The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-12-18 00:00:00, page 2

AWtWffinVL^D GAZETTE, dated Decem
ber 6, 1781.
TofhWNkY CLINTON, K.-B.
'STR,
ADVICE is never attended to with more avidity,
than when applied to a man—who hath smarted
by his errors. To men of common good underhand,
ings misfortune is a fchpol of widom. By a severe,
though wholesome leisure, (he unclouds the peculiar
mediuth of individuals, through which human affairs
are viewed ; au&it is in the school of this rugged pre
ceptrefs, the great learn the beauties as wifdon, and
the lit le and the weak taugnt the folly of despising
her. It is there a roan is the^moft judicious critic on
his fife, and forms a true eflimate of things, when the
pafons, destitute of the means of gratification, drop
tut pleufing mask of delation
To iofult the misfortunes of the amiable and deferr
ing,is the hellish pletfure of a fe&d,and is a most daring
challenge to the caprice of for torts ; but you fir Henry,
if I mdNk'c not, poUefs in your temper a security against
the Hings of censure, for J believe none are less galled
by her public lafb, than those who have long deserved
it. It would be difficult to wound the feelingsofa man,
who hath long been a flranger to the meltings of fen-
Jibility, and who hath so notoriously in his office, pro
ved paramount to the sacred rights of human nature
arid citizenship.
Had you a common share offer,Ability fir Henry, you
would find the tortures of mortification disturbed your
peace ~ but allowing you the fm«ll degree of feeling
which y;u have belen heir to, sympathy with a bro
ther officer will for an interval of aftonpfhment, lend
you a foreufle of those sensations, which ere lopg, a
Situation finii ar to that of the ill Barred earl may more
fully realife. Every refleften which tells you, that you
Bre supreme in command, mutt make you sensible that
as an officer, destined to the glories ofconqueft, you are
unfortunate! A lupine indifference, plots ingendered
in the wildness of f ancy and pride, which were ren
der dabortive merely by the republican virtueof Ame
rican peasants, and for your interests, terminating in
the most tragical manner ; have given no very flatter
ing traits to the hifiory of your supreme command.
In yohr southern, more extensive views, you have been
not less difappointeg, where the incoherency of fren
zy formed enterprizes, indeed of the harmony of c
whale wel digested defigri, hath damped the impressi
ons of despair in the result of all your undertakings.
During your whole command fir Henry, not an event
on whole iffye you had an inflence hath taken place, but
what must for ever associate with your character, the
ideas of error, mifcarri ge, and defeat!
That lucrative spirit of lupine delay, which may be
called the genius of a British commander in chief, had
Rs yet fmo?h*r & d the fire of foldierihip in your heart,
when the fmill but gallant garrison of Charleftown,
were deemed objeds worthy of yor ambition. You
failed against Charleftown, and though crowned with a
dear bought vi&ory, found your herels too severely
scorched, to promise their poff-ffor a lasting verdure.
You must confefs fir Henry, a fatality attends all your
defi es, when, in the very scheme you so ardently patro
nifed, and whose execution hath proved so costly,
,ou were but laying the groundwork of a triumph to
the allied arms! Under the fluttering idea of an efta
blifhed fame, you retired from that feene, and left to
the care of an inferior officer of fupcrior talents, the
promotion of your imaginary greatness. You then
tailed rhe sweets of supremacy, and since that period
the world ave heard htleelfe from fir Henry Clinton,
than through the channel of his proclamations.
Whether t re idea of a southern war, originated in the
brain of y< r minifiry or your own, we cannot deter
mine. We must thank, though we cannot compliment
the source of so stupid a defig'n. Let it have origi
nated with either, you fir have by..this time had leisure
to contemplate in detail, its numerous advantages, and
plume yourfelf on participating as a corfpicuou- pro.
meter of it, in the glory which its completion TefHfts
eh the British nation.
However destitute of genius a man himfelf may be,
there is a degree of reputation to be acquired, by dis
covering it in others, Have then the prudence tocon
fefs the grandeur of a late design which you could not
penetrate, for the evidence of your senses, is fuperiar
to your pride as an Englishman.
- Con &fs that as you were deficient in that largenefe
of mind, which at one view comprehends the most in
tricate fyfiem of operation, so were you wanting in,
that fertility of invention which abounds in the ha^pieft
expedients. The sophistry of pride may hitherto have
deluded you into vifionsry expectations of conquest,
and vanity over rated your abilities ; but this last mas
ter-piece of generailhip in the great Wallington, is a
blov that muff have roused you from such e^iety of
folly, and afforded a proof of his military logic, whose
force of conclusion, you fir Henry can neither endure
or dispute.
Never, you must confefs fir, was there a plan con
ceived with more depth of profeffional wisdom, than
that to whicn lord Cornwallis ows his captivity ; and
finely, never was an enterprise of such extensive, and
contingent a nature, adopts with more intuitive dis
cernment, or executed with more prtcifion, coincidence
of adion, and complete fuccets. America beheld the
fpe&acle with an anxious concern, and also her patti
©ns which motives of patriotism had deeply interested
in its decision, have been amply indulged in its success.
If not d^cifive in her favour, (he knew a favourable
issue, must prove accelerative of that independence for
which the hath willingly and profufely bled. The
solid benefits which the derives from this event, throw
on it the fplendour of true glory, while the ac
tion in itfelf confers on the particular afters, the lau
rels of conquerors.
If in an unexpected interval of political lunacy, you
fliould ever be interrogated fir Henry, with parliamen
tary whys, and wherefores, Igt a corrupt depravity
and obsequiousness to courtierihip, so far for once
temporite with your honesty, as to enable you, boldly
to make the notoriety of national poverty, and the ex
perienced invincibility of the Americans, the heads of
your exculpatory (fetch. All the world will discover
that the cifcomhncts which palliated, Where they dr- ,
reeled, the conduct of the gallant general Burgoyne,
want the fame influence in their judgments when appli
ed to the case of lord Cornwallis. Nationally consi
dered, there admits not a comparison in the disgrace,
with which in the eyes of all Europe, these two captive
armies have tarnished the arms, and wounded the.pride
of your haughty nation. The one had not finilhed his
enterprize: the other was defeated, by being too fuc
cefsful. The local situation of their refpe&ive armies,
rendered the fuccours which their neceffitles prefled for,
different in their mode of conveyance. Deflitute of na
val co operations, general Burgoyne's army was made
an easy prey of to men, who to be victorious, desire
but an equal footing with those whom they oppose.
Lord Cornwallis, elate with the applauses of a minidry
who already anticipated the fruits of “ his activity,
and conduf?, on which they could fully rely," pu filed
with the rapidity of confidence, to a petition, in whose
local and natural advantages, he flattered himfelf a
junaion of his army, and marine powers, might ope
rate With vigour. He gained his object: but here trie
inferiority of his expected fleets, the superiority of
which hath been deemed the palladium of your island,
succeeded by a superior allied army, terminated his
gaudy expeditions in the surrender of his army by
the capitulation of York?
When h s lordfllip fat down in York, he found with
in thelimits of his situation, every local circumstance
that could flatter or support his firft expectations : here
his army for a moment parted from the fatigues of ra
pine, and his lordfep made some efforts of farther en
terprize; when th- illustrious chief of America, put
in motion the wheels of a design, too refined for his
deteaion, bat whose effects have proved as visible as
the day. Though the naval victory of the count de
Graffe was irretrievably complete, his account of hia
vißory, proves his just estimation of the favours of
fortune, while the great regard he pays to the feelings
of the vanquished, evinces the geherofity of his foul.
This, fir Henry,Should pcrlifh the manners, while it cor
reas the prejudices of your nation ; and whilethe count
de Grade teaches your officers how to gain victories,
let them, by imitating farther his example, learn how
to acqu re glory. Let their pens be exercised in the
language of generosity. Let them do justice to Mi ene
my whom they may fight, but whom they cannot hate
or defpife.l
Permit me once more fir Henry to attend particularly
to yourfelf, though digreflions perhaps may in your
eye, form the most pleasing parts of this letter. Where
were you—and what schemes of immortal duration were
you forming, when general Washington was preparing
for the siege of New York. Your mini ft ry ordered
you to bring if poffibla general Washington to a gene
ral, and as they ignorantly presumed, decisive engage
ment. Such an event might have inspirited she con
versation of your court, and by ekercifing the inven
tion of fertile venality—given you temporary eclat in
the dispatches of your putters. Such an eccentric start
from your accuftoired uniformity of dullness, would
have been a variation of conduft, that might h ve
drawn once more the eyes of the world upon a charac
ter, (for a second prrufal) whole lines they difcevered
at firft fight to be so infipi fly legible.
But there was in the avarice, to which as command
in chief you Succeeded, a security againfi the hostile
activity of a foidier : a dilatory mode of offence, which,
as we knew you possessed both the power, and inclina
tion of an enemy, rendered your ch rafter— and exer
tions merely the fubiea of fafpicion.
Safe from surprise behind your Strong fortifications,
you indulged yourfelf in the security with which na
ture had guarded the place of your refideoce—-fince She
had not blessed you with a Sagacity equal to the designs
of your enemy. }Under the influence of a princi,;
more modern frhfhionable, than that which moved the
operations of your glorious opponent, you prudently
relinquishes the toys of ambition to your inferior obi
cers ; and Secure in the emoluments of office, you de
spised the tinfel'of fame while a gokrp harve:l invited
your grasp : this, from your knowledge of those firings
which elevate the great, you knew would gain you the
rewards—without tempting you through the ragged
talk of valour.
You are better acquainted fir Henry with the temper
of your nation at present than I possibly can be: you
know their sanguine expectations, and can best conceive
the effects which your dispatches will create in
their minds. The Shock mult be proportioned to
their elevation, and from every cir-umfiance of in
telligence, we may believe their circle of expecta
tion included the final Subjugation of tee five Southern
Slates The poignancy of tneir feufations will be equal
led, but by me bigness of their misfortunes when your
difpatchea if true, and fully descriptive, Shall confirm
to the world the rincibility of the ^ritiffi fleets. The
poverty and decline of your nation, will in the eyes of
all, be intimately involved with the contemplation of
this event. The declension of the greatest empires,
which employ the philosophic genius of hiftery, proves
that " there is a tide" in the greatness, and grandeur
of nations, as well as in the affairs of men : Britain is
on the rapid ebb, and by taking her place amongst the
lift of once famous empires who have funk down the
wheel of time, the will make this age a memorable era
to poflerity. Like a decayed beauty She may still re
tain .he love of conquest, and submission, but like her,
must expert the mortification of difippointment. Her
exertions in this war, though violent for her decayd
constitution, bear in their result all the unavailing im
potence of old age, without its wisdom. Your minf
ftry may once more charm up the Semblance of the Bri
tish lion, but the world will instantly perceive the usur
pation of the ass.
Like a man whose pride is greater than his un
derstanding, your nation will be the last one id Eu
rope that will difeover her weakness, Too eager to
admit an interval of reflection, it enters with the'
warmth of passion, rather than the deliberation of
judgment, into all its favourite pursuits : from an
impatience of temper that ads with eameflnefs, but
with momentary impulses, it provided not the means
by which an tui ia to be obtained, witu that concate
nation of even's, that forms the very foul of politics#
which aa with a flow but fuccefsful energy. Front
that warmth of complexion which marks the charac
ter of your people with a spirit so restive, arises a cre
dulity equally deftruHive, to which they are made
dupes, by the sale intelligence of those who find it lu
crative to deceive them. The body of your nation are
I believe poffefted of sense enough to retract from a
deteded, prejudicial error, but its history proves, fir
Henry, that they were never yet saved from a precipice
by inftind.
The channel of all the official informations thatamu'e
your milled sovereign, and ad like a soothing opiate
on the credulity of your countrymen, must be traced
to none other than the source of adion, the command
er in chief. The inference is plain.
The time of your departure for England may now be
near For God's fake, and your own, save, fir Henry,
by one negative virtue the remains of your character,
and your country ! and let the happy cot sequences of
this one, console your heart for the want of those ac
tive properties of a soldier, which nature hath denied
you. Be candid. In the sincerest manner deciare,
convince them by the reasonings of experience, the
most authoritative language of wisdom, convince them
of the injustice, impracticability, impolicy, and mad
ness of attempting the fubje&ion of this country;
teach them this important truth; and though fir Hen
ry Cinton proved unequal to the conquest of America,
he may be saluted the great preserver of Britain.
REPUBLICANUS.
Maryland, Nov. 17, 1781.
^^^^^^4^*^^^^fc^^^^
TO BE SOLD,
^ genteel Coach, with
HARNESS for fix Horfet, all in good order; for
when three mnthf credit will be given. Enq lire of
Mr. JACOB HILTZIIEIMER.
CAME to the subscriber, in the for 1776, a Run
away Negro BOY, about 15 vrars of age, n med
TOM ; he fays he runaway from Virginia, and has
been at sundry times advert fed. The owner is dHlred
to come, prove bis prop ny, pay cba ges and take hint
away. WALTER ML'OQL, living in White-
Ma.fh township, Philadelphia couitj. Dec. 15.
Will be wanted in eight or ten
Days from this date, a Number of good TEAMS, co
go to Carolina ; the, wi:| be efl^agd by the Trip or
Mile; to find their own Provisions and Forage. En
quire of SAMUEL MILES, D. Q. M.
Philadelphia, December 17, 1781.
P k IC H A R D's
Circulating-library & Book-store,
In Second, near Arch ftrret, opfefit# the Buptilt Mcete
ing house.
IF an unrenried attention to the duty of Librarian,
and an affiduou# car; to terve and oblige, merit en~
coaragthrtnt, the prop/ie^f flittering himfelf he has,
to the ntffwit of hn pew^, Uncharged the above cha
racter fi ce nil arrival to public bitfin^fe in this city,
hereby lolicitr a cbdt'uuance of th^fe favours, which
have hitherto been ext Aad to him by a liberal pub
lic. As the utility of works of this nature principal!,
depend on their Qing condut:d on the mow extenave
plan that eircutoftan&s wi^ atait of, the proprietor
hopes that he fh*fl be emdid, by a more general sub
scription, to make ar . agree able addition to hia Libr ry,
b, au&mentirgat witr, evrry new work of meti the ha#
just pur hated a vary valuable acquifirfoo to his i>ra %
wherein are comprized an impartial Hifterv of the A
merican w« : , with beautiful and ftnking lik niflea of the
most cord, icuous heroes on that theatre ; alfp, th^ Abbe
R^ynai's Revolution of America, and an elegant Col
k&ion of the nr^Ut Novell, published in Europe fioce
the commencement of the present war.
Me h^s for SALE, a general Collection of BOOKS
Oli moil fuhje&s, particularly Hittory, Law, Ph,fie and
th. Claries ; a most exunfive A.fatmerit of STATI
ONARY, viz. Paper, Quiffs, Sealing-wax, Wafers,
and liquid Ink oi the very btft quality, faveral humor
our Prunes in imitation of Hogarth's Mafic on copper
plate, M«,s of Nofth America,&c. <4 0, ivory pounce
Boxes, Folders, readi ft Foluers, Penknives, a new
invented Blacking of rood extraordinary quality, and
a scouring Liquid aed Powder which takes out ftaini
and fpois fom zll coloured clothes, new faftlioned jef
famy Can^s, neafiy finish d, chiefly intended for the
Ladies, &c. &c. &c. with several other Articles too
lengthy to add to t'i> adveriifement: Bibles, Testa
ments, Spelling Books and Chap Books of all kinds,
&c &c.
Taken out of a yard in this city,
about five weeks ago, a Cotton Cloaths BAG, abput
a yard long, ornamented with figures in needle work,
of diftftbt colows; on one fide a parrot perched up
on the bough of a cherry tree; and on the other a
peacock, with a variety of flowers, some careless and
f?me in punches. Whoever h g got it, and will bring
it to the Printer, fhdl receive FORTY SHILLINGS,
and no questions afk:d. December, 1781.
Six Dollars Specie Reward.
T OST, the night o' thr 72 h iqft^nt, a Silver mount
td Honemn'sSWOßD, with a plain bead, the
how of the guard fluted, Lie rest of the guard plain
feroll, an ivory handle witu silver twist, maker's name
S. G. black feabbeard roped with p'a n silver, the tip
with a ring is marked V and G. Whoev r delivers
the faii sword to the Printer herro, shall receive the
abova Reward. D-c. 17.