The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-02-06 00:00:00, page 2

This uncommon occurrence will furniSh to the good and wife,
a pleafine page in tire mournful hiflmv os hum?n difeords; and
we fervoth w 6 for the repose of mankind, it may he deemed
worth, of imitation.
It, reflects great horror a'fo pn the Confederation, by yielding
memorable proof of its political energy, having been accom
plished in the mode thereby prescribed; and strengthens the
bands of the union, by evincing that it is the best protection a
gainT : nrereal toTchiefs, as well as against external dangers.
Thus the fears of the apprehensive, who expected, and the hopes
of the difitFefled. who wilhed for confufions, are dissipated, and
an agreeable presage is formed of the like Salutary effects attend
ing similar contorts in future, which cannot fail of giving the
filmed liability to the whole system of our affairs.
By such a temper and conduct, the United States will exhibit
a very Singular and truly dignified exam 1c of a people, who
have wisdom and virtue enough not to waste, in civil convulsions,
the happiness and glory acquired by a fuccefsful opposition to their
foreign enemies---the fatal gulph in which so many nations have
been loft.
This determination will be of the utmost importance to the
prosperity of Ptnnfylvania, if all the benefits ate derived from
it, that probably may be obtained by a prudent management.
We have issued a proclamation for preferring peace, and quieting
the minds of the people on the lands lately disputed, a copy of
which, together with other papers relating to this affair, Shall be
immediately lent. We rely on the Legislature, that fitch farther
measures will be adopted, as Shall be moll advifeable for improv
ing the decision the* has been made to the bed advantage.
The Secretary will lay before you, Gentlemen, letters from
the Minister of France, of the loth and i,th inftant---from the
Commander in Chief, of the 12th ---from the Financier, of the
zoth---from the Secretary at War, of the 7th of November
and iith of December--- from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,
of the 23d---from the Commiffionrrs for the defence of the na
vigation in the Bay and River Delaware, of the 13th —and from
the Commiflioners for the City and County of Philadelphia, of
the 19th of the fame month.
The mod important intelligence we have received, relates to
the negotiations at Paris. When all circumft nces refpeaing
them are deliberately weighed, and compared with past transac
tions, it remains utterly uncertain vhat the conclusion will be.
Policy dictates but a single resolution on the part of America,
and that is---to make ftienuous efforts for continuing the war.
We have judged it our duty to exert all the p< wers with which
we are inverted, for compleating the line of this State to three
regiments of infantry, besides the artillery and dragoons, by the
opening of the next campaign, as will appear by our act of the
Sixth of December last, herewith transmitted. An a& of Con
gress of the gift of December, on that head, we also communi
cate.
January 15, 1,83.
(' H E Honorable the Minirter Plenipotentiary of His Mo"
Christian Majesty having notified to Congress, That th e \
Term allowed to the Capitulants of St. Chriitophers, Nevis and
MontErrat, For receiving Cargoes from Great-Britain, and tor
loading back the Veff Is under neutral Colours for that Kingdom,
is expired, and that the Governor-General of those Iflauds is in
firu&d to grant no more Permits for such Popofes.
Ordered, That the Notifteatiorrbe published.&
CHARLES THOMSON, Secret
V ",, E heartily congratulate you or the recovery of Charles
°F ^ town, and the final determination of the controversy
between this State and that of Connecticut, in our favour, by
the unanimous judgment of the Commissioners.
The fo-fl of these events will be attended with very happy
cnnfequences to the union in general, and in particular to the
patriotic citizens of a sister State, whose Bufferings have only
been exceeded by their virtue.\
The fecosJ is highly interesting in every point of view. The
peaceable and conclusive Settlement of a dispute between two
such powerful Sovereign States, concerning a large and valuable
territory, and the juri-diaion over it, carts a light upon the
/American chamber, the martial Spirit of which has been so fully
and recently dis, fayed, that must attrad the attention and efleem
of the world.
We flhall sincerely rejoice, if these inventions can be carried
into execution in time, as the line w 11 be rendered more re
fpeflable, and several valuable and experienced officers will be
employed.
Before we quit this fubjeft, we cannot forbear mentioning,
with the tendered concern, the case of retiring officers of our
line. After bravely and patiently encountering every danger and
difficulty, for many years, in the cause of their country, their
former methods of life totally deranged, their fortunes injured or
exhausted, their conffitutions in many instances impaired, to be
thrown, unpaid and unprovided for, upon experiments for the
fubfiftance of themselves and their families, must be deeply dis
tressing to persons, who feel any Sentiments of gratitude and be
nevolence. Permit us to recommend them, in the warmed
manner, to your Honorable Body.
From some late proceedings, it appears too probable, unless
th national council can happily devise feme effectual mode of
removing difficulties, that a necessity will Succeed, of Satisfying
the demands of j,Slice and humanity on a more divided, and,
perhaps, less politic plan, than has been wished for and attempt
ed.
In what manner these, and other exigencies, are to be anfiver
ed, it is essential to the welfare of the Commonwealth, that the
affairs of our revenues Should, with all possible dispatch, be pla
ced in the clearest order, and fixed on a perfectly economical ar
rangement. To lay a foiid foundation for subsequent operations,
it is absolutely necessary that all former accounts and part expen
ditures of public moniej fbould be speedily adjusted. These, and
all that Shall follow, fyuld be laid before our constituents imme
diately, as they are refyeftively adjusted, and with as much par
ticularity, as the nature of them will admit. A free people have a
right to fee them, and to judge of them. By such means, their
entire confidence in public measures will be gained; and they
will not only bear, but be pleased to bear their several Shares of
public burthens, when they find, that what they pay is quickly
and truly accounted for, and has been faithfully and prudently
applied to their Service. This, we are convinced, is the gene
rous aifpofition of the people of Pennsylvania.
Such regulations tend directly to the establishment of public
credit on a firm basis. Another flep towards it is, not to fuffer
those to be disappointed, who have relied upon the faith of the
State. This observation reminds us of the officers and soldiers
who have retained their certificates; and we earnestly with the
£ MESSAGE frort the Presides t nd the
Supreme Executive Council to the Gene
ral Assembly.
E H ri A D.^X PM^-A, ^bnur,®
^y t* UNITED STATES in CONGRESS assembled.
GENTLEMEN,
'Ltgftatufc to corffi'der whether it will not be, as it appears clearly
to us, just, and, taking into view circumstances that may here
after occur, expedient, to make b dirtinaion between such offi
cers and soldiers, and their executors and administrators, and the
h lders of certificates by purchase. We apprehend that this
diCiuaion will produce exceedingly extensive and beneficial con-
Sequences. . ?
fhefcleaion of tales, and equality in laying them, are mat
ters o' vart m merit. The 'former of these objefts employed the
th oughts of the late AfTembly for borne time. Both of them de
iervc a mod serious investigation.
We have made several promotions, in pursuance of the Act of
Congress of the twentieth of hft Novembe , and have directed
a copy of our rder thereon to be communicated.
From a difire to give as much efficacy as wecould to your good
intentions, we have sent a large number of copies of the A£l,
enftuled '' An Afl to prevent the trebling any new and tndejen
" dent State within' the limits rs this Commonwealth,' and of the
Bill, entitiEed " An All for the file of certain lands therein men
" rened, for the puspofe of re 'eemig and prying off the certfates
" ts depredation given to the officers and soldiers of the Pennfylva
" mi,a line, or their reprfentatives, and fir appropriating certain 0-
" tber lands therein mentioned for the use of the said officers and fol
" d^ers, to be divided off to them severals at the end of the war,"
by gentlemen of reputation, to the counties of Bedford, Wef
moreland and Woffington, to be distributed among the inhabit
ants.
The.-laws require amendments in several instances. A just re
fpe& for the interests of His Mort Christian Majesty induces us,
in the firft place, earnestly to recommend the parting, as soon as it
can be done, an aft for preventing the desertion of French sailors
from the veTals to which they belong, and for punishing persons
who shall encourage such desertion. The a&s now existing, that
rel^e to this point, are very defective.
This, city is now become a place of such resort, which seems
to be daily inc>eafirig, that we request the General Assembly to
deliberate on the establishment of a complete police for its go
vernments
'I he dirtreffes of the marine prifones belonging to this State,
at Neau 'York, engaged our ealy and careful attention. We have
the pleasure to inform you, that a Rag-vessel has arrived there
from this port, wi^h two hundred barrels of H°ur, and other ar
ticles for their relief. The Secretary will present to you three
letters refpefting this business.
We think it extremely proper, that a&s should also be parted
for making the decifi ns on references by rule of Court moie
similar to trials by jury,---for quieting titles after long p<'fr?f
fion,- —for preventing unnecessary county expences,---and for
regulating fees and preventing extortion. An tuft for this last
purpose should be drawn with such precision, as to take away all
evasions from offend,s, and so generally made known, that the
innocent may net be preyed upon, by their ignorance of the in
juries done them.
Paris, Nov. 3. Since the Princes have quitted the Camp of
St. Roche, the siege has been changed to a blockade. The plan
of pacification seems to be at a greater diftarace since the expedi^
tiun of the English in the Straits, and th ir momentary success
does not render the French and Spaniards less firm in their prepa
rations.
A letter from Toulon, by the Flanders mail fays, that part
of the combined fleet is returned there, several of them much
damaged, which are to be repaired as soon as possible, ^nd then
are to fail with some other Ships on an expedition, but who is to
command that fleet is not yet known; it is whispered that they
a?e to fail for the Weft-Indies, if a peace is not concluded on, or
before they are ready to put to sea.
Extract of a letter from Paris, November 3.
The Comte d'Estaing it 11 continues his expedations of success ;
it is a formidable fleer for the Antilles. He has not, however
yet left Paris, nor is the day of his departure fixed, though his
flay cannot be very long. A most formidable armament is now
preparing.
We Should be glad-if the collection of taxes and fines could
be°made ealier, and left expensive, and if irregular and oppressive
proceedings therein, which we have reason to believe too often
have happened, could be revented.
The Militia Laws Should be reduced into one aft. They re
quire great alteration: fur rendering them more efficient, and
less expensive. It appears to be a hard/hip upon retiring officers,
who continue in feme measure annexed; to the army, a#d other
circumstances being considered, that they fbould be liable to com
mon militia duties.
Wejudge it fufficient thus briefly to suggest our ideas. If they
are thought proper to receive such improvements as your wisdom
can give them, we shall be amply rewarded for our care, by your
approbation, and by the benefits which in consequence will be
conveyed to our fellow-citizens.
Council Chamber,
Philadelphia, fan. 23, 1783.
Feb. I. His Majerty's ship Perseverance, having three days ago
met with a vessel in about sixty days from Cork, a News-paper was
brought from on board, which affords us an opportunity to give
the following extracts.
From the Cork or Hibernian Gazette, dated Nov. 28, 1782.
Mr. Adorns, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Congress to the
Republic of Holland, arrived here four days ago. He resides
with Dr. Franklin. It is reported that the object of his journey
is equally important and mysterious.
The Marquis de la Fayette is preparing for his departure, which
will be very soon. He is going to America with fix regiments,
which will replace Comte Rochambeau's army.
Ha gue, Nov. 10. Notwi hftanding the reports lately foread
with refpea to peace, we can assure our readers, from them, ft
authentic advices, that Mr. Fitzherbert continues to receive and
dispatch many couriers; and that notwithstanding the formidable
preparations for carrying on the next campaign with vigour, there
is every reason to believe that the preliminaries of peace will soon
be Signed.
From the New-York Royal Gazette,
Nov. 20. Gibraltar, Quebec, and St. Lucia, are particularly in
filled on to be restored to Fiance and Spain; the troops to be
immediately withdrawn from America, and in return, all our
Islands to be restored to us except the Grenades. These are the
conditions that France has the effrontery to offer, which if ac
cepted would enable this country to balance her profits from the
war in the following wav: Loft in expence 130 Millions! Gave
up America! Restored Quebec! Loft the Grenades! Gave
up Gibraltar ! !!
Gentlemen,
LONDO N.
dated
John Dickinson.
New. 21. The report circulated this morning in the news
papers, that preliminaries of peace WITH AMERICA have
been signed, is premature; however, we have the pleasure td
afire our readers, from the be/l authority, that peace with Ame^
rica is at no great distance ; for a commission from the Congress
is just arrived in Europe, empowering certain persons to treat
wih Great-Britain: The Commissioners are, Dr. Franklin,
Messrs. Adams, Laurens, Jay, and Jefferfon. We are sorry,
however, we cannot add to this agreeable news, that the Com
m;ffionets have power to treat of a separate peace.
Notwithstanding the negociation for peace, our ministers are
determined, that until it is signed, the war shall be vigorously
pofefuted agar ft the House of Bourbon. A bold expedition ih
certainly t o be undertaken by General Dalling; Major General
Gray, a Very gallant, naive, and distinguished officer, is already
appointed second in command: The number of troops to embark
with htem will be §OOO, principally those that came lately from
Ireland, in consequence of a vote of Parliament of that country.
We are happy that it is not in dur power to mention the place,
or quarter against which this expedition is destined---happily thh
ferret is well kept; and though some persons think that it is
bound for the Spanish Main, yet certain it is that they speak on
ly from conjecture.
Much credit is given to a report, that according to a plan for
effecting an accommodation with America, certain commercial
privileges are to be exclusively secured to G^at-Britain, by way
of compensation for the cdncel^on of the parent Rate.
It is at length pretty generally agreed, that though the power
of the Crpwp is competent to riegociale conditions of America,
Independency, yet that so important a concession cannot be made
without the concurrence of the three branches of the Legislature.
Alter the address, it is said this will be the firft quertion agitated
in P^riiarrient.
1 n Saturday laR Mr. Strachey, one of the Under Secretaries of
ovate, in Mr. Townsend's office, set off ih a chaise and four on
nis return to Paris, charged with difoatches, of a very particular
narufey §r -Mr> Fitzherbert, in answer to the requisitions of that
Court. He was in waiting several days, which time was taken
u> by the Cabinet in fettling several points of great moment,
made by the French Ministry.
Prificefs Amelia, of 80 guns, Rear Admiral Sir R. Hughes,
Capr. Reynolds ; Union, 90, Capt. Dalrymple; Berwick, 74,
Capt. Phipps; Bellona, 74, Capt. Onflow; Suffolk, 74, Sir G&
Hume; Saifonable, 64, Lord Hervey; Ruby, 64, Capt, Collins|
and Polyphemus, 64, Capt. Lynch."
Extrafl of a letter from Plymouth, Nov. 15.
" On Wednesday morning, the 13th inst. arrived the Eg,
mont, 74 ; Bienfaifant, 64 ; and Buffalo, of 60 guns, part of
Lord Howe's fleet. The accounts brought by these Ships are, that
Lord Howe had detached for the Weft-Indies, having firft vic
tualled and watered them completely, from the fleet, the follow
ing men of war:
ExraEl of a letter dated Antigua, December 23, 17$^
" Admiral Hood is cruizing off Cape Francois with his divi^
lion, and Admiral Pigot remains at Barbados with 26 fail of
the line, having been reinforced with 8 fail under the command
o c Sir Richard Hughes, who captured the Solitaire, a French
64, in coming out. Some movements of the French at Guada
loupe occasioned an alarm a few days ago, but every thing is
now quiet,"
The Maldgrida Scheme of inveigling money out of the people's
pockets, under pretence of building floips, having made a most fnail
paced progress through the county of Suffolk, and been rotally de
feated in every other part of England, where it has been attempt
e', a bold push is to be this day made at the Common-Hall, at
Guildhall, for the obtaining a resolution for building a ship of 74
guns, at the expence of the city, for the service of governments
The Livery of London are called upon not to fu ffer chemfelves
to be taken. To-day, by furprize, by the creatures of Lord Shel
burne The tyrant of Bruce Castle, and his friends, will not be
wanting in their endeavours ; but they will have a Wilkes, a Saw
bridge, a Leaves, and a Falkener, with every virtuous citizen, to
oppose them.
The humbug of canvassing the people out of their money for
building Ships is now so very notorious, that when the promoters
of this unconstitutional measure are told, that the money they col=
led cannot be appropriated to that purpose, they are very coolly
answered— that it will do for fumetbing else 1
08. z. We are credibly informed, th^t Brigadier General Ar
nold has given a plan into Lord Shelburne's office, for subduing
the rebel colonies in America in fix months, with no other force
than 5000 regular troops, in addition to the loyalists now resident
in New-York.
The recent intelligence received by the New-York papers has
created a general confufion i%the political world. America has
certainly been declared independent by his Majesty's Commiffiore
ers; but with whom the orders for this declaration originated
the public are ignorant, and mult probably wait the meeting of
par^iameot for that information.
This declaration is one of the greatest political fubjefts eve
agitated in this country, not .excepting the'queftion upon abdica
tion at the revolution ---The.firft question it contains is, " Can
the Crown fever th? ,dominions of the empire ?" Should this be
determined in the negative, which no doubt it will, then the se
cond point will be, " Does the aft of parliament, which authorizes
th- Crown to make pe-ce wi?h America, give it authority to de
clare America independent.'"---Should this question be deter
mined against the exigence of the authority, then the enquiry
will be, " Who is the Minister that advised the measure
Upon the late advices from Leland several cabinet councils
have been held in fuccelfon, and so many cohfultations on their
ten ency, among the ministers, as most plainly evince how much
they are alarmed. The county of Tyrone, dirtillers, victuallers,
vintners, and all forts of manufacturers, supported by their arm
ed associations, have come to reflations to pay no excises what
ever. Londonderry and Donegal, with part of Antrim, are in a
state little Short of anarchy, from the resolutions which Spread
very rapidly, not to pay a y ty: hes to the clergy. The late aft
of parliament relating to the Stamping of liens, has been difr
penfed with by an armed force. The weavers of Dublin have
declared that not a yard of English broadcloth ffiall be imported#
Add to this the flaming resolutions of all the corps throughout
the north of Ireland, aginft the Scheme of railing fencible re
gimenrs ; in which they determine it to be unconstitutional, and
thteaten the fevered resentment to any of their own bodies that
accept commissions in them ; these, and a variety of other cir,
cumftances, have alarmed government exceedingly. Mr. Fox
has procured very particular intelligence of the whole, and in
tends to reprobate, in the severest terms, the fencible scheme,
as a most ill-timed, undigested and effenfive' proposition.-----
Thus it is that the affairs of Ireland are likely to prove the
Sharped thorn in the fide of the prefect adminidraiion.
Mr. Fox has repeatedly declared, since the late advices from
Ireland, that that country is more irrecoverably ioft, than evea
America.
LONDO N, September 28.