The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-01-24 00:00:00, page 2

^:e guvyrnor of fort St. Philip, or found in the
xiland, as also some English ladies, who fled with their
families frpmthe inevitable inconveniencies of a liege.
V/e barn by this dip, that on the 13th, when they left
Fornella, a convoy also failed from thence to Barcelo
on, to take on board ^ reinforcement of troops, and a
train, of heavy artillery ; that the Spanish troops
were occupied m railing two batteries to defend the
f .of fort Fornella ; that they were conducting
;? Mahon some pieces of heavy rtiilery, and that
\ the duke deCrllon was come to view those works. It
is reported that the enemy have Evacuated fort Phi
iippfl, which,the duke de Crillon does not think of oc
cupying, as being equally useless to the besiegers and
the besieged, . iat fort bring under the command of
the garrison. The kt has published an edit!, by
vir tie of which , e effe&s of private persons will
be paid atbc,cto, and even those of the privateers
which ftc flbarn, and also the prizes which Shall be
feizt" . c the taking possession of the island for the
k; of Spain. The people of the armed vessels have
hi notice given them, to recall the captains of those
widen have retired to the ports of Italy.
The Venetians are busied in fitting out a number of
rebels for sea, in order to protest their trade in the
Adria ic
GENERAL Murray having perceived, that every
'' night some troops of the Spanish marine, mixed
among the French volunteers, went to take from un
cb te the cannon of the garrison some fr gates and other
vellels which had taken refuge there, ordered 13 vessels,
which run the fame danger, to'be funk, and hath form
ed with them a kind of chain, which bars the port on
our fide, ut he deprives himfelf at the fame time of
them ans of receiving any fuccours whatsoever, un
less the wind should be uncommonly favourable for
the ships which Attempt to enter ; and when our gene
ral Shall have received the h^avy artillery which he
expeffs, oneEngle battery ereded at a place which he
has appointed, will absolutely prevent the entrance of
any Ihips which may attempt to re-vißual the garri
ton.
The Capitulation of Tobago having been published in
the iaft gazette, without any part of my dispatch
to the secretary of slate, which accompanied it, it
may be expected that I should give the public some
account of the siege and capture of that island ; and
it may perhaps be thought the more incumbent duty
on me to do so, as fir George Rodney, in his letter
of the 29th of June to the admiralty, has miftated
several fa€ts, refpeding that event, and insinuated
that it had surrendered without mating any defence.
EARLY in the morning of the 23d of May, I re
ceived information, that the enemy's Squadron
had been seen to windward the evening before, and
that it was then approaching the island. I instantly
dispatched captain Barnes of the Rattlesnake, with the
intelligence to fir George Rodney. Captain Barnes
was fortunate enough to find the fleet at Barbadoes,
and hedelivered my dispatch on board the Sandwich,
at twelve o'clock, on the night of the 26th of May.
About ten o'clock on the morning of the 23d, the
Squadron brought too off Minister Point, hoisted French
colours, nd immediately got their troops into boats,
withan mention to land at Minister Bay ; but finding
the sea v -y high, and receiving some shot from a gun
at Minister Point, which would have annoyed them in
landing, they returned on board. They then endea
voured to get into Rockley Bay, but the current car
rying hem to leeward, they went round the weft end
of the island. This Squadron confided [of the Pluton
In the different attempts made in the night to carry
off the Ihips anchored under the fort St. Philip, the
officers and faildrs have behaved with the utmost va
lour and prudence : and notwithstanding the continual
£re of the enemy's mufquetry, only one sailor was
wounded.
The value of the different prizes made since the in
vasion of the island, is computed to amount to a mil
lion of livres ; they consist of 150 ships, among which
are twelve privateers. The magazines filled with ef
i<as belonging to the king of England, seized by the
SpaniSh troops, amount to fifty three large and Small.
Marseilles, Sept. 16. The cartel ship the Phoenix,
rapt. Er es, arrived at this port yesterday, from Mi
vo^CT SheJeft Fornella on the 13th instant, and had
b f rd a number of French prisoners, sent off by
Of? io. General Blakeney, last war, with less than
3000 men, defended fort St. Philip for fifty fix days
aga nft tie duke de Richlieu, with 20,000 Frensh
troops and when overcome with fatigue, were obliged
t capitulate, they obtained the most glorious terms
that ever were granted. 1 hey marched out of the
frit with drums beating, colours flying, arms fh< ul
dered, with 24 rounds each man, twelve pieces of brass
cannon, and twelve rounds for e ch piece, and in this
State they were transported to Gibraltar at the French
king's expence. Since that period the works have
been rendered amazingly Stronger, and mines formed
that must inevitably prevent the approach of an ene
my.
Pa is, Sept. 22. Letters received from Madrid men
tion, that the cuke de €r llon is Sedulous in making
his approaches to St. Philip's castle : the besieged made
a sally on the Spanish vanguard, killed and wounded
about three hundred, spiked fix pieces of iron cannon,
and broke off the trunnions. Seven of the enemy were
left dead in the field, and sixteen wounded ; but it is
imagined their loss muff have been much more consi
derable. From the natural flrength of fort St. Philip,
with plenty of provisions, and a garrison of 5000 men,
it is imagined the siege will prove difficult and of a long
duration.
Cadiz, Sept. 8. One of our frigates of 30 guns, in
an a&ion with two Algerine corsairs, had the mis
fortune to be funk, and all the crew perished. The
carfairs aftrewards happened to fall in with a Spanish
Ship of war of 70 guns, by whom they were both taken
and carried into Cartbagena. Vessels are engaged to
carry more troops to Minorca.
M A H O N, (Minorca) Sept. %
O N.
of 74 guns, the Experiment of 50, the Raillufe of 32,
the Sensible, a flute of 32,, the Eagle of 24, and four
sloops, under the command of the chevalier D'Albert
de Rious.
Next morning (the 24th) the enemy effected a land
ing at Great Courland Bay, with very little loss; the
temporary battery there of three 18 pounders, was al
most entirely without cover, and so injudiciously situ
ated, that ships could fire on the back part of it, be.
fore a gun from it could be brought to bear upon them.
The Pluton brought to within 400 yards of this bat
tery, and kept up so constant a fire, that in a very
short time the party was driven from it, having been
scarcely able to bring a gun to bear upon her. But a
gu r. at Black Rock, und r the direction of major Ham
ilton, of the militia, being at a greater difiance, con
tinued to fire upon the Pluton for a considerable time,
and killed several of her men.
Upon quitting the battery, our troops were posted
on the heights upon each fide of the road leading from
Courland to Scarborough, to harrafs the enemy in their
march ; but the French general, with great judgment
avoided the defile, and leaving the road, aScended the
heights upon his right; he there kept his men partly
concealed behind a wood and sent a party to gain some
heights, which were Bill above him. This advanced
party exchanged a few shot with some regulars, but
as they were at a great distance from each other, there
were only two of our people killed. Upon this accafi
on Mr. Collow offered to set fire to his canes, to dis
tress the enemy ; but feme rain that had fallen in the
night, unfortunately prevented their burning so rapid
ly, as to have that effed. Mr. Collow's magnanimity,
however, is not the less deserving of praise. As the
troops were much fatigued with the hard duty they
had undergone, that and the preceding day, and as
there was likewise reason to believe, that the enemy
would attempt to cutoff our retreat th Concordia, the
place of our rendezvous, by detaching part of their ar
my round by another road, it was judged proper to
carry the troops thither in the evening.
General Blancheland, governor of St. Vincent, who
commanded the French troops, in the mean time dis
persed papers amongst the planters, expressing furprize
at the defecting their houses, and informing them that
their plantations would be plundered and confiscated,
if they did not eturn to them in twenty-four hours :
these, however, had no effed upon the inhabitants,
who were determined to retire with me to Concordia.
The general at the fame time feat a flag of truce to
acquaint me, that he had landed with. 3000 men to con
quer the island, and he offered me any terms if I would
capitulate. But his offer was rejected, and his excel
lency was requeued not to trouble me upon that fub
jed. In consequence of which, he dispatched a letter
that night (the 24th) to Martinique for a reinforce
ment.
Upon the 25th, the enemy took post upon the differ
ent heights, in the neighbourhood of Concordia, and
on the 26th they took possession of the town of Scar-1
borough and the hill.
On the 27th the enemy seemed inclined to attack us.
Mr. Charles Law, understanding that I was unwilling
to destroy his dwelling, and other buildings, although
they afforded some Shelter to the enemy, came himfelf
and proposed to burn them, which he instantly put in
execution.
The 28th the French Squadron came into Rockley
Bay, having left Courland the day before. A party of
20 negroes, who were sent this day, under the Command
of messieurs Hamilton, Mackeller and Irvine, to burn
the remainder of Mr. Law's house, very bravely ef
fected the business, notwithstanding the opposition made
by a large body of the enemy. Mrffieurs Mackeller
aud Irvine, and nine of the negroes, were unfortunate
ly wounded.
The 29th, as well as the preceding days, the enemy
endeavoured, without effect, to draw us from our post
by opposing small parties, in marching them from one
place to another.
Early on the morning of the 30th, I received a let
ter from rear admiral Drake, acquainting me that he
was coming with fix fail of the line, and three frigates,
to relieve the island, and that general Skene was on
board, with 528 men. The joy occasioned by the ex
peded arrival of this long looked for fuccour did not
last, as we were soon after informed that the whole
French fleet had arrived from Martinique, in conse
quence of general Blanchland's letter, dispatched the
24th at night, and had fallen in with Mr. Drake, who
was thereby prevented from landing the troops, and it
was supposed his squadron was taken.
This day the enemy took possession of Mr. Cotton's
house, from whence they fee every thing that passes
at Concordia ; they proposed that night to make a vi
gorous attack, and the garrison, as usual was ready
to receive them ; but the guides having mistaken their
path in dark, they returned next morning to their quar
ters much fatigued, and resolved not to make another
attempt, until their reinforcement came from Marti
nique.
On the morning of the 31st, we received intelligence
that theenemy's fleet was again seen to windward, ha
ving returned from chafing admiral Drake, and et fun
set that evening, we saw the French frigates and three
cutters full of troops, go into Courland Bay.
The ground at Concordia is Strong, and there is a
view from it of both Sides of the island, which made it
a desirable post for us to possess; but the trench that
had been dug there some years before, was almost en
tirely filled up, and, if it had been cleared out, would
have required 2000 men to defend it. The engineers be
ing for these and other reasons of opinion it was no lon
ger tenable agajnft so superior a force, it was unani
mously resolved, in a council of war, to retreat diredly
to the main ridge, where a few huts had been built,
and provision and amunitiori previouily lodged : in con
Sequence of this resolution the garrison began to march
at one in the morning of the firrt of June, and before
eight they effeded their retreat to Caledonia, without
the loss of a man.
Caledonia is near the centre of the island, and from
thence to the north fide across the main ridge, there is
a road fix miles in length, and so narrow that two men
cannot walk abreafl. Upon each fide thereis a n impene.
trable sorest, which extends some miles : a handful of
men could undoubtedly defend this road against a pow
erful army. Rejoiced that the trops had got to this
place, and believing they would held out whilst the
provisions lasted (of which there were a few days) I
went on with the engineers to get every thing ready
for their reception at the huts.
The marquis de Bouille, who had arrived at Cour
land bay, the evening before, with the reinforcement,
having been deceived by the Silence of our march and
by centinels beine left after the garrison went away,
sent a flag at day break to Concordia, believing the
troops were still there; but being disappointed, he
immediately sent orders to tie marquis du Chilieu, go
vernor of Dominique, to land at Man-of-War Bay,
with three or four hundred men, and he followed us
diredly himfelf as far as Brotherfield, being still more
disappointed when he got there to learn, that we were
four miles before h m, in a strong counry; he inflant
ly ordered the adj.mining plantations of Nutmeg Grove
and Belmont, to be reduced to ashes, which was done
accordingly, in hopes of making the inhabitants sur
render. An order was then issued, to burn four plan
tations more in four hours, which was to be repeated
at the like interval, till tne island should either be
surrendered, or laid waste.
At this time the enemy required Mr. Orr, to Show
them the road to our camp, which 1 e positively refu
fed. He offered to go witj an officer and a flag, but
he would not conduct their army. Threats of burn
ing his house, and putting him to death, had no effect
upon Mr. Orr; although at that very instant the
plantations of his neighbours were in fla nes. Mr.
I urner, a Capitulant of St. Vincents was then app ied
to, bu ttho' that g ntleman's whole property was un
der the French government, he peremptorily refuted
to Shew them the road, upon their attempting to push
on a body of men, under protection of a flag o' truce.
Th? marquis de Bouille was therefore obliged to fend
the flag without the troops.
Upon being informed of some of these circumflan
ces, I haflened back to Caledonia, when to my very
great mortification, the militia refuted to hold out any
longer. My duty to his majesty, and my regard for
the inhabitants, concurred in making me urge them
e rneftly to defed the island to the last extremity,
but in vain; for exhausted with fatigue, in despair,
at not having been relieved in the course of ten days,
and feeing at the fame instant their estates in flames,
they no longer paid attention to my remonstrances.
Thus circumstanced, I desired the commanding officer
of the regulars, to take possession of the road before
mentioned with his t oops, whilst I should renew my
endeavours to prevail upon the militia 0 alter their
sentiments ; but that gent eman refufed to obey my or
ders, and consulting his officers, he determined to ca
pitulate.
Being unable to prevent it, I left the regulars and
militia to make terms for themselves, as capitulating,
at that time, wasperfeßly against my opinion ; but af
terwards, feeing it was impoffiNe to get them to hold
out longer, and the inhabitants having already agreed
to some articles, which I disapproved of, I interposed,
and protefled against any capitulation, but upon the
terms of Dominique. Comte Dillon, who was impow
ered by the marquis de Bouille to treat, for some time
insisted, that their deserters, and the negroes we had
armed, should be delivered up to be punished; but
finding 'hofe articles would never be complied with, he
gave them up, and on the evening of theist of June, I
consented to surrender the island upon the terms given
to Dominique. The officer commanding the troops,
made terms for the regulars, without consulting me,
and he sent the officer next in command that evening,
as an hostage for his performance of them.
The marquis de Bouille afterwards drew out articles,
very different from those of Dominique, which 1 refufed
to sign ; but upon some of them being altered, and the
inhabitants representing to me that they were upon the
whole better than those of Dominique, I apppointed 3
gentlemen to examine and compare them ; and as they
unanimously recommended to me to sign them, as being
more favourable than those alluded to I complied with
their request. The 1200 half johannefes, and the fur
nifhing 400 negroes to the French king's works (which
are not in the Dominique capitulation) were agred to
by some of the inhabitants, before I had consented to
capitulate. But as the planters at large were resolved
to pay their quota of those articles, and not to allow the
few individuals who had fu bferibed to them, to bear the
loss ; and as the marquis de Bouille had agreed to al
low the 1200 johannefes to be expended in reconftrud
ing the houses which had been burnt, I admitted them
into the capitulation.
It is perhaps impossible to afeertain the number of an
enemy's army, as they greatly exaggerate their force
before a siege, and diminished it after. The French,
however, upon this occasion, varied less than is usual; for
general Blanchelande, upon his landing, said he had 3000
men, and I have been imformed since the capitulation,
by Mr. Fitzmaurice, the Second in command, and Mr.
Walsh, the major general (adjutant general) of his ar
my, that general Blanchelande brought with him be
tween 2 and 3000 men. The reinforcement landed by
the marquis de Bouille was supposed to be about half
that number.
Our number under arms never exceeded 427 men,
exclusive of 20 armed negroes, viz. 4 gunners of the roy
al artillery, 207 rank and file of the 86th regiment, 15
matroffes of the island artillery, 181 rank and file of the
militia, and 20 seamen.
Sir George Rodney in his account generously gave
us 40 of the train, 500 regulars capable of doing duty,
and 500 militia, and to make the “ contest nearly
equal," he funk in the fame account all our enemies
" except nine hundred."
Sir George observes, that " Something extraordinary
must have happened to have induced governor Fergu-
Son to capitulate;' 'but I apprehend the world will think:
it more extraordinary, that a British admiral, with
21 ships of the line under his command, should allow
an enemy 's Squadron of four ships and frigates, and
agfew troops, to besiege for “ ten days together" a