The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-07-29 00:00:00, page 2

To th POINTER of ibe Pennsylvania Packet,
Sir,
Some confiderab'e time ago, Conorefs appointed a Com
mittee to prepare a Circular AAdre, to ibe States. A
Member of that Committee who was not prefect at
puffing the Resolution, was informed that he was di
rettedto prepare Ax Address to the Pto^e. He wrote
the enclosed, which, bein^ in force measure applica
ble to our prefect circumfiances, he requdls you to
put,bin it.
Philadelphia, July 2.6, 1780.
Fallow Citizens,
JT is among the amiable charaaeriftics of a free go
vernment thafthe people are not swayed by implicit
confidence or overbearing power ; but by full conv^tion
and the voluntary deflates of their own under Handing.
.It is, therefore, the duty of those whom they have in
truded with author ty, to give every information cecef
farytowards forming a proper judgement of their own
affairs, and particularly of such as materially concern
them. We are happy to seize every occasion of com
plyi°g with this duty, for we know by experience that
you have te title to enjby freedom, because you have the
fortitude to hear truth.
It is observable, and wefpeat it with pleasure, that
the American Confederacy differs materially from otter
Republics in Wis circumftanct, that those who are placed
in her great Council cannot d&te in the firm tone of
Law, commanding obedience, but f;etk and advise in
the mill language of reason and argument. We (hall
cn this occasion remind you of force pad circumflan-'
ces, declare our preCnt fixation, and recommend
•those things/ which are necessary far the common io
tert 11.
To look bapk on former times of public adversity will
teach us waat we owe to tae Almighty Hand which saved
vs in t^e day of our d^refs. It will teach us never to dif
pond under the gloomiest profp:&s. It will shew us from
" the example of our enemies the fallacioufnefs of prof
verity ; add it wi.l urge us to those vigorous exertions
which by the fvour of Divine Providence- never fail of
fucctfs wheb'mM'e in a good cause.
Let us then re-call to your minds the various unto
ward events that have marked the present contest, all of
them severe at the fiTis but all eventually productive of
good in ,that w.ongcuulconneaiou of things ordained by
infinite wilder. You h^ve feta yourfeivts reduced to
tneextremea diffiefs, pteffrd ch all hands by numerous
and formidable, hofc, defeated, fugitive, and at once, by
unlocked for means', ycu nave found lafety.
Your object from the begining hath been pure and
fair. You aeked for peace, liberty and fufety, wheo op
'preffed you complained with the fofmefs of infant peti
tions to an erraged parent. When the door 10 recon-
Ciha.Top uas fau^ and target and bolted, by patliamrn
ny, :Limfkiit.l"r.nd royal pertinacity, you fought for
freedom in the pains of independence. Aad wren the
aafAer '0 yaur petitions w,s made in the rude voice of
war you firmly opposed yourftif to its dangers and dif
treties. It g^ u^pleafire to declare to you and to the
world, that notwithstanding the barbarities ex rtifed by
the enemy ; no' withfiahding their successes ; and notwith
fterdmg their loffesana d:fappbi,fm p pu, still you have
r^igjoufly adhered 0 your firft'demaau of peace, liberty
and f.fety.
It:c a long time since ve warned you that being foiled
in their attempts to subdue theft Spates, you were to ex
pgl all the rageof difeppointed ambition. In deprftu
ntg thof? ev ms .we [parked fim,ly the conclusions to be
drawn,from their former conduct and vidw*. We ap
peal to you if melancholy truth h^tn noc^ftfdhtd tue
prediction. Nay, even their pretended Comm ffiontrs
of peace, made the heavy denunciation ®f vengeance be
fore they let; our Ihores, and you havel te y leva written
in flames, and in blood, the cruel commentary of t.lb
barbarous proclamation.'
Still your offeel and that of your Allies was peace, we
willed not to extend toe miseries of human nature. But
whle we seek for peace, the enemy prepare for farther
butcheries. Their hope of conquest is no more. I hey
have told you so. The hope of vengeance dill remains.
.The thirst cf iefatiable vengeance still torments them.
The war between usis on their part inexpiable ; it is
a war of lu< cefslefs malice against mfitxiolc virtue. They
have determined to expose all their dominions that
they may add ten thousand more to their military mini
flers of, wrath. Every artifice has been exhausted to
'bring the Indi n tribes upon our frontiers, for the decla
red purpose of indiscriminate daughter, without regard
to the grey hairs of venerable age, the plaintivcnefs of
femtle distress, or the wailings of infant imbecility. They
are endeavouring to fake post in different pla. es upon our
coafis, that they may carry on their ravages with greater
facility. And at the fame time them ernffaries are em
ployed among you to foment divisions, to weaken the
authority of government, to sap your confidence in
each other, by specious tales of falsehood, or artful'color
ings of truth, to intimidate you by falfe ideas of the e
nemy's power, above all to raise and encourage fufpici
oils as to the credit and value of your money.
It becomes, therefore, our duty, to warn you of these
things, and to recommend that in our progress towards
freedom we do not fall out by the way, but bear with
the weaknesses and infirmities of each other, and cherifli
that,harmony, charity and benevolence, which become
brethren engaged together in a cau e so sacred and so glo
rious. We recommend it to you also to execute the laws
and support the authority of the governments you have
efiablilhed. Toe forms may not be agreeable to all, but
each one Should coniider how much is rifqued is a change,
the future benefit is at bed uncertain, but the prefect evil
of anarchy is unavoidable. On the other hand, how
ever it may suit the particular veiws of any individual or
set of men to relax the admiuiftratioD and bring the laws
into contempt, ought it not to be remembered that this
is tffentiahy serving the enemy ? that it renders the great
est blessings of society precarious, and places life, liber
ty and property on the uncertain fluctuations cf opinion,
these are inevitable consequences, and it becomes you
deeply to meditate upon them. We do not wish to dis
courage that wheiefome jealousy which is the protestor
of freedom. But we with you to confider, that confidence is
a plant of tender growth, and wnen once injured can never
be reflored to its original beauty and firength. In a
well ordered society, as.in a Complex machine different
powers are combined to produce one simple effed, the
result of harmony in the whole fylkm. It is public con
fidence which keepsit together, and actuates and regu
lates its motions. Without that principle it is at Left an
inanimate mass, and in all probability mull soon crumble
to pieces. How necessary then is it to States like oursat
war invaded and contending for all that is precious to man.
Do not imagine that we are apprehensive of the enemy's
power, neither trust those who would intimidate you. We
Ihould hold ourfeives unworthy the feats in which you
have placed us, did we feel the least dismay at a force
double to any which they can bring against you. We
look back with pleasure upon former deliverances and we
look forward with confidence in our deliverer. The at
tempt to conquer Ameriee was in the commencement not
great but rash, not founded in courage but ignorance, and
the event hath shewn the folly and madness. But it is
much caller to ravage than to subdue. A force therefore un
equal to enclave us, may be (efficient to lay waste our
borders. The means of preventing this are in ourfeives.
We must attack them in their firong holds ; we must hunt
them to their hiding places; or we ate justly to fear that
while they have opportunities equal to their malicious
designs, frefh scenes of ruin murder and violation, will
be repeatedly exhibited thro' every part of our country.
The only possible hope of the energy was in the absolute
ruin of your currency. They have therefore affnbd it
from the firft. by various means, equally unjuftifi*b|e
and anfuccefbful, and we venture to assure you that it
cannot be ruined. But why assure you, you know and
feel the truti of the assertion. It is with you to make it
just what you please. Agree that it is valuable, and on
theindant it becomes so. Agree to take it in by taxes
and destroy it, the evilis leffenedevery hour. Is there a
man who fears for it, let him call on his representative to
double or treble his taxes. Bat why need we mention
toyou these things. The currency is yours and we fully
confide in you to support it. This confidence induced us
to lay the matter before you. And we are happy to de
ciare, that on this as every former occasion, that confi
dence has been wril founded. Your virue, your ztai,
have seconded our feeble endeavours. From your zeal and
your virtue, is to be expelled the eftablilhment not of
our finances only, but of the liberty, sovereignty, and
independence of these rifiog States,
And now we intreat you to prepare for the most vigor
ous txeitioDs. Let not our enemies Ihew greater alacri
ty in evil thanwe do in good; Let us labour tofive with
The fame earnefinefs that they labour to destroy. We
all a mod imp riant scene on the great Theatre of the
earth, let us ad it welt. Theeyes of the w'oridare upon
us let us deferye their applaud; they expect great efforts,
let them hot be difappernted. Our Allies vigorously sup
port us, and define that we should, vigorously support uur-
Selves, gratitude, virtue, honor, demand it, will thekee
meirof ArneH& be deal to the calls of gratitude virtue
and honor ? Ttehelplefs ft x implore your protection
againfl brut'll violence, can they implore in vain? The
tender infant ftretc ties but towards you its helpless hands
fhalf it not be saved ? The feeble voice of age calls for
aififtance, who is there so bafet at he would withhold it.
By every motive th^ can animate men,rare vc flimuLted
to adion, fcavmhrites upon us, nature hath poured out
her abundance, a,ill the author cf nature hath raised the
Princes of the earth as our friends and fapporters. Our
enemies are fulled with every crime that can deform tneir
fouls,and offend taer God. These arms which once they
bore in triumph ooh mark their drfgrace. The cause in
wriiqn tney < reengaged hath blunted their weapon's point,
but virtue and innocence sh di give tenfold weight to every
blow against them. Be therefore prepared. Be speedily
prepared. For that moment hastens to arrive,which willcall
ycu into action winch will finifh toe worK you have
begun, which will crown the labour you have sustained
which will purcbale toe prizeyou have contended for and fix
for these United States the possession of riches, power
and glory. He who in th%fcales of omnifcienee balan
ces the fate of unman events, natn given adversity as the
school of virtue, and virtue as the parent of freedom, and
freedom as the source of happiuefs. To him then be
praise, thaakfgiving and adoration for the correai&ns he
hath (ent, for the favors he hath bestowed, for the won
ders he hath wrought in our defence, to him be our pray
ers, that he will continue to watch over us, to guarci and
to moled us, in want, in danger, in pr-uiperity, thru'time
and thro' eternity.
For the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
Number XII.
Ur HEN we confider that the Weft-India Inlands of
the enemy, are the most vulnerable part of their
dominions, and that the raviihment of some of these from
the Britidi Crown, might muuce them to think of peace,
it may be asked, why it is that France has not sent the
whole force the could spare from the securing her own
finely in Europe, rather to this Continent, than .to the
Islands ? It is because her views in that case, might be
coohruid to beambitious of extensive conquest, while in
the present case, it muff be evident, that her object simply
is the independence of America.
There is no doubt but tue powers of Europe are awake
and attentive to every operation. Nothing but the firm
persuasion of the difintereflednefs of France, in all refpeda
have, in freeing hcrfelf from the haughtiness of Britain,
has produced that contentedness amongst these powers,
which is vifiole in the calm state of thei r Councils, and in
, every memorial which has appeared from them. But
fliould the lead circumftauce favour the infinuation# of
our enemies, it is peffiole the jealousy of these powers
might be kindled, and destroy that confidences the good
intentions of our ally, which exists at present.
Befidesj the reducing the Weft.lndia Islands would
not so effectually contribute to terminate the war, as the
the expelling the enemy from these States, and the being
able to refill their invasion, fliould they again return.
While they hold the Continent, they will confider the
Islands secured by it; the fortune of the lesser territories
following the possession of the greater. But driven from
the States, they will be sensible how vain it is to clamber
still against the rocks, and beat by the surges, to endeavour
to regain the bold they hays once loft.,
Moreover, it is th? language of warm friendihip in our
ally, that rote;ntea(ed-with her operations irt tor favour
elfcwhere, die has thought proper to fend a land force im
mediately to the feat of war, and to unite her arms win
ours, on cur own foil. It is her earnest desire, to expel
the inviders from our coaftj and there is great ground of
hope, that with our strenuous co-operations, it may Ie
a%bmplifh<d, even this campaign. J "
An Antl- Asg licah.
LO N D O N, April 7.
Extras of a letter from Strarrawer, in See land, dated
March r,
" T"" °°" °' a P ird(lCa l cruizer, which has for
fi some time infefled our coast, have a: length lan
ded a.few miles from hence in the night, and carried off
a number of cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry. They re
mained 24 hours at Muffanden, which is but three miles
from Port-Patrick : They took at the mouth of our har
bcur a (muggier, which, after taking out her cargo, they
burnt, and obliged the crew to join them, 4 of whom ha
ving found means to escape, arrived here.
" This cruizer is named the Dreadnought, fitted from
Nantz, Comraanced by Capt. Mains, and the crew is a
collection o?ali nations Au exprtfs is sent forward from
Port Patrick to Beliaft, to inform the King's Arps Xhicii
aie in that road, of tuc appearance of this pirate/'
April 8. We are in orroed from Berlin, of the nth ult.
that mention is made, in the public prints there, of two
Cuioefe persons that have been presented to their Imperial
Majeftu* by the Count de Prolrid'Ayma ; and that the
following is the dUcription of these young Antics ; Tb.ey
are of a middle ftatw e, their foreheads and noris are flat,
have very fmad eyes, and (waithy con pxxiens; their
heads, wuch are bald at tie fore part, are ornamented
behind with a very long and thin tail, w^ich reaches as
low as their heels; their hair is finer than silk, their feet
and hands very small, and their voice referable, tinging
rather than talking. It has been cbferved, that while
they are dricourfing, they fhutteir little „es, and cop*
tinue (peaking, without IcoKrogat any body, I: is cer
tain they we<e greatly ferpiized on firft (rflqgte fno%
widen as entirely unknown to there, and they imagined
it to be linen spread over the mountains,
Extract cf a letter from Cork,' March 20.
.“ We arc sorry to hear that the Penelope friga e, Capt.
Jones, after having taken some Spanish pr.zes, was her
feff taken by the Spaniards, in the fallowing manners --
A/udden wind arising, many oft the Penelope's hand©
were upon the yards; taking in the fails; which oppor
tunity tne Spanish prifonerscmbrac.ee, and having killed
Capt. Jones, with most of his officers, ttiey overcame the
remaining crew and carted the (hip ityto Cuba." r
, Stockholm (Swedep) March zi. . The 15th of this
month will always be a memorable 4 y to the Fr-e Mi.
foils efiablifhed in this kingdom; for on tact day the
Duke of Sundermaine was infla led Grand Master
of all the lodges throughout this kingdom, as well as
those of St. Pcteifburg, Copenhagen, .Bruniwick, Ham
burgh, &c. The ledge at St. Petersburg, had feni a De
puty for this purpose, and others had intruded the diploma
of the mflalment to Biron Leyonhufeud, who had hen
last year to, Copenhagen; arid in Germany on this nego
tiation: Tills urranrenr-wae ^tded , vlt h 5fr a t ,0^
Toe assembly was competed of mere than four hundred
members, and was honored with the presence of the Kin
who was pleased to grant a charter to the lodge, taking
it under his royal proteaion, at the fam^ time inve.fting
the new Grand Mafler with an eTmin'dchak) alter which
he was placed on a throne, eloathed with the marks of
his new dignity, and there received the compliments of
all the members, who, according to their rank, were
admitted to kiss the hand, the feeptre, or the cloak ®f
the new Grand Master, and had' delivered to them a fil«
ver medal, flruck to perpetuate the memory of tnis so
lemnity, which passed in Exchange Hall. It is said the
King will grant revenues for the Commatideries, and that
this royal lodge, acknowledged by others for the mother
lodge, will receive of each an annual tribute. This solem
nity hath railed the order of Free-Masons from a kind of
oblevion into which they were funk.
T R ENT O N, July , 6 .
We team that a large body of the militia of the State
of New York will fhordy be ordered out, and that His
Excellency Governor Clinton will command them in per
fon.'
We also hear that one thousand of the militia of this
State are ordered so join the continental army ; and that
a large number of the Pennfylvama militia are directed to
hold themselves 111 Radinefs to march ona fliort notice
to camp.,'
On the night of the 14th inst. Serjeant Bainbridge of
the New Levies, defected from Staten-Island, and bro't
off Capt. Steward's wife, two privates, fix horses and a
considerable (urn of hard money.
We hear that the French squadron, M. de Ternay,
came south about, in order to relieve Charleftown Off
the capes of Virginia he fell in with Adm. Graves,with
fix Eidglifli line 01 battle ffiip s , when a (kirmifh ensued, in
which one of the enemy's (hips in running down the line
of the French, was so severely handled that the English
Admiral thought it most prudent to sheer off, and made
the best of his way to New-York, where the damaged
Ship is now repairing.
We learn that 'O6 the qfh instant, a severe engagement
happened in the Weft Indies, between the combined
fleets of France and Spain and that of the English, in
which the French took two 74's, and funk one 64, be
sides doing the Britilh other considerable damage
This account is said to be published in a late New-York
paper, but we have net yet been able to obtain a fight
of rt -
The new crops of wheat and rye, in . this quarter,
are remarkably good ; —and there is as great a faow for
frui^of almost every kind as has bon for many years
Extras of a letter from a capital Mercantile House in
Amsterdam, (Holland) to a gentleman in this State, da
ted May 1, 1780
The friends of America in this country persevere ia
their attachment to the good caule, and their opponents
frill prerirve their former sentiments; however upon the
whole, the ' political iky, which at particular times har