The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-07-11 00:00:00, page 2

; From Rivirtg^rfs Ryal Gazette, dated July 5, 1750.]
HAGU E, April 6.
TH E following is the memorial presented by Prince
de Galitzin, envoy extraordinary from her Majes
ty rhe Empress of all the Ruffias, to their High Mighti
nefies.
“ High and Mighty Lords,
"THE undersigned envoy extraordinary f r om her
Majesty the Empress of ail the Ruffias, has the honor to
communicate to you here, a copy made by She Empress
his sovereign to the powers actually at war. Your High
Mightinesses may look upon that communication as a pe
culiar mark of the attention of the Empress for the re
public, equally interested in the reasons that have given
occasion to this declaration. He had moreover orders to
declare to them, in the name of her Imperial Majesty,
that so far as on the one fide she desires to maintain du
ring the piefent war, the ftri&eft neutrality, so far (he
will fuppert, by the most efficacious means, the honor of
the Ruffian flag, and the fafety of ti e commerce and na
vigation of her fubjeas, and will not fuffer it to be mo
lested by any belligerent power. That in order to avoid
on this occasion all misunderstanding or falfe interpreta
tion, file thoughtit requisite to fpeciFy in her declaration
the limits of a free trade, and what is called contraband.
That if the definition of the firft is founded on notions
the most simple, most clear, and the most determined by
the natural right, that of the lafl is taken by her literal
ly from the treaty of commerce between Russia and Great-
Britain. That by this she inconteftibly proves her good
faith and impartiality toward the one and the other party.
That, in consequence, the thinks she has a right to ex
pe2, that the other commercial powers will readily ac
cede to her manner of- thinking, receding neutrality.
" That from these views; her Imperial Majesty has
charged the undersigned to invite your High Mightines
ses to make a common cause with her, inasmuch as that
union may serve to protest the commerce and navigation,
by observing at the fame time the ftriaeft neutrality, and
to communicate to them the measures ihe has taken in
consequence.
'' A similar invitation has already been given to the
Courts of Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Lisbon, that by
the common care of al! the neutral maritime powers, there
may be e ftablifhed and legalized, in favour of the com
mercial navigation of the neutral nations, a natural sys
tem founded on justice, and which by its real advantages,
may serve as a rule to future age#.
" The undersigned makes no doubt that your High
Migh-tineffes will take into eonfideration, the invitation of
her Imperial Majesty, and concur in it, by making with
out delay, a declaration to the belligerent power; groun
ded upon the fame principles as that of the Empress his
Sovereign, explaining themfelvet at the fame time, respec
ting the proteaion of their commerce, the navigation,
and the nature of the contraband, conforming to the
terms of their refpe&ive treaties, with the other nations.
“ Furthermore the undersigned has the * mor to bffure
your High Mightinesses, that if, to eftabl sh on a Solid
foundation a fyflem as glorious as it is advantageous to
the welfare of the navigation in general, they would open
a negotiation with the neutral powers above mentioned,
in order to eflablifh a particular convention on that fub
je&, the Empress his Sovereign, will be ready to come
into it
" Your High Mightinesses will easily perceive the ne
cessity of accelerating their refolutibns, upon objeds as
important as beneficial to humanity in general. Theun
derfigned requests the favour of a Speedy answer.
[ Signed ]
D £ METR I, Prince de Galitzin."
Hague, April 3, 1780.
LONDO N, April 18.
TH E lite capture of the American packet bound from
France to t>e Corigrefs, has, it is said, eccafioned no
small conft-inaticn among many gentlemen botn at* the
east and weft end of this metropolis. Berdes an account
of all the intended military operations of tne French this
ensuing summer, both in America and in Europe, there
were found on board a large quantity of private letters,
many of which are from Some eminent hands on this fide
of the British channel. When the newsof this event took
air, which was food after the express arrived from Fortf
mouth, two or three distinguished characters went imme
diately into the country for the benefit of their health.
What light a little time may throw on this dark bufiftefs,
is net yet very certain; but Some people, who pretend to
know a good deal of the affair, insinuate that it will turn
cut to be very serious.
They write from Leghorn, that his Highness the Grand
Duke of Tuscany, had lent orders to his Miniflers at Ve
nice and Genoa, to offer his interposition between the two
powers to prevent a rupture, which might cause commo
tions in Italy very serious and unfeafooable.
Afew daysago the Town Clerk of Scarborough, by
order of the Corporation, presented the freedom of that
borough to Captain Pearson, late of the Seraphis, and
Captain Percy, late of the Counters of Scarborough in
boxes cf heart of oak, for their gallant behaviour in an
engagement off that port, with a squadron of ships under
the command of Paul Jones, whereby the Baltic fleet un
der their convoy was preserved, and a stop put to further
depredations on the coast.
The following is a declaration from the Empress of Russia
to the Courts of London, Versailles, and Madrid.
eg fr H E Empress of all the Ruffias has so fully mani-
I felled her sentiments of equity and moderation, and
has given fuck evident proofs during the course of the war,
that she supported against the Ottoman Porte, of the re
gard ihe has for the rights of neutrality and the liberty of
universal commerce, as all Europe can witness. This
conduct, as well as the principles of impartiality that ihe
has displayed during the present war, juflly inspires her
with the fulleft confidence, that her fubjeds would peace
ably enjoy the fruits of their indufiry, and the advanta
ges belonging to a neutral nation. Experience has, ne
vertheless, proved the contrary. Neither the above men
tioned considerations, nor the regard to the rights of nati
ons, have prevented the fubjeds of her Imperial Majesty
from being often molested in their navigation, and ftop
in their operations by those of the beligerent pew
" These hindrances to the liberty of trade in general,
and to that of Russia in particular, are of a nature to ex
cite the attention of all neutral nations. The Empress
finds herfeif obliged therefore to free it by all the means
compatible with the dignity a ~ Ithe well being of her fub
je&s ; but before she puts this into excution, and with a
fiocere intention to prevent any future infringements, she
thought it but just to publish to all Europe the principles
she means to follow, which are the properest to prevent
mifunderflanding, or any occurrences that may occasion
it. Her Imperial Majesty does ii with the more confidence,
as she finds these principles coincident with the primitive
right of nations; which every people may reclaim, and
which the beligerent powers cannot invalidate without vi
olating tne laws ofneutrality, and without disavowing the
maxims they have adopted in the different treaties and
public engagements.
" They are reducible to the following points:
" First, that all neutral ships may freely navigate from
port to port, and on the coasts of nations at war.
" Secondly, that the effeas belonging to the fubjeas
of the said warring powers, shall be free inall neutral ves
sels, except contraband merchandize.
" Thirdly, that the Empress, as to the fpecification
of the above mentioned merchandize, holds to what is
mentioned in the 10th and iith articles of her treaty of
commerce with Great Britain, extending her obligations
to all the powers at war.
" Fourthly, that to determine what is meant by a
blocked up port, this is only to be understood of one
which is so well kept in by the ships of the power that
attacks it, and which keep their places, that it is danger
ous to enter into it.
" Fifthly, that these principles serve as a rule for
proceedings and judgments upon the legality of prizes.
" Her Imperial Majesty, in making these points pub
lic, does not hesitate to declare, that to maintain them
and to proted the honour of her flag, the security of the
trade and navigation of he r fubjeds, she has prepared
the greatest part of her marine forces. This measure will
not, however, influence the Arid neutrality she dots ob
serve, and will observe, so long as she is not provoked
and forced to break the bounds of moderation and
perfed impartiality. It will be only in this extremity
that her fleet will have orders to go wherever honour, in
terest, and need may require.
" In giving this Solemn assurance with the usual open
ness of her character, the Empress cannot do other than
promise herfelf that the belli, erent powers, convinced of
the sentiments of justice and equity which animate her,
will contribute towards the accomplishments of these sa
lutary purposes, which manifeftly tend to the good of all
nations, and to the advantage even of those at war. Id
consequence of which, her Imperial Majesty will furnifh
her commanding officers with mftruaions conformable to
the above-mentioned principles, founded upon prima
tive laws of people, and so often adopted in their conven
tions."
From the LONDON GAZETTE, April 18.
At the Court of St. James's the 17th of April, 1780.
PRESEN T,
The K ING's most excellent Majesty in Council.
WH ERE AS since the commencement of the war
in which Great Britan is engaged by the unpro
voked aggrefhen of France and Spain, repeated Memori
als have been represented by his Majesty's Ambassador to
the States General of the United Provinces, demanding
the fuccours Stipulated by treaty ; to which requifitien,
though ftrODgly called upon in the last Memorial of the
21st of March, their High Mightinesses have given no
answer, nor fignified any intention of complying there
with : And whereas by the non-performance ot the clear
est engagements, they desert the alliance that has so long
fubfifled between the crown of Great-Eritain and the
Republic, and place themfilves in the condition of a
neutral power, bound to this kingdom by no treaty, eve
ry principle of wisdom and juflice requires, that his Ma
jesty should confidtr them henceforward as {landing only
in that Qiftant relation in which they have placed them
selves : His Majesty therefore having taken this matter
into his royal consideration, doth, by and with the ad
vice of his Privy Council, judge it expedient to cary in
to immediate execution those intentions which were for
merly notified in the Memorial presented by his Ambas
sador on the lift of March last, and previously fignified
in an official verbal declaration, made by Lord Vifcouet
Stormont, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State, to Count Weluerene, Envoy Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary from the Republic, nearly two months
before the delivery of the afotefaid Memorial : For these
causes his Majesty, by and with the advice of the Pri
vy Council, doth declare, that the fubjeds of the Uni
ted Provinces are henceforward to be coufidered upon
the fame footing with those of other Neutral States not
priviledged by treaty ; and his Majesty doth hereby,
suspend, povifinally, and 'till further order, all the par
ticular stipulations refpe&ing the freedom of navigation
and commerce, in time of war, of the fubjefts of the
States General, contained in the several treaties
now fubfifling between his Majesty and the Republic,
and more particularly those contained in the marine trea
ty between Great-Britain and the United Provinces, con
cluded at London, Dec. L 1674.
ID
From a humane regard to the interests of individuals,
and a desire to prevent their fuffering by any furprize,
his Majesty, by and with the advice of his Privy Coun
cil, doth declare, that the effed of this his Majesty's or
der, shall take place at the following terms, viz.
Jn the Channel and the North Seas, twelve days after
the date hereof.
From the Channel, the Britiffi Seas, and the North
Seas, as far as the Canary Islands inclusively, either
in the Ocean or Mediterranean, the term shall be fix
weeks from the aforefaid date.
Ttree months from the said Canary lilands as far as
the Equinoctial Line or Equator.
And lastly, fix months beyond the said line of Equa
tor, and in all other parts of the world, without
any exception or other more particular description
of time and place.
^rcth. Carpi
May 3. A letter from on board the Swan sloop, dated
in the Bay of Biscay, April 12, fays, “ We daily meet
with Dutch ships who (warm in the Bay, and carry on the
French trade. We have, however, taken only two ;obc
from Cadiz for Brest, with flores, lent to Libon; theo
ther from Boutdeaux, sent for England; by which con
veyance you will receive this : These people appear as if
worn to secrecy ; for ask what question you will, the reply
is, " I know nothing."
May 8. In the House of Lords on Saturday was read a
third time, and pass d the Salt Duty Bill. Provision is
made for railing the said tax in the Isle of Man ; and the
Bill, with several others, are to receive the Royal Assent
by commission this day.
Capt. Pearson, late of the Serapis, who has chosen the
Alarm in preference to two other ships that were offered
him, one of them the Magnanime, a new 64 gun ship,
building at Deptford, has what is commonly termed a
roving commission, which enables him to cruize in any
latitude he may choose, and for as long a time as he plea
ses.
May 9. It is said that the neutral powers have resolved
to form a Congress, for the purpose of competing a new
cede of maritime law of nations. That this Congress will
mee t in Hollaed, and that even the powers at war will be
invited to fend each one Delegate. If ti ere be eny truth ia
this flory, it is Dot improbable that a general peace'will
be th e confequeuce.
WILLIAMSBUR G, July 1.
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated June 13,
1780,
“ The eyes of all America are now turned to the Vir
ginia Assembly. All the States north cf this have alrea
dy, altogether or nearly compleated the scheme of finance
adopted in February and March last, Pennsylvania, like
a giant just awakened from his wine, is laying about her,
seizing provisions and horses for the army, and muttering
her numerous bands of substantial yeomanry. The gene
ral and generous wish of the honefl whigs here is, that
General Clinton may return and figure away in New-
Jersey, or the neighbourhood, rather than visit Virginia.
Her langour was deplored ; but new the resolutions of her
Councils spread aflonihmint and universal consternation
(except among the tcries.)
" The new money is ftruck> Conncaicut has recei
ved her share. The French Agents offer specie for th ; s
money, (hilling for (hilling ; and these wife and frugal
people ate taking the adVantge cf getting specie into their
Treasury at the rate of forty for one, whereas here, and I
understand with you, it is sixty for one.
" Immense must be yeur exertions to comply with the
payments that must be made to keep the army together.
The wisdom of your Councils, no doubt, will provide far
it; but to provide for the demands which will continual
ly increase with the depreciation, I fear will call for the
utmost reach cf your wisdom and (kill.
" Strange ! that the landed altered of Virginia Ihould
agree to increase the burthen of their taxes, by continu
ing it te be ever, man's interest to help on with depre
ciation],
" Virginia waswife ; ffie is yet wife; but her friends
fay she is in the delerium of a feverj a paper money
dream, like opium, has relaxed her peters. I for my
part will, as we did about Charleflown, hope for better
things to the last. Politicks ! thcu art an renigma ; an
ignis tatuus ; a lamp to light one into fafety and to peace."
The 2,th ult. a fleet of merchantmen, confiding of
twenty-four fail, at one o'clock abreast of Cape Henry,
difeovered nine fall of vessels to the south eafl ; at two
o'clock difeovered twenty five, all fquar6 rigged vessels,
except a cutter and one other small ftoep; four es them
appeared to be large men of war. The wind to the east
ward, the fleet bore upand flood in again. At fix P. M.
above Willoughby's Point, a ship and iwo brigs of the ene
my being within gun (hot, the ships Ret own and Fair
American, brigs Hero, Minerva, and Industry, hove to
and prepared for close adion to proted the fleet ; an adj
-00 ensued, wich laded about an hour without any mter
miffioß; but the enemy being only three in number, and
some considerable distance fre m the rest of their ships, did
not think proper to engage in close aßien. Cur vessels
of war having secured their convoy, and observing a fri
gate and several other vessels of the enemy bearing down
upon them, thought it most prudent to discontinue the
adion, and made the best of their way for the bay. The
chace continued until dark, when five of the enemy's ships
anchored above New. Port News; the rest are supposed
to be in Hampton Road. Wedo not hear that our fleet
has sustained any damage.
ANNAPOLI S, July 7.
On Wednesday last the General Assembly of this State
adjourned, the Senate to the firft Monday in November,
and the House of Delegates to the third Monday in Sep
tember next, after having passed the following laws:
1. An Aft to authorize the Cemmiffioners appointed
by the Ad for the immediate fwpply of flour and otbf,
provisions for the army, to hire or impress vessels and
carriages.
2. An Aa to procure a Loan.
). An Ad for a new and speedy enrollment of the Mi
litia.
4. An Aa for the relief of Zachariah Forrest, Colleaor
@f the tax for St. Mary's county.
5. An Aa for the payment of certain certificates.
6. An Aa for the relief of Thomas Williams,Colleaor
of the affeffmeat in Prince George's county.
7. An Aa for the adjournment cf Charles county
Court.
8. An A& for finking the quota required by Congress
of this State of the Bills of Credit emitted by Congress.
9. An Aa to continue the A&s of Assembly therein
mentioned.
10. An Aft to procure recruits to complete the battali
ons of this State in the service of the United States, and
to raise an additional regiment, if necessary.
11. An A& to revive anions and process in the Court
of Appeals, to enable any one Judge to adjourn the said
Court, and to direst the oath of the Judges in case of Ap>
peals from the Court of Chancery.
12. An Aa for the relief of those who have and my
fuffer by the British army.
13. An Aa for the appointment es several Colleax3
in % r h coun+vwhere necessary, and for other purptte