The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-08-22 00:00:00, page 2

ing whilfthe teas giving up the exercise, nay more,
whilff be had given up the claim too (for, to be fair,
he evidently means to do Co,) he has nevertheless seem
ed to assert the principle in point of original right.
He said, his doubts did not arise from Mr. Fox, but
from Mr. Fox's doubts. If there be any weight in
his arguments, it is to Mr. Fox he is indebted for them.
Mr. Fox has said, our grievances do not proceed from
the superintending power heretofore claimed by tie
British legislature over Ireland, but from the abuse
which has been made of that power. I therefore fay,
that which has been may be —men may change—
things may change—times and circumstances may
change. In order to prevent all possible return of the
abuse, we must eradicate the principle. He entreat
ed those who are in the confidence of the present
miniflers, nn to do that by them, which the intempe
rate zeal of both houses of parliament had, in despite
of his repeated entreaties, some two years since, done
by their predecessors. He meant to fay, that they
should not expose them to the reproach that Ireland
would have rejoiced at obtaining the one halt of what
they bad granted her. It has been fairly told you,
that Ireland has been called upon to state her griev
ances. That file cannot hereafter complain, should a
ny with be left unfatisfied ; you are therefore rrfponfible
to the peop e of Ireland, that you do not flop short of
entire redress. This address is not intended to be a
treaty, but the foundation of a treaty. If you render
it a treaty, you silence yourselves whilst your griev
ances are still in force. You close the fubjeft of claim
before your requisitions are complied with, leaving it
in the power of the British parliament, to force the
British miniftty to take you at your word. He said.
lie does entirely agree with Mr. Fex, this great fubje&
must terminate in a fobmn and explicit treaty ton
explicit upon the part of the one and the other coun
try ; though , be must forever differ from bim, should
he persist (which he trufis we will not) in the idea of
treating by commiffoners.
Lord Bella mont said, he must again differ from Mr.
Fox in his diftinHions of internal and external legisla
tion ; our proportion claims to emancipate Ireland
from every a& of British legifyion, as well exter
nal as internal. Should we be contended with
feeing ourselves internally free, but externally bound,
our liberty as to things is local, not real; our li
bery as to perform local, not personal. He said,
lord Shelburne's definition, as be conceives it, does in
ever, point apply. His diftinftion is that of regal and
imperial. If he justly conceives bis lortifhip, he fays,
that the kingdom of Ireland shall henceforward be
considered, both internally and externally, independent
of the British legislature, but politically included in,
and concluded by the British senate, treating with fo
reign nations through the medium, and under the au
thority of the executive power of the crown for Ireland
conjointly with herfelf and upon the fame terms as for
herfelf. If such be his lordship's intentions, as he does
conceive it is, his lordship and he are forever agreed
upon the point; if not, they are wide affuader.
Lord Farnham, after some conference with our no
ble lords, admitted the utmost precaution was necessa
ry, and after having clearly shewn that his meaning
was the fame as that of lord Bellamont, said he was
ever open to debate, and would not obfiinately set him
felf against convidion. He therefore expressed himfelf
disposed to adept an amendment to that effed, and was
ready to propose willing to meet lord Bellamont's ob
jeft.
Lord Bellamont answered, he would with pleasure
meet the noble lord, either in the committed or before
they entered upon the committee. It was a fubjeft of
rice consideration ; and he had a particular reason why
he wished to decline it in the house, and therefore desir
ed the resolution might for the present rest as proposed.
Tuesday, May 28 Upon the report of t e address,
lord Bellamont rose up ; and after having expressed his
lente of the candour with which lord Farnham and the
noble lords who afied with him had adopted his idea,
he explained to the house the reason which had induced
him to decline bis lordship's offer the preceding day in
the house, namely, that be might not fully the luflre
of the day, by a record of disunion upon their journals,
He said he was convinced the noble lord and those who
a&ed with him, bad the fame object at heart in the 0-
riginal resolution proposed, that be had in the amend
ment: that if he had conceived any possible doubt,
the liberal manner in which they had, after so long a
debate, adopted it, did not fuffer the smallest impressi
on of it to rest upon his mind. They had with equal
candour adopted another amendment which he had
proposed in the committee. That the address, thus
amended, had in the most conclusive sense of the word
his hearty concurrence and approbation.
[The amendment which lord Bellamont proposed in
the above resolution, and which was accordingly adopt
ed in the address, is as follows, viz.
At the end of the second paragraph, inflead of the
words, “ and gratified the^tmoft wishes, " he inserted
these words," and when accomplished, will gratify the
utmost nifties." The amendment he proposed to the ad
dress in the committee, which was accordingly receiv
ed, was as follows, viz.
At the beginning of the last paragraph of the ad
dress, instead of the words, '' and of the liberality of
your parliament," he inserted, " and of the wisdom of
your parliament.']
A small Bank Note
Was droped by accident a few days ago at
a Stationer's (hop in Second-street. The
owner by applying to the Printer, may be
informed where it is.
— _L_ —
Tanners Oil to be Sold,
^y RICHARD WELLS, in Arch-street, abort Sixth
ftr<<t4
From the South Carolina Gazette, dated June 12,
1782.
To the Printer of the South-Carolina Gazette.
S I R,
^^HE British papers from Charleftown have lately
l been fertile in the production of essays and narra
tives, calculated, as far as the abilities of their authors,
and the credit of Mr. Wells's paper can extend, to juf
tify the charges of cruelty so liberally bestowed on the
Americans. ' A South Carolina loyalifi" has display
ed his acquaintance with Grotius and the Law of Na
tions, in an essay on the nature and obligations of a pa
role, Mr. Smith has published his narrative for the
more bumble purpose of awakening the tender feelings
of lieutenant colonel Balfour, and " A correspondent"
of Mr. Wells's, forgetting ail diferetion in the warmth
of is zeal, has added one more to the number of those,
who torture the exquisite sensibility of the best of kings,
by a perpetual representation of distresses, which he
has occasioned and cannot now alleviate. In compas
sion to the feelings of each other, both the king and his
fubjeds here should be silent, since neither feels a cala
mity which is not in common, and which has not ori
ginated in both. It is easy to discover the objectof
these productions. Their authors suppose, that by
charging us with cruelty, they may evil or juftify, since
they cannot deny, the licentiousness of the British army.
It has been remarked, that no revolution was ever be
gan and prosecuted with so much temper and modera
tion as the present: and this mild spirit, dictated by
liberal policy and a sacred regard to the rights of huma
nity, might still have continued, but for the unexam
pled severity with which it has been the practice of the
enemy to treat the inhabitants of this country.
The limits of a news-paper will not admit of more
than a general sketch, or outline of their conduct ; it
must be left to some able and elegant historian to finifh
the minuter parts, and preserve in never fading co
lours, a p^ure ofcrimes and cruelties which may serve
as a negative lesson of virtue to all succeeding genera
tions.
After the reduction of Charleftown the enemy adopt
ed a system f politics the most weak, vindidive and
arbitrary, that ever disgraced the under Handing of a
polished and enlightened people. Affecting to ridicule
the idea of adhering to the most solemn compacts, *
they violated the capitulation in every part that con
cerned the citizens, their moveable property was pur
loined, their real sequestered, and their persons expos
ed to insult, or perhaps, a dungeon on the flighted
suspicion. The ladies were traduced and insulted, rob
bed of their furniture, in many indances of their wear
ing apparel, and in some of the means of subsistence.—
The date after the reduction of its capital was gradual
ly reduced; and, the spirit of the army communicat
ing itfelf to their adherents, every diftra became üb
jeß to the oppression of the tories> They committed
every outrage that can be supposed capable of inflam
ing the passions of men. The houses of those whigs
who were commpelled to submit, were plundered and
then burnt ; thrir families driven into exile, and their
friends, and sometimes their wives murdered in cold
blood. In this situation of affairs the battle of the 16th
of August 1780 was fought, and lord Cornwallis, ig
norant or regardless of justice, and the true glory of a
conqueror, gave an order that completed the calami
ties of this devoted slate. The light, unfeeling, I had
almof lfaid sportive terms in which this order is conceiv
ed, prove* more forcibly than a thousand legal evi
dences the little value at which he efliinates the lives of
men: he fays, " all who are found in arms, after hav
ing given a military parole, are so be hanged." I trust
that neither the eclat of his character, his titles, nor
his singular misfortunes will be (efficient to bide this
difgraceful tranfadion from the world. It will defiroy
the vifiouary fabric of his fame in life, and remain as
a blot upon the record of his names rever. More than
twenty persons taken in that aElion were hanged imme
diately, without examination, ceremony or the fpeci
ous (hew of 1 trial. Ninety-Sik, Augufla, and other
places were witness to the fame affecting tragedies from
the fame cause; and as the ftighteft suspicions were fuf
ficient to fubjed a man to these legal murders, all who
considered themselves as fufpebled, were driven to seek
fafety in swamps, and other hiding places, from which
they made war upon the murderers of t eir friends and
families. Tons commenced that personal enmity and
implacable resentment, which has occasioned so many
murders and assa ssinations; and to foment which, is a
part of that miserable fyflem formed by our enemies
for the Conjugation of this country. The spirit of
murder spread itfelf all over the country, and became
fo,familiar as to be divested of all its horrors, while
lord Cornwallis, loft in the pleasing contemplation of
pad, and presaging future victories, defined insensible
of the evils he occasioned. There is scarcely a mile in
the upper country, in which there is not a ruined farm
to declare with silent, but expredive eloquence, the ex
ije or death of its inhabitants. A desolated country
filled with widows and orphans proclaim lord Cornwal.
lis to be both a murderer and an incendar, ; and I de
fy the impudence oflieutenant colonel Balfour to deny,
or the sophistry of his (ecretary to refute the charge.
This was the slate of South Carolina when general
Greene retook it, and these the injuries and oppressions
the whigs had fuffered ; is it then extraordinary that they
should avail themselves in their turn, of the opportu
nity of success to revenge them ? The feelings of men
influenced by human passions, and natural affections,
the voice of justice itfelf will fay, it was not. A num
ber of torsel were taken at forts Motte, Orangeburgh,
Granby, and Augusta, some of whom fell a facrifice to
a pradice they themselves had eflabj ifhed: however,
the persons who were guilty of these outrages, know
ing general Greene's sentiments, always did it so secret
ly as to prevent the possibility of a difeovery. A sum
of money was offered, by proclamation, (or the mur
derers or acceffaries of Dawkins, and one hundred gui
neas for colonel Grierfon, a large reward was also offer.
* A British officer said td major Hyrne in Charlef
town in the course of negociating an exchange of pri
foners, " I hope fir, you think more liberally than to
" suppose the capitulation will be kept with the inha
f' bitants, you surely must believe it ought not."
ed for those of major Dunlap. A Mr. Burke wa#
taken up, on suspicion of having murdered Dawkihs;
he was confined a considerable time and released at last
fcr want of evidence: and however unessential a proof
of guilt before convidion, may appear to lord Corn,
wallis, lord Rawdon and colonel Balfour, an American
court martial thought differently, and general Greene
concurred in their opinion.
Mr. Wells's correspondent hath not dared tocharge
general Greene with cruelty; but he asserts that lieu
tenant Smith, who commanded at Camden, was cruel
and he was general Greene's peculiar choice, therefore
there must have been some resemblance in their cha
raHers. Admiral Sylogift! Is he aware how unfortu
nate the precedent of judging the charader of a com
mander in chief by that of his favourites, may prove
to some of his friends ? Lord Cornwallis's humanity, if
not his under flanding, may with propriety be eftima^
ted by that of colonel Balfour, and neither fuffer by
the comparison: but will general Leslie permit his vir
tues to be measured by those of major Cunningham and
other officers he may think proper to employ ? A com
manding officer may sometimes be obliged to employ,
at the fame time that he despises a bad man: but the
observation is by no means applicable to lieutenant
Smith, who is a worthy young man, and knew nothing
of the murder, with which, in the unbounded liberali
ty of his censures, this writer has charged him.
The manner and the cause of colonel Hayne,s death
are fu fficiently known to the world, and let it be re
membered with refpeft to the authors, that lord Raw
don, who divided the infamy of that tranfa&ion with
col. Balfour, declared to the marquis of Fayette, in
Virginia, that " he had left a man to command in
Charleftown who was destitute of personal courage as a
soldier, as well as of every virtue that does honour to
the heart in civil society." Lord Rawdon made him
felf contemptaole by~betraying the weakness of his
friend: but there is a degree of infamy that debases a
man bek w even contempt, and this belongs exclusively
to colonel Balfour. Let him proceed to explore this
fertile field; to a mind like his, it will afford an infi
nate variety of the most delightful, and enchanting
feenes, in the difeovery and enjoyment of which, he
will fliine original and unrivalled.
It is to be observed, that no man has fuffered death, or
any severe punishment in the southern department, by
the order or with the knowledge of general Greene, for
any other, than the crime of desertion. I defy his ene
mies to fix uponhim a single instance of an execution for
political opinions^ but those enemies ought to declare
with candour the polite attention and generous indul
gences, prisoners of all kinds have received at hit
hands.
This gentleman's character does not want a panegy
rift, nor will he find one in me. It is fufficiently mark
ed in tpe operations he has conduced, so that history
will unfold to the world the motives of his conduft.
His views seem to have extended themselves beyond the
eclat of a moment, and I am persuaded that the good
ness of his heart has contributed to the greatness of his
character, in the success of the American arms under
his command.
May 30th, 1782. / PASCHAL.
Philadelphia, August 22.
Extraft of a letter from a farmer on Juniata, to his
correspondent in tuis city, August 14, 1782.
" f am juftfavoured with your welcome letter, en
clofinga hand-bill from New-York, which you fay you
believe is genuine, notwithflanding thefufpicious man
nerin which it is published : th€ bearer intends to begin
his journey to Philadelphia early in the morning, and
I cannot forbear making and fending you by him a few
remarks on that hand-bill, as well as reprefenxing to you
again the truly deplorable situation of that unhappy
part of your fellow citizens, who live on the frontiers,
whose misery is such, as would move the compassion of
any human being, except the instigators of their sa
vage foe. As to the letter published in the hand-bill,
you will pardon me, if 1 affore you, that I fufpe& its
authenticity. Do you believe that a man of fir Guy's
character would have committed such an offence agajnft
the, efla dished laws of delicacy, as to have published
such a letter before general Wafllington had received
it ? and you acknowledged that you had a few minutes
before you began your letter, seen a gentleman from
head-quarters who heard nothirgof it, and whose fitu=
ation and rank are such as that he must have known if
such a-letter had been received there. Besides, the ge-<
neral would have sent it instantly to congress, and I
take it for granted, that they would have published it
without loss of time.
But suppose it to be genuine, what ought to be the
conduct of a wife people ? ought they to be lulled into
inaction? to be off their guard ? directly the reverse,
fh<y ought to redouble their exertions, it ought to re
vive that (park of the ^etherial flame, that enthusiastic
ardour which animated all ranks of people throughout
the united states in the beginning of the contest; if to
this were added the regulations winch you fay are tak
ing place in our fyfiem of finance, I should indeed ex
pea to fee a speedy period put to a war, in which such
feenes of cruelty have been displayed, as will forever
reflet difhonour on the British name; for that nation is
responsible 'or all the unddlinguifh d horrid, murders
which have been committed by its Indian allies. Omy
friend ! whenever I r< flea upon the feenes which I my
felf ha^e been witness to, my blood chills with horror.
When in the year 1775, yojudid me the honour to take
shelter for a night under m'yThomely roof, in your tour
alo^g the frontiers of this state, you observed with
pleasure, that the people were by their induflry, be
ginning to emerge from that penury incident to a new
Settlement, and to enjoy all the necessaries, and many
of the cooveniencies of life. You rejoiced at the rapidi
ty of cultivation, at t e fruitfulnefs of tie earth, and
of the inhabitants; and 1 perceived the t ars of gladness
Hart into your eyes, when you took notice of the
numbers of ruddy little ones, which you had observed
in every house on the frontiers, and said it surpassed
any rural feene described by Nature's poet. Alas my