The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-04-08 00:00:00, page 2

tyheth^r we thill ha^ peace. Their conduct, t preturtie,
will'depend solely on the dispositions of other Courts to
support them, concluding on their inability to prosecute
a war against America, France, and probably Spain.
Their meaferes are by this time agreed on, and we Shall
fee from the King's speech whether he inclines to peace,
er will be supported in a confederacy against the House
es Bourbon) in which latter event, a general war must
ensue, and debts beyond the power of figures be increased.
Ours is become already immense, insomuch that our taxes
are laid this year at one and a half per cent, on all pro
perty, valuing it at the present prices, which are eight
hundred per cent, beyond their former ahd real value.
« Even this will not prove equivalent to the wanted
editions and demands for money. Articles of every fort
are risen to an immeofe height. A barrel of corn fellsnow
'from five to eight pounds, wheat thirty shillings per bushel,
four at fevea pounds a hundred, and many other things
in the time proportion. Tobacco has not risen with other
articles; the price haskept at a Stand for fix months part,
which is about seven pounds a hundred, but will I expect
toon rife very high. Goods must partake with other
things, and will fell soon at 1500 per cent, and upwards.
Where is it all to end ? Will you not fay, in our destruc
tion; and 1 fear you will fay too truly. Nothing but
peace can prove our friend to relieve us from all these
dreadful horrors."
“ There have lately appeared in our papers, -from Mr.
Silas Deane, some severe Strictures upon the conduct of
<he three Mr. Lee's, the two in France, and R. H. L.
here ; add great indeed are the fufpici®ns excited there
from, although Mr. Lee has desired a suspension of the
public opinion until his answer can appear, and Mr.
Deane's trial in Congfefs take place, which perhaps now
on tint account, will immediately be done, but would
otherwise have been fuffered to Sleep undikurbed for ma
ny months. lam exceedingly well acquainted witu the
charalters of the Lee's, and Know them to be a&uated by'
such base principles, and full of such artifice and intrigue,
that no new proof was necessary to fix my opinion. Per
haps this production, and what we are to expert will .fol
low from Mr. Deane, will determine the sentiments of
people at large. I had long seen the impropriety of in
truftihg tote secrets of America with men of fut charac^
ters, but it was not to be prevented. R. H. Lee's interest
in Cangrefs, joined to that of the Eastern states, was too
great to be withstood. Besides this, all the inflammatory
news from Britain (and much falfity came through their
hands) for which they were to be rewarded, and now it
seems they relent, and with to carry things backwards,
as it frightened them with steps they had taken. Between
falfe friends and designing. foreign ministers, I wifli poor
America may survive long. For your amusement, I fend
yen the Baltimore paper, with Deane's firft piece in it."
In a letter from C. Braxton to Mess. Clifford and
Tyssett, merchants of Amsterdam, dated the 27th of
Dec. 1778, written by the fame hand as the other, a copy
of which appears to have been sent by the Willis, Capt.
Chamberlayne, after giving directions about the tuition of
his ion, arid other business, it is said; %I Ihall esteem
myself happy to improve this clandestine correspondence
till the pride of Great Britain Should be so humbled as to
permit our free ,trade to all nations, and then we may ex
tend it in any manner, and to great lengths, by a firm
and confident connexion between us. No doubt is made,
in America but that the will surely attain her great object
of independence, in a little time. Of this lam not very
sanguine, but exped the time is far distant for this ac
kn^wleig^ent. I know so much of the power of Gr at-
Britain, and their national charader, that if in this con
test tuey are not deserted by their continental allies, we
are not yet in the meridian of the war. If their cunning
has not failed them, they have certainly now formed a
powerful confederacy against the House of Bourbon, and
a general war will probably be the result. I doubt not
their measures are by this time determined, and put in
motion. F ^his as it may, America is so determined
that the I 1 Jeve, would rather be reduced to her original
chaos than relinquish that point the has solemnly declared
for, and so nobly bled. These being the sentiments of
America, and your vicinity to Britain affording you the
event of their councils, you may readily, pronounce whe
ther war or peace is to be our portion."
ty E hereby certify, that we have compared the fore
going extracts and letter with those entered in Mr.
Carter Braxton's letter book, which we are persuaded are
there fairly entered, and that the fame are literally extract
ed and cpel Given under our hands at Williamiburg,
this 15th day of March, 1779. James Mercer.
James M'Clurc.
James Innes.
West Point, Mareb 17, 1779.
7 DO hereby certify, that I have lived with Carter
J Braxton, EQ; from the zoth day of April, 1777, ^
fu perintendant of his mercantile business ; that during this
time I have had free access to his letter book, and have
either seen or copied the mok of his letters, as well to fo
reign merchants as thole of America; that in all the let
ters I have copied or read, Mr. Braxton manifefted a
strong attachment to the independence of America, often
mentioning it as a point that he hoped America would ob
tain, and ought not relinquish ; that I have often observ
ed Mr. Braxton express a lively joy, both in his counte
nance and words, on any intelligence of the success of the
American arms; that I have read his letters from his
American and foreign correfporidents who have (when
they touched on political fubjeds) expreffhd a warm de
sire for the independence^ America,
George Seaton.
West Point, March 17, 177,.
I HAVE lived with Carter Braxton, Esq; upwards of
twelve months past, and afted in the capacity of a
book-keeper, and from the number of letters I have copi
ed to his foreign and American correspondents, I have
teafen to believe him a real friend to America.
PHILADELPHIA, April s.
Extras of a letter from Baltimore, April 2.
“ T have just time to inform you of my arrival here
from Martinico, in the schooner Expedition, which place
I left the nth ult. in company with eight other rebels,
Edward Cary.
“ M. de Kerfin, Lieutenant in the navy, has made
prize of two vessels last weak; one a merchant cutter, call
ed the Eliza, of 28 twelve pounders, the had 14.0 men;
the cargo coofiked of wine and cloth, to the value of
25,-00 livres. She has a copper bottom. The other is a
privateer of eighteen guns and seventy-six men. Some
American privateers have sent in two prizes from Halifax,
laden with fifh and lumber.
“ The Minerva hath carried another English frigate of
twenty four guns into Cape Francois. The abilities of the
Captain saved her from being taken by a ship of war and
three frigates, by which she was furprized in a calm.''
The Captain of a sloop, arrived at Baltimore in twenty
two days from Martinique, informs, that sickness hath
made akonifhing ravages in the British fleet and army at
St. Lucie ; that the squadrons are reckoned to be of about
equal force; that the French frigates are continually at
sea, and often fight with those of the English; that one of
the former hath taken a frigate of twenty-fix guns; fur
ther, that the Situation of the French is in every refped
fatisfaaory to them, and they appear to be perfe&ly easy
upon the success of the operations which Admiral Byron
pretends to be about to undertake.
We are informed from France, by way of Martinique,
that they learn by a Portuguese fllip from India, that the
English have commenced hostilities against the French
Since the month of April. Afhip of war and a frigate, at
that time attacked le Brillant of seventy-sour guns, com
manded by M. Tronjoly, who drove them off. We are
also informed, that they labour hard to repair and arm
the forty five privateers of force which the royal navy
hath taken from the Englifli, and that the greater part of
these vessels will be in a condition to put to sea on a cruize
in a short time.
In COUNCI L, Philadelphia, April 6, 1779.
Ordered, That on Monday next this Council will prb
ceed to nominate and appoint the officers of marines, on
board the ship General Green ; and that notice thereof be
given in the public papers, in order that officers who
chufe to render their Service on this occasion, may have
an opportunity so to do.
Extract from the Minutes,
T. MATLACK, Secretary.
AT a General Court Martial, held by order of Bri
gadier General Hogan, 2d April, 1779, at Phila
delphia—Lieut. Col. William Lee Davidson, President.*
EnSign Robert Rice, of the tenth Pennsylvania regi
ment, tried,
First, Neglect of duty.
Second, For repeated disobedience of orders, in not
joining his regiment.
Third, Misapplying the public money, received for the
recruiting service.
Fourth, Negled of fettling his recruiting accounts, af
ter repeated orders.
Fifth, For behaving unbecoming an officer and gentle
man by breaking his arrest.
Ensign Rice plead guilty to three charges, viz. firft, se
cond and fourth, but denied the third and fifth.—The
Court, after mature deliberation, find Bnfign Rice guilty
of the third and fifth, and Sentence him unanimously to
be compelled to fettle his accounts with the public, and be
cashiered.
March 9.
" The convoy so much desired from France, has just
arrived well accompanied.
" The islands of St. Martin and St. Bartholomew,
which the English had taken from us, are retaken without
difficulty by three of ®ur frigates, which hath tarniShed
the triumph of our enemies upon that inconsiderable
event;
be depended on in Martinico.
February 25.
" His Majeky's ships le Robufte, of seventy-sour guns,
commanded by M. the Count de &raffe, Commodore ; le
Magnifique, of seventy-sour, by M. de Bruche; le Dau
phin Royal, of seventy, by M. de Millon ; and le Ven
geur, of sixty-sour, by M. de Retz, wiiich left Brest the
74th of January, arrived at Fort Royal the 10th instant ;
they had on board the second regiment of Champagne,
850 recruits, and a company of miners."
March 6.
“ We learn that Admiral Byron on his fide has receiv
ed a reinforcement, but we are ignorant of the force. He
hath not as yet undertaken any operation, but only made
two forties with nine ships and returned the next day. He
has not indeed troops enough to make conquests and keep
them. Sickness continues to make great ravages among
those who are at St. Lucie."
By letters from St. Euftatia we learn, that on the second
ult. the Hibernia, of fourteen guns, but had only eight
mounted, Capt. Collins, from this port for TenerifF, was
attacked by a British sloop of war, of fourteen guns and
eighty men, who, after running along fide of Capt. Col
lins, and keeping up the action for four hours and an naif,
thought it most. prudent to Sheer off. He attempted at
one time to board Capt. Collins; but found him too well
prepared with close quarters. Capt. Collins had almost
all nis rigging (hot away, one man killed, his third mate,
gunner, and several others, wounded. Capt. Collins,
since the above action, has arrived fafeat St. Euftatia,
having Sprung a leak soon after he left this port, which
obliged him to alter his voyage.
two of which, arffied brrgs convoyed us Trough the
islands, and coming through the passage, betwixt the Vir
gin islands and Porto Rico, tell in with a privateer brig of
eighteen guns, put of Antigua, and took her after an en
gagement of twenty-five minutes, killed eleven, and
wounded fourteen of her men. The loss on our fide was
three killed and four wounded. She was engaged and
taken by one of the brigs, mounting fourteen guns, before
the other could get up."
A gentleman arrived at Baltimore from Martinico,
which he left about the eleventh of March, informs, that
Count d'Estaing had received a reinforcement of four ships
of the line and one frigate, and that Admiral Barrington
had likewise received a reinforcement of four or five ships,
and that both fleets flill lay in port watching the motions
of each other.
Extracts from several letters written, by persons who may
General Hogan approves the Sentence, aad orders it to
take place immediately.
rf„r/oer $ U??.LEMENT to the aR, inf&i, " As
adl to regulate the militia of the Commonwealth of Penfo
fyroania,''.
WHEREAS it has been found by experience, that
the fines and penalties, laid on persons neglecting
t@ perform the military duties required by the afl to which
this is a Supplement, are insufficient for the good purposes
intended. For remedy whereof,
Be it enabled, and it is hereby enabled by the Repre
fentatnes of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Perrcffl
vauia, in General Afembly met, and by the authority of the
fame, That, from and after the publication of this a&, each
and every person or persons within this state, who Shall not
do and perform his or their tour of militia duty, as di
refted by law, Shall forfeit and pay the sum of One Hun
dred Pounds, iaftead of Forty Pounds heretofore imposed
by the former law, to be recovered in the fame manner
as fines for such neglects are dirtied to be recovered 4
and for all neglects in performing the other military Ser
vices required by the law to which this is a Supplement,
or any Supplement to the fame, Shall pay fix times what
they were by law obliged to pay, except the inhabitants
of the city of Philadelphia and the liberties thereof, who
fliall pay eight times the sum payable by the former laws
for all neglects aforefaid. And the Captain or Com
manding Officer of each company within this Rate, Shall,
in one hour after the time appointed for meeting, order
the roll or lift of names to be called, and the next field
day make a just return of each and every person absent
at roll call on any of the muster days, to the Command
ing Officer of the battalion to which he Shall belong, so
that the fines may be levied for his negle&; and if any
Captain or Commanding Officer Shall refufe or negled to
make such return, he fliall forfeit and pay for each negleft
or refufal Fifty Pounds, which, with all other fines under
this law, Shall be recovered in the fame manner as fines for
not performing their tour of militia duty. And the Com
manding Officer fliall, as soon after such return as conve
niently may be, make return to the Lieutenant or Sub-
Lieutenaht of the city or counties, so that the fame may
be recovered ; ahd for such negled or refufal, he Shall for
feit and pay the sum of One Hundred Founds.
AND WHEREAS Sufficient time has not, in some in
stances, been allowed for appeals. For remedy whereof,
Be it enabled by the authority aforefaid, That, from and
after the publication hereof, it fliall and rhay be lawful for
the Lieutenant or Sub-Lieutenants of the city of Phila
delphia, or any of the counties of this state, to appoint
any other day or days of appeal that he er they Shall
judge necessary for the doing of cornpleat justice to the
good people of this state.
AND WHEREAS by the laws heretofore in force, it
is not in the power of the Supreme Executive Council,
even in the time of the greatest danger, to draw into ser
vice more than a certain number of daffes, or she on? half
of the battalions or companies of militia : For remedy
whereof, ,
Be it enafled by the authority ajorefaid, Th-t in case ts- 4
the adual invasion of this Rate, or any part thereof, the
Supreme Executive Council are hereby authorized and
empowered to call into service any company or compa
nies, battalion or battalions of militia, as rr' y be most
convenient, or as the case may requite; any rag in the
ad for regulating the militia of this commonwealth, or
the several supplements thereunto, contained to the con
trary in anywise notwithstanding.
And for the encouragement of those brave men, who
Ihall turn out in defence of their country, Be it further
enabled by the authority aforefaid, That every militia man
of this state, who Shall turn out ip .his class, or otherways
according to law, and Shall serve his full tour of two
months, Shall have and receive the sum of Twenty Pounds
over and above the pay which such militia man is intitled
to receive by the laws heretofore in force, and in that pro
portion for any lesser time, if lawfully difeharged , which
Said overplus Shall be paid by the Pay-Makers of the mili
tia es the city and several counties of this State, out of the
fines which Inall be levied and colledad from delinquents by
this ad; which said Pay-Makers refpedively, on produc
ing an attested certificate from the Commanding Officer of
any such draught of militia to the Supreme Executive
Council, Shall receive an order on the State Treasurer for
such sum or fams as may appear to Cotincil to be due.
And be it further endued by the authority aforefaid, That,
from and after the publication of this a&, the Lieutenant
of the city of Philadelphia, and of each county of this
state, Shall be allowed for each day they ate adually em
ployed by virtue of this ad, the sum of Thirty-seven
Shillings and Sixpence; and every Sub Lieutenant within
this slate, fliall be allowed for each day they are actually
employed as aforefaid, the sum of Thirty Shillings, asd
no more.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
so much of the ad to regulate the militia of this common
wealth, and the several Supplements thereto, as is hereby
altered or supplied, is hereby declared to be repealed and
made void. JOHN BAYARD, Speaker.
Enabled into a law at Philadelphia, on Monday, the fifth
da, of April, One tboufand feoen hundred and fe<ven
t, nine. JOHN MORRIS, Jun.
Clerk of General Assembly.
An ACT to prevent the treftaffing upon the uninclofed
grounds lying in the townships of Pafjunk, Moyamenjing,
Northern Liberties and Germantown, in the count, of
Philadelphia.
WHEREAS the freeholders and inhabitants of the
townships of Paffyunk, Moyamenfing, Northern
Liberties, and Germantown, have fuffered considerable
damage by the enemy, during the time of their being
in possession of the city of Philadelphia, and parts adja
cent, particularly by the less of their fences and other in
clofures. AND WHEREAS it is difficult, if not
impossible at this time to repair the said damage, and
without the aid of the Legislature they would be disabled
from cultivating their lands and supplying the said city
with hay, and vegetables as usual.
Be it therefore enabled, and it is hereby enabled by the
Representatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and by the authority
of the lame, That from, and after the publication of thia
Ad, no horse, mare, gelding, cow, ox, bull, Sheep, or
ether cattle, Shall be fuffered between fun set and fun-rife
to run or go at large within the said townffiips of Paffyunk,
MoyamrnflHQ the Northern Liberties and Germantown