The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-01-03 00:00:00, page 3

Gentlemen.
THE past obligations I have been under to the in
habitants of this capital, and the favour they now
confer upon me, have impressed my heart with
the most lively sentiments of attachment and gratitude.
To have been admitted among you from an early
period, in defence of the cause of liberty, will for ever
be the happiest circumstance in my life. But it be
comes more particularly so, when it is so kindly re
membered by those, who firft began the noble contest,
and who have ever since been so con picuous in its
support.
Nothing could induce me to leave this continent,
even for a ihort period, before I had the fatisfadion
to fee my friends in this town. Be pleased gent emen,
to accept my most refpeaful acknowledgments for
your good willies. The height of my ambition would
be, to have it in my power to jurtify your confidence
and particularly to gratify those affectionate sentiments
which forever devote me to this metropolis.
La FAYETTE.
Notwithflanding our late important successes, it is
very far from being certain that our enemies will seri
ously think of peace this winter. There are some strong
appearances to the contrary. Lord George Germaine,
towards the close of the last session of parliament, de
clared in the house of commons, that he would nev-r
give his voice for a peace with America upon the ground
of Independence; and whenever that was likely to be
come the basis of a pacification,he would withdraw him
felf from adminiHration,bei g determined never to have
a hand in so great a dishonour and injury to his coun
try. It not likely his lordship would have fiid this so
publicly, had he not b^en sure of the disposition of his'
brethren in the minibry. Bitter as the pill of indepen
dence is, Britain, however, must swallow it at last ;
but vain hopes may probably induce her to continue
the struggle. At the fame time it is very far from be
ing certain that an immediate peace would be for the
advantage of America : Many are,clearly of opinion
that it would not; and that another campaign, if well
prepared for, and vigouroufly prosecuted, would give
us advantages in a final settlement, infinitely more
than fufficient to compensate the continuance of the
war. So that, in every view of the matter, whether
we considered the haughty and relent/efs disposition of
our enemies, or our own interest, the affairs of this
country ought certainly to go upan the expectation
of another camp rign, for which every exertion should
be seasonably and vigorously made.
Our profped is animating. Our allies set us the ex
ample : the moment they were expeaing good news
from Chesapeake, they nave sent out a frefh and large
armament from Brest. Britain mus fbe diftraded frith
the extent and variety of the operations of her ene
mies. Anting on the defenfive, and apprehending blow
after blow (he knows not where, her expences rauft be
every where augmented, and the spirit of the nation
funk. Our own on the contrary is railed by fuecefs.
The greatert port of our glorious work is already done -
what remains, after the advantages heaven has grant
ed us, is comparatively easy. The citizens of these
slates, with such a profped as we now have, will
chearfully support the expence of the war. Soldiers
will readily engage in a service that is like to be short
and triumphant. Every thing around us conspires to
confirm our virtuous resolutions, to inflame our hopes
and reinforce our efforts. We have now a precious
opportunity of placing our country in a situation of
security and honour, to be envied by all the world -
Heaven grant that it may be seized and improved by
the government and by the people with an eagerness and
ardor proportioned to its worth!
Sydney's motto can never be forgotten.
Manus hcec inimica tyrannis
Enfe petit placidamfub libertate quietem.
This hand, an enemy to tyrants, means to insure
by the Sword, the sweets of peace, under the reign of
liberty.
Philadelphia, Jan. 3.
Extract of a letter dated St. Pierre, (Martinique)
November 30, 1781.
'' On the 26 instant the count De Graffe arrived at fort
Royal with the fleet : previous to his arriavl, the mar
quis of Bouille had embarked with about 1200 troops,
° n . °° ar ^°s three fri ^ ates > one sloop of war and one
brig. The design of this expedition was concealed with
a degree of secrecy which seldom occurs.
" The small fleet arrived at Statia on the night of
the 26th mflant. The island was garrisoned by 6<o
Eritifh troops, commanded by a colonel Cockburne.
The winds being northerly the sea ran very high,which
prevented the marquis de Bouille from landing more
than 4or 500 men, which was effected, undifeovered
about two in the morning, at Jenkins's bay. They
concealed themselves among the canes, till the hour
- 'a h the gates of the f ° rt were uf ualiy opened. In
the instant that the troops came out to perform their
exercise on the Savanna, the marquis caused the whole
of his little army to difeharge their mufquets in the
air and run with their bayonets on the enemy. It is
impossible to conceive the cenfufion into which this
well concerted stratagem threw the British, though
much superior in number, and in the adual position of
s° me called f ° r quarters; and others took to
their heels, endeavouring to regain the fort, which the
^ po^ffion of without opposition; one
Britilh soldier was killed as he endeavoured to let
the opportunity of endering most fubflantiaf service
to the joint interest of France and the United States.
The inhabitants most fervently pray the Almighty
God to take you under his protection, to guard you
from danger in your voyage, and to give you an hap
py meeting wit , your family, your private coniieaions
and your native country ; assuring themselves, that
you will th^re be embraced with every sentiment of
gratitude and affection, and receive the approbation
@f the king your overeign.
Borton, Dec. 14. 1781.
To which the MARQUIS returned the following
Answer.
" Mr. Fitz Morris is appointed governor es Statia,
and Mr.Chabert,intendant. Viscount Damas was imme
diately sent to St. Martins, which being garrisoned
by only 60 men, surrendered on the spot. The count
De Bouille, nephew to the general, went immediately
for France in the Eagle fl op of war.
" I have just taken these particulars from Mr. Cha
bert's letter to Mr. Texier, of this place. I think,
therefore,that their authenticity cannot be questioned."
Extract of a letter from St. Thomas,dated Dec. 13,1781.
" Statia re captured by the marquis de Boullie for
the Dutch, on the 26th ult. after a most extraordinary
and compleat furprize. The whole force that went a
gainfl it was not more than three frigates and a'floop of
war, two small schooners and a sloop, with 1500 men -
they lay close in with St. Bartholomew's in the evening
of the 25th, and proceeded over in the night to Statia.
Very early next morning the marquis, at the head of
300 men, landed at a very great hazard on the back
part of the island, and marched in the course of a few
hours into the fort, &c. without the leaf! opposition,
although a garrison there of 700 men,/and strong works
to support them. The vessels in the mean time went
round with the remainder of the troops to the harbour.
The British commandant was met as he was taking
an airing out on horseback, and was pleased to alight
to accompany the mrqui : , more from compulfiom I
believe, than wifh~s, though censured by his party 'in
so much that it is said he fold the island. Immediately
after the marquis proclaimed thatzll fufferers, by the
former capture by the English, should repair to Head-
Quarters, and set forth the losses they sustained in
order for redress ; but unfortunately a very few of'the
old fulfaers were on the spot to answer the benevolent,
great, and good intentions of the marquis: however',
time, it is probible, may bring about more such fa
vourable events tor them. No plundering was allowed
and every body opened store the fame as usual, by the
requert of the marquis.
" Colonel Cockburne, the British commander, having
claimed 3000 Joes that were found at his quarters the
marquis told him, that if he could lay his hand on his
bread and fay they were his, they should be returned
him, which he did without hesitating, and the Joes were
givpn up"l
" M. de Graffe arrived here some days ago with his
fqu Jron, and we have received by him a confirmati.
on of tne glorious events in Virginia."
The last letters which we have heard of from South-
Carolina, are dated the 21st and 22d of November
from the High-Hills of Santee. They ay, that the
American army under general Greene, reinforced by
a considerable body of militia, had on the 20th parted
the Congaree (lower called the Santee) to proceed
down the country towards Char^flown, and that our
gallant general would not d elide 1 battle upon proper
terms. These accounts give some credit to the whis
pers circulating in New York, of a defeat of the Bri
tish near Charleftown, more especially as an embark
ation has lately taken place there, of 1200 or 1500 m. n°
though 3000 is the number publicly taked of. add to
this, the accounts received at New London from
Charleftown by a flag of truce (fee the New London
head in ourlaft) and Gaine and Rivington's whapper
of the news of a defeat of general Greene, pretended
to be received by re 1 e s, and transmitted by one of
their agents in New J rfey.
These letters from Carolina further fay, that the
British had evidently gotten a panic, and would pro
bably, upon another check, (hut themselves u> in
Cnarlertown; that the lower country, til general
Greene's march, had been open to th -incursions of
both armies ; of ours, as far as the Quarter House,
within fix miles of Charleftown, of the ecemy, for fifty
miles back; that their horse were greatly reduced and
bad; ours numerous an good; t^a- the general had
waited some time to hear whether the F r encn fleet were
to call at Charleftown, and what reinforcements were
coming from Virginia, that he had left about 600 con
valescents and sick at the Santee heights; and that the
assembly of South Carolina »ere to me~t in January.
We hear the court of Denmark his sent out a lar^e
frigate to cruize in the n ighbourhood of St. Tuomas,
St. John's, and St. Croix, for the protection of the
trade of those islands.
By a flag of truce arrived in Chefapeak with prison
ers from Bermuda, ne learn, that three vessels belong
ing to this port, have been taken a^d sent into that
island, two outward bound for the Savannah, and one
returning frbm thence commanded by captain Alien
for some time miffing.'
The supreme court of admiralty of the united slates
for the hearing and deciding upon appeals from the*
several courts of adm ralty of the refpedive Fates met
here last week, and still continue their fittings.'
The supreme court, and the court of oyer and ter
Extrafl of a letter from Martinique, dated Dec 4 1781
PV^'T F"' al) M - de Bouille has taken the
island of St. Euftatius, without t. e loss of a man ex
cepting three drowned in landing. The Engii^ bn
their part loft but tnree. We took possession at fix
o'clock in the morning and found the governor on
horseback exercising the recruits; 600 prisoners were
made of the garrison ; three million of livres were taken
the plunder of admiral Rodney, also many cherts of
treasure belonging to several private persons, waiting
the d termination of the different courts. Mons de
Bouille determined the matter at once, that is in'|efs
tnan an hour after the conquest, and caused the mo
ney to be returned to the right owners. He named
M. de Chabert, governor for the Dutch. The other
principal civil officers are French. This conquest does
M- de Bouille infinite honour.
down the draw bridge of the fort, which was the only
ife I t on the occasion, except three French soldiers
who Were drowned in the debarkation.
" A configurable quantity of money belonging to the
Dutch inhabitants of the island, and a large sum which
the British officers had acquired there by illicit plunder,
fell into the hands of the French; the former was re
stored immediately to the original proprietors, and the
latter will be divided among the captors, as well as a
bout fifteen small vessels which were taken in the har
bour.
TO BE SOL D, A
Young Negro Wench, about
23 years of age, wno is remarkable healthy, under
fands every kind of house work, and has cloaths fefi
Orient for a long time. Enquire of tfo< Primer,
YHAT he carries on the Book-binding Bufinefa as
' "' '" Shop in Front-street, nearly epnofire
the house, whsre Merchant, Store-keeper, and
others, m,.y be Applied with all forts of Account Books,
bound and ruled in the ne tdt manner, on the fh^teft
?°"°'' takes this Opportunity to return bis most
hearty Thanks to all those who have been so kind a,
to employ him, and hopes for a continuance of the r fa
vours ; which shall always be gratefully acknowledged.
P. S. Wentedan apprentice lad. °
Io be Sold by Public Vendue,
On the Ninth Df y of January next, on the Premites,
QN E half Pare of an undivided LOT
of LAND, in the Northern Liberties of the city
of Philadelphj 1, fronting on Fourth-street, and bound
ed as follows: Beginning at a port finding at the
south corner of Edward Robertson's land, thence by the
fame, north, one degree, eatt, nine perches and tea
feet, to a corner post, thence north again by Edwad
R °, rt f* land ' south 81 degrees, east 24 . perches to a
p thence South one degree, weft by a certain road
50 feet bro^d, dividing Daniel Pegg's land, nine perche,
feet to a port, thence north gi degrees, weg
b, Vine alley 24 perches to the place of beginning,
containing in the whole one acre and 68 perches of land.
Attendance will be given on the Day of Sale, by the
Subscriber, who will make fufficient Title for the fame
„ „ SAMUEL COOPER, junior.
B. The Money to be paid at the executing oft
the Deed, if required. °
^ri MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and THUESJAY
Next, the Subfaiber proposes to deliver
At the UNIVERSITY.
Le&ure , r ll beg'" at it o'clock each Day ; 2nd
will be repeated in the Evening, at 6 o'clock, for the
such " m * y not find " convenient to attend
in the Day.
T"^ E r ^' at a °°" ar '° r the Course ;to be had
at the Bar @f the Coffee house, at Mr. Bailey's Print,
ing-office, or of the fubferiber.
Uad Quilters, Philadelphia, December 16, lySj.
ORD E R S.
THE Town Major is defi e d, as soon as pof.
ble, topro mre ard deliver to the Adjutant Ge.
neral a Retorn of the Officers of the Continental
'-' S"? exclusive of those attached to the corp,
ftatiooed here, fpecifying their names, rank, .hero
they belong to, their quarters, and the occafwn of their
being in town.
EDWARD HAND, Adjutant General.
The Officers affed-d by the above Order, ar' re
queued to fend their Returns to my Office in the Bar.
racks, as soon as poiliulr
LEWI) NICOLA, Town-Major#
A Course of Le&ures
7^ 0N
ELECTRICITY
To be Let, a convenient brick
Stable and Coach-Houle, in Chancery
lane. Enquire of rhe Printer.
Philadelphia, January 2, 1781.
RAN away from toe fubfolber, living i„ bcrn
ftreet, a Negro MAN, named FITT, fmootli
faced, about 23 years of age, 5 feet 3 inches high, had
on when he went away, a light cauloured fine cloth
frock coat, scarlet plush waistcoat and breeches, a pair
of new mottled knit flockings and good boots; he late
ly belonged to Mr. Matthew Irwin, me,chant. Who
ever takes up and brings the said Negro man home to
me, (hall hava Four Dollars reward, paid by
o nrtn ROBERT BRIDGES.
N. B. Matters ®f vessels are forbid to carry off the
above mentioned negro man, and all others from har
bearing him, as they will answer at their peril.
*** The Members of the Society for the Relief ok
poor and distressed Masters of Ships, their Widows
and Children, are desired to attend their general Meet
ing, on Monday, th? seventh of January next, at fizc
o'clock in the evening, at the Free-Masons Lodge, iit
Lodge-alley. Matters of vessels desirous of becoming
members are requested to attend. *
*t* The members of the Philosophical Society afe
hereby notified that their annual election of officers is tty
be held on Friday the 4th instant at Carpenters.hali,
*** The Members of the American Philosophical
Society, are hereby notified that their Rated meeting
will be at the LIBRARY Room, on next FRIDAY"
Evening. January 1.
a i n R- PATTERSON.
Philadelphia, Dec. ±6, 1781.
miner and general goal delivery, for the city aM* tt*&&
ty of Philadelphia, fit upon adjournment, on Mondafr
the 7th inflant, at the State-house.
BOOK-BINDER and STATIONER'
Informs his Friends and the Public in general.'
Benjamin January,