The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-01-27 00:00:00, page 2

PROVIDENCE, January 6.
It is reported, that the 34th British regiment was
lately loft, in attempting to cross one of the lakes.
Thursday last arrived here captain John Updike, in
the sloop Crawford, of this port, from Amsterdam, in
Holland, which place he left the 18th of OHober lift.
By captain Updike we received Dutch papers to the
12th of October, from them we have translated the fol
lowing articles.
Hague, Octo. 9. The Rates of Holland and Weft
Friezland, have this day met in council in consequence
of some difpatch.es which have arrived from the court
of P terfburgh to the Ruffian ambassador here: the
dispatches contain an account that that court lias en
gaged Sweden to join the armed neutrality, with some
other matters of great importance.
Oft. to. It is no longer a doubt here, that the court
of Portugal has acceaed to the armed neutrality,
which will be not a little detrimental to Britain, as
that haughty power can now no longer seize vessels
on the coast of Portugal as it has done.
Oft. 11. We have certain intelligence, that the
court of Portugal has forbidden the English commo
dore Johnftone cruizing on their coast; and has or
dered him to deliver up all the Portuguese sailors he
has on board his squadron.
Oft. 12 By recent advices from London we learn,
that it is determined on there to fend a large reinforce
ment, both of ships and troops, to America early in
the spring.
The court of London is exceedingly chagrined to
fee all the maritime powers in Europe arming, to pre
vent her tyrannizing on the sea any longer, and we
may add that it is generally believed that the fleet now
on the ocean, for the protection of the neutral com
merce, will fliorfly join the combined fleet, and dilate
terms of peace to that haughty power.
The. report of general Philips having the command
of the Britith troops in Virginia is grouadlefs, the whole
of those plunderers being under the direction of that
arch traitor Arnold, who, (letters from that quarter
fay) had retired with his banditti on board their ships
inJames river.
Letters from South-Carolina fay, that general Les
lie, with the troops under his command from Virginia,
arrived at Charleftown the 20th ult. and had marched
to join lord Cornwallis, who was again collecting his
forces at Cambden.
Friday night the 12th inflant, about nine o'clock, a
gentleman was assaulted in Fifth-ftrect, near Christ
Church Burial ground, by three fellows, who robbed
him of some money, and bruised and otherwise wound
ed him so badly that he is now confined to his bed. One
of the villains was soon after secured by some people in
the neighbourhood: he proves to be an old offender,
of the name of Magee, and had not long been at large,
the old jail in this city haying for some time past been
his principal place of residence, on account of his many
rogueries, and where he is once more prevented from
committing further depredations on society.
Since the above several other fireet roberies have
been perpetrated ; particularly last Wednesday evening
about eight o'clock, a person was knocked down at the
upper end of Market-fireet by two fellows in the garb
of soldiers, who fractured his scull, and he is now in
a very dangerous way. On the appearance of some
people the rogues made off.
One night last week a house at the upper end of Front
ftreet was broke open by some villains, by means of
boring one of the shutters. The thieves took some va
luable articles, and got off undifeovered.
About two weeks ago a largeqaantity of stolen goods
were difeovertd at an house in Hicory lane, back of the
Barracks. From the variety of the articles and other
circumstances, they appear to be the collection of
much time and knowledge of the 'bufinefs ; many
things, we are told, long miffing being found in this
depository. One man is apprehended on suspicion of
being a principal in this affair, and it is supposed ma
ny persons not yet difeovered are acceffaries. The
goods are now at the house of Mr. John Keen, in
Front- street near Boole's Bridge.
On Tuesday last intelligence was received by coun
cil, that in October last the Ontario, a new ship of
20 guns, bound to Canada, was loft on the lake, with
co'onel Bolton and 350 men of the 34th British regi
ment on board, who all perished. This confirms the
article relative to that regiment, under the Provi
dence head.
T R E N T O N, January 17.
Lieutenant Colonel KI in, formerly in the service of
the United States, was last week apprehended in the
county of Monmouth on his way to New-York.
Last week ensign Fitz Randolph, with ten or twelve
privates of our militia, were furprized in Amboy by
a party of the enemy, and carried to Staten-Isl md.
On Sunday, the 7th instant, departed this life, in
an advanced age, Jacob Bergen, esquire, firft judge
of the court of common pleas for the county of Som
erset. He was many years a magistrate under the for
mer government ; was continued under the present ;
universally refpefted as an early, decided, and con-'
fiftent patriot. The country has loft in him a faithful,
a&ive magistrate, and the date an ufeful, refpedable
citizen.
HARTFORD, January 16.
We hear, that a few days since, a schooner arrived
at Newport in 6 days from Wilmington, North-Caro
lina, being manned by several people belonging to
Rhode-Ifland, who had made their escape from a pri
son-ship at Charles-Town, South-Carolina, in the
following manner : One evening observing a schooner
come to anchor near the prison ship, with sundry ne
groes on board, they took an opportunity, while the
sentinel was off his guard to get from the prison ship
on board the schooner, and immediately making fail
they got out of the harbour; they afterwards put in
to Wilmington, where they fold the negroes, and with
the money purchased a cargo of naval stores, with
which they arrived fafe at New-port.
Philadelphia, Jan. 27.
President Reed having, on the 6th, advanced near
Prince'on, (being also fudy authorifed by the commit
tee of Congress to make proportions) wrote a letter to
general Wayne, in which he expressed some doubts as
to the propriety of going within the picquets of the
insurgents. This letter being shewn to the ferjeants,
they immediately wrote to the president in these words.
“ Your excellency need not be in the least afraid or
" apprehensive of any irregularities or ill treatment,
" that the whole line will be very happy how expedi
“ ent your excellency would be, in fettling the un
“ happy affair."
Encouraged by these cirumfiances, but without any
great confidence in them, more especially as the board
of ferjeants had demanded the spies from general
Wayne, and at this time had them in poTefEon, his ex
cellency determined to venture amongst t em. That
he had no firm dependance on their pa ific assurances,
appears by a passage in a letter written to the vice pre
sident, at Philadelphia, just before he went into Prince
ton ; wherein he f ys,—“ I have but one life, and my
“ country has the firft claim to it. I therefore go with
" the chearfoluefs which attends performing a necef.
“ fary, tho' not a pleasant duty " Upon his entry into
Princeton the whole line was drawn up for h:s rce tion,
and every mark of military honour and refpe& shewn
him. After this interview the negociation commen
ced in regular form. During the treaty the President
had the address to perfwade the mutineers to advance
to Trenton; for, notwithstanding all favourable ap
pearances, he still remained jealous of their situation.
After a correspondence of fume days, in which great
On the arrival of this news at Philadelphia, the pre
sident of the date, and a committee of Congress, atten
ded by the Pennsylvania troop of horse, set out for
Trenton.
In the mean time, some negociations had taken place
between the board of ferjeants and general Wayne
but not to any effed. The general was yet in doubt
as to the real designs of the mutineers ; but a circum
stance now occurred, which seemed to evince the fideli
ty of the difeontented troops. A spy from New York,
attended by a guide, appeared before the board of fer
jeants, with a paper, rolled in sheet lead, intimating
that if the P nnfylvama line would direst their march
towards South River, a large body of British troops
should be ready to receive them ; and prom ling very
large emoluments to every soldier who should thus de
sert his country's cause. No Loner did this emissary
make his errand known, but the board of ferjeants re
jeded the proposal witn d:fdain, and feat the spy with
his companion under guard to general Wayne, with a
reserve, however, that they should be re delivered to
the board, if demanded.
Intelligence of this affair was soon conveyed to
New-York. The enemy were hig ly elated on the oc
casion, and exerted themselves to the utmost, not
abating their diligence, although the rain poured down
in effantly. Four or five thousand troops were imme
diately embarked, in order to make a tefcent on Jer
fey at South-Amboy, under a full perfwafion that the
Pennsylvania line waited only an opportunity to join
the British troops. They were confirmed in this idea
by a person from Woodbridge, who went over to Sta
ten-Ifiand and informed, that such was the determina
tion of the board of ferjeants.
New-Year's day, being a day of customary feftivity,
an extra proportion of rum was frved out to the sol
diers. This, together with what they were able to
purchase in the neighbourhood of the line, was fuffici
ent to enflame the minds of men, already pre-difpofed
by a mixture of real and imaginary injuries, to break
forth into outrage and disorder. As soon as night came
on, the Camp was observed to be in great confufion,
and by eleven o'clock bec.me quite tumultuous; the
troops avowedly threw off all obedience and prepared
to march. In vain did general Wayne, and the offi
cers of the line, exert themselves to reduce the mutiny
and restore order and discipline ; the affair had gone
too far to yield to their exertions, and one of the offi
cers unhappily loft his life in the attempt.
At length the line left their Camp, in a mod tumul
tuous and disorderly manner, and marched to Prince
ton, where they fixed their quarters.
General Wayne, uncertain whether this mutiny
arose from British influence and diffaffeflion, or only
from the grievances they so loudly complained of,
though-: it mod prudent to get thi : difor ltrly body, if
possible, organiEd into some regularity, in which situ
ation the mutineers might be treated with and the
truth difeovered. To this he was the rn^re encouraged
as they h 1 I repeatedly and in the ftrongefi terms deni
ed the leaff tindure of disaffection, or ny intention of
deferring to the enemy. He accordingly recommended
it to them to choose a number of ferjeants, to fit as a
board and feprefent their , ^evinces, so that redress
m ght be had, if their complaints should appear to be
well founded. This advice they readily attended to :
a board of ferjeants was accordingly formed, and the
bufintfs seemed to put on a more manageable appear
ance.
It appears that considerable discontents had for some
time taken place amongst the soldiers, on account of
uncertain inliflments, deficiencies of cloathing, arrear
ages of pay, and the depreciation of the currency ;
which, as yet, extended no farther than private com
plaints and murmurs. Whatever real causes of dif
conten', in some of these particulars, might have been
0 cafioned by the public necessities, owing to disap
pointments, unavailable in times of war and invasion,
it is evident, that they were greatly exaggerated bv
the influence of too great a mixture of Britith deserters
in the Pennsylvania line. It is more than probable,
that this diffatisfaßion would not have assumed the
formidable afped in which it afterwards appeared, had
not concurrent circumstances administered the occasi
on.
An Account of the late Disturbances in the PENN-
AS the public will probably expert some account
of the late unhappy movements in the Pennfylva
nia Line, and the proceedings had thereupon, wehave,
from authentic documents, enabled ourselves to give
the following concise narrative of that tranfaHion.
SYLVANIA LINE.
tenacioufhefs was shewn on the part of the malcontents
and equity with firmnefs on the part of his Excellency'
articles of agreement were finally assented to and con
firmed on both sides.
The articles were as follow, viz.
PROP OS ALS made to the Non commissioned
Officers and Soldiers of the PENNSV LVA-
N IA LI N E, at Princeton, January 7, 1781
His excellency JOSEPH REED, esquire, president
and the honourable brigadier-general POTTER, of
tue council of Pennsylvania, having heard the com
p'aints of the soldiers, as represented by the sergeants
inform them, that they are fully authorize I to redress
reasonable grievances, and they have the fulleft dis
position to make them as easy as possible . for which
end t ey propose,.
A ^P' T"" n ° non - com missioned officer or soldier
ihall be detained beyond the time for which lie freely
and voluntarily engaged : but where they appear to
have been in any refpeH compelled to enter or sign,
fuch' enlifhnent to be deemed void, and the soldier dif
chared.
Secondly, To fettle who ar A and who are not bound
to flay, three persons to be appointed by the president
a ? d council,* who are to examine into the terms
of enlistment ; where the original enlistments cannot
be found, the soldier's oath to be admitted, to prove
the time and terms of enlistment, and the soldier to
be difeharged upon his oath of the condition of the
enlistment.
Thirdly, Wherever any soldier has enlisted for three
years or during the war, he is to be discharged, un
less ne ihall appear afterwards to have re-enlisted vo
luntarily and freely. The gratuity of one hundred
dollars given by Congress, not to be reckoned as a
bounty, or any men detained in consequence of that
gratuity. The comm'ffioners to be appointed by the
president and council, to adjust any difficulties which
may arhe on this article also.
Fourthly, The auditors to attend as soon as possi
ble, to fettle the depreciation with the soldiers, and
give them certificates. Thrir arrearages of pay to be
made up as soon as circumstances will admit.
Fifthly, A pair of ffioes, overalls and Ihirt. will be
delivered to eich soldier in a few days, as th y are al
ready purchased and ready to be sent forward, when
ever the line shall be fettled. Those who are difeharged
to receive the above articles at Trenton, producing
the general's difeharge.
Che president hopes, that no soldier of the Penn
sylvania line w II break his bargain, or go from the
contrast mide with the public, and they may depend
upon it, that the utmost care will be taken to furndh
tnem with every necefiarv fitting for a soldier.
The president will recommend to the slate to take
some favourable notice of thole who engaged for the
war.
The commissioners will attend at Trenton, where
the eloathing and the floras will be immediately
brought, and the regiments to be fettled with in their
order A field-officer of each regiment to attend
during the set tlement of his regiment.
Pursuant to general Wayne's orders of the 2d in
stant, no man to be brought to any trial or ensure
for what has happened on or since new year's day,
but all matters to be buried in oblivion.
JOS. REE D,
JAMES POTTER.
On the conclusion of the above articles the two emis
saries were again delivered up ; but his excellency
having been informed by general Wayne, that at the
time they were firft brought to him, he had promised
the two soldiers who conduced them FIFTY GUI
NEAS each, as a reward for their fidelity, he deter
mined to fulfil this engagement ; and accordingly sent
for those men, and offered them the promiEd gratuity.
This, however, they declined accepting, faying, that
they only obeyed the orders of their superiors the
board of sergeants. The hundred guineas were then
offered to the board of ferjeants, who returned this
remarkable answer :—“ Agreeable to the information
" of two ferjeants of our board, who waited on your
“ excellency, that in consideration of the two spies
“ they informed the remainder of the board, that
“ your excellency has been pleased to offer a sum of
" go'd, as a compensation for our fidelity ; but as it
" nas not been for the fake, or through any expefta
“ tion of receiving a reward, but for the zeal and love
“ of our country, that we sent them immediately to
" general Wayne, we therefore do not confider our
“ selves intitled to any other reward but the love of
“ our coun ry, and do jointly agree, that we shall
“ accept of no other."
Tre two spies were tried by a court-martial on the
10th, and being duly convided, were executed on the
iith, agreeable to their sentence, near the great road
leading from Philadelphia to Trenton ferry.
However unjustifiable the conduH of the Pennsyl
vania line may and ought to be deemed in the firft
instance, it *nuft be acknowledged, that they con
duced themselves in the business, culpable as it was,
with unexpected order and regularity. And their
fidelity in refufing the large offers made by the ene
my, in delivering up the spies, and in refufing the
hundred guineas they had so justly merited, exhibits
an instance of true patriotism and disinterestedness, not
to be found amongst mercenary troops, who bear
arms for pay add subsistence only, uninspired by their
country's rig'nts, or the justice of the cause which
they have engaged to support.
In purfpance of the articles agreed to, and the plan
adopted, commissioners have been appointed, to fettle
with the difeontented soldiers, man by man ; their
terms of enlistment carefully enquired into; their
wants supplied, money advanced on account of pay,
and certificates given For the remainder. The coin
miffioners have already made a considerable progress
in this business, to general f^tisfadion, and tnis disa
greeable affair is likely to have a better issue thara
could have been expected from its firft appearance.
During the whole of this unhappy diflurban.ee, his
* This appointment was made afterwards by the
committee of Congress, as the most proper channel of
authority.