The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-05-20 00:00:00, page 2

Thd following articles are taken from the Gazette of
France, of March 7th, 1780.
VERSAILLES, March 1.
TH E^rqpis D±Ln Fayette having afk'd Fermif
ffdn,of the King to 'rej >p the Army of the United
States, there to Serve in the capacity of a General officer,
had the hondr to take leave otH:s Majesty and the Royal
Family.
LONDO N, February 22.
It is believed by many that the Parliament will be dis
solved, after Lord North mail have fettled the waysand
means for this year, and after the new treaty with the
Eafl-India-Company shall be compleated. But this Mi
niftcr not being able to accede to toe measures proposed
by the minority in each county, nor to fr u ftrate the views
of the majority in the counties, cities and towns of this
kin dom, must certainly wait for force more favourable
opportunity, before he will dare to trust a new election.
Alderman Haley preferred a petition to the House of
Commons from the merchants and traders of North Ame
rica, praying thaLali the ports under the Crown in that
quarter of the world may be opened; the present practice
of permits being greatly injurious to commerce.
Notwithstanding all the boasts of Lord North that he
has gueted Ireland, it is now known that he reckoned
without his noil. The liberty of commerce granted to
Ireland, when the Ministry were afraid any longer to
deny it, his not so blinded the Irish as to make them in
attentive to the liberty of their perlons, which is much
lore edemidl A letter from Ireland mentions, that the
.lociations, which our Ministry have uot been able to
dnfolve, grateful as Lord North has declared them to be
for late favours from the British Parliament, have agreed
on three points as essential to their personal liberty ;--i the
revocation of Poyhings law. 2. Am habeas corpus all,
and tne abolition of an act o the ,6th of George the iff,
declaring Ireland dependant on Great-Britain. 1 he affo-
Ciators are determined to adhere tothefe points, and a for
mal request of tais nature, is soon expected from that
kingdom.
The King has removed a number of the Lord Lieut,
Hants of tiie counties, and placed his own cre tures in their
room, who will ofcourfe have toe command of the Mili
tia. This looks threatening to the cenftitution, efpe dai
ly as a new election of Parliament muff soon take place.
The fame thing has been done in the army.
Feb. 23. A petition of toe planters and merchants of
Jariiaic., has been introduced by the Marquis of Rock
ingham, praying that better rare may be taken tor the se
curity of that important island.
Feb. 25. The Prosperous, a privateer from London, is
taken by a French frigate and carried into Nantz.
The American Union, Capt. Gigon, a privateer from
Duukirk, has returned to that port, with two English
prizes, wed laden, and bound to London.
Tne Ann, and tne John, both from Newfoundland,
were taken by a French cruizer and ransomed.
Tne Lucy, from Barbadoes, with 280 puncheonsof rum,
is taken by a French frigate.
The Chichefter, Capt. Cole, from Plymouth to Gib
raltar, being fepirated from the fleet of Admiral Rodney
is taken by the squadron of Don Barcelo.
We have just received an account of an engagement on
^f°'ft, of Portugal, ,^F^o% \vhenthelatterbreff
up, and every foul on board except one perilled.
A French cruizer that has taken a number of prizes
near Plyn\outh, and feat them to Cherburgh, is call away
on that coatl.
BOSTO N, May 4.
Last Tuesday morning the following letter from the
Marquis De La Fayette, was communicated to both
Houles of Afiembly. viz.
SIR,
ON the pointofleaving this place, may Ibe permit
ted once more to prefect to the Hon. Council and
House of Representatives, my refpeaful thanks for the
new obligitions I am laid under to them, and to thiscapi
tal at large ; by the flattering reception I have been ho
nor d with at my arrival. Nothing but those particular
m-rks of their favour, and the grateful feelings they have
excised, could increase the happiness I enjoyed in finding
myfeif on the American thore, and the warm desire I
feel of being again with my American Fellow-Soldiers,
in the defence of our noble 1 aufe.
With the highest regard,
I have the honor to be,
S I R,5
Your Honor's most obedient,
Humble servant,
LA FAYETTE.
His Honor, the President of
the Honorable Couneil.
By force gentlemen who came in the French frigate,
(Hermine) lately arrived here we are informed, that the
Marquis De La Fayette, when he took leave at the
French Court was drefs'd in his American uniform.
Tr e particular attachment of the Marquis to America,
le< him to the choice of this dress on the occafiom; and
th King made a delicate compliment to his new Alliesin
" is indulgence ; it being a new thing for a French No
deman to appear at Cowrt in a foreign uniform.
We are well informed, that the King of France did the
Marquis De La Fayette, the honor to assign the fri
gate in which he arrived, for the express purpose of con
veying him to America : She is copper bottom'd, and
efieemed one of the fineft frigates in the whole navy of
France. The Matchionefs DeLa Fayette, a Lady of
the mjft diftiocuifhed accomplishments, has borne the
Marquis a son, since he left America, to which from the
warm esteem he has for General Walhington, he gave him
he name of G EORG E.
By letters and accounts received by the French frigate,
re have good information, that the American States have
a clearer and more decided interest in the Court of France
than ever ; that all the powers of Europe wish to fee our
independence established ; that Russia, so far from efpnu
fing the cause of England, has given the most fatisfaftory
affiirances of her friendfllip for Fra ce, and 'bat she will
take no part against her in the present contest ; that the
oppefition against the Ministry in England increafesdai-
Jyj that Ireland is taking faft steps towards independen
cy; that our Allies are making the greatest preparations
for the ensuing campaign.; and that these States, from
all appearances, have the strongest encouragement to make
this year the mofi vigorous exertions.
Extract of a letter from a gentlemen at Paris, to another
in this town, dated February 27, 1780.
" Since my arrival here, I have had the pleasure of
feeing several of the Englife news-papers, and of exami
ning in some degree the state of English politicks, I find
by their papers, that a considerable number of the coun
ties have petitioned Parliament to infiitute an enquiryinto
the expenditure of the public monies, and to correct the
scandalous abuses prevailing therein, to abolish sinecures,
unmeritted pensions, and exorbitant emoluments, and
finally to introduce economy and frugally into their sys
tem of finances. The firfl Lords and Gentlemen of those
counties have advocated, in the warmest manner, those
petitions. Many more counties, it expelled, will adopt
the fame measure. To proceed in this business systemati
cally, they have eftabiilhed Committees of Correspondence
in tnofe counties, for their mutual communication and re
gular correspondence.
" You may remember. Sir, that we have, in the course
of this contest, repeatedly heard of parties, infurtreßions,
oppositions, &c. agaiaft and for Administration ; but in
no stage of it, have we ever found them directed into so
good and so regular a channel as at this jun&nre. A
communication between the different Committees is calcu
lated to produce gre^t and good effe&s; it not only col
lech the sense and wisdom of the counties, but familiari
zes and accudoms them to certain modes of thinking and
acting, which at irft appear dangerous. It gives them
spirit, vigour and resolution—a combination of which,
properly directed and governed, may carry terror to ty
rants : This correspondence too may produce unanimi
ty, it did in America, it has in Ireland. Whether the
present efforts of the counties will procure for them any re
lief, is matter of doubt. Most certainly Administration
have riot as yet found an opposition so serious, so formi
dable, and at the fame time so systematical, as the present
one, which is condufted by the Committees of Correspon
dence. This inflitution of Committees is a favourable
fympton, and gives the best profpe& of any thing yet at
tempted, of their exertions being crowned with success,
if they are properly managed. TneVe are " one hun
" dred and fifty reafont" against them —that is a cor
ruptly decided majority in Parliament of that number.
" This opposition ought to be patronized, and headed
indeed, by men of abilities, integrity, and determined
resolution, if they intend to work out their political sal
vation. They do not as yet seem to have proper h^ade
for their guidance. What the event will be, time will dis
cover.
" We have a report here to day, that the Irish Parlia
ment have repealed Poyning's law, declared their Legisla
ture independent of that of England, and prohibitted ap
peals from their House of Lords to the House of Lords in
England. This, Sr, isreport; Ido not give it you as a
fall to bo depended on. If this is trueit is a finishing firoke
indeed. Ireland is ia earnest, they have a r ms in their
hands, these are reasons which make tyrants and oppres
sors tremble. These are reasons which sometimes reduce
them to their senses and reason, if they are blessed with
either of these properties, for few of them have one ° r /he
^ngfanJ, for they have an Administration that will flick
at nothing to carry their points, they are for whirling e
very bpdy of coofequehce intotheir vbs tix of corruption,
and blackening the character of every one who has too
much virtue and integrity to be as infamous and profligate
as themselves. But lam running- 'too far with my opi
nions and obfervati ns. Excuse what was well meant,
and (pare me the sarcasm of too great confidence in my
own opinion and judgement.",
PROVIDENCE, April # 9 .
A letter from a gentleman in public character at Phi
ladelphia informs, Tnat authentic intelligence is received
there, that the Empress of Russia has absolutely refused to
become Mediatrix between France, Spain, and Great-
Britain, unkfe the latter power shall previously acknow
ledge the independence of these United States, and cede
the important Fortress of Gibralter to Spain.
F I S H-K I L L, May 11.
A few evenings ago, twelve horse thieves came to the
house of an honest farmer, force where in Weft Chester
county, and demanded entrance ; there was only the man
and a boy in the house, who denied them, on which the
thieves fired a couple of mulkets in at the window, and
burst open the door; the landlord fired his piflol, which
killed the leader of the party, a noted villain, on which
the others ran off. We could not learn the names of the
persons, but the faci is certain.
BALTIMORE, May 16.
The brig Bacchus, Capt. Wells, of this port, is taken
bv an English cruizer, and carried into Antigua.
ARRIVALS.
From France. Brig Tom Johnson, Capt. Martin.
From the Weft-Indies, Ship Fanny, Capt. Loxley ;
big Revenge, Capt. Buchanan ; brig King Tamany,
Capt. Dickson ; brig Hercules, Capt. Forbes; schooner
Little Davey, Capt. Kellj fchoooer Neptune, Capt Pat
terson; schooner General Scott, Capt. Calvert; schooner
Dragon, Capt. Handy ; schooner Lizard, Captain Huf
fey ; sloop -, Captain Joseph Handy ; anda small
schooner, Captain's name unknown, said to belong to
Philadelphia.
A gentleman jufl arrived in town, from Virginia, hath
favoured us with the following summons of General
Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot, with the laconic and
spirited answer of General Lincoln, who was maintain
ing his ground, in Chariefiown, with great firmnefs, on
the aift uit.
CIR HENRY CLINTON, K. B. Commander m
3 Chief of his Majesty's forces in the Colonies lying on
the Atlantic, from Nova Scotia, &c. &c. and Vice-Ad
miral ARBUTHNOT, Commander in Chief of his Ma
jesty's flops in North America, regretting the effufioa of
blo&d, and the diftrefs'which must now commence, deem
it confident with humanity to warn the town and garri
son of Cuarleftown, of tne havock and devaflalion with
which they are threatened, from the formidable force fur
rounding them by land andby fei # An alternative is of
fered at tins hour to the inhabitants, of facing their lives
and properties, contained in the town, or abiding by the
fatal consequence of a Form and cannonade. Should the
place, in a fallacious security, or os Commanders, in a
wanton indifference to the fate of the inhabitants, de
lay a furrendtr, or mould the public stores or (hipping
be destroyed, the re fentment of an exasperated soldiery
may intervene ; but the fame mild and compassionate of
fer can never be renewed- The refpeflive commanders
who hereby fummbn the town, do not apprehend so rash
a step as farther refinance will be taken, but rather th t
the gates will be opened, and therofelves received, with
a confidence, which will forebode farther reconciliation.
H. CLINTON.
M. ARBUTHNOT.
Camp before Charlefiown, April 10, 1780.
(Public.)
To the Officers commanding Charleftow,.
Head Quarters, Lines cf Charleflown, April 10, 1780.
Gentlemen,
IH AV E received your summons of this date Sixty
days have paft,fince it has been known that your in
tentions against this town were hoflile, in which time has
been afforded to abandon it; but duty and inclination
point the propriety of supporting it to the tail extremity.
I have the honour to be,
GENTLEMEN,;
your most obedient,
humble Servant,
B. LINCOLN.
General Clinton,
Admiral Arbuthnot.
PHILADELPHI A, May 20.
Extra's of several letters from a gentleman of good in
formation, in Europe.
" Feb. 15. Seventeen flips of the line have failed for
the Weft-Indies under Mons. de Guichen ; five or fix
more are to follow in addition to ten or twelve already
there,,.
" The English are to borrow twelve millions this year,
and, it is said, the Loan is filled up. They have thrown
a fop to Ireland, but have not appealed her rage. They
give out exactly such threats as they did l?ft year, and
every ot^er year, of terrible preparations. It is perfect
ly well known how these menaces have been acccmpiifh
ed. They will not be more fully executed thia year than
the laft?'
^ Feb, tg. The art of making and Threading falfe news,
to answer political purpofcs, is not peculiar to Great-
Britain : but yet she seems to possess this art, and the ta
lent of giving to her fictions the colour of probability,
beyond other nations ; at least she seems to have more
success in making her impostures believed, than any ei
ther. It is her annual practice in the winter to fabricate
and export large quantities of this merchandize to all
parts of Europe and America, and she finds more cuflo
rners to take them off her hands than she ought, consi
dering how illicit the trade is. This winter her emissa
ries hgve been more assiduous then ever in propagating
reports —that they Lave entered into new engagements
with several Principalities in Oerraany, by which they
than hire teven tnouland men for the service of the next
campaign in America—That by compromising with Ire
land they shall be able to take advantage even of the mi
litary affociationa in that kingdom, and draw from thence
a large number of regular troops for the ftrvice in Ame
rica, depending on the volunteer militia, or associators
for the defence of the country—That they have made a
treaty with Russia, whereby that power has engaged to
furnish them twelve ships of the line, and twenty thou
sand troops, as some fay, and twenty ships of the line
and twelve thousand troops according to others. This
alliance, they fay too, is of the more consequence, co ac
count of force connexion between Russia and L ^ rk,
who, it is insinuated, will follow Russia into the ^ ;
and Denmark, they add, has forty-five fh'ps of the bm,
not manned it is true, but England, they fay, can man
them.
" These tales, one would think, are so extravagant
and absurd, that they would not find a believer in the
world, yet there are persons who believe them in all na
tions of; Europe, and there is no doubt but the fame long
will be sung in America, and many will lifted to it. There
is nothing farther from the truth. They will find the ut
most difficulty to draw from Germany troops enough to
repair the breaches in the German troops made in Ame
rica last year. The fame with regard to Ireland. And
as to what is said of Russia, there is not even a colour of
truth in it. There is no reason to think Denmark is
disposed to afiift Great Britain, but on the contrary, that
she has armed to defend herfelf at sea against Great-Bri
tain ; but if it were otherwise, to what purpose would
her ships of the line be unmanned, when Great Britain
cannot man tne (hips of the line she already has.
" Admiral Rodney is supposed to be gone to the Weft-
Indies. The English have derived such a slush of spirits
from their late successes, which are mostly however of the
segative kind, that they talk in a very high style. Two
refleaions tney cannot bear; one is that of losing the do
mination of the Colonies, because they look upon this
domination as indifpeafible to the (upport of their naval
superiority: the other is that of leaving France and
Spain, or either of them, in possession of a powerful fleet
at the termination of the war. Their maxim is to make
themselves terrible at sea to all nations, and they are con
vinced that if they leave America independent, and
France and Spain powerful at sea, they will never again
be terrible to any maritime power."
" Feb. 20. We are informed, that the English Ministry
not long fine,, made a formal application by their Am
bassador to the Empress of Russia, for a body of troops
and a number of ships ; but that the application was op
posed in Council with great spirit, and rejected with great
unanimity. The harmony between Versailles and Pe
tersburg continues firm and perfect " ....
" Feb. 25. From the current of the gazettes, it is obvi
ous to remark of what wonderful efficacy in polling down
tyranny, a Committee of Correspondence is likely to be,
Ireland has done great things by means of it 1 England
isattempting great things with it, after the example of the
Americans, who firft taught its use : yet all does not seem
to produce the proper gratitude in the minds @f the Eng-