The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-09-18 00:00:00, page 2

I hive therefore taken the liberty of representing to
you the fads as they happened, and' Supplied those
difingenuousomiffions which I have difeovered.
In consequence of their opinion I was detained in the
city-guard for ten days, without any allowance of
provisions, fire er candle; and it is probable, that if
you had not interposed, and represented the injuflice
offuch proceedings, that the fame injurious treatment
would have exited to the moment of my diSnuffion.
Major Haberfham, who was acquainted with major
M'Artbur, the president of the court, had two inter
views with him after our confinement, wherein that
gentleman very candidly disavowed the lead fulpcion
of criminality in our intention, and advised us to write
to £,lonel Balfour. This advice I have reason to think
was the result of a conference which he had held with
that gentleman. He told us also that were the papers
produced which were Sent to Mr. Kean it was more than
probable that we Should immediately be dismissed. Such
an inconsistency of behavious filled me with more afto ?
niihment than the injuriour treatment I had received.
At firft the papers were refufed to be Seen and a court
forms a Solemn Sentence without them, tho' offered.
Colonel Balfour fends them word it is not necessary to
confider the contents of the letters, and afterwards he
thinks it require that they Should be laid before himfelf.
I treated this childish behaviour with the contempt it
deserved, and would not take any Reps to produce tie
papers required.
The confinement in a public prison and the charge of
a crime of the deepef tdye, left open no doer of reconci
liation or urther explanation on my part. One day's
imprisonment drew upon me the suspicions of people and
the continuance of the punishment cov Id avail no more.
I presumed that as soon as Mr. Kean arrived in
town,* he would be able to explain Such matters as they
were felicitous to make appear mysterious.
The conference of his letter f was that on the 17th
April, we were informed that colonel Balfour was con
vinced that we had not intentionally been guilty
of a breach of parole, but that he could not release us
until he had heard from lord Cornwallis, to whom he
had written upon the fubjed. This was a very extra
ordinary confeffon of our innocence indeed, since no
new matter was laid before colonel Balfour, which
could induce him to change his opinion. I told ma
jor Fraser [ that I imagined colonel Balfour had been
perfectly convinced of the purity of our intentions
ever since he had received the proceedings of the court,
which he candidly acknowledged. Whilst I had reason
to believe that colonel Balfour was convinced of the
propriety of his own conduct, I remained Satisfied tho'
I could not approve of it. Nay, fir, I even acknow
ledged the juflice of the confinement I was Suffering,
whilst I was persuaded that colonel Balfour's conduct
proceeded from a mistaken principle and not from the
wanton exertion of a temporary power.
It is difficult to judge what were my feelings when I
was informed that I was acknowledged not to be guil
ty, intentionally or criminally, but notwithstanding
this declaration I had not only been punish d, but was
to experience a continuance thereof. Could language
be more insulting, or could actions be more malicious!
Is it possible that any man can have so base, so Servile
a Spirit, as to exercise an office, who'e charaßeriftic
function is an indiscriminate infliction of punishment,
without the additional property of dispensing juflice
or extending mercy? At length, after a confinement
of five weeks || I was told ty major Fraser, that let
ters bad been received from lord Cornwallis, and that
his lordihip was of opinion, that we had not been
GUILTY OF A BREACH OF PAROLE. This fart of
their behaviour deserves. as little attention as credulity,
though it is not the leaf! extraordinary It is well
known that major Eenfon §, who attended general
Scott, did not fee general Greene, and th t they did
not know where to find lord Cornwallis, therefore they
returned without having executed that part of their
commifFon.
I am Sorry, fir, that I was not acquainted with the
opportunity you had of writing to general Greene, and
of your intention of inclofing the pape s relative to me
in your dispatches—Had this explanation been includ
ed in your packet, it would have given a very diffe
rent appearance to this affair, than will be the result
of the perusal of the British papers: I have therefore
to requeßof you to communicate theft rats to general
Greene before whom theßritifh papers have been laid,and
you will add to the obligations already conferred on me.
I Should have represented my situation to you at an
earlier period, but reflecting that I had been refufeda
copy of the proceedings of the court, I did not ima
gine that permißJon would have been granted me to
write you ; I therefore declined it until I Should be
released from my confinement, and I take this early
period to offer my warmest acknowledgments for your
interposition in my favor, to assure you how fenfib|y
I am obliged to you, and that I am,
With the sincerest refped, fir,
Your most obedient, and very humble Servant,
J. F. GRIMKE **.
, Mr. Kean arrived in Charleßown the 12th April,
and waited on colonel Balfour, who Sent him the fol
lowing message by captain Black : That in consequence
of a correspondence between colonel Grimke, major
Haberfham and himfelf, those gentlemen were confined
in the city-guard, to which place he must repa r, as a
correspondence .of any kind between prisoners was
deemed an infraction of parole; and that colonel Bal
four would receive any reasons Mr Kean had to al
ledge in his vindication in writing.
t Mr. Kean wrote colonel Balfour the 15th April,
explaining the nature of the correspondence, as it had
already been in the course of the trial.
X This gentleman afied as town-major, and deliver
ed this message as an answer to Mr. Kean's letter.
ft They were rele fed the 29th April.
§ This gentleman (the commandant's brigade major)
accompanied gen. Scott, who obtained permission to go
out with a flag for the .enlargement of his parole the
beginning of April.
** This letter was written a few days after colonel
Gximke's release.,
PROVIDENCE, September 1.
On Wednesday arrived here a retaken Sloop, prize to
the privateer sloop Hope, captain Christopher Smith, of
this part. She belonging too Philncfelphi@,aud had
been captured in Delaware bay by a small privateer
from New York. She lias on board a quantity of Su
gar and hides, taken out of a Spanish flip from the Ha
vaunah, that was lately cast away in the Delaware.
Saturday horning lad there was e fever# engage
ment just at the entrance of this harbour, between an
English frigate Said to be the Assurance of 44 guns and
ten caronades, from Halifax, and the French frigate
Magicienne of 32 guns, coming round from Pifcatg^u,
convoy to a mast fliip ; when after near an hour's con
fl Ct tne Magicienne was obliged to strike to Superior
force. How many were killed o* board either Ship,
we have not yet heard. The Briton »#s Seen from the
eminences and tops of houses in town, to hgve loft her
mizen-top-maft, and to be otherwise greatly damaged.
The Afirea and Sagatarie frigate are gone in quell
of them • ,and we hope in our next to give an account
o' their being overtaken before they reach their port,
as both the British fllip and be prize were mucn th u
ter'd, the latter being in tow last Saturday m t 4 o'clock
P. M.
NEW- HAVE N, Sept. 6.
On Friday morning last, between one and two o'clock,
three of the enemy's vessels, a brig of 16 guns, and
two armed sloops, came to off Weft-Haven, and landed
150 men, who having Secured the centinels and guard,
11 in all, they Surrounded Several houses, where they
fixed guards in Such a manner, that not the leaf! alarm
was given, nor was the invasion generally known to the
parish (though compact) till near sunrise ; all which
time the enemy were collecting cattle, horses and other
plunder. Some families knew nothing of the affair,
nor miffed their cows till they went to milk them. The
alarm was not given in town, till too late to afford any
assistance, the enemy having effected their designs, and
got on board the vessels. They took off four of the
inhabitants, besides the above, and about 30 head of
cattle and horses.
H A R T F O R D, September it.
Extract of a letter from an officer commanding mili
tia, dated New-London, Friday, 9 o'clock Septem
ber 7, 1781
" Yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, I received ad
vice that the enemy were landing at New London har
bour's mouth—l immediately ordered the regiment un
der my command to march to New London for its de
fence. I arrived here, but it was too late to afford a
ny great affi fiance in repelling the enemy, as they land
aed at ^o'clock, and it was so late before I received
dvice of their arrival, that before the regiment could
possibly get down, they were embarking.
" The enemy were under the command of the infa
mous general Arnold, and by the best accounts con
sisted of from 1500 to 2000 men—They have burnt the
greatest part of the towns of New London and Groton,
ne r the water —The garrison at fort Trumbull evacu
ated the fort and went over to fort Griswold, were colo
nel Ledyard made a nolle defence—repulfed the ene
my two or three times, but at last was obliged 0 Sur
render the fort to Superior force. The enemy,,after
colonel Ledyard had Surrendered murder'd him and
a number of others ; they left 73 of our men dead, and
between 30 and 40 wounded in the fort; they also car
tied off bout 40 prisoners, among which last number is
Ebenezer Ledyard, efq. They evacuated the fort a
bout ten o'clock in the evening, they blew up the maga
zines in both forts, but did very little other dama
ge to either of them.
" The enemy this morning were at the harbour's
mouth on board their Shipping, and came to fail about
8 o'clock; t^ey are still just beyond the light-boufe,
as the wind is againf lthem. Their Shipping confiils of
about 30 fail, 2 of which appear to Le of 20 guns each.
High-Hills, Santee, June 29 1781.
The court of enquiry, whereof colonel Barrbon was
president, held by order of the honorable major gene
ral Grene. at the request of lieutenant colonel Grim
ke, report as follows:
The court, after mature deliberation, are of opinion,
that by lieutenant colonel Grimke's confinement he
was liberated from the parole whi-h he had given, and
that upon being dismissed from confinement, he did
not enter into any new contract with the enemy, either
verbal or written, and therefore that he was perfectly
justifiable, in making his escape from Haddrel's Point.
O. H. WILLIAMS, D. A. G.
In the afternoon of the fame day, as the above ves
sels were beating to weflward, off Stratford, about a
lea: ue from the shore, the brig coming to flays, and
having no way a-head, a Sudden flaw of wind heel'd
her down, and the hatches being open, she Suddenly
funk, by which accident three of the prisoners rare
unfortunately drowsed, viz Deacon Painter,aged about
80, and two young men, named Smith and Johnflon ;
the enemy's loss is said to be only 6 or 7 ; the other
vessels with their boats coming immediately to their
affi&nce. The brig is said to have had on board 19
head of cattle which being to leeward, was the cause of
her loss.
Three of the prisoners are returned ; viz. Mr. Silas
Kimberly, capt. Catlin and another; capt. Catlin,
on account of his advanced age is difeharged, the two
others are on parole.
IN consequence of this confinement, and colonel
Grimke not having entered into any new engagement
with the enemy, either verbal or written, he thought
bimblfat liberty to return tothe duty of h s country.
He happily effected his escape from Haddre's Poi^t
about the 24th May, and joined the army under gene
ral Greene. His delicate sense of honor would not
allow him to lie under the ftiadow ofan implied crime ;
he therefore applied for a court of enquiry into liis
conduct, which was granted, and they made the fol
lowing report.
Yesterday arrived the mast Ship abovrmentiQned.
B O $ T O N, September 3
“ We cannot afeertain the loss the enemy sustained.
but by the beff accounts imagine it must be a c large as
ours if not larger. We have taken on this fide^a few
prisoners among which is an ensign, mortally wounded.
" The loss fuflained in this town, in goods, provisi
ons, Rores, Shipping, &c. is very great --A considera
ble number of vessels made their escape up Norwich
River."
Another letter, dated fort Griswold, Groton, 7th
September, le o'clock,A. M. fays, " That the enemy
landed at New London and Groton early yesterday
morning, and soon took possession of the works on
New London fide the river; and about one in the af
ternoon took possession of fort Griswold, in Groton, by
florm, after a most Severe and Spirited refinance from
rur troops. --About Seventy five of our men found dead
in the fort, officers included, among whom is the wor
thy and brave lieutenant colonel Ledyard, with Seve
ral other officers of diflinguifhed merit. Captain Shap
ley of fort Trumbull, is also dangerously wounded.
“ The enemy embarked on board their Ships at a
bout ii o'clock last night; after burning mod of the
houses and oth r buildings on Groton bank, and many
in New London; among which are the court house,
church, &c."
The 31st of August last the forge at Colehrook, by
Some accident took fire, and was burnt to the ground,
together with all the appurtenances belonging to it.
FIS H-K I L L, September 13.
The four months regiment, under the command of
colonel Wrifenfelt, marched from this town to Weft-
Point last Friday ; a fine body oftnen as have be n rail
ed during the present war. During their stay in this
town, tbs officers were unweariedly di igent in improv
ing those troops in discipline ; and their pains was no*
loft, for their Several manoeuvres was more like vete
rans t&an young Soldiers. This does honour to the
choice of experienced officers, under whom discipline
and ord'r are properly maintained.
On Thursday the 6th inft^nt, captain Pearfe, of
Pawliog's precinft, having had a h nt of a party of
robbers being Seen in the mountains, colleßed a few
mn to go in quest of them: having divided them in
three parties, one of them discovered four villains play
ing cards near a Small house in the woods- our men fi
red on them, and killed the noated thief Vaughan on
the Spot ; frioeg, Proffer, and - ---got off. One of
them (supp fed to be Hoeg, by his hat which wasleft)
was wounded, by the b!qod which was difeovered in
confid<rach quantities on the road. Several papers
were found on Vmguan, giving an account of the di
vifron of their plunder Captain Pearfe and his men
deserve the bigheft thanks of their country for their ac
tivity, in this and other exploits. In the house, near
where the fellows where difeovered, were cooking for
them two quarters of mutton, and two more hanging
up : they pulled down the house which harboured the
robbers, ano took bail of the difaffefled man who pof
f~ffed it. Captain Pearfe in the month of May last
took Seven robbers in a cave, Some of which received
the reward due to their deserts.
Extras of a letter from a gentleman in Albany, dated
September 8, 1781.
“ We have just received the disagreeable news, that
out of forty rr.cn colonel Willet sent out on a Scout from
fort Plain (his present flation) only twelve returned ;
the rest either being killed or taken, by a Superior force
of the enemy."
Extras of another letter from a gentleman in Albany,
dated September 7, 1781.
" On Saturday last, a party of his most sacred ma
jesty's savage Subjects, went to the house of one Fietz,
at Beaverdam, near Schoharie, where they perform
ed a mofl extraordinary piece of bravery, that fhouid
be told to the world; they murdered the old man and
his wife, both offhem at leafi;o years of age his fon's
wife and five children; his ton being a captain of mili
tia, was ke t alive to be an eye.and ear witness to the
horrid cruelties perpetrated on his dear relatives. Af
ter burning the house, bare, &c. they went off with
their booty, the captain and eight Scalps.
" Their conduct in this affair, confirms an account
I have heard the rele fed captives brought from Mon
treal, that colonel Clause Should damn his copper co
loured brethren, and (ay, he wished they would kill
old men, women and children, and not trouble him
with them: how far this is true I know not, but the
Sequel Seems to fay it i, so. Surely Heaven will be a
venged on such a people as this !"
The poll Coming with the mail from Morristown,
was taken by the enemy on Tuefda • the qto instant,
three miles beyond Pompton church, by Moody, who
took the former posts. The neighbours, we hear,
soon were acquainted with his being taken, butto their
disgrace, no attempt was made to rouse the militia :
had this been done, it is not improbable but the exe
crable villains might have been taken and the mail re
covered. ^— —.—erw
CHA TH A M, September 12.
Last week William Steel, an accomplice of Jerry
King's, was taken on his way from Roxbury, and
committed to Morris-town gaol. This villain had a
particular account, in writing, of the troops, both
French and Americans, that [marched with general
Washington, together with a lift of all the ordnance.
BALTIMORE, September it.
On Tuesday lafl, about one o'clock, P. M. a cutter,
called the Serpent, belonging to his most chriftian ma
jesty, commanded by M. Amie de la Laune, arrived
in our harbour, with dispatches for his excellency ge
neral Washington, from tie count de Graffe, who arri
ved in Chefepe ke on the 26th ult. with a formidable
fleet of French 0 en of w r, confining of 28 fail of the
line, 4 frigates, and he cutter,above mentioned.
The day this fleet arrived, they took the British Ship
Loyalist, of 22 guns, and blocked up York-River,
with one man of war and two frigates. By late accounts,
there lay in York-River three men of war and one fri
gate. A vefiel of 24 guns, 18 pounders; and Several
other vessels v.ere Rationed in James River, to cut off
enemy's communication. The rest of the fleet lay be
tween Middle Ground and Capt- Henry. '1 hr.ee thou-