of her lower masts are now
out of water. This circumflance is rather extraordi
nary, but some people think the lee fide has given
way, and that part of her guns and stores are gone
overboard."
Sept. 14. Very feriousapprehenfions are entertained
on many parts of the Northern coal, of a visit from the
Dutch in the absence of the grand fleet, as it has been
long publicly talked of at Amflerdam, that an expe
dition would be und rtaken against Hull as soon as the
fleet failed for Gibraltar.
Extract of a letter from Brest, Aug. 23.
" The Chaffeur corvette has entered this port, she
brings news of the combined fleet, which she left on
the 9'b,cruifing between cape Ortegal and Corrunna ;
the fleet, though it had fuffered much from the tempef.'
tuous weather, had but few sick on board, and was
in tolerable good condition: the south-west wind,
which prevails as much there as here, had prevented
them till then from pursuing their course to Cadiz.
We also learn, by letters from the Superior officers
brought by the fame cor'ete, that don Cordova hav
ing b.-en informed of the arrival of our convoy, was
determined not to remain there any longer. It was not
without regret, that he found himfelf obliged to pro
ceed to Cadiz before he had proteHed the convoy of
the Isle of Aix, which has been retarded by the con
trary winds, to a certain latitude § and that the dam
age fu flained by his fleet, made it impossible for him
to wait their going out. M. Guichen bad orders to
return to Bred with three ships of the lree; but don
Cordova having held a council of war, represented, in
the most firenuous manner, the advantages, and even
the nectffity of keeping the fleet together. The inte
rest of the two powers, according to him, would not
permit their separation, and he took it upon himfelf to
bring Mr. Guichen with him to Cadiz. Don Cordo
va was in hopes to double cape Finifterre as soon as
the south wind should abate, and that wind has escap
ed. It is imagined that the weft wind which has suc
ceeded will carry him io a few days to Cadiz "
All negociation with the court of France will cer
tainly cease for some time, as the late recent and glo
rious advices from America will most materially pre
ponderate in favour of England.
A fleet is now getting ready with all possible ex
pedition, and will rendezvous at Portsmouth in the
course of a few days, for home prottHion in the ab
sence of the grand fleet, against any attacks that
may be made by the Dutch.
A few weeks, fays a correspondent, will fully evince
to the world, whether the navy of England is competent
to contend with the combined fleets of France and Spain;
for should lord Howe be permitted to relieve Gibraltar
unmolefled, it will be clearly demonflrated that our
fleet is superior to theirs, and the Spaniards of Course
be reduced to the necessity of railing their long and ex
peofive siege, under every odium of national disgrace
and difhoqour.
Bets are laid at the weft end of the town, that
Parliament will be more unanimous the next teffions
than it has been for many years past.
Sept. 19. Tho' lord Howe carries out 34 fail of the
line, it is not expected that he will bring back more than
24, if so many; it is said that eight fail are to go to
the Weft Indies with the convoy, and that two or three
are to go with the fndiamen, to reinforce the squadron
under Richard Hughes in the east, and give him at
lead an equality in numbers with the French in that
quar er.
A report prevailed yesterday, that advices were re
ceived in town the preceding evening, with certain in
formation of the Dutch fleet having failed from the
Texel on Sunday morning lafl. The enemy's squa
dron was said to consist of 17 fail of the line, 14 of
which were two deckers ; and as their object was cer
tainly to intercept the Baltic fleet so long expefted,
great apprenenfions were entertained yesterday refpeft
ing their fa fety. No official accounts, however have
yet been received of the Dutch fleet having left the
Texel.
Immediately on lord Howe's departure from Spit
head, several vessels were dispatched to apprize the
Baltic fl^t of his failing for Gibraltar; and as no ac
counts have yet been received of their having left El
sinore, (except the report of the master of a vessel from
Greenock, as mentioned in this day's paper) it is
probable the Baltic trade did not fail tlx Bth inst.
which was the day appointed.
It is not yet kaown what admiral takes the com
mand of the d/ t aci ment of lord Howe's fleet defin
ed for the Weft-Todies ; some speak of admiral Hughes,
but the general opinion is, that this service is destined
for thr very able and gallant officer, admiral Alex
ander Hood.
A gentleman lately returned from Barbadoes de
clares, that since the action with the French fleet, there
were more frigates and American armed ships cruising
in the neighbouring latitudes cf the British inlands than
at any former period of the war.
The Dutch give out that they shall have 20 fail of
line ready to join their allies the next summer.
A letter brought by the last mails from Holland,
mentions the death of the pope. It is said his bolinefs
was so agitated with his hrft interview with the empe
ror, when he travelled some time since to Vienna, that
a disorder of the paryletic kind seized him, and which
continued un'il ids dissolution.
According to the las lletters from Copenhagen, the
Sweed (h envoy at that court had been treated with the
greatest coolness, in cons quence of its being known
that'his mailer had engaged to declare himfelf in favour
of France, in case a rupture should take place between
the Danes and the States General.
By Tueffay's Irish mail we learn, that the Flora fri
gate, captain Marshall, is arrived at Kinfale, in com
pany with the Montague and Alert, from Jamaica.
The political hemisphere in Ireland has been so great
ly altered within the last fix weeks, that Mr.
Grattan has sent word to some of hts friends that he
(hall certainly return to Dublin some time in the month
of October.
A number of letters have within these few days been
received from the count de Graffe, expressive of his
gratitude for the polite attention he experienced dur
ing his flay in England.
They write from Portsmouth, that several small ves
sels which had been purcbafed at that place, and clear
ed out for Offend, put to sea with the grand fleet;
these, beyond a doubt, were designed to convey intel
ligence to the enemy, particularly the Dutch, whole in-
Many people are under apprehensions for the suc
cess of lord Howe in his present expedition to Gib
raltar, from the disparity of his fleet to the com
bined forces of our enemies. But when we reflect on
the known intrepidity of the commander, the brave
ry of his men, and the magnitude of the objed which
they have in view, our fears for the event ought to
vanish. Inequality of numbers, is not always ine
quality of fireogth. We ought never to forget that
memorable engagement, when three English men of
war, under the command of commodore Forrest, de
feated a squadron of seven French men of war off
Cripe Francois, in OHober 1757.
According to the la f ladvices from Venice, accounts
had been received there, that all differences between
the empress and the Porte were in a very fair way
of accommodation.