The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-10-10 00:00:00, page 2

From the Political Magazine for June, 1782.
STATE PAPERS.
SuhOance of the Correspondence between lord George
Germain, fir Henry Clinton, earl Cornwallis, rear
admiral Graves, &-c. &c. &c. laid before the House
of Lords, on the late enquiry into the loss of earl
Cornwallis's Army at York-Towa, in Virginia.
SubHance of a secret letter from lord George Germain
to fir Hentry Clinton, dated Whitehall, July 4, 1780.
written in answer to one from fir Henry from Char
leftown.
^^ H E king has read, with great fatisfadion, fir
Henry's secret letter, dated the 14th of May,
containing his reliance on the loyalty of the inhabi
tants of South Carolina, though his judicious attenti
on to their fafety had induced him to repress their zeal,
until his success at Charleftown should be fare. That
as fir Henry proposed, not only to leave a fufficient
force with lord Cornwallis for the defence of South Ca
rolina and Georgia, but also for active operations, the
inhabitants could not dotfbt of permanent proteaion ;
and his lordship trusted that lord Cornwallis would re
move all obfiruaions between them and the king's
troops ; and then, that they would not hesitate to a
vow their loyalty,and arm themselves for there-esta
blishment of the confiitution, and tiie restoration of
such a date of tranquility and good order, as might
incline fir Henry and admiral Arbuthnot, as his ma
jesty's commissioners, to refiore the province to the
peace of the king. That M. de T rnay had failed for
America, but as admiral Graves's ships were copper
bottomed, and as he was not incumbered with any con
voy, it was not doubted he would reach America firft.
On admiral Graves's arrival, admiral Arbuthnot would
be superior in force, therefore, M. de Ternay must
quit America, or take shelter in Boston harbour. " In
" any of these cases (fays his lordfllip to fir Henry)
" I trust you will find an opportunity of prosecuting
" your plan in the Chefapeak, from the success of
" which, added to the reduction of Carolina, I am
" fangoine enough to expe& the recovery of the whole
" of the south rn provinces in the course of the cam
" paign." The letter concludes with mentioning that
the British and German recruits would fail from Ports
mouth in a few days.
Lord George Germain to earl Cornwallis, dated Nov.
9tr, 1780.
Contains mofl deserved compliments to his lordship,
his officers and troops, for the victory gained at Cam
den on the 16th of Augufl, and desires his lordship to
place the conduH of civil matter, into their former
channel, as far as he shall judge expedient. Lord G.
Germain waited with impatience to hear that fir Hen
ry Clinton and admiral Arbut not had found means
to fend a force into the Chefapeak to co-operate with
his lordship.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, dated
Whitehall, January 3, 1781.
Mentions the receiving his dispatches by lieutenant
colonel Hope. That high expectations had been form
ed?from the expedition into the Chefapeak, not only as
a co operation with lord Cornwallis by facilitating
his progress through North Carolina, but in reducing
the rebel force, cutting off their resources encourag
ing the loyalists to take up arms, and in conjunction
with the troops doing their utmost to deliver themselves
from the rebel tyranny ; fir Henry would ther fore rea
dily conceive how great must have been the concern
and disappointment at finding that colonel Ferguson's
misfortune was of such fatal confluence, as to make
it neceffaay for lord Cornwallis to order general Leslie
from the Chefapeak to proce d to Cape Fear river, in
stead of advancing by, James's river and crossing Vir
ginia, and that the uneasiness was encreafed by no at
tempt having been made to destroy the rebel Hores at
Pererfburgh, or to cut off any supplies intended for
Gates's army. His lordship feared the fecondaban
donment of Portsmouth would be produflive-of the
worst effects, by destroying all confidence in th? inha
bitants of receiving permanent fuccour, and would
of course render them more backward every where of
espousing our cause on any occasion. That the French
if they lent any troops to North America in the spring,
would probably pursue their former purpose, fend a
part to the Chefapeak and secure that important post,
when they heard we had abandoned it. His lordship
trusted that fir Henry would be able to fend another
detachment, and if he had deferred doing it, his lord
fhipfaid it was the king's pleasure he should carry it
into execution, whenever the king's service would ad.
mit of it. That as our enemies were encreafed by the
Dutch war, every exertion ought to be used to con
elude that with America, every faithful servant of the
crown and loyal fubjed was called upon to use his ut
mod for that purpose ; this country could not support
a protracted war, nor bear to have any considerable
part of t' e national Hrength to remain inactive
T:at iooo British recruits were embarking at Gravef
end to be f nt forward to Cork, to join the 3d, 19th
and 30th regiments under colonel Gould, to proceed
from thence to Charltftown.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, dated
Whiteha'l, February 7, 1781.
Had received his dispatches by major Erskine. It
had given his majesty particular fadsfaftion that fir
Henry was to replace general Leflie' detachment on
Elizabeth river, by one under general 'Arnold, with
positive orders to establish a permanent post there.
Hoped fir Henry would undertake further a&ive ser
vices ; learned with great pleasure from private letters
seven days lat r than the last dispatches, that he was
embarking troops; flattered himfelf that they were a
gainst Maryland and Pennsylvania, whilst lord Corn
wallis and general Arno d were subduing Virginia : that
the low condition of the authority add finances of the
congress, and the weak slate of Wafliington's army,
gave little profpea of great opposition in that quarter;
and none that could refill such a force as might be as
sembled there, without the least hazard to New York
or Charleftown.--Wefterly winds kept the transports
with the recruits at Portsmouth, but they would fail
the moment the wind permitted. The ordnance Hore
flop with 5000 Band of arms being Bill in the river, he
had ordered 3090 Hand by land carriage to Portsmouth
to be Flipped in the transports, as he understood they
were much wanted for arming the loyalists. They were
addressed to the commander of the forces in South-Ca
rolina.
Lord George Germain to earl Cornwallis, March 7,
1781.
Had received his lordship's dispatch of the 18th De
cember ; the reasons assigned for calling general Leslie
from Virginia, were founded in wisdom, and could not
fail of being approved by the king ; doubted not from
his lordfllip's distinguished abilities and zeal but by this
time North-Caro'na was recovered to his majefly, and
even hoped that the recovery of part of Virginia would
crown his successes before the end of the campaign.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, March 7,
' 1781.
It was his majefly's pleasure that no provincial regi
ment should be recommended to him for permanent
rank and half pay, unless actually complete to ten
companies, 70 men each rank and file w th a due pro
portion of officers.
That the revolt of the Fennfylvania line and Je fey
brigade, though not attended witn all the good con
sequences that might have been expeHed, must have
extensive effects in reducing Washington's present force
and preventing new levies; therefore his lordship did
not doubt but fir Henry would avail himfelf of this
great superiority and fend a considerable force to the
head of the Chefapeak, when the season permitted. He
flattered himfelf the foufhern provinces would be reco
vered to obedience before the long promised fuccours
could arrive from France, as none of them were yet
failed. He was anxious to hear of lord Cornwallis's
progress since general Leslie joined him : he had no
doubt but his lordship's movements would be rapid and
decisive, as his lordship seemed fully impressed with the
absolute necessity of vigorous exertions, in the service
of his country in its present circumstances. That gene
ral Arnold's success on James river, must facilitate his
lordship's operations, by cutting off Greene's supplies,
and obliging the militii to return and take care of
their own property. That it was a ple sing, though
at the fame time a mortifying circumstance, when the
duration of the rebellion was considered, that by the
return of the provincial forces transmitted by fir Hen
ry, it appeared t at the American levies in the king's
service, were more in number than the whole inlifled
troops in the service of the congress. That the westerly
winds detained the transports at Plymouth.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, March
21, 1781.
Mentions a German corps and recruits, amounting
to 2600, assembling at Br-mer Lehe for embarkation.
That it was the king's wish, by every means in his pow
er, to encreafe the strength of fir Henry's army, that
he m ghtavail himfelf of it next campaign, which from
his exertions, it was hoped would be the last.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, April 4,
1781.
Had received fir Henry's letters of the 24th of Fe
bruary, and was much alarmed at colonel Tarleton's
having received a check, but by dispatches from lord
Cornwallis, received three days after, had the fatisfafti
on to find that his lordship's operations had not been
suspended, and that two advantages had been obtain
ed over the rebels, in one of which colonel Tarleton
commanded. The success in Virginia had given gene
ral and great fatisfaHion, and it was his majefly's
pleasure, that brigadier general Arnold, co one! Simcoe,
and the officers and soldiers, should be acquainted,
that treir conduft and behaviour were approved by
his majefly. That private accounts represented the
colonies r<fufig to obey the usurped powers, eagerly
soliciting for arms, and an opportunity of using them
I for the restoration of the constitution; that the low
condition of Wellington's army rendered the oppor
tunity of assisting them as favourable as could be will
ed. Intelligence from France gave reason to believe
that no part or the land and sea f rce so long prepar
ing at Brest, would be sent directly to North America.
The count de Graffe with 26 fail cf the line, and from
7to i2,0c0 laud forces, wre said to have failed the
22d of March. Six of these Clips and 3000 of the
troops were for the Bast-Indies, and all the others for
the Weft-Indies. That the htenefs of the season
would probably prevent M. de Graffe from attempting
any conqueftsin the Weft-Indies; but it was probable
as soon as he had thrown supplies into the federal
islands, he would proceed to North-America, join the
French at Rhode Island, and endeavour to revi e the
expiring cause of rebellion ; but as fir George Rodney's
force was but little inferior to his, and as that admiral
would be watchful of his motions, his lordship did not
apprehend fir George would give him time to do any
material injury, before he came to fir Henry's fuc
cour.
From the New York Packet, of August 29, 1782.
printed at F Ih-Kili.
The following is a copy of General Orders issued by
Sir Guy Carleton, in the year 1776.
" Parole Sr. Jerome: Countersign, Paris.
U IS excellency general Carleton orders, that the
commanding officers of corps will take especial care
every one under their command be informed, that let
ters or messages from rebels, traitors in arms against
their king, rioters, diflurbers of the public peace, plun
derers,' robbers, assassins or murderers, are on no oc
casion to be admitted; if the special emissaries from
such lawless men again presume to approach the army,
whether under the name of flags er truce or ambassa
dors (except when they come to implore the king's
mercy)their persons shall be immediately seized and com
mitted to close confinement, in order to be proceeded
against as the law dire&s ; their papers and letters,
for whomsoever, even for the commander in chief, are
to be delivered into the hands of the provost marlhal,
flat, unread and unopened, they may be burnt by the
hands of the common hangman.
GENERAL ORDERS.
( To be Continued. )
" At the fame time the commander in chief expels
that the assassination of brigadier general Gordon,
not the late notorious breach of faith, in resolving
not to return the troops and Canadians taken at St.
John's, in exchange for those rebels who fell into the
hands of savages at the Cedars or Qumzecheins, pur
chased from them at a great price, and restored to
their country on those express conditions, be not im
puted to the provinces at large, but to a few dfign
ing men, who firft deceived them step by st e p, milled
the multitude to the brink of ruin ; afterwards usurp
ed authority, and then eftabli&d a despotic tyranny
not to be borne ; and now wantonly and foolifhly en
deavour to provoke the falling the blood of their un
happy countrymen of this continent in hopes of co
vering their own guilt, in confirming their tyranny by
the general deftrudion of their country—Let aeir
crimes pursue these faithlefs, bloody minded men, who
assert that black is white, and white black. It belongs
to Britons to distinguish themselves not less by their
humanity than valour: it belongs to the king's troops
to save the blood of his deluded fubjeas, whose great
est fault, perhaps, is having been deceived by such
men to their own destruction : it belongs to the crown,
'tis the duty of all faithful servants of the crown, to
ref ue from oppression and refiore to liberty, the once
ha ppy> free and loyal people of this continent."
Mr. Loudon,
YOU have here a copy of general Carleton's orders,
issued in Canada, to the army under his lieutenant
general Burgoyne's command, in August, 1776 It
may not be amiss that the real sentiments of a person
should be known, who stands in the light that fir Guy
Carleton at present does, with regard to us: these or
ders will conduce to^that end. This performance was
penned at a time when he was in the high career of suc
cess ; driving from his then government a debilitated
army, and all appearance of opposition at an end, he
had no reason to disguise ; and it may very naturally
be supposed his orders spoke the real did tes of his
heart ; strongly marking his opinion of us, and of
our honourable sovereign rulers ; it is the haughty
language of his court, and conveys their true senti
ments, such as they still retain, and would this mo
ment avow, if they were not Rruck politically dumb
by the present posture of affairs ; and, from what we
have seen, we may venture to assert, that cruel oppres
sion and haughty insolence would paint their present
conduct, did not a fear of not succeeding in their pre
sent manoeuvres, repress the measure. The mode of
attack is changed, and we are now to be soothed ani
foftened into terms, which all the lust of despotic domi
nion, enforced by the power of fleets and armies, could
not accomplish. But beware of the wolf in Bleep's
cloathing! this very person, who fired on all flags
of truce, contrary to the law of nations, and w. s for
imprisoning our ambassadors, and burning our
letters and papers by the hands of the common
hangman; now, on his return to America, him
felf, fends out a flag, and begs an interview, by
his secretary, with those faithlefs, bloody mind
ed men: and it is said * Mr. Grenville is gone to
France, to offer terms to some others of these very per
sons. He tells us, Mr. Grenvile has power to offer in
dependence to the thirteen united provinces! I detest
the name ; the very word implies fubjeftion ; even the
idea is an insult. Their policy then is, that since they
cannot make us slaves to the British parliament, we
must be fubje&s of the British king; he is to be su
preme head of his thirteen provinces; by his sacred
prerogative he is to reject our bills, coin our money,
form treaties and alliances, declare war, make peace,
fend ambassadors, establish courts, appoint officers,
command our armies, possess our forts and garrisons,
&c. &c. &c. &0. and finally, have the care of all our
estates, as being ideots or lanaticks, for having con
ferred to the proposition. Such hopes are vain ! Such
condud is ridiculous! The business is plain and sim
ple ; they have ben told it over and over again. Let
them lay aside their fine spun politics, read our declara
tion of independency, and peruse our treaties with fo
reign powers, and then acknowledge us thirteen
FREE, SOVI REIGN, ABSOI UTE AND UNLIMITED, IN
DEPENDENT states. They may turn and twist, and
make wry faces, but they must gulp down the pill at
last, be it ever so bitter : and if it sets uneasy upon
their flomachs, we will alleviate their pains, by nego
cja'ting a peace with them, in conjunaion with that
grrat and generous monarch, the to be ever refpeaed
king of France and our &t er allies.
AEYDENUS.
* This Mr. Grenville was the projedor of the
flamp ad, and has been at the bottom of every other
a& of the Bririfh parliament, that has rendered them
so obnoxious to every honest American.
L O N D O N, July 16.
A Correspondent begs leave to remind lord Afllbur
ton of his declaration some time ago in the house of
commons, that “ the man who moved for American
independency, would be guilty of a crime much great
er than high-treason." Lord Afhburton was, when he
delivered that opinion, plain Mr. Dunning;it is there
fore possible that a change of circumflances may have
worked a revolution in his principles, and that he is
now for the measure. To speak diredly and une
quivocally to the point, our correspondent asserts, that
provided lord Afhburron wishes to fupporta consistent
charter with the people, he must impeach the man
who sirs l proposes rhe independency of the colonies;
his declaration is not of long Handing, and no change
has since happened in the political hemisphere to war
rant hi* giving up so decided an opinion.
Mr. Fox thought proper lately to declare in the
house of commons; that lord Shelburne had given up
his former sentiments refpe&ing American independen
cy, and that he was now decidedly of opinion, we
ought to relinquish any further claim of sovereignty
over the colonies. His lordship, it seems, was extreme
ly displeased at Mr. Fox's premature conduct on this
occasion, as he had not authorifed the secretary to an
nounce any opinion of this tendency in the lower house