The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-12-15 00:00:00, page 3

proper time to relieve their country from a set of
wretches, to expefe whom we will never desist from,
till they are laid proflrate at the ftirine of public justice,
an event which all good men devoutly wish for!
When it is cenfidered, with what care individuals at
tend to their own private eflates, it is a matter of real
astonishment, that tie wellfare of their country is not
more immediately 'the object of their confederation.
What lignifies it to be looking after a little sand, or
a parcel of houses, and to be so anxious, as we are,
in keeping them in repair, if we neglefl that great
FREEHOLD of the fiate, of which the people 01. En
gland alone are the hereditary and lawful proprietors.
The ministry are on y so many ftewarts puiti for tsk
ing care of it, and if instead of doing their duty by
their imploye s, they study but to enrich thrmfelves
and relations, it is high time that their removal should
be infilled upon, and more faithful officers provided
There is iemething so truly great and noble in im
portant enterprizes, the success of which would add
to the glory and pr fperity of a country, that the fai
lure of them has hardly ever brought disgrace upon
the projectors. But the present weak and nefarious
administration have adually undone their country by
the prosecution of measures, the very 'uccefs of which
would inevitably have ruined us. The conquest of
America would not product, us a (hilling a year, but
probably mark the date of our own liberties; and yet
the attempting it, has not cost ns Ivfs than fory mil
lions of money, and fifteen ihonfand of our belltroops!
The late gallant conduit of the Dutch, i\ their en
gagement with admiral Parker, cannot fail to tetch us
a proper degree of humiliation, and to point out the ne
cessity of putting our navy into better hands.
As nothing is to be expected but from a faperior
fr t, it is high time lord Sandwich was displaced, and
a Howe or Keppel appointed in his f led, when it is
more than probable, we would not always have an in
ferior fleet.
St. Lucia is of the utmost consequence to us in time
of war, from its having the best harbour in the Weft-
Indies, and its contiguity to Grenada, St. Vincents,
Nartinico, and Guadeloupe, from which the French
cannot fend a (hip but it must be known at that island
.The naval reputation of the Dutch Hands higher by
the few occasions that have offered to invite their ex
ertions, than that of any of the belligerent powers.
Where the Appearance of force bn both sides has been
.nearly equal, their country hasheard no excuses of their
not being able to rea^h the retreating enmy nor any
Complaints of their (necking flights, or drawn battles.
The gallant captain Macartney, who fell so nobly
in the service of his country, was brother to lord Ma
cartney, who lately went out to India in quality of
g Pernor of Madras.
The brave Macartney, who commanded the Princess
Amelia, and was Killed in the late action with the
Dutch fort, r ceived an eighteen pounder in h s bread
on the second brokdfide, as he was (landing on the
quarterdeck; the body wasmangled iu a (hocking man
ner.
The gallant behaviour of the brave captain Macart
ney, unfortunately killed in the late aAion with the
Dutch fleet, justly demands a tear of gratitude from a
grateful nation ; the whole conduct of his life since he
has been in the navy, as an officer and feam/n, an ar
tist anda gentleman, gained him universal refpeft in
the line of his prafeffion. In memory to his character
we must do him the justice to rank him in the lift of
thof worthy British heroes, who had really the inter
est of their country at heart, and most gloriously fell
ip her defence.
The firft lieutenant of the Fortitude is madea cap
tain, in reward for his gallant behaviour during vice
admiral Parker's action with the Dutch on the Dogger
Lank.
The people in general seem to be exceedingly alarm
ed at a br.e gazette. It is the g neral opinion, that all
the difireffes we have laboured under, during the course
© this unfortunate war, are owing to our want of in
telligence. Admiral Pa ker at the conclusion of his let
ter, fays, “ the enemy's force was, I believe, much
superior to what their iordmips apprehended." Her?
an..bon^fl and brave seaman, in effect, declares his ap
prehenfiom, that the lords of the admiralty, on whose
good and wife conduit the glory and happiness of this
country io a grezt measure depend?, have, for want of
proper information, loft a glorious opportunity of dis
tressing the enemy. We (hall not comment on this
very extraordinary passage in the admiral's letter, as
the sovereign will, no doubt, make a proper enquiry
into the cause of our late milcarriage, and do his Cub
jells julice.
Extract of a genuine letter from an officer of one of his
majefiy's (hips, dated Barbadoes, June 29.
" The great Superiority of the enemy's fleet, has
thrown a damp not only on the Spirits of the planters,
who fee nothing before their eyes but the capture of the
whole Weil-India islands, but even the brazen fortitude
of the Sailors of our fleet is daggered, for we fee no
quarter from whence our help can come. Your Chan
nel fleet is, God knows, ill able tofpare a single frigate.
The (hips on the North American Ration have their
hands full, we can have no hopes from them.—ln (hurt,
unless providence raises up Some maritime ally, to Sup.
port us against so powerful a confederacy, we may, in
all probability, very Soon have no occasion for any (hips
at all in this quarter of the globe, as nothing will be
left us to defend.''
Auguß 14. By advice from Deal we learn, that on
Sunday morning last, at half part eleven o'clock, ad
miral Parker, with the Squadron and part of the con
voy under his command, arrived in he Downs. Most
of the men of war bear the most convincing proofs, that
the Dutch gun power is not Subject to the fame com
plaints which have long been made against that ofour
manti iaitories, furnifhed to government by a set of
avaricious contractors, All expedition is used by the
admiral to land his sick and wounded. Our corre
spondent is of opinion, that in order to do justice to
our brave seamen, a few more such encounters with the
Dutch, will soon render the building of another wing
to Greenwich hospital indispensably necessary.
A gentleman who arrived from Amfierdam yefterda,
morning, informs us , that it was reported in Holland
that another Squadron of Dutch (hips will be ready to
enter thenorth seas in a little time, and that port Ma
hon was actually besieged.
All the Ships that wen out to the Weft-Indies with
admi a' Byron, must come home this ye-tr, the num
ber are Seven. At least a dozen fail are wanted to
replace them ; but where they are to be procured, or
from what flation we can possibly (pare so large a
force as twelve fail of the line, now that we have the
Dutch to cope with, heaven only knows!
Tbe letters by the last leeward island mail mention,
that de Graffe was apparently preparing to go to Ame
rica, where he wll carry twenty fail of the line, all
clean fllips: Rodney mull of necessity follow to watch
his motions ; but with 2 force so inferior, in point of
of condition as well as numbers, that we can only hope
the befl.
They write from Cadiz, that they have lately con
fruited at that port fix prames which have only one
deck, and are the length and breadth of a fllip of 60
guns; each mounts 18 guns thirty-two pounders, be
sides two 20 inch mortars: they draw only a few feet
water, and will be employed against the fortref# of
Gibraltar, which they hope to reduce befoe the pre
sent campaign closes, being now provided with every
necessary for that work.
The friends of government have congratulated mi
iiifiry most sincerely, on the retreat of the dog days,
as the extreme heat of the weather, but ill agreed with
the violent intoxication of joy, into which they were
thrown by the very pleasing tidings, that admir I Par
ker had not been beaten by the Dutch. Such another
account from admiral Darby would have Suffocated
th^m.
A certain member of the corps diplomatique, knows
nothing about the fleet of Ruffian men of war, which
the friends of adminiftra ion have, within these few
days, dispatched to Mahon, in order to defend it
against the combined fleets of^France and Spain, should
they have the temerity to attack it.
The report so industriously circulat'd, that admiral
Darby is gone to Gibraltar, is altogether apocryphal.
Lord Sandwich knows the danger to which that impor
tint fortrefs is exposed, and from the vigilance and
zeal with which be always alls, wishes, no doubt, to
relieve it. But the fall is, the noble lord has a wonder
ful penchant for the preservation of the British navy,
and admiral Darby is much Safer where he is.
Of all our naval commanders, and lord Sandwich has
been very happy in his choice of them, no one has
kept a better look-out than admiral Darby, for, in
duffrious as the enemy have been tb do it, they have
not yet Iren able to come near him. Admiral Kep
pel was q.aite another so t of a man, and instead of
keeping a good look, out, and taking care of lord
Sandwich's (hips, blundered upon the French fbet,
and beat them into Bre . -Such commanders will not
do for the present system of politics !
CO R K, September 17.
Yesterday evening the gallant admiral Rodney ar
rived at Cove, on board his majesty Ship Gibraltar, of
88 guns, from St. Euflatius. Weiearn that fir George
chafed the count de Graffe from island to island, in
the Weft Indies sand obliged the poor admiral to take
(helter in Tobago, where he has been very kindly re
ceivtd by the commanding officer, who is remarkable
for hi# hofpitality] but finding it impoffib'e to bring
him to a general a&ion, [probably because Rodney's
squadron out failed him] he left admiral Hood in com
mand of the fleet, [and this gallant officer was so un
generous as to drive count de Graffe out of the Weft
Indies ; he forced the unfortunate Frenchman to hide
himfeif in Ch^fapeak bay, and to claim Cornwal is's
interposition in his favour ; it is evident that without
the magnanimous assistance of this general he would
have been entirely ruined.]
CHATHA M, December 5.
Last Saturday night, seven refugees from Staten-
Tfland landed at Halliead's point, with the expectation
(as their leader told them) of meeting some of their quo ?
dom friends with fat cattle; but captain Dayton ha
ving notice of their intention, collected a party of men
and knowing the rout they were to take, laid in ambush
for them, though unfortunately a muddy place in the
road had turned them a little out, and obliged his par
ty to fire through two fences, otherwise, in all proba
bility, they would have killed every one the firfl fire;
however, they killed one, mortally wounded another
and took three prifeners ; the other two, favoured by
the (hade of the night, and a good pair of heels, made
their escape. Three of their party were left in the gun
boat, but hearing a boat of ours coming out of the creek
pushed over to the Staten Island (hire, nevertheless
(he fell into the hands of lieutenant Randall It seems
their leader, Swain Parfel, was a deserter from our ar
my ; but, in order to obtain forgivenefs, and make some
attonement for his crime, had previously concerted
this plan ; he was to have brought over 20 men, but
unfortunately, when on the point o' embarking, ten
were recalled on some urgent bufinels
In consequence of Parcel's information, David Oliver,
a villain who has long been the support of the illicit,
trade, and a dread to the inhabitants on the , lines, was
taken the fame night concealed in a house at Harway.
As be was secreted and without arms, it is more than
probable we (hall have the pleasure of beholding his
exaltation in a few days. It is not impossible that
Parfel was sent on purpose to execute this business.
^^^i^^^^^^^^
nr A S taken up the 6th indent, by the fuSferiber,
living in Bucks county, near ther 20 mile line,
trelpaffing on his lot, a dark Bay HORSE, rising five
yeas old, about 15 hands high, a very long fwirch
tail, no brand or ear mark. The owner it desired to
come, pay charges and take him way in 15 days from
this date, or he will be Sold for the cuts.
JAMES EOYD.
Office of Finance,
Philadelphia, lath December, 1781.
PROPOSALS will be received in this office I
the firft day of February next, for the follow
Csntrga*, to supply the Rations deliverable by
United States, from the sft day of Aprl to the
day 0 December n-xt, inclusive, to thole Pylons 1
titled to draw them :
A coAtfsa for the pft of Boston, \lnMafcl
A contrast for the port of Springfield,/ setts.
A Coutraa for the posts to 'he northward
Fou hkeepfi , in Few-York.
A conr ft foi the post of Frederick-Town, in M
ryland.
T>econtrta@rs are to issue the rations, and t
prepolals are to contain the lowest prices 2nd long
terms of payment, as also the price of the componet
parts, which are
ilb beef or ^-quarters pound pork,
ib bread,
i gill rum or whilkey,
I quart fdt and a quarts vinegar per too rations,
81b soap and gib candle, per 700 rations.
Best Banners Oil,
To be Sold by RICHARD WELLS, in Arch-ftmt
above Sixth street.
At the RED STORE, north east corner of Arch and
Second-street?, is tor Sri?, the fd'owing Articles,
fnitnble for th^ faafon, wholesale ' nd retail:
Choice old Nantz Brandy,
Ja and k^g Raisins.
Currants,
Cloves, Cinnamon, and Nutmegs,
Pepper, Allspice, &c. &c.
A'G a large and general Affortrnent of GROCERIES;
The abev, Gods ae of the firft q.iality, and will
he SOLD as low as the present times will edmt.
The Subscribers prefnt the Compliments of the
enfning S afon to the Public in gmual, and their
Customers in particular.
HENRY PRATT and Company.
TO RESOL D, A
Young Negro Wench, about
23 years of age, who is rem rk,b hvlt'ny, under
ftinds every kind of h u'° woik, and has^oath fuf
fi ient for a long time. Enquire of the Printer.
Ba timbre county, November 17, 1781.
^dam Stanger,
Copper-Smelter and Refiner from the
Jerseys,
HAV ING undertaken the direction and manage,
merit of Doctor John S evz^fir' Copper-Werts,
ha, er&d a FURNACE and REFINERY, <t bis
Deer'-P rk, withm fo>r mile? of Reilter'&-tv#n, and
five fam the road to Frederick ; where Ccprerfmrhs e
and others, ma be fu,plied with SHEET-COPPER §
and the Owners of Ro'lin% Mils with Plates 0 any
dementi.°ms. What S r >e-t Copper I made n the J°r
feye was much approved o', and allowed to be vqual
to any ever imported , and I have not the least doubt
of giving general Satisf Ilion here.
ADAM STANGER.
Spermaceti Candles,
And SPERMACETI for,Apotbecaries, Sold by
RICHARD WELLS," above S rb (beet.
TO BE SO L D,
A Farm, beautifully situated,
on the Bu kt of Delaware, - a^ut midway betwixt the
rru uth of Nrihameny-creek and Bristol, coritaiuin#
about i2> acres, wbe eof about 4.0 acres are fvppofea
to be as goo{ banked men low.ground as anv on the
river, well drained and partly improve', the rest fit for
plough or patture, including 8 or 9 sires of wooui nl
The dwelling-houf? and fuMry offi^-houfer, all Ika,
built of timber and w.ll findli-d. The house has a pi
azza, in front, upwards of 52 : eet in length, ?omn a'r?
a fine profpe& cf tie riter, of the city of Burli.qton
and borough of Briftri ; from the two I it d ft&rt little
more than two inie>, from Phd,d I hir. 18. and the
great road p^ffrs within a mile as th^ h use; thirt it a
l^rge good garden,,apd young orchard of coc* frit
ed fruit oe s; for fihng,rd fowling, in their different
eafoni: this place is, perhaps, equal 0 an,, and f,j
perior to mot an the river. Fo further particular#
apply on the premier, to GEORGE GILLE PIE.
A f>, A F ARM in Hunterdon count, W^ft Jerfey,'
on the Old York road, /^,u' t^o miles irom Robin
son's ferry, containing nea 80 acres cf good Ind, in
a thick fettled part of the country. It hs a ffere,
dwelling-houf, hr , &c. wth fufficirncy of mirth
and meadow, JI in good fence. It will.be fold, very
cheap, and time given for,part of the purchase money.
Apply as above. , "
w—A-c^_____ ^_____ +— iffira
Loft, on the 20th Instant,
November, near Walnut-street Dock, a
Gold-headed CANE, with P. in Cy.
pher on the Head. The Value of the
Cane will be paid on delivering it to thf
Printer hereof.