The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-08-28 00:00:00, page 2

Extrafi of a letter trim Ratb.
" Last week was married at Lei citer, the celebrated
Hift®rian, Mrs. Catherine Macaulay, to the younger bro•
ther of the ilill mure celebrated Dr. Graham."
As an additional proof of the cecon. my of government,
Col. Barre informed the House on Thursday lafl, that
General Haldimaad, lately sent out as Governor of Qie
bec, tho' employed on no particular service, was allowed
ten pounds a d^ for that appointment only, besides his pay
as General, &c.
We bear that his Grace the Duke of Bolton, will bring
on an enquiry into the Rate of tie navy this session, rela
tive to the enormous sums granted to the Admiralty
Board Since ths year 1771, and tneir expenditure, which
will open the eyes of the public much.
Jemmy Twitcher is again got at his prophecies and cal
culations ; not abashed at making a little mistake about
our superiority at sea over the House of Bourbon fall ses
sion, bemow has the modefly to assert, we Shall by the
latter end of next year, have a fleet equil to that which
we bad in the year 1759. But jemmy Should recoiled two
things before he affers; the firft is, that his credit for as
sertions is very low ; and the Second, that the hearts of
oak in this country are much rottener than they were in
the year 1759.
As the characters offaur be ft naval and land officers have
been enoft infamously traduced, it is the duty of every ho
ned man to difeover where the abuse originates, and the
motive of such unpardonable and diabolical proceedings.
First then, is'it not apparent to every man of common
sense, or the lea ft 'observation, that the malicious reports
which have been so indufiricufly propagated, are the in
vention of an invidious, sanguinary, trembling Junto ?
Thafe execrable menders, whose rage nothing but bro
ther's blood could allay, and the ruin of commerce as
suage, are at this very instant (as they have been for years
pad) Slabbing the reputation of our sbleft commanders,
under various signatures, and the mod Specious pretences.
The reason of this nefarious conduct is too obvious to be
miflaken.. Conscious that their very heads and places de
pend upon the success of their inhuman and dtfpotic mea
sures, they displace and vilify every military Worthy that
cannot perform impoflibdities, and meanly fufpea that a
French fleet is Suffered to escape, and America remain on
conquered, that wicked Miniflers may be brought to juf
tioe, and Tower hill flream with Juatonian bleed. To
conclude, may Tower-hill Lave its due, and Temple- bar
its proper ornaments, for we are arrived at a period when
Whig Officers are tieated with t e mod Sovereign con
tempt, and are compelled to give place to the creatures of
infamous Counsellors, and the tools of a despicable and
defoerate Junto.
L 'rd Shelburne's Speech in the H >ufe of Lords of Thurf
&y Lift, has, been much admired for its jp^it and inJor
madn, ani is a proof amongst many other inflances
which his Lrdfhip has given in his public character, how
nweh : nobleman can diflinguifh himfelf, wi 0, instead of
running into the f Hies and frivolities @f the times, dedi
cates hfs leisure to the company of ingenious men, as their
friend and patron. This is living like a nobleman, and
partakes of that generosity and true difiinflion, which in
better days marked the character of English nobility.
The Bishop of Peterborough concluded his admirable
Speech with tuefe words :—" My Lords, ©ne word more,
and I ve done ; I fee in the invoice of the expences for
our lavage allies, an article for crucifixes, for tomohawks,
and fcalplng-knives. Just Heaven! What an ass mblage,
what an union. Better that they had been Suffered to re
main in ignorance, than that such chriflmnity Should be
preached to them; their ignorance perhaps might then be
some extenuation of their cruelty, and they might have
pleaded before the throne of grace, and before the awful
tribunal of offended mer.y, that they had never heard of
the name of Chrid."
A correspondent, who wishes well to the liberties of the
country,, and the b%r of Parliament, Sets the following
&,.mple to all those (if any Should be found) who may be
tempted to betray the rights of the people, and their own
honor, in their parliamentary capacity:
“ Vespasian, the Emperor, was extremely desirous to
get Something patted in the Hsu'e, which he forefaw Hel
vidious, a Roman Senator would be Sure to oppose. He
therefore knowing bis humour, sent a message to him, de
siring him that he would not go to the House that day.
Helvidius's answer was, " It is in the Emperor's power
to deprive me of,my Senatorihip; but so long as I conti
nue 2 Member of that Body, I cannot dtfpenfe with my
felf for attending the bufinefe of that post." '' Well,"
fays Vespasian. " I am content you Should be there, pro
vided you will be fare not to (peak in the debates that
/hall arise to day." " I engage to be silent," said he
" provided my voice and opinion be nek asked." " Nay'
1 0 ^ D O N.
H' HE Parliamentary country gentlemen are seriously
I called upon to do themselves and country justice in
the public enquiries that are likely to come before them
tnis session. Even in proportion as they wish the subju
gation of America, tney fhoald be ardent in the puniih
raent of those who have protra&ed the war, either by their
ivasst oj jpirit, or delay.
To avert the ruin which now hangs over our beads,
some Reps ought to be taken towards opening the eyes of
our deluded Sovereign, and to shew him the miserable
condition which his Ministry have brought his crown and
kingdom into. The firfi step necessary for that salutary
purpose, seems to be, a joint feme, france and Address of
the Gentlemen of the Minority in both Houses of Parliament
t) his M jefty ; for what ministerial corruption will not
permit those gentlemen to perform in the Houses they
faould endeavour to do cut of them. Such a joint Re
monstrance and Address would certainly have some weight
with his Majefiy ; and should it be followed, as we fup
pefe it would, toy similar Remonstrances and Addresses
from mod of the counties and great cities in the kingdom,
ft might dis (I the delusive cloud which n®w hoodwinks
his Majefiy, and conceals from his eyes the ruinous con
dition of his crown and people.
Machiavel observes that the secret way to destroy the
liberties of any country is to sap thrm by degrees. Our
Tory Ministry are rradifing this with a modern refine
ment, by encourqJng pfafure, idleness, and profligacy,
as aids to their purpose; by the assistance of which never
failing engineers the people will not be aware of their
danger, till the fabric of C e constitution tumbles about
their ears.
" The enemy have marched 90 miles along the fea
coafi, and plundered the richest lettlements, and ruined
many of the most refpe&able inhabitants im this State.
There are individuals who hav® loft from 3 to 400 ne
groes, 1600 ounces of plate, 20 flooded horses, and
houfhold furniture in proportion. Their booty would fell
in London for 1,000,000 fterlmg. They have made no
diflinaion between Whig and Tory ; and the very persons
to whom they gave protection, have notwithstanding been
plundered. Widows, have, in force cases, loft their all.
Many are so stripped, that they have not a second suit of
clothes. Buckles, rings, watches, and other personal or
ments, have been taken from people of all ranks, con
ditions, and sexes."
Extract of a letter from Bedford, dated August 14, 1779.
“ I have Giimal news to tell you of our poor old trievd
William Holiday's family. On Tuesday, the 3d instant,
as the old man, his two funs and daughter, and one
M Donald were returning home from bawling hay, they
were fired upon by a party of lod'ans ; —Adam, was kill
ed; Patrick ran off about 40 yards, and was ihot through
the .tad ; M'Donald alighted, and ran to the Indians ;
the old man from his horie fired at the Indian scalping his
daughter, but miffed him , on which five of them fired at
him at fifteen)yards dißance, but miffed him and ihot his
mare through the neck— before flie fell, the ran away with
him out of their fight, and providentially at that moment
McDonald's horie came up, and flood till Mr. Holliday
got on him ana carried him off. Next day they went
to Morrison's C®ve, and killed Hoefer's family ; and on,
the iith they ihot at young Dunlap on Dunning's Creek.
A scout went out after them, but couid^ot come up with
them.
“ The loss of that valuable cfficer, his son, who fell in
the battle of Brandywine, bravely fighting in his country's
cause, Mr. Holliday bore with the patriotism of an an
tient Spartan, and the resignation of a Cnriftian; but this
stroke will, I am afraid, loon bring his grey hairs to the
grave. You know how many remarkable rifques he has
ran, and what pains he has taken to keep Frankflown set
tlement together, and how often he has implored the Lieu
tenant to keep a small party there, which would not only
have saved the lives of his children, but also have afforded
protection to a great part of the country."
Extract of a letter from Paramus, Augufl 22.
" Sundry late military occurrences, whicn yen cannot
be unacquainted with, gave the alarm to the enterprising
genius of Major I.ee, who being ordered into this coun
try, took into contemptation an attempt on Powles-Hook,
a place naturally difficult of^ccefs, and highly improved
by art. He busily employed himfelf in gaining a know
ledge of the place, its fituatien, firength, &c. This done,
he communicated the matter to his Excellency, who, sur
prised at the many obstacles, declined his assent to an af
fair so replete witn danger. But on a fuller representation
from the Major, whose endeavours were unremitted until
but if yet ate /here, y&i must be kdvifd with," sty
Vespasian. " And if I be," replied Helvidlus, " I mud
give my advice freely, and according to what [ conceive
mod reasonable and just." " Do that at your peril," said
Vespasian; fc for be assured, if you are against what I
ptopofe, your head Shall answer for it." " Sir," return
ed Helvidiu% “ Did I ever tell you I was immortal ? You
will do your part, and I Shall endeavour to do mine."
All the wars that have been undertaken by Great Bri
tain, have been either carried on for the purposes of Sup
porting the faith of treaties, or the defence of national
honor. The present war with America leaves an excep
tion in the annals of this country; it may be now truly
called a malicious one, where our bigheft point of success
will be our lo<wef point of disgrace, and where all our
monstrous expences can never be repaid us but in the bit
temefs of repentance.
It must Qe a melancholy refleaion, even to those who
are Sanguine in the cause of the American war, to think
that all the Supplies which have been granted for the ser
vice of the last year, were Scandalously wafted in produc
ing no effea All the Summer was spent in fruitlefs ne
gociation, and in retreating; so that in faft, the people of
this country have been taxed beyond what they could
possibly bear, to Spend the produce of those taxes in
America.
Advices from Paris, of very late date, positively assert,
that the Chevalier de St. George, with his comfort the
Princess of Stolberg, (whom he married in tne year 1772)
their two children, a Son and a daughter, had lately re,
moved from Brnffels (where they had resided mostly since
their marriage) to Cambray, and were Alertly expected
in that capital, as is supposed, on a political visit.
An old Whig calls, upon the friends to the glorious re
volution and the House of Brunswick, as well those who
have feats in Parliament as not, to join the commonality
in a genera 1 Association and Remonstrance to the Throne,
cm the present perilous posture of affairs, both at home
and abroad, and to pray for a peremptory difmiffalof the
present despicable and abandoned administration ; who,
by their obfimaty and perseverance in meifures deroga
tory to the once happy system ota free and virtuous peo-,
ple, have reduced this country to the most humiliating,
piteous, and impoverished state im ginable. To, fuch a
meeting did the best friends in the Globe, some time since,
invite the great and illullrious characters of both Houses ;
which if properly attended to then, might have averted
the dreamful cataftrope of the present ^a!
PHIL ADELPH I A, August 28.
Extracts of a tetter from Major General Lincoln, to the
President of Congress, dated Charlefiown, ,ulj 9, 1779.
S I R,
“ I nave the honour to inform Congress, that the ene
my have evacuated their posts at Stono-Ferry on tee main,
and retreated from John's Island to St. Helena, Port-
Royal and Savannah. It is laid they nave sent their sick
to St; Auguftme.
Col. Twiggs with a body of Georgia militia, attacked
near Og e echee on the 26th ultimo, forty Seven British
troops, commanded by Captain Muller and two Suts,
killed the Captain and three privates, wounded one Lieu
tenant and 12 privates, (four mortally) and made the re-
Qainder prisoners, except two. It is said, that not more
Jian thirty-two of tne militia were engaged."
Published by Order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Extrafl of a letter from (.bartefo<wn, South-Carolina,
dated fuly 3, 1779.
the necessary intelligence win collected —-having devised
tKe mode of attack, the method of retreat, and the number
of troops adequate, tranfmi;ted ti^em accurately to the
Gener.% who was pleased to approve of the difpofkion,
and ordered every thing requifi^ for a matter of so much
difficul,.
“ A description of the place will not be improper, as it
will serve to give you an idea of the many obftru&i®ns to
be met with. The Hook is formed ny a winding curve
of North-River, directly opposite New-York; a wide
gut interfefts the tongue of land, and leaves die place of
fortification an entire island : the gut in depth is so consi
derably encreifed, as to render it impsffible ata little more
than half flood, interior to this runs a line of ab aitioof
great flrength, which extends to the extreme verges of the
island; still within these is a .fort (except thegate way)
impregnable, assisted by a chain of redoubts lituate ours
left, of superior strength ; thewbole surrounded by a marsh
two miles in breadth, rendered almost impervious, by rea
son of a number of guts, which irregularly interact it at
various points.
" Three hundred Virginians, under the command of
Major Clark, two companies of Marylan 4 , and M'Lean'l
difmouzted dragoons, composed me affailahts. The whole,
directed by Major Lee, took their route from the New-
Bridge on H ickmfack, attended by a pumber of waggons
to convey the opinion of a foraging party. The timid
apprehensions of a principal guide, on cur nearer app each
to the enemy, proved the source of numberless mistakes,
which retarded the execution of the design three hours,
and occasioned an alteration in the primary, disposition,
instead of attacking in three different places as at firft in
tended—The body was formed into two columns, and af
ter forcing the abbattis, a reparation took place by Major
Clark's inclining to the right, the other column to the,
left ; the forlorn preceded at fomediflance, in ftantly seiz
ed the grand fort, and re-echoed the watch word ; in less
'than ten minutes a complete poffeffiou of the works was
effeded, with little or no lots.
" The necessity of a retreat every moment became evi
dent; day-light approached apace, and obliged us to re
tire precipitately, tho' without confufion. Relying on the
boats which were to transport us over the Hackinfack, 3
miles distant from the feene of action, and which confli
tuted our fafety—we moved on with the prisoners --but
our arrival soon convinced us of a disappointment The
dangers of the situation were manifeft . •the North River
on the right was at many places not morethan two miles dis
tant from the party with the major part of the British ar
my strewed along the opposite fliore, obliged the exert ion
of every device and flratagem to obviate their intercepting
a retreat of eighteen miles, which was judiciously efftded^
notwithstanding all their efforts to the contrary."
Extract oj a letter from a Field Officer at Port Pitt, dated
August 2, 1779.
" A few days after my arrival, I marched with up
wards of 100 men (officers included) up the weft fide of
the Alleghany river, aboist 50 miles, to a place called Kit
tanning, where I have erected a fort in the face of the In
dians, without the loss of a man. It is called Fort Arm
firong, after the good old General*. We have endeavored
to do honor to the name, by having it built regular, neat
and strong.
We are now preparing for an incuffion into the Indian
country, which is to take place in a few days, under Col.
Broadhead. Ifit Should prove fuccefsful, it will be pro
dudive of the most salutary (fleas, as it is against one of
the most hostile tribes. For this purpose I once more chear
fully am myfelf with the tomahawk and Scalping-knife,
being fully persuaded that anting on the offenfive and push
ing boldly into their country, is the most effe&ual way of
putting a flop to their depredations; in doing which, we
Shall no d®ubt meet with fierce opposition.
* This place is well known in Pennsylvania from the
well planned and equally well executed expedition under
General Armflrong, about 20 years ago, in which he
completely furprized the Indians, killed their celebrated
Capt. Jacobs with many others, and gave peace to our
Weflern country.,
Extraa of a letter from the Hon. Col. Smith., of the Coun
cil, to the President, dated Paxtang, Aug 16, 1779.
"SIR,
" Last evening I returned from Northumberland coun
ty, and will just give a short account of our march, and
also the situation of that county when I left it. On Thurs
day the §th init. we marched from Sunbury and North
umberland towns with about 230 men, with a design to
be on the frontier as soon as possible, in order to assist the
inhabitants in preserving any cattle that had escaped the
enemy ; and also to assist them in putting up their fences,
the dwelling-house and barns being generally burned :
From within 11 miles of the town, the enemy had thrown
open the fields on almost every plantation ; and the cattle
and hogs that remained, was compleating the deftruaion.
We wished also to make room for other parties we had ac
counts were hastening from different parts of Cumberland
county to join us. On the 6th, Colonel William Cham
bers, from near Cariifle, joined with 107 men : That night
we proceeded on to Freeland's fort; but being very wet,
were obliged to flop here and in the neighbourhood,
where.fome small houses and barns yet remained. That
evening other parties joined us, chiefly inhabitants of the
place, who had been to their ruined farms. The 7th we
marched to Fort Muncy : Here Capt. M'Cay, from Sher
man's Valley, joined with about 40 men. That evening
and night also rained heavy, and nothing to Shelter us but
flieds we made of rails, and levered with old flraw that
lay about the fields ; the enemy have burned all Mr. Wal
lace's houses on their return from Fort Freeland—the fort
with all the buildings, barracks, &c. had shared the fame
fate (I think, by the bye, a capital stroke to this part of
the country). We found.all along, as we marched, horses,
hogs, dogs, &c. killed by the enemy, as they either be
came weary or troublesome—the flench so great in many
places, it was difficult to march or even breathe. We were
in hopes the enemy would have made a halt at this place ;
but found, by every appearance, they had not halted
more than one night. The morning ol the Sth, we con
cluded to fend forward a strong scout; accordingly 130
immediately turned out, with 12 horsemen to a& as oc
casion might require, either in a quick pursuit in case 2
small party might be in their rear, or if a difeovery was
made of the main body having made a halt, then the
horsemen to give us immediate intelligence. We wguld