The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-12-13 00:00:00, page 3

one continued source of mirth and joy, especially in the
nursery, where the little tenants are made to lisp a
Ihoufand pretty expressions in praise of so decided a
vidory !
One great saving has certainly been made under the
prefect ministry, who have no intelligence to pay fpr,
and consequently will thereby greatly reduce the a
mount of secret service money.
Whitehall, Augtift io, 1781.
Copy of a letter from Peter Cfaefler, enquire, late go
vernor of Weft-Florida, to lord George Germaine,
one of his majesty's principal Secretaries of slate, da
ted Charleftown, July 2, 1781.
MY LORD,
I Had not an opportunity before I left Pensacola of
writing to your lordfh:p, to acquaint you of the entire
surrender of the province of Weft-Florida to the arms
of Spain. Theenemy appeared the 9th of March, and
in a few days after entered the harbour of Pensacola :
the whole particulars of the siege I mus f beg leave to
defer till my arrival in England, which I hope will be
soon, as I shall embrace the next opportunity of failing,
either in the flag of truce that I came in from Pensa
cola, which is very leaky, and must be repaired before
she can proceed to sea, or in the next packet, which
ever is firfl ready. We were obliged to capitulate the
Bth of May• the articles were ligned the 9th (a co
py of which I now enclose your lordihip). The capitu
lation would not have taken place so soon had it not been
from a very fatal accident on the morning of the Bth,
by having our principal advanced work blown up by
a shell which entered the magazine: many lives were
loft ; the few that remained unhurt spiked up the
guns, and retreated to the fort. General Campbell
thinking (as I imagine) that the rest of the works were
not tenable against such a superior force, with so large
a train of artillery, hoifled the white flag, and fentone
of his aids de camp to the Spanish general to treat up
on terms of capitulation, which I hope your lordship
will think are as favourable as could be obtained in our
distressed situation. General Campbell, with captain
Deans, of the navy, are lent to the Havannah ; and
major of brigade Campbell is ordered to New Orleans.
The rest of the prisoners of war are gone for New-
York, but were firft to go to the Havannah for provi
sions.
I have the honour to be, &c.
PETER CHESTER.
DUBLI N, September 15.
Authentic letters from Plymouth, dated the 6th in
flant, at night, inform us, that there has not y^t ar
rived any reinforcement to admiral Darby in Torbay,
but that it was hourly expected ; and that in the mean
time the fleet was kept clear and fit for immediate ac
tion, and no communication whatever allowed between
the ships and the shore, no boat being permitted on
any account to come on board.
CO R K, September 17.
Yesterday evening the gallant admiral Rodney ar
rived at Cove on board his majesty's ship Gibraltar,
of 80 guns, from St. Euftatius. We learn that fir
George chafed the count de Graffe from island to
island, in the Weft Indies, but finding it impossible to
bring him to a general action, he left admiral Hood in
command of the fleet, and with a few ships of war con
voyed our valuable homeward bound merchant fleet
into founding; the wind being now N. W. they may
be hourly expelled here.
WATERFORD, September 19.
The following extraß of a letter from captain A ffleck,
*as received by an eminent merchant in this city,
the original of which was received by his corre
spondent in Cork, dated September 15 1781.
" Kinfale, September 15th, 1781.
" Sir George B. Rodney and I am here, off Bantry
bay, in the Gibraltar, the old Spanilh Phcenix; he
wants a frigate very much, if there be any in Cork,
to fend to admiral Darby, and one mud come out di
reftly to look for the Brutus, an American privateer
of 24 guns, which we chafed yesterday without catch
ing her. She has left her empty water calks at Beer-
Haven, where I suppose she will come for them.
(Signed) PHILIP AFFLECK.
" Stair Douglas, with the Triumh, my ship, is
coming with the leeward island convoy this way."
Captain Forriflall, of the brig Dispatch, just ar
rived here from Plymouth, said it was currently re
ported there that the grand fleet consisting of 35 fail of
the line, besides frigates, cutters, &c. was to fail last
Thursday, the day captain Forriftall left Plymouth.
He likewise fays, that the various reports of the com
bined fleet being in the channel, is destitute of truth •,
neither the Agamemnon, Prothee. Minerva, Viper,
Dor any other of our men of war having seen them, as
was said. Captain Forriftall, whois a very intelligent
man, declares the above to be true, and consequently
due credit should be given to it. He met with no pri
vateers on his passage hither.
Captain Best, of the Hawk, belonging to this port,
and just arrived here from Oporto, fays, that about
12 leagues to the westward of cape Clear, fix days ago,
spoke the Arethufa frigate, three days from Bristol,
who informed him that the combined ffcet was as high
up in the channel as the Lizard, and that our grand
fleet was in Torbay, and in hourly expectation of be
ing joined by 10 fail of the line. She also informed
him, that admiral Rodney, in the Gibraltar man of
war and a frigate, were off cape Clear, with whom he
fell in before night. Admiral Rodney ordered the a
bove frigates to cruize in the mouth of the Channel to
look out for the homeward bound Weft India fleet,
with which he parted company about three weeks be
fore, and to order them to make any port in Ireland.
He likewise spoke a cutter belonging to Bristol, who
bad taken a French privateer. While captain Best was
in Oporto, news had arrived of an infurre&ion in Spa
nish America, that the inhabitants had chosen a King
of their own, and that commodore Jobnftone was gone
to that quarter to favour the revolution.
In the late engagement with she Dutch fleet, the
Buffalo had three ships on her at once ; a fh®° came
into her gallery and knocked some ponder oxes'to
pieces, the powder took fire and set the gallery io a
blaze; several poor fellows were so defpra'e'y burned
that they diedin a few days. The aftion wasvery un
equal, and the mod desperate and bloody one fought
this war. The Batavia was the ship opposed to the
Buffalo, and both were confi Jerabty damped. At
length the enemy drew off to refit, as did our fleet, ex
pecting to renew the engagement in the evenio g, but
they thought it advifeable to go home and leave us
conquerors.
St. John's (ANTIGUA) October 30, 178 L
Nothing remarkable has occurred here in the poli
tical line finer our lad publication. It is certain indeed,
that there ar? Come advices in town, which come imme
diately from a French colony, mentioning that the
strength of the enemy was very formidable, And that
an attack upon this place was undoub ed'y determined
on. But in the firft place, we have too high anopinion
of French policy to believe that they Communicate any
of their fe rets of state to private individuals; and fd
condly, we think that, unless their boasted information
has failed them, they muff know that Antigua is at
present too firong y gartifoned by veteran troops, arid
too warily defend 'd in every other r^fpeH, to afford
profped of fucefs in such an enterprise. As abun
dance of caution, however, can scarcely o any harm,
it is with infinite fatisfaftion we observe, that the vigi
lance of the spirited and gallant officer who at present
commands the military here, is so conflant and unre
mitted, that we are in no danger at lea ft of being taken
by furprize. The utmost gratitude is due also from the
public at Isrge to our captain general, and the two
other branches of the legislature, for their attention to
the fafety of the country.
Just as this paper was going to press, arrived the
ship Beatty, captain Oyen, from London and Made ra,
eight weeks from the former. We do not find that she
brings any remarkable intel'igence, nor any public
prints later than about the 19th of August; but time
will not permit us to as erta n this.
Commodore Johnftone, it is said, is certainly goneto
South-America, indeed of the Bast-Indies.
Nov. 13. On Sunday last arrived here the prize fhipcall
ed theColumbia, lately commanded by William Hill Ser
geant, bound from the Havannah to Philadelp da, with
a cargo confiding ofa large quantity of salt, 200 chests
of fogar, some hides, &rc. and about 33.000 dollars in
Ipecie. She was taken the 18th ultimo by his majes
ty's ship Fortunee. The accounts by her are, that ad
miral Digby had arrived at New York with three fail
of the line and one large frigate only, and that the
English fleet, then confi ting of 24 line of battle ships
and three fifties, were at the beginning o f the month
of October, about to depart from Sandy Hook, with
an intention, as was generally believed, of hazarding
a second engagement with theenemy No intelligence
of any such aftion had, however reached the Havan
uah when the Columbia failed. This ship, after her
capture, spoke with a brig, which informe I, that a fleet
of 200 fail from England, under convoy of the Centu
rion and some frigates, had arrived fafe at the Hook,
subsequent to the departure of the British squadron
from thence.
Yesterday afternoon arrived the ship Brothers, cap
tain Dalrymple, from Lancafler and Waters >rd in se
ven weeks from the latter, being loaded entirely (as we
underflind) with provisions on account of the nav-y
contract. She brings us the important and very pleas
ing intelligence that the Augu't fleet had all arrived
fafe at Corke, where it was supposed the appreheufion
of danger from the combined fleets, confining (as we
have before beared) of 49 or 50 fail, would detain them
for some time. Admiral Darby was out with about 40
fail of tha line. The outward bound fleet had once
failed, but being afraid to venture onward, had re
turned to Carke, where they remained when the Bro
thers faded It is said, that an invasion was appre
bended at Corke, and on that account, troops were
marching thither with all expedition.
By the schooner Willing Maid, captain Hill, which
arrived here from Barbados yeflerday, we have re
ceived advices from that island as late as the 6th in
stant, at which date there was no news of any packet;
so that we conclude our former conjecture was right,
and that there was not any September mail dispatch
ed.
Since the former part ofthis article was composed, we
have been favoured with the fight of a letter of good
authority written at Barbados, from which the fol
lowing is an extract:
“ A ship arrived this morning * from Ireland, which
brings advice of the fafe arrival of the fct wnich fail
ed the rft of August. The c m h ined fleets were in
port, and our grand fleet lying aCrofs Torbiy with a
spring on their cables."
* N. B. In this letter (which appears to have been
struck off in a great hurry) the date is omitted. We
sincerely hope there may be no mistake in the intelli
gence relative to the combined fleets having returned
into port, as that event would afford a favourable op.
portunity for both our homeward bound and ou'wa d
bound convoys to prosecute their refpeftive voyages.
A brigantine, prize to the Fortunee, is just turning
into this harbour. She is from Philadelphia, having
on bo: rd, as we bea r , upwards of 800 b rrels of flour.
A man with a house full of children desires us to con
gratulate all whom it may concern on this fortunate
event .
p. S. The brig's name is the Sally, she failed from
Philadelphia the 14th of October : no second engage
ment had happened. Admiral Digby had arrived with
three fail of the line and a frigate, and the French fleet
were in the Chefapeak; lord Cornwallis was in high
spirits.
BASSETERR E, Oftober 19.
A Vessel from South-Carolina,arrived in four weeks,
mentions, that all Vi gin'a and North Carolina were
in the king's peace, and that colonel Wafhingtop, with
a party of the rebel cavalry gad infantry, endeavour-
ed to surprise colonel Stewart, and was taken pti^ff
with a numbe of his party, and many killed arid
wounded on both Tides.
NEW^YOR K, November 30.
His majehy's ship Amphion, captain Bazely, has
sent into this port, the schooner Young Cromwell, oriti
of the New L ndon reptiles, which has been very mis«
chievous in enterprises against the Britilh trade.
December 3. A large schooner from Newberry, for
Philadelphia was tent in hexe lafl Saturday by his ma
jedy's rilip the Centurion, Capt. Clayton. Site is load
ed with lumber, &c. Tne Centurion was left in Chafin
of a large ship fuipofed to be a frigate.
Some Whale Boats came over from Connecticut to
Oyfler Bay harb >ur, last Monday night, and unrigged
Mr. Sheddan's boat at that place, and carried off a
nother, which was ransomed for 2001.
A ship supposed to be the lord Mulgrave, a cartel
from Virginia, is ashore at Squall, about 40 miles to
the southward of the Hook.
Came tip yeflerday morning a brig from Newberry,
for the Chefapeak, called the Alexander, captain Cran
ford, prize to his mijefty's ship Amphion, with a trif+
l ng cargo
At the fame time came rip also, a (mail French bri§
from New London, for Philadelphia, loaded with c)~
der, onions, &c + prize to his majefty'r ship the Cen
turion.
Just Imported, in tie Shin Anne, rim France, and
to be S OLD, By
Mifflin and Butler,
At their Store on South ftr^et Wharf, A Variety of
DRY GO ODS suitable to the Scaiont Among
—hi r h are the following Articles.
FINE and edirfe Blankets,
Blue Hduhicke,
Second Clothe;
White Fianelh and Swanfk'atj
C^mbiets,
S'rivd and Checked Cottons,
Nips,
Fine and coirfe Flanders Sheeting,
White 2nd town Bfitagne, Picardy, Nanbuttu, an 1
Royal Laval Linens,
Sail Canvas, No. 1,2, 3, and 4,
A 12 and a half inch Cattle, and 6 inch Shroud Hut
ter, both excellent, and a Quantity of Iheet Lead.
To the iRADING'PEOFLE of AMERICA.
M. M. Cbulougnac, and Co.
MERCHANTS in Lyon, a C'ty in France,
Will have opened and ready fur«
nifhed with all kind of dry goods the fid of January,
1782, a ftorc-houfe as well in Nantes at in L'Orienr, in
which any one may have a general affertment of Clothe,
Coatings, Silks, Linens, &c. &c. &c. proceeding from
their own manufactures in Sedan, Louv ere, Eiboeuf,
Lodeve, Carc^ftonne, Laval, Calma, Caftres, French
Flander, Lvoo, Paris, &c. &c. &c.
M M. Couiougrac, and company, w : ll treat ofthofe
goods for money, or suitable bills of Exchange on ever,
place in Europe, er in Tobacco, Iro'i 7 % Firs, Skins,
or anv other production, either of N^rtu America, or
Weft India Ifland#, at the rate then current in those two
cit es.
By the meant of thote proposed exchanges, the mer
chants ^ho wi'l for the futile fend cargoes there may
spare 'he commission, an I fiorage expenc.-s. hr apply
ing to the aforefaid gentlemen, as f on as th ir (hips are
arrived there; and by finding in M. M. Ceu ntiinac
and company's Store, all the goods their captains or
agents may poflibly delue; their voyages wi so the
time to come be much (horter than formerly. Teeafore
faid gentlemen will likewise accept of the dir<&in eith^v
of the drips 2nd cargors, or of pvt of them tub', that
onr will chufe to trust their care in Nintes or L'Orient,
J t-^h Mercier, their #g # nt in Philadelphia at Peter
Lc Migre and company's store, in W ler-ftreet, h„„
tween Market and Arch-ftee^, vol take up n bimfel
to receive end cause any on 's orders and comm ffi m, to
be errfulif and in the tel manner exeuteri in Fran e.
The chiefs of the French n.vion in all 'continents sea
ports will make clear all that one could wist to know on
the good name and solidity of M. M. Coulougnac and
company.
~T O Ve LFI,
The Province-Bland Ferry, with
the Dselling - House, Barn, Stables and Girden. Also
fi' y ceres o f Meadow, chiefly upland ; to be 1-r fe.
r^rst ly or together. Enquire of JOHN SELL'S, *t
Mr. John Duffield's ttoie, in Water-ftrect, a few
doors below Marke-fhret.
Pi-lad dohia, Dr-em er 13, 1781.
To be Sold or Exchanged,
T^ OR a HOUSE and LOT in this r ity, a TRACT
I of LAND that produces exceeding £ood grain of
all kind, within five miles of Ch itt^na, and nine
often of Wilmington, and has on it a fine ^ce 'or a
mid , as also a valuabl Lot in the t"wn c' Cori Harx,
40 yardsin breadth and iod yu-'s in length, and the
o^y Convenient place to ouild a veffd on or to ra't
timber f.cm ;?s a ! (o the Lot has ? Ten-yard on %
with a rm 11 stream tunning through one corner of i.
' For terms apply to the Printor.
WA S taken up the 6 h inllurt, by the fubfcrhrt,
living in Bucks county, near the 20 mile ft "#.
tre puffing on his lot, a dark Bay HORbE, rising five
ya s old, a^out 15 hands high, a ver,, long i^i'ch
tail, no brand er car ir^rk. Tne 0 vuer is desired t,
come, pay charges and take him way.
JAMES BOYD.