The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-03-14 00:00:00, page 1

LONDO N.
Admiralty-Office, December 18, 1781.
Sir Richard Pearson, Captain of his Majesty's (hip the
Arethufa, arrived at Spithead yesterday afternoon from
Rear Admiral Kempenfelt, with dispatches for Mr. Ste
phens, of which the following is an extract.
SI R, Fiaory, at Sea, Dec. 14, 1781.
YOU will please to acquaint my Lords Commifiioners
of the Admiralty, that the 12th instant, soon alter day
light, Ulhant then bearing north 61 east, distance 53
leagues, the frigate looking out to windward made signal
for feeing a fleet in the S. E. the wind then in that quar
ter, upon which I made a signal for the two decked (hips
and frigates to chace, and crouded fail in the Vi&ory.
At nine o'clock we could perceive they were fleering large
to the westward; at half past ten observed several (hips of
the line a considerable way a-head, and upon our lee bow,
forming in order of battle, upon which I made the signal
for the line, but having a profpe& of passing between the
enemy's (hips of war and a great part of their convoy, I
continued a pressed fail with a view of cutting them off,
and (ucceeded in part; several struck to us, the exatt
number I cannot acquaint you with (and am apprehensive
that some which (truck were not taken possession of, the
evening coming on, and it blowing frefh, with thick wea
ther.) By crouding fail to effect this, several of our (hips
were far a stern, so that to form a line proper for action
would have been impossible to effect it before dark. I
therefore tacked to join the fternmoft ships, at the fame
fame making the signal for the order of failing, to get the
ft|uadron conne&ed, after which I pu, upon the fame
tack with the enemy. At day light the next day we saw
them to leeward, upon which I formed the line; but per
ceiving their force so much superior to my squadron, I
did not think it advifeable to hazard an adion.
Inclofed you have a lift of their force, which all the
officers (prisoners) that I have spoke with agree in, and
which correfoonds, as to number and force of the (hips,
with the Victory's and reconnoitring fhip's observations.
As soon as I can collect the prizes together, 1 shall fend
them in under the protection of some (hipof the squadron.
When we got among the convoy, the Triumphant of
84 guns, who had kept with them, in bearing down to
join their squadron, parted close across the Edgar's fore
fot (the leading (hip of our line) and gave her a smart
faking fire, which fortunately did not do much execution.
The Edgar's conduct upon this occasion was masterly ;
avoided being directly raked, by judiciouflv bearing
up as the enemy palled her, and immediately after luffed
to the wind, and brought their broad-fide-t right angles
With the enemy's stern, throwing in a well directed fire,
Which we could perceive was very effectual; the next
morning we ohs rved the Triumphant in the French line,
with her main-top-mast and main-yard gone.
From the Plymouth Chronicle, January 10, 1782.
Paris, December zz.
THE following i$ the ffate of the naval armament which
failed from Brelt on the 10th of this month, under
M. de Guichen, viz.
La Bretagne no guns, la Majeftieux no, la Couronne
10, Ie Royal Louis no, le Triumphant 80, I'lnvincible
120, le Terrible no, le Brave 71, le Robufte 74, le Mag
aifiqae 74, le Bien-Aime 74, le Fencfent 74, le Pegafe 7,,
le Dauphin Royal 70, I'lndien 64, I'Argonaut 74, I'Adif
74, le Lion 64, and le Zodiaque of 74 guns.
The frigates are, la Cleopatre of 3% guns, l'Amphitrite
of „, 11 Fripone of 32, le Crescent of 32, la N ijade of 28,
Je.Ceres of 18, a Corvette of 26, le Clairvoyant of 18, le
Pandoure of 18, I'Efpaigne of 14 guns, two (hips armed
en flute, le Hardi and le Alexandre. This armament be
gan to get under way on the ioth, at day break, with a
favourable wind at S. S. E. at three o'clock they were en
tirely out of the Road, as well as most of the transports,
making together 150 fail, on board of which were emba te
ed 7974 troops, artillery-men included, besides 1000 co
lonists, and the usual number of troops on board each ship,
which might amount to 3000 men more. There were al
so Whipped too twenty-four pounders, jio sixteen poun
ders, together with a number of mortars, and a large
store of ammunition.
Hague (Holland) Dec. 26. The report runs, that the
States of Holland had taken into consideration their an
swer to the offer which the Empress of Rudia had made
to the Republic relative to her mediation with England.
It was to the following purport:-—On Friday last the As
sembly of the States General met, and accepted the offer of
her Imperial Majtfy, as far as the honour and dignity of
the State will admit, under the following condition ,--
" That the treaty of the armed neutrality (hall be the ba
" sis, and that the Court of Peterfburgh (halt fulfil exa&-
" ly, and in all parts, the engagements stipulated in that
" treaty, &c." This resolution has been communicated
to the different allies to learn their opinions.
From Rivington's Royal Gazette.
N E W-'y 0 R K, March 6.
Yesterday arrived the Sandwich Packet in seven weeks
from Falmouth, which has brought the following ad
vices, viz.
VOL. Xl.] Published every TUESDAY, THURSDAY and SATURDAY.—Price Six-Pence.
THURSDAY,
^^^^^^^^^^
GENERAL ADVERTISER.
The necessary arrangements being made, a considerable
detachment, formed in three columns, marched from the
garrison upon the letting of the moon at three o'clock in
the morning of the 27th instant. The columns were se
verally cornpofed of an advairced coi ps, a body of pio
neers, artillerymen carrying combustibles, a (attaining
corps, with a.relerve in the rear. The pioneers of the
left column were seamen from his Majesty's (bins.
The force of the enemy, in their lines and advanced
works, confined of fifty or sixty cavalry, and fix hundred
infantry, cornpofed of the Spanish and Walloon Guards,
Artilleries, Cafladores, and other light troops, besides the
usual body of workmen carrying their arms.
The vigorous efforts of his Majesty's troops, on every
part of the exterior front, were irresistible ; and the ene
my, after a scattering fire of short duration, gave way on
all sides, and abandoned their stupendous works with
great precipitation.
The pioneers and artilleries made wonderful exertions,
and (pread their fire with fitch amazing rapidity, that in
half an hour two mortar batteries of ten thirteen inch'
mortars, and three batteries of fix guns each, with all the
lines of approach, communication traveife, &c. ~ere in
flames, and are reduced to alhes. The mo- tits and can
non were spiked, and their beds, carriages' arid platfornis
dettroyed. Their magazines blew up, one after another,
as the fire approached t be m.
The enemy, feeing all opposition inteffeftual, offered no
other annoyance than an ill directed fire of round and
grape (hot from the forts St. Barbara and St Philipe, and
the batteries on the lines, arid remained in their camp
fpe^tuors of the conflagration.
The whole detachment was in the garrison again by
five o'clock, just before the bieak of day. Brigadier Ge
neral Ross had the chief command, and conduce I the at
tack with so much judgment, through the variety of cri
tical incidents attending an enterprize.of this nature, as
highly contributed to the general success. The center
column was led by Lieutenent Colonel Dachenhaufen, of
Reden's regiment; the right by Lieutenant Colonel Hugo,
of Hardenbergh's; the left by Lieutenant C< lonel Trig,
of the lath; and the reserve by Major Maxwell, of the
73d. e The seamen, in two divifions^ were commanded
by Lieutenant Campbell of the Brilliant, and Lieutenant
Muckie of the Porcupine.
St. James's, December 29.
Extras of a 'f tte f from the Right Honorable General Elliot,
Governor oj Gibraltar, to the Earl of Hidfborou^h, one of
his MajtJly s principal Secretaries of State, dated Gibraltar,
November 2s, 1781; received December 27.
IH AVE the honour to communicate to your Lordships,
that the uniform appearances of the enemy's opera
tions fufficiently (hewing that an attempt to destroy the
whole of their advanced works, now arrived at the highest
(fate of perfection, after immense labour and expence,
would probably be attended with the defi ed success, it
was therefore judged exp dient to carry the fame into im
mediate execution.
R. KEMPENFELT.
N. B. Rear Admiral Kempenfelt's squadron confided
of twelve fail of the line, one (hip of co guns, four fri
gates, and one sire-ship.
Sir Richard Pearson relates that the captured (hips are
chiefly laden with artillery and ordnance (tores, and have
on board between 000 and 1000 troops.
Captain Curtis of the Brilliant, commanding the squa
dron in the Bay, accompanied them .<s a volunteer, and
greatly diftingmfhed himfeif, by his difcernm^nt, assist
ance, and personal efforts. To the attention and valour
of these chief officers, and the dead net's of the troops,
was owing the good order observed throughout the whole.
Greater zeal for his Majesty's service was never (hewn;
nor was there ever an enterprize more perfectly executed.
Many of the enemy were killed upon the spot; but
owing to the darkness and oth rcircumftances, I am not
enabled to inform your Lordship either of the exaft num
ber, or their particular quality. A Sub Lieutenant of
grenadiers, with rank of captain, and fevpn of the Wal,
loon guards, with an officer and three artillery men, were
taken prisoners. G. A. ELLIOT, Governor.
Jan. 5. Yesterday there was a Levee at St. James's, at
which Admiral Kempenfelt was present, 'for the fi ft time
since his return with his fleet from a cruize on the French
coast. As was Admiral Sir John Lockhart Ross, who
took leave of the King on his setting off nidi Admiral
Le Majeftieux, no, Mons. Le Comte de Rochaurt.
Le Royal Louis, 142, Monk De Bauffet.
Le Terrible, 110.
La Couronne, 84, Mons. De la Motte Picquet.
Le Triumphant, 84, Le Marquis de Vaudreul.
Le Pegaffo, 74; Le Magnifique, 74; L'Adiff, 74; Le
Dauphin Royal, 70; Le Bien Aime, 74; Le Zodi'acque,'
74; Le ^Brave, 64; Le Robufte, 74; Le Fendant, 74; Le
Argonault, 64; Le Lion, 64; Le Indian, 64.; Le Hardi,
& Alexandre, armed en flute.
"f' °f the line of battle flips with the French convoy.
Le Bretagne, 110 guns, Mons. Comte de Guichen.
L'lnvincible, 110.
O R, THE
THE
" That excinfive of the foregoing resolution, a tran
script of the fame (hall be delivered to Prince Gallitzin
Ambaflador Extraordinary to ber'lmperial Majeftv, re
queuing at the fame time, that the claims of their Hich
Mightinefles be fupportrd with his friendly affillan< e."
Advice is received from Lifbom that 3 Spanish 111 10 of
war was loft in a gab«f r yind, off the bar of Op rio; all
the crew weig drowned except the Captain, his foft Lieu
tenant and twenty men. She was bound from Oporto to
Minorca, having taken in wine for the use of the Spanish
troops there.
“ That they mean also to take into consideration the ap
pointment of Plenipotentiaries to assist at the said negoti
ation, and the preliminary articles on which they are in
clined to restore peace with his Britannic Majettv.
“ That in the interim they can allure her Imperial Ma
jesty, in this relpe^t, of the ease and facility with which
they intend to con?u& themselves in stipulating the preli
minary articles: and they-will without the least reserve
make the fairelt overtures to her Imperial Majesty, the mo
ment they are by her assured (en whole magnanimity
known equity, and good wishes to these (fates, their High
Mightinefles have the fullest confidence) of the fincete in
tention of the Court of London to be reconciled to the
Republic, on such terms as may be compatible with her ho
nor and interest, and which consequently may be thought
admissible. °
We hear that his Grace the Duke of Richmond intends
to introduce his Bill into the H m(e of Peers, for r ftorjug
to the people their ancient privilege of a fair, genuine,
and equal representation in Parliament, immediately after
the recess.
Capt. Caldwell, of the Agamemnon, will make at l^aft
50,000). by the capture of his lite French prizes He is a
deferving^ officer, and merits every profefliona) fortune
that may befal him.
Sir James Wallace is to hare command of a squadron
for the Bate c, and not to go the Weft Indies.
Saturday morning Henry Laurens Esq; set o&cforß^h
for the recovery of his health.
(For more Eufliih ty^ fee the fourth Pa,, J
Rodney's fleet, for the fuccour of the Mediterranean pos
sessions and the protection of the Weft.lndia islands.
The letters brought over by the Sophia Julia Frederica
Danish Eaft-Indiaman, from Tranquebar, which is put
into Bristol in a dittreffed condition, confirm the account
of the taking of Surat; the defeat of Hyder Ali by Sic
Eyre Coote, and of the preparations which were going
on at Madrafs and Bengal, for further operations againtt
the Dutch settlements, there was no account of Mons.
Suffrein being arrived at the Mauritius, to reinforce Mons.
D Orves, who had the command of the fleet. Admir:l
Hughes, with five fail of the line and two frigates, was
copie round the peninsula from Bombay, in order to
aflift the operations of the Company's forces.
, Extract of a letter from the Hague. ,
" The answer to the Ehiprefs of Russia, for her offers
of mediation towards a federate peace between England
and the Republic, is couched in the following terms:
" That Lord Van Waffenaar be inst lifted to notify to
the Ruffian Ministry, in answer to their offers of peaces
that their High Mightinesses during the ptefent troubles
omitted no opportunity to give her Inmperial Majetty the
(trongeit proofs of the great confidence (he is justly enti
tled to, and are therefore perfectly fatisfied of the particu
lar concern which her Imperial Majesty hath ever pleated
to drew for the prufperity of the Republic.
" That their High Mightinesses, on this ground, from
the commencement, have (hewn the utmof t readiness in
accepting the offers of her Imperial Majrfty, to adjust
those differences which the unjust conduct of England
had occasioned Between Great Britain and these States by
separate mediation.
, " Th ^ ber Imperial Majesty, ever a&uated bv the
fame sentiments, ninlt have received great latisfadion
from the acceptance of her pacific offers on the part of
Great-Britain, and on her repeated declaration of being
fully inclined to terminate the present troubles on huh
terms as # may be consilient with her honor and dignity;
that the intei position of the good officers of her Imperial
Majetty of all the Ruffias to this salutary end are bi hiy
pleating to their High Mightinesses, who confequendy
again accept the offered mediation under this conviction^,
however, that the principles of the armed neutialry, by
which they and other powers have the honor to be allied
to her Imperial Majesty, will be attended to.
" ,hat their High Mightinesses further declare their
readiness to co-operate, through the interpolation of her
Imperial Majesty's Ministry with the Court of London,
in order to adopt such measures as mutt and will be ne
cellar,, prior to the formal opening of the treaty for p ace.
"That to the ftme^nd they will bs speedily as poffibic
take into consideration the fixing a proper place where the
pacific negociation is to be held, and will endeavour to an
swer to the proposed object of ber Imprial Majesty, as far
as the form of government and constitution of these pro
v/^c"; . an ^ *"° the ^ reat difance , Which may occafim
difficulties in the course of the negociation, will any wife
admit of. J
MARCH 14, tfz.
(NUMB 858