The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-06-20 00:00:00, page 2

^tbe MARYLAND JOURNAL, &c.
To the PEOPLE OF MARYLAND, VIRGINIA,
NORTU - CAROLINA, AND SOUTH - CARO
LINA.
% T is now a confideraNe time since your affairs in par-
A titular have assumed a serious countenance) and, with
thinking mind*, become a fubjeCt of much apprehension.
Our enemy had greatly exhausted bin flf in unprofitable
attempts in fevral parts of the States, before he appears
to have tully appreciated bis fyHem to the font 'ward. At
length, however, he gave proofs not to be overlooked,
o' a det rmin.ddesign toad there to the utmost extent
of his remaining refources.'
Remote dihr is makes but a feeble impression when men
are at eaf\ It is hard y attended to, or soon forgotten;
like a tale ; in the ch^raflers of which we have not been
int^refted. We heard of the capture of Savannah, in
Georgia, with the fame indifference as if it had been a
town in Asia—But when the siege of Charleftown became
critical, and as the danger approached nearer us, we be
gan to feel ourldvet; and, it was not till then, that the
general cry commenced, The southern States are neglected.
Why have not fuccours been lent from the main army to
our diftreffe 1 brethren ? Were men but as ready to do their
duty as to throw their own defaults upon others, the world
would hear fewer complaints ; nor would there have been
occasion for ti is piece. But as the case Is otherwise, let
us enquire who are the delinquents. If it be our rulers,
we will blame them freely: If ourselves, peradventure
we may yet make atonement for cur faults;
By looking back into the dates when detachments were
made from the main army, we will find that these corre
fponl with the unfolding of the enemy's designs, and
were pretty nearly proportioned to their force. The
North. Carolina troops wete very early detached. The
Virginia recruits, which were to fill up the deficiencies in
her battalions, were ordered to be collected by Brigadier
General Scott, and marched to the southward. These
wer^ fuccee led by two regiments of cavalry and the
whole Virginia tr ops .And when the second armament
embarked at New-York, to these were added, the Ma
ryland and Delaware lines, so that (besides some inde
p ndeot corps) there is appointed tothis service, the whole
rt ul r force of fix Stites out of the thirteen.—But from
a variety of unexpected dellys given to toe march of this
force, and a train of cauies the most unlucky that could
have happened, only a very inconsiderable part of it has
as yet reached General Lincoln, or is now anting with
him in the defence of Char'eftown.
From this simple account of has, property considered,
we may learn to reverence the condud of our greatrulers.
And, I think, we may venture to pronounce, from a full
revifal © f times and circumstances, that what has been
done, as it regards fuccours, is the effort of found policy.
For Carolina to have hoped for more troops from the
main army, would have been highly unreasonable ; to
have sent less, would have been unwise ; and to have mar
ched them sooner, would have been an imprudent antici
pation, an I might have fubj^ed other important objerts
to the most imminent risque -But, can we fay to
curfelvee, that we have assisted the commiffariate and
quartermift r's departments, in giving them a rapid no
tion , or toat we have not turned awry onr faces, as if
we thought their transportation could go on of itfelf ? Ex
cept the money which cue of your trading towns lent to
government, 'to facilitate the business, what is there left
toboaHof?
Bet the evil is yet m^ re extensive ; let us try to difeo
ver as much of it as may serve for a guide to what re
mains.
An i lea was early entertained, that our lea-port towns
fliould net bedefen'ded. Ti is was well enough while we
had neither artillery nor a finding army ; but when < ur
army put on a regular and permanent form, and when
we could import and make whatever was necessary for the
defence o'pbees, we should, from that time, have em
braced the , raflve of Europe, and fortified our cities, A
poll at each extreme of the States should have been ren
dered as impregnable aspefftbie. Charleftown, in Soutii-
Carohna, and Sefton to the eaflward, might have been
the principal barriers to the empire. A garrison pro
perty provided on this scale, had little to fear from any
force which Great Britain could find againRit. Be cur
main army where it would, we could always relieve it in
season..„
IVe mav reckon among the advantages of this plan,
that tne'er&my is confined to one objed ; wastes perhaps
a whole campaign in the reduction of one poH ; moulders
away before its works, while the country is allowed time
cieft i's fierce, nor overwhelmed as Jersey was in the
yea< 1776. There is a very Hriking inflance before us
in CharUrowr.—Wnh a few old works, and the additi
onal ones sirred by that conciliating hero and patriot,
Genial Limolo, this city has supported for a period be
yond all lertnitle expedition, tee regular aproaehes of
a Formidable navy arid army- No one can pretend to
blame General Lincoln for not making it Wronger, who
recollects how variously be has been engaged since his ap
pointment to the command of the southern army; ray, he
hes done mere than could be well hoped for under bis
circum fiances, And if the town which he is defending
falls, it is because wed ; d not explode a principle only a
dapted to our infant Rate, the moment we found ourselves
in theconditicn of other nations; and because we have
not rend red him that timely fdccour, which he had eve
ry reason to expert,and which we had every inducement
tofend. ,
In times of public danger like the present, I hold every
species of in^ion of the nature of treason ; and, for this
reason, were the defpenfing of justice lodged with me, the
man who firft laid that your troops must reach Charles.
town too late to save it, should fuffer a severe punishment.
1+ was a catching sentiment, which men wer- but too for
ward to copy; it encouraged felf-indulgence, and no
doubt ha* been the cause of delay. It was confirming a
lethargy, when Something should have been administered
to keep us awake: We cannot forgive ignorance in the
politician, more than in the general or physician, because
its eff Hs are often equally irreversible and fatal.
'But what inad we fay, when objerts of the last confe
©uence are at Hake, should any State or Government
haver' defied the moH essential matters, for matters un
effentirt dr injurious ? Is there a Stafe, that (amidst
our mos? prefling necessities) has been industrious tn the
conteQion of laws little efficient to the good either of a
whole or a part of the empire ;— that has difenabled her
felf from furnifhing its quota of the current expenses, by
multiplying her debts in remote cenquefts, and in the
eHahJifhment of civil and military dignities;—thst has
weakened the country, by an extortion of her frontiers ; —
that has been remiss in filling up her battalions ; —that has
been uncompafficnate to the calls ofa Sifter State ; —that
has been always pompous in expression, and forever
idolizing a faftidious importance at the expeuce of her fub
jerts, her fafety, and that of her neighbours — Do we ob
serve a wealthy State supine, and exporting from others
what the waggoner, in the fable, asked for of Jupiter ^
Untaught by th? experience of those nations who keep up
negro battalions, or those ravagers of the East, whose
chief Hrength is compefed o' its natives Declining
to embody those men which would have cost her little, and
faced the blood'of her citizens, and which she could have
belt (pared—Tru fling to the hour of invasion, the trial of
her patriotifm—lmprovident andunanticipating in times
of tranquility, though, from the nature of her circum
flances, not calculated for general and vigorous exertions
in times of diftrefs—ln such cases as these, there are words
expressive of our feelings; which perhaps may occur on
the occasion.
But the opinion or reproof of an obfeure individual is
generally unimpressive, amidst the pleasures of indolence,
or the hurry of amassing wealth. The crisis is however
at hand, when these States must either give up their title
to patriotism, or eftabliib it by indubitable testimony.
It is time to forego an injurious repose, and befiir our
fe|ves in good earnest. Although the danger yet seems
at a dißance, it may soon be at our doors. Besides, we
fliould know that by engaging the enemy in our neigh
bour's dominions, we afford the most perfert protection
to our own. Tuey will submit cheerfully to the calami
ties of war fer the fake of affiflance. Why then should
we hesitate to fend forward our Militia ? On their go
ing or flaying, are entailed events of the utme & consi
deration.
But by our latest advices, Charleftown flill held out ;
it cannot, however, hold outalways, urlefs assisted. The
brave garrison, although but a banditti, and preff^d on
all sides, are seen stretching themselves over the ramparts,
in hopesof feeing us marching to their relief. Shall these
men be br ve to no purpose; and must they fall by the
neghrt of their countrymen ? St.Piul fays thathewbo
doesnot provide tor his own house is worse than an in
fidel. What have they done to be facrificed ?—Every
Athenian, at his twentieth year, took an oath, to fight
for his country, with his cpyntryincn, or alone, as cir
curnfiances required, to thevery last drop of his blood.
Although your oath to the States, which you have taken,
is less explicit, can you believe it is lets binding? Does
it encourage you to flay at home, when your country and
countrymen are in danger; or silo you not think, tbit
you are bound thereby personally to affifi in the defence
of the empire?—What has so long prevented Maryland
from embodying one or two tbculand Militia fer this oc
casion? If her laws were weak or incompetent to this end,
why were they hot amende!? But what has prevented
Virginia from fending three or four thouf^nd, in con
junction with North-Carolina? Such a policy would
have been productive of many advantages, which we have
net time here to enumerate; while the evils which have
arisen, and may yet arise, from its not being adopted,
must all be charged to your account.
Still, however, the fate of the Eritifh army (be the fate
of Charleftown what it will) rests on your measures. You
cannot be longer idle fpertators, especially when the ques
tion is, shall we take Clinton, or fhal we fuffer him to
take us. Calculating on your means, whether he has
Charleftown, or whether we shall hold it, him and his
army may be coufi feted as already our prisoners. He
must fall into our hands, if we ihow ourselves like men,
who have the honor and happintfs of their country at
heart, and Charleftown (should it be taken) with Geor
gia, must return again into our bosom, like Boston, like
Bruufwick, like Philadelphia, and Rhode-Ifland. Clinton
could have taken no position which would have better an
swered our purpose, than the present. It is no longer
with him as when his troops were at New-York and
Rh®de-Ifland. Then 'indeed, upon the appearance of
danger, he could easily have drawn them together. .But
as his army is now managed, cut up into two rertetf
posts, and out of all supporting distance of each other,
each and both could not be more favourably situated for
our experiments and expectations , '
I would beg leave to mention some further matters en
titled to the most immediate confideratibn. The energy
of your general exertions, and the consequences of these
will decide, whether the war is to be continued, or to
close with this campaign. Besides compleating your
Yon cannot be ignorant that she enemy is playing his
last game, and that it will be your fault should it not be
ffnifhed, this year in your favour. Great Britain has
flaked e r ry thing agairiftCharleflowa, and we only, out
of the common stock, this city and its garrison. The
loss of the latter cannot make us bankrupt, but should
she fail, her expectations are at an end.
We wi'l suppose, if you please, Charleftown taken by
the enemy, and then fee whether he has gained or loft by
the adventure. What great hopes the Eritifh cabinet, or
the tories, can derive from this event, is beyond my corn
prehenfion ! It does not advance the former one degree
nearer the conquest of this empire, nor are we the Irts
certain of our independence, while the tories, their allies,
have only a frefh occasion of flowing the weakness and
wickedness of their hearts, by exulting in what can bring
them no good. It must be very evident to any petfon,
that will take up the fubjert,and that is capable ofconfider^
ihg if in its extent, that it would be policy in us, to bar
ter a tori/n and garrison, at any time, for the expence the
enemy must be at in its capture, admitting only that it
be tolerably defended- On this plan Great-Bri ain must
pray for ptace long before one third of our cities could be
subdued: Nay, she would be unable to reduce one more
at the fame price, in time, blood and treasure, which
Charieftowa has alr^dy cost her. It is now about fix
months that her general, and rietfr half his army, have
been engaged in its reduction. In such experiments, the
Conqueror is the principal fufferer. And the taking of a
city, when bought so dearly, is like going to law for a
trifle, where more time is (pent, and more money given
to the lawyers (that is the generals) in the prosecution of
the suit, than the thing fought after is worth, or will bring
when obtained.
southern army to its full compliment, and ferwar ing 1
inflantaid in militia to reinforce it, money and previ
ous, at leatt, are absolutely eflential for the operations i f
your grand army. " Your military departments (you
are told) are at a stand for wanted money, to put them
in motion. Congress have no resources but in your spi
rit and virtue; upon these they confidently rely." There
are force of you more particularly affected than others,
by this representation. The complaint here is not want
of means, but want of attention. This is a time to (peak
truths—a time to give, and a tim9 to expert. You know
whah is wanted^ To an ample poffeffibn of those things,
join a rivalfhip to contribute them. Imitate the Wemen
of Zarephath in what le gave, as well as in faith. Be
patient, be vigorous, and leave the rest to Cork refe, your
army, your allies, and a kind Providence.
We need not go farther back than the present war for
examples to awaken your patriotism. Bunker's-hill, and
the expulsion of the enemy from Bollen, will forever con
tinue proofs cf the fp ; rit of our militia. The successive
engagements with Burgoyne's army, and his surrender at
Saratoga, could not have been efferted had the militia
withheld their assistance The Stete of New-York,
with its capital city in the enemy's peffeffion, and its
frontiers fubjert to frequent inroads from the ftvages,had
been, throughout the whole course of the war, exemplary
in her exertions for the common cause. At this juncture,
I am told, she has her full compliment of troops jn the
field, besides feme corps for internal defence. The mili
tia are also under an excellent arrangement, and can be
called to any point on the shortest notice. She supplies she
army with large quantities of pruvifions, and in general
has done it on better terms than others ; and, in trying
filiations, has not once failed to diftioguifh herfelf. Such
is the small State of New York ! The people of Jersey,
need no penagyric. Their long-fufferings, their exerti
ons, and the spirit of their midtia, are well known. It
will be fufficient to men;ion a late inflance of their patri
otism. When the army, last winter, could not draw for
ward its supplies, btcapfe of thedeep snow, it was wholly
fubfifled by Jersey; till the roads became passable for car
riages.
T; efe are States entitled to praise—States whose formers
are before Princes. To be born in oneef these will be an
inheritance. The offspring of thrir present inhabitants,
asa writer fays of the Germans, " will walk with an in
ward reverence over the fields which cover the remains of
their great anceftor*, and in the forefts where their repu
tatioa, Villas it were, hovers about the m^ffy oaks ''
If in treating of your dearest inter-fts, I have been led
into a recriminating language, your, candour niliattn
bute it to she proper cause. ^ Perhaps my zeal may have
carried me beyond the line I had proposed, and while I
have fpokbn agreeably 0 myown feelings,! may have hurt
those of another. But being no candidate fer any public
office, and under no man's influence, nor receiving any
pay whatsoever, I can have no point in view but that of
your independence ; nor any interest to cflahbfh, but
that ofthe common good. Under these circumflaricas
you will be pleated to confide, this address. And remem
bering, that conditions of peace turn upon the events of
war, be no longer worfhippers of procrastination, nor ex
ped from others what you should do for yourselves, but
join heartily in one general effort, and complete our de
liverance from a nation (to use the character given it by
Swift, in one of his best performances) " the bulk of
whose natives are the most pernicious race of little odious
vermin, that nature ever fuffeted to crawl upon the face
of theearth,"- —- —-June 1, 178% Z.
%, Since clohng the above (which would have appear
ed in last week's paper, had there been room for its inftr
tion) an officer of rank, from the southward, with dis
patches from General Lincoln, to Congress, brings the
account of the surrender of CiaxleHewn, on the 12th of
last month. It may be observed on ibis event, that t
has been brought about uhder circumflances pe< uliarly fa
vourable to otirerms ; and that the brave garrison, so far
from having (übjeded themfelve^ to censure by their fur
r ndet, are entitled to a vote of thanks from Congress, for
their long and gallant refinance. We may venture to pro
nounce that the defence of Charleftown will be told with
the inoft brilliant tilings of this whr. It has shewn us ter
Europe in a new situation, with which they are familiar,
and hasgiven us an opportunity of vying with some of
their best defended cities. In the course of the approach
es 00l , the enemy, it is pretty certain, loft an equal, if
not a greater number than the whole amount of cur Con
tinents! troops. We had about 300 killed and wounded
in the works. The lines of the place were but little above
the i ate of held fortifications, notwithflanding which, the
enemy had open trenches upon them for forty three days,
and open batteries for thirty-four days, besides the long
time employed in previous preparations; nor was the ca
pitulation obtained till they had works within four yards
of ours. Here was a trial of courage and fk 11, which im
pressed the enemy with veneration towards the garrison!
No troops, however praAifed in such cases, could have
conducted in every refpea better. The terms of surren
der are a proof of this. Every military diftinaion usu
al in Europe, were granted, cn this occasion, to ourlittle
garrison, reduced by the siege to 1500 men ; and peculiar
privileges obtained, evincive of high re pea for this brave
handful of men. lam told they do not confider thern
felves unfortunate, but are fatisfied to fuffer, from the
consolation of having enhanced the military character of
their country, and from a confidence that the fame spirit
which inspired them, will animate their brethren to their
relief. Upon the whole, should we fail to embrace their
spirit, or to make a proper use of the present moment,
for recovering the ground which they loft, we but ill de
serve to possess, undisturbed, the ground we now occu
py. The enemy distressed by a diversity of perplexing calls
upon their fatigued and reduced army,will be an easy con
quest to vigorous measures. The endeavours which they
used to keep the surrender of the place a secret, shew that
they wanted to steal themselves upon us, or draw us, be
fore we were prepared, into their hands. It cannot yet
,be fold th'ey have gained over us any great advantage ;
;and we have them most effectually in our power, if we
will but use the occasion. They have loft by a siege what
Burgoyne did in repeated engagements ; and like Bur
goyne, after his losses, they are pressing into the coun
try. It was there Burgoyne received his fate ; and shall
we not makeafecdod example of raffinefs, vanity, and
obstinacy? Z.
June 12,1780.