The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-08-28 00:00:00, page 3

For the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
WHETHER there is a real f arcityof salt, or
whether it is concealed, or whether it is monopo
lized, are quefhons on which I am not impowered to give
an opinion. But I really think it very extraordinary
there should be 2 greater apparent scarcity at this time
than at any other, and it makes me apprehensive there is
some unfair play in the case. The Committee took the price
of salt just as they found it, that i, f they set on it no other
price than the dealers in that article set on it themselves,
and therefore it cannot be said that the scarcity, if there is
any, is occasioned by the regulation. -What then is it ow
ing to ? What is become of it?
The Committee, I understand, waited upwards of a
fortnight for a report from the merchants on the Rate of
their trade; when that report was broughtin, it was
crouded with argumentsagainfl any limitations whatever,
and claiming a right to ask just what they pleased. During
this interim, behold, a scarcity of salt is occasioned by
forae means, or from some cause or other. This is really
very curious. We have had core veffcls brought in with -
in tbefe three months, than in any other three months Since
the enemy left the city, and yet it is said we want salt. Do
the importers understand so little of the business as not to
know the time of the year when salt will be most wanted,
er have they purposely left it out in their orders, to force
an amazing price upon what they have in hand, and to get
as much profit upon a bushel as they ought to get upon
four. This will never do, gentlemen, and therefore I think
it absolutely necessary for every man in this city to give
an account of the quantity of salt he has in flore, that if
' there has been any thing unfair in the case, we may know
how to prevent it another time.
J am told that some gentlemen, who came from the State
of New York, said, that if they could but get a permit,
they knew where to purchase nine hundred bushels, and
yet if a person in the city or country wants any at the price
which the merchants themselves aik for it but a little while
ago, the answer is, no, I ha^e got none. I with the Com
mittee had never flopt a day for the merchants report. The
delay has done an infinite deal of hurt, and yet if they had
not flopt, I suppose a thousand clamours would have been
raised against them However, I Shall suspend my further
judgment, till the merchants report and the Committee's
reply thereto be published, which I am told will be in a
few days. But in the mean time! with to know the quan
tity of salt, and the reason for the scarcity.
I know that nothing can bring cur public expences with
in an ability of being Supported,t and enable us to put a
flop to the emiflh ns, but a just limitation of prices, and
therefore I with to fee them gone fully and universally in
to. The Committee lam told have entered on a measure
which I think to be a very good one, which is, to apply to
the Assembly, who are to meet next week, requeuing them
to fix by law or refoive how many prices there Shall be for
country produce, and how many for imported poods.
When this is agreed on for the whole State, the difficulty
will be got over, and the Committee can easily execute
under %hat regulation. This I think will be a much quick
er way, than calling a Convention of the several Commit
tees of the counties, as was once proposed. Ido not with
to fee the business hurried imperfectly over, because when
it fr.ll be done I would have ic well done.
A CITIZEN.
have moveri the whole together to Lycomin, but Colonel
Gibson, of Carlifie, with near zoo men, bad not yet been
able to join us ; he bad under his care a quantity of pro.
visions, ammunition, and other necessaries, that could not
be got ready when we marched from Sunbury. Another
reason was; some of the enemy was heard by the prison
ers (who they differed to return) at Fort Freeland,
after the capitulation, that againd that day week they
must be at Shamung. The weather being-ver, wet, a
great number of our people were mu h fatigued, and with
wading creeks, as well as bring conflantly wet, many had
their feet much blistered and otherwise out of order From
the above circumstances taken together, it was thought
best to forward the scouts- If it wus found the enemy had
taken the Suamung path, by the way of Eel Town, then
we had no hopes of overtaking them ; but if they had
taken up the Rivet path, then at al events we determined
to follow them. The pa ty went forward to Lpyal Sock,
found the enemy had taken their rout towards Eel Town,
the party pursued the path to that place, but there was
no frelh appearance, they ha^ a large camp at Eel-Town,
and it appeared probable they had all collected here, as
their cam? was much larger than any of their encamp
ments before; the party then turned down Lyoming
towards the river, and on the Weft fide of Lycomin,
some frefh craft was dif-overed, and a little lower,
Ciptan Ferguson and two or three with him on the
advance, spied an Indian at a considerable defiance ; be
was in an instant gone. Here Seventeen head of cattle
were found, from this it was clear the main body had
pushed in great haste, leaving only a small party to collet
the cattle that might flray from them, and in case any bo
dy of troops was to follow them to give them early notice.
Upon the whole, our situation considered, it was impossi
ble to overtake them, and Specially as we were not pre
pare! to go forward more than two or three days, and it
was very plain the enemy was at least fix or seven days
gone- It was now thought advifeable to return and gi # e
the inhabitants all possible affi fiance till tue militia Shou.d
arrive. The people of Northumberland county have de
termined on an entire evacuation without some fpcedy
affiflance ; their situation is truly diflreffing, fuel) that I
could not advise them to remain any longer, and left them
to the fame melancholy situation, if not worse, than I
found them. I would just add, ail the mids betwixt the
two branches are burned, Capt. Sebright's arid Mr.
Bozely's excepted. Ifjh^ inhabitants were to flay mty
cannot get their grain ground."
We are informed by the Virginia Gazette, of the 21 ft
instant, just come to hand,;that the Tartar Cutter, Capt.
Gwfley, had arrived on the i6:h in York River, from
the Hrvanna, with advice that war was declared there by
Spain, against England on the 22b clt. and that a fleet of
12 ships of the line was hourly expelled at the Havanna,
which were to goon an important expedition ; with which
news, the Admiral and Governor had sent an express to
Congress—Capt Goofley furtner fays, that the Spaniards
at the Havana's, shew d the Americans there, every poffi
blo mark of affection.
I CHARLES ALLING, of New-Haven, of
lawful age, teftify and fry, That I saw, examined, and
assisted in burying Captain John Gilbert, Asa Todd, Jo
seph Dorman, Samuel Wooden and Silas Wooden : That
Capt. Gilbert was Shot through the knee, and then appear
ed to be killed with a club, as his head was very much
bruised, and a club, bloody, lay upon him. That no
wound appeared upon Asa Todd, except that he was
pierced with a bayonet once through the head and twice
through the body. That Joseph Dorman had his thigh
Broken, just above his knee, but it appeared to me to
have been don® with a flone which lay by him bloody, and
that he was pierced with bayonets once through the head
and once through the body, but no other wound. That
Samuel Wooden appeared to be Shot through the body with
a grape Shot, and not otherwise wounded. That I cannot
fay any thing particular as to the wounds of Silas Wooden,
and further faith not. CHARLES ALLING.
New-Haven, July 26, 1779. Personally appeared Charles
Alling, and made oath to the truth of the above deposition
before me, SAMUEL BISHOP, Jun. J. P.
( To be continued. )
Captain Geddes in the Holker, Out of this port, has
since our last taken a prize which is coming up; and is
said to be a very valuable one —Farther particulars of her
in our ne«t.
The following Address from the President of the State to
the officers, and privates of the militia, is prefixed to
~ an abftraa made for their use from the Baron Steuben's,
plan of discipline for the army; and as it seems very
probable that we may be soon called to a serious dis
charge of this duty, it is here published to convey more
general information, and to animate the officers and
men to the most vigorous exertions.
To the OFFICERS and PRIVATES of the M I
LITIA of PENNSYLVANIA.,
Gentlemen,
PERMIT me to recommend to you, the following
extracts from a system of military discipline, formed
by the Baron Steuben, infpedor genera! of the armies of
these United States. They are the result of great ex
perience, and compiled by this valuable and judicious of
ficer, for the use of the continental troops, approved by
his Excellency General Washington, and eftabiilhed by
Congress, as the rule of practice and discipline in their ar
mies. The whole is simple and easy ; but this abstract
renders it more so, as every motion and evolution, not
absolutely necessary for actual Service, is retrenched. To
set before you the ineftimaole advantages of a well regula
ted militia, or to animate you to improve yourselves inthe
use of arms, and observance of difeipline, are, at this time
of day, urineceffary; y >ur good sense, your experience ot
the advantages to be derived from it; and, above ail, the
fp;rit you have th wn in this great contest for freedom, af
ford the most Solid affurantes, that you will confider that
Service most pleasant ana honorable, which will belt qua
lify you to save and Serve your country. The hourly ex
peftation of reinforcements at New York, to make the
last desperate and deftru&ive effort of disappointed tyran
ny and malice ; be recommendation of the honorable the
Congress thereupon; a regard to our own Safety, and of
those who are dear to us as ourselves; the preservation of
this beautiful and convenient city, and the honour and
interests of the State, all cenfpire to animate, and even de
mand of us, that we Should be vigilant, aftire and perse
vering.
For my own part, gentlemen, I Shall never call you to
any danger or hardship, which I Shall not partake with
you. Ihe honour of leading you to the field, in case of
an invasion, or of a vigorous exertion to drive our enemies
entirely out of our land, and being at al! times connected
with you in military duty, I confider as one of the most
distinguished and pleasing duties of the Ration to which I
am advanced I am gentlemen,
with the greatest regard and esteem,
year most obedient, and very humble Servant,
JOSEPH REE D, President.
By the prize mow in the river, taken by Captain Ged
des, we are informed that the reinforcement refer'd to in
the above address, was left last Sunday within a few hours
fail of Sandy-Hook, and that it amounts to several thou
sand men.
Dear General, ful) |b '77,#
LAST night I received the inclofed Deputations of the
Savage conduct of the British troops at New- Haven ;
taele are but a small number of many instances of similar
barbarities in that town. The Depositions from Fairfield
I exped every hour; When they arrive I will transmit
them. I am your Excellency's obedient Servant,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
To His Excellency General Washington.
A quantity of BEAV E R,
TO BE SOLD BY
JAM_ES GALLAGHER,
In Second-Street, below Market- Greet, Philadelphia,
LOIS COCK, of New- Haven, of lawful age, upon
oath declares, That on the s th day of july inst. one Elisha
Tuttle, an inhabitants of said New-Haven, (who had for
a year or more been a diftfaded delirious person) was
brought and laid at the door of the deponent wounded and
in his gore, by the BritiSh troops, just after their entrance
of the town, and aSked or said deponent if She knew the
person there wounded, and upon washing off the gore said
deponent washable to declare his name and circumstances,
whereupon feme one of the British officers seemed to mani
fell some considerable companion for him, and permitted
said deponent to take care of him at her house. Upon ex
amination of the body of him, said Tuttle, there appeared
many wounds upon toe head and body, and one upon his
tongue, in consequence of which part of his tongue came
off, and was taken out cf his mouth on the third day by
said deponent, soon after which he expired. All his
wounds appeared to be from a bayonet. And further faith
not. LOIS COOK.
New-Haven, July 24, 1779- Personally appeared Lois
Cook, and made solemn oath to the above before me,
ENEAS MUNSON, J. P.
To be SOLD by Public Vendue,
At the house of the fubferiber in A r th Street, above
Fourth-Sheet, on Tuesday the seventh day of Sep
tember,
HI S whole Stock in Trade, confuting of a large and
valuable affor,tment of all kinds of brass furniture
and trimmings of the best qualities, for coaches; chaises
ant hirnefs • also a number of finished, unfinitbed and
fecend hand carriages, with harurffes of every kind; &
l rge quantity of co^chmakers tools, three compleat sets
of Smiths tools, a large quantity of scrap iron and steel,
prt of which is very Suitable for nail^makers, and the
remainder f-r many other purposes. The Sale to begin
at n ne o'clock in the morning, and to continue until
all is fold off; after which will be fold in the fame man
ner, all the Shops, stores and Sheds where the fubferiber
formerly carried on business. ™.
And on Wednesday the eighth of the fame month,
will be fold by Public Vendue, on the premise,, at fix
o'clock in the evening, in three Separate lots, a lot of
ground Situated at the corner of Race and Fdth-ftrects;
it contains on Rate Street eighty feet, and on Fifth-,
Greet fifty-fix feet, on which are erect'd five well finished
tenements. The conditions will be maueknown at the
time and places cf sale. Any person inclining to pur
chase before the day of said may be informed of the
terms by applying to
^<^27. WILLIAM TOD.
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ff.
10 AL L whom it may concern.
NJ 0 rI CE is hereby given, That a Court of Admi
ralty will be held at the State-Hotife in the city of
Philadelphia, on the twentieth day of September next, at
Ten 0 lock in the forenoon of the fame day, then and
there to try the truth of the fadh alledged in the bill of
George Geddes, &c. (who as well, &c ) against the
armed Sloop or v del celled the Sall, &c. lately com
manded by J fiah Hunt.; and ado againit the Negroes
Antonio, Jack, Will, Jacob and Joe. found and taken
on bond laid fl;op• To the end and intent that the
owner or owners thereof, or any person concerned there
in, may appear and fh*w cause, if any they have, why
the fame Should no. be condemned according to the pra- er
of the said bill.
By order of the fudge,, ,
August 26. ANDREW ROBESON, Reg.
TO BE SO L D,'
AL IKELY Strong Negro Wench, about twenty
three years of age, with a child nine months old;
fold for no fault but want .of employ. Enquire of the
Printer.*
N. B. Genteel lodgings for gentlemen. Enquire as
a^ove..
TO BE SOLD BY
LEONARD LESHE R,,
In Mirket-ftreet, between Fifth and Sixth-Streets, and
oppofiie General Arnold's,
FOUR young Horses, two bays and two roans, and
anew Waggon with very good geers; likewise a
very good new Stage Waggon without geers.
WA S taken up by the fubferiber, ne,r the
Play-house in Southwark, an old sorrel MARE,
about fourteen hands high, with a streak of white on her
forehead, and four white feet. The owner of said
mare, by applying to the fubferiber and paying charges,
may have her again. - -
August 10. WILLIAM WALL.
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
STOLEN last night, out of the pasture of the fub
feriber in Amity town Ship, Berks county, a black
MARE, five years old, about fifteen hands high, trots,
paces and hand gallops, has a sere on the near fide of
her back occasioned by the saddle. Whoever secures the
thief so that he may be brought to justice and the mare
be had again, (ball receive the above reward, paid by
_^fyh PETER HILDIBISII.
One Hundred Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY yesterday morning from the sub
scriber, living in Berwick downfhip, York county,
a Dutch servant lad named Martin Ockerman, about
twenty years of age, and about five feet three inches
high ; has dark brown hai r very bushy: He had on a
half worn lead cc loured cloth coat, a pair cf hemp linen
trowfers with a yellow stripe, and an half worn fliirt.
Whoever takes up and secures said servant ; so that hie
mister may get him again, Shall have the above reward,
paid by
Augufi 6. GEORGE KUHN.
CAME to the plantation of the fubferiber,
in Brandywine hundred, Newcastle county, on the
fourteenth of May last, a sorrel Horse, with a blaze in
his face, without either brand or ear muk. Also a
black Horse, blind of one eye, one white foot, without
either brand or ear mark. The owner or owners are
desired td come, prove property, pay charges and take
them away, or they will be fold to defray the expences.
August 2% MARK ELLIOTT.
TO BE SOL dT
A FAMILY WAGGON, aSULKY with a
" top, and a CHAISE, with harness for each. En
quire of Alexander Quarrier and Co. in Fourth.
Itrect, near the Indian Queen.
On MONDA Y next, the gotbinftant, at Eleven
o'clock in the forenoon, will be fold by Public Ven
due, at the Coffee-houfe, for ready money,
TH E following Veffcls, viz. the schooner Boon, $
fine Virginia boat, mounting 8 carriage guns and
swivels, &. Also the schooner Polly Sly, with her
cargo of Virginia tobacco, , and Stores, &c. Likewise
the fl )op Clinton; a fine large yeflel. The inventories
to be seen at the p ace of file. .-