The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-06-08 00:00:00, page 2

WILLIAMSBURG, May 22.
By advises which his Excellency the Governor has re
ceived from the Illinois, we learn, that Mr. Hamilton the
Governor of Detroit, came down this spring with a party
of regulars, Canadians and lavages, and retook the post of
St. Vincent, on the Wawbafh, garrisoned by a small de
tachment from the Illinois: That the brave Col. Clarke,
considering himfelf as reduced by this event, to the alter
native of hazarding every thing on one desperate effort, or
of abandoning our Western acquisitions, determined to
march with his whole force, confiding of about 150 men,
including some militia of the place, and make a vigorous
attack 011 the enemy. - The arrangements he made for
this purpose were as judicious as the enterprise itfelf was
heroic and arduous; he found Mr. Hamilton with his par
ty in the fort, which he immediately besieged, so closely
and vigorously, that in eighteen hours the whole were made
prisoners. A scalping party of Indians, which Mr. Ham
ilton had sent out, returned to the fee soon after the fur
reader of it to the American arms, with the savage tro
phies of their success; and in ftantly Suffered the vengeance
due to their outrages on humanity. Col. Clarke has Sent
in Governor Hamilton, Monsieur Dechang, judge of the
court at Detroit, and Capt. Lemott, with about 15 pri
soners. They were when lad heard of at New-London,
in Bedford county. The express which Col. Clarke sent
with the particulars of this expedition, was murdered by
the lavages ®n his way, and the dispatches defiroyed: It
is also Said, that a very large quantity of goods brought
from Detroit, for the purpose of rewarding the barbarities
of their Indians allies, was taken at the fame time by Col.
Clarke.
A letter from the Captain Commandant at Detroit to
Governor Hamilton has been intercepted, which complains
that since the departure of the letter, the inhabitants were
all getting traiterous hearts.
The enemy, by the last accounts, after having burnt the
town of Suffolk, destroyed the provisions there and plun
dered its inhabitants, retreated to Portfmoutb, where they
are salting the provisions they have taken in their depre
datory excursions to the adjacent counties.
To Shew the barbarous and unmanly difpofitoin of those
invaders of our country, we Submit to the public the fol
lowing fads, authenticated by the testimony of one of the
parties concerned. Four boys, viz. John Phripp, Tho
mas Walke, Thomas Lawson, and Peter Bowdein, who
were on their way from Mr. Andrews's School near Suffolk,
to their parents in Princess Anne county, were overtaken
by threeof their light horse, and after striking one of them
with a cutlass, and the most abusive language, robbed
them oftheir Shoe and knee buckles, handkerchiefs, mo
ney, and all the clothes they had, telling them at the fame
time, they might think themselves fortunate in not meet
ing with the Heffiana instead of them, as they would not
only have robbed them, but would haveput them todeath.
How are the laurels of the Britifli valour fallen, when wo
men and boys are now become the objects of their ven
geance !
ANNAPOLI S, May 28.
We hear, from good authority, that the Governor and
Council have given orders to the Gentlemen appointed by
The enemy's privateers flill continue to infeft our coafi.
Ors Tuesday morning one of them, a brig, came up along
ihore from the southward to the bar, spoke to some of t..e
fifhing canoos ; asked of one, if this was Georgia bar t and
another, what brig it was, that just came in fight from the
eastward, and being answered " the Notre Dame, 9 made
the best of her way off to windward. The Notre Dame
chafed her till night, but could not come up with her.
On Thursday off Bull's Island, the Notre Dame ex
changed two broad-sides with another privateer brig, of 18
guns, and afterwards chafed her 6 hours to no purpose:
she went off to the S. E. Saturday two or more privateers
boats landed between 20 and 30 men on Waccamaw-neck,
and stole zt slaves, belonging to Mr. Anthony Pawly, and
others, but 4of them afterwards got aviray. And an ac
count is just received, that the schooner Neptune, ftom
Boßon, Edward Gilbe, Master, was taken by a fmail
privateer schooner, on the 27th ultimo of Shallot-Ri
ver.
Capts. Haywood, Hinton, Cunningham, Baine and
Solden, zll from St. Euftatia, and a French ship of 22
guns, from Hispaniola, with valuable cargoes, are fafe
arrived in James's river, Virginia.
Extract of a letter from George Town, May 1.
Tuesday last the 27th instant, a party of men belonging
to the Germain privateer of New-York, landed on North-
Island, near George-Town bar, with a design of getting a
supply of frefh provisions. Capt. Heriot of the George-
Town light infantry company, (then on duty at Cat-
Island fort) being informed of their landing, went with a
detachment of his company, and came up with them, when
four seamen and a Captain of Marines, all well armed,
were made prisoners ; some others took to their boat, at
tempting to get on board the vessel that by close in fllore,
which kept up a warm and brisk fire of grape and langrige
{hot on our people, but they loft their lives by the boat
finking in the furf. They were next day brought up to
town under a guard, and upon examination said, they did
not expert to meet with any refinance as they had heard
that all the militia were taken to the southward. This and
other late instances plainly evince the utility of the militia
being Rationed along the sea coast.
CHARLESTOWN, (South-Carolina) May 5.
SEVENTEEN fail of veffels' failed from Savannah
O last Wednesday, 13 of them transports, Supposed for
New-York, under convoy of the Daphne man o. war, the
Hornet armed brig, and a Liverpoole privateer of 16 guns
ash 1/ men : But as a flip supposed to be the Daphne,
appeared off this bar yesterday afternoon, in chafe 0, some
veifels, 'tis probable the is returned to cruize here after
feeing the fleet under her care to a certain distance.
Sunday morning came in from sea, in his boat, with part
of his crew, Capt. Mark Towell, Master of the ship Re
membrance, taken the night before, about 85 leagues
from the land, by a privateer of 10 guns, which had in
company tyvo other prizes, supposed to be the brig Isaac,
Capt. Patrick Maxfield, and the brig St Martin, J. B. Ie
Coq, Master, and afterwards went in chace of toe brig
Charming Polly, Capt. Dan. Bigelow The Remembrance,
Isaac, and Charming Polly were laden with rice for the
State of Maffackufetts-Bay ; the St. Martin was bound for
Martinico.
this State to purghafe wheat and flour.for the ute of the ar
my, to flop purchasing, the quantity required having
been procured,
June 5. The Alarm last Tuesday night in this City,
said to be some Britifli Ships coming up our bay, proves
to be two French Ships from Cape Francois, bound to
Baltimore, laden with salt, dry goods, &c.
BOSTO N, May 24.
By a gentleman from Head-Quarters we are informed,
that the enemy about a fortnight since, destroyed all their
works at King's bridge, and retired to Harlem heights,
across which they have con fl ruffed some redoubts.
Last Saturday arrived in a fafe port, a prize Snow, la
den with sugar, &c. She was cut out of a harbour in
Newfoundland by a boat belonging to this place : The
boat also took a brig laden with provisions, bound for
Quebec.
We hear, a letter of marque return'd from her voyage
into Salem last Thursday, and brought in with her a prize
Schooner, laden with rum and sugar,
Extract of a letter from Hartford, May 21, 777,.
“ Tins day JOYCE, Jun. passed through this town for
Boston, on business of the greateftimportance." —Mono
polizers and Fore,alters ! take care.
We hear the inhabitants of Stow have cheerfully agreed
to pay their Minister in produce of the land at the old
price, or what he shall receive of equal value.
We hear that the privateer Ship Pilgrim, from Beverly,
hath taken two valuable prizes, both of which are fafe ar
rived one laden with about 3500 bushels of salt, the other
with flour.
Monday last a small schooner fail'd from this port for
the Weft-Indies, but was taken off George's Banks on
Wednesday, and ^rotf^ht into this port by be crew last
evening.
May 27. The brigantine -, laden with rum and
sugar, prize to the Boston, arrived at Newbury-Port the
beginning of this week.
The following thirteen honorable gentlemen were cho
sen yesterday afternoon, (as part of 'the eighteen)
Councilors, for the year ensuing, viz. Artemas Ward,
Benjamin Greenleaf, Jahez Fisher, Moses Gill, Oliver
Prescott, Francis Dana, Josiah Stone, John Pitts, Timo
thy Edwards, Samuel Baker, Samuel Niles, Azor Orne,
and Aaron Wood, Efquire<
Monday last arrived here Capt. -— , in 7; days
from Rotterdam; by whom we learn, that Keppel's long
trial was over, and Pallifer had prov'd himfelf a rascal;
the populace are very violent against him, and it is said he
is taken very ill— probably all the horrors of a bad consci
ence (the emblem of guilt and infamy) preys on his di
ftarted foul in such a manner as to occasion his present ill
hefs: Troops are going cut (fay 12000) but their deftin.i
tion unknown : That a fleet was to fail from Cork for
the Weft-Indies, the latter end of February : Transports
are ordered to Portsmouth, to take in provisions and troops
for Jamaica: An attempt has been made to burn the dock
yard at Plymouth, and another to destroy that at Portf
mauth, and that great rewards have been offered for ap
prehending the offenders: The Court of Great-Britain
keep and pay for all the cargoes taken from the Dutch, but
they are very difeontented at it, as they want them for
other uses : The mobs have done much mifehiefin England
and Scotland, on account of the papists being allowed the
free exercise of their religion in the former, and the at
tempt of it in the latter: Lord Howe has refufed to be firft
Lord of the Admiralty : All the Howe's papers to the Mi
nistry, in 1775, 1776, 1777, and 1778, are to be laid be
fore Parliament at the Howc's request : Seditious hand
bills are frequently printed and handed about England:
America has many friends in Holland, &c. &c. &c.
Sunday a fchobner arrived here from Guadaloup, and
brings an account that 4 store-ships with provisions for the
French fleet at Martinico, had arrived at Euftatia ; they
failed in company with 20 Spanish and French fllips of the
line, in order to reinforce the Count de Eflaing.
Extras of a letter, taken in the ship Bo, on's prize, dated
Neto York. Ma, 18, 1779, from the owner to bis friend
in ^ebec, viz
" We have very little-news here at present, but I am
in hopes we shall have some that will be very agreeable
soon, as the campaign is now opening. About 2,200 troops
failed from this theday before yesterday, under convoy of
^ 64, a 40 gun fliip and some frigates, and have very little
doubt but their destination is for Virginia. We expert a
very strong reinforcement from Britain daily. In all pro
bability this will be a very vigorous campaign."
Capt. Tucker writes, he was informed by the Captain
of the prize, that it was reported in York the above troops
were gone to Virginia to relieve Eurgoyne's troops by
force of arms. •
Admiral Gambier and General Clinton were with the
fleet.
The Rover privateer packet, of 6 carriage guns, besides
swivels, bound from New-York to Halifax, laden with
rum, sugar and molafies, is taken by Capt.'Sweat of Sa
lem, and carried into that port.
PROVIDENC E, ^,20.
Thursday arrived a Brig in 10 days from South-Carolina.
By letters received in the above vessel, it appears,—
That the American army, in that quarter, enjoys the
greatest degree of health, is in the highest (pirits, and dai
ly encreafing; and it is expeded, that it will soon be in
fuffi ient force to drive the enemy from Georgia, and re
establish a free government there, in stead of the civil - mi
litary tyranny it now fuffers.—That the Britons, by their
emissaries, lately attempted to burn Charleftown; but one
of the miscreants being caught with a fire-brand in his
hand, just setting fire to a house, was immediately burnt.
That two villians were lately hanged there, who were ta
ken up some time ago, in attempting to go to the enemy,
with a plan of all the forts in and near Charleftown, anda
particular account of all the troops in that department.
Thursday morning arrived here a prize flo®p of about
70 tons, captured the preceding day, off Newport harbour,
by the armed boats Seven Brothers, Capt. Hoxfey, Gen.
Sullivan, Capt. Oman, and Bradford, Capt. Martindale.
She was bound from the Island of New-Providence to
New-York, and had been taken by the Monmouth Pri
vateer, of Salem, recaptured by a British Tender, and
again retaken by the armed Boats, as above. Her cargo
consists of Rum, Molasses, Fruit, &c. A Mjdfhipmrt
and four Seamen belonging to the Renown Man of War,
were made Prisoners.
Monday evening returned into port, the ship Oliver
Cromwell, Capt. Parker ; during his short cruize he took
four primes; one of which was mentioned in our last, two
others arrived with the ship, viz. the privateer schooner St.
George of 10 guns, Capt. Carew, from New York, and
a retaken schooner, laden with Mahogany; the fourth is
an armed sloop tender to the Renown, which arrived on
Tuesday evening.
The Oliver Cromwell brought in 60 prisoners which
Were taken out of the above prizes.
N E W-H AV E N, May 26.
We hear from Long-Island, that the enemy have lately
taken from the inhabitants fix or seven hundred horses,
and sent them to New-York,
POUGHKEEPSIE, May „.
Extrad of a letter from Tryon County, dated May 17,
'' On the beginning of last week, a party of twelve In
dians, from Ofwegoche, killed three persons, scalped two
women who are still alive, and carried off one prisoner,
from the German Fiats.
“ Partirs of Indians are frequently seen, in almost eve
ry neighbourhood in these parts.
" There are now in Johnstown gaol, fifteen or sixteen
men who were detected in a treasonable conspiracy against
the country. It is said they were actually affifling in the
deftrudion at Tibblefborough. The inhabitants who
have sundry times fuffered much by the liberation of such
mifereants, seem determined they shall not go out of their
reach, till they have had a fair trial.
“ It is thought that the conspiracy before-mentioned is
very extensive, and that some very important discoveries
will fodn be made; mean while it behoves every true
friend of America to exert himfelf to the utmost, as the
behaviour of the Tories of late is grown very bold and
menacing, perhaps through too much lenity or indulgence."
FISHKIL L, June 3 .
The latter end of last week, a number of British vessels
made their appearance in the North-River ; they consist
of 13 ships, 3 brigs, 4 top-fail schooners, 3 gallies, 6 top
sail sloops, about 20 smaller vessels, and a great number of
flat bottom boats.
Last Lord's day, (31st ult.) 15^0 men landed eight
mile, below Peck's Kill, on Taller's Point, confining of
Britifli and Hessian grenadiers, light-infantry, volunteers
of Ireland, <md Yagers —Monday the >fl instant, the
enemy landed a party on the weft fide of the river, where
they burnt some houses, and opened two small batteries,
from which they threw some shells, and cannonaded fort
de la Fayette across the river, all that day; two gallies
kept up a severe fire on the fort at the fame time. They
continued their firing till eleven o'clock on Tuesday fore
noon ; meanwhile their army marched from Taller's to
Ver Plank's Point, on which the fort ft ands; by a fag
they demanded a surrender; the parley continued two
hours : Capt. Armstrong thought fit to surrender. Ge
neral M'Dougall has not yet received a juftifiable reason
why the fort wasgiven up. This little fort was built on
purpose to secure King's ferry, from the insults of the ene
my's vessels, which frequently had interrupted our boats
from crossing: It was small, and would contain, with con
veniency, about a company of men : The redoubt was
strong, and covered a barbette battery, mounting 3 pieces
of cannon : We had in the barbette a company of artille
ry ; they were all'drawn off but a ferjeant, a corporal and
12 privates ; In the redoubt were a Captain, two (übalt
erns, three ferjea'nts and 44 rank and file. They had pro
visions and water to serve them thirty days.
Wednesday evening—the wind now prevents the ship
ping from advancing to Fort Clinton on Weft-Point;
May 32. Last week several Wood-Vessels, from New
port, were taken in the Western Sound by three armed
Boats, and carried into Stonington.
The American Revenue Privateer has taken a Sloop
laden with Hum, and carried her into New-London.
A Sloop from Ireland, laden with Pork, Flour, Can
dles, Soap, &c. is taken by the Putnam Privateer, and
carried into Connecticut.
The Privateer Sloop Lady Ayfcough, mounting Ten
Guns, was last Sunday sent into New-London, by the
Hancock and Beaver.
The plundering Tory Fleet, confiding ofnine Sail,
which went last Week into the Eastern Sound, returned
to Newport on Wednesday; but what Success they met
with has not yet transpired
Last Sunday a Flag of Truce from Newport, with a
Number of the distressed Inhabitants, arrived at War
wick Neek.
A Prize Ship, laden with Wine, we hear arrived at Bos
ton on Thursday, captured by the Mifflin Privateer.
N E W-L O N D O N, May,,.
Extract of a fetter from Boflen, May 17
ft The Brig Venus, Capt. Dunn, is arrived at Plymouth,
from Cape Francois. She was captured by a British pri
vateer, but previous to their coming on board, Capt-
Dunn desired several of his paffen- ers to repair bek>w and
conceal themselves, supposing, as he added, it was proba
ble that the enemy would fend but few men on 'board the
brig, his conjectures were right, and as the privateer soon
discovered and pursued another vessel, the persons below
rushed upon deck, recovered possession of the brig and
conducted her fafe t® the above port."
The above brig failed from this port in larmr: :.% for
the Weft-Indies.
Capt. Wm. Johnson, in the brig T?^ r ^ ich fill
ed from this port in December last, r• . arleftown.
South-Carolina, arrived fafe at that port, v ere the load
ed with rice, and failed for Cape-Francois, but was two
days after taken and carried into St. Augustine.
Last Sunday evening, Capt. Dvunel in a schooner be
longing to New-Haven, arrived here in io days from St.
Thomas's with a cargo of rum and sugar : He informs that
the day before he failed, an account was received at St.
Thomas's from St. Euftatia, that ic fail of line of Battle
Ships and 8 frigates, had just arrived at Martinico, from
France, as a reinforcement to Count D'ETtaing ; and it
was reported that they took on their passage, and brought
in with them about 50 fail of a Cork fleet.
Capt. Bunhei informs, That Capt. John Eulkley, be
longing to Wethersfield, Capt. French from the western
part of this State, and Capt. Brintnal in the (loop Wooster,
from New-Haven, are all taken and carried into the Weft-
Indies.