The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-08-02 00:00:00, page 2

ed with by a person on board, they proceeded in peace.
But after they were gone the flag was hoified again;
and, in order to protic? it, some swivel guns were load
ed with ball, with a determination to fire on the peo
ple, if they came that way again, rather than firike
the flag. About fix in the evening a party of them,
going over' the bridge up into town, discovered the hag
frying; ° n which they turned along the Back, and
came to the flip, and demanded the flag to be llruck,
but were refused and fired upon; and two men were
inflantly killed, eleven wounded, besides three children;
one of them was in a chamber two Hories high, who
had its eye shot ou', and the ball went through its
head. The coroner's inquest fat on the body of the
two men on Monday, and brought in their verdict
self DEFENCE ; as it appeared by some of theevidence,
that the people who fired were assaulted with flongs by
the mob."
It is reported her majesty is again pregnant.
Extrafl of a letter from St. Cbri flopher's, Jan. ^6.
“ I am now to give you adctail of our (hip Mary,
Capt. Stowards, of 22 guns, and 83 men, officers in
cluded. On December 26, flie fell in with a large Spa
nish frigate of 28 guns, with a great number of soldi
ers on board. They engaged with the greatefl fury
for three hours, during which the Mary loft three top
masts, had her main-top blown up, and the head of
her sore-mast shot away ; also received three ihot un
der water, and had seven of her guns dismounted. The
Spaniard's hull was almost torn to pieces, her cabbin'
windows and great part of her flepn knocked in, and
all her guns except three dismounted. Her rigging,
however, having fuffered but little, she made all the
fail she could to efeape being taken, which would infal
libly have been, the case, had the Mary's tattered fails
and rigging enabled her to follow.
" From this time to the sth of January they were
employed in endeavouring to repair their damage, when
they espied a ship chafing them, which they would wil
lingly have avoided ; about four o'clock she ranged
along fide, carrying British colours, and was, by seve
ral on board, supposed to be his majefly's sloop Sur
prize. After some conversation flie horfled American
colors,, and fired a broadside into the Mary, which
was immediately returned, though under great disad
vantage, owing to her crippled condition. The enemy
poured a great number of shot from their tops upon
the decks of the Mary, who loft in the firfl fire four of
her men, and Captain Stowards was shot through both
cheeks, who gallantly cried out, “ It is a trifle," wi
ped the blood from his face, and at that inflant a se
cond ball went through his throat, and a third into his
bread; he almof limmediately expired, fir ft celling Mr.
Watfo'n, who assumed the command, and fought the
ship till fun set, when, having three feet water in her
hold, most of her guns dismounted, and near one half
of the crew killed or wounded, flie flruck to the Pil
grim privateer, of Salem, Joseph Robertson, mailer,
mounting 18 long nine pounders, and 200 men. Both
Blips were so shattered it was with difficulty they were
kept above water that night.' 7 '
On the 23d of July 1704, Gibraltar was besieged ' by
fir George Rooke and the prince of Hesse. In five
hours time fifteen thousand shot were poured in, the
enemy beat from their guns at the Mole Head, and
some redoubts b ing taken by captains Whitaker and
Hicks, articles of capitulation were signed on the mor
ning of the 24th, and the English marched in and
took possession the fame evening. The fort being then
mounted with 120 cannon to the sea, and two necks of
land well secured, the prince of Hesse declared when
he entered and examined, the. works, that fifty men
ought to defend the place against 5000, as long as they
had provisions. What have we now to dread ?
The fiate of the troops at the Dutch settlements
in the Eaft-Indles is nearly as follows ;
At Batavia and country adjacent, 1-300 European
soldiers, and seven battalions of feapoys.
At Calcutta, 400 European ditto, and five batta
lions of feapoys.
At Tranquebaty 100. Europeans, and two battalions
of feapoys.
At Point de Guile and the island of Ceylon, 300
Europeans, and four battalions of feapoys.
And in the inland garrisons, about 900 Europeans,
and ten battalions of feapoys, exclusive of three
troops of cavalry, and fix companies of artillery..
At the Cape of Good-Hope, 300 European infantry;
The naval force of the Dutch in the East Indies is
no more than one ship of 70 guns, one of 60 guns,
and one of 50 guns, upon account of the states ; one
of 60 guns, three of 40 guns, and several country
built garbs, from 12 to 20 guns, upon account of the
company.
WHITEHALL, February 17, r„r.
By the Antelope packet, which failed from Charlef
town the 18th of January, d'fpatches have been re
ceived from the earl Cornwallis, major general Leslie,
and lieutenant colonel Balfour, of which the following
are extracts and copy.
Extract of a letter from the earl Cornwallis to lord
George Germaine, one of his majefly's principal se
cretaries of slate, dated Wynnefborough, December
18, 1781.
As your lordship will doubtless be glad to hear by
every fafe opportunity, the slate of affairs in the south
ern dired, I have the honour of transmitting to you a
copy of my letter to the commander in chief, on the 3d
of this month. As this letter explains fully our past
operations, and present situation, I have only to add,
that major general Leslie is fafely arrived, with his
whole fleet, at Charleftown.
Extract of a letter from earl Cornwallis to fir Henry
Clinton, dated camp, at Wynnefborough, December
3> V^.
I had the honour to inform your excellency, that
major Ferguson had taken infinite pains with some of
the militia of Ninety-Six. He obtained my permission
to make an incursion into Tryon county, whilst the
sickness of my army prevented my moving. As he
had only militia and the small remains ofhis own corps,
without baggage or artillery, and as he promised to
come back, if he heard of any superior force, I
thought he could do no harm, and might h Ip to keep
alive the spirits of our friends in North Carolina,
which might be damped by the dowuefs of our moti
ons. The event proved unfortunate, without any fault
of major Fetgufon's. A numerous and unexpected
enemy came from the mountains ; as they had good
horses, their movements were r pid. Major Ferguson
was tempted to flay near the mountains longer than he
intended, in hopes of cutting off colonel Clarke on his
return from' Georgia. He was not aware that the ene
my were so near him; and. endeavouring to execute
my orders of palling the Catawba, and joining me at
Charlotte town, he was attacked by a very superior
force, and totally defeated on King's mountain.
Wynnefborough, my present position, is an healthy
spot, well fifuated to protect the greatefl part of the
northern frontier, and to adi flCamden and Ninety-
Six.
Sumpter having passed the Broad river, and jojned
Branan, Clarke, &.c. I detached maj<r M'Af'thur
with theist battalion of the 71st, and 63d regiment,
after having sent my aid -de- camp, lieutenant Money,
to take the command of it, to Brierley's ferry, on
Broad river, in order to cover our mills, and ' to give
some check to the enemy's march to Ninety Six. At
the fame time f recalled lieutenant colonel Tarleton
from the low country. Tarleton was so fortunate as
to pass not only the Waterre, but the Broad river,
without general Sumpter's being apprized of it, who
having inercufed his corps to one thousand, had passed
the Enoree, and was on the point of attacking our
hundred militia at Williams's house, 15 miles from
Ninety-Six, and where, I believe he would not have
meet with much refinance. Lieutenant Colonel Tarle
ton would have surprised him on the south of Enoree,
had not a deserter of the 63d given notice of his inarch:
he, however, cut to pieces his rear guard, in patfing
that river, and pursued his main body with such rapi
dity, that he could not fafely pass the Tyger, and
was obliged to halt on a very firing position, at a place
called Black Stecks, close to it. Tarleton had with
him only his Cavalry, and the 63d mounted, his infant
ry and a three pounder being several miles behind.
The enemy not being able to retreat with fafety, and 1
being informed of Tarleton's approach and want of in
fantry, by a woman who passed him on the march,;
and contrived by a nearer road to get to them, were ;
encouraged by their great superiority of numbers, and
began to fire on the 63d, who were dismounted. Lieu
tenant colonel Tarleton, to five them from- conffdera
ble loss, was obliged to attack, although at some haz
ard, and drove the enemy with loss over the river:
Sumpter was dangerously wounded, threeof their co
lonels killed, and about 220 men killed, wounded or
taken. On our fideabout 50 were killed : and wounded.
Lieutenants Gibson and Cope, of the 63d, were a
mongst the former, and my aid de camp, lieutenant
Money, who was a most promising officer, died of his
wounds a few days after. Lieutenant colonel Tarle
ton, as soon as he had taken care of his wounded,
pursued and dispersed the remaining part of Sumpter's
corps ; and then, havingaffembled some militia, under
Mr. Cunningham, whom I appointed brigadier gene
ral of the militia of that diffricl, and who has by far
the greatef linfluence in that part of the country, he
returned to Broad river, where he at present remains,
as well as major M? Arthur, in the neighbourhood of
Brierley's ferry.
It is not easy for I'eut. col. Tarleton to add to the
reputation he has acquired in this province; but the
defeating one thousand men, polled on very firong
grounds, and occupying log-houses, with 190 cavalry
and 80 infantry, is a proof of that spirit and those ta
lents, which must render the most essential Cervices' to
his country. Lieut. Col. Tarleton commends much
the good behaviour of the officers and men under his
command ; and he particularly mentions lieut. Skinner,
of the 16th regiment of infantry, who does duty with
the legion, as having diflinguifhed himfelf.
Extract of a letter from major-general Leslie, to lord
George Germain, dated Charleftown, December 19,
1780.
I did myfelt the honour of writing to your lordship;
ar sea, on board his majesty's ship the Romulus, the
27th ult. From hard gales and contrary winds, we did
not get here before the 13th inst. The troops are all
arrived in great health. We met with no loss except
our horses. Commodore Gayton paid the greatef lat
tention 'in keeping his fleet together, and difpofirg °f
his light armed vessels for the protection of his trans
ports. I'found orders here to march up the country,
with about 1530 men, to join lord Cornwallis as soon
as possible. The want of horses and waggons prevented
me proceeding on my march until this day.
Copy of a letter from lieut. col. Balfour, commandant
of Charleftown,rto lord George Germain, dated
Charleflown, January 16,. 1781.
My lord,
I am honoured with ford' Cornwallis's directions to
address myfelfto your lordship during his absence from
this province, and to have the honour of informing
your lordship, from time to time, of the slate of the
army, and the situation of affairs here.
By the las ldirpatches from lord Cornwallis, which
were dated the nth inst. the army was then in motion,
and advancing towards North Carolina, so that his
lordship would reach Bullock Creek, between the Ca
tawbaw and Broad Rivers, by- the 16th ; to which lam
happy to add, that the troops under his command
were, at that time, in the highest health.
The latest accounts of the enemy inform us, that ge
neral Greene, with his army, is at Hayley's Ferry, on
the eaflern banks of the Peedee.
In order to co operate with lord Cornwallis's views
on Cape-Fear River, and to afford provisions and other
supplies for his army, a small force of about gco-m^ n,
under major Craig, of the Bad regiment, will fail from
hence with the packet. Capt. Barkeley, of the Blonde,
with the Delight and Otter sloops of war, convoy this
corps, and will co-operate with the troops on this ex
pedition, which, I trust, will be fuccefsful, and give
us possession of Wilmington, .and of this very essential
communication.
N EW- P O R T, July 7?
Last Wednesday being the anniversary of the inde
pendence of these United States, the morning was ufh~
ered in by a difehargoof 13 cannon from the battery on
Brenton's Point, and on board the admiral's ship. At
12 o'clock. 13 rounds were tired from field pieces on the
parade ; after which an elegant entertainment was gi
ven; by colonel Crary, the commanding officer of the
mlitia here, to brigadier general Choify, and other
French officers. After dinner the following toasts were
drank, alternately succeeded by the difeharge of artiU
lery placed at the door, viz.
1. The king of France and his allies.
2. The independence of the United States of Ame
rica.
3. The American Congress.
4, The governor and company of the slate of
Rhode Island.
5. Perpetual alliance between America and France,
6. General' Washington and the allied army.
7. General Rochambeau.
8. Admiral Barras.
9. General Greene and the southern army.
ro. Success to count de Graffe.
It. A fuccefsful campaign.
12. The neutral powers in Europe.
13. The friends to the natural rights of mankind.
At sunset 13 cannon were fired from the parade, at
Brenton's Point, and on board the admiral; at nine
in the evening the town was beautifully illuminated;
this, joined to the magnificent display of sky rockets,
from his mofl chriflian -majeOy's fleet in the harbour,
exhibited a mod animating profpedof the mutual hap
piness and triumphant glory of the allied powers. The'
whole was concluded by the Convivial feftivity of a
number of the gentlemenof the town, with the officers
of the army and navy.
A n n apo l i s; July 26:
Extraflof a letter from Philadelphia, dated July 17,
!78i.
" Congress have had before them a number of offi
cial letters from the ministry in Britain to their com
mander in chief, and other heads of departments in
America ; they were intercepted in a^packet taken in
Europe; and transmitted by Dr Franklin. By the
letters of lord G . Germaine to fir Henry Clinton, &c.
it appears that the expectation of a fpeedyconqueft was
fully impressed on the British cabinet; and that admi
nistration already regretted their proffered clemency,-
through their commiffiorters held out in their procla
mations. He observes to general Clnton and the other
commissioners,- that their offers of pardon were not fuf
ficiently guarded with exceptions, and that the Appli
cants for pardon, being re-admitted into a full enjoy
ment of the rights exercised under their former connec
tion, was more' than government ever intended to grants
or, in other words, that they meant to deprive them of
their charters, and conflitute their governments more
to the will of the parliament. He expresses much fa
tisfaaion at the general's information, that there 'were
more provincials in his majesty's service in America,
than that of the United States ; but laments the morti
fying reflection, that under these ciicumflances the re
bellion should have continued so long. His lordship
reprehends general Clinton's generosity in recommend
ing so many of the provincial corps to be put on the
British establishment, and then, ft cure of victory, gives
such a cons lruHion to his majesty's directions on that
fubjed, as to reflrift the benefits of it to very few.
“ These infiances serve to shew (if it remained to be
proved) what would be the treatment of the friends to
America in it, if bis (Germaine's) imaginary ideas of
success were to be realifed. No sooner had they any
foundation for such a hope, than they begin to efli
mate the value, and regret the lo's of eflates secured
under former submissions; and wish to difeharge from
their service, without the rewards held out formerly,
those whom they have seduced to be instrumental in
accomplilhing tl>eir supposed conquefl. Lord G. Ger
maine (peaks of the Carolinas and Georgia as totally
reduced, and has ro doubt but that Virginia mull
immediately yield to the activity and enterprise of lord
Cornwallis, supported by so powerful an army. His
lordship (peaks of an expedition, which had been pro
jetled against your bay, approves of it, and urges ge-
People find great fault with the American Galloway,
for his scurrilous abuse of some of the best characters
in the kingdom ; when, if they knew all, the man is not
so much to blame as may be imagined; for he is abso
lutely under worse than Egyptian talk-maflers ! Lord
George Minden tells him he mud fleadily keep on, and
bespatter away. No longer pipe no longer dance. If
he does not exert his utmost in writing at every refpec
tabfe character that shall be pointed out to him, the
pension will be difeontinued! and that touches to the
quick; for 'tis all that poor Gall'y has to depend 011
for mutton and turnips, nnlefs lord Howe should com'
ply with his mod humble follicitations, and appoint
him to be his lordship's steward in Nottinghamshire.
It is with pleasure I acquaint your lordship, that
many of the principal inhabitants of the province, and
some who held the chief offices under the late rebel
powers, have reverted to their loyalty, and declared
their allegiance to his majesty's government.
I have also the fatisfadion to acquaint your lordfllip,
that major Ross and captain Broderick are arrived with
the dispatches ; and as the former gentleman has
mentioned to me your lordship's great anxiety to
receive frequent information from hence, and as
there has of late been no eligible conveyance, I have,
from these motives, taken upon me to change the course
of the packet, by fending her diredly home; to which
I have been the rather induced, as a ship of war short
ly is to fail for New-York, and will take with her the
commander in chief's dispatches, and the mail for that
place.
Captain Mallom, of the 63d regiment, an officer of
merit, and who is returning to Europe for the recove
ry of his health, has lord Cornwallis's directions to de
liver this difpitch to your lordship. I have the ho
nour to be, &c. N. BALFOUR.