The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-12-28 00:00:00, page 3

The accounts reCpeßlng this most important inform
mation are not direflly received thro' an official medi
um, butare nevertheless (ufficiently authenticated to
preclude the possibility of doubt. No regular dispatch
has been hitherto received at the admiralty, and the
way by which it was received in England was this :
lord Mountfluart, the British ambaffaaor at Turin,
received the information at that place, and having
made proper enquiries into its authenticity, and being
convinced of its truth, dispatched bis own servant
express with the news to Mr. FitZherbert at Paris, who
instantly expedited the arrival of it in England, through
the means of a Mr. Brett, who delivered it yesterday
at Mr. Townshend's, Whitehall.
They write froth Trenton, that on Tuesday last, the
argument, before the court fitting there, on the great
controversy between Connecticut and Penufy Ivania,
was concluded by Joseph Reed, esquire, council for
the latten The judges have the matter under comfi
deration, and it is (upp fed, that they may decide
upom it treYt week.
Cep, of a Letter from the Speaker of the Lower
House of Assembly of the State of Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, to his Excellency the
President of Congress.
bast-Greenwich, Nov. 30, 1782.
SIR,
TN obedience to the direction of the lower house of
this date, I have the honour to enclose to your
excellency their unanimous resolution on the recom
mendation of congress, relpeHing an impost on im
ported godds, &c. and to Bate some of the principal
teafons which produced that resolution.
The recommendation was rejected—
First. Because it would be unequal in its operati
on, bearing hardest on the most commercial date,
and fa would press peculiarly hard upon this flats,
which drawa its chief support from commerce. 1
Secondly. Bcaufe it proposes to introduce into this
and the other slates, officers unknown, and unaccount
able to them, and so is against the constitution of this
Gate : and
Thirdly, Because, by granting to congress a power
to collect monies from the commerce of th (e'ftates, in
definitely as to time and quantity, and for the ex
penditure of which they are not to be accountable to
the dates, they would become independent of their
conflit ents ; and so the proposed impost is repugnant
to the liberty of the united Gates.
Many more reasons might be offered, and the fub
jea drawn out to a great length, by descending to
particulars; but these are fufficient to answer the
main design of the house, which is to shew a decent re
(ped to the states which have differed from them in
opinion upon this fubje&.
This Gate may be justly ranked among the fore
most in the common cause, having furnifhed in sup
port of i't, as many men, and as much money, in
proportion to its abilities, as any Gate in the union,
and much more than most of them ; and'it is still dis
posed to continue its exertions; but it will raise and
clied its quota of public taxes in such a way as (hall
be judged most proper.
And it is hoped, that when its resolutions are found
ed on the great principles of liberty, and a general
interest, it will not be thought to fupfe& the public
virtue of the present congress, by withholding from
them or their servants, a power of which their suc
cessors might make a dangerous use.
With the highest sentiments of refpeft for your ex
cellency, and the honourable assembly over which
you preside, I am your excellency's most obedient
servant, WILLIAM BRADFORD, Speaker.
Intelligence is received from Virginia, that the
legislature of that Gate have repealed their aR hereto
fore puffed, adopting the recommendation of congress
of February 3d, 1781, for a continental impost of
five per cent. In consequence of which, the deputa
tion appointed by congress, to go to Rhode-Ifland, to
urge that Gate into a compliance with that measure,
and which had set out on their journey, has return
ed. —
To Mrs. A SGI L L.
PERMIT a Granger, who sincerely rejoices at the
late release of your son, to address the feel
ings of a mother, with a few remarks on the op
posite condud of your nation. All the horrors of dis
tress which you have felt, have been experienced by
many mothers, wives and sisters on this fide of the at
lantic. To you it is needless to describe what the sen
sation must be in the breast of a lady, who is inform
ed that her son, brother or husband, is deflined to the
gallows. It is acknowledged, that captain Afgill is
possessed of great merit; but give me leave to add,
that this country has produced some characters as
brave and as refpe&able, who, though equally inno
cent, have been put to death by the order of your
officers. The southern states are filled with widows,
orphans, and bereft mothers, made so by British exe
cutions. Lord Cornwallis, lord Rawdon, colonel Bal
four and colonel Brown, have realifed to many of your
sex, those very evils; the bare expectation of which
has filled you with inconceivable diGrefs. The late
colonel Hayne, in bravery and personal merit, was
not inferior to your son. I, who have a thorough
knowledge of all circumflances, can with justice add,
he was no more guilty, and yet he (uffered on the gal
lows by order of lord Rawdon and colonel Balfour.
The only crime ever laid to his charge by his murde
rers was, that he bore arms with the Americans after
submitting to the royal government. Ooe single argu
ment destroys this apology for the execution. Be had
as good a right to rejoin his countrymen as he had
to join the British. If the principle is adopted, that
the inhabitants of a country may change their allegi
ance with their masters, he had the fame authority for
the second change that he had for the firft. All who
knew him acknowledge his great worth, that virtue,
honor, and public spirit, were the ruling principles of
his conduit. Possessed of all these amiable qualities,
and the father of four children, he was notwithftand
Philadelphia, Dec. 28.
ing deliberately put to death. The ladies of Charlef
town prefered the following petition, which was re
fufed. After reading it you will better judge what
hearts the commanding officers muG have had, to be
able to withfland such melting arguments. His fifter
in-law, with his four motherless children, presented
herfelf on her bended knees to lord Rawdon and colo
nel Balfour, but without any effect. They doubt
less represent, on your fide of the ocean, that this bar
barity was dictated by policy ; but they who know all
its circumstances are convinced, that it proceeded from
low, mean, pitiful revenge. They had wrote home pom
pious accounts of their victories, and represented the
country as completely conquered. When lord Rawdon
was drove from all his posts in the upper country, and
compelled to seek fafety in flight, his pride was so morti
fied, that in a fit of difpair, revenge and chagrin, he fa
crificed this worthy man to the ghost of his departed mi
litary fame. Your nation was once brave, and they were
also humane, but how are they changed ? A noble lord
hangs where he cannot conquer, and breaks through the
tenderer-ties of human nature, to make some repara
tion for his 101 l honour. Contrast this conduct with that
of the Americans. I can assure you that the tear of gene
rous fympatby flowed from many eyes on behalf of your
on, when defined to an untimely end. Tie conduct
of cur rulers, in (paring his life, is generally approv
ed, though many think that the finer feelings, nation
al honour and character, are thereby facrificed to the
finer feelings of humanity. The bare reading of your
pathetic letter had its effect on the feelings of this coun
try, so as to foften them into lenient measures; but
your officers were unmoved by the following petiti
on, and the more melting eloquence of four children,
accompained by the filler of their deceased mother,
on her bended knees, soliciting for the life of a brother
and a father, equally innocent and worthy as your son.
The contrast must strike you in the most forcible manner.
May my country build her fame on the noble and exalted
virtues of generosity andhumanity ! May your's repent
of her many deliberate murders ; cease from her ambiti
on, and once more refiore peace 0 contending nations.
An AMERICAN.
The following petition, the genuine mark of a lady
now in South Carolina, no less remarkable for the good
nets of her heart than the superiority of her under
standing, was fign^d by all the ladies of Charleflown,
excepting four, and was presented a few days before
the execution of colonel Hayne, but without any effeA.
To the right honourable lord Rawdon, commander in
chief of his majesty's forces in South Carolina, and
to colonel Balfour, commandant at Charleflown.
My Lord and Sir,
WE (hould have reason to reproach ourfeives of
having omitted a proper occaficn of manifeft
ing the tenderness peculiarly charaßereftic of our sex,
if we did not profefs ourselves deeply interested and
affefted by the imminent and fhobking doom of the
most unfortunate Mr. Hayne, and if we did not intreat
you in the most earnest mannerGR aciously to avert,
prolong or mitigate it. We do not even think,
much less do we intend to imply in the remotest de
gree, that your sentence is unjust ; but we are induced
to hope, that every end it proposes may be equally
answered as if carried into execution ; for to us it does
not appear probable, that any whom it is intended to
influence and deter from similar delinquency, will be
encouraged with the hope of impunity by reason of
any favour (hewn him, as they must surely reflea, that
it was owing to certain causes and circumflances that
will not apply to them. We presume to make this in
tercession for him, and to hope that it will not prove
fruitless, from the knowledge of your dispositions in
particular, as well as from the refleaion in general,
that humanity is rarely separable from courage, and
that the galia; t soldier feels as much reluctance to
cause, by del berate decrees, the infliction of death
on men in cold blood, as he does ardor in the day of
battle and heat of aaion, to make the enemies of his
country perish by the (word. He may rejoice to be
hold his laurels sprinkled with the blood of armed and
refilling adversaries, but will regret to fee them wet
with the tears of unhappy orphans, mourning the loss
of a tender, amiable and worthy parent, executed
like a vile and infamous felon. To the praises that men,
who have been witnesses and sharers of yourdangers and
Services in the field, may found of your military virtues
and prowess, we trust you will give the ladies occasion
to add the praises of your milder and fofier virtues, by
furnifhing them with a firiking proof of your clemency
and politeness in the present inttance. May the unhappy
object of our petition owe tothat clemency and polite
ness, to our prayers and to his own merits in other re
fpeCts,what you may think him not entitled to if policy
and justice were not outweighed in his behalf. To any
other men in power, than such as we conceive you
both to be, we should employ on th^ occasion more
ingenuity and art, to dress up and enforce the many
pathetic and favourable circumflances attending his
case, in order to move your passions antengage your
favour, but we think this will be needless, and is ob
viated by your own fponfanious feelings, humane
considerations and liberal reasoning : nor (hill we dwell
on his most excellent character, the outrages and ex
ceffes, and perhaps murders, prevented by him, to
which innocent and unarmed individuals were exposed
in an extensive manner; nor shall we here lay any
Grefs on the most grevious shock his numerous and rc
fpeaable connexions must sustain by bis death, and
aggravated by the mode of it; nor droll we do more
than remind you of the complicate diftre^ and fnf
ferings that must befall his young and prom^fing chil
dren, to whom, perhaps, deah would be more com
sortable than the Gate of orphanage they w || be left
in. All these things, we underfland, have been al
ready represented, and we are sure will have their
due weight with men of your humane and benevolent
minds. Many of us have already subscribed to a for
mer petition for him, and hope you will regard our do
ing it again, net as importunity, bur earnebuefs ; and
we pray most fervently, that you wi I forever great
ly oblire us, by not letting us do it in vam.
We are, my lord and fir, with all refpeT,
your very anxious petitioners
and humble servants.
Chester, December 27, 1782.
fr HE fubferiber begs leave to inform
the PUBLIC, and in particular her FRIENDS,
that (he has opened STORE in the borough of Chef,
ter, at that noted stand formerly occupied by Mr.
John Mathers: where (he now has for SI?, a co -
piete Afforttaent of GROCERIES, which (he engage*
to fell s cheap as ran be purchased in Philadelphia:
and as the intends being particular in procuring Gcods
of the best quality, be hopes to give general Satisfac
tion to all that oblige her with their custom.
ESTHER MUSGRAVE.
N. B. All kinds of Produce and Manuf^a^re are
received at said Store either in exchange lor Goods
or to Sell on Commission. Dec. 27.
— _
Tench Coxe,
Has for SALE, at the House to which he has lately
removed in Front Greet, near Walnut-street, next
above Dr. Rufh's, and opposite to Mr. George
Henry's :
A very good Assortment of fine GOODS,
Just Imported in the Intriped from I'Orient:
Among which are,
BOOK Muslins, black Modes, Calicoes and Chintz
es, Edgings, Gauzes, embroidered Buttons, silk
Marseilles, coloured Barcelona Handkerchiefs, faction
able Silks, clear Lawns, &c. &c. with a Variety of
coarse Liners and Woollens.
Al(c, Burlington Pork and Buckley's Keg Bread.
To be fold by Public Vendue,
At the house of Thomas Campbell, in Down township,
Cumberland county, New-Jersey, on Saturday the
4th of January next, at two o'clock in the afternoon,
(the money to be paid at the sale,) A
Brass fix pound CANNO N,
Found in said township last August, and fold by
Dec. 27. DANN LOR E.
A new Long- Boat
Was taken up yesterday, adrift, among the ice in the
river. She how lays at Cox's wharf; where the own
er may have her again, on paying charges and making
the !übbriber a compensation for his trouble.
THOMAS FOWLER, at Mr. John
De. 2r. Cook's on Market-Greet wharf.
Several Bottles of old Country made
KE TC H U P,
To re sold at the House of S. GOSLING, in Walnut-
Greet, at the old Forage yard, near the fuin ce, at
Ten Shillings per B>tde. Dec. 27.
Five Pounds Reward.
^TR/IYED or stolen from the pasture
' of Samuel Hodsden, the 24th of November last,
A Sorrel GELDING, with a uhite fact? and fwi+ch
tai, and droops pr^ry much co hs buttock, carries a
good bead, Irs m ne hangs on the near fide, trots and
cv.nt rs. Whoever takes up the said H^rfe and Thief
Ruri have th- above R ward, <r tor \e Ho^e only
THREE Pt UNDS, 1 aid '„ JOHN STEiHENS, in
Chefnut Greet, Philadelphia. Dec. 10.
t#r. Greet, two doers below Chefnut Greet,
n^EST-India Rum, excellent Mackrel
in barrels, Cattile Soap, Powder, and allo a
Quantity of Duck and squirrel Shot ; all of which will
be disposed of on the most reasonable terms. Dec 27
Southwark Auction.
On THURSDAY the second of Janu^y
next, precisely at half past TWELVE o'Clock,
Will be Sold at Southwark Auction.
A valuable Trad: of LAND;
Containing 450 aerfs, situated on the north fide of the
famous liver Santee, in Craven county, South Caroli
na. The Land is inferior to none in that country;
abounding with hickory, oak, cypress and tupaloe, and
is about 40 milesdiftaht from Charleftown. The only
reason for its being fold i<, to procure a present Sup
port for a Southern Exile and his numerous helpless
Family. The Deeds, and a Plan of the laid Land, may
be seen at the Store ; and an indisputable Title will be
given. WILLIAM BROWN, Auftioneer.
Black-L # ead Pencils.
A few Dozen of the firft Quality,
either flat or round,
TO BE SOL D, BY
William Poyncell,
Three doors below Market-ftreq in Second. Greet,
LIKEWISE,
Ass-Skin Pocket Memorandum Books.
In Front-street, a few Doors above Market-Great,
Weft-India R U M by the hhd.
Coffee by the bag, and a quantity of Salt, Lead and
Tin in boxes.
Aaron Mufgrave, junior,
Has for SALE, at hit Stoe on the east fide of Wa-
By Thomas Randall & Co.
TO BE S O L D,