The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-05-23 00:00:00, page 3

CHAT ^.A M, May 17. 7
A Correspondent has favoured us with the following
particular account of the late affair at Paramus. In
serted by particular desire.
On the 16th ult. a detachment of two hundred Conti
nental troops, under the command of Major Byles, of
the Pennsylvania line, Rationed at Paramus, was sud
denly attacked by a party of the enemy, confiftingof a
bout two hundred horse, and four hundred foot. The
attack commenced a little after fun rife. Major Byles,
besides his usual patroles, had that morning sent out
two parties, each with a commissioned officer ; but such
is the situation of that part of the country, interfe&ed
with roads, and inhabited chiefly by difaffe&d people,
that all precautions failed. His parties and patroles were
eluded and the sentinels near his quarters were the firft
that gave notice of the enemy's approach. He had just
before paraded and dismissed his men. The advance of
the horse was so rapid, that no time was left to reaffeta
ble them. The Major had no resource but tie defence
of the house he was in; this therefore, with only a
final! quarter guard, he resolved to attempt, though
from the fmallnef^ of his force, and it's entire dispro
portion to the place he was defending, he could have
no profpea of fuccels ; but chose rather to fall in a
brave, though hopeless refinance, than to save himfelf
by a dishonorable surrender. He immediately made the
best difiofition the hurry of the moment would permit,
and animated his men by his exhortation and example.
A brisk fire ensued on both sides. The House was soon
forrounded on every part, and no effort of the little par
ty seemed capable of hindering the enemy from forcing
their way. Some of the men, intimidated by so threat
ening a feme, began to cry for quarters; others, obey
ing the commands of their officers, continued to fire
from the windows. The enemy without upbraided them
with the perfidy of afkmg quarters and persisting in re
finance; d#firing them to come out and they would
quarter them. Major Byles exclaiming in a determined
tone, denied his having called for quarters ; but his re
solution could not avail, a surrender took place; and,
in the a&, the Mj^r received a mortal wounl in the
left breast, with which, in two days alter, he expired
a vi&im to hiegallantry and refined sense of duty. So
diltinguifhed and enviable a fall must endear his memo
ry to hi^ fellow soldiers and fellow citizens.
Lieutenants Glentworth and Sherman had thrown
themselves in the Major's quarters, and affiited in the
defence. They displayed great activity and bravery.
The latter was wounded.
Such part of the detachment as conld be £ohe& i d to
gether, aided by a few spirited militia, hung cleft upon
the rear of the enemy during their retreat, and harraffed
them with a continual fire, retaking four waggons with
plunder and nineteen horses.
Lieutenant Bryfon beitig a few days before detached by
Major Byles with a small party to the New-Bridge, de
feffied that post for some time wdh great gallantry and
coolness, he (attaining in person; with his efpontoon, the
attack of four horsemen, and received several wounds ;
but being overpowered with numbers, surrendered to one
of their officers. It is fiid he received mark^of politeness
from them, on account ofthegreit bravery and deliberate
Courage displayed by by him during the fkrmifh.
The enemy, agreeable to their usual mode of procedure,
plundered an 1 burnt the house and mill of Mr. John Hop
per, and that of his brother's. In the former the family
of Mr. Abraham Brasher lived, who, with the rest, were
left almost destitute of a foonO change of elothes. The
commanding officer being requested by Mrs. Brasher on
her knees to spare the house, he damn'd her, and bid her
begone, declaring they all defetved to be bayoneted.
They made their boasts, that as Major Byles did dot pre
fentthe hilt of his sword in front; when Surrendering, they
shot him Thus died this brave and gallant officer a vi&im
to their savage cruelty.
The loss on our fide killed, wounded, and taken, was
one Major, two Captains, four Lieutenants, and about
forty rank and file. That of the enemy, by their own
acknowledgement, near as many.
by a gentleman from New-York we learn, that some
late intelligence received there, has painted dejeaioo on
the lineaments of the tories faces, and that they were ma
king every prep?rati: n for finking of chevaux de frifes,in
order to impede the navigation t® the city.
Last Sun lay p ffed through this place the Jersey bri
gade, on their way to Elizabeth Town, where the, are to
be Rationed. They made a martial appearance, and we
were agreeably furprized to find them so ver strong
On Monday fennig t betweeen 10 and 11 o'clock at
pight, a very alarming fire broke out at New-York, in
Maiden Lane, and did considerable damage before it
was extinguished.
TRE N TO N, May 17 ,
On Saturday last 35 fail of fauare-rigged vessels came
up to Decker's ferry, opposite Bergen Point. Their de
sign is not certainly known.
The Honorable the General Assembly have open
ed their doors, in order that any person or perlons well
affeaed to the American cause, may attend and hear
their public debates.
Philadelphia, May 23.
Qn Saturday tire 6th of this instant the following Cri
minals were executed on the Commons near this city,
pursuant to their Sentence at the last Court of Oyer and
Terminer, viz.
Dennis Carragan, for a Burglary in the house of Doc
tor Beneviile.
John Hill, for a high-way robbery.
Marmaduke Grant, for a Burglary in the house of
Dodor Glentworth.
They all acknowledged the justice of the Sentence, and
feem'd to be very penitent.
And on Saturday last a man was executed at Chester,
fer a Burglary, pursuant to ids Sentence at a Court of
Oyer and Terminer lately held for the county of Ches
ter.
The privateer brig Holker, of this port, and two others
belonging to different perts, have sent into this river ye
sterday, a large snip from Barbados for New York.
Her cargo consists of four hundred puncheons of rum, See.
Extrad of a letter from Frederickfoirgh, (Virginia) dated
fM.y i6tk, 1780
" A gentleman from North Carolina, who fays he,wls
feht out of Charles-Town, *:h a verbal Message from
General Lincoln to the Governor of North Carolina, re
ports that he left Charles Town on the 25th of April, that
Col. Parker was killed that morning by a cannon ball, —
that there were men enough to defend the town, and pro
visions plenty—and that the garrifoh were remarkably
healthy, and in high spirits.
Since writing reabove, another report has come in?
which I fear is not so much to be depended on ; viz. that
on the z3th General Woodford and General Scott sallied
out with a deta lament, and attacked and carried two of
the enemy's redoubts, with very little lofg:—That, in
the mean time Gen Lincoln sent another party oyer
Cooper river, who threw up a battery which has again
opened the communication with the country ;—and that
all our (hipping were funk at the mouth 0 Cooper river,
which G-n. Lincoln thinks will cffeftbJly prevent the
enemy's enfilading the town."
In CONGRES S, MAY 22, lyEo-
Ordered,
TH A T the letter of the 13th of May, from General
Washington, and the letter of the 16th from the
Marquis de la Fayette, with the refolutioD passed in con
sequence thereef, be published.
Head quarters, Murriftown, 13th May, 1780.
T HE Marquis de la Fayette will have the honor to
deliver you this
I am persuaded Congress will participate in the joy I
feel, at the return of a gentleman who has distinguished
himfelf in the service of this country so signally ; who
has given so many and so decisive proofs of his attach
ments to its interefls, and who ought to be dear to it by
every motive. The warm freindflup 1 have for him con
spires with confederations of public utility to afford me a
double fatisfa&ion in his return.
During the time he h , been in France, he has uni
formly manifefled the fame zeal in our affairs, which ani
mated his conduct while he was among us, and has b en,
upon all occasions, an effeotial friend to America.
He merits, and I doubt not Con refr will give him,
every mark of confi ieratfon and regarn tutit power.
I_hav,e the honor to be, with perka refpe&,
Your Excellency's most obedient
and humble f-rvant.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
His Excellency the Prudent
of Congress:
Philadelphia, May 16th; 1780.
SIR,
AFTER so many favours which oh every occasion,
and particularly at the time of my obtaining a leave of
absence, Congress were pleased most graciously to bestow
bn me, I dare presume myfelt entitled to impart to them,
the private feelings which I now so happily experience.
If from an early epoch in our noble contest; I gloried
in the name of an American soldier, and heartily,enjoyed
the honor I have of serving the United States, my fatis
fadion is at this long willed for moment entirely complete;
when putting an end to my furlough, 1 have been able,a
gain to join my colours, under which I may hope for
opportunities of indulging the ardent zeal, the unbounded
gratitude, the warm, and I might fay, the patriotic love,
by which I am for ever bound to America.
In begging, Sir, you will prph™'Congrefs with a new
afurance of my prefound refpe&, and my grateful affedi
onate sentiments.
I have the honor to be, with the highest regard,
Your Excellency's most obedient
Humble servant.
La FAYETTE.
In CONGRESS, May x 6, 1780.
Resolved,
THAT Congress confider the return of the Marquis
de 1: Fayette to America to resume his common oin the
army, as a frefh proof of the disinterested ze 1 and perse
vering attachment which have justly recommended him
to the public confidence and applaud ; and that they re
ceive with pkafure a tender of the farther services of so
'gallant and meritorious an officer.
Piiblifhed by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.'
TREASURY-OFFICE, May 3, 1780.
Ordered, That the several persons who are ace untable
to the United States for the expenditure of monies or fup
p.ies, and who fail to render their refpe&ive accounts at
the tim@6 required by rhe resolutions of Congress or at
such times as Ihall be required by the Board of Treasury,
be prosecuted as delinquents, and advertised aspublic de
faulters.
Extrad from the Minutes,
CHARLES L EE, Secretary.
[The Printers in the United States are requested to pub
lilh the above order in their several papers, till the firft
day of June next.]
£,The Public Examination of Candidates for
Degrees in the sciences, will be held in the Hall of the
University, in this city at tex o'clock to morrow morn-
We have the Pleasure to inform the
Public, that circular Letters are sent
from Congress to the several States, in
forming them, that our noble Ally has
ordered a large Naval and Land Force
to America, to adt as Occasion may re
quire, in Concert with the Fleets and
Forces of the United States.
Extrad of a Letter from Edenton, (N. Carolina.) dated
May roth, 1780.
, " I have it, this day, from very good authority, that
the enemy on the 25th April, made an attack on Charief
town, by land and by water, and were repulsed, with the
loss of Three Hundred killed, and Two Hundred and
pifty taken prisoners."
% & ,. , Philadelphia, May 22, 17,80;,
TH E Officers now residing in this Ci
ty and its Dittrifts, who have fervid in the Arm^
of the United Starts, and have quit it y i<h honour, are
requested to me<tat the Ct Tavern, on W dneiday next,
between the hours of E even and Twelve at no , bor
der to confider of a Petition to the Honorable House of
Assembly, for leave to form an Independent Company of
Militia Light Infantry.
—M A ;P s,
A FEW Copies of Lewi Evans's Maps of Penn(y!va
nia—New Jersey—New-York, and the three D'la.
ware counties : Likewise, William Scull's Maps cf Benn
fylvania, is to be fold by NICHOLAS B,R OQ KS'
in Second-street, the fourth door above Elack-Horf e
Alley.
Nicholas Brooks,
Has for SAL E,
At his Picture and Jewellery Shop, in Seconds
ftieet. the fourth door above Bia^k-hcrie Alcy, the
following MEDICI N E S; viz,.
JESUIT SBARK of the very firft quAity,
Jaiop, Ipecac uan„ Glauber and Epfem Salt, ? our
of Sulphur, Manne, <S go, Sallop, Sena, < p; r m, Tar
tar-Emarji, Rom^r V trie), b ft Sw et On,Gft Icoth
Powder, Hungarian Blfamic &, 01tle Ci pple Curing
Oil, Andiron's or Sceth Pills, Ban min' Droops, Bn
tifh Oil, Ho per's Female Pith, Turlington's Badam
of Life, Keyfer's famous Pils, bink the fafeft and sue
rest cure tor a certain disease § Dr Ryan's incompara
ble Worm destroying Sugar Plumbs, with full dir &i
---ons for their use.
Likewise the celebrated Harlem Oil, with full directi
ons for taking it --There is nothing exceeds this mede
cin in- the gravel and Rone, bruises, pains in the rains,
thickness of blood, ^ll black and blue spots, all kinds
of fevers and indispositions cf the stomach, liver, lights,
or lungs; aftbina, shortness of breath, cough, inward
dr outward fores, restoring to the face a fr< fli and whole,
some colour ; it likewise cures the feurvy, the dropsy;
breaking out in the face, megrims, giddiness and he d
akes ; likewise a great ftengtbencr of the fight. Maby
other fine cures have been performed by this famous
medicine, as will a; peat in the direction given with each
bottle.
Likewise may be bad Piaures, Maps, Jewellery,
S/k and Thread Sinkings. Likewise BGck-B?ll,
which, when laid on (hoes or boots, appears of a fine
japan'd bl ck, and will not foil the wniteft stockings,
and is? great prefervatoi of the leather.
Philadripbin, May 22, 780.
%be SOLD by Public Auaiori.
On Saturday the 27th instant, at twelve o'clock at
n on, ax the Coffee H use.
A VALUABLE PLANTATION, situated in Rye
tcwnfh.,j Cumberland ^bunty, containing two
hundred and sixty five acres and. ,73 perches, .with al
lo%anc% bounded by lane's of Alexander Poor, Henry
M'L sky, and John Riddle. The land is good, %$
acres of which cleared, and now in rye, Indian c. ra
and oats, and tome meadow clrr 2nd fit for the feytne,
on which is a good dwelling how 3 barn and (table A
draft of the premises may be seep at the time and place
of file, A good titk will.be given to the purchaser.
N. B The fower.tb be the reaper.
Just Published, and to e Sold by
STYNER and CIST,
PRINTERS,
In Second street, four doors above Race-street, Phi
ladelphia,
A kEGULAR
ENGLISH SYNTAX.
WHEREIN is exhibited the whole variety pt
English Cnstructi N, propeily exempli
fied. To ^hich is added, the elegant manner of ar
ranging words and members of sentences. The whole
reduced to practice, for the pfe of private foung gentle
men and ladies, as well 26 of our most eminent fchoolss
B JAMES BUCHANAN.
From THE MONTHLY REVIEW,
This i* rr ufeful and judicious performance. We
have met with nothing as well calculated to teach inac
curate writers to write better ; and we therefore recom
mend it, not without hopes that it will save us both
trouble and disgust.
The C RITIC A LREVI E W, in giving the
character of thi Performance, concludes with the follow
ing words : 'Theft are observations by which the great,
' est writer may profit ; and Mr. Buchanan has given us
' several just animadversions upon the works of our molt
6 celebrated authors ; for which, wherethey now ali%
6 they certainly would or ought to thank him. Correft
-6 nefs is not always the charafteri ftic of a great genius,
6 and this Grammarian proves it in many flagrant in
-6 fiances.'
T 0 B ^ fL~ 57-
TiHE one half of two bwelling Houles, a Wharf
and a Store, Situated at Chrifteen Bridge. For
further particulars enquire of Catharine OCLE, li
ving in S cond-ftreet, between Market and Arch-rtreets
Phla 'elphia. , ~ ,
MIFEEI N AND BUTLE K, ~
Has for SALE, at their Store the corner of Front
, and Chefnut ftreet#.
BEST Jamaica Spirit, Muicovado Sugars, Coft'i{
and Cotton, best Ailum Sait by the quantity, and
a lew Dry Goodfa
W A NI E D;
A cooK and WAI I ER, in a genteel family,
none need apply without b ( ing well r#ceromcridc&
Enquire of the Printer.