The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-08-24 00:00:00, page 3

BAL TIMO R E, August 20.
On Saturday last the schooner Antelope, captain
Folger, arrived here, in 16 days, from St. Kitts. ° She
was chafed by a large ship off our capes, supposed to be
a British man of war, and to effeft her efcap", was 0-
bliged to throw three large anchors overboard, and se
veral of her guns.
OnSaturday evening last died, at his father's house
in this town, much lamented, major William Sterett,
in the prime of life. The bravery of this young gen
tleman in the field of battle, his fleadinefs as a patriot,
his probity as a merchant, and his amiable deportment
as a citizen and private gentleman, render his death a
heavy loss to his country, as well as to his family and
friends. The next day his remains were refpeafully de
ported in the burying ground belonging to the presby
terian church.
N E W-Y O R K, August 17.
One of his majesty's ships, arrived here last Wednef
day, met with a vessel bound from England to Boston,
she proved to be one of fix carrying pr foners for ex
change, agreeable to the last paragraph of their excel
lencies the royal commissioners letter to general Wash
ington, dated August 2d.
Yesterday morning, an alarming fire broke out at a
baker's in Wall street, which for a considerable time
threatened the deftrudion of the city; but, by the
most friendly a ffiftance of the military, joined to the
unremitted exertions of the gentlemen of the fire club,
and of the city firemen, was extinguished after the de
ftrudion of two houses burned to the ground, one house
and a liable pulled down, and several houses much da
maged.
On Wednesday last was brought to this port, the
sloop Polly from Rhode Island for Hispaniola, Benja
min Burden master, prize to one of his majesty's cruis
ers.
Yesterday arrived a brigantine, said to be from Ber
gen in Norway, laden with cordage, canvas, &c. prize
to the privateers Tyger and Syrprize,
Advice is received from Gibraltar, that an Algerine
vessel, which had difcharfed her cargo at that port,
Bpd had put to sea to return to Barbary, fell in with a
Spanish man of war, within fight of Gibraltar, was
taken and carrying for Cadiz, but in their way thither
the Algerines rose upon the Spaniards, killed most of
them, and got fafe into Tangiers.
Mr. Laurens let out for the continent on Saturday
last ; this is a circumfiance which we can give to our
readers as a matter of fad. Mr. Laurens is the old
friend of,Mr. Richard Oswald, by whom he was bail
ed, previous to his emancipation from his confinement
in the Tower. Mr. Oswald is a man of the firft mer
cantile ability in this kingdom ; and as we are inform
ed that he is now abroad upon the fubjeftof a negocia
tion, the most flattering conclusions may be drawn
from this circumfiance. It is said, that the parties
employed by the belligerent powers for conducing the
negoctation, are to meet at Bruffeis, when matters
will be finally adjusted.
It is some w-eKs since Mr. Laurents son left this
country, and let out on a tour for Holland.
Yesterday some letters were received from Hanover,
which mention, that the troops of that place were in
places of cantonment on the borders of that electorate,
and in readiness to take the field on the firfl notice.
Extract of a letter from Paris, April 2.
" The king's frigate L'Argonaut, of 28 guns, is ar
rived at Bred from Am rica, and has brought advices
of the mod serious nature, though particulars do not
yet transpire; the confequrnce is, that orders have
been given for another body of troops to be got ready
to embark for that continent, as it certainly is the
design of our government to secure the ports we have
possession of in Virginia, even though the English should
find means to compromise matters with those colonies ;
this will be the means, however, of lengthening out the
war to a farther period, at a time when we hoped the
crisis was near at hand.
June 6. The dissolution of parliament is fixed; but
it remains a very gr at doubt, whether the new mini
sters will be able to create republican influence with the
people, so as to have a parliament created that will
materially innovate the old confiitution.
The present miniftrs have it in contemplation to
give up Gibraltar to Spain, as one of the terms on which
peace is to be made. They fay all our Levant trade is
destroyed, and that the garrison of that fortrefs will on
ly be a burthen to the nation
There will Ihortly be a motion made in both houses
of parliament, to address his majefly to order his mi
niflers to declare what steps they have taken towards
accelerating that peace which they promised to the pub
lic, if they were taken into his majefly's confidence, and
thereby enabled to effe& that deferable event.
It was somewhat extraordinary that the late glorious
news was announced in the ordinary Gazette. Mini
sters tried every little art to freother the noble comman
der's glory, that the order for his difgrkce might ap
pear lets culpable in the condud of the cabinet.
Our last letters from the continent advise, that the
epidemical disorder which lately broke out in the Da
nish dominions, has spread so universally, and proved so
fatal in numberless families, that the phificians have
little doubt but it is that dreadful malady called the
plague.
June ir The island of Ceylon taken from the Dutch,
lies immediately in a triangle between Bengal and Ma
dras, and is very convenient to us to have t^ken it
with all their spices, of which they have had none home
these two years ; it will therefore distress them exceed
ingly, and will be very valuable and serviceable to us ;
and as we have now taken all their settlements in that
part of the world, except Batavia, we certainly (hall
be in possession of that before we have done with them;
while we have such a fine fleet in the eafl, and so good
a commander as fir Edward Hughes, whose son brought
home the glorious dispatches, every thing may be ex
peded to go well in that quarter.
The PETITION of sundry Citizens of Philadelphia,
refpeafully fheweth, *
"H A°T your petitioners have observed with
I great concern, a law passed in the last session
of your honourable house, for cutting down the trees
in the streets of Philadelphia, that they conceive that'
law was passed without the knowledge of some discove
ries which have lately been made in Europe, which
prove, that trees near dwelling-houses are wholesome,
by absorbing impure air, and exhaling an atmosphere
five times as pure and healthy as common air ; that this
dodrine is now so well established, and so universally
believed, that several of the wisest princes in Europe,
have ordered trees to be planted in their large cities,
on purp fe to render them more healthy and comfort
able habitations for their fubjefts. That the experi
ence of the citizens of Philadelphia, have furnifhed
melancholly proofs, that the city is far more sickly
than formerly, since it was occupied by the Britijh ar
my, and that this increase of the sickness, and mortality
of the inhabitants of our city, has been ascribed by
many gentlemen of the faculty, in part to the destruc
tion of the trees in the city, and on the banks of our
rivers, from whence the exhalations which produce
bilious and intermitting fevers, are principaly derived.
Your petitioners take no notice of the advantages of
the shade of trees in a large and populous city, in a
climate where the heat of the fun at one season of the
year is so very intense; much less do they mention the
relief which those ' beautiful productions of nature give
to the eye, in a place where nothing but art and same
ness occur. These confederations are too light to be
mentioned, when they are pleading for the means of
preserving the health and lives of the inhabitants of
Philadelphia. Your petitioners beg leave to remon
flrate agaioft those reasons which have been given for
cutting down the trees of the ci y. They deny the
danger of fire spreading from trees being planted in
the fireet, to be equal to the degree that has been urged
by some people upon this occasion ; much greater dan
ger not only of spreading, but of the kindling of fire they
conceive arises from the numerous frame houses in our
city, and yet no one would think a law reafooable, to
compel the owners of these houses to pull them down,
or to build brick houses in their room: they cannot
believe further, that the circulation of the air is ob
ftrußed by means of the trees, on the contrary, they
conceive from the late discoveries in the history of ve
getable , that under pertain < ircurr fiances they rather
promote a circulation of the air. They submit to the
truth of the roots of large trees being in some cases in
jurious to the pavement and gutters, but they think the
faithfull execution of the law, to compel all persons to
keep those ufdul parts of the public way in order b?
fore their refpeeive houses, would obviate the nectf
fity of cutting dcrwn„ad the trees of the city for that
purpose. They are of the opinion, that cutting down
a large tree <0 remedy such an inconvenience from a
ft w small roots, is as repugnant to philosophy and com
mon sense, as it would be to destroy the life of a man,
in order to flop rhe progress of a flight mortification in
one 0 the extremities.
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray, that your
honourable house would be pleased to take the above
mentioned law into their consideration, and to repeal
that part of it, which will deprive the citizens of Pni
ladelphia, of the substantial benefits ariling from their
trees ; and your petitioners as, in duty bound, shall, &c.
A C A R D.
SEVERAL officers of the army beg leave to inform
the fuperintendant of finance, that it is withfur
prise they have be eld, for these four months part, the
stoppage of their fubfifience—without even an apolo
gy for the measure. They are persuaded Mr. Morris
cannot be ignorant (though, in the midst of plenty,
he may have forgotten) that the fUfiftence of officers
is but a small part of their monthly demands against
the public, and.that many of them, under present cir
cumstances, dependon the regular payment of that pit
tance for daily fupport.The unfeeling n^gleff Ihewn
men, who have liberally exposed both persons and pro
perty to save a country, cannot but exciterindignation:
and the rather, while others, who fill the civil depart
ments —flrangers to danger, and lolling in the lap of
security, are enjoying their ample perquisites of office.
^^^^W^&%^^^
William Sheaff,
Has for SALE a. his Store, the fiuth-eaft corner cf
Market and Fil h-streets,
BEST old Madeira, Sherry, Lifb m and Port
Winer, Jamaica Spirit:, Weft-India Rum, Fj&nch
Brandv, double and single refined sugars, &c. &.
N. B. The Madeira Wine is of the vintage 1775,
and of the best Qialit;, A%. 23,
Philadelphia, August 24.
We hear that the honourable the general assembly
of this commonwealth, are about framing a declaration
of the sense of Pennsylvania, on the fubjed of fir Guy
Carleton's letter, refpeding the terms of an approach
ng peace ; and that this is the order of this day.
For some da ys past the report has circulated, that
a British fleet was on our coaß, and particularly that
admiral Drake, with 18 ships, was somewhere about
the east end of Long-lAand; but we do not find that
there is any good reason for believing this account.
We are informed, that Mr. Peale intends to pay the
refpeft due to the anniversary birth day of his most
chriftian majefly, by an exhibition of transparent
feenes, at his house, on Monday next.
To the Honourable the REPRESENTATIVES of the
Freemen of Pennsylvania.
The following is a Copy of a Petition, signed by a re
fpeßable number of the inhabitants of thi, city, and
presented to the honourable the House of Assembly
on Wednesday last.
T O BE S O L D,
4 LARGE and very commodious HOUSE t
A part of this city well suited for business. En
quire of the Printer. PliLdriphia, Pr^.
Four Dollars Reward.
A Large, square, silver SHOE BUCKLE, inlaid with
A gold, war Loft, between twoanoj ee o'clock last
Thursday as ernoon, somewhere between the p no of
Arch-street, in Front-street, ard the midair of Tur
ners. lane, going on the Germantown road W t ^
has found the fame, and will return it to the Pfister
hereof, (hill receive the above reward.
TO BE SO L D,
A Genteel good PHOTON and
4. 1 HARNESS for two horfe#, that have been
carefully used. Also two excellent Horses, fit for a
chair or saddle. Enquire of Mr. George Way.
N, B. The horles to be considered diftin& from the
carriage, and not as a proper match for each other.
Exhibition of Fireworks.
ON Tuesday the 10th of September next, will be per
formed, a variety of CURIOUS FIREWORKS,
at the Rate boule yard in this city, the place will be
well secured, in order for the reception of ladies and
gentlemen : the tickets for admittance will be one dol
lar each, as the fireworks will afford a great variety,
more than ever was 'xibited on this continent, rhe sub-
Briber hopes to receive the encouragement of the pub
lic in general, as they may rely on th: place being
kept in good order, and no admittance to be given to
any body without a ticket.
N. B Tickets to be had of the fubferiber, living in
^lmOie's alley, the back of St. Paul's church t together
with all forts of fireworks fold on the loveft terms, by
August if.JOHN LAUGA U Y.
On WEDNESDAY Next;
The Twenty-eighth instant, at Twelve o'Clock,
Will be Sold at the Coffee-Houfe, The
Scate'Ship, General Wafhingtort)
with all her turas and Materials, as she returned
from her cruise, agreeable to Inventory. She mounts
18 nine poundeis, and is compleatly copped Six:
weeks credit will be given, the purchaser giving 1 uri
ty if required.
August „. JOHN BAYARD, Auctioneer..
On THUR SDA YV^
The 29th instant, at NINE o'Clock ir th. Mr .
at the House of Mrs. MATHEWS, in F r, -k}
next door to the corner of Pit -to t
Will be Sold by Public Au&ion,
Sundry articles of Houfhold and Kitchen Fun^turer
consisting, amongst a variety rd other rb n, r , of
TABLES, Chairs, B.dftead,, Carpets, Ci % Earths
enware, &:. &r &c.
Alf> A larg , ftiong and ver.y complent London msc
C O AC H, with H^rnefs for foui h^fes, di in rood
order. JOHN BAYARD, Au^.m^
August 22.
Pr OCLAMATIO N.
WHEREAS the honourable Thomas M'Kean,
esquire, chief justice, the honourable Wilburn.
Augustus Atlee, cfquire, second juftir, 1%
honourable John Ev ns, esquire, third justice, and
the honourable Gterge Bryan, equirr, fourth jus
tice of the supreme court, and of tne courts of cyec
and terminer and general gaol delivery, tor the com
monwealth of Pennsylvania, have issued their precept,
bearing date the nineteenth day of August instant, to
mt dire&ed, for holding a court of oyer and terminer
and general gaol delivery at the State-house, in the
city of Philadelphia, for the city and county of Phila
delphia, on Monday the twenty-third day of Septem
ber next.
And whereas the honourable Francis Hepkinfon,
enquire, judge of admiralty, for Pennsylvania, and the
honourable William Auguftns Atlee, John Evans and
George Bryan, esquires, justices, as aforsfaid, of the
supreme court, aforefaid, have issued their precept,
bearing date the twenty-firft day es August, to me
directed, for holding a court of admiralty sessions for
the united ftatei of America, at the said State-house,
on Wednesday the eighteenth day of September next.
And whereas the said honourable Thomas M'K in,
Francis Hopkinfon, William Augustus Atke, John
Evans and George Brvan, efquir # s, have ffued their
precept bearing date the nineteenth day o' Augufi,
to me directed, for holding a court of admit It, fef
firns for the Rate of Pernfylvaria, at the -aid Staio
houfe on the laid eighteenth d^y of Septem e rext.
NO LICE is hereby given, to all justices of th« peace,
the coroners, efcheators and cqnftables within the said
city and county, that they be then and there in their
own persons, with their rolls, records, indictments ard
6ther remembrances, to do those things which 'o th^ir
officer, in that behalf, appertain to be done. A so, ij
they who will prosecute against the pri 0 ers t at are
or then ihall be in the gaol of the Aid citv and cinry,
are to be then and there, to prosecute against s^o n;
fliall h e just.
Dated at Philadelphia, the twert firft d^y f Au
gust, in the year of Our LORD on ^h^.^
seven hundred and eighty-two, and in
venth year of Amercan Independence
WILLIAM WILL, S ^ff^
GOD SAVE the COMMONWEAL TH !