The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-06-16 00:00:00, page 2

From Rivirgton's New-York Royal Gazette. Tune 9.
£ O N D O N.
Whitehall, March ig, 1781.
/"'¥' AIN M'AliPer, aid de c-mp to the honorz
%U bk major general Vaughan, commander in chief
es bib r^ajefty's forces at the windward islands, arrived
this morning at lord George Germaine's office, with
dispatches from major general Vaughan, of which the
following is a copy.
Copy of a letter from major general Vanghan to lord
George Germaitie, dated at fort George, St..Eufta
tin, February 7, 1781.
“ My Lord,
" I have the honour to inform your lordfllip, that
she brig Childers arrived the 27th of laR month at
Barbados, with dispatches from your lordship, con
raining his majesty's orders to me ; in confeqwence of
which I immediately embarked on board the Sandwich,
and proceeded with the greatest expedition to St. Eu
ftatia, and anchored before the town the 3d inflant at
two o'clock, and together with the admiral, summon
ed the governor immediately to surrender the island
and all its dependencies. I have the honour to en
close your lordship a copy of the summons, and the
governor's answer: the next day I forwarded the ne.
ceffary detachments to the islands of St. Martin and
Saba, which were in like manner summoned to sur
render to his majelly's arms.
" The effects found here are very considerable, the
-whole island being one continued magazine of French,
American, and Dutch property. It is not in my power
at present to afeertain the proper returns.
“ I subjoin a date of ordnance found here.
" Captain M'Allißer, my aid de camp, will have
the honour of presenting this letter to your lo dihip,
and is very competent to inform your lordship more
fully of this matter ? he is a very excellent and de
serving officer, and I desire particularly to recommend
him to your lordship's notice. I have the honour to
be, &c. (Signed) J. VAUGHAN."
Extras of a private letter from the honourable major
general Vaughan, to lord George Germaine, dated
at fort George, St. Euftatia, February 7,. 1781.
" Permit me to congratulate your lordship upon
the reduction of St. Euftatia, and its dependencies ;
I believe that this event, and its natural consequences,
will be very sensibly felt by the enemy, who draw from
this place the mod &tfential fuccours, and nothing, in
my opinion, can affed the Americans so much.
This island, my lord, is full of considerable proper
ty belonging the French, Dutch and Americans, and
I have ilfo the p'eafure to inform your lordship, that
the vessels fall M into our hands here are immense, and
what adds to our success, is the capture of a convoy
which failed a little time before our arrival, which
consists of 20 or 30 large ships loaded with sugar, es
corted by a Dutch flag ship of 60 guns; the admiral
who commanded her, not being willing to listen to any
remonstrance, was killed in engaging the Monarch ;
the vessels taken are upwards of 200, exclusive of the
flag ship and a frigate of 38 guns.
The consternation here is inconceivable, the inhabi
tants so little imagining an event of this nature, that it
was with difficulty they could believe lieutenant colo
nel Cockburn, whom I had appointed to. carry the
summons.
The value of the effects taken here amounts, at the
least eßimation, to three millions sterling, to which I
have the pltafure to add, that the major part of the
loss will fall upon the city of Amsterdam.
I have the honour to name fort George, that which
was before called fort Orange in this island ; I have
established a garrison here, and provided for the fafety
of St. Martin's.
At present, my lord, we have sent the Hag ship out,
she fails very well; for since we have been mafiers of
this port several vessels have arrived here."
SUMMONS to the Governor of St. Euftatia.
“ We the general officers and commanders in chief
of the fleet and army of his Britannic majesty in the
Weft.lndia islands, demand, in his majesty name, the
immediate surrender of the island of St. Euftatia, and
its dependencies, and all that may be found in it, or
appertaining to it.
We give you an hour to determine on this summons,
from the moment of its delivery: if the lead refinance is
made you must abide by the consequences.
(Signed) G. BRYDGES RODNEY,
VAUGHAN.
On board the Sandwich,
February 3d, 1781."
The Governor's ANSWER.
cc Governor de Graff, not having it in his power to
make any defence against the British forces, now in
veiling St. Euftatia, surrenders the aforefaid island
and its dependencies t. fir George Brydges Rodney
and general Vaughan, being confident of the honour
and humanity of those commanders in chief, the go
vernor recommends the city and inhabitants to their
clemency and companion.
(Signed) JOHANNES de GRAFF.
OLIVER OYEN,
JACOBUS SEYS,
HENRY PAUDT."
The following is a return of the ordnance, arms,
and ammunition, &c. taken at the islands of St. Eu
ftatia and Saba.
78 iron cannon, 22 of i 3, 10 of 12, 11 of 9, 32 of 6,
and 3 of 3 pounders.
4959 balls of different sizes, 4689 weight of cannon
powder, 143 grenades, 156 muskets, 700 weight of
match, 75 halberds, 45 muskets with bayonets, 24
cartouch boxes, 59 belts, 58 hangers, 59 piitols, 2
fpontoons, 2 drums, 2 moulds for ca sting mulket balls,
I lanthorn, 10 pair of Dutch colours. 4000 mplket
balls 27,000 musket flints.
Copy of a letter from lieutenant colonel Edhoufe, to
the honourable major general Vaughan, dated St.
Martin's, February 6, 1781.
“S I R,
" I have the honour to inform your excellency,l
that the island ofSt, Martins being summoned, it sur
rendered at diferetion the sth instant ; I herewith in
clofe you a form of the surrender; the quarter-maker
general has taken proper care of the public papers,
CHRISTIANSTAR D, (St. Croix:)
The following is a copy of a letter (said to be) wrote
by Admiral Hood, to Admiral Rodney, relative to
the late engagement, between the French and British
fleets off Martinico. The authenticity of which
we cannot warrant, as it wa< sent us in manufeript,.
by an anonimous author.
St. LUCIA, (Gros Islet) May 3, 1781.
“ I had the honour of addressing your Excellency
under the 23d ult. by the Cyclops, with a detail of
the operations of that part of his Majetty's fleet under
my command, from the 15th to that day inclusive.
“ On the following day I received the honour of
your advices by the Sylph cutter, and in consequence
thereof I immediately proceeded from this harbour
with the ships under my command, to windward of
Martinique, in order to intercept the announced re
inforcement of the enemy.
“ On that Ration I continued with the whole of
my division, extended N. and S. which occupied the
extent of the windward coast of the island, and effec
tually prevented any thing getting in from the east
ward, until the 27th ult. when finding tne fleet short
of water, I was under the necessity of detaching the
Ajax, Belliqueux, Monarch and Alfred to St. Lucia,
for a supply.
“ At three o'clock A. M. on the morning of the
30th, the Triton frigate and Sylph cutter, who had
been Rationed* to the eastward or the fleet en fa&ion,
were obfirved making the- night signals, for the ap
proach of the enemy.
“ It was immediately repeated by all the ships of
the division, and the night signal, for forming the
line of battle a head, on the larboard tack, under
topsails, at three cables length, for ^he better inter
cepting any of the enemy's ffeet who might attempt
passing us under favour of the night, was made by the
Barflewr, confirmed by guns, and repeated by the Cy
clops. The Triton and Sylph being at the fame time
directed to post themselves on the flanks of the fleet,
to observe the enemy's motions. In this position his
majesty's flhet lay until morning, which happened to
be to very hazy as to prevent our feeing any of the
enemy's ships, or even the extremes of our own line,
wnich induced me to contrast the extent by filial.
At eleven minutes past fix, the fog suddenly cleared
up, when, to my aftoniihment . we difeovered ourselves
nearly Surrounded by 22 fail of the line, of wnich
three were three deckers, carrying Rags at the fore,
main andmizen.
" In this critical situation, the desire of saving his
majeßy's fleet surmounted all other considerations.
The signal being made for fighting our way through,
the enemy's defile, was chearfully and undauntedly
obeyed by every commander in the fleet, which they
judiciously endeavoured tooppofe; at 20 minutes af
ter seven the ships were all in atlion, and I could per
ceive, with exulting fatisfaftion, that although every
one had at least double her for e to combat with, the
fupcriority of the Britilh fire, the intrepidity an
flores, &e. Fanr apprehensive I ffiall not have it in my
power to transmit you an exaft inventory at present,
but as the quarter-mafler-general and commilfary are
at present busily employed in it, I hope to have it rea
dy by the firft opportunity. I have ordered the
inhabitants to furnifh the troops with frefh. provisions,
and as soon as they are properly quartered, f fhaif pro
ceed to put the island in a proper date of defence.
"I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) “ ANDREW EDHQUSE.
" P. S. The answer of the governor of St. Martins
to the summons, is the fame with that of the governor
of St. Euftatia."
H A G U E, March 3.
Prince Galitzin,. envoy extraordinary from the em
press of Ruffit,. having received an express from his
co^rt of the 28th of last month, prafented the follow
ing memorial to the states general ghe next day.
High and mighty lords,
No sooner was her imperial majesty informed of the
sudden departure of his Britanic mijefty's, ambassador
from your territoties, her imperial majesty, influenced
by the most difintereded motives of friendship and good
will towards both powers, not knowing the ultimate
determination that could have occasioned a Rep equal
ly alarming to their tranquilly and reciprocal happi
ness, but immediately made the most pressing repre-
Gutations to the court of London, through her mini
tier, for his continuance there if possible, so that some
plan might be offered to bring about a reconciliation,
in which her imperial majesty promised her med ation
in the fulleft extent.. Notwithstanding her majesty has
not had time to receive an answer from the court of
London, ihe lias no d^ubt of her overtures being receiv
ed there with pleasure. In this persuasion her impe
rial majesty hesitates not to give a frefh proof of
good will towards the reunion ®f two powers equally
dear to her, and whom the has so long beheld in the
most perfect amity together, so necessary to both their
interests, by formally offering her good offices and me
diatioU'Wo prevent the horrors of war now impending,
which she has not the least doubt of accomplishing,
while M. de Simolin, her imperial majeßy's ambaifa
dor at the court of London, follows those inftru^ions
tr infmitted to him, to obtain that object
The fubferiber desires to fulfill, on his part, the
fame talk towards your high mightinesses, and tb allure
you of his zeal with which he is imprclie I, and toe
great delire he has to bring about the re eßabiilhmeut
of the tranquility of the states. The disinterestedness,
impartiality and benevolent views, which have ever
marked the anions of her imperial majelly, are equal
ly evident on this occasion.
The wisdom and prudence of V. H. D. will be ac
knowledged by those august characters, and will dic
tate the answer the fubferiber will have to return him
on the execution of his orders.
(Signed) PRINCE GALITZIN.
Hague, March 1, 1781.
The fame messenger that brought prince Gallitzin
the neffary inftru&ions, offering the mediation of his
fovereigh, between the republic aad Great-Britain,
continued his route for London, with orders for M. de
Simolin relative to the above object.
neanidfis of his mty'Ry's officers, firoported by the*
native bravery and discipline of the Britith tars, pro-'
veo a bulwark invincible to the enemy, although of
near twice their force.
“ By ten minutes after eight the ships were all out
of action, and continued fleering a Ready course for
this harbour, with no more than ordinary fail: The
enemy ill treated (I may venture to affirm as ill as
we) ihewed noxhfpofition to pursue, and as I thought
your receiving this intelligence as speedily as possible,
might be conducive to his majefly's service, I ordered
the Russel by private signal (as she appeared to have
^ ft in her masts and rising) to proceed
directly for btatia, where I doubt not she is fa fely ar
rived.^ The remainder of my division, including the
watering fhip£ ,are all here and repairing their damages,
in order to be ready to accompany your excellency to
a more equal conoid.
“ Our loss on this occasion is not so considerable as
might rave been expe^ed from so unequal a contest,
but the fate of captain Brisbane, of the Alcide, who
w , unfortunately killed by a cannon shot early in the
aftair, is much to be lamented.
" The conduft of the officers and seamen of hi 9
majefly's fleet on this occasion beggar defcripti®n ; the
fighting themselves clear of so superior a fleet, carries
with it convi&ion, which my eulogium could add no
lußre to, and I fatter myfelf will merit his majesty's
approbation. I have the honour to o°, &c.
"SAMUEL HOOD."
BASSATERRE, (St. Kitts) April 12, 1781.
On Monday last at Old Road, a very melancholy ac£
cident happened ; the private vessel of war lord Corn
wallis of 20 guns, put in here to water and wanting boot
topping, by some extraordinry mifeonduQ in throwing
her upon a careen for that purpose she was thrown so
much out of the water, and the weight of metal over
balancing her, she immediately funk, in 18 fathom wa
ter. There were about ijo fouls on board, but by the
vigilance of the boats from the shore as well as from the
vessels in the harbour, 80 are saved. [This vessel was
formerly the Morning Star, belonging to Philadel
phia.J
St. JOHN'S, (Antigua) April 24, 1781.
On Saturday night the 14th infant, a dreadful fire
happened in the very center of thr town of Roseau, at
Dominica, which raged for several hours with great fu
ry, and was not extinguished until! it had destroyed up
wards of 120 houtes. It is supposed from circumfiances,
to have been the effeft of a plan laid for the purpose by
some diabolical spirit or other, but the prepetrator has
not yet been discovered.
^#s^ ;> ^aHfr .>s-+ 8 $ ss.^ 4,^ os¥
A PROCLA MATIO N.
W r H EREAS the honourable Thomas M'Kean,
Esquire, chief justice ofthe supreme court, of
the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the ho
nouarble Francis Hopkinfon, Esquire, judge of admi
ralty, the honourable William Augustus Atlee, Es
quire, second justice of the supreme court, the honour
able John Evans, Esquire, third justice of the fame
court, and the honourable George Bryan, Esquire,
fourth justice of the fame court, and justices duly as
signed, constituted and commissioned to hear, try and
determine all treasons, piracies, felonies, and crimes
committed upon the sea, or within admiralty jurif
di&ion, have issued their precept bearing date the
twelfth day of June instant, to me direfted, for hold
ing a court of admiralty sessions, at the Rate house,
in the city of Philadelphia, for the Rate of Pennsyl
vania, on Monday the fecund day of July next.
NOTIO E is hereby given to ail justices of the
peace, coroner and constables, within the city and
county of Philadelphia, that they be then and there, ire
their own persons, with their rolls, records, indict
ments, and other remembrances, to do those things
which to their offices in that behalf appertain to be
done. Also all they who will prosecute against the pri
soners that are, or then (hall be in the goal of the
said city and county, are to be then and there, to pro
secute aginft them as (hail be just. Dated at Phila
delphia, the fourteenth day of June, in the year ©four
Lord one ihoGand seven hundred and eighty one, and
in the fifth year of American independence.
WILLIAM WILL, Sheriff.
GOD Save the COMMONWEALTH.
Port of Philadelphia, Penafylvania, IT.
To A L L whom it may concern.
NOTICE b hereby given, That a Court of Ad-,
eniralry will be held at the State-boule, in the city
of P.rlad<phia, on Monday, the „'h of June, instant,
?t ten o'clock in the Forenoon, for the Trial of certain
Goods, W^res, anlt Merchandize, taken on board the
B iganrinc called the FRIENDSHIP, by John Earle,
Commander of the private arraad Ship called the Mi
ne, va, and Charles Ciun, Commander of the private
armed S Roemer called the Governor Livington; which
Goods, Wares, and M rchandize were, alterthe cap
ture, carr ed into the Havaana, and thence brought
into this Port and libelled against, as Prize, by the
Lil Captains, Earle 2nd Clunn, (qui t un, &c.) To
the end, T at the owner or owners, or any perfong
concerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if an,
they bare, why a Decree ihculd not pals pursuant to
the prayer of the libel, hc^
Bv Order of the Jud %
Line 15. J^MES READ, Register.
TO be SOLD by the Subscriber,
& PLANTATION and tr^a of land, in the tenure
A. of Dinid Dunham, containing two hundred and
fxteen so is, situate in the townflrips of Bethlehem and
Ringwood, ui Hunt.d:i> county, Wrirt(New-J-rfey.
The upland is good, and as itlie* contiguous to a tia&
o' limeftune land, the purchaser will have it in hig
power to manure it, when necetfery, et a moderate ex-,
peace. Thee is in said T:s& between 3^ and 4.0 acre^
of meadow, 20 acres where, on the south branch cf
the Rariton, is an extraordinary rich ', tom. Three
fourths of rue purchase mon^y to be naid at the time of
Site, the remainder in one vear. For further parti
c^lars apply to EDv< ARD rjNiNGxON.