The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-07-31 00:00:00, page 2

But when the great God of nations is in the midst of
a country, enduing its inhabitants with a spirit of wif
don), fortitude, virtue, piety, freedom, and unanimity,
he commands a blessing upon them in their flore houses
and in all they set their hand unto.
The most generous patriotic bosom can never breath
a more noble sentiment, or glow with a diviner wish,
infavour of a nation, than that it may be the inheri
tance of the Most High. Such a relation, unless it be
annulled and forfeited, carries with it all that reader
them great and happy. To such freedom is their un
alienable birth right; pure religion, their guide and
glory ; wealth and prosperity, the instruments of their
virtue and munificence. Even afflictions when fentun
to them, are sent in mercy; and heaviest judgments
flow from heavenly love.
With relpeCt now to ourselves, the inhabitants of a
new rising country, it is proper we should look back,
pause, confder, examine, in order that we may be
enabled to call an eye forward to our future fortunes
and condition, with some degree of comfort.
In the very fir fl settlement of America, by our ve
nerable forefathers, the goodhefs of divine providence
was peculiarly illuflrated.
The dangers they had to meet upon the vast ocean
seemed but inconsiderable compared with those which
a wild uncultivated country, inhabited only by savage
beasts, and savage men, immediately presented.
However, it was not long, before the wilderness be
• gan to smile ; the labours of these honest firangers were
blessed with plenty ; and the natives gave assurances of
friendfhip and peace.
They looked around surprised, delighted, finding a
good and pleasant land; “ a land of brooks of water,
of fountains, and depths that spring out of hills and
vallies; a land of wheat and barley, and vines and
fruits; aland wherein ' there was no sea, of lacking any
thing ; to crown all, they were in possession of a pure
religion and all the sweets of civil liberty.
Those were the golden days of primitive simplicity.
Population, commerce, science, arts, plans of admir
ed policy, occurrences extremely interesting, of which
the very darkest have contributed eventually, to be
nefit the public ; all these have, since, distinguished
this large country, and given it fame among the re
motest nations.
Vices alas! too soon took root, spread wide and far,
tarnished our hopeful character, impaired our happi
ness. On sundry occasions we have indeed been visited
for these with national inflictions, though every vifitati
. ou hath apparently been tempered with mercy.
We never would forget, how, from the very firft,-
we rose, we multiplied, we profptred, in union with,
and constantly assisted by a nation, whose character we
revered, whose manners we imitated, whose govern
ment we loved ; while every grateful and competent re
turn was made on our part, expressive of that rever
ence and sincere affection.
Wherefore it hath come about, I would not un
dertake with pefitivenefs to fay• ,whether on account
of our iniquities, which, heaven knows have been ve
ry grievous ; . or whether, on account of the degeneracy
of Britain ; or rather, because of the aggravated crimes
of both countries, that so calamitous a contest hath
arisen between them, as threatens mutual desolation,
and ever, species of misery.
In regard to our own especial concern in this matter.
The load of troubles we have felt from that quarter,
and are likely to feel much longer, we cannot think
arises from any just grounds of offence that we have
given our former friendsand brethren'; but, we confefs,
that for our numerous rebellions against heaven, we
righteously deserve it all.
Against thee, O blessed God, have we finned! To
thee only have we been ungrateful.
The extremity to which matters have been brought,
for a considerable time past; we humbly think, is not
of our own seeking. If our union with a once beloved
people, is dissolved ; and they are become our deadly
foes ; it is an event we were averse to ; dreaded, depre
cated. We wished not to be independent ; (I declare
my own invariable feelings on the tubjed, and believe
them to be the fame with the general sentiment of A
mericans,) Ifay, we wished not, we did not even dream'
of being independent of the parent country as long as
there was a probability of our con flitutional requests
finding acceptance; while there remained even a glim
mering hope of peace and security, or any profpeft of
reconciliation.
Well, as the case now flands, while we have grounds
of confidence, and a freedom from felf reproach on the
one hand ; on the other, until a very great reformation
takes place among us, we cannot but entertain doubts,
misgivings, painful apprehensions.
Our cause plainly appears to be a righteous one, but
we, it is to be feared, are very far from being a righte
ous people.
The genius of America now weeps tears of blood,
for the degeneracy of her sons, and trembles left God
should refufe to go amongst them.
Past unnumbered mercies of the Almighty, seem, in
a great measure, blotted from our remembrance. His
^goodnefs hath not won us to obedience, his corrections
have not awed us from offending. Inasmuch as the firft
bath failed to produce its blessed effect ; is it any Won
der, if the latter are multiplying against us? If we
would not listen to the " hill small voice," to the foft
breathings of beneficence and love, is it flrange that
the thunders of divine wrath should now found in our
ears?
If the days of peace and plenty were profaned and
tnifimproved , is it Grange that deflating war should
now afflict us? that dearth and scarcity should hasten
on apace ? since religious privileges and the means of
grace have been neglected and abused: can it furprize
us if they should be tak^n away ; and our candlestick
removed out of its former place? If we have abused
our civil liberty by a licentious condu&, in innumer
able instances ; how can it happen otherwise, than that
it should at last be shaken?
A profpea very solemn my dear brethren is now be
fore us, our all is at flake. A very powerful enemy
is in our land. Desolation and bloodshed are near our
doors , what may be the issue, Heaven only knows;
" When the Russel left the fleet they were Handing
for Martinique, having run 15 leagues S. W. from it ;
the French were considerably to leeward, and feveral'
of them in a shattered condition: The English fleet
failed considerably fafter than that of the enemy, and
admiral Hood, we are informed, has intimated to fir
George Brydges Rodney, by the Russell, that he meant
to dispute their pa-ffage into Martinique.
" All the English ships went into the engagement
with the greater alacrity.
“ Yesterday admiral Rodney arrived here, who has
dispatched several frigates in quest of the two fleets,
and as soon as he receives intelligence where they are,
will immediately fail to join them, with the Sandwich
Triumph, and Russell/ The Panther of 64 guns has
failed a few days ago to join admiral Hood. We hope
that when the above said ships join the squadron,
and headed by their venerable commander, Rodney,
they will be inspired with that old English courage
which was formerly a terror to France, and a scourge
to the house of Bourbon; and though inferior in force
will teach their haughty monarch, that he must not
insult the British flag, and mult acknowledge the seas
to belong to Great Britain.
" Seventeen large Ihipsfare now in the o^ng to the
northward of this island, supposed to be admira
Hood's fleet."
It cannot be favourable, while iniquity abounds a
mong us ; unless we become virtuous, we shall be nei
ther free nor happy.
We are called at this time by the delegated voice of
our afflicted country, to acknowledge the just dispen
sations of divine Providence ; to repent and amend our
ways; to implore mercy and the forgivenefs of our
manifold transgressions:
Let us not pass over this business in a luke-warm,
slovenly, indifferent manner. Our days of falling and
humiliation will condemn, inflead of benefiting us, ex
cept we humble ourselves indeed ; unless we thorough
ly reform, and in our whole man, experience the re
deeming operation of the Lord Jesus.
Appearing as it were by accident in any of the houses
of prayer, will go but a little way in forming a reli
gious character.
The abstaining from some vices, or the praHifing
some few virtues, is not enough to make us good men.
Our God requires, and our country's salvation re
quires the sincerity of all the heart, the rectitude of all
the conversation.
Can we expert the countenance and blessing of the
Almighty to be in a land, where profanenefs, extortion,
luxury, idle dissipation, and debauching amusements
predominate ?
Will God protest from our temporal enemies, and
give energy and success to our defenfiveoperations
against them, while we cherish the word of enemies
within our bofoms?\
Will he strengthen and perpetuate our union, while
malignant bitter passions are making their cruel progress?
0 for ' the spirit of a found mind, of celestial grace,
and of love!
Come ye citizens of America, bow yourselves before
the footftools of the high God. " Turn ye every one
to him, with all your heart ; and with falling, and with
weeping, and with mourning; for he is of great kind
ness, and repenteth him of the evil.
A refpeHfor the memory of our sober ancestors, the
sentiments of virtue, freedom and benevolence; our
calling and expectations as profeffors of the gospel ;
yonder cloud of dangers that i 6 gathering Black and fad ;
the gleam of hope that opens just beyond it, every
wifn that can fill the bosom of the pure, and afluate
the spirit of the brave; call upon us in each depart
ment of society, and ifrevery situation of life, upon
the- ambassadors of Christ Jesus, upon the chief
rulers of the public, upon the several delegates,
counfeilors and representatives, upon the hiagif
trates, upon the matters and heads of families, up
on the people, every one; to difeountenance im
morality and every wicked way; to promote with zeal
and intrepidity, virtue, goodness, unanimity, concord ;
to fill our refpe&ive places, so juflly, so venerably,
That our light may break forth as the morning, and
our health spring forth speedily.
" Various reports have been, circulated of an efr
gagement between the English fleet under fir Samuel
Hood, aud the French fleet under monsieur de la Touche
TreviUe. We have endeavoured to be as minute as
possible and we flatter ourselves +hat the following ac
count is authentic:
'' On Saturday evening the 28th ult. the Britifh #
squadron, confrfting of 18 fail of the line were Hand
ing into St. Lucia, in order to land their sick, (having
numbers afflicted with a dysentery,) When a frigate in
the offing made a fignaT for a flrange fleet, the Ruffe!
being the fternmoft ffiip, repeated the signal, and in a
few minutes the Barfleur answered it,, and immediately
hove out a signal for the fleet to tack, and stand to
windward-; and about fanfet they percieved 22 ships
of the line" and two 50 gun ships laying too, and a
number of frigates, transports and merchant ships, a
mounting in all to near 200 fail, going into port Royal,
(Martinique) close in with the land ; a little after fun
fa a French cutter bore down to reconnoitre the En
glish, but was chaced back again ; about eight o'clock
our van and part of the centre began to engage the e
hemy, who studiously strove to avoid a close engage
ment, about 11 the firing ceased, the French being out
of gun fliot ; at 10 o'clock Sunday morning, the Bri
tish fleet renewed the a&ion with the van and part of
the centre, the enemy hill carefully avoiding a close
engagement: at 4 o'clock A. M. the firing ceased ;
the remainder of the day they continued manoeuvring ';
the Russel (admiral Drake's ship) had received 14 shots
between wind and water, and 6 feet water in her hold,
when admiral Hood ordered her to bear away for St.
Euftatius,. -where file arrived on Thursday lafl,- and is
since refitted for sea, and on Saturday watered at Old
Road.
BASSETERRE, (St. Kitty May 7.
kill. wo.
Shrewfbury, 6 14
Intrepid, x 22
Torbay, 3 29
Prince William,. 6
Russell, 5 16
Centaur, 3 30
Gibraltar, (R. A
Drake) 6 18
Montague, 4
Resolution, 1 8|
Admiral Rodney failed last night from this road to
the relief of St. Lucia, which, as is confidently, and
we believe with certainty, reported, is at present in
vested by the enemy. Sir George carried with hira
18 fail of the line, viz- Sandwich, Barfleur, Gibraltar,
Resolution, Alcide, Monarch, Terrible, Ajax, Invin
cible, Triumph Alfred, Centaur, Shrewfbury, Prin
ceffa, Prince William, Intrepid, Montague, and Bel
liqueux. The Torbay was expefted momently to join.
We shall anxiously await the event, and are willing to
hope it may prove favourable.
Lift of men killed and wounded in admiral Hood's fleet
the 29th of April, 1781, off Martinico.
French line of battle, 25>=Englifh ditto, 18.
Yesterday was the anniversary commencement ' at
Harvard-college, Cambridge, which being the firft
public one since the present war, a very great con
course of all rnks of people were collected on the occa
sion. The names of the young gentlemen who took
their degrees will be inferted' in our next.
A cartel is fettled for an exchange of prisoners
between the state of Vermont, and Canada; in conse
quence of which, numbers have lately been sent from
thence to that quarter?
Extract of a letter from Falmouth, at the Southward,
dated July 12, 1781.
" On the 9th instant we were informed that two of
the enemy's large boats were bound to Nantucket, up
on which the militia of this place were muflered, and
we took two small sloops, one commanded by colonel
Baflety and the other by major Dimock, when we pro
ceeded for that place. On our passage we fell in with
them, and willing them to come on board, as we kept
all our men- below ; but by what we have since learnt
they got intelligence of our design. They played off
at long shot ; we got as near them as we could, then
gave them a smart fire, which soon caused them tore
treat ; it being calm we could not pursue them. We
then proceeded to Nantucket ; when we got there we
understood they had taken two or three prizes, and
were on the eaftend of the island; we then proceeded
with three boats and drove them across the island, and
pursued. The next morning, by ten o'clock, we were in
fight of two of them, one a large Hoop, mounting 4 fwi
vels,4 blunderbusses, and 18 small arms,with one of the
(having mills on board, who then were able to make a
smart refiflance, which they did. We then drew our
boats in a line, and p'ufhed on.- They began their
fire at about 400 Yards diftarice, and continued it until
we got on board; but we carried our point without
the loss of a man, one only being wounded. IVe kill
ed one man- and wounded three. We recovered two
oftheir prizes, a large ihaving-mill and nine prifonera ;
and released nine of our men, which captain Ellis or
dered up to figfit us. We are-under apprehensions of
being burnt every' night, for they come on shore and
board our vessels, and burn, cut and destroy all in
their power. The retaken prizes were captain Smith,
ofSalem, from the Grenades, and a whaleman from:
sea, with forty barrels of oil on board.
Yesterday one of the shaving-mills, lately commands
ed by the well-noted Ellis, arrived here, who, with five
of his associates were conduced on board the prifon
fhip; she was taken by major Dimock, from Falmouth.
We learn from the lower Cohoofs, that a spy from
Canada was taken up there, who, upon promise of be
ing forgiven, engaged to difeover a deep-laid plot of
some tories and the enemy at Canada : He was accord
ingly permitted to go, feemiogly, at large, but had a
guard upon him at a diflance ; and he went amongst 2
number of persons, and procured a fu bfeription of pro
visions to supply any parties that may come that way
from Canada, of which they daily expected some:
After lie had complea ted what fubferiptions he could,
he received some letters for Canada, and de iveredthem
up, which brought out the whole; and thereupon they
had taken up a considerable number of tories, and put
them in irons, especially one captain White, who was
a ring leader, and who escaped from the guards with
his hand cuffs on : some important difeoveries are ex
pe&ed to be made- (none however, high enough for
exaltation, if proved) This happened on or about the
23d of June. This villainous affair may possibly ex
plain some wicked attempts to d aw offthe inhabitants
of this state from their allegiance, and to promote dis
cord and disunion for the sole purpose of serving the
enemy, as it is now well known that the British admi
nistration exped more from the influence cf money than
their arms, and if the inhabitants of the United State,
B OS T O N, July fy.
Lord Cornwallis has driven the traitor Arnold from
his army, covered with disgrace. Proscribed by his
countrymen, whom he has betrayed, despised by the
rafters to whom he basely fold himfelf, the Wretch
muff be the mod abject of all human beings, if he is not
at this very moment a prey to remorse and despair. It
is said that Clinton means to fend him to the Weft In
dies, as there is no Briton on the continent who will
serve with a man so infamous. 0 Arnold! dost thou
think to find the British in the islands, more hardened!
to difhonour than those at New-York ? O wretch d
Arnold ! the opprobium of thy country--, the scorn of
nations-- doff thou think there is any corner of the
universe, where thou canst find shelter from devouring
remorse, and from vengeful! despair?
In Rivington's New-York Gazette of June 30, the
following is inserted in a letter from London, dated
" a y ' " ° ur court, to please the northern powers,
have issued proclamations forbidding privateers and
letters of marque from flopping or molefling any' vessels,
though belonging to our enemies, in the Baltic ; so we
keep them in good humour with us."
kill. wo.
^ x '„. 3 5
Princeifa, 1
Terrible,
Barfleur, (R. A.
Hood) 5
Monarch,
Invincible, 2 4
Alcide, 1 4
Belliquenx,
Alfred,