The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-01-28 00:00:00, page 3

On the nth, I failed on my way to Fort York, The
chief place of the Fnglifh fertlements in the bay, but
here I met with difficulties Lr greater than those I
had encountered finer myarrival in these feat. I was
well aware that the coast was infefted with rocks and
shoals: I had no chart, and our prisoners obflinately
refufed to give me the least information; at last, after
taking an infinite deal of precaution, and having es
caped the dangers that furroun led us on all fifes, fad
ing by seven or right fathoms on a rocky bottom, I
reached the enterance of Nelson's river, where I
came to anchor, on the 20th of Augufl, within five
leagues of the (bore: As good luck would have it, I
had firengthened my (quadron with the addition of 3
boats, takenat the Prince of Wales fort. They prov
ed of the utmdfi service: I had entrusted them tithe
command of M du Xordieu, a Swede and an ensign
in the navy ; Doric, lieutenant of a frigate ; and Car
bonneau, a midshipman. It would havedeen impossi
ble for any body to be of greater service than the three
above named officers, founding ahead, and endeavour
ing to difeovtr Haye's river, on which Fort York
flan is, and whose near approach I knew to be imprac
ticable for every ship of burden.
On tie ißtn of Augufl, messieurs du Hordieu and
Carbonmau, each in bis boat, and tne fieur le Fevre,
in that belonging to the Sceptre, took an exaft furv y
of the said river. I waited for them at our moorings,
eight leagues at sea, out of fight of the land. They
hud minutely set down the soundings, and being re
turned on board, served as guides and pilots. On the
2,oth of Augufi, my division dropped anchor on a
good sandy bottom The next day in the morning,
I prepared to land: I thought it advifeable, having
nothing to fear from the enemy on the sea fide, to
oring up the van. Our great dihance from (fore
might have suggested to the enemy the means and re,
solution of opposing us, whicu could not so well be the
case at Fort Prince of Wales, by reason of the <afy ac
tefs my ship had to the latter settlement. I ordered
the chevalier de Langle to follow me, and gave to the
fieur de la Jaihe the command of the division, assuring
him, that the landing once effeßed, I should return
on board the Sceptre, and leave the chevalier de Lan
gle tocommand the boats, which, with their crews,
were to remain on shore till the surrender of the fort.
Haye's island, on which ftai)ds Fort York, is at the
month es a large river, which it divides into two
branches; the one called Haye's, and the other .Nel
son's river. I knew that all the enemy's means of de
fence was along Haye's river: There was, moreover,
a ship belonging to the Hudson's bay company,
mounting 26 nine pounders, and anchored in the
mouth of the river, which is full of sand banks
The currents are very violent, and the ebb and tide
succeed each other with great rapidity: Our boats
might have run and remained on ground within gun
fllot of the fort, and it highly concerned us not to
give theenemy so favourable an opportunity I there
fore fleered my course for Nelson's river, knowing
full well that our land forces would have above 16 miles
to march ; but by this meatu we effedpally rendered
ufelefb the batteries erected along Haye's river. On
the evening ofthe 21st we arrived with our floti la of
boats at the enterance of Nelson's river. My boats,
including those taken at Fort Wales, were 12 in num
ber, with 250 men ; my mortars, cannon, and eight
days provision. Matters were o difpufed that we
wanted nothing from the ships with which it was not
easy to fettle a communication, as they were obliged
to Band of at a great difiance. Ordered the boats to
drop anchor in three fathoms founding, at the mouth
of the giver, and accompanied by the chevalier de
Langle, messieurs Roftaing and Moneron, I went be
fore, founding ail the way up the river, on which I
supposed the enemy might have made (ome preparati
ohs to oppose our landing. At 5 o'clock, P. M- we
were got near enough to the fort, and t e company's
ship, for the enemy, with their spy-glasses to be able
to diflinguifh the colour of our regimentals- A gun,
loaded with (hot, was fired from the ship, and answer
ed by the fort. This, I supposed to be a signal for
the troops to file off towards Nelson's river. What I
had most to apprehend was from the savages, whom
the English might have induced to take up arms a
gainst us, by supplying them with gunpowder and
brandy.
As I proceeded in my soundings for the (pace of three
miles, I found that Nelson's river could not be en
tered: the smallest boats could not approach it
nearer than 100 fathoms distance, the remaining (pace
being foft and muddy: We therefore determined to re
, main at anchor all ni^ht, and wait till the next morn
ing ; but the tide ebbing much lower than I had at firft
imagined, my boats anchored in two fathoms and an
half, and were left a-ground by three o'clock in the
morning. The chevalier de Langle proposed to major
Roftaing, to walk over the mud, and thus get on shore.
This was agreed to ; all our men with their firelocks
Shouldered, waded for a quarter of a mile through the
mud knee deep, and we at last reached a meadow, or
rather marffi, diflant half a league from the woods.
The troops then formed themselves into battle array,
and marched about 3 miles in their way to the woods,
where we were in hopes to find a dry path that would
lead us to the fort. A prisoner to whom we had been
very liberal, had offered to be our guide ; he pointed
out to us a road, which, upon being reconnoitered by
Qn-fhot, hod fh^n hatted ; but perceiving ffiat the e
nemy made no (how of resistance, he Cent them a sum
mons to (urrender. Not the lead difficulty was thrown
in'his way ; the gates flew open, and the governor,
with his garrison, surrendered at discretion. A pro
digious quantity of merchandise of all kinds was found
in the fort ; theordnance was in the bed condition, and
all the magazines were covered with lead.
As I had not a moment to Io(e for the purpose of
putting an<n! to my operations in Hudfou's bay, I
Tefo'lved to commit every thing to the dimes, except
a few beaver hides, and other fur«, which were put on
board the Aftree. I gave up to the savages whatever
they thought proper to carry away, especially pow
der and (hot, thof. people living entirely on the pro
duce of the chafe.
major Roflaing, was judged impracticable; yet we
have since been informed, that it was the best in the
island. We fpeot the whole day in a fruitless search for
roads that were not to be met with. I resolved at last
to cut out one through the woods and bogs, which I
attemp ed to effed by means of the compass : meffrs.
Moneron and de Manfuy took upon them that very
fatiguing talk. We pitched our tents by the skirts of
the wood, and at night notice was given that there was
a morass to go over up to the knees in mud.
During the might the wind blew so hard a gale, that
I was in the greatest anxiety about my ships which
were at anchor close to the coast, in a place where the
fa is uncommonly boiflerous, and where the bottom,
though muddy 00 the furface, is full of little rocks,
so (harp as to cut the cables asunder. I direflly re
solved to endeavour all! could to join my division.
The landing being eff c a d, I thought myfelf no longer
juftified in continuing on shore, especially when the
(hips were in the greatest danger. I ordered the che
valier de Langle to take the command of the boats,
and haflened to the sea shore; but the florm continu
ing Bill to rage, f could not get on board. I improv
ed, next day, the opportunity of a short interval, and
reached the (hips one hour before another gak sprang
up. The fieur Carbonneau, who had set out with me,
had his boat wrecked, but was so lucky as to escape
with his crew. Tney returned on board three days
after, having, uring that time, subsisted on roots and
wild fruits Toe Engageahte loft two anchors in the
second fqual!, as did also the Affre. If tne dorm
had laded a few hours longer, the latter must have
been loft, with its crew, confiding of 300 men.
The wind having abated on the 26th, I was inform
ed t a? our land forces hud arrived before the fort on
the morning of the 24th, and that, on the firft sum
mons lent in by major Roftaing, the gates were open
ed, not however before a capitulation had been afcd,
and granted. I sent word to the major to destroy e
very thing by fire, and inllantly re embark: This he
did wit all polfible dispatch.
However, once more i fi,v my plan overturned by a
fre(h hurricane, in which the Engageante was again in
the utmost danger ; her third anchor broke; as did al
so the bar of the rudder, besides her pinnace being loft :
at last the fine weather returned, and I had the fatis
faftion, on the 31st ofAugud, to fee fort York on fire,
and major Roflaing, with all his men, making towards
"us in a large vessel belonging to the Hudson's-bay
company, and taken by me in the river. At night he
came to an anchor, about a league distant from the
Sceptre, on board ofwhich I received him next morn
ing. I weighed anchor without 101 lof time having
on board the three governors of the forts Prince of
Wales, York and Severn: the latter is a small fettle
ment within York diftrirt. I did not think it worth
w die to destroy it, being of no kind of importance,
but especially because my ships having loft both their
boats and anchors, and above 300 of our people being
ill, we could do nothing better than have those seas,
which from Aug. 25th are more teinpefluous than the
English channel in January.
I compute the loss sustained by the Hudson's bay
company, upon an average, at between ten and welve
millions of livres. I took care, when Fort York 'was
ordered to be burnt, to spare a considerable magazine,
situate beyond the reach of the flames, where 1 caused
to be deposited, provisions, gunpowder, lead, firelocks,
and a certain quantity of European goods, the pro
perefl for exchange among the savages, that several
English inhabitant 7, who I know have fled to diffe
rent parts, may, on their return, find in that maga
zine, the means of procuring fubfiflance, till the court
of London shall be informed of their situation. I am
well assured, th s part of my conduct will meet with
his majefly's approbation; and that by making such
provision for those unfortunates; I have only antici
pated the king's benevolent intentions.
At the City Vendue-Store,
This Eh 7 E NING,
Catalogues may be had at Prichard's Circulating
Library. Jan. 28.
To be LEI. and entered on immediately,
A Brick TENEMEN r, mb three acres of G<r.
A. well (tocked w t.l Fruit Trees of all ki^cs, and
many Asparagus Beds ; th* foil vt kinlb for ^iiQ
things early, and wHI situated for attending the market,
being within throe mile# of the city. Enquire 01 the
Pfinur. Jan. z£,
Will re-commence the Sale, by Auction,
Of a very VALUABLE
Slates and Slate Pencils,
Manufaaured in this city by J. REID ; eq Jal, if not
lupejr to any ever imp r^d,
And Scld on low Terms, Wholelale and
Retail, By
William Woodhoufe,
STATIONER, Front-ft^t, next door to the ol 1 Cof
fee-houfe, Jan. 27.
Collection of Books.
Diaionaries of 'Arts and Sciences, Trade
and Commerce, &c.
At Half after SIX o'Clock,
Fight Dollars Reward.
RAN-AWAY (rom the fubferiber, <u the 13d in,
ftant, a likely young Negro WENCH, marked
wnh the (mall-pox : had on when (he went away, an
old Itriped linfey petticoat and (hort gown, a queen's
night cap of flowered kenting, a check handkerchief,
blue flockings darned with white, a pair old (hoes with
only one buckle : (hr has a paper figaed by Mr. Haiti,
which (he thinks miked her free, and will be very ape
to fas# it, in older to oafs her along; and has taken
with Irr a quantity es other cloathing, and may per
haps change her dress. Any perf+n taking up and se
curing f*id Wench, so th t her miftrels may have he?
again, (hall have the ^bo^e reward and rerf'nable
ch rges raid,.by ELIZABETH COCHRAN,
Jan. 27. (h^pkeeper in Market-dreet.
TO BE SOLD, A
Y7"ALU ABLE Grid and Saw-Mill,
V wth 280 acres of good LAND, adjoining the
river Porowmack, in WN!hm&t>n county, Maryland .
40 *cres is bottom land, equal to an, in rhe (tare • thj
m II house is very large and convenient, and the ((ream
of wat^r a never failing one ; the best of pine timber
may be had down th river, and the ftuff, when (awed
may be fold to great advantage ; the mill it but it
rafts rom Hager's town ; about 60 acres are clear,
with forne other good buildings leiide the mid For
terms apply to DANIEL HIESTER, junr. in thecoun
ty of Phil f de phM, 0^ to MARTIN CARSNER, a.
bout fix milts from the prem fee.
Lands to be Let.
TH E fubferiber has to let 4500 acres of Land, ft
tuate in Washington county, in the data of Mat v»
land, all adjoining and laying contiguous to Hager's
town, the county town of said county, and being that
body of land on which the fame stands; the land is of
an excellent quality, the part of the c< untry agreeable,
and the advantages of being id near a thriving and well
inhabited town, is considerable; a great part of the
land is yet to cbar, and the whole will be divided inter
onvenient plantations. Th^ terms may be known by ap
p), n; to the fubferiber in Upper Salford towpfhip, in tha
county of Philadelphia, before the 10 h da, of Febru
ary, or afterwards at Hager's town till the 15th ofMarch
next. Daniel hiester, j un r.
Said Hiefter will also Let the PLANTATION on
which he now lives; the House is a large trick build,
ing, and one of the belt houfts in that part of the
country ; the place is otherwise in good order, and may
be entered on by the firft of April next.
% L L perfont th>t are in anywise indebted to the
effete of JONATHAN HAGER, elquire, | aie
of Walhington county, deceased, are once more re
quested to make payment to the fu briber, who will
attend at H-ger's town from the 20th of February to
the i s th of March next: fuck as do not comply after
(0 long an indulgence as since the decease of Mr. Ha
ger, mutt expert to be dealt with as the law direrts
fuch of them however as lire in the western counties of
this date, and at a great Usance from ft d towr mav
rarke payment to THCMAS SMITH, efquir'r, of
Carlile, at rhe r refpetbve spring courts; who wj[;be
authorised <0 receive rights and Jve dife. urges.
DANIEL HIES TER. junr. Administrator.
And entered upon the 28th of next Month
A Good Dwelling HOUSE, Milk House and Stable;
together with a /ood GARDEN, and from five
to ten acres of good LAND, plerfand, situated on the
road leading from Philadelphia to Gray's ferry, apout
three mil's from the Court-house ; for which non# need
apYy but those who can be well recommended.
A so, Two PLANTATIONS to be Let or Sold,
in Chester and NewcalUe counties. Enquire of JAMES
BRINGHURST ; who has likewise to difoefe or, a , c .
ry good Pair of Cologn MILL-STONES.
Philadelphia, alt, Month 24th, 1783.
CA M Eto the plantation of the fub
leriber, on or about the tirit of this instant,
Three Brindle COWS with white belliti, and one had
1 white face. The owners ate defined to come, pros;
tneir property, pay ch^ges and t kt them away, other
wrfe tue, will be CM 'or the 1 m # in ten days front
the dre, by RENJAMIN DEWEES, at the
Joi. 23 widc-w Matera's place, Northern-liberties
DEING desirous to encourage the emu
lation of the amiable Youth, in this polite and ne
cessary branch es education, offers his service to the
Public, for to teach them any Dances of chara&^r, Mi
nuets, Counter Dances, German Dances, &% fc.
He lves at Mr. Maurice D^rdeyer's, Teacher of the
French Language, in Spauce-ftreet, between Front and
Sic nd-dreeh.
Louis Giguet,
DANCER to the King of France, and of the Academy
of Paris,
Wanted, a Servant that can take
carle of a horse, & rt . and wait on table; he mult be of
a sober, honest character, and one that cm be trusted.
Enquire of the Printer. Jin. q 7.
N. B. He will attend Gentlemen and Ladies at their
own boules. Jan. 3.
The Time of a likely Negroe
GIRL, about 18 years of age, who has 10 years tri
serve, and is fit for town or country bufineis. Enquire
of the Printer hereof. Jan. 27.
TO BE LE T,
TO BE SO L D,