The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-02-22 00:00:00, page 2

fi^n the LONDON GAZETTE. Oaober6.
Whitehall, October 5, 1779.
Extract of a letter from General Sir Henry Clinton, t 3
Lord George Germaine, dated Head-Quarters, Dobb's
F rry, July 25, 1779.
Y N my dispatch, N°. 57, I had the honour to inform
l your Lori Chip of my basing takeh potfeffiom of Ver
pl mksagd Stoney Point, upon the North River.
Oithenight of the 15th instant, the enemy suddenly
affmited and carried the lines at Stoney - Point. Taegreat
er fort of thegirrifon, confiding of the 17th regiment of
for tie grenadier company of the 71st regiment, a com
ply of the loyal Americans, and a small detachment
of tie royal artillery, un ler the command of Lieut. Col.
|ootfan, of toe 17th regt, were either killed or taken. I
have not yet been able to procure accounts (efficiently fa
tishaory to form a decisive judgment upon this accident.
I have the honor to isclofe Lieut, Col. Johnson's account,
as likewise that published by the Rebels.
The enemy immediately began a heavy cannonade with
our guns from Stoney-Point, upon Lieut. Col, Webster,
who commanded at Verplanks, with the 33d regiment,
byal Americans, and detachments from the royal artille
ry, an I from the 71st regiment. At the fame time Lieut.
C')l. Webster was informed, that a considerable force was
in his rear, who, if they did not mean to attack him from
that quarts-, at leift would make his retreat, fliould he be
driven to that extremity, very difficult.
Upan the firft intelligence I received of this matter, I
ordered the army to advance to Dobb's Ferry, poshing
firward the cavalry and some light troops to the banks of
the Croton River, to awe the enemy in any attempt by
hod against Verplanks. Brigadier General Sterling was
in tdemean tithe embarked with the qzd, 63d, and 64th
reziments for the relief of Verplanks, or the recovery
of Stoo'y- Point. The northerly winds rather uncommon
at ti:is season, opposed Brigadier General Sterling's pro
,refs till the 19th, when upon his arriving within fight 6T
Stoney-Point, the enemy abandoned it with precipitation,
and some circtim fiances of disgrace.
Lieut- Col Webster, who had with great firmnefs sup
ported the heavy fire of the enemy, had not, during the
whole time, deigned to return a fihgle (hot, being sensible
that it would have been 0) no material effect. The enemy
possibly foppofing from this circumftaoce that he might
have no heavy cannon, brought down a galley to carry
off from Stoney-Point part of the artillery which would
have found difficulty in retiring through the roads of that
country. As soon as the cannon were aboard the galley,
Lieut. Col. Webster turned upon her an eighteen pound
er, the only piece of heavy ordnance he had, which raked
tier with fucn effeft, that, to prevent her finking, the
crew rad her ashore, and there set fire to her. Such of
the cannon as remained upon Stoney.Point, were buried,
or thrown into the river by the enemy, who immediate
ly made a most precipitate retreat.
Having been apprehensive that the delay occasioned
By the contrary wind, might have given the enemy time
to coiled a force at the Points too powerful for Brigadier
General Sterling, and being anxious that no flep fliould be
omitted for the security of Verplanks, and recovery of
Stoney Point. I had embarked with the light infantry,
and joined General Sterling in Haverftraw Bay. My
whole army being within my reach, I had some hopes of
being able to betray Mr. Washington into an engagement
for Stoney-Point. Fifthly he fufpeaed my view, and de
clined adventuring any measure which might bring on an
adion in a country unfavorable to him.
Brigadier General Sterling is now at Stoney-Point,
with five battalions, repairing the works, which are a
good deal damaged.
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Johnson of the
17th foot, to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Hardy's Town,
July 24, 1779 #
T H E bearer, Lieutenant Armstrong, of the 17th in
' fantry, will give you a full and perfect account of the
unfortunate event of the morning of the 16th inflant,
whereon the post of Stoney-Point fell into the hands of the
enemy. lam inclined to think, that, upon a just repre
feotation, you will be fully convin^ ed that it was not any
neglect on my part, nor of the troops under my command,
but the very superior force of the enemy, that caused the
capture of the place. Inclofed I fend a return ofthe kill
ed wounded, miffing and prisoners, as nearly as could
be'collected by the commanding officersef corps.
The very distressed situation of our people, tor want of
necessaries of every kind, occasioned my making applicati
on for a flag, in order to have them provided, General
Wafnington's permißion to fend a subaltern officer of each
corps, I received but this instant. The Commissary of
Prisoners being under the nceffity of returning immediate
ly obliges me to draw to a conclusion, referring your Ex
cellency to Lieut. Armflring for any further particu
lars I have the honor to be. &e.
[Signed] H. JOHNSON,,
Lieutenant Colonel lythfoot.
His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, &c. &c.
Return of the killed, wounded, miffing and taken priso
ners by the enemy, of his Majesty's troops, under the
command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Johnson, at the
engagement upon Stoney-Point, July 16, 1779.
Royal Regiment of Artillery ; 4 rank and file wounded ;
i Lieutenant miffing; 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Con
ductor, i Drummer, 42 rank and file, prisoners.
Grenadiers of the 71st regiment; 1 Serjeant, 1 Drummer,
srank and file, killed ; 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 1
Serjeant,2o rank and file, wounded; 1 Captain,! Ser
jeant, 23 rank and file, miffing; 5 Lieutenants, 3 Ser
jeants, 2 Drummers, 95 rank and file, prisoners.
17th Regiment of foot; 1 Captain, 2 Serjeants, 10 rank
and file, killed; 1 Lieutenant, 1 Ensign, 43 rank and
file, wounded; 1 Drummer, 20 rank and file, miffing;
1 Colonel, 2 Captains, 6 Lieutenants, 3 Ensigns, 1 Ad
jutant, i Surgeon, 17 Serjeants, 12 Drummers, 222
rank and file, prisoners.
Loyal American Regiment ; 1 Ensign wounded ; 11 rank
a* file, miffing ; 1 Captains Ensigns, 2 Serjeants, 2
Summers, 49 rank and file, prisoners.
Volunteers or Ireland ; 1 Serjeant, prisoner.
Total. 1 Captain, 3 Serjeants, iDrummer, 15 rank and
file, killed; 1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 2 Ensigns, 1
Serjeant, 67 rank and file, wounded; 1 Captain,
r Lieutenant, 1 Serjeant, 1 Drummer, 53 rank and
file, miffing; 1 Colonel, 4 Captains, 12 Lieutenants,
5 Ensigns, 1 Adjutant, 1 Surgeon, 1 Conductor,
23 Serjeants, 16 Drummers, 403 rank and file, priso
ners.
Names of the Officers killed, wounded, miffing, and
prisoners.
Royal Regiment of Artillery; Lieutenant Roberts, mif
fing ; Captain Tiffin, Lieutenant Harden, Conductor
Enflow, prisoners.
71st Grenadiers. Captain Campbell, wounded and mif
fing; Lieutenants Ross and Cumming, wounded; Lieu
tenants Dunkinfon, Nairn, Ross, and Grant, prison
ers.
17th Regiment of Foot. Captain Tew killed; Lieutenant
Simplon and Ensign Sinclair, wounded ; Lieuteaa?t-
Colohel Johnson, Captains D?rby and Clayton, Lieute
nants Armstrong, Carey, Wiliams, Simpson and Hay
man, Ensigns Hamilton, Sinclair, and Robinson, Ad
jutant Hamilton, Surgeon Horn, prisoners.
Loyal American Regiment. Ensign Hugeford wounded ;
Captain Robinson, Ensigns Hugeford and Swords pri
soners.
Lieutenant Marshal prisoner.
N. B. Surgeon Achmaty prisoner, net included in the
above return.
(Signed) H. JOHNSO N,
Lieutenant-Colonel 17th Infantry.
Copy of a letter from Major General Howe to the Earl of
Dartmouth, dated Boston, 3d December, 1775, [Re
ceived 27th December. ]
My Lord,
f, Y a letter received last night from Lieut. Gov. Cra
, matie, which your Lordship has enclosed, there is
too much reason to tear that by a general defection of the
Canadians the whole province of Quebec will fall into the
hands of the Rebels; and by a private letter from thence,
of later date, by one day, I learn Montreal has surrender
ed ; that General Carleton was on his way down the ri
ver, in an armed v&ffel, and that there was little reason
to believe the capital would be able to withstand the ex
pected attack.
The Lieut. Gov. of Quebec, under those circum fiances,
has been induced to detain five transports sent from hence,
for forage, by which we not only lose the hay and corn
expected, as per return in my separate letter of 2d inst.
but are deprived of fourteen hundred and sixteen tons of
shipping, to be added to the quantity fpecified in the re
turn of tonnage in my dispatch of 26th of November, as
wanting for the removal of this garrison, &c. at one em
barkation. I hope that the transports to replace these,
and to make up the deficiency in the return, may be order
ed out early in the fpring,and in consideration of the loss
we have already sustained by the enemy, that they should
come under convey.
I learn the Nancy Brigantine, an ordnance transport,
having on board 4000 fland of arms complete, 100,000
flints, a thirteen inch mortar, with other stores in propor
tion, was taken in the bay last week by the Rebel priva
teers, and affords an in ftauce for this raeceffity, The cir
cumflance is rather unfortunate to us, as they are now
furnished with all the requisites for setting the town on
fire, having got a large quantity of round carcasses, and
other stores, with which they could not have been other
wise (applied. The particular manner whereby she was
taken is not appertained ; but so many artifices having been
pra&ifed upon Grangers, under the appearance cf friend
fhi,, falfe pilots, &c. that those coming out with stores of
any kind cannot be too much upon their guard.
And I submit to your Lordship the necessity there may
be of Applying the loss of arms, flints, &c. fuffcred on this
occasion.
lam also to request your Lordship will be pleased to
direct twice the quantity of engineers tools contained in
the inclofed return, to be sent out in separate ships, for
two divisions of the army.; both of which may be employed
in sieges. The date of this return will point out the time
when this requisition was made.
From an apprehension that the advantages gained by
the Rebels in Canada, and their good fortune here, in pos
sessing themselves of our stores, may encourage them to
farther attempts, I shall, with all dispatch, fend to Ha
lifax the part of the 65th, now here under the command
of Lieut. Col. Bruce, who will command on his arrival,
and with this reinforcement I must conclude that place will
be in perfect security.
Upon this unfortunate event in Canada, and your Lord
flip's encouragement .0 mention myopinion, I beg leave
to fay, for the recovery of that province as a primary
object, the array to effect it should not consist of less than
!2>ooo fighting men ; at the fame time I desire I may not
be underflood to give up the plan as set forth in my fetter
No. 2, of the 26th of Nov. as the enemy will feel more
immediate distress by being attacked on the most vulnera
ble fide than from any success to be gained in Canada.
The Admiral has informed me, that by a letter recei
ved this day from Capt. Wallace of the Rose flip of war,
Rationed at Rhode-Ifland, the Rebels give out they are
to fortify the heights above the town of Newport, also
that they are fitting out an armed ship at Philadelphia,
to carry thirty-fix guns, and two or three more of a less
ferce,' with a dffign of cruizing to the southward, and to
take. Lord Dunmore in their way.
lam, &c. W. HOWE.
From the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
Mr. Printer,
IT has been pretty confidently reported, that a loan is
negotiated with a foreign power, by the operation of
which it is expe&ed (and ^itb good reason) that our
currency will not only be appreciated, but obtain flabili
ty -
If erecting a bank similar to that of Amsterdam should
be thought best, the followingfextraas from an author of
considerable merit, may perhaps be of some service.
1 T.
Of the Agio of the bank of Amsterdam.
" The ducatoon*, upon which the agio of the bank
'money of Amsterdam is regulated, passes for three flo
rinsf three Rivers, which is just five per cent better than
three florins, at which it was rated when the bank was
3 Is a silver coin.
t A florin is|a guilder, banli money-
W. HOWE.
established. The sum of credit written in the' books 6?
the bank, is in proportion to the quantify of bank money
necessary for circulating the trade of Amsterdam : Con-
Pquently, as their circulation increases, the demand for
bank money increaks also. Again ;— In proportion as
the demand for bank money increases, the agio rises ; and
on the other hand—as the demand ft r current meney in
creases, the agio falls. Thus we saw, in the last war, A.
D. 1760, 1761 and 1762, that agio was below five per
cent. The reason was pl tin.—The great circulation car
ried on in Amsterdam was confij^rably directed towards
the uses of the war. Their bank money was of no use ;
coin could only serve the purpose. Accordingly the agio
fell to --per cent. And asgold was much more easily
transported than silver, that metal role | per cent above
the ordinary proportion of rto 14, Demand regulates
every thing; and this demand makes the agio fhiauate,
sometimes rising above, and sometimes falling below five
per cent.
Amsterdam.
" There are on the square before the town-house of
Amsterdam (the place de Dam) between ten and eleven in
the morning a number of cashiers, whose business it is to
buy and fell bank credit for current coin. They bargain
with all those who have occasion either to buy or fell ; and
according to the demand for specie or bank credit, theacib
rises or finks ; and as thef? cashiers mu ft constantly gai%
whether they furaifh bank credit or current coin,' since
they are never the demanders, in either operation it is
commonly found that there is in their favour about one
fixteenth per cent, or perhaps one eighth per c^t. accord
ing to the revolutions in the demand; that is to fay—
one who would firfl buy specie, and then fell it, would
lose one eighth, or pernaps but one-sixteenth upon his
operation.
" From this circumflance of buying and falling of bank
credit with coin, and nice versa, I think I can resolve
the mystery, how the constant accumulation of coin in
the bank of Amsterdam should never have the eff& of
depreciating their bank money, by augmenting beycod
the demand for it, the quantity of their deposit, and of
the credit written in their books. It is a matter of faft,
that the bank lends both coin and credit to the brokers,
cashiers, or combards, who are constantly found on the
place de Dam.
''Whenever, therefore, the b^nk finds that agio falls too
low with retpea to the coin, and when, in confequenee
ofthat, the demand for coin increases, then they lend coin
out of their repositories to the brokers ; and when it rises
they lend credit.
" This coin the brokers dispose of to those who have
bank money, and who want to convert it into coin. They
fell theeoin for bank credit : The purchaser writes off"
the transfer in favour of the broker, and he again repays
the value of the coin to the bank, by transferring the cre
dit he obtained for the coin in favour of the bank.
" This done, the bank may expunge this credit from
their books, by which means their deposit of coin is di
minished, and also the sum of credit which was found fu
perfluous. If, on the other hand, the circulation of the
trade of the city should, in a short time afterwards, begin
to increase, those who have coin, which in that case would
not so wel' iferve the uses of circulation as the bank credit,
come with it to the brokers, who fell them bank credit for
it; this coin the brokers deliver to the bank, which writes
off the credit lent to the broker, in favour of, him who
has paid his coin for it.
" This is, as far as I can guess, the nature of the circu
lation of the coin of the bank of Amsterdam,
BALTIMORE, February 15.
The exertions of the citizens of Annapolis during the
late fire at the Printing-office, were the means of preserv
ing most of the printing materials, with the Post office,
and the Printer's dwelling-house. The Printing-office,
and federal contiguous apartments, containing books,
papers, provisions, &c. were destroyed.
BOSTO N, January 20.
The Hon. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Elbridge
Gerry, James Lovell, Samuel Holten, George Partridge,
and Artemas Ward, Esquires, are chosen Delegates to
represent this State in Congress, for the year 1780.
T R E N T O N, February 16.
The Honourable tha GENERAL ASSEM
ELY cf this State meet here this day, agreeable to ad
journment.
We are informed that on Saturday last the barn of Na
thaniel Ayres, Esq ; at Bafkenridge, took fire by means
of a person mooting pidgeons among the straw in the barn
yard, and was entirely consumed, with all the grain and
hay therein.
On Thursday night last the enemy, under the command
of Generals Stirling and Skinner, visited Elizabethtown
entirely upon a plundering party.—Among other boufes,
they plundered Doder Barnet's, Messrs. WilliamP.Smith,
William Herriman, Matthias Halflead and Do&or Wy
nantz ; the two former in a most barbarous manner. The
house of Mr. Smith they searched throughout fer Mr.
Elisha Boudinot, who they thought was concealed theie;
but fortunately both heand Mr. Smith lodged out of town.
After terrifying the women and children, they hero
ically marched eff with their plunder and five or fix pri
soners. Thus is the British army reduced to mere ma
rauding parties,—our army or fertreffes they durst not at
tack; but if a town is left with women and children in it,
their valour is certainly displayed there.
" It is a curious method of preserving an exaft pro
portion between the coin in deposit, the credit written
in their books of transfer, and the demand for bank mo
ney."
Concerning the circulation of Coin through the Bank of
We hear that Thursday next is appointed for the third
reading of the Militia Bill, in the General Assembly of
this Commonwealth.
Captain Josiah, in the ship Hetty, from Teneriffe, is
fafe arrived at New-Cadle, as are also ftveral other fail
of vessels.
PHILADELPHIA, February 22.