The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1778-04-15 00:00:00, page 2

BOSTO N, March 26.
CAPT. Davis, who arrived here on Thursday
last from St. Euftatiain 17 days, informs,
that a day or two before he failed a vessel arrived
there from France and brought letters to the
30th of December; and in a poftlcript to one
of them, dated December 31, from a gentle
man of credibility, mention was made, “ That
France and Spain had agreed to the Indepen
dence of the American States; and that the
King of Prussia had determined to fend three
vessels on a trading voyage to the United States."
A vessel is arrived at Marblehead from Gua
deloupe, the matter of which informs, that he
saw several private letters from France which
gave an account that France, Spain, Portugal
and Holland, had declared the Independence
of America.
Extract of a letter from a merchant in Gffgiw,
dated 16th December, 1777, to another in New-
York, taken in a prize f^p lately font into Salem.'
" (General Burgoyne's misfortune meets with
general pity: Since the accounts of it came here
tobacco has got to two ihillings and fix pence,
and it is uncertain what it may rife to; those
who have a quantity on hand will be well made
up for their losses—This is a time of public ca
lamity, and there's no faying who are to be the
{offerers. Buchannans, Heftie and Co. have
flopped payments, there's a number cf partners
of them, and are generally pitied, but that will
go but a small way to their relief."
Extract from another letter of the fame date.
“ We are very much cast down here upon
account of public matters, which indeed looks
worse than ever."
HARTFOR D, March 31.
An authentic extract of a Holland News-paper,
dated Wefel, December % 1777.
“ The King of Prussia has ffiown his friend
fhip to the Americans, by ordering a number
of cannon to be planted along the river Rhine,
with diredions to fink any transports convey
ing German troops, engaged by their petit
Princes to fight against the Americans. The
transports were obliged to return and the troops
to march by land; after which the cannon
were removed to the citadel."
Extras of a letter from a principal merchant in
Amferdam to his friend in this State, dated
December 6, 1777.
“ Believe me America has many friends
here who with to support their great cause.
But we ran do nothing. Proud England is
watchful cf the least of our movements, and
has already unjuftlv inured us by taking many
of our Weft-India (hips, to the cost of the
owners. If we had as good an opportunity as
France we could support America; but out
vessels must all pass the channel, which is
crouded with British men of war, who examine
every thing by force and with unrighteous fe
vrrity."
Extrra of another letter, dated Amferdam, De
cember 10.
“ I believe if the English could have forefeen
what has already happened they would not
hwe carried the matter so far. But now Lord
North, who is the principal agent in this af
fair, is obliged to support the honor of the
crown, which truly will cost the Bri ons mil
lions {Tiling, and I believe at last empty their
exchequer. We have had many contradictory
accounts here. Philadelphia is said to be taken
by the Britons ; but the friends of America as
sert, that Howe has been defeated before Phi
ladelphia. General Washington has been dead
three times, but has lately revived again. The
]aft account I hope will prove true, as Ameri
ca by his death would feel too severe a loss.
Since the writing cf this we have the news of
the defeat and capture of General Burgoyne
Ind his army, upon which 1 heartily congratu
late you. (Signed) F. A."
T R ENT O N, April 8.
E^traQ ofa letter from Monmouth county, dated April I.
“ The law form has deft-oyed many of the small
fab-works on our shore, with all the salt in them.—
The night tide was several feet higher than has ever
been known before—a considerable number of horn
ed cattle were drowned on Long Beach and other
places. The Long Beach is almost wholly levelled,
and burble more of it than a sand bar left.—The
furniture has floated out of the lower rooms of force
hoafes that stood low on the water fide. The inha
bitants never saw so distressing a time."
From a correspondent co have received the following
Intelligence :
" On Saturday the %Ht uit. about break cf day,
our guard polled at Hancock's bridge, on Alloway^
creek, in Salem county, consisting of about 20 men,
were furprized by thole the enemy call Jersey PAun
leers : They, from their acquaintance with die coun
try, had found means to cross the creek and come
upon the guard from force unfufyeded quarter ; and
being undoubtedly led by force person well acquaint
ed with the disposition of centries, opened the gua d
houfe door and came in, many of tne guard being
asleep, Without giving the least alarm, nay, io far
from it, that it is said force of them (hook hands ic
a friendly manner with feme of the guard with
whom they were intimately acquainted, as indeed
they were with most of them; and— 9 tempora, 9
mores! immediately began bayoneting of them,
without our people making the least snow of resis
tance, not only reeking their fury on the guard, but
also on several of the peaceable inhabitants, who
were slumbering in their beds. One Bacon, of the
people called Quakers, was inhumanly murdered in
his own house and bed; old Mr. Hancock, beside
his being of that society, was a cripple in both his
arms, was Tabbed in his bed, and is finee dead of
his wounds. Another of that Society is also since
dead of his Wounds; and the life of a fourth person
is despaired of."
The enemy, after immortalizing the British arms
in the way above •mentioned, and having collated a
large quantity of forage, &c. embarked with their
booty for Philadelphia.
We hearthat on Saturday morning LR, Colonel
Shreve, who commands the second jerfey.regiment,
lent a party cf men under Major Howel to join force
of the Salem and Cumberland militia, in order to
invest Bidingsfort, where dboat igo caries had been
intrenching and fortifying themselves; but t n e mili
tia not arriving in time, and t e tore's getting i far
motion, the Major returned to Haddonfield, vh e
Cob Shreve had taken post. The enemy in Phfa
delphia, getting intelligence of what had passed, de
tached 1400 men about .ine o'clock at right, who
landed at Giouceßer Point, making a circuitous
rout, with intent to furprize Col. Shreve; but the
Colonel, chough in the dead of night, received in
telligence of the enemy's movement, -nd his troops,
being greatly inferior ia number, all retired to
Muunthody about three o'clock on Sunday morning,
except three who were bayoneted by the enemy on
their arrival. One of our cavalry, who had been
dispatched to give notice to the guaid at Cooper's
ferry, was also killed on his way, by which means
the guard had no notice of the enemy's approach,
and several of them were killed and taken prifoters,
among the letter is Major Ellis of the Glouceher mi
litia, and Lieutenants Stout and Hutchin of Shreve's
regiment of Continental troops.
The enemy frufirated in their deigns cf ma/Tacre
ing our troops, and having gafcoraoed through the
village, where they committed many a&s of cruelty,
beside burning two dwelling hotties, returned to
Philadelphia in the evening of the fame day.
YORK TOWN, April 11.
"Gentlemen, St. Albans, April 2, 1778.
" This will inform you of my misfortune in losing
the Virginia, at three o'clock in the morning of the
31st clc. 1 had weighed from Annapolis at eight the
piece hog morning, and had taken the advantage of
going down the Bay in company with a brig which
had a pilot on board, fuppefed to be one of the belt
in tire Bay, to whom I had agreed to give£ 100 pro
vided he Carried me our clear of the ground. Fl e
wind blew hard at N. W. and in every other refpedt
it was a mod favourable time ; and altho' my tender
was absent with 19 hands, I thought it most advife
ahle to proceed. At the above mentioned'time the
struck on the Middle Ground, and in about an hour
and «n half beat ever it, with the lot's of her rudder,
and making 2s much water as we could well clear her
from with four pumps; in which case, we thought
it was advifeable to come to an anchor until day
light, when we found one of the enemy's (hips about
two gunshots off, abreast of us, and another farther
up the Bay; upon which I hoisted out my barge,
and took Inch of my crew as inclined to run the
rifaue of getting on shore, viz. 10 including myfelf,
and with the greatett difficulty I got on Cape Henry,
where I waited until 10 o'clock, when I saw the two
ships. I immediately went to Portsmouth, got a
boat, and came on board the St. Alban's with a flag,
in order to procure the parole of my officers, which
I expeift to accomplish; after which 1 shall proceed
to Baltimore, and from thence fliall immediately
wait on Congress. The Virginia is obliged to be
towed, and is net yet got up.
lam, Gentlemen, with much refpeG,
Your most obedient servant,
JAMES NICHOLSON."
“ The Hen. Marine Committee."
rSiftuff,, March 27, T77S.
Gff E, the Comm. Coders for the Wedein De-
VV partment, anting under the authority of Con
grels, having, in obedience tc b our inflfunions r no
tice being sass given to all the neighbouring counties,
proceeded to au enquiry into the concilia ot Col.
GEORGE MORGAN, Agent for Indian AfL::s,
and continued the lame by adjournments from the
20th to the 26'h instant, do, after the cleared ard
mod fitisfadory terimonies, wholly acquit :he Lid
Col. George Morgan of the charges Against him, cf
infidelity in his public traft, and disaffection to the
American cause. And we teftrfy, that we are pyf
faffed of the knowledge cf various fuels and circuit,
fiances, evincing cot only his attachment to that
cause, but aho an nwetmmon degree of diligence io
difeharging the duties of his employment, and of
attention to the intereds of the United - States; and
therefore are of opinion he ought to be restored to the
fulleft confidence of his country. Samp. MaA
thtw3, GSorge Clymer, Samuel M'Dowell.
Pao fbed by order ofEongrefs,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sectary.
LA NC A STE R, Aprilif
Last Thursday the Hon. Myor GeneialLEE
puffed through this place from Philadelphia, on hi*
way to Yoik-Town.
Exiraa A a letter from a eta 'erncn in South Rlngfon,
(Rhode IJkws.ty to Ins friend in this place. Gated
✓Q;/1
" The Continental frigate called t^e Columbus,
was driv n on Tore on Po,m Judith HR Friday night,
by several of the enemy's, (hips. She came from Pro
vidence in order to go g New-London be fitted cut
for a cruise. She bad ord, four cannon on board,
?nd but very trifling (lores, but could not Tc^pe.—•
The hhnds all g it fafe on fhoie, and by assistance get
all Out of her the next mo-nin?, and get down an 18
and rt 4 p tinker as eatl; as p^dibk in order to flop
the eremy fiem burning her,, but to ho pti;pof<: se
veral ships and a row galley came fb nigh that our
people couri notp event their buraiog her, although
co cannon were well tupported, and hulled thefnip#
luodry times, yet they got into her and set her cd
fire about day-light on the next day, being Satur
day. WeLtt very lit:le except the tell and fraud
^d rigg-^ —we had no meh killed dr wounded —
We judged we killed several in the row galley, but
are not certain."
E-AraG of a letter from fork- Town, dated April 14.
“ A gentleman,ft from BaltinwrCTnforms, That
2 veffE had arrived from Martiaico in Chesapeake-
Bay, the matter whereof brings an account xh&t
15 coo French troops had embarked, with a large
train of artillery, at St. Domingo and either placed
in the French Weft-Indies, arid had axially failed
'or Canad?, convoyed by twelve line of tattle flii^s
and a number of frigates."
//SUPPLEMENT to the ATI entitled, " An
AA to difauragc Desertion, and to punifo all
juch performs as fall harbour er conceal deserters,"
WHEREAS by an Aft of General
Assembly of this Common-Wealth for
the apprehending deserters from the armies of
the United States of America, twenty Ihillings
reward was granted, additional to the reward
ordered by Congress, to every person for each
deserter which they ihould apprehend and se
cure within this State: Yet notwithstanding
it may be neceflary for the benefit of the Unit
ed States, and for hastening the completion of
the quota of troops for this State, to give still
further encouragement. Therefore,
Be it enabled, and it is hereby ena led by the
Representatives of the Freemen of the Common-
Wealth of Penrfhania, in General fembfy met,
and by the authority of the fame, That from and
after the publication of this A&, any perfrin
who shall apprehend any deserter from any cf
the regiments of the quota of this State, and
carry him before some Justice of the Peace of
the county, and upon proof being made of his
being such a deserter, {hall then deliver him
fafely to some secure gaol in this State, or to
some Continental commissioned Officer belong
ing to the quota of Pennsylvania; which said
Gaoler or Officer shall give to the person so ap
prehending, a receipt or certificate, fpecifying
the fame, which said receipt or certificate," be--
sides intitling the said apprehender to the re
ward appointed by Congress, shall al/oexempt
him from two months actual service in the mi
litia, or any fine in lieu thereof.
JOHN BAYARD, Speaker.
Enafied into a Law at Lancaster, on Thursday,
the twelfth day of March, in the year One thou
fandfaen hundred and seventy-eight.
John Morris, Junior, Clerk
of the General Assembly.