The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-07-26 00:00:00, page 2

Continuation of Letters found
on board the Britiffi Packet,
bound to New-York, but ta
ken on her passage and carried
into France.
Whitehall, Treasury-chambers, 19th Dec. 1780.
SIR,
CT" 1 H E lords commiflioners of his majesty's treafu
' ry, having received information of the fieps which
were taken by your excellency, to appoint commis
saries of captures, upon your expedition to South
Carolina, for the purpose of preferring the property
s os his majesty's loyal fubjeDs in that country, or
making them recompense for the loffes,' or damage
which they might sustain, and for the purpose ofcon
verting to the good of his majesty's service, and to
the use, conveniency, and benefit of the army, all cat
tle arid moveable property, which might be captured
from his majesty's enemies ; and finding that major
Hay, one of the gentlemen appointed by your excel
lency one of the commiflaries, was now in England
on account of his health; their lordships desired the
favour of his attendance on their board, to explain
to them, all the circumstances of that commission and
the nature of the proceedings therein, and major Hay
having given their lordships very fatisfaftory infor
mation thereon; it appears to their lordfllips that
this measure not only has been of great utility and
conveniency to the army, and his majesty's loyal
fubjeHs, but that it is an aft of justice and humanity,
and may hereafter be of the utmost consequence to
prevent many abuses, and save considerable expences ;
I am therefore commanded by their lordships, to ac
quaint your excellency, that they approve intirely
not only of your continuing such commissariat in
South-Carolina, but also of your eflablifhing and ap
pointing others of the like nature, and for the like
purposes, whenever youin your judgment shall think
requisite, necessary and proper. And their lordships
request that you will acquaint me for their informa
tion, whether any such plan was adopted in the ex
peditions from the head of Elk to Philadelphia ; in
that against Georgia, or in any other of the incursions
into the enemies country ; and whether the cattle and
moveables taken' in such expeditions, were brought
to any account for the benefit of the army, or for
the advantage of the public, by the gommiffaries, or
any other persons whatever, or that any recompense
was made to those of his majesty's loyal fubjeds,
who fuffered by such incursions.
I am Sir,
Your excellency's most obedient
humble feyvant,
Sir Henry Clinton. (Signed) JOHN ROBINSON.
(Copy) Whitehall, March 7th, 1781.
SIR,
VOUR letter to lord George Germain of the 31st of
1 December, and one to me of the fame date, and
another of the 11th of January, which I also laid be
fore his lordship, came fafe to hand in the mail of the
Antelope packet.
The ample and very interesting information these
letters and their inclofures contain, gave his lordship
much fatisfadion, and shew how very beneficial your
appointment has been to the public, and how much
you have exerted yourfelf in the diftributio'n of justice
and re-establishment of order in the province.
As you have now, however, quitted that Ration,
and I expef tthis letter will find you at New York,
it is unnecessary to make any observations upon the
variety and important matter you have transmitted;
and therefore his lordship only diteds me to return
you his thanks for it, and to acquaint you, that the
latter part of your conduct in South-Carolina, has
given equal fatisfadion with the former, and cannot
fail to recommend you to his majesty's favour upon
any future occasion.
I shall hope for the performance of your promise of
writing to me soon after your arrival at New York,
when I think from the wretched Rate of the rebel mili
tary force, and the vast superiority of ours, there is a
great probability of a negociation being solicited by
the inhabitants of the revolted provinces, if not by the
Congress: and if that fliould be the case, I shall rejoice
at your being present, for as you have so full a know
ledge of the republican disposition of the Americans,
and their avetfion to monarchy, I doubt not that you
will be able to prevail with the commissioners not to
make any concessions which may have a tendency to
confirm them in those principles, and prevent any a
mendment of their constitutions, for the purpose of
creating diminutions of ranks, and to draw them near
er to the model the of Eritifh government, which must
certainly be more beneficial to the people, as it will
flrengthen their connection with this country, and
prevent the return of the like calamities as they now
fuffer. I am, Sir,
your most obedient humble Servant,
James Simpson, Esquire. (Signed) W. KNOX.
In Mr. Rivington's Royal Gazette, of July 12, 1781.
is inserted the following paragraph.
"We have the pleasure of hearing, from the best
authority, that, when the packet with the March mail
bound to New-York,was taken, though the difpajches;
from government were fuffered to fall into the hands of
our enemies, they happened to contain nothing of
which any bad use can be made."
LONDO N.
April 5. As soon as the grand fleet have effeded the
relief of Gibralter, 8 fail of the line are to be detached
to the Weft-Indies.
Extract of a letter from Calais, March 30.
" Yefierday a Swiss of the name of Bevaux, and two
other foreigners, sojourners here, were apprehended
and committed close prisoners to the concier erie, on
suspicion of being spies. All their papers were sealed
, upand sent to Paris."
Advices are received from Havre de Gi;ace, which
fay, that on the 20th ult. the Morefque transport of 12
guns, deeply laden for foreign service, caught fire in
the Reward's lazaretto, and burned in the most furi
ous manner from three in the afternoon till seven, when
the burned to the water's edge.—The privateers boats
towed her out while in flames, and thereby preserved
many others from the fame fate.
On Monday general Clarke set off for Portsmouth to
embark for Canada, his majesty having been pleased to
appoint him lieutenant-governor of Quebec.
April 19. A correspondent fays, for Englishmen to
boafl a superiority over all other nations in courage
and naval skill, is true policy, as far as it tends to
beget a confidence of victory in those who fight their
battles„but seriously, and without any political bias
that brave and great officers are the peculiar diftinffi
on of the Eritifh navy, would be an opinion, which
every principle of common sense must forcibly reject.
Perhaps the annals of England do not boast a more
intrepid commander than the Chevalier de Grimoard,
the captain of the Minerve, a frigate of 32 guns taken
some short time since by lord Mulgrave. His lordship
fought in the Courageaux, a 74 gun ship, te force
of which the Minerve had fuccefsfully withhold for
about an hour : but the Albion tiien coming up every
hope from refinance vanished, and the Chevalier flruck,
though not before he had received a wound in the
groin, which was inflicted by a shot very much fork
ed and expanded, by Having flruck some part of the
fllip in its passage from the gun.— The writer of this
was lately in company with this gentleman, on his re
turn to the continent from his captivity in this count
ry. If he is a fubjeft worthy of remark frowihis
action with lo d Mulgrave, he is an object of uncom
mon regard, from his manners and conversation, which
are flrikingly polite, dignified and intelligent: His
countenance (not unlike the late celebrated Garrick's)
is enlightened, by an eye replete with fire and pene
tration; and although he felt the most fubtiie smart
from his wound, he conduced himfelf with a kind
of manly vivacity, which begot pity and refpe& in
all who observed him. The companions of his hours
of retirement were books of philosophy and hiflory.>
He spoke in the highest terms of his noble adversary,
whom, he said, had attended him every day while he was
in London, and had done him the most kind offices.
Extract of a letter from Cork, April 8.
" Too much praise cannot be given the captain of
his majesty's frigate Cancer, for the propriety of his
condua in the following affair: captain Jeze Carvellio,
master of the Noftra Signora de Arrabida, of and
from St. Übes, arrived last Friday, gives an account
that on his passage he was met with and boarded by a
privateer which carried American colours. The pri
vateer's people took from the Portuguese most of their
provisions, anc plundered the captain of flores and
cioaths, and then quitted her. Shortly after the Por
tuguese was met by the Cancer, to whom he gave an
account of his disaster ; on which the Cancer made fail
and soon got along fide and boarded the privateer,
which proved to belong to Guernsey. The Cancer
then brought her alongside the Portugueze, and such
of her officers and,crew as the Portugeze knew to pii
lege hi n were taken on board the Cancer, firftwell
flogged, and then confined in iron# ; the rest of the pri
vateer's crew were taken in the Cancer, some of them
put in irons, particularly the captain of her, before
whom his commission was firft read, wherein the cap
tain of the Cancer remarked the Arid charges, to observe
good conduct towards the different neutral powers,
and after returning the Portuguese captain and crew
such things as they were plundered of, dismissed him,
with an assurance and declaration that the delinquents
fliould be punished with' the utmost severity of the law,
and tried for piracy; to which intent he put some of
ficers and men on board the privateer to carry her to
England "
An evening paper fays, several Weft India merchants
have been charged before fir George Brydges Rodney,
with supporting treasonable ccrefpondence with the
rebels; and it is reported that no less than eight per
sons of confequenCe are now upon their voyage to En
gland, to Hand their trials for the fame.
As commodore Johnftone's expedition is generally
supposed to be directed against the cape of Good Hope,
we have been sedulous in our endeavours to procure an
authentic Rate of the Dutch force at that place : and
we now have the pleasure to present our readers with
a most accurate account of all the troops Rationed at
this important settlement for its defence. So very
interesting an article of information, we take for
granted, must be highly acceptable to the public.
Governor's troops of horse.
ift troop, heavy, 96 M. D. Van Gholfle.
2d ditto, lights 80 De Holt, jun.
European forces in the pay of their High Mightinesses :
ift Reg. Carbineers, 590 Van Broiff.
2d Do Light infantry 450 Landkyte.
Battalion of light Chaffeurs, composed of Dutch,
Swiss, German, Portugeze, &c. confiding of 280 men,
commanded by Le Briton.
Artillery upon their High Mightinesses account,
ift company, 5 6 cap:. Boerffie.
2d ditto, 50 capt. Alfone.'
Artillery upon account of the Company.
ift company, 45 Lefiroome.
Infantry upon account of the company.
ift Battalion, blue, 300 Joville.
2d ditto, red, 300 Van Joyfie.
3d ditto, orange, 350 De Voguegrifte,
Continental troops in the pry and service of their
High Mightinesses.
A battalion called the Prince of Orange, 400, De
Yoenyneift.
A battalion called Anterdamites, 300, Burfleim.
A battalion, called Hereditary Corps, 300, O'Brien.
The ordnance are computed in general accounts to
be 42 pounders, 28; 36 pounders, 90. The greatest
part unferviceable ; 24 pounders, 18; 18 pounders,
9, from 18 to 6 pounders not known.
N E W-Y O R K, July 4.
T R E N T O N, July 18.
Extract of a letter from an officer of rank in the Jersey
line dated camp at Dobb's-ferry, July 13, 1781.
" The greatest part of yefierday we ware amufeJ
with the noise of a very heavy cannonade, and this day
we have the fubflantial pleasure of hearing the effects of
it. A severe engagement in the Sound, nearly opposite
Frog's Point, took place between two French frigates and
a British guard ship of 32 guns, a 16 gun brig, and
some other armed vessels, under cover of a battery on
fllore. The conflid lasted the greater part of the day,
with much warmth, and ended in the surrender of the
British vessels and demolition of the battery. The par
ticulars concerning the killed and wounded have not yet
reached us, as we lie some distance from head-quarters,
and on the opofite fide of the North-river, but expert
every hour to be favoured with them. The army of our
benevolent ally makes an illustrious appearance, and
that of our own is by no means contemptible; so that
from their combined prowess twe may expert the most
brilliant success. A large harvest of glory is just at
hand, and we are ready to put in our fickels and reap.
Who may live to enjoy the fruits of it, the fates have
happily concealed from you and me ; but this we are
sure of, that posterity will bless the survivors, and as
they pass the graves of the unfortunate, will cry with
greatful hearts and melting eyes, “ Peace to their
manes."
BOSTO N, July 12.
From an authority which cannot be doubted, we
underhand, that the belligerent powers have chosen
Vienna as the feat of pacification, owing to it's being
convenient, high and cool The houses are said to
be fix fiories deep, and the cellars four dories high,
which are to be fill'd with ice, for the convenience of
keeping liquors cool ; a necessary ingredient which will
be much wanted among those hot headed genius' who
use cannon law instead of reason; and it's thought will
have a great tendency to cool the courage of Britain,
heated with revenge,' which will terminate in her own
deftruaion. It is also chosen for the cheap
est place of accommodation.
BALT I M O R E, July 17.
Extrad of a letter from a gentleman in the marquis de
la Fayette's army, dated July 4, 1781.
" Let us always do justice. Virginia has been guil
ty of enormous political errors. In opening her land
office, The encouraged emigration, by a premium, while
flie diminished her revenue, by removing from her cor
troul some of the ,most induttrious of her inhabitants.
Too unwieldy before, the vainly added to this unwieldi
ness, by the extension of her empire. Her other blun
dres are not peculiar. Which of the Dates have not
grossly blundered ? But all this serves to prove her to
be a great Rate, epecially if we combine with it what the
has done in the general support of the war,
“ Virginia has been the treasury to the sou thern ar
my; the grand magazine that has furnifhed it with
arms, provisions, ammunition, &c. &c. By the chan
ces and events of war, The has loft a vast number of men,
and yet retains a refpe&bale regular force, that has af
fixed in the recovery of South-Carolina.
" Virginia, at this instant, supports within herfelf,
not less than a compleat body of 8000 militia, applied
against lord Cornwallis, besides several independent
corps of cavalry, railing and equipping in different
parts of the state. What one of the thirteen Rates,
let me ask you, could have committed such faults,
could have fuffered so much, and remained capable
of doing such things ?
" The late Session of the Virginia assembly, has new
modelled the militia law. The pay of her militia is
The different forts and garrisons but badly built,
chiefly of mud and stone ; the batteries commanding
the bay of Falyfe are the best built, and the strongest
fortified.
Total number of men, 3497—1 n this number all
officers of whatever degree in the military line, invalids,
pensioners, &c. are included, and their number ex
ceed 650. Extra of those troops, about 2000 militia,
whose arms are kept in the (lores, but at particular
times of exercise are ready to turn out.
From Rhode Island we are informed the rebels have
followed the example of feme of the other provinces,
by confifeating loyalists estates, and lately advertised
for sale those of the late governor Hutchinson, Charles
Ward Apthorp, esquire ; and captain John Watson,
of Newport.
Exrrad of a letter from Charleftown, coafequent to
the rebel general Greene's sudden return back into
South-Carolina, dated June sth
" Camden was abandoned, and scarce a day passed
that did not bring accounts of some post being taken,
or some party cut off. At last lord Rawdon moved to
the lines nearer Charleftown, leaving Augusta and
Ninety Six to their fate; they bravely held out; and
the reinforcement now arrived, will oblige Mr. Greene
to seek his fafety in flight."
Yefierday a Hoop of war arrived, after a passage of
8 weeks from England, we have not yet been informed
of any political occurrences, since the arrival of the
Speedy packet. It is said, that admiral Datby was
returned with great part of the grand fleet, but that
admaral Digby with ten fail of the line was gone upon
service, his destination not known.
GENERAL ORDER S.
Tn consequence of the commander in chief's report
of the expidition under brigadier gen. Arnold to Che
fapeak in January last, his excellency has received a
letter from lord George Germain, one of his majesty's
principal Secretaries of state, of which the following is
an extract.•
“ I h^ve received the king's command? to fignify to
" you his majesty's pleasure that you do acquaint
" brigadier general Arnold, lieutenant colonels Dun
“ das and Simcoe, and the other officers and soldiers,
“ under bis command, that their condua and behavi
" our are approved of by his majesty."
His excellency the commander in chief has been
pleased to appoint major generals Leslie and Camp
bell to act as lieutenant generals till his majesty's plea
sure shall be known.