The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-02-27 00:00:00, page 2

IFO USE OF COMMONS;.
Monday, November 27.
Correß and literal copy of the motion of thanks to fir
H Clinton, admiral Arbuthnot and earl Cornwallis,
hr* HAT the thanks of this house be given to fir Hen-
I ry Clinton, knight of the most honourable order
of the bath, and commander in chief of his majesty's
forces.in North Americafand to vice admiral Arbuth
not, commanderi n chief of his majesty's fleet in North-
America; and to the right honourable lieutenant ge
neral earl Cornwallis, for the eminent and' very impor
tant fer ices performed by them to his majefly and
this country, particularly by r e reduction of Charlef
town, by the army and navy un .er the command of
fir Henry Clinton anckvice admiral Arbuthnot, and by
the date mod glorious victory obtained by lord Corn
wallis at Cambd'n.
Mr. Wilkes rose, and declared h~ would give a. hear
ty negative to this or any other proposition of thanks
to officers employed in America. He considered vi&&
ries in that country as losses, and our cause as an un
just one; without detracting therefore from the well
earned laurels of lord Cornwallis, he could not thank
him for such fervice* a< the victory at Carabden. Had
his lordihip triumphed over the natural enemies of th s
country, the vote proposed should have met with his
hearty concurrence ; victories over the house of Ebur.
bon only he could hear of with pleasure- But in the
present case he must avow- another objection against
the thanks proposed. The noble lord in queflion had
in the year 1773, entered on reword in the other house
his sentiments on the grounds of the American depute,
decidedly attributing juflice to lean in favour of our
Colonies. His lordship had t erefore drawn his fw.ord
in the cause which he confeffed inequitable, and for
the laurel; won had no title to honour or appl^ufe.
Lord North exprefled his furprize at so firange a
ground of opposition to a vote that he hoped to fee
patfed in perfect unani^y.—This was a fubjeft on
which party warmth and prejudice, he conceived, had'
no room to operate ; it might be difeuffed without en
tering into tie American war, or controverting the
justice of our quarrel, the queflion being limply this.
" Has lord Cornwallis deferred, or has ha not, as a
British genera 1 , the- approbation of parliament ?" The
honourable gentleman had arraigned his lordship for in
confifter,cy, or injuft ce in fighting against America,
on the ground of his protest in the Upper house; —that
protein was entered, 'twas true, against the declaratory
act, but the Initiative authority of this country over
America, his lordship had never profeffed. to doubt,
much lets her political Supremacy.-- —The honoura
ble gentlemen held forth Sentiments, he hoped to find
him Angular in, when he had denied the justice of our
cause as contending against American independency ;
such an opinion, he w^s persuaded, had never entered
the heart of the noble lord in queflion, but in Support
ing the essential interests of his country, he thought
himfetf fighting the cause of inflice. His lordship had
no other temptation to engage in tne war from other
principles thia honour and conviaion. Her rank, his
O&), go. A few daysfince an order was iffuedfrom
the war-office, for a muster of 7000 men to be sent to
America, 30,00 to be detached from the r giments now
in England, and the <,enqainJer from those in Ireland.
Nov. 9. Ninety thousand seamen and marines are
intended jor the service of the current year, which is
5000 more than were provided for in the last fefffon<
The eatl of Pomfret is committed by the house of
lords to the Tower, for writing sundry letters, and
challenging the duke of Grafton, His lordship was af
terwards enlarged, on making a concession to the no
ble h oufe-of peers.
Nov. 11. The (hip Anna Maria, from Baltimore
for Naiitz, with 300 hogsheads of tobacco, indigo, ;,nd
sundry prize goods, is loft, and the crew all perished.
Dec. 9. The parliament was adjourned to the 23d
day of January.
The-duke of Northumberland is very ill, and his re
covery is very doubtful, this has prevented earl Percy's
embarking for America.
Whitehall, Nov. 14. Copy of a letter from fir Hen
ry Clinton, knight of the bath, to lord, George Ger
maine, one of his majesty's principal Secretaries of date,,
received by captain St. George, one of Sir Henry:
Clinton's aids de camp, who arrived from New-York,
in the Fortune frigate.
New. York, October rz, 1780.
My Lord;
" In my Separate letter of yefl^rday's date, Thad
the honour of informing your lordship, that the . Ame
rican major general Arnold had quitted the rebel fer
vice, and joined the king's ftendard; and Fat the fame
time gave your lordship a circumflantia! detail of the
reasons that iiaauced him to take this deo, as welfras
of the unfortunate failure of a plan, which A had the
niofl Sanguine hopes, if carried into execution, would
have been productive of the greatest good consequences
to his majesty's service, but which terminated most fa
tally for major Andre, my adjutant general, w .0, be
ing taken prisoner, was tried by a board of rebel ge
neral officers, and condemned by their sentence to fuf
fer death ; which sentence was ordered by. the rebel
general Washington to be carried into execution upon
this unhappy gentleman co the 2d instant. I sincere-
Fy lament tee 0 ehneholy fate ofthis officer, who wa6
a very valuable affiant to me, and promif d to be an
honour to his country as well as an ornament to his
profeffion."
His majesty Iras ordered rooo guineas out of the roy
al privy purse, and 300 pounds a year during fife, to
be fettled on Mrs. Andre, mother of the late amiable
major Andre. And after her death, to devolve upon
the three fiftersof that unfortunate victim to the service?
of his country, and this ex,ration of his majesty?&
sensibility, to rhe Survivor ofthem.
Rear admird Hood, with the Weft-India fleet under
his convoy, passed by vice admiral Darby's grand
fleet,, on Monday the 4th of Decembers
Portsmouth, Nov. 9. Yefierday theist and 13th
regiments were embarked on board the transports for
the Weft Indies.
LONDON.
independent fortuneanTch^rn ler, prT^rvM him from
any temptation to incur personal dang r, hid not ho
nour and public spirit been his great inducements.
Such an officer had the lirgeft cllim on public appltufe,
as glory to him could- be toe only object in view, and
the only adequate reward.
Mr. Courtney contended, that the war with America
was no longer a war with our Subjects, but wit.a our
avowed'enemies, the open allies of the house of Bour
bon. He then told a ftory= of a man who had accuf
tomed'himfelf always to count the clock at a certain
hour the clock at r length went to decay, and no long
er performed its movements, or told the hour- yet
would the man attend as regularly'as when it did, from
mere habit So wita thole who condemned the Amt-ri
can .war; w»r reprobated its inju stice, wo foretold its
impracticability. The American war was no longer
onjuft; if it'was impracticable, out exigence as an>in+
dependent nation was at an end.; France, Spain, and
America, formed but one power; we could make no*
diftinaion ; betweeoithem ; our fu<<effes over an,onc~
of them affeCted equally the other two ; and" we could
not now deem America in any. other light but as an
open and declared enemy.
He next gave a firing of fiimires-. He Sard, the.ho
nourable baronet's arguments were directly to over
throw the deductions he attempted to draw from 'hem ;
they resembled a weapon which was only employed
againft.the petfon who weilded it. It was like the ftv
ta effects of a hog. who, when compelled to fwim,cuts
its own throat by the very means it employed for its.
preservation, by the strokes of its f p et. It was 1 k" the
effects of the eel!to conceal itfelf from its pursuer,
which the deeper it plunged or funk into the raud, ren
dered itfelf a more easy prey.
Lord Surry and Mr. Townsend Spoke concisely, af
ter which the motion passed in the affirmative without
a divihon.
Memorial prefented'to the States General, by ff r Jo
seph Yorke, on Friday 10th November; 1780.
High and Mighty Lords,
THE king my matter, has, through the whole
course of his reign, Shewed the^moO Sincere de
sire for preserving the union, which has subsided up
wards of an age, between his crown and the republic.
This union is founded orr the durable basis of a reci
procal intereff; and as it has greatly contributed to
the welfare of both rations, the natural enemy of both
the one and the other is uflhg his utmost policy ' to de
firoy it; and for some time past his endeavours have
been but too Successful, being Supported 'by a faction
that aims at domineering over the republic, and which
is a t ail times ready to Sacrifice the general interest to
their own private views.
Tne king has beheld with equal regret and surprise,
the fraud edc-1 .which.dis^puaud claims for the uipu-
The following is the ADDR E SSof the House of
C IMMONS, to His MAJESTY..
Most gracious Sovereign,
W E your majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects,
tne commons of Great Britain in parliament as
sembled, return your majehv the thanks of this house,.
for your most gracious speech from the throne.
We beg leave to congratulate your mijetiy upon
the Safe. delivery of the queen, and th&b/rth l of ano
ther prince # and to assure yourmajefty, that we take
a Sincere part in every event that contributes to your
majesty's domeiric happiness.
We acknowledge, with the utmeft gratitude, youg
majefty^condefeendiog goodnefi,.m your defiret t&
meet your parliament at this time, and your gradmis
expressions of attention and regard to the difpofitioff
and wifhesof your people.
We are impressed with a duefenfe of the d'fficultier
of the present arduous coniunaore, when the whoM
force of France and Spain; .is combined and exerted
to support the 'rebellion in your majesty's colonies,
^nd to attack all the dominions of your crown ; and
when it is but too maniieff to al! the world, that the
real views of thi& most unjust confederacy are to give
a fatal blow to the commerce and power of Great-
Britain, in resentment for the fucoefsful efforts which
this nation has so often made, to save the liberties of
Europe from the ambition of the House of Bourboru
We have observed with great and just fatisfadion,
that your maiefiy, by the support of your parlia
ment, and the fpiritand bravery of your fleets and'
armies, has, under the divine protection, been end
bi d do withstand the formidable attempts of your
enemies ; and we offer our most cordial congratula
tions to your majefiy, on the signal successes which
have attended the progress of your majesty's arms iff
the provinces of Georgia and Carolina, and in which
the conduct and courage of your majesty's officers,
and the valour and intrepidity of your troops, have
been foeminently-diftinguifhed.-
W'e eonfder your majefiy's most earnest desire and
fnhcitudeto fee the war brought to a happy'conclu
f✓} as the strongest proof of your paternal regard
for your people ; but we entir lyagree with-yourma
jefty, that fafe and honourable terms of peace can
only be secured by such powerful preparations, and
vigorous exertions as shall convince our enemies, that
your majefly and you r parliament are united in a firm
and fie Isa > resolution, to declin e no difficulty or dan
ger in'the defence of their country, and for the main--
ten a nee of- their essential inferefts.
We are thoroughly fenfrble that these-ends cannot
be offered without great and heavy expences ; and
we will grant your majesty such supplies, as the lift
ing Security -ard welfare of your kingdoms, and the'
exigency of affairs, may be found to require.
Your maje ftynray. rely, with entire confidence, on
the most zealous and affeCtionate-attachment of your
fait! Sufcommons to your perfon> family, and govern
ment ; and we acknowledge, with the liveliest senti
ments of reverence and gratitude, 'hat the conffant
tenor of your majesty's conduce, fir ws that the foie
objects of your royal care and Concern are to pro
mote the happiness of your people, and to preserve
inviolate our excellent conftitutior iin church and
fiate.
Tated fuccours, and the reprdeniiticas of h'is ambafia-'
dor, on the daily violation of the Solemn engagements,,
have produced.
His majesty's moderation has induced him to attri
bute this conduct of your high mighuneffes, to the in
trigues of a rrevaili^g fafbon, a id he woTti I still per
suade himfelf, tnat your justice and discernment, will'
determine you to fulfil your engagements towards him,
and to prove by your whole cohduH, that you ar^re^
solved vigorously to adhere to the fyflem formed by
the wisdom of your anchors, which is.the only one'
Oat can secure the fafety and'glor, of the republic.
The answer which your high mightinesses returns ter
this declaration, which the undersigned makes bother
express order of his court, will be considered as th^
touchfione of your intentions and Sentiments refpe^-r
ing the king.
For a long time past the king has had innumerlb'er
indications of the dangerous designs of an unruly ca
bal ; but the papers of Mr. Laurens, who fliles him-"
felf president of the pretended Congress, furnifhes the"
discover, of a plot unexampled in all the annals of thef
republic It appears by these papers, that the gen
tlemen of Amsterdam have been engaged in clandes
tine correspondence with the American rebels, from
the montn of August, 1778, and that inftruftions ard
full powers have been given by them for the conclu
sion of a treaty of indisputable ^mity with t'hofe rebels,
who are the fubjefls of a Sovereign to whom the re
pp^c ^'uhited by the tiofcfle gigements. The'mi.
thors of this plot do not even attempt so deny it,
but orthe contrary,vainly endeavour to juflify their
conduct:
' Noble and Great Mightinesses!!
' Sir Joseph Yorke, his Britannic Majesty's ambaf-'
fador, having delivered to me a few days ago in the
name of the king, his matter, the papers hereto an
nexed, which - were found among thole of i Mr. Lau-~
rens, formerly Pfefident of the Congress, now a state
prisoner at London, I thought it ray duty to la, them
before your Noble and Great Mightinesses, that you
might take such resolutions on the fhbjed as to your'
enlightened wjfdom Should appear necessary: I can
not,- however, refra m from certifying, that I never'
had any knowledge of any confutations being held,
much less of an authority being given, for commen
cing. a treaty with the colonies of North-America.' 1 "
His Highness having been thanked for tne commu-~
nication which he had made, as well as for the conti
nual proofs of his paternal Solicitude and vigilance for
the interests of the state, and having afterwards taken
it into their consideration, that the papers in queflion
appeared to relate to a certain private correfpondence'
and Secret negotiation, which had taken place between
a-commissar, from'the Congress of North-American
and the merchants of thereby of Arnfterdam, author
ised : y the order and inuruftions of a minifler of the*
fame city, touching the formation of a treny/of com--
n:%ce between the r public and tiie North- American
colonies, t e Sovereignty^ and independence ' of whicW
have never been acknowledged by this State; that
their High Mightinesses have never 'deliberated in any
manner for the p^rpofe of draw ng on such a negoci^
ation, much less has any authority or qualification of :
that kind been granted to any perfan whatever: It has
been decided, '- that copies of the abovementioned
pieces flmuld be sent to toe burgomasters and magis
trates of the city of Amsterdam, that they might
communicate their advice upon this fubje& to their
noble and great mightiness as Soon as possible."
In consequence of this intimation, the burg-maflers
and regents of Amderdamdeli vered, on the 24th ult.
their answer to the following purport 1 :-
“ Tnat wh^t had passed between their' eldest penS
on ry, and the merchant alluded to, on the one part,
and the Americans on the other, was done by their
unanimous direction : bat that such an overture, for
a treaty of commerce, was built only on eventual
circall1dances, and to take alatefolely in c:fe the inde
pendency of America should be acknowledged by the
1 ritifh government, and that such a step had beea
taken only, to prevent the :own of Amsterdam being
foreclosed from tradng with the said colonies, by
some exclusive treaty. That they think themselves
authorifed in having done, what, in justice to their
interest and welfare, it was their duty, to do. They
concluded, by faying, that they exped their noble
and high mightinebes rill lose no time inpublifhing
to-the wcrid that they, are perfectly Satisfied with the
above deJarmiop . : a matter on wrich the fain burgo
masters and're ents beg leave to infill the more Wrong
ly, a&fevrral disagreeable reports have reach'd 'them,
concerning this artair, and conclusions drawn from it,
which a member of free state ihcul? by no means be"
liable to, it being their unanimous determination to
oppose tne influence of such rum urs, in an efficaci
ous manner, and by every ways and means in their
power, consonant with the flricleft propriety,"
In these circurnftance^his nrajefty ; relying , on the
equity 'of your High Mightineffes r demands a formal
disavowal of such irregular conduct, which is no less
contrary to your most sacred engagements, than to
the fundamental laws of the constitution of Batavia.,-
The king demands equally, a prompt fatisfidion,
proportionate to ^he offence, and an exemplary punifh
ftt on the p-nfioner Van Berkel, and his accomplic
es,. as disturbers of the public peace, and violaters of
the law of nations.
His ra'aieftyperfuades himfelf, that the" answer of
your High Mightiness, will be Speedy and Satisfac
tory ,in all reSp A ls : but Sbuld the contrary bap
pen4 ;—lf your High Mig.^tineffes mould refufe so just?
a demand, or endeavour to elude it by silence, which
will be regarded as a refufaf, then the king cannbt
but confider tne lepublic as approving of these out
rages which they retufe to difivow; and '0 pubish ';
and after faci icondod his majchy will find himfelf
under the neceffiiy of taking those measures which the~
preservation of his own dignity arid the essential in--
terefis of his people demand.'
Letter from the Hagrid, November 5;
" Chi tie zofh ult. his Highness the Stadtholder'
gave the following notice to the flares of Holland and 1
Weft Fritfland: