The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-11-17 00:00:00, page 2

Indeed, T most fortunately received intelligence, that
the enemy were Arrived at the Cape from to Wind
ward with 28 fail of the line and fix frigates. A con
voy of 186 fail, worth between three and four millions
fieri, was not to be hazarded, at least where I had the
direction; and I conduced them back with all possible
expedition. Fourteen of s he enemy are supposed, by
government advices to fir Geo. Rodney, to be going t<,
America, Mons. de Graffe to Europe with their trade.
When this takes place ? we shall proceed again, or
through the Gulph, if intelligence should come that
the Spaniards are failed from the Havanna. We shall
be thrown back late in the season, by this unlucky af
fair ; and the Albion is not in very good condition,
being far advanced in her fourth year off the ground,
which is fhameful. -What do you fay to fir George
Rodney fending fir S. Hood with 18 fail of the line, to
attack 24 of the enemy, which I saw under his own
hand, and keep four fail doing nothing at St. Euftatia;
where we seem to have taken up a line of conduct
unbecoming the character and usage of civilized nati
ons, who conquer the Sovereignty of bates, but not
the private property of individuals. I remain with
great regard, very sincerely your s,
GEO. BOWYER."
From many letters and papers lately taken from the
enemy, and brought into this port, in sundry prizes,
we have feleded the following, viz.
Extras of a letter, dated at Spanish Town, Jamaica,
July 21st, 1781, signed Tho. Warren, and directed
to Neill Malcolm, efq• in London.
" The assembly met on the 3d infant ; voted a tern
porary provision for the 99th ; addressed the king ; a
greed to raise the currency of guineas to I.iiz-6(but
avoided putting any thing on their minutes refpe&ing
it )-.paffed sundry resolutions, &c. ——I inclofe a copy
of the address as it now stands, and of the resolution
that was to liave been the ground of the address origi
nally intended : which papers I will beg you to fend to
Mr. Royall, when you and your friends have done with
them."
The address here follows.
« Jamaica, ff.
" To the king's rcoft excellent majefly in council.
" The humble address and petition of the assembly of
Jamaica.
“ Most gracious sovereign,
" We yourmajefty's loyal assembly of Jamaica, ac
knowledging with gratitude the many instances of your
royal attention, humbly represent to your majesty,
with the utmost duty and affedion, that this colony la
bours under distresses which we trust may be removed
or alleviated by your majefly's gracious interpofiti
on.
" We humbly represent to your majesty, that we have
raffed and continued to repair extensive fortifications
for the defence of the island ; that we have con flruHed
barracks for the accommodation #f your majesty's
troops, and annually vote a considerable addition to
their British fubfift^nce; and that in the course of the
present war, and particularly during mart al law, for
two succeeding years, the efforts of your faithful peo
p'e for the preservation of this invaluable part of the
Eritith empire, have far exceeded our ability ; that the
assembly of Jamaica think it a part of the duty they
owe tbeir conftituegts, humbly to submit to your ma
jefty,that their fortunes are impaired,their resources an
ticipated by these extraordinary aids ; and that, by the
pr ffure of accumulated debts, they have been drained
of the specie necessary for the purpose of commerce,
and reduced to the painful expedient of emitting what
nearly resembles a paper currency, to which the legal
interest of this colony hath failed to give circulation.
“ While under these difficulties, we were visited with
a most severe calamity Two of our towns were buri
ed in ruins ; and a very large and fertile dihrid defo
fated ; which rendered it our indifpenfible duty to assist
the inhabitants most immediately effected from the
public funds, however great the general distress.
" We represent to your majesty, with tiie warm,fl
attachment and refpe&, but with the utmost concern;
that in a season of fucb calamity, the British house of
commons, while they voted a relief to the distresses of
individuals, have drawn from us, by an excessive tax
on our fiaple, a revenue equal to the interest of fix
millions sterling, raised and funded on our credit
rt This additional burthen your maiefty's impover
ished, but faithful fubjeasdefpair of fopporting ; and
it is our duty to express to your majesty our most
feribus apprehensions, that many sugar plantations
will in a few years be abandoned, and their proprie
tors be under the necessity of migrating to some other
country ; as the operation of the tax will prove fatal
to the numerous body of resident planters, to whose
industry this colony owes a very considerable part of
its produce, who form the most ufeful class in our
community, and furnish the best defence in the moment
of danger.
" It is with extreme reluctance we find ourselves un
der the necessity of laying before your majesty, that
these accumulated evils may in future disable us from
railing the fares necessary for the fortifications, or to
continue the island fubfiflence to your majesty's
troops.l
" We therefore humbly and earnefily intreat that
your majefly will graciously condescend to take such
measures as your royal wisdom shall fuggefi, toob
tain for us the necessary relief from this heavy addi
tional tax upon our Rape
" That the fspreme arbiter may continue to your
majesty, and every branch of your illufir-ous house,
the blessing of the divine protection ; and that your ma
jeily's empire may be speedily united and restored to
peace, is the fervent wish and prayer of your majelly's
zealous, dutiful and loyal assembly."
AMSTERDAM, August 14-
Extraß of an authentic letter, written from the Fly,
the 9th of August, by an officer of the Holland man
of war, commanded by captain Dedel.
ICE Eagerly embrace this opportunity of acquainting
1 you of my arrival at the Fly, and of our having
{uftaiued, on the sth of this month, ^ n;oll obflinate
and bloody combat against a British squadron, consist
ing of a 90 gun ship, five 70%, and one from 50 to 60.
Our squadron confided of three 50's, two 68's, a 70
and a 40. The engagement began five mnutes b fore
8 o'clock, and lasted about four hours. The British
were the firft who gave signals for retreating. It was
impossible for us to follow the enemy, considering the
condition our ships were in, after having futiaiyed a
com at gainfl forces so superior. Our fllip made 40
inches of water, which obliged us, a:ter having held a
council of war, to heave our guns overboard, which
did not flop the water's coming in. After having tried
all in our power to save the ship, we were forced to
submit to the hard necessity of leaving her, and going
on board the Spy, of 16 guns, which took a great
deal of ime, for we had but a (mail (loop, with that
of the Spy. Seeing at lad that the water had got be
tween decks, we left the fllip at about two o'clock in
the morning, amidst a horri! tempest of thunder and
lightening, and we had the grief to leave behind us fe
v^rrti wounded, which it was impossible to save. A lit
tle after we saw our veffcl ink, which had received,
during the action, several (hot under water. We had
been long engaged between a 70 and a 50, and we had
fired about 1500 ihot. We loft no officers; our loss
consists of 25 killed, and 45 wound d.
Among other particulars relative to this engagement,
we learn that captain Bentinck has had 18 killed and 49
wounded, and captain Kindfbergen 8 killed and 28
wounded. The latter defended himfelf against thru?
(hips a whole hour, during which lie fired 1054 fho s.
The brave Dedel was during the whole a&ion between *
a British 84 and a 70. There never was so much cou
rage and intrepidity displayed. The sirs lquarter mas
ter, and the mate of the (hip Admiral General having
been wounded, after having their wounds dressed, re
turned to their posts again, encouraging the cre^s to
take r venge for the blood of their comrades fpilt in
the adion. The enemy must have considerably fuffr
ed, for they were seen to throw a great many bodies
overboard. The number of killed and wounded is not
yet known ; we rnow only that lieutenant Storm des
Gravefande has loft an arm and both his legs, and young
M'Lane has had his head (hot off.
Although this engagement had no decisive confe
queuces it will however be looked upon a remarkable
epocha in the annals of hiflory, by the important ob
fervatioua it fuggefis :
1. Posterity will not fail to remark, that this is ,I
most the firft regular action that has been fought since
the beginning of the war.
2. It will be remarked that there were in this action
only the v< ffels of Amflerdam : had those of the Yenfe
and Zealand been there, it is not to be doubted but we
would have gained a most complete vi&ory and we
would have found in the rich convoy of the enemy, a
full indemnification for the lawless piracies they have
exerofed against us.
A 3d remark occurs here, that notwithstanding t'e
contempt which the English have affefled, and the bad
opinion with which our long patienehad mfpired other
nations towards us, it evidently appears that we have
not degenerated from the valour of our ancient heroes,
and that the En li(h wou d already have severely felt
the vigour of our arm, had we not been prevented by
unhappy circuinftances.
And lastly, that victory is undoubtedly on our fide,
if we can properly give that name to the advantage of
baffling the enemy's'defigns. Conti Bering our great in
feriority, it could not iiave been our intention to attack:
tie Englilh, on the contrary, flattered themselves with
the idea of destroying our fleet, and carrying off
our convoy. They have failed in both designs, they
have even been very roughly used: we can then fay,
without vanity, that they have been defeated. As
they have neverihelefs done us a good deal of hurt, it
is not to be doubted, but they will attribute the^i&o
ry to themselves: it would even be easy to relate be
fore hand the account of their pretended viftory, in
the fame terms in which it will be expressed in the Lon
don papers* but the world has long fiace ceased to be
dazzled by the British gafconades. At all events it
is certain, that this firft action does the greatest honour
to our nation, and will not fail to animate them Hill
more against their enemy."
Extras of another letter from a volunteer on board
admiral Zoutman's fquadrou.
“ The English had the cruelty and infernal barbari
ty to fire from their cannon, pepper, glass, bits of chi
na ware, knives and other materials, which we have
had to extrad from .he wounded men, to their intoler
able anguillr."
Amfierdam, August 22, 1781.
On the nth of August the prince wrote the following let
ter to the crews of the vessels of the flare.
Noble, refpedable and virtuous, our faithful and well
beloved.
g^rE have learned, with the greatest (atisfaflion,
that the squadron of the state, under the com
mand of rear admiral Zoutman, although weaker by a
gr-at deal in ships, guns and men, than the English
squadron of vice admiral Parker, has refilled so cou
rageoully, on the sth of this month, his attack, that
the English squadron, after a most obfiinate combat,
which lasted from eight o'clock in the morning to half
after eleven, was obliged to desist and retire. The hero
j. courage with which rear admiral Zoutman, the cap
tains, officers, petty officers and common sailors and
Soldiers, who have bad a part in the action and who
und*r the blessing of God Almighty, have so well dis
charged their duty in this naval combat, merit the
praise of all, and our particular appro atton. It is for
this cause we have thought fit, by the present, to write
to you, to thank publicly in our name, the said vice
admiral, captains, officers, petty officers and common
sailors and soldiers, by reading this letter on board
of each ship which took part in the aftion, and whose
captains and crews have fought with so much courage
and valour, and to transmit, by the secretary of the
fleet of the state, an authentic copy, as well to the said
rear admiral Zoutman, as to the commanders of the
ships under his orders, with the conduct of whom the
said rear admiral had reason to be fatisfied, tefijfying
moreover, that we doubt not that they, and all the o
ther officers of the state, and soldiers, on those occafc
ons which may present, will give proofs that the state
is not destitute of defenders 01 our dear country, and
of her liberty; and that the ancient heroic valour of
the Batavians ftiil exists, and will not be extinguished.
Wherefore, noble, refpe&able, virtuous, our faithful
and well beloved, we r< commend you to the divine pro
tection, Your affectionate friend,
Hague, WILLIAM,
Auguff 14, 1781. Prince of Orange.
By order of his highness,
J. J. de Lazz y.
The following declaration, supposed to be of the
prince, was issued by order, in the news papers.
“ As pains are taken to draw the public into an opi
nion, that the vessels of the Meuse (Rotterdam) and of
Middleburg (Zealand) at. firft had orders to join the
squadron of the Texel, (only those of Amsterdam) had
afterwards received counter orders, as it is given out ig
force cities, and which is propagated, (God knows with
what design) it is to us a particular fatisfadion to be
able to allure the public, from authentic information,
and even from the supreme authority, that such affec
tions are destitute of all foundation, and dbfolutei,
contrary to the truth ; that the orders given were never
revoked, but on the cont rary repeated more than once
to the vessels of the Menfe, to join the convoy of the
Texel, which could not be executed, because it did not
please providence to grant a wind, and the other fa
vourable circumflances necessary to this effeft, while
the province of Zealand, threatned at the fame time
with an attack from an English squadron, would not
willingly have seen diminished the number of vessels
which lay at that time in their road. It is neverthe
less much to be regretted, that circumflances -have not
permitted us to render the Dutch squadron fufficieng
'y flrong, to have obtained over the enemy a victory,
as ufeful as it was glorious."
@o&®®®^l9 @^®@@@@^&^
Reed a^d Forde,
At their STORE in Front-ftrert, two doors above the
Ma ket, h^v- op^n^d
A freffi Assortment of MERCHANDIZE,
Which they continue to eh for Specie, Bills of Ito
change, or Pap^r Currency :
Among which are
0 E ST fuperfins Cloths, of all colour#,
D Second and confe ditto, ditto,
Spotted and pl.in S^a^ns,
Red and white Funnels and Brizes,
Duffi's and H^thicks,
Pink, crimen, bla.k, green, and blue Callimancras
^r.d Durants,
Shalloons and R.ttmets,
Th^e-q Arters, 7-8 and yard wide Irilh, French, and
Duth L : .n?nt,
Towelling and Table-linen,
Cambricks and Lawn, in patches and pieces,
La n and Kenting Ha.dk rehief? and Aprons,
Brfcel nt, Ram ill, and Bandarmo H nokerchieft,
A Variety of dark ground, low priced, Ca,ico%
Chintzes, and Cottons,
Mens, womens, and childrens worsted and cotton
Hose,
Mens strong milled Hole,
Sattins and Feelongs,
Black, blue, green, pink, and white Luteftringr, Sari
ne s, and Persians,
H^f-ell, 3 4, and yard wide bhck Modes, &c. &%
N. B. Tobacco, F.our, and Brlron will be re
ceived in Payment, at th- Market Prices. N % 14.
—t=. -.-- mrarae fymmt—gQ
George Hughes, and Co.
HA VE FOR SALE,
At their S TORE, on the south fide of Market-street,
next the wharf,
OT.D cane juice Spirits,
Weft-ladia Rum,
French Brandy,
Madeira,
Sherry,!
Ldbun, } WINES,
Mountain, I
& TeHuiffe J
Loaf, -)
h un , 1 C SUGARS,
Mufeovado ('
and Spanish)
Gunpowder .
and Hyfonl
in chests of I A r
~TEAS,
kz pounds, ( 4'
Soufhong [^
and Behea'
With sundry other ARTICLES, all of the very best
Quality, which they will dispose of on the most rea
sonable Terms.
Twenty Dollars Reward.
CTOLEN Hit Wednesday (the 14th instant) T rirty
' cieht GUINEAS, Nine HALF JOES, One M'>l
- and a Quarter, and some Hard DOLLARS^
number not known. The Thief °oes by the nam of
THOMAS STREMBACK, is of a dark complexion,
has short daik hair, near 5 fee 11 mehs high, about
twenty years of age, a Taylor by trade, and was born
at Brunswick in the J^rfier. He had on a blue jacket
and breeches, a coattee of bfown linen, worn out at the
elbows, a light coloured great coat, and an old round
h t ; but it 18 probable he will change his clothes.
Whoever secures him so that he 'e brought to justice,
shall have the above reward, an* rerjonable charges.
CHARLES MACKENZEY, in Strawberry-alley.
Coffee,
Chocolate,
Rice,
Flour,
Indigo,
Sab,
Copperas,
Allum,
Pepper,
Allspice,
Ginger,
Mace,
Nutmegs, and
Cinamon: