The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-07-14 00:00:00, page 2

MESSIN A, March 18.
THEY write from Catanea, that on the 13th of Fe
bruary a furious storm, accompanied in all pro
bability with an earthquake, ravaged Sicily, and de
flroyed a great number of people and animals. An
old castle, situated at St. Alexis, a fortrefs in the ter
ritory Pazza, and a number of other buildings pub
lic and private, were thrown down: among them
the famous bridge of Arrogan, the largest in the king
dom, o' which, out of thirty one arches, only (even
remain.
Madrid, March 26. Mr Cumberland, with his fa
mily, left this place last Friday on his way to Lon
don.
Peterfburgh, March 30. A special order has been
Tent from the empress to the college of foreign affairs,
which Arial forbids the superior and subaltern officers
of the said college from frequenting for the future, di
redly or indire&ly, the houses of foreign minifters,or
to receive them at their own houses, and carefully to
avoid converting on public affairs with the said minis
ters or their secretaries, or any other persons in th^r
service. These orders have been communicated to ail
employed in the college of foreign affairs ; and that
Done may plead ignorance, each person is obliged to
sign a promise to conform ftridly thereto.
Warsaw., March gt. The Ruffian troops are in full
march to quit this kingdom, and the grand dutchy of
Lithuania; their chief general Romanzow is also pre
paring to depart.
Vienna, March 31. It is pretended here, that a
cessation of arms will ihortly. take place between the
belligerent powers, and that there will be a congress
held to mediate affairs, to which fir Joseph Yorke will
be sent on the part of Great Britain, being, it is said, al
ready appointed for that purpose ; and on the part of
France the duke de Cnoifeul.
Leghorn, April 11. The courier was was dispatch
ed to this place by the court of Peterfburgh to the
Ruffian vice-admiral on this flation, has brought it is
said, positive orders for that squadron to leave our
port. It will put to sea the 16th, and we are assured
will return directly to Confiradt.
Paris, April 16. The return of the Spanish fleet to
Cadiz is fully confirmed; we also learn the disagreea
ble news, that Don Barcelo is returned with his (quad
ron to Malaga, and that, difeontented at the difobedi
ence of the principal officers of his squadron, he has
resigned the command of it; and it is pretended that
Don Cordova will likewise retire for the fame reason.
Hague, April 19. Mr. Adams, who is furnifhed
with full powers to take upon him, in case it is found
necessary, the character of ambassador from the Thir
teen United States of America at this court, has pre
sented a note to their High Mightinesses, through the
hands of Mr Damas, to which, however, it is said,
no answer will be returned, as this Republic has not
yet acknowledged the independence of the said States.
LONDO N, April 17.
Sir Andrew Snape Hammond is appointed lieuten
ant governor of Nova Scotia, in the room of fir Rich
ard Huges, bart.
Mr. Laurens has now the liberty of walking round
the ramparts, and other places of the Tower, which
he generally does twice a day, attended by one of the
wardens, and enjoys a good state of health. Mr. la
Motte is close confined to his room; owing, it is said,
to his having attempted, some time ago, to make his
escape ; he has no other opportunity of taking the air
than from a balcony belonging to his apartment; ap
pears extremely sulky, and does not like to be spoke to.
April 19. The deflination of commodore John-
Rone's squadron is no longer a secret ; the Cape of
Good Hope is certainly a principal obje& of the ex
pedition ; the Dutch are already so well convinced of
it. that they even now give up this valuable fettle
ment as loft.
Commodore Johnftone's further orders are, in case
he succeeds against the Cape of Good Hope, to pro
ceed immediately to the island of Ceylon, where the
Dutch are but indifferently regarded by the natives,
and from whence they have all their cinnamon and
other rich spices.
Lord Dunmore has received his majefly's orders to
repair immediately to his government in Virginia, and
has also received a letter from lord North, desiring
(hat he would acquaint the gentlemen of that province,
who, on the rebellion breaking out, fled to England,
and have had pensions from govrenment since their resi
dence here, for their support, that it is his majefly's
pleasure they do, with all convenient speed, return to
Virginia, in order to assist government to fettle that
province. These gentlemen are to have their pensions
paid up to the sth of July next, also a year in advance,
and a free passage
April 21. Late on Wednesday evening the messen
ger, who was sent near three months ago to Peters
burg, arrived at lord Stormont's office, with dif
parchesfrom fir J Harris to his lordfllip. The above
dispatches are of the most important kind of any that
have been received during the war, as they contain no
thing ihort of the ultimate resolution of the Ruffian
court, refpeding the alliance, and the decided part the
means to take with the present contending powers at
war.
Before the messenger left Peterfburgh, he was sent
for by fir James Harris into his room, whomade use of
these particular and emphatical words to him—" I
hope to God you will arrive fafe in E^g and with the
dispatches you bear; for the contents of them are of
the utmotl consequence to that country."
Yesterday in the afternoon an express arrived from
Jersey, with advice that they ha : received private in
telligence from St. Malo.s, that a great number of
troops were embarking there on board the transports,
and it was imagined that the French had some intenti
on of paying another visit to that island or Guernsey.
April 26. Private letters from the Hague by the
Flanders mail fay, that the prince of Orange has
granted letters of marque to upwards of 40 fail of
privateers, to make reprisals of all the English vessels
they meet with ; but at the fame time it using his ut
most endeavours with the States to take proper fleps
to bring about a reconciliation with the court of Great
Britain.
A commodore, with 8 fh ; ps of the line, for North-
America, and another with 6, destined for the Weft-
Ind les, it is affirmed, will be detached by admiral Dar
by, as soon as he has thrown fuccours into Gibraltar,
to reinforce fir George Rodney on one flation, and
admiral Arbuthnot on the other.
The States have been indefatigably employed in pre
paring a navy, but the ships are in general in a very
bad condition. A bounty is given equal to 16 guineas
for seamen, but they cannot be procured to man the
ships of war; and the States are following the plan a
dopted by the French, by fending young recruits who
enter for the army on board ; but that they are of lit
tle or no service, except to aft as marines. Few offi
cers on boird this fleet, under the degree of captain,
have any naval experience, save what they have ac
quired in the merchants employ,
May i. It is confidently reported, that lord North
will retire upon the rising of parliament, and be creat
ed duke of Kent, and marquis of .Rye.
Three thousand land forces are to be sent off forth
wifh forthe better security of the British settlements in
the Eafl- Indies.
May 3. The member for a city in Scotland, we
hear, upon application to lord George Germaine, re
fpeding the British property Seized at St. Euflatia, *as
informed by his lordship, that it would all be reflored
to the owners, except what was contraband.
Extraft of a letter from Limerick, April 16.
“ Yesterday the Enterprize privateer of London,mount
ing 36 guns, commanded by captain Eden, brought
into our river the Loutfiana, a large American vessel,
mounting 20 fix pounders, laden with bale goods, and
bound from I'Orient to Philadelphia. A Sweedifh ves
sel from Nantz is also brought in by capain McCar
thy, and if her cargo is proved to be French, (he will
be condemned."
They write from the Hague, that the States, in or
der to equip their navy have entered on a loan of four
millions of ducats; but that it is filled very (lowly.
May 4. Early yesterday morning the troops took
the field, and the military operations comm need for
the ensuing campaign, when his majefly reviewed in
Hyde Park general Elliot's regiment of light dragoons.
Extract of a letter from Belfaft. April 7.
" On Wednesday last arrived here from Bourdeux,
the brig Industry, captain Fitzpatrick, a flag of truce,
who failed from thence on the 15th current, and bri gs
advice that the Monday before his departure, Several
letters were received by post from Cadiz, giving an
account of the arrival of the English grand fleet, with
all the store-ships, &c. fafe at Gibraltar. A courier
also passed through Bourdeaux express to Paris with
the fame account.
May 4. A letter from Limerick, by yesterday's I
rish mail, fays that the two French privateers which
had quitted the coast of Ireland, are returned again
with another small privateer, and that they are cruiz
ing between Waterford and Cork.
Extract of a letter from Cowes, April 30.
" We have just received information by a vessel that
is put in here, that (he fell in with a large fleet of
ships off cape Finifterre, supposed to be the homeward
bound Weft-India fleet"
The Isabella, of Dundee, Andrew Finlay, master,
arrived at Leith on Saturday last, from Christian found.
While the maßer of this vessel lay at that place, he
became acquainted with the captain of an American
vessel from Boston, laden with tobacco and flax-feed,
bound for AmGerdam. One evening when they were
together, Mr. Finlay had occasion to retire, and in
returning mistook the room, and went into the Ame
rican captain's chamber. Several large packets of let
ters lay on the table, to the amount of 125. Curiosi
ty led him to examine to whom they were addressed,
when, to his no small furprize, he found that the great
er part of them were directed for persons in Briflol,
Liverpool, and London, Sufpeßing that this could
not be a fair correspondence, he thought himfelf ju fti
fied in carrying them off, which he immediately did,
and took them on board his own vessel. To prevent
suspicion, he re urned to the American, with whom he
spent the remaining part of the evening, and during
his flay at Chriftianfound, which was a out eight or
ten days after this happened, he continued on the fame
familiar terms, which is used among seam 11 of dl na
rions when they meet in a neutral port. On his arri
val at Leith, he immediately sent the packets to the
ho durable commodore Keith Stewart. We cannot
witu any degree of authenticity, inform our readers of
jhe contents of these letters. But it is said three large
frigates were, soon after the departure of the Ameri
can vessel, to leave Boston, with a fleet of ships for
Amsterdam, to Come north about.
Advice was received at the admiralty.office last
night at eleven o'clock, that commodore Hotham,
with all the St. Euftatia prizes, were fafe arrived in
the channel, or just off Plymouth. This important
information has not been received officially at the ad
miralty from the commodore, but the account was sent
to lord Sandwich by a gentleman who is a principal
agent for the prizes. An officer is hourly expected to
arrive with commodore Hotham's dispatches.
Caveats have been entered at the commons, prepa
ratory to the captors applying for the condemnation
of the prizes, and every article of the property will be
warmly contefled.
Bristol, April 14. It has been proposed in the cabi
net, ard reported to have been there resolved upon,
that lord Howe be immediately dispatched with twelve
fail of the line, now under the command of vice-admi
ral Parker, to admiral Darby, who is thereupon to fail
with ten ships of the line to reinforce to fir George
Rodney in the Weft Indies.
N E W- Y O R K, June 27.
Yesterday arrived under convoy, the expected fleet
from Great Britain and Cork, which ttyey left the
27th of March ; they touched at Charles-Town, and
augmented the British army undr the command of
lord Rawdon in South-Carolina, by landing several
battalions of veterans, brought from Cork ; immedi
ately after which the noble lord marched to the as
sistance of colonel Cruger, who commanded at Ninety-
Six: the arrival of this reinforcement accounts for the
retreat of the rebel general Greene to the northward,
On the passage the fleet called in the Chefapeak, where
the troops were in excellent health. It is said earl
Cornwallis, (after having drove the marquis de la Fay
ette to the mountains, where he was deserted by the
rebel militia) had returned to Richmond, on thenorth
fide of James River; that his lordship's whole army is
now mounted, anting with great rapidity and decisi
on.
NEW-YORK, July 7,
On Wednesday a Polacre arrived here from the Ha
vana, with a p^rt of the garrison of Pensacola, which
was surrendered on the 10th of May, to Don Galvez,
the Spanifli general, after being nine weeks invested.
The befeged consisted of one thousand, and fifty one
men, including 595 seamen ; also sixty two, including
seamen, at the Cliffs. Total, 1113.
We are informed Mr. Washington was at Spiken De
vil last Thursday ; head quarters of the French and fr
bels are still at the White Plains.
BOSTO N, June 28.
Extras of a letter from a gentleman of diflinguifhed
character in a neighbouring state-.
" The United States of America haveat this moment
a fair profpeft of efiablifhing their peaceand indepen
dence, which may soon be realized, if we be not want
ing to ourselves. The Britons by turning their arms
to the southern Rates, have experienced what the wife
and sagacious predicted from this measure : they have
greatly exhaufled and dissipated their army, and
found it easier with a colleßed force, and covered by
a superior navy, to penetrate into a thin fettled coun
try, than to spread themfefves over it, and maintain
their couquefis. The climate, and the brave perse
vering efforts of our brethren in that quarter, have
almofl ruined the army of Cornwallisj which having
been drawn from New-York, must have greatly weak
ened that important pofl. The Spaniards have great
ly difireffed the British settlements in the Floridas and
have taken Pensacola. A great part of Georgia is re
covered from the enemy, and almost the whole of
South Carolina is at this hour in the poffeffon of the
United Spates. Virginia, under particular disadvan
tages at its firft invasion, is now colleding its whole
force to co-operate with the affifiance it has received,
and to which it is intitled; and the profped there is
far from being difeouraging. Britain has received an:
w'erp.ded and terrible fliock, in the late accounts
from the East Indies, where the lo'sof a large fliare
of her settlements, and the tottering date.of the rest,
threaten the total ruin of her finances: at the fame
time the cannot but look with anguish on the good
condition of the finances of France, where not a single
new tax has been levied during the war; but the whole
charge of it defrayed by the mere savings of oecono
my. Those, and many other circumstances that
might be mentioned, must induce Britain to be very
serious in her desires of peace. Accordingly we know
she has consented, if not primarily and secretly mov
ed a convention of the belligerent powers at Vienna
for that purpose, under the mediation of the emperor
of Germany, and the empress of Russia. To suppose
that nothing is to be said in this convention refpe&ing
America, or that even Britain has forbidden if, is too
ridiculous to require a serious answer. It is to sup
pose all the powers convened in this business are fools;
for how can they Confer upon a pacification, and at
the fame time leave out America, the source and prin
cipdfea. of the war? In the nature of things Ameri
ca must be the chief fubjta of their deliberations ; and
Britain will doubtless keep her eye principally upon
this Continent during the oegociatioils, and will rife and
fall in her demands, will accede to or recede from the
proposals made, according to the events of war in this
quarter. The present then, is the criticalday for our
country. Diffentions, languor in our councils, or con
duct, would revive the hopes of Britain, and might be
an irreparable injury to us and our latest posterity.
Union and vigour through the present campaign, may
lay a Gable foundation of liberty and bappinefs, to
these Rates. Having expended alr-ady so much blood
and treasure in our glorious cause, it fliould be a
firft principle ia the mind of every free citizen, that
the only way to reap the fruitsof all, and to make a
fafe and honourable peace, is to c^ndua the remain
der of the war with vigour: THs, and this alone, will
make it short. The most noble negociator in Europe
will find himfelf greatly embaraffed if the mea
sures we take here do not give force to his demands
on our behalf, and an edge to his arguments and per
suasions. A good army in the field, and well provided,
is absolutely nectffary to give the finifhing Broke to
the eGablifhment of our invaluable rights. One signal
defeat of the enemy here, will have more effect on the
negotiations at Vienna, than all the eloquence of the
most accomplished plenipotentiaries,"
T RENT O N, July 4.
A cortefpondent observes, that from the commence,
ment of the present war the Erit.fli ministry, their agents
and tools, have depended more upon the base arts of de
ceit and corruption, than the jufiiee of their cause of
the power of arms. It is a fad well eflablifhed, that in
the course of the last year the British government ex
pended upwards of fifty thousand guineas on h'relir £,
employed to te lies in pamphlets and in the news - papers
in Europe and America. The present year will probalby
cost them double that sum, as their affairs are in a more
critical Gate ; and we may expea to fee marks of redou
bled industry in the trade of rorfreprefentation and falfe,
hood. The news- papers begin to abound with this spe
cies of intelligence. We are told that fleets of flips ar
mies cf men are coming to America ; that all powers of
Europe are against us ; that the rupture with Holland is
to be made up; that a peace is about to be conclud da
mong the European belligerent powers, and the United
States are to be left to fhift for themselves; with a thov^
land tales of this Gamp, so (hallow and absurd, that any
man who has the leaf! reflection or the flichteft means of
information, and believes them, almost deserves to be dy