The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-12-22 00:00:00, page 2

TO THE PUBLIC.
rw'EE many falfe and scandalous reports which
w have been propagated in this cjty, calculated to
injure tue characters of t e fubicribers, owners
of the br g Matilda, captain Geo. Curry, which was
captured in Delaware Bay on Tuesday the eleventh
inn^nt, hath rendered it highly necessary to publish the
dep fitious of the pilot and fereral of the seamen, who
made their efca pedu the beat after the brig was run
aground; and which we trust are fufficieni to convince
every unpreiudieed^erfon that the was not intended for
the erumy, as hath been insinuated, but that every
possible effort was made use of to prevent her filling in
to their hands. We with nothing more earnestly now
ever, than that a drift and impartiu.invefligation may
be made into this whole traufaaion by every one con
ctrned ; nor are we under any apprehension, but that
an inquiry of this nature will terminate much to our
advantage.
JOHN SMITH,
JOSEPH GRE WOLD,
JOHN THORNBER,
SAMUEL READ,
JOHN BAKER.
"City of Philadelphia, ff.
J JOHN D. CRIMSHEIR, Notary Public, by law
-7 ful authority admitted, and (worn for the state of
Tennfylvania, do hereby certify, declare, and make
known, to al to whom these presents (hall come, or may
in any wife concern, Thaton the day of the date hereof,
perlon by came and appeared before me, Richard
Weft, of the city of Philadelphia, pilot, who, being
duly sworn, did declare, That on or aboutthe fourth
day of December,' instant, he took charge of the brig
or veffei ca: ed the Matilda, 'commanded by George
Cu ry, bound to the Havanna, and was to pilot her
from the port pf Philadelphia to Ctpe Henlopen. That
he proceeded with the said vessel as far as Marcus
took, and just before her departure from thence, he
and the several persons on board of her, were informed,
that there was a topsail fciiooner, of ten guns, belong
ing to the enemy in the Bay.
That the said brig Matilda was necessarily detained
at M reus hook aforesaid, for two days, in order to
get her ready for sea. That upon her being ready for
sea, he set fail with her, and made ali the oilpatch in
fits power, in order if possible, to overtake the fleet,
which he heard then lay at Reedy island ; but upon
his reaching that island, on Monday evening, he was
informed that tin said fleet had failed from thence, in
the morning of the fame day. That at about half past
fix in the morning of the next day, he got the said
brig under tail, with the wind at N. W. and by W.
which at tha, time blew very hard, and run under
reefed topfail 1 , as lew as Eombo hook ; and about ten
o'clock the a+m'd schooner, by which the laid brig
was taken, hove in fight; the wind now hauling
round to the westward, became unfavourable to the
brig, and very much in fav ur of the schooner. That
from the various arts made use of to decoy the brig,
he had not the least doubt of the schooner's being an
enemy, and therefore consulted with the captain, two
owners, and the majority of the crew, what was best
to be done in their then present situation, who agreed,
that it was prud nt to run her on shore with all the fail
they could crowd, hoping that by that means the ene.
my wou d either be unable, or afraid to follow them;
this being, at that time, the lead of the two evils pre
sented, it was readily adopted ; but the event did not
prove so fortunate as was expended. That the crew en
deavoured to defend the brig, both before die run on
fllore, and afterwards, as well as cou'd be ^xpeffed
in their situation, where the disparity of guns and
men so much appear'd ag.iiT them. That this
deponent, one of the owners and three of the seamen,
after the vessel had grounded,took tee boat Ind went on
ffiore. with the hope and promi e of returning soon, and
taking the rest of the crew on shore; butthe wind blow
ing so hard towards the shore, attended with a heavy
sea, they cou d not relieve those on board, whereby
they as well as the vessel and cargo, fell into the hands
of the enemy. That this deponent saw the schooner
come along fide of the brig, and was afterwards
informed by some of the inhabitants, that (he was got
off y fl e schooner, at about fix o'clock that evening;
and the next day he came down, and cou'd fee nothing
of her. And this deponent did further declare, that
in his opinion, the reports propagated against the cha
r^aer of the captain, and owners of the brig, upon a
preemption that (he was designed for the enemy, are
undoubtedly groundless for if we may judge of the
human heart, by the anions of men, the endeavours
of every man on board to save the vessel and cargo,
refleß honour upon them, as the whole of this affair
ought to be attributed to misfortune, and not design.
And I the said Notary do further certify,that at the
fametime, perforall; came and appeared before me,
James Steel Richard Miller, and James O'Bryan,
three of the mariners belonging to the aid brir or vessel
called the Matilda, who being duly sworn, did decla e,
that they are perfectly acquainted with the contents of
the aforegoing deposition of Mr. Richard Weft, and that
e#ery article, matter, and thing therein contains d, is just
and true.
RICHARD WEST,
JAMES STEEL,
RICHARD MILLER,
his
JAMES X O'BRYAN,
mark.
so teflimony whereof, I have hereunto fubferibed
my name, and affixed my seal, this eighteenth
day of December, Anno Domini 1781.
JOHN D. CRIMSHEIR, Not. Pub.
From the London Courant, of August 14.
A circumstantial Account of a late unhappy Accident
in Staffordshire, by a Gentleman on the Spot, whose
veracity and difeernment we can rely upon.
ON Saturday the 4th of August, 1781, a waggon,
loaded with two tons of gunpowder and other
things, puffing through the village of Talk ou-the-hilty
near Newcafile, in Staffordshire, the gunpowder took
fire, with a dreadful explosion, by ^hich the whole
vi lage was shaken, several houses entirely deflroyed,
and the others much cracked and fluttered.
The driver and borfes were killed. Some of thelimbs of
the borfes were blown to a considerable diflance over the
fields; and one borfe with the driver, were forced thro'
the walls of an adjacent house, which instantly fell up
on the inhabitants, in number five, and bru fed and
wounded them in a (hocking manner. None of them
were killed, and it is hoped they may all recover, iho'
one or two will probably lose their eyes. Several
others are much hurt, but not dangerously.
The waggon was so shivered and dispersed, that lit
tle of it has been found, except some of the iron work,
which is torn and twifled in an aftoniftling manner.
One of the iron axles is broke in four or five pieces.
Besides gunpowder, tuis waggon contained a large
quantity of gun-barrels, beams for large scales, and
other iron ware. Though these were thrown with a
mazing force in various directions and though their
was a kind of fair in the village, yet happily no hurt
was done by them,
The explosion was nearly opposite to a school, v here
upwards of thirty poor children are]taught to tead.
Providentially it was Saturday afternoon, and neither
children nor master were there.
It is supposed that this accident was occasioned
by the calks letting some of the powder out in o me bo
dy of the waggon, which falling from thence to the pive
ment, took fire under the wheels, from the a<r tion be
tween the irons and the flones they puffed over ; for a
train o' fire was teen rising upwards, from the done
under the wheels to the waggon, just before, and at
the moment of the exp'ofion. This conjecture is the
more probable, as anotner waggon, with a quantity es
gun powder, from the fame place and p-rfon, was teen
to drop some of the po~der, wnicm actually took fire
upon toe fiones about the wheels, but did not commu
nicate fire to the quantity in the waggon. The driver
however, was so frightened, that he left the waggon,
and would not come near it again. These particulars
are not mentioned mer ly to gratify curiosity, but
chiefly with a view to excite proper cure and attention
in those who have to do with this dangerous article.
If, infteid of a (mall featte ed village, 'the accident
had happened in the mi Ift of a large town, eloft and
compactly built, the consequences must have been
Shocking to humanity.
Tiiis unfortunate village of Talk, buffered greatly a
bout 5 weeks ago, by a fire, which coofumed nine houses
and five barns in the south end of it. The north end is
now reduced b> the explosion to a heap of ruins; and
the few remaining houses in the middle have the walls
and ciflings cracked and flattered, some of the roofs
beat in, the thatch' and tiles flript off, and scarcely a
whole pane of glass to be feeu ; so that a more pitia
bl© and dreary objTl than this poor village now exhi
bits, can hardly be conceived. One family of eig.ht
persons, burnt out by the late fire, was humanely
received into another, consisting of the fame number,
that house is now also demolished, and all the fixte^n
are totally destitute. Many others are in the fame fi.
tuation, having neither house, nor cloaths, nor any
thing left to comfort and Support them under this af
fliHingdlfpenfation.
This account ought not to be concluded without
doing justice to the feelings and humanity of the gen
tiemen of the faculty at Newcastle, who gave immedi
ate affi fiance to the bruised and wounded without flay
ing to be called in, and ithbut reward. And it must
given firig^lar pleasure to every humane mind to be
informed that voluntary contributions are making in
the neighbourhood for the immediate relief and fup
porr of the unhappy fufferers.
I 4 „
St. John's (ANTIGUA) November 13, 1781.
Extract from the minutes of the assembly of Barbadoes,
dated 2d October, 1781, taken from the Barbadoes
Mercury of 20th ult.
Pilgrim, 2d OHober, 1781.
“ Message from the governor to the affembfy.
" Gentlemen,
"A" think it my duty; at all times, to inform
Zl you of whatever the king and his ministers ex
pect to be done by the legiflatore of this inland for the
fafety and welfare of the inhabitants; I fend you the
following extract of a letter, dated 4th July, 1781,
which I have lately received from the secretary of state,
for your consideration.
" The temper and good disposition you have fh-wn
“ in your speech at the opening of the assembly, gives
" me juf tground to hope that all animosities bdi cease;
" and the council and assembly will be ready to aft
“ with you in pursuing the true interest of Birbadoes,
" by providing for its own security by a proper levy
" bill, and by repairing the forts and batteries necef.
" fary for its defence: his majesty having no other
" with than the promoting the happiness ofhis sub
“ jests."
" TheJate munificence of parliament must convince
“ the people, how ready this country is to attend
" their interest, and reljevetheir distresses."
, I am sorry to find your last address written in so
intemperate a dile, that it is unbecoming my chara ^cr,
and the high Nation I fill, tr ,give it any answer ; but
if the close of it has any referrence to the disputed poir ($
of fees and salary ; I take this opportunity of decla
ring to you, that upon your puffing a proper levy bill ;
I am ready, as I always have been, to join with you
in every just and reafpnable meafu re that can be pro
posed for the ease and interest. as well as for the def nee
of the inhabitants of this island ; hoping to be able to
form a. fefs expensive, as well as more effectual plan for
their security, than any hitherto adopted ; and with
out any alteration of your militia laws now in force.
f And, with regard to fees, although I co sider
them as part of my just and lawful rights, I can ffure
you, gentlemen, that if the affenbly, upon my arrival
had gra 1 me the fal ry so long enjoyed by many of
my predecefors ; and which it is well known, their con
stituents in general were not only willing but desirous
they should grant, it never would have entered intomy
mind to propofc the efUbliihment of those fees, or any
other, to the members of his majefty', council ; nor
can I suppose that board would have concurred in the
meafnre, if they had not been fully convinced, from
the exetffive high prices of provisions, and all other
necessaries, that the abridged salary granted by the
assembly, was by no mea s fuffie'ent to support the
digi*ty of this government. And, if any subsequent
aflembly had (hewn themselves inclined to commute
the fees eflablifhed in council, for the usual salary, I
should long since, hay^ chearfu ly made them that
proposal. But, as, in consequence of the assembly's
petition, they have been lately referred by his majesty
to the lords commiflioners for trade and plantations,
for their consideration, and report thereon; that event
must now take place, unless by a proposition from the
assembly, the mat er is compromised, and fettled be
fore it comes to a hearing.
" His excellency general Cristie, having, upon his
late arrival here with a battalion of his majeffy's troops,
judged it necessary for his majefty' s service, to wre
a 11tter to me, requeuing " that such temporary quar
ters might be provided for them as circumQices would!
permit," 1 n@w fend the general's letter for your pe
rusal, and recommend the fame to your immediate : .
tention. I have dire&ed the troops to be quartered in
the forts until some better provision can be made for
their accommodation by an aft of the legiflatyr/, as
has been usual here upon similar occasions. Aral that
you may be the more eafi y and fpeedl y•?I. 1 to a
dopt proper m^afures for that pm poie, I also fen:you
copies of some of the laws passed in forna r r ar. & r the
quartering of cfTara and fo'dlers in tois ift nd.
," And that the' rtificari>ns may with all potable dis
patch be completed and ,ut in the best slate of defence,
general Christie has, r: my requefl, been pleased fr o
fend for the chief engin-r in these par e, to fuperinterd
and dired what remains to be done for that purpose.
And as you cannot but be sensible how much the ease
and interest of tin people mud d pend upon their fa e
ty and protection, 6 ruft you will do all that lies in
your power towards :he accomplishing of so important
an object
" with refpeß to such cannon and small arms as
ar wanted 10 replace those which are become unfer
viceable, I have already made application for them to
his majefiy's secretary of state, and flatter myfelf that
they will be granted.
" And as the reefs and banks of flones thrown up
by thelate hurricane on several parts of this coast will
contribute much to the security of the island ; an. the
laws formerly made to prevent the carrying away
stones from the sea shore, are very defective, I think
it highly necessary to recommend to you a revision and
an effectual amendment of those laws.
" One of the bridges leadin from Bridge Town,
having been so far deft oyed as to be now impassible ,
and the other being in so ruinous a condition that it 1#
likely to become equally useless, very thortly ; I think
it highly expedient to recommend to you an effectual
reparation of both.
" I fend you a copy of an address from the council
and assembly of Antigua to general Shirley, governor
of the Leeward islands, expressing their apprehensions
ofa famine in that island; with his excellency's letter
to me on the fame fubjeft, for your confederation ; tak
ing it for granted that your humanity will induce you
to contribute all in your power to the prevention of
so dreadful a calamity.
“ JAMES CUNINGHAME.”
" Dear Sir,
“ The inhabitants of this island being under great
apprehenfibns that there will too soon be such a fear
city of provisions as may be attended with very serious
copfequences, the legislative body here have applied to
me to requeftaffiflance from you ; I takethe I berty to
inclofe their address to me upon that fubjett, and at
the fame time am perfuadeJ 1 need not make use of
any arguments to a person of your excellency's known
humanity and general benevolence, to recommend this
matter to your favourable attention.
" I have the honour to be, with great regard and
efleern, Your excellency's
Most obedient, and mol hum le servant,
THOMAS SHIRLEY."
" Antigua, August 26, 1781."
'• Sir, , " St. Join's, 25th August % 1781.
“ the present critical scarcity of provisions, which
has placed the island in the ^ery alarming situation we
reprefent.d in a letter we had the honourof addressing to
your excellency of yesterday's date, has so much, awak
ened the attention and v/creafsd the anxiety of tne le
gislature, as to excite them (0 trouble you hill further
than in what our I tter of yesterday extended.
" Their iojundion to us, by the result of the two
messages that Grft puffed from the council and assembly
on'Tburfday last, u, that you will b& pleased on our
application, to exert your influence wi h his excTle cy
governor Cunihghame of Barbadoes, in earnest entrea
ties for the interpo tion of hjs kind officers, in direct
ing such supplies for every fpedies of provisions, to be
feut speedily to relief of this island, as can he spared
out of the quantity expected from Rugland as a dona
tion of government to the island of Barbados, and of
which we are taught to believe that the inhabitants of
that island do not now Hand in immediate want.
"Should our ideas be happily well munaedin this re
fpeft, and hat governor Cuoinghame is thereby ena
bled to comply with an aft of so much beneficence,
and we have every reason to think so corresponding
with his disposition; we are authorifed to fay that
the public faith of this island will be pledged for pay
ing the firfl cofls, and every incidental charge that shall
attend the importation of every species of provisions
that can be sent to us.
“ We have no doubt of your excellency's kind affiftt
ance, in promoting an application that tends so much
to the welfare of the community, as the avoidance of
that direful calamity, a Famine.
" We are, with very due refpeft, Sir,
" Your excellency's most obed.'and humble servants,
“ THOMAS JARVIS,
“ ROW. BURTON,
Speaker ot the assembly."
" His excellency governor Shirley."