The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-05-12 00:00:00, page 2

Mr. PRINTER.
TIAVING f<>me opportunities to donverfe with
gentlemen in office, and become acquainted with
fafts, I cannot but think it a duty to furnifh an anti
dote for the poison, which a Citizen of Philadelphia
has endeavoured to convey in the Freeman's Journal
of last Wednesday. I doubt not every good citizen
already resents the indecency of the performance, as
well as its mdlignaat tendency to involve the city in
tumult and confufion, notwithstanding the peaceable
profeffions of its author. A very able writer informs
us, “ That he who attempts to perfwade the people
'' they are not well governed, is sure of attention."
Guided by decency and truth, it is a laudable atten
tion, which ought never to be laid aside in a free go
vernment : but when this perfwafion is attempted by
misrepresentation of fails, whether through ignorance
or design, t^e reviler of government will be detestable
in the eyes of God and man.
But to proceed with our remarks. The writer sets
out with a complaint, that eleven (hillings out of ever,
pound of his crtlh is annihilated; and in a succeeding
paragraph very confidently complains of the council,
for not raising the exchange higher, by which, in-
Bead of eleven (hillings, they would have taken twelve
Shillings from him. His argument is, that the rate of
exchange w~as higher on the second inflant than 175,
and the council ought to have fixed it accordingly,
viz. at 220, which would have added to his loss if any.
As he has probably (peculated in hard money largely
the last month, he may be know the rates better than
the council, who neither, being traders in any refpe&,
much less (peculators, can only form their judgment
from the virtuous part of the community with whom
they Converse, who repr^fented the exchange as Vari
able from 150 to 200, and even to 225, when an emis
sary of fir Henry Clinton was employed, or the distress
of some bleeding family, obliged them to give any
price for gold and silver, to fend to a (offering child
or husband on board the prison fllip in New-York.
But was there no refyed to be paid in this case to the
state of New-J^rfey, so intimately connected with us
in friendfhip and intercourse, or were we to play the
back game of (peculation on them, that our Citizen
and his virtuous associates might centinue the infa
mous traffic on the east fide of the Delaware. The
council therefore properly took 175, as the rate which,
in their judgment, und p r all circumflances, was con
fident with the convenience of the people and the aft
of assembly, which does not mention the most current
rate, but simply the rate of exchange.
But our Citizen tells us, the council should have
confuted the merchants on the occasion. As he is
Dot probably among the most refpeflable of that num
ber, he may be unacquainted, that the council have,
as far as in their power, availed themselves of their
assistance, and fought information through this very
chanriel ; and I am authorized to fay, that the most
refpe&able merchants in this city, (and there were se
veral confuted in April last,) agreed in continuing
the exchange at 75, and yet this hands equally repro
bated by our Citizen. Iftherefore council have a&ed by
the very opinion which this author has recommended,
what mud we (ay to his ignorance, or his wickedness,
who has charged the council with falfehood and in
consistency, in a decision upon principles, which he
declares to be the most proper and perfect, the nature
of the case will admit. But our Citizen is equally ig
norant of other fads, when he fays, the council have
published a falfe exchange for three successive months.
The assembly declared the exchangeon the firfl of Fe
bruary at 75. In March it is not pretended there
was any material difference. In April it was conti
nued at 75, as I have firft itated. In Ma, the diffe
rence was notorious ; in the market, in (hops, and in
deed every where; Jersey publicly declared it, eve
ry oneacknowledged it, and had any of my readers
gone to purchase a barrel of fifh, or a box of fpermaceti
candles of our Citizen he would have found a hard
money price, and a continental money price at an ex
change of 220 by his own account. How therefore is
the buyer a loser ? The barrel of fifh or box of can
dles were no more attainable for 175 continental dol
lars twenty days ago, than they are now. For I can
never confider the reluctance to receive old money at
all a natural consequence of the resolution, or it
would have flopped e fewhere, as well as here, and
how a man can fuffer by declaring the exchange at
175, when he could not before purchase for less than
200, is a mystery to me beyond all myfleries. I ex
cept in the payment of tax-s or fines, there indeed
the assessment being in continental money, one state
dollar at 75 for one would now pay what would have
taken two state dollars before: Thus relieving the to
ries from double taxes and laying them on the whigs,
which the depreciation has ever done, and the disap
pointment in this is the real and true cause of much
of the clamour.
He next admits, that if the fad is truly Bated,
g< That the exchange has been rising for some time,
" and no one could pay or receive at 75 for one, the
" council have done right." But this he denies in
the most abusive terms. Let us therefore examine
the faft. He declares the exchange to have been 220
on the second of May; was it so one two or three
weeks ago? Wid he pretend it? If not, it must
have been rising, and so far as relates to hard mo
ney, the assertion of the council he admits to be true ;
but he fays, that the exchange between state money
and old continental was not more than seventy five;
But what has this to do with the ad of council or
their publication, which has not state money in con
templation ? The law having expressly declared, that
the rate of exchange between hard money and old
Continental, is the rate to be published. To charge
a public body with insult and falfhood,. for declaring
the exchange betwen specie and paper at 175, when h
declares it to be 220, because state money did not pass
at the rate of 175, and whole comparative value with
old continental might be less than 175, is a degree of
assurance seldom assumed by any writer.
Had the ad of assembly required the council to
publjfh the difference of exchange between state mo
ney and old continental, this observation would
have applied, but this is not the,cafe, the compa
rative rate of hard money with the old continental
was pointed out by law, as the object of inquiry and
publication, and if there is any inference affecting the
state money, it is an inference of the law and not an
aft of the council. It is not presumable t: e council
knew the difference of exchange between Bate mo
ney and old continental, as they were not bound to
make the enquiry ; they have certainly said nothing
about it, and therefore could have declared nothing
inconfifternt with tru.h on that fubjed. Be asserts,
that these resolutions have taken the bread of thou
sands, ruined those who had money in hand, reduced
the money in the treasury and for taxes to one half.
All which las confidently assert to be falfhoods. The
two firft may go to the treasury and receive money
made current by law, Which will procure as much real
value, as it probably would have done, if this reso
lution had not passed. For if there is any depreciation
on this money, it is the aft of the people. The trea
sury is really since benefited, as I am well informed,
more taxes have been paid in this city since last Wed
nesday than for a month before, which will be ex
changed at the continental treasury for the money of
the 18th of March. Indeed if out Citizen and his
associates are equally fuccefsful in ruining this, as they
have our continental, there is some reason to fear there
may be a temporary suspension of taxes, till a law is
passed to compel payment of all arrearages in money,
which difaffeaion and avarice cannot depreciate, and
this law, I hope, we (hall have spirit enough to en
force. But he fays, the defeent has been too rapid :
While the honeftwhig or simple tradesman is the prey
of the-difaffeaed and artful (harper, who watches the
changes of the money, all js well ; but whenever they
are put on their guard, when (peculation droops, then
clamour begins. But I ask in turn, has not th- de
preciation been rapid ? Since April the money ttaiy
flopped in Maryland by the authority of government.
Has not this and other circumflances madea great dif
ference here; but our confident Citizen would have
the council, for convenience fake, declare, what the ex
change was not, that he might have an opportunity to
arraign their truth and honour in a future news-paper.
Neither the circumflances of the case admitted, nor
were the minds of the people prepared for such an
event last month. The (peculation at Boston and
Rhode-lfland rather improved its credit here, and
had the council then published, as this writer con
tends, they would have been charged with counter
ading the appreciation of the money. If a number of
people chufe to go into a garret, and jump into the
Greet, I fee no harm in their neighbours publishing it
to the world. If our Citizen should actually do so,
and take force of his friends with him, I am perfwaded
he will render the public more service than all his per
formances even on finance will ever do.
But the answer to the council's last reason, is very
extraordinary ; and I beg my readers will give it their
attention : After acknowledging, that the Jersey people
could get our ftaterooney at 75 for 1, he fays, we could
play t e (peculation back again, by carrying the Jer
sey money over the Delaware and felling it at 150 for 1.
Is this a traffic then, which public councils are to pro
mote and encourage ? Are fiates to (peculate upon
each other, and make this infamous intercourse a
ground of public judgment ? They would indeed de
serve all the abuse thi writer has thrown upon them,
and villainy would become fah&ified by public au
thority. Be: what money is to be purchased in Jersey ?
They have no state money, properly so called, (except
a film for change,) not exceeding 30,000!. but the new
Continental, for the punctual and honourable redemp
tion of which, we, as a member of the union, are as
much engaged eventually, as the state of New Jersey.
If a man receives a state dollar of Pennfylvanii, the
state exclusively is bound to make it good to him, or
break its faith. If he receives a new continental dol
lar, all the United States, and ours among the rest, is
bound to make it good in the last inflance. So that
our Citizen would have public authority concur in a
(peculation, in which we are to take certain thare of
the loss. This is indeed the most extraordinary pro
pofal to a man to cheat himfelf, that ever entered into
the head of any man capable o' writing in a news
paper. But it may be said, we (hall only cheat our
selves out of one eighth, and the other Rates out of
(even eighths. To this argument I have nothing to
offer, while honefly and virtue are deemed of any
consequence among mankind.
But the conclusion of this performance, is, if pos
sible, more furprizing than even the preceding part.
After the most illiberal abuse of a public body, whole
disinterested services for the state should entitle them
at least to good manners, if not refpeft, this writer
frankly acknowledges, that the fault is in the law, and
that the assembly have required of council an impos
sibility. If so why did he not apply his observations
to the law, why did he not, while the assembly was
fitting, employ himfelf in representing the impractica
bility of such a law, and if they would not have re
pealed it, his indecency would have had some pallia
tion, tho' nothing can juftify scandal.
And now having, I trust, vindicated the council,
from the aspersions of this writer, for the information
of our friends in the country, who may not know what
kind of citizens we have in Philadelphia, I would inform
them that we have (to our shame be it spoken) we have
citizens who have evaded every regulation made in
the public cause, while committees had tee direction
of our opposition to Great-Britain, who, under pre
tences of carrying floor to our differing friends,
flipped into an English market. Who, after bellowing
loudly for independence, chearfully remained with the
British troops, in this city, enjoying a friendly and
confidential intercourse with them and their adherents ;
but finding America likely to prevail, and the proba
bility of an evacuation, they follicited a temporary col
lufive confinement, and have been ever since croaking
difaffeaion or difeontent. And yet these men who
owe their lives to the lenity of the people, and their
property to the protection of government, not only
walk openly among us, but commence revilers of that
very government. Rivington, lam persuaded, will pay
bis best refpeas to such a writer, bis prtfs will not L,
necessary for the purpose of British government, if
such publications and such citizens can find favour iff
the eyes of the people of Pennsylvania.
TIMOLEON.
RI C HMO ND, (Virginia) April 21."
To the Honourable the Members of the 'General
Assembly of VIRGINIA.
Gentlemen,
PERMIT me to assure you that the very high honour
1 conferred on me by the two houses of affembly^
have made a deep impreffen on my mind, and call
ed for my warmed gratitude. The greatest reward a
soldier can receive, is to find that his conduct is ap
proved of, and publicly acknowledged, by his country,
and must be an add tional Simulation to his future ex
ertions. For my part I can only lament that my ser
vices have not been more important, and that they
have never equalled the wishes of my heart—A heart
anxioufiy felicitous for the good of America, and
which will ever be ready to bleed in her battles.
I (hall ever think myfelf happy, if through my fee
xble exertion/, I may render such effemial services to
my county, as to merit her ap^laufe, and prove my
felf not unworthy of the honour at this time confer
red on me.
With peculiar pleasure shall I convey to the brave
officers and soldiers, who fought with me on the 17th
of January, this honourable teflimony of the high
estimation in which the houses of assembly of Virginia
hold their valour and services on that occasion.
Colonels Carey and Lee, (peakers of the two houses
of assembly, will now permit me, to thank them for
the very polite manner in,which they have executed
the order of the twa houses, Give me leave to assure
you, gentlemen, that your wifli for the refioration of
any health, claims and receives the warmest returns-
However fmad my services may be, they proceed from
the bed intention, and I impatiently wait the period
when I may once more render them to my country-
That time I hope is not far difiant. I have the ho
nour to be, with every sentiment of esteem, your obe
dient and very humble servant,
DANIEL MORGAN.
Philadelphia, May 12.
Extrad of a letter from major general Baton Steuben,
dated " On the road from Petersburg to Chefterfield
court h use, ten miles from Pvterfburg, April 25, 1781#
“ On the 24th, I reconnoitre d the enemy 's fleet, thea
lying off Leftover, and cot filling of 13 topsail vessels,
and 23 flat bottomed borts full of men, the number of
troops on board I judgd to be about 2500 men. The
fame day the fleet flood up the river. I therefore or
dered general Muhlenberg to move up as high as the
vicinity of Blandford. In theevening toe enemy landed
their whole forceat City Point, which fully evinced tha^
their firft object was Petersburg. Being obliged to fend
large detachments to the next land between James and
Appamatoc rivers, I had not more than one thousand
men left, to oppose the enemy's advance. I determined
however, te defend the place as far as our inferiority
of numbers would permit, and made choice of Bland
ford so, the place of defence, and the bridge of Pocohur#
ta's for our retreat. The troops were disposed accor
dingly, and passed the night under arms.
" This morning I was informed that the enemy were
within three miles of ouradvanc&d poft,and that eleven
flat-bottom boats were moving up Appamatoc river#
Towards noon they came in fight, formed, and display
ed to their left; but it was near three o'clock before the
firing commenced, which continued from post to post
till pas lfive; when the superior numbers of the enemy
obliged me to order a retreat, and the bridge to be taken
up, which was executed in the greatest order, notwith
(landing the fire of the enemy's cannon and mufketry#
With the fame good order the troops retreated to thia
place, where they are just encamped. lam not yet a
ble to afeertain our loss, but believe it not to be great-
I do not think the enemy took a single prisoner. Of
the enemy's loss I can form no judgment.
" General Muhlenl erg merits my particular acknow
ledgments for the good difpofitien he made, and the
great gallantry with which he executed it. Indeed the
gallant conduf f of all the officers, and the particular
good behaviour of ths men,mufti, I am persuaded, have
attr ^ed the admiration of the enemy.
“ I have the pleasure to fay, that our troops disput
ed the ground inch by inch and executed their ma
noeuvres with great exaftnefs." Published by Order,
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec.
By the United States, in Congress assembled,
April sth, 1781.
Resolved, THAT the president transmit the thanks
of the United States in Congress assembled to thecount
de Rochambeau and the chevalier Deftooches, com
manders of the army and fleet sent by His Most Chris
tian Majesty to the succor o f his allies, for the zeal and
vigilance they have, on every occasion, manifested, to
fulfil the generous intentions of t^eir Sovereign and the
expectations of these States : That he present them par
ticular thanks to the chevalier Deflouches, and the
officers and men under his command, for the bravery,
firmnefs, and good conduit displayed in the late en
terprize again ft the enemy at Portsmouth, in Virgin a ;
'in which, although the accomplishment of the object
was prevented by unforeften events, the arduous con
test so gallantly and advantageously maintained on
the 16th of March last, off the capes of Chefapeak
bay, against a superior British fleet, does honour to
the arms of His Most Christ an Majesty, andisa hap
py preface of decilive advantages to the United States.
Extrad from the minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON",decretory.
To this Vote of Thanks, the count de Rochambea%
returned the following Answer.
•' Newport, April 13, 1781.
"Sir,
"TF I have been so happy as to dTere your ex
cellent y*s approbation, and that &<'Congrefs, it is oily