The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-01-06 00:00:00, page 2

they will be Efficient when paid, fofr if the estimates of
expenditures were made in money at twenty for one, and
the NX Itmaoded be made out accordingly, it is very
Certain ifir ih^d be paid at forty fer one, it wou d not
fatisfy more than half the estimate, and therefore muff be
deficient by one haff, and the work is ail to do over again,
to the ot ;er half collected and paid, besides all the
dangers and damages whih may arise rom the delay.
N ar do I fee that any reasonable objection could be made
tothe juflice bf crediting the States for their ,padpay
ments by the famerule, for it is finely wrong that a dila
tory State that has really paid but one fifth part of the
value of her quota, Nould havecredit for 'he whole : But
whatever may be thought proper with refpeA to the time
pis l I think there can be no doubt that such fcand dous
and'dangerous mis hiefs ihould be well guarded against in
time :o come. To all this it ought to be further added,
thit' when any State delays to celled their taxes, the mo
ney will accumulate and consequently depreciate falser
in it than in ot er States where the tax is quickly collect
ed and no reason can be given, why any State ihould take
advantage of that depreciation which their own iniquitous
delay has occasioned.
It is further nec^ ffary that each delinquent State Ihould
be charted w.^the interest of UI fuco parts of their se
veral quotas which Nall be unpaid at the time prescribed
by Congrrfs till payment be made, and for the fame rea
son t,ey Nould be allowed interest on all such funis as may
be paid before 'he laid time of payment, till such time of
payment comes ; and ifall this, tog< tner with the honour
and zeal of the several States, Nouidbe inefficient to pre
vent leficiencies, further methods Ihould be adopted and
effectually execute !, till such deficiencies shall be prevent
ed for the very idea of fueporting the union, dignity, p^b
lic'fdth and even fafety of the Thirteen States, without
g,wd pu'nluality in each State, is most manifeftly chime
ri al vain and ridiculous, for tuere can never be any con.
fiden'ce placed in our adminiftr.mon, if their councils, co
venants and measures mull be ever liable to be rendered
fruitlefe or imp. amicable by the deficiencies of one or two
of those States. ...
On the part of the particular States, it is necessary
that'each of teem at the beginning of each year ihould
have a lift or assessment of all taxables compleated, and
all appeals adjured, and good collectors appointed, that
as as any tax is granted by their Legislature, it may
be put immediately into the Collectors hands, and the
coitaln be tinilheJ, and the money pa ; d into the Conti-
Pental Treasury, without lets of time. If matters were
once put into this train, any necessary sum demanded by
Congress might be collected, and ready for use in a very
Ihort time, and this will fully obviate the great objection
that taxes, tho' acknowledged to be the only sure and
remedy, are yet too flow in their operation to be de
cnd-d on. Yea, it appears from this view, that taxes
are a'much more certain and speedy supply, and may be
be depended on with much greater fa/ety than any other
metfik: which has been pointed out to me, and they are a
fioai t finished remedy ; whereas loans, lotteries, annuities,
and ^very other method which I have heard of, are no
more than temporary expedients, are but plausible antici
pations of our revenue, and all look forward to a burden
to be imposed in future time, which had better be borne
now, and be finally done with. And as I propose that all
the eNmites of Congress, and all thequotas demanded of
the States, fhouid be made out in hard money, so I ado
prooofe that tre taxes may be made out in the fame mo
ny payable timer in hard money or Continental, at toe
'option of the person who pays the tax. Sundry material
adjaotd.es I conceive will arise from this :
I Many persons out of trade have no money but har,,
£id when called on for the tax, may be compelled to port
noth their hard money, at an unreasonable exchange,
which will be avoided if hard money itfelf will pay the tax.
n Tois will preserve the tax from any poflibility of
Art^ron, by me depreciation or appreciation ot the
currency for if any person thinks the exchange demand
ed ui^fonabie, be may pay in hard money, and then
he is sure not to pay eith r too much or too little.
,This will gradually bring turns of hard money,
pernaps not inconsiderable, into the Continental Treasu
ry, ,/rich may be so used as to prevent drawing oil Eu
rope, and thereby increasing our foreign debt, which I
conceive an object greatly worth attention.
4 This rd exmbit the tax to view in its real value, and
prevent the terrors which may arise from the enormous
found in Continental money. , f
This would greatly tend in a short courfeof time
to reduce all our private contrasts to toe fixed standard
of hard money, by which we Ihould avoid that vortex of
fluctuation and uncertainty, which has rendered all our
private dealings precarious, anl n^f even our profits
rather ike effed of chance than of \ & dictation and in
dustry. Nor do I think that this would at all prejudice
the real use of the Continental money, tor ft would lull
pass at us exchange or value, Indeed, Ido not fee that
the depreciation of the money would owe been in itfelf a
calamity had so ruinous as it has proved, it it had operat
ed on y on the cafhN being, K would have been, tax up
on every poffAfor of it,, and womd nave l,feneu tne
public debt, fr it ' 8 manifest that t e public debt at the
F ^ ^^ forty for one, is but half what is was when
was twenty for one ; and as that money was
perhaps as ^diffed over the Thirteen States, a
other eftak t : e tax might have operated , ma toler
able New of justice, but the case was altered, when the
formation was not confined to the Continental money
Xbut drew every thing else after it: When it came
to rate on every debt and money contra,, on every
legacy lalary, public fee and fine yea on the finances of
th°e S^tes, so as to deftrey all calculation ot both lupplies
anl expenditures, the milchief became infinite . We were
both ourprivate affairs and public canals, thrown
into a coofufion inextricable , new objects, new effe&s
P:duo to view in every quarter which no ddeernment
e nor wiflomobviate, and like an inchant
n^t of fairy vafibns bewildered us all in such a maze of
eos interwoven with such fubuky into every branch
' ^A^ments, that no one department was free of
them' and weall Hand trembling this moment before this
foerof depreciation, like bewildered travellers in a
where the bones of broken fortunes are eve
s where in fight, with the fpedres of widows and father
% and a thoifod others which the monster has devour
ed 'aad is ftill/evouring as greedy as ever.
(To be cjr;ti4ued)
Pera of Constantinople, August 3.
T N the course of last week no less than ten fires broke
A out in this city or its suburbs ; one of which, n-ar the
Imperial summer residence, consumed forty two houses ;
and another in the centre of Cooftautinople, in the night
of the 29th past, which raged upwards of eighteen hours,
and confuted thirty mosques, besides about fix thousand
houses or shops. Diffi rent attempts have been made to
burn Pera and Galafa, the residence of the Franks.
Admiral Barrington's ship received 22 fliots between
wind and water, had many men killed, and Admiral Bar
riiagton wounded severely, being furreunded by three
French Nips of 74 guns each.
The St. Antonia de Alamons, Capt Coflova, from the
Havannah to Cadiz, is taken by the Lyon privateer, and
carried into FyaL She has 2,000,000 us dollars on board,
and a great quantity of cochineal.
The following is the particular account published at
Paris, by authority, of the taking of the Ardent.
The combined fleet came a-bref lof Plymouth on
the 17th of Aoguft. T>e Chevalier Bernard de Ma-\
rigny, Captain of the Juno frigate, had chafed a cutter
and an English privateer quite to the opening of the Sound,
where they efca,ed ; but as he was returning, with the
wind at eafi, to join the Beet, which was failing in a line
of buttle, at a few leagues from the coast, about eight
o'clock in the morning he perceived off the Start Point,
two fail coming right before the wind, with all the fail
they could croud ; the largest of these ships seeming to be
in chace of the other. The Chevalier soon difeovered the
one was aiDanifh ship, and that which chaced and examin
ed her, was an En;lifh man of war of the line. On this
the Chevalier made a signal to Commodore Treville,
who commanded a flying squadron, part of the com
bined fleets: The Commodore fliewed that he under
flood the signal, and made a figaal to his squadron to make
fail.
Whilst the English Blip was employed in bringing to
and examining the Dane, the Chevalier de Marigny seized
the epportunityfof making a tack to gain tewind; ard at
length, by dint of failing, got into the enemy's track.
The En?lifh fllip made many efforts to shun the frigate,
but the Juno followed all her motions, and flawed them
by figuals to the Commodore Treville, who directed his
squadron in consequence of these figoals. The enemy, at
length, resolved to put before the wind, and the Chevalier
tacked to intercept her course; when on a sudden the
enepay lay to and took in a reef This appearance of fe
purity made the Chevalier conclude at firfl, that she was
one of the squadron of observation, commanded by Don
Luis de Cordova, to be certain of which he made a pri
vate signal, which was not anfoered.
As soon as the Chevalier got within gun Not, he hoi fled
French colours, and fired a ball; the enemy, without
Shewing any colours, began to open her ports 0* tee lar
board fide, which the turned to the Juno. The Chevalier,
no longer doubted but she was an enemy, and attributed
her delay jo showing her colours, to the hope she h d en
tertained, that whilst she was unknown, flie should not be
attacked, and should gain more time to prepare for
action. fheChevalier immediately came on the starboard
tack, and by a rapid evolution enabled himfelf to pour
in two broadsides on the enemy's larboard quarter. The
Englifli fflip did not hoist her colours till all her ports were
open, and Ne was ready to engage the frigate; when the
Chevalier, thinking the other might be ready only ®n
one fide, contrived to quit the larboard, and range up on
the flarboard fide; in the execution of which manoeuvre,
he Bred.two broadfidcs on the enemy's flern and quarter.
He saw, indeed, that she had not yet got her lower tier
quite ready on the flarboard, and took advantage of that
circumflance. Just at that inflant the Gentilie frigate,
commanded by the Baron de Mengaud de la Hage (who
had crouded fail as soon as Ne had perceived the
figual foran enemy) came up and made a brisk fire. The
Engliih Nip then began to fire on the frigates. The Juno
received twb broadsides, but they were so badly pointed,
that flie had not a higgle man hurt, nor did Ne lofea mast;
and the Chevalier, who brought the news of the battle,
was ignorant whether the Gentille had received any da
mage.
The EngliN Nip then flruck her colours, but as Ne had
not slackened fail, La Bellona and La Gloire frigates,
commanded by M. de Gonidee and M. de Bavre (who
had Crouded down as soon as they saw the signal)
came up, and each fired a broadside. The enemy then
lowered all her fails, and yielded before Commodore de
Treville, who came down with his light squadron, had
been obliged to fire a Not. It was then half past eleven
o'clock in the morning, and Plymouth bore N. N. W.
distant fix leagues.
The rest of the day was emploped in taking possession
of the prize, which proved to be the Ardent of 64 guns,
commanded by Captain Philip Boteler. She had 26 twen
ty-four pounders on her lower deck, 26 eighteen plund
ers on /her upper deck, 12 nine pounders on die quarter
deck and forecaftle, and 12 swivels. Her crew cot filled
0(523 men. She was goiag to jhn tne EngliN fleetun
der Admiral Hardy.
By the report of her officers, Ne had five men killed and
eight wounded in the action.
September % The weak and contemptible reason that
Government give why they do nmt publhh the loss of Gre
nada, is, because they have no official account of it, that
is, because Lord M'Cartney, tne Governor, who by this
time is a ptdoper in France, has not been ableto fend them
office particulars. Il a similar reason governed all their
proceedings, it might be accepted; but the contrary is too
well known to admit if in the prefect iuftance.
It is evident to all the world that the French and Spa
niards are determined to ruin the naval force of this coun
try, and oblige Great Britain tofubmit to the most humi
liating and difgraceful terms. To carry this point with
the greater security, they have fuffered our Mjniflers to a
muse themselves with the hopes of an accommodation.
But no treaty can be made between us and the House of
Bourbon at this time, which can be fafe, honourable, or
laftog. In the day of our distress we must remember with
execration the men whose infamous Councils have reduced
us to this dilemma. The names of Bute and Mansfield,
with those of their oflenfible tools, Sandwich, North, and
Germaine, will be held by all lovers of their country in
utter abhorrence.
LONDO N, September 8.
Public credit has not got such a Nock nhce the beginning
of the American war as by the capture ct Grenada. The
bad news is evidently read in tne long faces of fume at
'Change, a^d the affected fpirjts of others, who are afraid
to make Known the real losses they have fuflaiued by this
unfortunate affair.
Jemmy Twitcher is set out for Portsmouth, a place, the
very tight of which, ought to cover him with confuficn.
It is said by some, that he will contrive if joffible to get
on board the combined fleets, as no other fituaiion ran be
half so fafe to him as that ; though it is imagined theFrench
and Spaniards will fend him back again to us, since he can
do them more service at home than any where else.
A tradesman of York, having bet a wager that he would
ride his own hack from thence to Hull, and back again
within twelve hours, on Friday morning at fix o'clock he
set off, and returned some few minutes before fix in the
evening. The rider weighs fourteen fione ; and, what is
very remarkable, his tit cost only two guineas and an half
at our Lammas fair, is but thirteen hands and an half high,
very small, and not much heavier than its mailer, yet
performed the journey with ease (near 80 miles) notwith
standing its being rode- with very little judgment.
The following protest is extracted from the new pam
phlet called, The House of Peeresses, or the Debates of
the Ladies upon the BiNop of Landaff's bill to discourage
adultery :
Diffentient, “ That conjugal fidelity is one great means
for the preservation of dona-flic tranquility, and for 1••
promotion of general felicity; wherefore the oppofers of
the bill are avowed enemies to their own honor and the
welfare of their hufb nds."
Diffentient, " That those of their Ladyffiips who have
put a negative on theßiNop of Landaff's motion, are ene
mies to tne happiness of th", country, and tfaitereffes t@
the Britilh government."
Ab—gd—n I D—fit—re I L—l —n [R nd
B—f—t I H-ts—d IM— ch—r jku d
D th lle r | P y |Sp r.
Upwards of thirty Peeresses Supported the debate in oppo
sition to the bill, it was loft by a majority of eighteen. Ju
the course of this interesting business there are several well
timed, masterly flrokes at the Peers who have obtained di
vorces from their Ladies ; parti ularly the D— of G. the
M s of C n, Lord G. Lord P. and V t
B. The Ladies who took the must active part in the de
bate were, the M s of C n, (who was cho
sen Lady President) the Countess Dowager of IL Lauy
L t, and Lady P. There are a few family anecdotes
introduced in some of the fpceches, which Nould, in point
of delicacy, have been suppressed, or at least given in a
m^re disguised form. This ingenious pamphlet is said to
be the production of the author of * Sketches from Na
ture, and will in all probability run through as many e
ditions. Theonly circumstance against it being so gene
rally read as the Sketches is, the characters are not io nu
merous, though much more pointed,
* The lass advertisements of this pamphlet, mention the
13th edition.
September 17. We are sorry to hear, that in the late
aHion in the Weft Indies, our powder was damaged, and
not near the proof standard.—What puniNment is fuffi
ci^nt for the makers or contractors, for such diabolical
proceedings!/
September 21 - As the garrison of Grenada surrendered at
diferetion, without capitulation, tne terms offered were,
that the crops of fujar, rum, &c. were confifcated ; and
of the inhabitants that Ihould take the oaths of allegiance
to the French King, may remain in quiet possession, and
those who were absent must be there in person, and not by
deputy, or their estates would be forfeited.
Extrad of a letter from Pembroke, September 15.
" Yesterday a large French cutter put into FiNguard,a
port twelve miles from hence, and took ten floeps, ^bich
they ransomed for 100 guineas each ;. and now the
drums are beating to arms to call the BiecknockNire mi
litia, (in this town) to the affiflance of the inhabitants, as
they are determined to burn FiNguard, if they will not
pay 40001. — The cutter is so near, that several 61b. Not
have been picked up in the flreets.—lt is luppefed thecutter
is the Black Prince two hand grenades have been
flung into the town. An account of this was brought at
five o'clock last night, but Major Aubrey would not lend
a man to the relief of the town."
On Tueflay fe'night arrived at Corke, the Vulture pri
vateer, William Valentine, Commander, of twenty-two
guns, besides swivels. On the 18th ult. took the St. La
Louisa, from Guadanio, in the river of Oroonoko, or the
Isthmus of Darien, Capt. Don Antonio ^varifee Roj®,
laden with two chests of dollars, tobacco, dried hydes, can
non, &c. &c. The cannon belonged to a Spaniffi man of
war wrecked on that coast. The prize was taken off the
Western Isles, and carried into Kinfale.
Lord Amherst madea general survey of all the fortificati
ons on our coast at a very great exp-nee to the nation ; yet
this is certain, and can be proved, that when the combi
ned fleet appeared before Plymouth, the guns were not
mounted; and had not a ram rod, ladle or Iponge. There
were indeed some balls, but no powder ; and all naval men
agree, that two 74 gun flrips might have come in and de
firoyed the whole dock yard. At Dartmouth, a French
privateer came in and fired upon the garrison, which could
not make any refinance till the engineer was sent for, who
lives at Totnefs, twelve miles off. This survey was made
several mouths before the enemy appeared, yet no fleps
had been taken to put the forts in a condition of defence.
Custom House, Dublin, September 11.
The Roard have just received intelligence from a Sker
ries fiN&man, that the Black Prince, which engaged the
TownNend cauizer on Thursday moring last, was on Tues
day evening about four leauges S. W. of the Isle of Man,
and had taken several prizes. lam direded forgive im
mediate notice thereof.
By order of the Commissioners,
GEO. L'ESTRANGE, Dep. Col.
To the merchants and traders
of the city of Dublin.
A further notice was published of the above, which
fays, that an express has arrived from Larne, giving an
account that the Black Prince privateer passed by that
place on Saturday last, fleering to the northward ; and
that the Boston frigate had just failed in pursuit of her.
Extract of a letter from Edinburgh, September 15.
“ An express was received this merning at the Custom
house here, giving an account of three French privateers