The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-10-28 00:00:00, page 2

SINCE it has been publicly known, that the siege of
Gibraltar will be one of the hi ft operations o: our ar
mies by land and sea, every one has hopes of feeing us re
poff^ffed of that imp ctant fortrefs again , butasit is al
most impregnable by force, tne plan is to reduce it by fa
mine. In consequence of which, it is death to furnifh that
place with any provision, and our army will block it up
on the land fide, whilst a division of the Cadiz squadron
will anchor in the bay, which will be reinforced by two
70 gun ships, two frigtes, two chebecs, of 32 guns, and
fev^n galliots, which failed from Carthagena the 25th of
Lift month, and with two 70 gun ships, two frigates, two
cnebecs, two bomb ketches, and three flat boats, with a
24-pounder in ea^h, under Don Barcelo. We are assured
that the rest of the Cxdiz fleet is failed from St. Vincent to
join the Toulon fleet. With regard to the Ferrol fleet,
which.was to join that of Ereft, we find that a misunder
standing hindered that squadron from failing, which has
prevented a great stroke, and for which Don Anthony
D'Argee is displaced, and Don Solano succeeds him as
Commander of the Spanilh fleet.
The following Memorial to their High Mightinesses the States
of the United Provinces, has been presented by Sir ,ofepb
Yorke, the Ambaffadorfrom bis Britannic Majesty.
High and Mighty Lords,
SINCE France, by the declaration made at London
on the 13th of March,, last year, fully discovered tne vast
an 1 dangerous defi ins wnich the family compact had be
fore announced to Europe,this part of the world must bear
witness to the wisdom and moderation of the King of.
Gre;t-Britain, who endeavoured to ward off the calami
ties of war, avoiding as much as possible,, engaging his
neighbours and allies in it.
A conduct like this, founded on the most pointed mo
deration, so much emboldened the Courts of Versailles,
that after perfidiously encouraging of Rebel fubje&, un
der the mafic of Liberty, commerce and independence, to
plunge a poignard into the heart of the mother country ;
France, not contented with so hostile a proceeding, has,
without any national quarrel, drawn Sp; in into its views,
without any phufible reasons to colour tne design, is mak
ing every preparation that an imperious disposition can
diHate to invade the Britifli ill aids.
On the news of these extraordinary and great prepara
tions, your High Mightinesses cannot but juftity the pref
ling and reiterated instances which the King of Great-Bri
tain could not but make to you, relative to the naval ar
inament ; and the notorious danger of England will no
doubt convince all the fubjeHs of those provinces, who
have hitherto spoke against it, of this request of my
C®urt.
But those motives, which were only palliatives to pre
vent an evil, are now out of season, the danger is become
imminent,and the remedy must be fpeedy.The stipulations
of a treaty, founded on the interests of trade only, must
give way to those founded on the dearest interest of t e
two nations. Tne moment is come to decide whether Great-
Britain, who has fpilt so much blood and expended so much
treasure to fuccour others, and to maintain liberty and re
ligion, is to have no other resources against the malice and
envy of her enemies, than her own courage, and her own
internal strength . whether the is to be abandoned by her
mod ancient, friend. ,and allies, to the ambitious views of
the House of Bomber which would crush all to reign over
all, and whether Europe in general, and your High Might
inesses in particular, will with indifference fee a system ef
tablilhed, wnich will evidently destroy that equilibrium
which is the only guarantee of your commerce, liberty,
and even exigence itfelf.
The King, High and Mighty Lords, has too high an o
pinion oi the understanding, the good faith, and tie wis
dom of the Republic, to doubt a moment of the sentiments
of your High Mightinesses on this occasion.
A nation, whose history contains ftarcely any thing but
the detail of the dangers which the ambition of France has
successively created, whose best days began with their u
nion with England : In th >rt, a nation accustomed to ex
ad the literal execution of a hard treaty, has too much
generosity not to fulfil those which have united the mtereft
of the two nations upwards of a century.
It is in this persuasion, joined to all that is held most sa
cred among men, that the under written Ambassador Ex
traordinary and Plenipotentiary from the King of Great-
Britain, has, by express order, the honor to notify to yowr
High Mightinesses, that rhe danger which threatens his
kingdoms", necessitates his MJelly to reclaim, without loss
of time, the fuccours stipulated in the treaties of 1678, and
others, and of which the Cafus Foederis is so fully explain
ed in the Separate article of 1716. H ; s Majesty expeds
the fame with confidence from a neighbour who has never
failed in his engagements, and for the rest confides in the
divine benediaion on the justness of Lis cause, and on the
fidelity and valour of bis fubjeds.
Governor Johnftone, with the squadron under his com
mand, has got a roving commission being not limited to a
ny place, with a power to take, fink, burn and destroy all
tire fliips where it may be found practicable on any of the
F,nch coasts.
A^ufi 2. Yesterday Lord Montftuart kissed his Majes
ty's hand, on being appointed his Majesty's Ambassador
extraordinary at Turin.
Yesterday the embargo on all coasters, and ships bound
to Ireland and tne Baitick, was taken off, whena number
of ships dropped down to Gravsfend.
Extract of a letter from the Hague, July 7.
“ We hear that the memorial presented last Thursday,
by the Engliih Ambassador to the States General, was the
fame day communicated to the States of Holland, and the
next day sent to the rest of the Confederates for their opi
nions upon this important fubjed. In the mean time it
is believed, the States are not sorry this memorial has in
tervened, as they are by that means difpenced from think
ing of the convoy to be granted to naval supplies, &c.
which mus fbe put aside till this much more important af
fair is decided : Particularly, as we are informed, that the
provinces of Guelderland, Zealand, Friefland, and Gro
ningen, have delivered their answers relative to the con
voy, by which it is found tney are against tne granting
it."
LONDO N, July 20.
MADRI D, July 5.
From the VIRGINIA GAZETTE.
To Carter Braxton Es% oj Virginia.
SIR Paris, Ma, 22,1779.
A LETTER under your signature, dated Decem
ber 26, 1778, and addressed to Mr. John Ross in
France, has appeared in the public papers of New-Nork,
London, and Virginia.
Your not having intended that it should appear in print,
will hardly attone for the indiferetion of committing to
paper, sentiments so pernicious to the public. Did you
mean to put it in the power of Mr. John Ross, to com
municate this injurious picture df you/ country to his
countrymen in Great-Britain, that fadion, who are the
authors of all the calam ties resulting rom a war, found
ed in tyranny, and conducted with every possible cruelty ?
Was it a man of that nation which had avowed the bitter
est enmity and rancour against the United States; to whom
you chose to trust such dangerous information of the dis
tresses and weakness of your country? If these things
were true, a wife man would have concealed them; if un
true, an honest man would not have mentioned them. Is
it possible you could have expefted thit this mifehevi
ous communication would sleep where it was sent; and
not somehow or other find its way to England, and invite
the enemy to persevere in a war, the calamities of which
you pretend to lament ? To suppose this, would be to
juftify your intention, very much at the expence of your
understanding. It is thus, that while brave and able men
are exerting themfdyes in the field and in the cabinet,
to secure the sovereignty and independency of their country,
the poison of secret information, communicated through
circuitpus channels, threatens the deftruHion of the State.
It is this, Sir, and not French alliances or French Mini
sters, that, it possible, would lay us proflrate at the feet
of our enemies. If your despair of our success were real,
I should pity you. Such pusillanimity is contemptible,
and will never reach a people who have distinguished them
selves by afirmnefs and valour which have rendered them
the admiration of all Europe.
Give me leave now to fay one word on what you have
been pleased to add concerning ray brothers and me. You
did not want, you fay, the proof of Mr./ Deane's letter
to fatisfy you about us. Where was it you learnt that ac
epfations and proof were the (ame ? It is I presume the
fame accuracy of judgment, to which we owe the opini
on you entertain of our principles, which you fay, you
know to be bafe^ Will you be so obliging as to state what
tiiofe principles are, that the public may judge for them
selves ? Defcrihe toeartifices and intrigue we have used,
for our own private emolument. Let t/ie world know
what place 0/ profit we ever possessed, or what fortunes
we have made in the service of our country or by its ca
lamities. Do youthink that those who devote their time
and talents to the public service, in employments, honor
able indeed, but the reverie of profitable, deserve the re
turn of calumny and ingratitude ? What are your prin--
ciples, that make them this return ?
Had my brothers given their votes in the Assembly of
Virginia, to Share in money unduely kept in circulation ;
had they exerted themselves to prevent an enquiry into
that corrupt and ruinous proceeding, you would have a
right to call their principles base. If you know such a man,
be so good as to tell nim, that when next he feels himfelf
inclined to impeach principles directly oppefite to bis own
he should look within, repent, and be silent. Had my
brothers employed their time at Congress, in forming
conneittoiis in commerce' with a'm&zrwho had then much
of the public money to play with, I should have suspected
their principles. Had they been occupied ever since in
making fortunes by this partoerfhip, and then calumnia
ted others who had devoted all their time to the public
service ; I should have thought them ^aftuated by bdje
principles. Had they added to this a cbrrefpondence ^ith
such men as John Ross in Europe, and exposed to them
the vulnerable parts of their country; I should have
deemed their principles base and their conduct criminal.
You are pleased to charge me particularly with having
communicated, “ inflammatory intelligence from Europe,
•with many fafities" I beg you will do yourfelf the justice
to name one of those many falfities. If you do not, and
you certainly cannot, the world will judge that you de
serve a h>rfher name than I thill mention Your sagaci
ty it seems difeovered very soon, that it was unfafe to
trust the secrets of the state with men of our characters.
The fame fugacity directed you to confide them to Mr.
John Ross Probably some of the fnne clan in Glafcow
have been deemed worthy of similar confidence. Some
of those worthy Gentlemen, who were driven back to
Scotland as a punifhnrent for holding principles so oppo
site to those you impute to us, and so congenial with
your own.
It is pleasant enough to fee, how you and Mr. Deane,
though pursuing the fame obj^, (hat of deceiving the
people intoa distrust of those men who prevent you from
making your country the iulhument of your vanity and
avarice, contradia each other in your actufations. Ac
cording to Mr. Deane, I was so mi ch attached to Eng
land, that they were obi ed to dragdue into the French
treaty ; and my brother Richatd Henry Lee persists in af
firming, that we may make peace with England notwith
flandin^ the treaty witiTrance, and has ever long entertain
ed the design of withdrawing the people from their connec
tions with his Most Chriflim Majesty According to you,
the inflammatory intelligence cf the Lee's'in Europe, and
the intrigues of those in Congress, have produced this alli
ance which is to ruin us. With him the alliance is oar palla
The underwritte- waits with the greatest impatience for
a just, speedy and favorable answer, and is ready to confer
with the Deputies of your High Mightinesses on what flepa
are further ueceit ry to be taken.
(Signed) JOSEPH YORKE.
Hague, July zz, 1779.
BASSETERRE, (37. Kills) Sept. 22.
On Friday last failed from Barbadoes, for England, in
the Maidftone frigate, Vice Admiral Byron : The fleet is
commanded by Admiral Hyde Parker.
Yesterday was sent in here by his Majesty's fllip Bore
as, Charles Thompson, commander, tne La Cumfas, a
French letter of marque, of 20 carriage guns and 150 men,
after an engagement of an hour and a quarter, in which tne
French ship had 20 men killed, and the Boreas 4, besides
wounded ; Ate was bound from Martinique to Old
France.
diugn, and therefore the Lee's are enemies to it ; with you
it is our ruin and reproach, and therefore the Lee's were
the authors of it.
It is happy for the public, when accident difeovers mens
real principles. Your in ve&ives against men who have
exerted their utmost to avert from their country the worst
of all public calamities, Brjlilh tyranny, may be very
gratelul to your friend Mr. John Ross; but I trust our
countrymen will regard them and their author with the
contempt they merit.,
A. LEE.
STATE or MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.
In the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and
seventy-nine.
An ACT in addition to an Act, intitled " An Act to pre
vent lundr, articles from being exported Jrom this to the
neighbouring States.''
vy HEREAS the Aft, intitled " An Aft to prevent
' V sundry articles being exported from this to the neigh
bouring States," made and passed the present session, hath
been found infufficient to ahfwer the purposes f@r which it
was defigfied:
Be it therefore enabled, by the Council and House of Referee
fentatiwes in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the fame, That from and after the tenth day of Oct. in ft.
no Bohea or any other India tea, any fort of fled, or any
kind of hats, be permitted to be exported, either by land
or water, from any part of this State, to any place net
within the limits of the fame, except reasonable ship stores.
Aud that when any of the articles herein prohibited as a
forefaid, or any es those enumerated in the Aft to which
this isiii addition, ihall be seized by the Selectmen or Com
mittees of Correspondence of any town or planta r ioa
within this State, agreeable to the directions in the laid
AH contained, unless the teamster, driver, or person, un
der whose direction the fame shall be, will make oath before
some Justice of Peace within this State, that such articles
or effeas are not intended to be Carried out of this State, er
will produce to such S leftmen or Committees such certifi
cate as is in the Aft to which this in addition directed,
that such goods or articles were not designed to be carried
out of this State ; all and every such article or articles,
wuh the team, carriage, boat or vessel, carrying or con
veying the fame, are hereby declared to be forfeited for
the purposes in the said Aft mentioned ; and all such Se
leamen or Committees are hereby empowered to flop,
seize and proceed with all or any of the articles herein e
numerated, in the fame manner as they are directed to do
in like circumstances with any of the articles in the said Aft
enumerated. And are in like manner deeded to stop, seize
and proceed with any of the articles therein or herein enu
merated, which shall be laden on board any vessel or boat,
in any port ®r harbour in the town they belong to, of which
,they shall have the like fafpicio^, and the like failure of e
vidence. Aud such Selectmen or Committees are hereby
empowered and directed, whenever they shall flop any such
articles, teams, vessel or boat, as mentioned in this or the
A& to which this is in additionto take proper care of, and
secure such articles at the expence of the owner or owners,
or teamster or boatman, in such manner as they shall judge
fafe and proper, till fatisfaHory evidence as aforefaid, shall
be given them, or until the justice of the seizure shall be
tried and determined.l
And whereas divers persons, inhabitants of this and the
neighbouring States, have imported into this State before
the passing of the said Aa, sundry articles of provisions,
with an intention to export from the fame, fomeo f the ar
ticles therein or herein enumerated, and no provision is
made in the said AH for the fame:
Be it therefore further enabled by the authority aforesaid,
That any person or persons, being inhabitants cf this or
any of the neighbouring States, who have imported or
brought, or sh ill import or bring into this State any kind
of provisions, every such person or persons fliall, and here
by are permitted to export out of this State, any of the
articles enumerated in said Aft, or in this AH, provided
such person or persons shall make oath before some Ma
gistrate of this State, that the article or articles by him or
them were imported since the firft of Auguf i laft, were
fold at the prices agreed upon by the late Convention at
Concord; and that the articles so to be exported, were
purchased at the prices agreed upon by the late Convention
at Concord, and do not amount at that rate to more than
he or they fold the article by him or them imported for ;
and the persons appointed in each county to give certifi
cates, are hereby directed to give all such persons permits
to export the fame, upon being properly certified that such
person or persons have made oath as aforefaid.
And it is hereby further enacted, That all and every per
son or persons, who are inhabitants of any of the neigh
bouring States, and shall have imported into this Stately
water since the firfl day of August last, any of the articles
enumerated in said Aft, or in this All, or shall hereafter
import into this State by water any of said articles, such
person or persons shall, and hereby are permitted to ex
port the some out of this State, any thing in this Aft, or
the Aft aforefaid to the contrary notwithflanding.
Provided such pei son or persons shall obtain a permit from
any of the persons in the refpeHive Counties in this State
appointed to give certificates, who are hereby authorized
to grant such permits, upon being properly certified that
such person or persons have made oath before some Ma
gistrate of this State, that such articles were by him or
them imported into this State since the firft day of August
last, and that he was not at the time of such importation,
nor is now, an inhabitant of this State. Provided, That
nothing in this AH, or that to which this in addition,
shall be construed to extend to such persons as are or may
be removing with his, her, or their Families and Eflfe&s,
to any place without the limits of the State, such person
so removing, producing a certificate from any of the
persons in the refpeHive counties, appointed by this court
to grant certificates that such is the case.
Ordered, That the Secretary be and hereby is directed
to publish the foregoing AH in the Boston and Worcester
News- papers.
In the HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES,
October 6, 1779.
THIS BILL having been read three fcveral times,
palfed to be enabled.
JOHN HANCOCK, Speaker.