The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-08-07 00:00:00, page 3

Continuation of Letters found
on board the British Packet,
bound to New-York, bur ta
ken on her passage and carried
into France.
(Copy) Whitehall, 7th' March, 178'1.
Gentlemen,
I HAVE received your dispatch of the 2d of
January, and one from fir Henry Clinton of
the 20th ; and had the honour to lay them be
fore the king.
Your Declaration of the 29th December, in
doled in your joint difpat'ch, will, I trust, be
productive of all the good effects you hope from
it, and which so well timed a publication intitles
you to exped, and I Shall be very happy to car
ry to the king an application to you from any
of the revolted provinces for pardon, and re
storation to the privileges of British fubjeds.
The narrow limits to which you have reduced
your exceptions, and the generality of the assu
rances you have given of a restoration of the
former constitutions, were, I doubt not, well con
sidered and judged necessary and expedient ;
but as there are many things in the constitutions
of some of the colonies, and some things in all,
which the people have always wished to be al
tered, and others which the common advantage
of both countries required to be changed, it is
necessary to be attentive that either your acts
or declarations preclude any disquisition of such
fubjefts, or prevent such alterations being made
in their confutations, as the people may solicit
or consent to. The inftrucltions transmitted to
the trustees of rebel estates in Carolina, appear
to be very proper and applicable to the case of
the British creditors, and those to whom 1 have
communicated them, express themselves well fa
tisfied With them. I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) GEORGE GERMAIN.
Commissioners for restoring Peace.
ALL propositions from Great Britain for A restituti
on of peace, from lord North's conciliatory plan to the
above extraordinary declaration, have been a Series of
treacherous arts and designed ambiguity ; and no one,
but a per Son of lord George Germaine's ambiguous
character, could Co peremptorily have decided that the
exceptions alluded to in this Declaration were reduced
to narrow limits. " Excepting always such persons who
have been instrumental in putting to death any of his
majesty's loyal fubje&s," ate the words of tie commissi
oners, when stripped of Superfluous expriffions. Are
these narrow limits? What d fcription of persons or
crimes do they contain ? Ah officers who have given
sentence upon Courts martial for the condemnation of
spies and villains are fully comprehended; all judges,
justices, fheriffs, conftablee and other petty offices, ju
rymen, witnesses, and ipectators at the time of execul
on, may be said to be inftiumental “ in putting to
death his majesty's loyal fulj&;" The word “ in
ftrumentri" is indefinite and of almost unbounded
extent. Ail caufrs, however remote, which conduce
to an event, are " initiumentri,” and in the piefent
case, all those who made the laws to enable the judges
to pionounce Sentence ; all those who e!e&ed the legif
laors ; all those who contributed, either in the civil or
military line, to the revolution, have been “ instru
mental” in executing incorrigible tories and villeins,
whole crimes ecud be exceeded only by the Superior
enormities of George the Third, and his abandoned
* iniftry. These are limits in which the greatest pt ffi
ble scope may be given to inexorable malice, and where
the Sanguinary monarch may glut his ?pp tite with
the best blood of America ! Theft, O Britain ! are thy
terras of proffered mercy to those thou calleft thy de
luded children ; cafruiated for “ the removal of distress
by the remission of offences," and may succeed whsri
th citizens of America cease to he men; when the sa
cred love of freedom (hall be banished from the earth,
anl when Heaven (hall ce^fe to guard the rights of
mankind! The avowed 0 jc&s of the comm ffion, and
w^ch comprehends « too general assurances," ft
" the restoration of the benefits of an extensive com
merce " and “ the enabling the cor ftivutional officers
of government to re-assume their former fut& on#."
A commerce fubje& to the limitations and reftiißions
of a flagitious parliament, and permitted only as a
channel through which the fruits of our honest industry
mav be wrefed from us to Huppert there " cenftituti
onal officers" in the rxrcile of their oppteffive " func
tions." What might we expe& from a restoration of
our former local ligiflatures ? Th, min Stir is undis
guised, and direas the commissioners, that " neither
in their afts or Declarations they preclude di quifitions
of Subjects which refer to the alteration of former con
stitutions” These are alteratio s'• which the people
may solicit or confirm to." By “ people," we presume
his lordship intends the tories, or " Icyal fulj a ;"
for all others arc cemprifed “ in the limits and rhe x
ception," and after a Efficient number of them fhdl
be sacrificed to reduce the remainder to a state of abj ft
fe vility and de.fpondcrcv, so as to prevent the poffibi^
lit, or future oppGidon, it would not he d fficult to in
Produce such forms of goe^un^nt =s w;uld best fi,it
the purposes cf tyranny and oppression. What trust
cr confidence can be p'a~ed in a nati. n that makes as.
urances wito design to evade them, and, under he
folsmn declaration of '' sincerity and rff Stibnite in
entions,” r^rv^ a pow^r to (port with the rights of
BOST O N, July 23.
Thursday last arrived here a flag in 19 daft from
Antigua, with a number of masters of vessels taken at
St. Euftatia. In the cartel also came passengers,
widow Vassal, of Cambridge and her daughter widow
ofthe late Dr. Charles Russell, of Lincoln.
We learn by sundry gentlemen who came passengers
in the flag from Antigua, that captain Bruce, former
ly of this town, collected 25 joes amon his acquaint
ance, and gave the American captains : that Mr Da
vid Greene was also exceeding kind in being bondsman
for many gentlemen upon parole, and has for years
done all in his power for the American prisoners ; and
that several gentlemen gave sundry articles of stores
for their passage.,
A late London Evening Post fays, <c the following
are the terms that were once offered to general Wafh
ingtorf, viz.--To.be given rank in the British service;
a landed estate in England, purchased for him, of 70001'.
a year, and great promotions for such 12 persons as
he should name."
Monday last returned into port, from a cruize, the
privateer ship Brutus, having taken four valuable pri
zes, three of which have fafe arrived.
Tuesday was feut into port, by the privateer Scourge
a retaken sloop from Virginia, with 30 hogsheads of
tobacco.
The privateer brig Cato, captain Ferfon, of Salem
has sent into a fafe port a brig with dry fifh.
Norwich, July 26.
Last Monday arrived at New-London, the privateer
Randolph, captain Peck, and brought in with her a
fliip bound from Bristol to New-York, having a valu
able cargo of flour, Poland starch, a quantity of
beaver hats, womens hose, some dry goods, and a
number of other articles.
Last evening arrived at his feat in this town, the
honorable Samuel Huntington, efq ; late president of
Congress, which office he has fu fiained to universal
acceptance for almost two years. On his arrival in
town he was saluted with thirteen cannon by the train
of artillery.
FISH-K IL L, August 2.
The following agreeable intelligence we received from
Albany by the lift post.
On the 10th ult. on the difeovery of 2 great smoke,
by col. Willet, who commands the levies at Fort Rens
selaer, towards the fettlemerit of Corey's town : Capt.
Gross (who had been lent with a detachment of 35
men to Turl ugh, about 11 miles from Corey's town)
was ordered immediately to repair to Corey's town to
make discoveries, at which place he arrived in time to
extinguish several houses which the enemy had Lt on
fire. In the mean time, Col. Willet ordered in Such of
the militia of the neighbourhood as he could coiled,
and having received particular information of the
place where the enemy had lain the night before, and
where they had left part of their baggage, marched
with the militia and levies under his immediate com
mand, in the evening, in hopes of reaching them be
fore day lig it ; which he would have effected had ft
not been for the darkuefs of the night, and his guide
miffing the way: this preven ed his reaching their en
campment before fix in the morning. They, having
difeovered him on his approach, took a more advan
tageous pofi ion, and commenced an attack, which
was returned With great Spirit, and soon became ge
neral; and upon our troops advancing to close quar
ters, the enemy were compelled to give way; but
shortly after renewed the a&ion to the right of our
troops, where capt. M'Kean, who commanded the re
Serve, met and oppofid them with such Spirit, that a
total route ensued ; and the enemy, dispersing in Small
parties, Seeking Safety in flight. Ihe action lafled an
free communites—Witnefs the kind of government
ind rated ioCh rieltown, under " the board of police."
dniii elphi? can declare the wretched fete of the un
fo tun te citz ns of that town. Notwithstanding the
moss bmn capitulation, by which thdr persons were
co be fafe, and their property Secured to them, they
a' e inhumanly robbed of all their peff flions, driven
amonff ftra'nger's to seek fubfiffence for famdhing wives
and helpless children! Governor Tonya in a late
Speech to the iegifl tore of bad Florida, has given a
sample es the intended reforms in the colonial govern
ments : His words art, " The result of your decibel -
tions, gentlemen, will not only be of conf-quence to
this province, but ,10 his m jdtft government in gene
ral, and will at least give a tin&ure to future affemolicf ;
and as one of the Chief reasons affined for this unna
tural rebellion in the colonies, relating to acknowledge
the Supreme right and authority of the British parlia
ment, to prevent as far as possible any future contest
upon so just and equitable a point, I hope your good
sense arid attachment to the constitution will lead you
in the moftpublic and avowed manner, by ?n >ft of the
provincial legislature, to recognize your allegiance to
the blessed prince upon the throne, and the Supremacy
of parliament; thereby to eftabliSh upon the r oft Solid
foundation, our constitutional libeitrr and dpenden
cies." The obfquious affcmbly r>-e<hced the gover
nor's Sentiments, in the meft submissive language, and
have given an examples worthy, in his IdMfhip'sepi
nion, to be followed by the United States. To the
feelings of ever citizen of America let the appeal be
no ▼ m^de=On the one hand the glorious profpea is not
far distant, of enjoying in peace and Safety the inesti
mable blessings of civil and political libertyfecured under
the most excellent tonftittitions, formed by t!%Sc:ve%
and Supported, with unshaken fortitude, through every
hazard and against every danger ;—On the viher, a
base return to the most barbarous of masters, with th#
dreadful, though certain expectation of feeling all the
cffe&s of British clemency—Halters for the rd. A virtu
ous aril brave; chains, whips and feourges for their
remaining brethren, enforced with all the horrors of
tory revenge, find fieri by the exertion of supreme legis
lation in the B nidi parliament, r flmed by relent
mint, ^nd rendered familiar by a long series of crurity,
to every idea of inhumanity.
hour and an half. Th^ best account of the enemy's'
force is, that they confided of upwards of 200. Our's
was far inferior to that number. Our loss in kill'd,
was five; miffing and wounded, nine. Among the
latter was the brave capt.-M'Kean, who is since lead of
his wounds, deefervedly much regretted. The enemy's
loss cannot be ascertained, but it is not leL than forty,
as great part of that number were found dead on and
near the place of action. Col. Willet, and the offi ers
and troops under his command, merit the highest ap
plause for their gallant and spirited behavi< ur on 'his
occasion. Great advantages may bl expected fr ra
the event, as it will tend to damp the Spirit of en
terprise in our savage enemy.
Extras of a letter from the army, Dobbs's Ferry,
J^y 30, 17^.
" A deferfer came in from New- York to Head
quarters, fays, that col. Tarleton's legion, and two
British regiments of infantry, are arrived from the
Southward."
It is certain that a fleet failed from Sandy-Hook last
week, with design to escort Cornwallis's army to South-
Carolina, or, which is most probable, back to New-
York.
Fxtraß of a letter from Albany, dated July 28.
" On the 26th instant, colonel Willet bei g returned
to Albany, received an expr< fs from Schol tr e, that the
enemy was seen in the lower part of t^at Settlement : He
obtained a detachment of colonel Cortland's regiment,
and waggons, and set off about ten o'clock in the even
ing; yeflerday morning he was at Schoharie. I can
not learn that the enemy have burnt more than one
ho fe."
Lift week arrived at New-London, -the letter of
marque Schooner Arbuthnot, of en guns, bound from
Nes-York to Newfoundland, laden with tobacco .nd
Salt, captured by the brig Minerva, captain D. Sal
ton ffall, from that port, and the ship Rising Sum from
Philadelphia.
At a common council held at the ci>y hall of the ci
ty of Albany, the 19th day of July, the nayor, Alder
men, and commonality of the said city, came to the fol
lowing resolutions:
Resolved, that the thanks of this board be given to
colonel Marinus Willet, and the officers and droops un
der his command, for ther bravery and military con
dud in the adion of the loth inflint, near Turiough,
in Tryon county : who, with an inferior force, defeat
ed and put to flight, the enemy under the command of
Brandt and Frey.
Refolded, That the freedom of this city, be present
ed to colon! Willet, in testimony of the high sense
this bdard entertain of his patriotism and diftrnguifhed
merit.
Treasury-Office, July 3, 1781.
PUBLIC NOTICE is her by given, to
all persons possessed of Bills of Credit, emitted
pursuant to a law of this flat?, puffed 15th Jule,
1780: That the firfl year's interest can be received by
applying at this office ; where a Sufficient sum in f-ecie
is provided for the purpose of paying off the fame.
GERARD BANCKER, Treasurer, State
of New York.
,A N N A POL I S, Angust 2.
Extras of a letter da ed Malvern (or Nealvvrh's)
hill, July 29, 1781.
“ It is not easy to make any thing out of lord Corn
wallis's prefect movements. The fleet with about 130 a
troops on board (some fay 2000) were by our latest
advices still in Hampton road. Siri r e taking this po
sition, there have been winds that would have carried
them out of the capes, or up the bay. They have
pilots on board, acquainted with the navigation of
the Chefapeak. The fleet is watered, arid the enemy
give out, that Baltimore is the place of deflination ; I
know not well what to fay in this case. To deceive
more effectually, generals Sometimes announce their
real intentions ; lord Cornwallis has done this in fom^
instances Going up the bay is also agreeable to the
ministerial system. The composition of the troops is
likewise calculated for such service, comprehending
the light infantry, or a regiment of cav!ry, or the
queen's rangers. On the other hand, New York:
Seems to call for their assistance, and they may be wait
ing for a convoy, or a fecohd embarkation. In fine,
if I dared to conclude any thing, it would be, that
they are defined for New-York. Nevertheless pre
cautions may not be improper in yous quarter, but I
Rate the intelligence, and you will be the best judge of
the measure.
“ it appears to me, that this state will-not be eva
cuafed, nor their design of penetrating Maryland even
suspended at this moment, unless the French have ob
tained such a naval Superiority as to place New. York
and Charleftown in the last degree of danger. Such
an event only, or a certainty that the army here
will be too exposed to capture from such a superiority,
can or will force them from this Rate.
' The Maryland dragoons have been ordered to re
turn, and I suppose have commenced their march this
morning."
BALTIMORE, July
It is laid two thousand British troops were a few
days since, embarked at Portsmouth; supposed to be
defined for New-York.
tIMPS H PHO? 3 /N. late of Chat leftown, but last
J in □ flig torn St. Augustine, proposes to open a
SCHOOL in this city, for the education of a feleft
numier of youth in the learned languages, writing,
cyphering, flaking and rea^i&g the Engtifh with pro
plie y• And he engages h< sunremitted diligence and
utmost Ik II to improve such ^s fha.ll be undelfe tuiti
on ; and, from many years experience in tea< hin,y, has
r^fon to hope ihat he fhdl give Satiafacboe to all who
entruit their chil& r n to his cap-. The School fluff he
cp ned 3; soon a; a conv<nient rom can be provided
and his exibd family ft led. Mem while he may be
Spoke witn a; J mathan B Smith, E q'rs; and when a
proper room n prorid-d, the public faail be acquainted
with it.