The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-01-02 00:00:00, page 3

COMMON SENSE ^ ibe PUBLIC, ^ Mr. Deane's
Affair.
{Continued from our lafl.)
THE uncommon fury which has been spread to fop
port Mr. Deane cannot be altogether for his fake.
Those who were the original propagators of it are not
remarkable for gratitude. If they excel in any thing it
is in the contrary principle and a felfilh attachment to
theirown interest. It would (uit their plan exceeding
ly well to have Mr. Deane appointed Ambassador to
Holland, because, so situated, he would make a very
convenient partner in trade, or a ufelul taclor.
In order to rest Mr. Deane on the fhould&rs of the pub
lic, he has been set off with the mod pompous puffs.
The Saviour of his Country—the Patriot of America--
the True Friend of the Public—the Great Supporter of
the cause in Europe, and a thousand other full blown
bubbles, equally ridiculous and equally untrue. Never
were the public mere wretchedly ^mpofed upon. An
attempt was made to call a town meeting to return him
thanks, and to march in a body to Congress to demand
justice for Mr. Deane. And this brings rae to a part in
Mr. Plain Truth's address to me, in which he fpeaksot
Mr. Deane's services in France, ard defies me to di
prove him. If any late or present Member of Congress
has been concerned in writing that piece, I thinkit nep
ceffaiyto tell him, that he either knows very little ot
the state of foreign affairs, or ought to blush in thus at
tempting to rob a friendly nation, France, of her hon
ors, to bestow them on a man who so little deserves
th^ro. „ .
Mr. Deane was sent to France in the Spring 76, as a
Commercial Agent, under the authority of the Com
mittee which is now (tiled the Committee for foreign af
fairs. He had no commiffioß of any kind from Congress ;
and his inftruaions were to assume no other character
than that of a merchant; yet in this line of action Mr.
Plain Truth has the ignorance to dub him a “ public
" Minister” and likewise fays, " that before the firft of
" December, after his arrival he had formed and culti
" rated the esteem of a valuable political and commer
" cial conne&ion, not only in France but in other parts
'' of Europe, laid the foundation of a public loan, pro
" cured thirty thousand Rand of arms, thirty thousand
“ suits of cloaths, morethan two hundred and fifty pie
" ces of brass cannon and a great amount of tents arid
" military stores, provided vessels to transport them,
" and in spite of various and almost inconceivable ofl
'' ftruaions great part of these articles were shipped and
" arrived in America before the operations of the cam
" paign in 1777." To which Mr. Plain Truth adds,
<: That he has had the means of being acquainted with
“ all these circumstances, avows them to be fa&s, and
" defies Common Sense or any other person to disprove
"them."
Poor Mr. Plain Truth, and his avower M. Clarkfon
have most unfortunately for them challenged the wrong
person, and fallen into the right bands when they fell
into mine, for without stirring a ft^p from the room I
am writing in, or afkinga single question of any one, I
have it in my power, not only to contradict but disprove
it.
It is, I confers, ar=e point to touch upon, but the
necessity of undeceiving the public with refpeft to Mr.
Diane, and rhe right they have to know the early friend
fhip of the French nation towards them at the time of
their greatest wants will juftify my doing it. I feel like
wise the less difficulty in it, because the whole affair re
fpeaing those supplies has been in the hands of the ene
my at least fifteen months, and consequently the necessi
ty for concealing it is fuperce<ded: Besides which, the
two nations, viz. France and England, being now come
to an open capture makes the secret unnecessary. It
was immediately on the difeovery of this affair by the e
nemy fifteen months ago, that the British Ministry be
gan to change their ground and planned what they call
their Conciliatory Bills. They got poiTeffion of this se
cret by dealing the dispatches of October 77, which
Should have come over by Capt. Folger, and this like
wise explains the controversy which the British Cornmif
fioners carried on with Congress, in attempting to prove
that England had planned what theycalled her conciliato
ry Bills, before France moved towards a treaty, for even
admitting that affection to be true, the case is, that they
planned those Bills in consequence of the knowledge they
hrd stolen. *
The supplies here alluded to, are those which were sent
ftom France in the Amphitrite, Seine and Mercury about
two years ago. They had at firft the appearance of a
present, but whether so, or on credit, the service was ne
* When Capt. Folger arrived at York-Town he deliv
ered a packet which contained nothing but blank paper,
that had been put under the cover of the dispatches which
were taken out. This fraud was aded by the person to
whom they were firft intruded to be brought to America,
and who afterwards abfeonded, having given, by way of
deception, the b ank packet to Capt. Folger. The Con
gress were by theis means left without any information of
European affairs. It happened that a private letter from
Do^or Franklin to myfelf, in which he wrote to me re
fpefting my undertaking the history of the present revo
lution, and engaged to furnifll me with all his materials
towards the completion of that work, escaped the pilfering
by not being inclofed in the packet with the dispatches.
I received this letter at Lancaster through the favor of the
President, Henry Laurens, Esq; and as it was the only let
ter which contained any authentic intelligence of the ge
neral state of our affairs in France, I transmitted it again
to him to be communicated to Congress. This likewi e
was the only intelligence which was received from France
from May 77, to May 2d, 78 when the treaty arrived,
wherefore laying aside the point controverted by the
Britifli Commissioners as to which moved firft France
or England, it is evident that the resolutions of Congress
of April zzd, 1778, for totally rejedingthe Britilh bills,
were grounded entirely on the determination of America
to support her cause. A circumstance which gives the
highest honor to the refoliations alluded to, and at the
fame time gives such a character of her fortitude as heigh
tens her value, when con dered as an ally, which though
it had at that time taken place, was, to her, perfectly un
known.
verth^efs a great and friendly one, and though only part
of them arrived the kindness is the fame. A confiderabie
time afterwards, thee fame supplies appeared under the
head of a charge amounting to about two hundred thou
sand pounds sterling, and is the unexplained contrast I
alluded to when I spoke of the pompous puffs made use of
to support Mr Deane. On the appearance of this charge
the Congress were exceedingly embarrassed as to what line
of conduct to pursue. To be insensible of a favor, which
has before now been pradifed between nations, would have
implied a want of just conceptions ; andto have refufed it
would have been a species of proud rusticity. To have
asked the question was both difficult and aukward; to
take no notice of it would have been insensibility itfelf;
and to have seemed backward in payment, if they were to
be paid for, would have impeached both the justice and the
credit of America. In this state of difficulties such enqui
ries were madeas were judged necessary, in ord* that
Congress might know how to proceed. Still nothing fa
tisfadory could be obtained. The answer which Mr.
Deane signed so lately as February 16th, last past (and
who ought t® know most of the matter, because the fbip.
ping the supplies was while he a&ed alone) is as ambigu
ous as the rest ofhis conduft. I will venture to give it,
as there is no political secret in it and the matter wants ex
planation.
" Hear that Mr.. B has sent over a person to
“ demand a large sum of you on account of arms, ammu
“ nition, &c—think it will be best for you to leave that
" matter to be fettled here, (France) as there is a mixture
“ in it of public and private concern which you cannot so
“ well develop." But why did not Mr. Deane cormpleat
the contract so as it might be developed, or at lead state
to Congress any difficulties that had arisen ? When Mr.
Deane had his two audiences wth Congress in August last,
he objected, or his friends for him, against his answering
to questions that might be alked him, and the ground up
on which the objection was made, was, because a m^
could not legally be compelled to answer questions that might
tend to criminate bimfelf—yet this is the fame Mr. Deane
whose address you saw in the Penofylvania Packet of Dec.
5, signed Silas Deane.
Having thus shewn the locfe manner of Mr. Deane's do
ing business in France, which is rendered the more intri
cate by his leaving his papers behind, or his not producing
them ; l eomenow to enquire into what degree of merit
or credit Mr. Deane is entitled to as to the procuring these
supplies, either as a present or a purchase.
Mr. Plain Truth has given him the whole. Mr. Plain
Truth therefore knows nothing of the matter, or some
thing worse. If Mr. Deane or any other gentleman, will
procure an order from Congress to inlped an account in
my office, or any of Mr. Deane's friends in Congress, will
take the trouble of coming themselves, I will give him or
them my attendance and show them in a hand wr ting
which Mr. Deane is well acquainted with, that the sup
plies, he so pompously plumes himfelf upon, were promised
and engaged, and that as a present, before he even arrived
in France', and the part that fell to Mr. Deane was only
to fee it done, and how he has performed that service, the
pub'ic are now acquainted with. The last paragraph in
the account is, " Upon Mr. Deane's arrival in France the
business went into b:s bands and the aids were at length em
barked in the Amphitrite, Mercury and Seine."
What will Mr. Deane or his Aid de Camp fay to this,
or what excuse will they make now. If they have met
with any cutting truths from me, they must thank them
selves for it. My address to Mr. Deane was not only mo
derate but civil, and he and his adherents had much bet
ter have submitted to it quietly, than provoked more ma
terial matter to appear against them. I had at that time
all the fahs in my hands which I have related since, or
shall yet relate in my reply. The only thing I aimed at
in that address, was, to give out just as much as might pre
vent thepublic from being so grossly imposed upon by
them, and yet save Mr. Deane and hjs adherents from ap
pearing too wretched and despicable. My fault was a
misplaced tenderness, which they must now be fully sensi
ble of, and the misfortune to them, is, that I have not
yet done.
(To be continued in our next.)
In COUNCIL, Philadelphia, December 29, 1778.
THE President and Council having considered the very
great danger to which the city is exposed by accidents of
fire at this severe season, the unprovided state of the in
habitants with regard to the fire engines, buckets, &c.
do most earnestly recommend it to the citizens to revive
the laudable infiitution of Fire Companies, which former
experience has proved to be so beneficial ; and in the mean
time this Board will take such farther measures for the se
curity of the city and its inhabitants against this calamity
as present circumstances will admit.
Extract from the minutes,
T. MATLACK, Secretary.
In COUNCIL, Philadelphia, December 31, 1778.
COUNCIL being informed that attempts have been made, •
by attachment, replevin and otherwise, to recover effeas
or sums of money due or pretended to be due to the plaintiffs in
such suits, by traitors attainted of high treason ; and whereas
such proceedings, without any defendant to answer, may be
pioduaive of much injustice, both public and private.—To
prevent, therefore, the good people of this state from putting
themselves to unnecessary expence and trouble, the Secretary
is ordered to give public notice, That the Attorney General has
been direded to appear in behalf of the date in such suits, and
move to quash all process founded thereupon, or take such other
fleps as the law may require to prevent such irregularities : and
to caution all persons against purchasing any estate or effeas
heretofore belonging to such tiaiter or traitors, (unless fold by
the public Agents,) the property thereof being clearly veiled in
the state by the Acl of General AOfembly intitled “An Ad for
" the attainder of divers traitors if trey render not themselves
" by a certain day, and for veiling their elates in the common
“ wealth, and for more effectually difeovering the fame, and
" for afeertaining and fatisfying the lawful debts and claims
" thereupon," (object to all just demands, for whicha remedy
is given in the Supreme Court by a summary process.
Extract from the Minutes,
T. M ATLAC K, Secretary.
fa^ The Managers of the States I.ottery have the
pleasure of informing the Public, That they began draw
ing yesterday at the College, agreeable to a Refolye of
Congress, and will continue from day to day, until the
whole be finished.
TO BE SO L D,
ra^HE following tra&s of LAND, situate on the
X east branch of Susquehanna, in Northumberland
County, Pennsylvania, about twenty miles above Sun-'
bury, viz. One trad containing one hundred and fixt,
three and a half acres, and allowance, of extraordinar
good land, joining the said river and fifiring Creek
about forty acres cleared, part thereof good meadow
ground, on which is a young orchard of grafted fruit,
good mill feats, and a good deal done towards building
mills thereon. One other tia^ljoining the above traft
and river, containing one hundred and fifty acres and
allowance, or which is a two-ttory dwelling.houfe and
kitchen with a cellar under it, a good fquarelog barn
about sixty feet long, a young orchard of eighty apple
trees, all grafted fruit, forty acres cleared and within
fence, ten acresof which are meadow. Also one ether
trad of three hundred and thirty acres, and allowance,
joining the above trails, including Fishing Creek, and
another stream a branch thereof, on which is a feat for
a furnace, and it is expected by the signs that there is a
good body of iron orc within two miles of the said tra&:
There is a (mail improvement, plenty of lime-hone,
and a lime-kiln thereon. It is all patented land, and
the whole well timbered and pleasantly situated. Any
person inclining to purchase may have a view of the said
tracts of land by applying to Isaac John, on the pre
mises, and know the terms of sale by applying to Evan
Owen, at Maiden Creek, B?iks County, to Mordecai
Owen, East Narytmel township, Chester county, or to
Joseph Moore, in Philadelphia.
TO BE SOLD BY
ALEXANDER NELSON,
At his STOR E in Water street, a few doors above
Walnut-street,
A QUANTITY of excellent Weft.lndia RUM, a few
1 hogsheads of OLD SPIRIT. LOAF SUGAR in
hogsheads, and a few tierces of CLARET.
Just opened and to be fold, wholefde and retail, by
Robert Campbell and James O'Hara,
At their store in Water street, between Chefnut and
Walnut-streets, lately occupied by Capt. M'Culloch,
JAMAICA spirits, Weft L dia turn, double and
single refined fogars, mufeovado tntto, genuine Hol
land gin in cases, green and bohea tea, coffee, a few
barrels of excellent limes, &c. &c. on the most reafofe
able terms.
Just opened and to be fold on reasonable terms, whole
- tale and retail, by
PETER GALLAGH ER,
At his store in Second-street, the second doer above
Arch-street,
A LARGE afrrtment of fuperfine Holland stripes
and checks, Ruffin Meetings and raven duck, a
variety of coarse and fine cloths and ftufts likewise
chintzes, callicoes, cambricks, lawns, mnflins and Irish
linens; fine hyfon and bohea teas of the best quality,
by the chest or quarter chest ; also whalebere, and some
glass ware. 2 w.
Philadelphia, January 1, 1779.
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
STRAYED from the fubfcriber'c stable in Second
ftreet, between Arch and Market-streets, about three
o'clock yesterday, a black Horse, about fix or seven
years old, between fourteen and fifteen hands high, one
of his hind feet white, has a fmdl liar, and his mane
hangs on the left fide; he is a natural trotter, aad hag
a gay carriage. Whoever takes up said horse so that
the owner may have him again, shall be entitled to the
above reward and reasonable charges, f^om
JOHN FROMBERGERv
Twenty dollars reward.
RAN AWAY on Friday night, the 2d of October
last, a likely lusty young black wench, named
DIANA, formerly belonging to Mrs. Ann Griffith ;
die is middling black, talks as if (he had a cold, has
large white in her eyes, and very high large breads ; (he
teck vith her two tow drifts, a petticoat and bed gown
of black and white hit-andmifs li r.cey, a white corded
petticoat, a plain white jacket gathered round the hips,
and an old black bonnet. Whoever will bring said
wench to the fubferiber, living at Black-biid Bridge,
A poquiniminck Hundred, Newcastle County, shall have
the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by
ARNOLD NAUDAIN, Jun.
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY about the Bth of O^ober last, from
the fubferiber living in Philadelphia, a broad well
set Ngto Man named BEN; he is not very black nor
flefhy, is about twenty-four years of age, but looks old -
er and wrinkled ; he is lame of a leg, having been thot
in the back leaders thereof which makes him loose or
weak in the heel, walk wide, and wag his body in bring
ing up that foot; is fond of a brass-headed cane or stick
which he sometimes carries in his hand. He had on when
he went away, a white cloth coat, but had also one of a
light bl^e colour, a red plush (hurt jacket, a white round
h?t with narrow gold lace, the under fide of which was
lined with green silk, and also a black one. Persons
who harbour him and thereby ncourage such elope
ments, which he is much given to. may depend on be
ing prosecuted; also any of his Negro associates may
expeft the punishment that the law infills. Informati
on where he is will be thankfully received, and the
above reward paid, by PHILIP WILSON.
TO BE S O L D,
TWO flout, likely NEGRO MEN: One about
— twenty-eight years bf age, is a good carter and
wood-cutter, and very fuitaMe for a farmer : The other
about twenty four years of age, is very capable of town
and country work, or of waiting on a gentleman. En
quire of the Printer.