The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-03-06 00:00:00, page 2

LONDO N, November 22.
The following basis of a treaty of peace is said to be re
ceived by the last two mails from Madrid and be
lieved to be authentic :
In the name, &c.— In order to prevent the further
desolation of war, and to flop the effufron of more
chri ftian blood, we the belligerent powers of Great-
Britain, France, Spain, and the Thirteen United States
of North Arrerica, being by our plenipotentiaries as
sembled at Madrid, have and do hereby agree to the
following articles of pacification :
Art. I. That all hoftilites cease in Europe on the
15th day of January next, and all captures made in
Europe after that day shall be redored ; and m like
manner, such as are taken in the American or African
seas after the 15th day of March, and in Asia after the
15th day of July.
Art. 11. That Great-Britain shall withdraw her ar
mies and fleets, and ever renounce all right and title of
sovereignty over the Thirteen United States of North-
America, from Georgia to New Hampshire, both inclu
sive, and doth and will forever acknowledge them in
full sovereignty, Thirteen United and confederated
free and independent Sovereign States.
Art. 111. Great-Britain to restore to France, Pondi
cherry, and whatever flie has conquered from her in A
sia, as also the island of Lucia, in the Weft-Indies, and
to give up the island of Cape Breton, with the isle of
gt. Pierre and Miquelon, together with a right to cure
gfh on the coast of New Foundland-
the capital to be annihikited. In find, laving these
things, it was an excellent system; and even might
have been held up to the world as a model for imita
tion, had it not happened that by the time the troops
were brought to be worth something, we were always
obliged to dilband them.
A'l countries have had their delusions. Make every
body a soldier was that of America. We were to be
greater than the Romans; they conquered nations less
inured to war than themselves : we, una cußomel to
war, were to contend with one long established in its
pra&i es. This policy of making every man a hero,
often left us almost without a soldier. I tremble,
whilst I look back at those moments of our weakness.
How dreadful to our country, should they ever be
renewed. It was in one of those moments that the ba
ron Steuben examining and receiving returns of the
few troops we had left, asked a corporal for that of
his company. Here is the return, said the corporal,
presenting it to the infpedor. The baron finding in it
but one name, replied Somewhat teflily,—Where's
your company? Please your honor, quoth the cor
poral, touching his forehead with his hand, for he had
no hat—l am the company.
A great deal more might be said oh this fubjeCt ;
but as the delusion is past; as the people, and their
governors, fee, and pursue, the real interest of Arne
rica ; not facrificing every thing to a favourite sys
tem ; as the different Rates are industriously railing
and forwarding their several quotas of troops, to serve
during the war, we Shaft close it with—a FABLE.
It once fell out (but in what age has not been ascer
tained) that some friends of a certain prince not fa
tisfied with a number of good masons, which the king
dom afforded, conceived the project of making all his
fubjeas of the fame profeffion. To convert every"
house into a palace, no more is necessary, said they,
than that every man be employed as a builder. This
cannot fail in a short time to make them all profici
ents ; and as your dominion is rich in materials, it
will be the best ornamented one in the world, and you
the most celebrated prince. The fchme took accor
ding to their wishes. Every hand was now employed
in hewing of wood, in cuttingof stone, preparing mor
tar, and forming models. Houses were built, which
were again demo-lifhed by an ediCt, in order, as its
preamble set forth, that the people might become
adepts by practice. Things proceeded in this train,
and the prince continued to be daily flattered, that
the art of building throve apace. But at length com
plaints were heard among his people, of the hard
flips and losses whteh they fuffered by this new mode
of life ; while their fuperintendant^ did not scruple to
fay, that their productions were gothic and barbarous.
It was remarkable however, that th^re were to be fern,
here and there, a few bold and daring firokes of ge
nius, though irregular and without the fine touches
of take and correCtnefs we so much admire. It was
now the prince perceived the mistakes of his friends.
He took a survey of his kingdom. He found his
teafury almost exhausted ; whole provinces overrun
with weeds, and towns, lately populous, defected, or
in ruins. But being at bottom a good prince, and
one that had only the good of the people at heart ;
and considering moreover, that the scheme was intend
ed to promote this end, he forgave the advisers, and
instantly set about to rectify their error. The evil in
some measure aCted asa remedy, and was used in the
cure of itfelf. He ordered a certain number of such
of his fubjeas, as had acquired the most perfect know
ledge in the art of building, to be incorporated with
the body of profeffed artists, and employed them in
repairing the injuries his kingdom had sustained. The
rest returned to their old occupations, which were
found to be absolutely necessary, for the subsistence
and Support of the builders ; and in a little time (for
what had happened made both more indufirious, the
©ne to finifh their work, and the other to raise corn to
feed them) the kingdom was in a much better and
more flourishing Situation, that before the wild projeCt
to make every body a mason.
The people on this occasion, eroded a magnificent
flruCture, upheld by thirteen arches. These were
formed of the fineft materials; each Was of a different
workman Ship ; each appeared complete when consider
ed Separately, yet such was their union and contri
vance, that each depended on the other, and derived
its principal luftre from the harmony of the whole.
Out of the centre there arose a beautiful obelisk that
seemed prolonged to the heavens, upon which was irp
scribed in shining chaiders—HE IS A GOOD MAN,
WHO CORRECTS HIS FAULTS !
".The L'Evilie, a sixty-sour gun (hip belonging to
the French Squadron, was fent' with two friga es,- up
on a particular expediting, into Chefa peak bay ; hav
ing finished the business flie was font upon, and remain
ed ten days in ' ampton road, where the took nine Or
ten British vessels, the failed to rejoin her fleet, and up
on her passage fell in with the Romulus, a British for
ty four, pierced for fifty, which the took, and - brought
fafe into this port bast night, with 500 prisoners. M.
de Tilly, the captain of the L'Eveille, is the fame offi
ce, who distinguished himfelf by his behaviour in the
beginning of this war: he then commanded a frigate
of 28 guns, and being out upon a cruize, he met an
English frig ite @f 36 gu-ns, returning from the East In
dies, and which, ignorant 'of the war, was not prepa
red lor action. He hailed the Englishman, aSked him
if he knew the two nations were at war, and allowed
him a quarterof an hour to prepare himfelf, faying he
would take no-advantage, she English captain accord
ingly made himfelf reidy to fight, buc after some broad
sides was oßli ed to strike."
The circu-m Stances of the Romulus being taken are
not yet arrived : but it is proper to observe, that hav
ing struck without fighting, the acquisition is much
more valuable towards increasing the force of the
French squadron. This circumstance, however, may
not in any refpeCt be conflrued against the captain and
crew of the vessel, as the accounts we have received
relate that the Small pox prevailed on board the Romu
lus.
Art. tV. Spain to withdraw her troops, and evacu
ate Weft-Florula, but to remain in possession of New-
Orleans: and Great Britain to withdraw her forces
from Nicaragua^ and every other part of the French
and Spanish territories which they may have conquered
in the course of this war.
Art. V. France to reflorf to Great Britain the if
lands of the Grenades, the Grenadines, Domrnico, St.-
Vincent's, and all their dependencies, in the flat? as
when surrendered to them.
Art. VI. France, Spain, and the Thirteen United
States to guarantee all Canada, together with East
and Weft Florida forever to Great-Britain.
Art. VII. It is also agreed by the high contracting
powers, that none of them shall have any retrefpeCt
to the desolation made by the war, or have an, claim
or demand for damages (Offered in the Course of it;
but on the contrary, they engage to live in amity as
good friends and allies, and that their re(peftive ports'
ihall be open to each other for mutual support and af
liftance in time of needy agreeable to fht law of nati
ons.
Philadelphia, March 6.
Extract of a letter ftom Rhode- Bland; dated February
The following is the gfefs computation of the ex
pellees to be incurred in the ensuing campaign :
Navy, voted November 13, 1.4,680,000
Navy debt, about 3,000,000
Building, repairs, &c. 1,000,000
Ordinary ditto, 320,000
Army, 5,500,000
Ordnance, 1,600 000
Army extras, 3,000,000
Vote of credit, 1,000,000
Exchequer bills, old> 1,500,600
Ditto new, i/)oo,coo
Contingencies, 800,060
Miscellaneous Service and deficiencies,- f, 160,000
Extract of a letter from Alexandria, Fairfax county,
Virginia, dated the 21st instant.
" Our governor hath ordered out the fourth part of
the militia of this county, to rendezvous at Williams
burg. There are various conjectures as to thecaufe;
some think the enemy have received a powerful rein
forcement, at Portsmouth, or that the militia are to'
co-operate with our French allies, hourly expected, if
not already arrived, in an 1 attempt to dislodge Bene
dict, and his corps."
One fourth part of the militia of the date of Vir
ginia, have taken the field, and a body of them have
already marched for Williamsburg.
Arnold and his troops, by the sass accounts, were
busily engaged in fortifyingthemfelves at Portsmouth.
Amongst the British armed vessels lying in Portsmouth
harbour (on Elizabeth river) is the Charon, of 44
g uns -.
The Eritifn frigate Chafleftown lately failed from
Portsmouth for New York, having a number of
prizes, taken in'Chefapeake, under her convoy.
The southern American army, confiding of I'soo'
continentals, and a number of militia (by a retreat
that reflects the highest honour on the commander,
general Greene, - and indeed the officers and privates
of every corps) have, in a great degree, fru ftrated the
designs of earl Cornwallis', who had rapidly advari--
ced upon them with 3000 regulars, besides militia?
On the 14 th instant/ general Greene, with his army,
were encamped on the north fide of Dan river, in Vir
ginia, having er^ffed it at Boyd's ferry, that and the
preceeding day. It appeared to be his intention to crofs 1
Stanton river, distant about 13 miles, where it was
im gined he would loon have such an accession of
strength, by the junction of the armed yeomanry of
Virginia, as would enable him to make an effectual
stand. Notwithstanding tae rapid movements' of lord'
Cornwallis, .he did not reach Dan river until the whole
of the American army had crossed it in the handfomeff
manner, the baggage and' flores of whith had previ
ously patted over Roanoke; at Taylor's ferry, and
were perfectly fafe On the 14th infant,- his Jordfhip
was encamped, with his (no doubt fatigued) troops,
about three miles south ward'of Dan river His fur
ther viewscould not be penetrated. This intelligence'
we received from a gentleman of reputation, who
crossed Roanoke with general Greene's heavy baggage
BALTIMORE, February 27.
25th, 1781.
I. 25,000,006
Extras of a letter from Richmond, in Virginia, dated
February 26, 1781.
" I gave you information in my last, that general
Greene had crossed the Dan at Boyd's ferry, and th@t
Cornwallis had arrived at the opposite shore. Large
reinforcements of militia having embodied both in
front and rear of she enemy ; he is retreating, with as
much rapidity as he advanced. His route istowards
Hillfborough. General Greene crossed the Dan the
21st in pursuit of hin). J have the ' pleasure to inform
you, that the spirit of opposition among the people
was as universal and ardent, as could have been
wiflied. The Britilh at Portsmouth lie close in their
lines. Our force has been moved down close to their
lines."
Greene, dated Santee, January 31, 1781.
“ On the 29th instant I sent over the Santee river
two parties of horse, # confiding of 30 each, one under
the command of major Poflil, the other under captain
Pofiib The firft to burn the enemy's stores at Thomp
son's ; the other to ' burn those at Watboo-bridge.
T'h^ captain has elected his orders with great spirit
and' good conduct At Watboo there were 15 hoghf
heads of rum; a quantity of pork, flour, rice, salt and
turpentine. He inarched from there to Keithfield,
hear Mohks Corner, attacked a British guard, killed
two, wounded three, took- and brought off two sur
geons, one quarter -madefy one™ vtaggor-mafter, fevera
waggoners, one ftewardy and twenty-five non-commis
sioned officers and privates 6f the 7th; 23d, 33d, 63 and
71st regiments. He had ' not one than injured. He
burned at Keithfield 14 waggons load d with soldiers
eloathing and baggage, 20 hogsheads of rum, and re
tired witn his prifonerA",.
Extract of aletter 'fr-m general Marian to general
Gr ene, gated E^ck riv< r, February 2, 1781.
" Major Poflil, who was ordered to colonel Thomp
son's, found no stores there. All had been carried
awy some few days - ehre. But on his return he
heard of a great quantity of rum, sugar, salt, flour,
pork, -soldiers cloathrog and 1/ ^gage, at Mdrringault's
ferry. The guard had gone aher captain Poflil. and
left only four men in a redoubt of wood, which the
Major took apd entirely delroyed all the stores and
redoubt, without receiving any loss or hurt."
Extract of a letter from Mijor General Greene, dated
at Sherard's Ford, on Catawba River, Jan. 31, 1781.
" I have received ' intelligence, that 400 troops have
failed froth' Charleftown for Wilmington, in North-
Carolina."
Extract of a letter from colonel Drayton't'o major ge<
neral Greene, dated February 2, 1781.
,'' On Monday evening, the 12th ult- the enemy'#
fleet appeared off. On Tuesday part got in ; and ther
Thursday following the whole of them reached the firft
flats. The inhabitants ' of Wilmington- then held a
confulfation on the propriety of meeting their foes
with a flag, tad concluded on it. In confequenee they
infixed on colonel Young, who commanded the mili
tia, to withdraw the few he had- (not more than 50)
and leave the town to make their own terms. -This he
did, and on-Saturday a flag was sent, with ah' offer to
furreoder as prisoners of war until exchanged. This
the Eririfh answered, by taking possession of the town
with two gallies and about 200' Infantry ' oo : Mon
day, the 29th, ar 12 o'clock."..•
On Sunday, the r^h ult. died', in ih^ 2irf year of
his age, Mr. THOMAS STOUT, student of medi
cnr', at Dover, in the Delaware fla e?
Toe premature fate of this young gentleman exhi
bits a lively representation of the faireft hopes sud
denly biased, and ' the brightest and most flattering
profp.% unexpectedly ' reverted: To all who can esti
mate the value of a character, in which opening vir
tues and rising trfefutefs had begun to dawn with un
usual fplendour, and were attended with many cir
cumriances to enhance their worth ; his- early death
muff be a fubjeCtof the deepest regret.
A disposition amiably mild, a gentleness of man
ners, remarkably conciliating, and an unassuming dif
fidence, so becoming a youth, gave a pleasing luftre to
the more weighty parts of his character.
With unequiled diligence, and a success answerable
to it, he had devoted' ids time to the noblest of all pur
suits, the acquisition of knowledge, and the cultivation
of virtue : he inherited from nature an understanding,
formed for the greatest attainments in science, and,
ft the fame time, a strong passion for every thing
which can embellifli or improve the human mind.
When an enlarged capacity was thus combined with
an insatiable third of knowledge, can we wood r to
find in toe bleeding hearts of his friends, the fad re
membrance of those fond expectations they had formed
of his future eminence?
Extras of a letter frobi general Marian to general
Extract of a letter from Alexandria, dated February
28, 1781.
" The report of the day is, and I have it from good
authority, that Cornwallis is retreating; general
Greene strong and after him; baron Steuben ordered
to March into the lower part of North Carolina, to
cut off his retreat. Our militia is to meet the French
fleet at York, where it is said nine fail have arrived,
and to assist and co-operate with them. The feat
captains, especially those acquainted with the naviga
tion of the bay and rivers, are called for, and captain
C is particularly named.
" The back country people have and are turning out
with good spirit. It is she prevailing opinon with us,
that Cornwallis cannot make good his retreat, and that
Arnold will be kept in."
One consolation, amidd the dark cloud of their dis
tress, awaits his friends : he ftili lives in the honour of
a spotless reputation, and the ex-tensive merit which
marked his nmole deportment, will continue delineated
in the faireftcharacters on the hearts of all who knew
him, while a reverence of virtue, er an edeem of real
What now avails, alas ! that treasured store
Of knowledge ' early gain'd ? c
Tnat heart of friendship and that gen'rous mind
Which bade with sof r ef tlight' thy virtues smile?
Ah ! only thaw'd to check our fond pursuits
And teach our humbled hopes that life is vain.—
Thomson.