The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-12-01 00:00:00, page 3

Philadelphia, Dec. r.
Head Quarters, Continental Village, Nov. 17, 1781.
s ir;
ON the morning of the 13th inst. lieus. De Forest of
th. Connecticut line, who had be^n detached by
major general Persons, with tweny five regular
troops, and captain Lockwood of the miiria, with fif
teen volunteers, inchiding lieutenants Hull and Meade
of the Connedicut date troop, formed a design of
hoarding a sloop of ten carriage guns, then at an
chor in East Chefler bay : and having taken a small
Hoop of about 30 tons in Bast Chefler creek, they em
barked and fell down the creek to the bay. Upon be
ing hailed by the sloop, they answered, that , the re
bel boats were down and 'hey had pushed out of the
creek to anchor under their proteaion.” Witii this
deception they laid her on board, but found them
selves drfappomted in the strength of the vessel, her
nettings being almofi twelve feet above the gunwale.
Here the assailants prevailed after four minutes con
fia with bayonets and lances only ; they cut the net
tings so as to admit one man to enter ; lieutenant
Mead boarded, (and received a wound, fuopofed to
be mortal) he was followed by the rest, who, io a
short time carried the vessel: she had twenty five men
on board, at the fame time a part of the detachment
made after the wood fleet, fix of whom were taken.
The vessels were brought to Stamford About forty
prisoners were taken, twenty-five of whom are soldiers.
We bad none killed' ,lieutenant Mead and three men
wounded, the former dangerously. The enemy had
none killed ; the captain of the armed sloop and four
men were badly wounded- This enterprize was con
dutled with much address and great gallantry.
I nave the honor to be,
with the highest refpe&,
Yourt:c?i!cncv's most obed ent fervent,
W. HEATH.
His Excellency,
the President of Congress.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMPSON,
Yfbrr-bv the SPEAKER, accompanied by fever'd
MEMBRA of the Housg of Assembly, waited upon
his Excellency General WASHING! on, and presented
the following ADDRESS.
To His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON,
Efauire, Commander in Chief of the Armies of the
Unite^tates of America.
S LR,
RrvHE Representatives of the freemen of Pennsylva
nia, in general assembly met, wifli to express their
sincere joy on your excellency's arrival in tins city.
The very great events that have lately taken phce
in Virginia, under your command, have fully juftified
the expectations, formed by your country, of your
abilities and patriotism; to add to her esteem for you
was impossible.,
Humbly depending on the protection of Providence,
we entertain the strongest hopes, that your diflinguifh
ed qualities—the wife and generous exertions of our
illustrious ally— the glorious behaviour of his forces,
and the gallantry and good conduct of the American
armies, will bring the present contest to such a conclu
sion, as will establish the freedom, independence, and
prosperity of the United States, on a permanent foun
dation.
That, amidst the public happiness, to which you
have so eminently contributed, and the grateful praises
and affections which you have so well deserved, you
may enjoy every private felicity, is one of the firft and
warmest wishes of our hearts.
(Copy.") Signed by order of the House,
FREDERICK A. MUHLENBERG, Speaker.
To which His Excellency was pteafed to return
the following ANSWER.
Gentlemen,
lESTEEMI ESTEEM myfelf highly honoured by the Address
of so refpeftable a body as the Representatives of
the freemen o P^p.nfylvanra, in general assembly met.
While I confefs that it is extremely pteafing to me,
to know that my condud, in the late fuccesful enter
prize against the enemy in Virginia, meets the appro
bation of my fellow'citizens: I think it a duty in
cum'r. .p.n me +0 declare, that great part of the
n^ri of that important event was owing to the affid
anee I derived from the good conduct and bravery of
the officers and men under my command.
The powerful succor rs which we received from the
fend and fr. forces of our great, good and generous
ally o&ght to, and I am Cure does, make the most
grateful impression upon the heart of every true Ame
rican.
In return for your warm expressions of personal
regard, permit me most Gneerely to assure you, that I
wish nothing more ardently, than the peace and pros
perity of the date which you represent.
With all possible refpe£t,
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed.) GEORGE WASHINGTON.
The honourable the Speaker
and Representatives of
the freemen of the slate of
Pennf~lvania, in general
assembly met. (Copy.)
By the UNITED STATES in CONGRESS Assembled,
October 29th, 1781.
Resolved,
THAT the thanks of the United States in Congress
' assembled, be presented to his excellency general
Washington, for the eminent services which he has ren
dered to the United States, and particularly for tie
well concerted plan against the British garrisons in York
and Gloucefler, for the vigor, attention and military
skill with which that plan was executed, and for he
wisdom and prudence manifyfled in the capitulation.
That the thanks of the United States in Congress as
sembled, be presented to his excellency the count de
Rochambea% for the cordiality, zeal, judgment and
fortitude, with which be seconded and advanced the
progress of the allied army against the British garrison
in York.
That the thanks of the United States in Congress as
sembled be presented to his excellency count de Graffe,
for his display of skill and bravery in attacking and
defeating the British fleet off the Bay of Chesapeake,
and for his zeal and alacrity in rendering, with the fleet
under his command, the most effectual and di inguifh
ed aid and support to the operations of the allien army
in Virginia.
That the thanks of the United States in Congress as
sembled be presented to the commanding and other of
ficers of the corps of artillery and engineers, of the al
lied army, who sustained extraordinary fatigue and
danger in their animated and gallant approaches to the
lines of the enemy.
That general Washington be direded to communi
cate to the other officers and the soldiers under his com
mand, the thanks of the United States in Congress as
fcmbled for their conduct and valour on this occasion.
Resolved, That the United States in Congress assem
bled, will cause to be erected at York in Virginia, a
marble column, adorned with emblems of the alliance
between the United States, and his most chriftian ma
jehy ; and inferibed with a fuccinft narrative of the
surrender of earl Cornwallis to his excellency general
Washington, commander in chief of the combined forces
of America and France; to his excellency the count
de Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary troops of
his moil chriftian majesty in America, and his excel
lency the count de Graffe, commanding in chief the na
val army of France in Chesapeake.
Resolved, That two Hands of the colours taken from
the British army under the capitulation of York be
presented to his excellency general Washington in the
name of the United States in Co/ngrefs assembled.
Resolved, Thar two pieces of field ordnance, taken
from the British army under the capitulation of York,
be presented, by the commander in chief of the Ame
rican army, to count de Roch^mbeau ; and that there
be engraved thereon a short memorandum, that Con
gress were induced to present them from confederations
of the illuflrious part which he bore in effectuating the
furrender.'
Resolved, That the secretary of foreign affairs be
directed to request the minister plenipotentiary of his
most chriftian majesty, to inform his majesty, that it
is the with of Congress, that count de Graffe may be
permitted to accept a tefiimony of their approbation,
similar to that to be presented to count de Rochambeau.
Refolved,Tnat the board of war be directed to prefect
to lieutenant col. Tilghman in the name of the United
States in Congress assembled, a horse properly capari
foned, and an elegant sword, in testimony of their
high opinion of his merit and ability.
November 7, 1781.
Resolved, That the secretary of foreign affairs be
directed to prepare a sketch of emblems of the alliance
between his most chriftian majefly and the United States,
proper to be inferibed on the marble column to be
erected in the town of York, under the resolution of
the 29th day of October last.
Resolved, That an elegant sword be presented, in the
name of the United States in Congress assembled, to co
lonel Humphry, aid de camp of general Washington,
to whose care the flandards taken under the capitula
tion of York, were consigned ; as testimony of their
opinion of his fidelity and ability, and that the board
of war take order therein.
Extract from the minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.
STATE of PENNSYLVANIA.
In GENERAL ASSEMBLY, November 27, 1781.
The bill entitled, “ An aft to encourage the appre
hending prisoners of war, who have, or hereafter may,
escape," &c. was taken up for a second reading, and
having been debated by paragraphs, the fame was or
dered to be tranferibed, and in the mean time printed
for public confederation.
FERER Z. LLOYD, clerk.
An aft to encourage the apprehending prisoners of war,
who have, or hereafter may, escape from the place
of their destination, and to discourage harbouring
< them in this fiate.
WHEREAS, it has been found by experience,
that the lenity and indulgence extended to the
British and German prisoners of war, confined
in sundry places within the united states, have been
abused by them to base and perfidious purposes ; and
that many of them, assuming the habit and profeflion
of labourers, have effected their escape, and joined our
enemies within the British lines at New York: For re
medy whereof,
Be it enacted, &c. That it shall and may be lawful
for any of the inhabitants of this state, as well as to the
different officers, whether civil or military, in the fame,
and they are hereby ftriCHy enjoined and required, to
make diligent enquiry after, and take up such all pri
soners of war, as they may have r&afon to believe, are
either secreted or concealed under any habit or pre
tence whatsoever, and them forthwith to bring before
the next justice of the peace for examination. And if
upon such examination, it shall appear that said per
son, so brought, is a prisoner of war, he shall be com
mitted to the jafi of the county, and notice immediate
ly transmitted to the war office, of the name and place
of confinement of such offender, that proper measures
may be taken to return lum to the place of his destina
tion ; but if he refufes to give a fatisfaflory account of
himfelf, then he shall be committed to the jail of the
county where such person may be apprehended, there
to remain, until the next court of general quarter feffi
011s of the peace, which court shall take order on the
case of said prisoner.
And for the encouragement of those persons who
may exert themselves in bringing such offenders to
justice : Be it further evaded by the authority afore
faid, That the said justice or justices, shall deliver
to any person, having so apprehended a prisoner of
Iwar, a certificate of the service performed, directed to
the lieutenant of the county, or fob-lieutenant of the
diftia, where such person fliall reside, requiring them
to exempt the said person from his next tour of mili
tia duty, and he shall be accordingly exempted. But
if the said person shall refufe such certificate, he shall
produce an account of his expences and charges in
performing the said service, and shall be allowed hi#
reasonable account, for which he shall receive from the
said jufiice or justices, a draught on the treasurer of
the county ; which said draught shall be allowed to
him, or any other person to whom he may assign the
fame, in the payment of state taxes.
And in order the more effectually to deter all per
sons from the base and treacherous pradice of aiding,
abetting, concealing, or affixing such prisoners of war:
Be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
whatsoever person shall be duly convicted in any court
of quarter sessions of this state, either of concealing^
aiding, abetting, or otherwise assisting such prisoner
of war in making his escape, shall forfeit, on fuck
conviction, the sum of fifty pounds, one half to the
state, and the other half to the person prosecuting for
the fame ; but if the person so convifted shall be una
ble to pay, he shall be publicly whipped with thirty
nine lathes; and this offence is hereby declared to be
made enquireable in the court of quarter sessions, and
the conflables shall, on making their quarterly re
turns, answer on oath, touching their knowledge of
any offence against this law: Provided always, That
notiring in this aft shall be meant, construed, or in
tended to adeft any persons, who shall receive prison
ers of war for the purposes of labour, by any order
from the war office, or such officer whom they may
authorize to grant such order. But such persons, so
receiving prisoners of war, are hereby required to en
ter the names of such prisoners with the next justice of
the peace, within one week after bringing them to the
places of their refpedive residences.
®@^^^^
One Guinea Reward,
LOST last Tuesday Evening, a Shell SNUFF BOX
with a Silver Top, in which is set the Portrait of
his Excellency General Washington. Any person de
livering said Box to JAMES PEALE, may have the
above Reward.
Lombard-street, Dec. 1.
Just come to Hand, and to be SOLD, by
JONAS PHILLIPS,
At his STORE, the South fide of Market- street, be,
twzen Frootand Second-ftreet#, Philadelphia,
A LARGE Afforfment of DRY GOODS, of vari
ous KINDS, which he will dispose of by whole
f@/e at a very reasonable price, either for geld 01 silver,
Pennsylvania state money, tobac o or flour, &c.
He takes the liberty to acquant hie friends aid cuftom
era, that he has op ned bis store for the reception of all
kind tor merchandize on commission; where constant att
endance will be given, and the utmeft care and diligence,
will be used in disposing of the goods soon, and to the
best advantage, and the money paid on demand. Cap
tains of vessels, with their Supercargoes, who dai
ly arrive in thi, city, being ftr^n ^ers and not knowing
where to dispose of their goods, if they will please to
call at the commission store, they will always find
storage and a ready sale for their goods—for which they
may receive gold or filver,ftate money, bills of exchange,
Virginia and Maryland tobacco, flour, and other coun
try produce, &c. Nov. #6, 1781.
TO BE Fo LD.
The valuable, Merchant
MILLS and SAW MILLS, with two pair of ftenes,
one whereof is French burs of the best quality, the
other colongs ; the bolting.cloths are good; the mills
are in good order, water plenty in the driest season,
with little expance of keeping the dam in repair, as it
is turned by the main Brandy wine-creek t the mill- house
is built of stone, about fl feet square. Also, a good
dwelling-boufe, part frame and part stone, a good
frame barn, stables and other out-houfea, with about
30 acres of good land, nine acres whereof is good wa
tered meadow, and as much more may be made with
very little expence : a good bearing orchard of the best
fruit. It is pleasantly situated in a healthy part of the
country, within 30 miles of Philadelphia, 15 of Mar
cus Hook and Wilmington. Likewise, a Lot of
Ground publicly situated in the borough of Wilming
ton, Newcastle county. Any person inclining to pur
chase, by applying to DAVID BRINTON, at the In
dian King, in the borough of Wilmington, or the
fubferiber living at the mills, may knew the terms.
BENJAMIN POWEL.
East-B adford. Cheffer county, Nov. g.
WAS taken out of the house of the
the fubferiber, on the gift of November, instant,
a large Silver CREAM-JUG, the maker's name For
tune, marked in :he bottom H. C. bottom of the foot
broke off Whoever flops it, if offered for file, or se
cures i, fa that the owner may get it again, shall have
ONE DOLLAR Reward, paid by JOHN CRAW
FORD, in Marcus-Hook.
N B. All S Iverfmiths are desired to flop it if offer
ed for sale. Nov. 22.
Notice is hereby given, to such
as have LANDS in the County of Bedford, and do
not live in the said County, thit they may have an
Opportunity of paying the Taxes due for the fame, to
the Suhlcirhtr, being Treasurer for the said County, at
thf Houle of Mrs. Clinton, at the Corner of Chefnut
and Third ft^ts. BARNARD DOUGHERTY, #
November 38, 1781^