The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-03-13 00:00:00, page 2

Last Saturday evening was captured in Our bay,
the brig Cornwallis, and the schooner Hibernia ; the
former mounting 12 double- fortified fours, and the
latte 10 fix pounders; they had in company when
taken, fix finall vessels, loaded with tobacco, which
they had taken up the bay. In one of the privateers,
it is said, are a I rge quantity of plate, and other va
luable articles, of which they had robbed Mr. Arnii
stead of Gloucester county, the week before. The
prisoners, about 80, were landed at Hampton, and
are on their way to this place.
BALTIMORE, March 6.
Extract of a letter from Martinico, dated Jan. 15.
“ Admiral Rodney has been at the island of St.
Vincent, with 10 flbips of the line, 7 frigate", several
transports, and landed there 4000 men. All our force
to defend it confined of only 630 regular troops,
and 200 militia. Generals Vaughan and St. Leger, who
commanded the British forces, were repulsed at every
attack upon our advance 4 posts, so they durst not ad
vance to our intrenched camp. They re embarked,
after taking from the plantations 500 negroes. You
fee they make war like pirates.
'' This expedition must certainly have humbled
admiral Rodney. General St. Leger was wounded.
“ We learn from St. Lucia, that they landed 300
wounded on their arrival there. The number of kil
ed unknown. On our fide, only a grenadier, belong
ing to the Martinico regiment, was wounded in his
knee."
THE world is greatly divided, refpeaing the fleps
' to be taken with Mr, Laurens. If deliberate trea
son and active rebellion are crimes against the date,
his conduct certainly deserves the severest reprobation ;
yet such is the diftraftion of the times, that while one
party sentence him to the fcaffold, the other would
vote him into parliament. Not only the strength and
fpir't of the contending parties, but the very juflice
of the war in which we are engaged will be eventually
decided by the fate of this captive, so that we cannot
but be anxious to fee whether government dare enforce
the laws against the enemies of the nation, or if ob
flinacy of opposition is Hill powerful enough to avert
their punishment, and raise them into popularity 1
Nov. 14. General Arnold's letter to Lord George
Germaine, which, it is said, will find way to tiie pub
lic, expressly fays, that Congress would not be able
to stand their ground half an hour, if his lordfllip
would publicly, and under authority, declare to Ame
rica the terms that would be given to all the colonies.
Sir Henry Clinton advises the fame thing; and it is
confidently said, that a declaration will be issued ac
cordingly.
Every week teems now with something extraordina
ry and unlooked for ! surely the multitude of wonders
will produce some event propitious to this island, e're
long! in North America, a rebel chief has revolted
from his new masters, and joined the royal standard;
but he has revolted alone, that is, come like a com
mon deserter, without bringing a single centinel with
him ! for his desertion we have paid dear, in the igno
minious, untimely death of a brave officer of diiiin
guifhed rank and merit!
Expresses were sent off on Tnefday evening to all the
different sea-ports throughout the kingdom, to pre
vent, if possible, the embarkation of the rebel major
Tyler, against whom several informations are lodged
for high treason.
Commodore Leslie, our naval commander at Gib
raltar, has just written home a disagreeable confirm
ation of the inimical disposition of the emperor of Mo
rocco towar is the British, and an avowed predih Hion
in favour of the Spanish. The English vessels are re
peatedly taken under the very guns of Tangiers, in
spite of every remonstrance on the part of our coiiful.
RICHMOND, (Virginia,) Feb. 24.
“ Our affairs to the southward now bear a more
pleasing afped. The western inhabitants of Virgi
nia, who so nobly diflinguifhed themselves in their
conduct at the battle of King's Mountain, and the
Cowptns, have, to a man, turned out, bringing with
them their fellow-fettlers: Those, 'tis said, joined
general Greene's army last Monday, to the amount
of 2000; and the whole militia of Virginia, to the
westward of Petersburg, and southward of James ri
ver, are marched to reinforce the army. Cornwallis
perceiving the formidable force colled ng against him,
from Virginia, 'tis said, has attempted to retreat, in
his turn, but found it impracticable, from a considera
ble body of the North-Carolina militia cohered in
his rear, under the command of general Sumpter,
whose conduct and fortitude have been so much ap
plauded. In this situation the people here speak of
the deftrudion of the British army under lord Corn
wallis, as inevitable. The assembly of North-Caro
lina have directed that all perlons, who can be armed
and are able to bear arms, to affembte themselves,
under major general Cafwell, to form an army, to
cut off his retreat through that state, if attempted.
This body, it is said, are to assemble immediately in
the neighbourhood of Hillfborough, and 'tis comput
ed they will amount to 5000, exclusive of those under
general Sumpter.
“ 'Tis reported the French fleet are failed, in order
to cruise off and on the capes of the Chesapeake, to
intercept any reinforcements that may be sent to the
southward from New- York ; at the fame time to fall
in with the second division of t e fleet from France,
which is expe&ed on this part of the American coast."
Extrad of a letter from Annapolis, dated March 2.
" We are well assured that lord Cornwallis is re
treating, and that general Greene is pursuing him.
The militia of Virginia have turned out in great num
bers, and with great alacrity ; they have surpassed
the expectations of the mod sanguine. It is said gene
ral Greene is much Wronger than Cornwallis ; and the
baron Steuben, who was intended to reinforce general
Greene, has received orders from him not to join him,
but to cross over into North Carolina, lower down, to
gain a pass on the route to Wilmington, in case Corn
Extrad of a letter from Richmond, dated Feb. 24.
LONDON, November 2.
wallis fliould bend his course that way. Tt is also said
that colonel Lee has got round Cornwallis, and is ani
mating the militia."
BOSTO N, March i.
We are well informed, that a merchant of character
in England has lately wrote to his correspondent in
America, to get insurance of his property on this fide
the water, as the insurers in London had broke for a
million sterling more than they are able to pay.
By authentic accounts fr m South Carolina, no
thing can exceed the face of misery in Charleftown and
the didriH within 30 or 40 miles of that town, since it
fell under the domination of Britain. Pretences have
been found for breaking almost every article of the ca
pitulation. An affecting proof is there seen, that no
dependence is to be placed upon Eritilh promises and
stipulations. Gentlemen of the tirft character and for
tunes, in violation of the mod solemn agreements, Eave
been confined in prison ships, and sent to the g^rrifon
of Augustine. Many families, who a little while ago
lived in affluence and fpiendor, are now reduced to
beggary ; and not allowed tc^fell the least article of
their houfhold furniture or other property, for their
necessary fubfiftanee. The conditions upon which the
soldiers of the United States who defended that place
surrendered, are totally disregarded, and those unfor
tunate men are now treated with the greatest inhuma
nity. It is even a crime in the eyes of the British go
vernment there, for a gentleman of feelings to speak to
speak to them, or afford the least alleviation to their
fufferings. Whoever would fee a specimen of the bles
sings to be expe&ed from a furrenderto the power with
whom we are contending, let him go to Charleftown ;
there he will behold trade reduced—citizens impoverish
ed and crouching to the soldier— property wrested from
the owner—the residue precarious—and even life itfelf
dependent on arbritary will.
Monday arrived a French frigate in 67 days from
Brest.
Died, lafi Tuesday, in the 28th year of his age,
ISAAC PEIRCE, esquire, aid-de-camp to major ge
neral Gates.—His death is to be more particularly
wept by theyoung and the benevolent.
*** An oration is to be delivered io this town, on
Monday next, by Mr. Thomas Dawes, junior, in com
memoration of the horrid massacre perpetrated on the
evening of March sth, 1770, by a party of soldiers
under the command of captain Thomas Preston.
Yesterday arrived the fllip Mars, captain Sarapfon,
in ii weeks from Nantz.
Captain Sampson, on his homeward bound passage,
took a brig from London, bound to New-York, laden
with English goods, said to be worth i/,0001. sterling,
which has fafe arrived.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Newport to
his friend in this town, dated Sunday morning, Fe
bruary 25, 1781.
" The three French ships that l&ft this port 15 days
ago, and went to Virginia in pursuit of Arnold, re
turned here last night at 10 o'clock, with the British
ship Romulus of 44 guns, commanded by commodore
Gayton, who had just arrived from outh-Carolina to
take the command of the armed vessels with Arnold, in
Hampton- Road ; it is said she bad on board 10,000 dol
lars for Arnold—The French also captured five trans.
ports, and sent them to Yorktown, and burnt five
others ; it is said they have brought 500 prisoners with
them. This is this morning's news. Captain Norrifs,
who is one of their pilots, is not yet come on shore;
by him I expert to get the particulars. It is said some
troops are ordered to embark, and it's imagined some
men of war, with them, are going to Virginia; but
their destination is not certainly known-"
Saturday morning last arrived here the ' brig Hiber
nia, captain Collins, in twenty-two days from Port
au Prince. By this vessel we learn, that a schooner
(belonging to North-Carolina) arrived at that port
from St. Euftatia, which she left while the British fleet
lay off that island, having blocked up a number of
American vessels then lying there. That the British
fleet, amounting to 6 or 7 ships of the line and a num
ber of frigates and privateers, arrived about the 3d or
4th ult. That while he was ' there but one gun was fi
red, from one of the men of war, at an American ship,
who had her coulours Pill Eying, and the whole were
drawn up in a line, seeming determined to defend them
selves, if possible, against so very fupericr a farce.
That the captain of this schooner, feeing an opening
where but one frigate was flationed, resolved to run
out to sea, and escape by that means if he found it
practicable, and accordingly came to fail ; the frigate
gave chafe, and he run under a small fort, which fired
on rhe frigate. He was chafed nine hours by the fri
gate and a cutter, but finally got clear. The captain
added, that after he got out to sea he heard a heavy
firing, and fee a great fmoak arise from the iffand.
It was said fir George Rodney commanded the British
ships on this buccaneering expedition.
The Carolina captain was qualified before the French
governor as to the truth of tne intelligence, of which
the above is the substance.
" On the morning of the firft inflant the enemy for
ced their way at Cowen's ford, where general Davidson
Extract of a letter, dat'd Camp, Rockey river, Feb.
6th, 1781. (24 miles in Cornwallis's rear.)
“ After Tarleton's defeat lord Cornwallis pursued
general Morgan with great rapidity to Ramfours on
the south fork of Catawba, but finding Morgan had
got to the main Catawba, and the prisoners near the
Yadkin, he appeared for eight days as if he had given
over the pursuit. During which time general David
son had collected a considerable body of militia who
joined general Morgan's light troops on the north
bank of the Catawb river. Trees were cut down at
the fords to impede the enemy's patting. The fords
were so numerous that only a few froops could be (pa
red for the defence of each.
Philadelphia, March 13.
NORWICH, March r.
was pofied with 120 militia Although his party was
weak he would have given them a spirited opposition,
had he not unfortunately fallen, almost the firft fire:
the fail of that good and great officer is universally and
jnftly lamented
" Cornwallis is' now at Salisbury, and generals
Greene and Morgan on the other fide the Yadkin-
The Rowan and Mecklenburg militia are turning out
very unanimously, and are in hopes they shall be able
to prevent the enemy from plundering and forraein^ ire
the country. 5
" Several parties of our friends in Georgia have ri
sen, and done some things very clever."
General Davidson was a lieutenant colonel in the firft
regiment of the North-Carolina line of the continental
army, in which Ration he served with the reputation
of a brave and attentive officer ; he receiv d a danger
ous wound on the 21st of July last, near the mouth of
Rocky river, where he dislodged a superior body of
tones, wrongly polled. When lord Cornwallis began
his late advances into North Carolina, he commanded
the militia of Salisbury diftrift, and during his lord
ship s halt in Charlotte, by his judicious and vigilant
manoeuvres in the face of the ene^y, was very fuccefs
ful in annoying their forraging parties and intercept
ing their intelligence, without in a single instance fuf
fering any part of his raw militia to be furprized.
Besides his military talents, he was universally es
teemed by those who were acquainted with him, for his
social and domestic virtues He has left an amiable
widdow with fix lovely children to bewail their irrepa
rable lofs.'
T HAVE seen the other day a piece in the Pennfylva
-1 ma Gaz tte number 2644, addressed to the pub
lic, which begins the motto:'
“ I also will give my opinion; 0! that they were
" wife, that they underflood it."
This piece revived my drooping spirits. it was my
opinion from the beginning of this cont'eft, that the
importation of British manufaaured goods is the chief
resource, which enables the king of England to carry
on the war.'
If our governments had persevered in the firft re
solve, not to fuffer the importation of it, I am con
vinced, yea, I may fay, I am Cure, this deftruflive
bloody war would have been determined long ago, as
it is not only lhewn in the above-mentioned piece, but
well known by every one.
There are many very ufeful pieces offered, from time
to time, for public consideration; nevertheless, the,
are generally - read and never afterward thought on:
would lt not be to the honour of o ur rulers, if the,
would conuder such hints, and if one or another
proves beneficial, for part or the whole of the United!
States to adopt it ?
I think it is not too late yet, if Congress recom
mends to the several assemblies to Prohibit all forts of
British manufadured goods, by the severest penalties-
It is an sera in which Congress, as the higher power
in America, will earn a character for future ages, and
undoubtedly every individual's particular adions get
noted down, therefore, as I bear the greatest regard
for Congress, I should wist, there was no member in
that illustrious body, which do not prefer the public
interest far beyond money, stained with the blood of
our innocents. It is astonishing, when the imports
are loooked into, and found the most part of it Eng
lish goods. Six years ago we submitted to a non-im
portat^n of British goods, when we had no other cor
respondence, nor friends ; but since we have friends
and correspondence fu fficient to Europe, which supply
us with all necessaries, that we turn so soon to the
hulks of Brion. What is the difference ?'lf a man
gets riches by importing English or French, Holland,
Russia, German, &c. merchandizes. Indeed the dif
ference is so great, that I should think an honest man
shudders, when he confiders the eon frequences, and
will posterity thank such men, which, gathered im
mense riches, purchased with the blood of their fellow
citizens, their children will curse them for their per
fidy, fuffering all the calamities arising from it with
the generality in like proportion. I hope the reader
will excuse my crude writing, for reasons, as I am
a foreigner by birth, not having the language, but I
hope every true patriot has the fame opinion. I sub
scribe myfelf A true Friend to my Country-
Philadelphia, February 19, 1781-
“ His lordship has given us frefh specimens of his
humanity, and of his majefiy's mild government
burning the boufes of messieurs Brevard, Givens Mrs
Terrence and others.'
A CA R D.
A FRIEND to the United States and the army pre
sents his compliments to the gentlemen in the De
laware State, who claimed a right to the forwarding
of all proyifions, &-c. for the army, which was col
lected in Maryland and elsewhere, and forwarded by
extraordinary exertions in January and February,
1780, to a landing in said state, of which they had
timely notice, and request to know why a confiderabie
quantity of said flour, collected ata great expence, to
supply the immediate wants of the army, should yet
remain at a certain landing, and upwards of two hun
dred barrels at another landing for near eight months
before IE was sent forward, and how it happened that
part of the firft parcel fell into the hands of the refu
gees, and the few barrels that were sent to the city
hard, moul>y, and four, before it came to hands, and
that which was taken, as well as what remains at the
landing, no enquiry made after it to this day.
N. B. As the above observations are grounded on
the best information, it cannot be wondered at, that
our army should have cause to complain ; a plenty is
ordered by those at the head of affairs, it was collect
ed according to order, and afterwards left to perißi,
&c. for want of a little attention in those, who seek
the direction of such matters.
Philadelphia, February 26, 1781.
For the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.