The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-12-03 00:00:00, page 2

From the Morning Post & Daily Advertiser,
L OND 0 N, September 27.
WE hearthat government are determined in fu
ture to flop the failing of all ships at the time
the grand fleet puts to sea, that the enemy may not
receive such early intelligence ? they do at present.
As commodore Eliot has left his Ration off the
French coati the French transports may now put to
sea § but it is thought the fear of the equinoxial winds
will keep the m in harbour f r r some time to come.
It is generally agreed that lord Howe must have
reached Gibraltar before no & ; we may, therefore,
reasonably expefl dispatches from his lordship, in the
Course of ten or twelve days at farther.
A gentleman lately arrived from Lisbon fays, ac
counts had been received there before he c^ne away,
of great preparations being making at Cadiz for tne
reception of the English fleet, in case they should at
tempt to bombard that town; that 8000 men had
been drawn from different garrisons, and encamped
near the place, and more were daily expected to re
inforce them.
All thoughts of the Dutch voting our coafis during
the absence of lord Howe, are now deemed chimerical,
a> it is well known the Dutch feel themselves fully em
ployed at this time to equip a fleet fufficient to protect
th dr own trade.
The late propc>fals offered to congress by fir Guy
Carleton, and admiral Digby (which are evidently the
terms of the Roc? ingham admiriftration)have thrown
the whole body of loyalists in America, and in England,
into the ut oft coofttrnation. Many applications
have already been m'ade to people in adminiflration by
these unfortunate gentlemen, to know particularly
what they and their friends in America are in future
to expe&l.
Nothing can more thoroughly evinee the inexhausti
ble refoprees of this country, than to take a retrofpeft
of the encreafe of its naval ftrengtb for these few years
past ; we having now a navy that is 'ully equal, if not
superior, to the combined exertions of -the house of
Bourbon, Holland and America.
Nothing tended more to the acceleration of the dif
affection which has taken place among the New Eng
land provide s, than the knowledge of general Wash
ington being in the pay of the French king ; a cir-
Cumflance that awakened them to their true interest !
The facility with which the king of Denmark has
equipped and almost compleated for sea, a formdable
fanadron of ships of war. has caused various speculati
ons in Holland for these few weeks past.
If we seriously confide, the inferiority of the French
fleet now on the American coa ft, and the bad state of
many of their ships fioece the glorious aXion of the
12th of April, htrle is to be apprehended for the fafe
ty of New. York, as Vaudreuile's squadron, instead of
attempting an attack upon that,place, must fly for
fafety from the dritifh fleet.
The arrival of the horn ward-bound fleet from Ja
maica is mod anxiously looked far by the merchants,
as no certain accounts have been received about them
since the arrival of the Montague.
The arrival of the Baltic fleet has brought a supply
of timber for rhe use of government, that will amply
replenish our naval arsenals, and fully enable them to
carry on bofinefs ; n the federal dockyards, in a man
ner that must ftrAe our enemies with terror and a
mazement.
Yeflerday morning some dispatches were received
from New York, which were brought over in a letter
of marque, arrived at the Clyde. Tacy aie dated the
beginning of this month
Lord Howe will flay at Gibraltar no longer than to
debark the 'troops, and to unload the transports and
store ships ; as, besides tie protection of our home
ward bound fleets, and the interception of those of the
enemy, the squadron has fume feeret obj°a in vi^w.
No diflinXion whatever is now observed in these-
Cretaries of ft te offices; the present secretaries no the
business equally in either department.
A commission under the royal sign manual has pas
sed the great seal of the court of chancery, appointing
Mr. Oswald, of Phi pot lane, commissioner to treat
for peace witu the thirteen united Rates of America.
The Spaniards, it is said, intend a second attempt on
Jamaica.
A negdeiation lies on the carpet between the courts
of Great Britain, Russia and Denmark, whereby the
latter are to fell to government 14 ships of the line,
complexly fitted for sea. The empress has Ijkewife
issued an edi&, whereby she gives permission to the
Cossacks to enter on board the ships as volunteers.
When the lad packet left New-York, a corres
pondent asserts, all was uproar in that city ; pafqui
nade, hand-bills, and every species of abuse, were 0
penly difEibuted, and the effigy of a certain —
carried about with a halter round its neck, and after
wards publicly bui ned.
Whatever may have been said to the contrary, there
is good reason, fays a corr fpondent, for believing
that governor Franklin, who has come over by the
last conveyance from America, did not come here
merely or refuge, as thinking New York, after the
offer of independence to congress, no longer a place of
fafety. It is said he came to negociate certain propo
sals from the loyalists, who are determined never to
relinquish their natural and free born rights, as mem
bers of the Brit-sh empire, unless totally deserted by
this country.
If it be true, as some intelligent people pretend to in
sinuate, that the loyal Americans, in the event of our
abandoning the war in that country, are resolved to
aft for themselves, we may soon expert to fee a new
face of affairs in the colonies. The several provincial
corps, which have been formed some years ago, and
are as well disciplined as any regulars can be, amount
alone to about 20,000 men. Befidrs these, there are
at New-York no less than 10,000 refugees, most of
whom would cheerfully take a part in such an attempt ;
and other parts of the continent abound with loyalifts,'
who would repair to the flandard of liberty, as soon as
eretied.
It is a lucky circumstance that the French fleet are
new divided ; part being with Vaudreuille in the Che
fapeak, and the other at Roflon with Du Barras: it
will be no difficult matter to prevent their joining.
Many people are inclined to think that admiral Pi
got is gone into rhe Chefapak after Vaudreuille ; he
failed from Port Royal, Jamaica, the 26th of July,
and advices from New-York, as late as the 20th of
August, make no mention of pis arrival at New-York ;
his fleet is more than double the force of the enemy,
and all his ships are in good condition; it therefore is
not unlikely but some important intelligence will ar
rive from hat quarter in the course of a few days.
A vessel is arrived at Morlaix with tobacco from
Virginia, which left Cape Henry the iith of August ;
as she puffed down Chefapeak bay, she saw fourteen
fail of French men of war of the line, and several fri
gates, and other vessels who had taken shelter under
thir proteaion. This fleet was bound to Rhode
Island. The whole force that failed from Cape Fran
cois, was 23 fail of the !in% 1 fifty, 8 frigates, &c. 7
of t;.e ships that wanted masts went on to Boflon, and'
there were appointed to an expedition Northward,
said to be : gainft Newfoundland.
A very extensive trade, during the spring and sum
mer, had been carried on from t' e French iflarids, St.
Thomas'-, Havannah, &c. into Chefapeak bay; and
the crops of grain, tobacco, and fruit, being greater
than had ben known for many years would afford
the mod ample returns, as well as the supplies to the
French fleet then in the bay. Several ships, under
Imperial and Danith colours, have found their way to
Virginia to procure cargoes of tobacco, which fold
remarkably cheap, in exchange for European goods.
The people in general to the Southward looked upon
the war as over; that New-York and Charleftown
would be soon evacuated ; that their indepedence
would be avowed by England, and that the reflriXions
on admission of British manufaXures would soon be
taken off
The celebrated William Penn, who originally found
ed the city of Philadelphia, di' not end his life in a
Rate of indigence in the Fleet-prison, as mentioned in
the papers last week. Bis circumstances were rather
affluent towards the conclusion of his life, notwith
standing the immense sums which he bad spent in va
rious projects, and exerted in numberless charities. He
took a handsome feat at Rufheomb, near Twyford,
Buckinghamshire, some years before he died, where he
resided the remainder of his days
The dissolution of the present Irish parliament is to
be declared by proclamation in March next; earl
Temple having orders from the minister for that pur
pose.
The unfortunate captain Afgill had been greatly
hurt by being addressed by the commanding officer o
ver Idm, with the family title, supposing, 'rom the pub
lic accounts given in the American paper#, that his
father, fir Charles Afgill, was dead ; but an express
from New-York gave him cause to hope it was ill
grounded; the unfortunate incidents concurring in
this officer's situation are much to be pitied by every
feeling heart. The provinces of Virginia and the Jer
seys were very sickly when the last accounts came from
thence.
fxtrad of a letter from the Hague, Sept. 17.
" In a coriferrence which, theduke de la Vauguyon,
the French ambassador hold with the members of go
vernment, he said he fhou ! d be very glad if they would,
by their authority, put a flop to the many fcaridalous
libels and prints which'have been published against the
prince ftadtholder, who had been made very uneasy by
them; and if they continued, it might even oblige his
serene highness to shew less zeal in the affairs of a peo
ple who so openly affront him ; that the king, his mas.
ter, was very well fatisfied with the conduX of bis fe
rene higt nefs, and would be much pleased to fee amend
put to the before mentioned infamous publications
The Pru ffian minister allo spoke in the fame assembly
nearly in similar terms. These representations will, it
is thought, have some effeX, and government will no
doubt endeavour to put a flop to the publications
complained of; but in the mean time people are rather
furprized at these ministers interfering in such a matter,
and various are the conjectures on the fubjeX."
ExtraX of a letter from New-York, dated Aug. r 6.
• “ The present diffracted state of our public affairs
affeCt me exceedingly, and I fland in need of your friend
ly advice. The Well-Indies Ido not like, and to re
turn to Britain I am not prepared—Not having yet
experienced the smallest sample of wisdom from your
fide, or exertion here to encourage me to hope for a fa
vourable issue, or that this country will ever be in a
dale of tranquility again—it follows, that I mus tbe
gin the world again some where or other*.
" When joy and confidence inspired us by the ar
rival of our present commander in chief, and brilliant
victories crowned his majesty's arms in different quar
ters of the world, when the heretofore fomenters and
supporters of rebellion did, and now absolutely do, pub
lickly declare their inability to pay the taxes requisite
to continue the war, and the bulk of the people wish
ing for a reunion of the empire. How unexpected !
will the historian be believed half a century hence,
that at this very moment, a letter is written in con
sequence of directions from England, bv the king's
commanders in chief and commissioners here, to the
leader of the rebel army, that Mr. Grenville, his mi
nister at Paris, is invefied with full powers to treat
with ail the powers at war, and in order to remove all
obstacles to peace, has commanded his ministers to
direct Mr. Grenville, that the independency of the
thirteen provinces should be proposed by him in the
* It is rather a melancholy consideration, that the
gentleman who is the author of this letter is more than
forty years of age; was formerly a refpeCtable mer
chant in one of the firft cities in North-America, and
at the beginning of the rebellion, could call his fortune
from ten to fifteen thousand pounds.
An exchange of the English prisoners was expected
when the last accounts came from Virginia, but is was
imagined very few of the privates of the guards would
return, numbers, in the length of time they have re
mained prisoners, having formed connexions by mar
riage, and intending to fettle in America, when op
portunity admitted of it.
firft inflance, inflead of making it a condition of a ge
ral treaty, reserving nothing to the loyalists but a
high, though humble confidence, that they shall be
restored to their possessions, or compensation made. It
cannot be—it is all a deirffion—it must be the aft of
his miniflers—our most gracious sovereign never will
forfake us—to put the higbeft confidence in rebels, in
opposition to ourunfhaken loyalty and paternal affec
tion for his sacred person and government—firft to de
ceive, and then to insult us, is humiliation in the ex
treme. Upon the event and issue of the contest have
we not hazarded our lives, and forfaken our fortunes,
and every domestic happiness? Are we thus to be re
warded, ruined and undone, by those who ought in jus
tice and in policy to cherish and support us? Is is
possible that the people of England will fit still, and
fee, without a pang or struggle to prevent it, the em
pire torn to pieces, and its best blood shed by factious
and internal foes? No, I hope our numbers will make
us refpedful yet. -
" The refugees and loyal inhabitants of this city
have addressed the commissioners, and they have Cent
an address to the king. Heaven forbid they should be
too late ! surely the die is not yet call, if it is not, we
will take the harp from the willow, and be chearfull
again."
The following is an extract of another letter from no
less refpeCtable authority, dated August 17.
" Of the congress what think you now ?—lndepen
dent flates!—His majefly has commanded his minis
ters, &c. &c. —so fay the commissioners in their let
ter published here, directed in the firft inflance to that
vagabond Washington. You have seen eclipses of the
fun frequently, but never did you fee such a darkness
as hung over this place for two days after the letter
was publifhcd — horror and dismay painted in every
face—fpeak, no one cou d, and when utterance was
found at last it was not argument,but the most bitter and
torturing exclamation ; however, in a few days reason
resumed her feat, the inhabitants had a meeting, and.
two very excellent addresses were made, full of loyalty
and becoming spirit, one was to the commissioners, the
other to governor Franklin, who leaves this in the
packet,carries the addresses with him, and will deliver
them himfelf to the king in person—you will fee them
in public soon, and will I think approve of them.
His excellency the earl Temple ordered one English
Filling to be paid to every private in the garrison that
attended him on the morning of his arrival.
The following noblemen and gentlemen are made
privy councilors, earl of Cbarlemont and Morning
ton, Robert Stewart, esquire, George Ogle, esquire,
James Cuffe, esquire, and Henry Grattan, esquire.
Yeflerday delegates from the different volunteer
corps of the city and county of Dublin met at the
royal exchange, when the right honourable lore CharTe
mont was again appointed commander in chief, and
major Gudgeon, adjutant general, to continue from
this day until the 6th of November next ; after which
the meeting was adjourned to Saturday the 28th inst.
It was yeflerday very confidently asserted, that a
neutral ?effel was arrived at Waterford from Leghorn,
which passed through the Streights the 27th ult. at
which time the maft^r declares the Spanish fag was
flying on the fortifications of Gibraltar.
The following interesting feene, we are assured from
the belt authority, passed yesterday at the castle. Af
ter the city address was presented, fir Samuel Bradfireet,
recorder, who has ever the welfareof his country warm
ly at heart, addressed his excellency the lord lieutenant
in a speech, nervous, elegant and spirited; suggesting
how ,happy it was for Ireland to have a chief gover
nor connected with and allied to men of the firft fami
lies, and of known public virtue, patriotism, and abi
lities ; and not entertaining a doubt but that his ex
cellency's conduß in his government would reflect ho
nour on his illustrious descent, and on such noble con
nexions and alliances, by eftabljthing the liberties of
Ireland on the most firm and fatisfaXory base of secu
rity. His excellency, devoid of all embarrassment from
this unexpected address, with an ease and readiness
that no less marked the soundness of his underflanding
than greatness of personal accomplishments, replied by
expressing a grateful sense of the flattering diftinftions
paid him by the recorder, and by declaring it was on
the absolute stipulation that the most fatisfaflory terms,
in point of securing Ireland's commercial and consti
tutional rights were granted her, that he undertook the
government of this country ; and for the obtainment
of which great end, so essential to the happiness and
content of the kingdom, he was determined to give his
utmost attention.
To his excellency George Nugent Grenville,
earl Temple, lord lieutenant general, and general
governor of the kingdom of Ireland.
" May it please your Excellency.
“ W E are deputed by his ma jelly's dutiful and
loyal fubjeXs, the protestant dissenters of Ireland, te
The Present STATE of EUROPE.
ENGLAND supporting such an unequal contest as
never was sustained by any single power. A con
test that never originated from government ; —never
was created by ministerial mifcondu&, or unconstitu
tional ambition in the crown. A contest brought up
on the people by the people. By the rebellious and
licentious spirit of the people, in defiance of all the
wisdom of parliament, and all the measures of the cae
binet to prevent it. France opposing, with a view
to aggrandize her own strength, and humbling an ene
my long accustomed to be victorious. Spain oppo
sing, with the hope of recovering Jamaica and Gibral
tar. America contending for a total independence.
And Holland intent upon revenge. The empress
benefiting by the war, but lukewarm, or something
less, in her endeavours to accommodate all differences.
The emperor, profiting immensely by the trade of
Qftend, secretly disposed to fan the flame. The king
of Prussia exulting at the distresses of his old ally.
Sweden in the pay of France. Denmark indifferent.
And all the lesser powers of Europe waiting to fee the
British flag diminished of its former greatness, and re
duced to a level with their own.
D U B L I N, September 2T.