The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-02-04 00:00:00, page 1

CONCLUSION of the Proceedings in Congress
against Brigadier General Thompson.
[Begun in our laft.]
Remarks by Brigadier Thompson, December 23d, 17^8.
HE Honorable Mr. M'Kean concludes his charge
I against me in the following manner '' Mr.
' '' M'Kean considering the behaviour of Brigadier
“ General Thompson to be a breach of privi edge, to
“ have a tendency to destroy the freedom of voting in Con
< • gre s, and to be a gross insult on the Hon. Congress,
“ from one of their officers, and that in so public a place,
“ thinks it his duty as a member to communicate it to Con.
" grefs." To support this charge he asserts that I said
" Congress had used me damn'd rascally," and that I
railed my voice and in a loud and imperious tone further
said, " That Congress were a parcel of damn'd rascals,"
and that Mr. M'Kean-was so in particular. To prove
which Mr. M'Kean has produced Judge Evans, Colonel
Deane, John Purviance, T. Bradford, Paul Fooks, and
Judge Attlee. Judge Evans fays he did hear me fay I
had been treated in a " rascally manner by Congress, and
" particularly by you : you (Mr. M'Kean) are a damn'd
" rascal." Upon being aiked whether he heard me fay
Congress are damn'd rascals, he answered he did not re
collect : he further fays, that he conceived my calling Mr.
M'Kean a rascal alluded to his conduct in Congress. Col.
Deane fays he heard no reflections made by me on Con
gress, nor does he remember to have heard the name of
Congress mentioned. John Purviance fays he did not
hear the word Congress mentioned. T. Bradford fays he
does not remember to have heard the word Congress men
tioned. Mr. Fooks fays nothing on the übje&. Judge
Attlee fays he cannot recoiled the particular expressions,
but thinks I either said " Congress were a damn'd set of
" rascals," or ' there are a damn'd set of rascals in Con
" grefs:" upon the queftiou being put afterwards whether
be warfare I used either of these expressions, he answered
" I am not sure, but it ferns to me he used one of those ex
“ preffons." Upon the fame question being repeated, he
answered, '' I think he made use of words to that effect ;"
and upon being further interrogated on the fame fub;eH
he fays, '' I was flruck with the idea that General Thomp
" fon's anger proceeded from Mr. McKean's tranfaHions
“ in Congress and the affair in Carlisle." The above is
the substance of the testimony to support the charge againd
me; on which I beg leave to remark—
If I had said in the public Coffee-houfe, in the hearing
of so many people, in a loud and angry manner, that Con
gress were a parcel of damn'd rascals, is it not furprizing
that not one witness can be brought to support the charge ?
The witnesses produced by Mr. M'Kean all declare (the
two Judges excepted, on whose evidence more particular
remarks will be made) they did not hear the name of
Congress mentioned. Judge Evans indeed declares that
he heard, me fay that I had been treated in a rascally man
ner by Congress. Upon being aiked afterwards whether
he heard General Thompson fay " Congress are damn'd
rascals," he answered he could not recoiled. That I
might have said I had been treated in a rascally manner
by some members of Congress, is probable, and Judge
Evans might have mistaken this.
Judge Attlee's testimony is remarkable: from his eleva
ted station in the law, and from his long practice at the
bar, I should have expected more precilion. I could have
wished for an opportunity to have cross-examined him.
His whole testimony coufifts, not of what he knevo, but
what he thinks. He fays, “ General Thompson either
'' laid Congress are a damn'd set of rafca's, or there are a
" damn'd set of rascals in Congress." The difference is
material ---Eut Judge Attlee afterwards fays, " he
" was not sure whether I used either of those expref
" fions, but it seemed to him and he thought I had made
“ use of words to that effea." He afterwards fays, “ he
" was struck with the idea that I meant Congress were a
'' set of damn'd rascals."
I should have been glad to have known from the learn
ed judge what it was that flruck him with this idea? But
the whole of his testimony is too vague to require further
comment.
Upon the whole I do deny most solemnly any intention
to fay a difrefpedful word of Congress. I did not, nor
do I yet conceive that the character of a member of Con
gress is so sacred as to secure him from the resentment ofa
man he has injured and insulted. In this light I viewed,
and yet view Mr. M'Kean, and chearfully submit to the
honor and justice of Congress the determination of this
bufinefa, which has already been troublesome and expen
sive to me; not doubting but the Hon. Members will
carefully invefligate the evidence and attend to the matters
I have heretofore offered in my own vindication, and to
which I now refer.
X November 23, 1778.
nr H E witnesses being examined, Brigadier General
4 Thompson addressed Congress and said, —If any ex
pressions were used by him refpeHing the exchange which
$ This apology -was never read in Congress until Dec. 23d.
THURSDAY,
O^&'^roO^
" raw
O R
GENE RA L
[Price Fifteen Pence single, One Shilling by the quantity. Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.]
might give offence, he hoped the situation of his mind and
the circumflances attending his captivity would be taken
into Consideration, and allowances made, and that they
would not be imputed to an intention of insulting Congress,
for whose honor and dignity he has the highest refpe&.
He begs the patience and favorable attention of Congress
while he slates a few faffs relative to himfelf.
In the beginning of the year 1776 he was sent into Ca
nada. While there, General Sullivan being informed taat
a large body of troops were sent into that province, judged
it proper to attack them in detail, and for that purpofelent
him with a body o men to attack a party at Trois Rivieres.
That in obedience to his orders he marched and made the
attack. The enemy were more numerous than was ex
pected. He had the misfortune not to succeed, and to be
taken prisoner. But even his enemies acknowledged he
had done his duty and behaved gallantly. That he was
taken in the field %vith his jeword in bis band. That while
he was on board a prison ihip in the harbour of Quebec,
Gen. Sullivan and Gen. Lord Stirling were captivated on
Long-Island, and quickly exchanged. Tnat though he
did not mean to depreciate the merits of those Generals,
he hoped he should not be deemed prefumptudus when he
thought himfelf not behind them in the difeharge of his
duty. That though by this his feelings were wounded
he quietly submitted to the pleasure of Congress. That
after this, being permitted to return home on parole, he
waited with patience until Congress should have it intheir
power to exchange him and give him an opportunity of
again entering into the service of his country.
That after this General Lee was captivated and after a
time exchanged. The reputation of that officer and the
expectations America as well as Congress had from his
abilities, induced him (Brigadier Thompson) to submit,
though he could not forbear silently to lament his hard
fortune. His spirits however were buoyed up with a
glimpse of hopes that he might be exchanged for Gover
nor Franklin. That to forward this he had written to
his Excellency W. Livingston, Governor of the State of
New-Jersey, whicli he understood claimed Governor
Franklin as their priloner. That in answer he received a
letter from Governor Livingston, informing him that from
a regard for him the State of New-Jersey consented to the
exchange of Governor Franklin for him, and for this pur
pose they relinquilhed to Congress all their claim to Go
vernor Franklin. That having received this letter, he
hastened to General Washington's head quarters, hoping
soon to share in the honor and danger of defending his
country. That though some obftruAions were thrown in
the way of this exchange by the enemy, hill he was en
couraged by the Commissary of Prisoners to hope it would
take effect
What he felt when deprived of this last hope, it is more
easy to imagine than describe. But however deep the
wound or keen the sensation, his sensibility was still more
deeply wounded by reflecting on the person preferred to
him, and the circumflances attending the capture, if not
surrender, of the person preferred. He will not dwell on
those circumflances, nor on the charader of the person.
This may be individuous. They are known. Congress
doubtless had good reason. But stranger as he was to
those reasons he felt the most pungent pain, that a man
taken in his bed, sleeping when the enemy was at his door,
who had never hazarded his life in the field in defence of
his country, should be preferred to him who was taken in
the field in the difeharge of his duty in a hazardous but
unfuccefsful enterprize.
Still however by the courtesy of the enemy, though de
prived of what he most eagerly wished for, an apportunity
of iharing in the dangers of his country, and employing his
talents if any he has, in her defence in the hour ofher dis
tress, when a savage foe was deflating her frontiers ; still
by the courtesy of the enemyhe was indulged with the fight
of his wife and childern: but upon coming to town last
Wednesday, and finding himfelf by the call of the enemy
deprived of this last comfort, and that instead of returning
to visit his wife and children that are very dear to him, and
whom he tenderly loves, he must now be dragged to a pri
son, and possibly to end his life in a prison Ihip or in a cold
jail in Halifax; and when under the poignancy of his grief
and distress, he was as he thought tantalized with anew
hope by a man to whom he owed no obligations but rather
thought himfelf aggrieved on some former occasions; his
patience deserted him, and under those circumflances he
is sensible he expressed himfelf with some asperity against
that gentleman. But whatever his expressions might be,
or however they might strike others, be solemnly declares
he never meant to abuse or refled upon the honorable Con
gress or any of its members ; and is heartily sorry that un
der any circumflances, any expressions could be extorted
from him which could be construed to give this House of
fence. Upon the whole he Submits himfelf to the wisdom
of this House, but trusts that in deciding upon the charge
against him, Congress will weigh every circumstance, and
acquit him of any intentional insult to Congress; from
which his own heart acquits him; and appealing to heaven
for the rectitude of his heart, the purity of his intentions,
his zeal for the cause of America, and refpe& far Congress,
he submits himfelf to tha justice and goodness of this House.
THE
^W^W^yg*^^^
FEBRUARY 4, 1779.
THE
ADVERTISER
Having periled the above minutes of what was fpok A by
me after examination of the witnesses, I do acknowledge
them to contain the fubfiance of what I said and do avow
every fenciment therein expressed.
WILLIAM THOMPSON.
As I am informed that the memorial which I took the
liberty to address to Congress has given frefli offence, I
beg leave to declare, I meant nothing mere by it than to
rectify as soon as possible a mi flake I made by denying the
charge generally when firft called before Congress. I had
used expressions of reproach aganft the gentleman perfon
aliy; I meant to acknowledge this, but in the eagerness to
repel the charge of abusing Congress, a charge which my
foul abhors of which I was confcions I never was inten
tionally guilty, 1 denied the whole charge as read to me.
Immediately upon withdrawing I was sensible of the mis
take, but had not an opportunity of rectifying it, as I was
not then again admitted to Congress. And as I could not
bear that imputation of falfehood should rest for a moment
. T' '^ ew up the memorial, and thought I had
tuthciently expiamed my views to the Hon. the Prefldent
when I waited on him with it.
WILLIAM THOMPSON.
InCONGRES S, December 24,
# A motion was macle that Brigadier General Thompson
°'- a breach ® f privilege, and it was resolved in
the affirmative.
. It % as „ then m ?ved that General Thompson's apology
is fdt&auory, ana it was resolved in the affirmative.'
** * «** * #+*+ sft,-foQoftp
ALL perlons whom it may concern, are
desired to take notice, That the Minister Pleni
potentiary H s M^ Christian Majesty hath commift
fioned the Sieur De Valnais Cunful of France at the
fa°c'huf^rs° B°, a '' d the °' h " P °" S '" the State ° f Maf ~
fy order of the Marine Committee of Conrreft,
J. BRO WN, Secretary.
Doctor B AK E R~
SURGEON -DENTIST, from WillUmQ
in Virginia,
MA 1 be con fulted in all disorders of the teeth,
gums, sockets, ulcers, cancers, abfeeffes, fiftulns.
luppurati^s and inflammations in the gums, which are
m °re or lets of a malignant nature, and in this way not
only the gums are destroyed but also the teeth.' He
eradicates the feurvy, be it ever so bad; transplants na
tural teeth from one person to another, which will be
"'Th""/" "^ '"" as if thc Y originally grew there,
without any ligament ; and fixes artificial teeth, from a
single tooth to a compleat set. Be has given fufficient
America "'' ud '™ e " '" ''" '" '° mahy th ° ufand s in
N. B. His well known Antiscorbutic Dentifrice for
□ and f w eet breath, mav
had at bis lodgings at Mrs. Pyk%, j n Second- street
^^^°^ site Mr - A^
F^TY.FOUR DOLLAR S 7 RE&fo
S ° L " out of the parlour inside the fubferiber's
ftote, at the upper end of Market-street, in Balti
more Town, Maryland, on Saturday evening the ninth
j ^ a ^ ^/ a fi " all sized silver Watch > an ^.
amelied dial-plate, maker Riefod Dundafs, London
V 7s ' b „ 10 ^ t 9 a Purpie silk ferriting firing, with
''7 d a three fi(ied seal like a blood,
stone, silver mounted, open work on it, the coat
arms three doves and three fo rs in the middle, crefta
" g ^ young, the other, Jupiter in the
nabe of a swan and Leua. Whoever will giveinforma
t on to the printer oriubferiher ot the said Watch and
seal only, man receive TEN POUNDS Reward
or for the Watch & c. and Thief, s o that heX
brought to conviction, the above Reward; or if hl or
ner accomplice w ,ll difeever, so as the felon may be
convicted, they Itai receive the above Reward, 'and
application made for their pardon. All watch-makers
fbvcr-fmiths and others, are requested to flop the watch
r'hf'-h"' '? d ^' e " f>rma tion to the printer or fub
fubfcriber as soon as possible.
N r . . . GEORGE LUMLEY.
It is imagined it is gone to Philadelphia.
Just published and to be fold by JOHN DUNLAP
in Market street, Philadelphia,
LA w s
Enacted in the third General Assembly of the
Common. Wealth of Pennsylvania,
Which met at Philadelphia, on Monday the twentv.
sixth day of October, 177 b. y