The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-06-28 00:00:00, page 2

LONDO N.
January 31. We are informed by private letters by
the last mail from Jamaica, that the expedition against
South-America has been totally abortive. That by
the inclemency of the climate, storms, &c. out of
1700 rank and file, only 19, and out of 17 officers,
only 3 have survived. We have the pleasure to find,
that lord Harrington and the son of lord Southampton
are among the few that survived.
Feb. i. The Syren loft at Cu<kfmere, on Friday
last, was a fine frigate, built about a year and a half
since at Newcafik upon Tyne, and was sheathed with
copper ; she carried 170 men, mounted 32 guns, and
failed with the schooner as convoy to several vessels
a day or two before from Spithead for the Downs ;
but most of tee fleet perceiving their danger before the
commodore, they tacked, and firetched off.
Sixteen fail of transports are ordered to be taken
up at different ports, from three hundred to five hun
dred tons burthen, for government service, who now
fay the amazing rate of 10s. per ton per month, ow
ing to the great number of privateers lately fitted out.
Feb. 2, The gross deceptions by which the people
of this country are pra&ifed upon to continue the
ruinous war with America, can only be tcualled by
the ftiameful manner in whieh our brave troops at
New-York are deceived into the expectation and be
lief of strong reinforcements, to assist them in carry
ing on the war. Of this the last New-York papers af
ford a firiking proof, one of which fays, that <r the
public may be assured, by advices brought by the
Medea, that the following corps were ready to fail
for the American continent when the Medea failed,
under the convoy of a strong naval force, viz.
Ift battalion Royals,
2 , or Queen's,
18th, or Royal I ifh,l
69th, or Sherard's, all from England,
5 regiments from Ireland,
3 regiments of light dragoons, dismount
ed, to be remounted on the plan of
Tarleton's legion."
What must these brave, neglefted men think, when
they find that the whole of this flattering tale is, from
beginning to end, a notorious deception?
Another letter from a gentleman of diflinßion in
London, (Mr Galloway we suppose) fays, “ Lord
Cornwallis must be reinforced from this country. We
can spare yon 20,000 more troops from this kingdom ;
3000 are nearly ready to embark, &c. &c." Sed qui
vult decipi, decipiatur.
It is curious enough to obferye the last Edinburgh
Advertiser, republishing Cicero's infamous 7th letter
to Cataline, and in plain direst terms of compliment,
MADRID, February io.
TbE court has received dispatches from Mexico,
dated Oflober 23, Havanna and Guatimala, of
November 28, and Campechey, of a much later date.
The president of Guatimala advises, that tin y have
taken fort George, on the coaf lof Honduras, and
made the Engiifh garrison prisoners. That the Engiifh
are driven totally from the river Tento and the several
eftablifhrhents in that quarter. The Engiifh detach
ment, which had possessed themselves of St. John on
St. John's river, had their retreat cut off by a naval
force at the mouth of the river. Accounts from Peru
confirm the perfe& tranquility of that country.
Frankfort on the Mayn, January 17. The new corps
@f troops, which his serene highness the prince of Hesse-
Cass 1 is now railing for the service of Great-Eritain,
will consist of Soo men : and our magistrate has given
permission to his serene highness to inlifi recruits in
this city and it % dependencies.
By letters from different parts of the empire we learn
that a great number of recruits are every where raif
ing for the Austrian service; and that a corps of 3000
Aufirian troops have received orders to march immedi
ately for the Austrian Netherlands.
Letters from Strafburgh also mention, that the re
cruizing for the French army is carried on with great
success in that city ; and that all the regiments in
garrison in Alsace, have received orders to keep them
selves in readings, to march at a moment's notice.
Hague, Jan. t 2. Weare informed, from good authority,
that the minister f a neutral power, in a conference with
the president of the assembly of the dates general, has
already droped a hint of fir Joseph's intention, offering
at the fame time his intercession ; but the president of
the assembly has returned for answer, that no propo
sitions whatever would be received, unless they came
directly from the part of Great Britain.
Amfler am, Feb. 27. We expert the return of the
courier, font to Peterfburgh, to claim the fuccours sti
pulated by the treaty of accession, dated November 20,
1780.,
Paris March 4. The indisposition of the King of
Prussia becomes daily more serious. It is much feared
this prince will fall a victim to the violence and ob
flinacy of his disorder.
It is expired that the combined fleets of France
and Spain will make some serious attack against Great
Britain, this campaign.
Hague, March t. Prince Galitzin, envoy here
from the court of Pvterfburgh, offered the mediation
of the empress, his sovereign, between the States Ge
neral and Great-Eritain. His excellency presented a
memorial on this fubjed, which was taken into imme
diate consideration.
Anfpach, March 8. The recruits from this country,
defined for America, amounting to 300 men, embark
ed the 4th instant.
Hess, March 9. The new embarkation of Hessian
troops, intended to be made this spring, for America,
will amount to 1800 men.
Tralee, Jan. 10. The dysentery is now raging a
mongst the French prisoners at Ding e; 260 of whom,
officers of the army and navy, and privates, were put
in there about three weeks ago, by contrary wiads,
in a cartel vessel, from New-York to Brest. About
thirty have died within these few days, and upwards
of 60 are now languishing. The vessel has been put
under quarantine, and an express dispatched to govern
ment with the above account.
ascribing it to Joseph Galloway, Esq. Did one not
know the marked sympathy between Mr. Wiliam
Strahan's correspondents, and the malignant Refugee,
one would be inclined to think, that by thus pointing
out the mifereant, there was a disposition to hunt him
down.
The Hon. Henry Laurens being taken prisoner, with
all his papers, coming from Philadelphia, and now in
the Tower, which was then thought a great misfortune
to the Americans, proves in its consequences the most
fortunate event that could possibly happen in their fa
vour. His pa ers contained the treaty concluded
with the Dutch: on which England has declared war
againA Holland. Thus the Americans will have all
the fuccowr which that Republic can give them,
especially money, and Russia comes in to defend Hol
land.
A letter from Paris fays, " The proffers of affiflance
to the States General have proceeded immediately from
the good disposition of our Sovereign, and not in
compliance to any formal request of their minifler,
as has been fuggefled." It further adds, “ The
court have offered eight fail of the line, and as many
frigates, and a military assistance of 80 or even 100,000
men, if occasion required."
The Mary, — -, from Limerick to Corke, is
taken by two French privateers, and ransomed for 3300
guineas ; the Mary is since arrived in King Road.
We are sorry to inform our readers, that 15 of the
fleet of transports, which failed from Portsmouth for
Corke, about the 20th ult. on board of which was part
of the 49th regiment, were captured by a Cutter, of
16 guns, having a congress commission, though the
crew were all Welch and Irish. The transports were
immediately ransomed, and arrived at Corke.
Feb. 6. An English officer just arrived from Cadiz,
in a flag, being truly sensible of the generosity of two
Spanilh officers, towards the British prisoners under
their care, is very desirous of making public every pos
sible acknowledgement to those gentlemen's humanity ;
the one is called Don Lewis Antonio Raminez de Axel
lano, captain of the Venudon, of 74 guns, who, while
the English were detained at the island of Leon, spar
ed no pains to render their fituaton the most agree
able, as much by his remarkable attention, as y his
unbounded hospitality ; his house and purse were free
ly and equally open to them. The other was Don A
lexander Pafton, major and adjutant of the regiment
of Spaniel volunteers, who had the care of th priso
ners at San Lucar de Barrameda. His inexpressible
feelings for their misfortunes, will for ever merit their
veneration and esteem. After the benevolent actions
of those two officers, and the compassionate conside
ration of al! the Spaniards (with whom this English.
officer has been acquainted) he declares, that the Eng
lish may equal, but cannot surpass the Spaniards in
honour, civility, humanity and generosity.
We may now assure the public, that the Ruffian am
bassador has communicated to government the intended
me Nation of bis sovereign, together with certain reso
lutions flie has taken on the fubjed. It cannot be dis
fembled that the has made it impossible to re eflablifh
peace.
The new loan is already advanced to eleven and one
quarter premiums.
March 2. Four great measures es the firft national
importance will be the obje& of the present session of
parliament ; the firft, to new model the government
of the India company ; the second, to prevent the in
crease of poor taxes, by establishing 100 houses of em
ployment for the reception of such as may be sent
there ; the third, a numbering of the people, with an
intention to establish a poll tax; and the fourth, to
double the militia.
March 9. It would be ill-timed now to complain of
the want of news, when we have almost one matter of
such importance as might in almost any situation take
off our attention from every thing else, We have for
a considerable time heard peace talked of. Lord North,
the firft minister, has spoke of it as probable. In con
sequence of what transpired from him on Saturday
last, flocks rose gaud an half percent. There will be
at Antwerp a congress of the ministers of St. James,
Versailles, Madrid and the Hague, Petersburg and
Vienna. The fate of America will there be determined'.
They will be effectually included. They will be left in
full and abfofute possession of all the benefits of inde
pendence, although they may not be formally declared
so. England will renounce a monopoly of that coun
try, which has been disagreeable to the rest of Europe,
and all nations will participate in a direct trade to
America, which will be declared free.
Many Ministers have been perfi nous, but the whin
ing premier surpasses all that ever went before him
for extreme deliberate ,perfidy and baseness !—only to
think of his employing traitor Galloway (in disgrace
of the name of Cicero) in an attempt to defame the
brave and noble lord Howe, because his lordship held a
correspondence (and before either of them went out of
tris kingdom) with a view manifeftly to prevent, if
possible, the horrid and fatal civil war which hath since
taken place between this country and the American
colonies! and which correspondence was, in the time
of it, duly communicated to lord North in person!.
one might almost fay that hell itfelf was too good for
a person who, upon such ungrateful as well as base
principles, could deliberately endeavour torob another
of his good name.
It appears by an official p°per, presented on Friday
last, to the house of commons, that since the begin
ning of the present war, the navy has loft 42,800
men, by desertion ; that 1200 have been killed in the
several engagements, and that not fewer than 18,000
have died in confequehee of diseases, occasioned by the
bad quality of their proviofins.
The omnium which ten days ago was at ten and one
quarter toeleven, on Friday last was at fix and one
quarter, and, it is feared, will be lower.
On Sunday last admiral Muly Mahomet, with his fa
and two officers of the navy of Tunis, were at St.
James's, to fee their majesties pass from the chappel.
The concourse of the people, to fee the admiral, 'was
immense. He is the fineft old gentleman in the world.
His gait, his figure, his countenance were unequalled,
HOUSE of COMMONS, March 7.
The house being formed into a committee of fubfi
cies, to take into consideration the ways and means
for the services of the present year, lord North rose
and explained to the committee his great embarrass
ments, acknowledging that he was not prepared to
explain fully, according to the usage of the house,
his intended operations, because man, neceffar, pa
pers .ere not yet put into his hands, so that it was
irnpohiole for him as yet to determine precisely the
w&ys to be appropriated to payment of the interest of
the loans he had negotiated: and he could now only
recapitulate on one Land the objeds already provided
for by the several votes of the committee, and on the
other the matters still unprovided for, and then explain
the generous terms of the loan.
Sums already voted.
For support of 90,000 seamen, 4680,000!. For
building and repairs, &c. 670,277!. For marine artil
lery, 3%6,0001. is. gd. Total, 5,736,^71. 1 - Ui. aavv.
For land services, 4,239,144]. Bs. 7 d Artillery &c
82,9241. Services, 277,^61. 6s. nd. Tot.l, 5,009'2541:
15s. 6d # army,
Deficiencies in the receipt of taxes, exchequer bills,
and part of the last loan not funded, 3,600,0001.
Total of sums voted, 14,435,521!. 17s. 2d.
Remains yet to be voted and provided for.
Extraordinaries of the army, 3,400,000!.
Sun ry expences, 41,0001.
Deficiency in the land tax and on duties on malt
&c. 310,0001.'
Several other deficiencies, &c. &c. 3,209,0001.
Total, 7,000,000!.
Total subsidies for the year 1781.21,435,(311 2d
WAYS and MEANS. ' °
Sums funded on the land tax, duties on malt, &c.
3,038,3461. 19s. Bd.
Produce of the loan lately negotiated, 12,000,0001.
Total, 15 038,3461. 19s. Bd.
Remains about fix millions to be provided for by
new taxes, which his lordship promised to explain as
soon as possibly he could.
His lordfllip then went into the plan, on which he
had borrowed the 12 millions, ' It is with infinite re
gret that I find myfelf obliged to acknowledge, that
the terms were extremely difficult. It was not pos
sible to procure money but at the most disadvantage
ous terms to the public. I flatter myfelf neverthe
less, that all things considered, I shall be found to
have taken that measure which was the least excepti
onable that offered. At leaf, I have been so happy
as to have seized the lucky moment to make a contrast
less burdensome, than I had any reason to hone but &
few hours before I concluded it. The terms, in short
were to give the lender 1501 of the 3 per cent. co.nfoi:
at the rate of 871.-25]. of the 4 per cent, at the rate
of 171. los.— The profit of a lottery ticket, valued at
il. Total, 105 L los. The terms, I allow, are hard,
but had I been obliged to conclude it last week, they
would have been infinitely more burdensome. The
sudden rife of the flocks on Saturday last procured
me on Monday the propotals which I accepted. This
unexpected circumflance having suddenly railed the
advantage to the lender 30-. at the 3 and 4 per cents.
His present profit appears to be 7 per cent. 1 cannot
dissemble, if I am indebted to this fate for the con
trad I have made. A contrast which, I repeat it
again, would have been infinitely more disadvantage
ous, had it not been for the encouraging reports which
prevailed. I wish the (peculation, which brought the
monied men to reasonable terms, may answer their
expectations, but I cannot believe their real advan
tage is 7 per cent, because the funds are so fubjeft to
vary, that they may to morrow be even lower than I
then estimated them. It is true, that the reports which
o.cafioned so rapid and great a ri'e in the flocks, which
railed the credit, the hopes, and the courage of the na
tion, were not grounded abfolu'ely, as has been often
the case on mere conjeC ure. But there is no certainty
the most flattering hopes are often difappoiated. Un
expeded accidents may in a moment dissipate the hap
py prospects, which have-revived our credit. In fhor.t,
it is very possible that our funds which have risen in
value so considerably, on occasion of the fortunate
rumours which now prevail, may fall again to tie
late discredit. If these rumours die away, if any un
happy news should arrive, so-as to inding/r the lend
ers, they will naturally drman , it will be just to grant
them some adequate advantages. It is not of the spi
rit of trade to encounter rifques, without compensa
tion.
Permit me to take notice of some objections which
may be made. It will be said tl 1 loan is funded on a
fyflem inducing unhappy confequc-nces : that it will
cited an increase of the capital o f the national debt. I
fie this fully ; I have been effeded at it : J ardently
wish it had b,cn possible, even by giving much greater
and he is a man of genius. Mr. Weft, member of the
royal academy of painting, and a native of Pennfylva
roa, the fame celebrated artist who has painted The
, ° at , Wol { e , which fells now for 25 guineas, was
so pleased with the noble figure of the admiral that
he has solicited his permission to take his portrait
Briflol, March 5. We have had more business in
cur cloth manufafturies than for three years past
Our hopes are firong of feeing the commerce between
tins country and her colonies flourifh as heretofore
The purchases made for the New-York and Charles'
Towp markets, have va fily exceeded the former usual
confumptmn of those two cities, and the qualities of
the goods evidently prove, they are intended to oafs
into the r bel lines. A Dutch merchant and a certain
American, better known than loved among us, have
engaged in great transitions. They have an unlimit
credit from the house of Hope at Amsterdam and from
one of the firft,houfes in London.
„ Weare told, that the king, who has examined the
journals, maps, &c. of captain Cook's difeoveries is.
of opinion, that the important paflage he was in q^eft
of may be found. His majesty has had frequent con
ferences with Dodor Solander and Mr. Banks, who
were with Cook on his firft voyage, and it is expelled
they wih soon go out, to pursue the difeovery.