The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-05-26 00:00:00, page 2

UTRECH T, February 12 .
WE bear that the king of Sweden has already
returned an answer to the request of their high
mightinesses for the fuccours stipulated by the late
treaty ; and that his Swedish majesty has promised:
f' That until a final decision of this affair could be
taken by the allied powers in concert, his majesty
would do all in h s power to proteff the commerce and
navigation of the fubjeßs of tee states general." —
The answer of the court of Denmark upon the fame
fubjeft is not yet arrived, though also daily expert d.
Paris, Feb. 4. The king is so pleaded with the ;lo
[ious defence made by M. de Blanchelande against the
English at St. Vincent, that he has promoted him to
the rank of brigadier, and appointed him commander
of that illand.
LONDO N, February 3, 1781.
FTCHERE are private letters in town from St. Peterf
£ burgh, which mention that the field cavalry of
the empress of Russia is,recruiting with such alacrity,
that 358 men had been enlifled in fevtenteen days • and
that the cavalry of militia was putting on the most re
fpeflable footing, as well as the refpe&ive regiments of
Hussars find Curaffiers.
Within fhefe lafl twelve months ahoufthree hundred
and thirty ships have gone co St: Peterfburgh ; and
confiderahly more have gone from the ports of England
than front any other kingdom; 'as appears from an ac
count transmitted to England of ^he Ruffian imports
and exports. So that a war with the empress would,
be a great national prejudice to both countries.
There are several BritifliShipwrights now in the Ruf
fan ports ; and one Colone, said to have lived formerly
at Poplar, had lately a filter medal presented to him at
Petersburg for his distinguished services in infpeding
and emulating some considerable preparations in the
naval architecture of that empire.
The tumour of a cessation of hostilities with the Uni
ted provinces is only rumour. It is a part ofthat art
ful system which always has been at work to force up
the funds on the eve of every new loan.
It is very curious to observe how zealous the minifie
rial writers are in recommending the opposition to join
adminifl ration in the present critical and perilous fito
ation of public affairs, in order to extricate the nation
outof its difficulties. These very writers also at times
pour forth abuse upon the opposition in the most scur
rilous and,indecent terms: not confi Bering in either case,
the imppffibility of theoppofition's coalescing with the
present set of rainiflers. There is no alternative ;
either the present administration must continue in
power till they have ruined the nation and themselves,
or they must give place to-an entire new set of men.
To what lengths will not the lust of power and emolu
ment carry men, when they have once got possession of
them ! !!
To the Ruffian marine, which is not in a very re
fpeßable condition at present, are to be added several
new ships, copper bottomed, after the manner of the
English. The Northern Eagle, the Mofchwa, and
two other frigates, were in great readiness for launch
ing, when the last accounts came away.
Extract of a letter from the Hague, Jan. 26.
" We are assured that a few days ago an ambassa
dor, resident here from a certain court, which is no
ways concerned in the present war, or in the northern
confederation, but is perfectly neutral,has had a private
conference with the penfionary ; ih which, after a con
versation upon the present fituhtion of affairs, he asked
him, ' If any neutral ' power would undertake to be
' a mediator between the republic and Great Britain,
' and endeavour to bring about an accommodation
' between the two ftates,whetherfthe states general give
' into any reasonable and equitable propositions that
' might be made to them on ehat fubjefl, &c. To
which the penfionaay made answer, ' That as he was
* morally persuaded that their high mightinesses defir
' ed nothing more, he believed he could assure him
' that they would readily|liflen to any proper proposals.
The minister then declared, ' that it was his court
' which offered to take this salutary work in hand, and
' that the penfionary might speak to their high mgh
‘ t ruffes on the fubjeft, and let him know their fen
' timents, that he might inform his court, and that the
' more dispatch was used the better.'
" People are much divided what court it is that has
made this proposal: in mean time it must be either
the court of Vienna, Berlin, or Turin, as they are the
the only ones thatare perfectly neuter and have ambas
sadors at this court.
" It is said the counter-manifeflo of the fiates gene
ral will soon appear."
Feb. 8. Yesterday the judge of the court of admiral
ty fat for the firft time to try the legality of capturing
a number of Dutch vessels, when after a candid hear
ing, two were condemned as lawful prizes.
On Saturday last a court martial was held on board
the Warfpite man of war at Portsmouth on a mid
shipman, who had deserted from the Romney man of
war, and joined the Spaniards : he had the command
given him of a privateer fitted out from Cadiz 6 and on
her cruize was taken by the Tartar frigate; he was
found guilty, and will receive the punishment of his vil
lainy (hanging at the yard-arm of some ship at Spit
head) one day tins week.
The Constitution privateer, of London, of 18. guns,
Commanded by captain P. Lucas, has taken and carri
ed into Ramsay Bay, in the file of Man, the Amazon
privateer, of St. Moloes mounting 2& guns, nine and
fix pounders, and a 170 men, after a most gallant ac
tion of near two hours, in which the C nftitution loft
• her 3d lieutenant and 23 men killed, the captain, lieu
tenant of marines, boatswain, and 16 men wounded ;
the Frenchman loft near 90 killed and wounded.
Most of the foreign Gazettes have it, that a treaty
of alliance is concluded between the courts of London
and Vienna, though our court has not had yet the
modefly to declare it, which makes many people ima
gine it is no more then the puff oblique, introduced for
the better carrying on ofthe new loan.
The East India outward bound fleet, which has been
ready to fail this fortnight, have not weighed anchor.
The ostensible reason is, waiting for convoy ; but the
truth seems to be, they dre waiting to carry out the
definitive fieps which are so be taken by our court, in
refpe& to the Dutch against their settlements abroad.
All the circumflances on the part' of the prosecution
of lord George, were certainly drained and exaggerated
in a manner which was not juftifiable on a trial of life
or death; and Mr. Erikine well observed, that the
tricks which were made use of to procure a conviction
were below what he could have expelled at a trial of
nifiprius. They certainly meant to have conyi&ed
his lord fllip, if it had been possible, by any contrivance.
The jury on the trial of lord Gordon had not the
leaf refreshment during the whole rme. There was
not one of them that feenied to have provided any
thing in their pocket ; they fuffered more than any of
the who'e court, "ho bad taken rare to make some lit
tle proviffon, or found an opportunity now and then
to get some One juryman, an elderly man, fainted
during the timethe evidence was summing up, and it
was with difficulty he could fupporthimfelf to holdout.
This was certainly an unheceffary bardfhip on the ju
ry, who ought to have had some little refreshments
provided for them.
It is imagined the reason why administration did
not th ; nk proper to bring ©n the trial of lord George
Gordon before this term (which was the last, by the
laws, of this country, they could possibly defer it) was
to prevent his lordflbp From being elected a representa
tive in parliament during the laflgeneral ekaioo.
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, Feb; 7.
" Admiral Digby has hoisted his frig on board the
Prince George, of 98 guns. Commodore John fton is
also come to take the command of his squadron, which
will fail with the outward bound fleet.
" The Cumberland, and Solebay, with the trade
for Ireland, are expelled to fail as soon, as the wind is
now fair. There are now at Spithead 22 fail of the
line, four fifties, 20 frigates, and several sloops, &c."
Yesterday a court of directors was held at the Eafl-
India house, and three Indian ambassadors were pre
sented to them from the Ragobah.
The Caesar and Greyhound privateers, of Bristol,
have taken and sent into Plymouth, the L'Amazone,
of 14 fix plunders, and 47 men, bound from Rhode
l fland to Brest. The Ceafar had two men killed, and
three wounded.
Feb. 14. A letter from Yarm fays, that on Monday
the 29th of January, they had a great flood there which
began at two o, clock in the morning, and by twelve,
boats were rowing in every fireet, most of the houses
being overflowed, and continued so until eight o,clock
on 1 uefday evening leaving behind a great quantity es
mud, scum &c. The pavement in several places whs
washed up, and a great deal of other damage done to
the town. Many lives were saved by the boats.
Extract of a letter from Yarmouth, Feb. 11.
" This morning we had as violent a storm of wind
and rain as has been known for many years. Several
vessels which lay at anchor in. our port were blown out
to sea ; two veffelfs abouta mile below this town, were
driven near shore, and funk ; only the tops of their
masts are to be seen and a great deal of damage done
on shore."
A letter from Margate fays, that several vessels were
forced from their anchors last Sunday and drove on
shore, and as the wind continued to blow very hard, it
was featrd that some of them would be loft.
The high wind on Tuesday night did considerable
damage among the flipping; a Gravefend boat going
down the river, with upwards of thirty qaffengers on
board, was everfet, and every person perished. Several
houses were blown down in various parts of London
and Weftminfler, and it is feared that many lives are
loft. ' 4
Extras of a letter from Cork, Feb. 5.
" A large Dutch prize, laden with silks and other
valuable articles, funk lately at our quay in a squall of
wind, and the whole cargo was spoiled."
The Morse East Indiaman was in so distressed a filia
tion in the late gale, that file was obliged to throw 400
chests of tea overboard
Feb. 15. Extras of a letter from Calentta, April 12.
"' People here are greatly alarmed at the junHion
of the French and Spaniards to invade us ; the latter
have brought several men of war from the Manillas
and the French have long bad a firong force at the
Mauritius—they have met, an ^ we are in daily expec
tation of their coming up the river."
As a proof ©f the furprizing expedition used by the
French in fitting out their marine, a gentleman just
arrived from Brest, assures us, that the Scepter, a
fllip of 74 guns, was lately built, rigged, and sheath
ed, in a 105 days- He adds, that by means of dou
ble hands, the men there work night and day without
any imermiffion.
There was on board the general Barker Eaft-India
man, when the drove out of the Downs, the cradle
which the Nabob of Arcot made a present of to lady
Rumbold, when file lay in at Madrafs : the workman
ship is said tobe most exqlifite ; the pearls and other
jewels with which it was ornamented, are valued at
near 150,0001.
The Dutch have made a p r oposition to the court of
France, for a common union of their arms and action
which it is not doubted will be readily accepted : in
consequence of which every ship they can muster will
co operate with the French, in every measure which
shall be undertaken for the common benefit in the ap
proaching campaign. The mode of co-operation is
said to be under contemplation at Paris.
The cabinet already begins to shake under the im
pending apprehensions of theconfeq uences of the Dutch
war.
The Nimble cutter, with dispatches (for Gibraltar,
was wrecked in Mountfbay the nth at night- Twen
ty-eight men were drowned; the captain and thirty
men were saved.
Wedmfday in the court of king's bench a curious
and ioterefting d@arine was laid down by the lord
chief justice. A cause was before the court, brought
by the relations of a deceased gentleman, who had co
habited with a woman as his wife, and left his estate
to her children ; at the fame time leaving a certificate
of his having married the woman before hi# death.
The ad qb wits brought ta recover the estate from the
children, as being baflards. The noble lord ^elivt
ed it as his judgment of the law, that cohabitation
as man and wife had the validity of marriage.
This morning arrived at the post office, a mail frcra
Charles-Town, brought over in the Antelope packet
captain Kempthorne, arrived at Falmouth. She fail
ed the 19th of January ; but brings no other materi
al intelligence, than general Leslie having joined lord
Cornwallis.
From which will the name of France derive its great
est glory ? From the fplendour of 400 useless pensions,
or from the illustrious navy which is established on.
their ruin.
It is very extraordinary, that in the deplorable situ
ation of this country, beset as it is on all lides by nu
merous and powerful foes, robbed of its trade, and de
frauded of its territory, and its people oppressed with
taxes beyond their ability to pay, that administration
should object to any plan of reform in the expenditure
of the public money : but as they object to a general
reform, it is but just and reasonable, that adminiftra
tron and their tools, who are the only gainers by the
war 6 should contribute towards the expences ; (why
dont they call upon their friends the addressers to as
sist them, who in the early fiage of the business were so
ready to tender their lives and fortunes at the shrine
of ministry) but it fe.ms the people are to be totally
bent down,,while the unworthy mioifiers are to fatten
upon the spoils of their country.
The friends of liberty in the city of Weflminfler,
have instituted a club to support the independence of
that place (an example worthy of imitation) the firft
meeting was held on Wednesday evening last, at the
Shakefpear, Covent Garden: there were present, be
side many other refpeQable characters, earl of Derby,
lord Surrey, lord Bulkley, lord Spencer, general
Burgoyne, fir Watts Horton, Mr. Byng, Mr. Wilks,
honourable Mr. John Townfhend, Mr Brand Hollis,
Dr. Jebb, Mr Byron, Mr. Scott, &c. &c. The fol
lowing tofts amongst many others were drank:
America in our bosom, and France and Spain at our
feet.
May we so adhere to 1 the principles of the Revoluti«
on, to make another unheceffary.
The glorious memory of king William.
Fair weather to the conftitotion, and may the pre^
sent gloomy atmosphere of po itics be totally dispelled.
The minority in both houses of parliament.
Success to Mr. Burke's motion for reforming the a
buses in the expenditure of the public money, by re
trenching the civil lift eflabh'lhment.
The court martial upon admiral Keppel's trial;
notwith (landing the attempt made in the house ofcom
mons to traduce it, &c. &c &c.
BOSTO N, May ro.
A person lately from, the southward acquaints us,
that merchandizes to a considerable amount, imported
fom New-York, have lately been seized a; Philadel
phia: the whole amount belongs to the persons who
made the seizure the moment the goods passed the De
laware. Unhappily the traitor principally concerned
in this infamous commerce made his escape ; but it is
believed they have got the clue of all the iniquity, and
it is hoped all who have any part in it will be difeover
ed. Some, who are fufpefled, are narrowly watched-
One of them was never thought capable of so dark a
business.
Extras of a letter from a gentleman in the country to
his friend in this town.
" I have read with much pleasure the late ordinance
of congress relative to prizes and the commerce with
Great-Britain and Bermudas —Nothing could be more
seasonable or have an happier effect upon the great cause
of America. All the friends to this cause that I meet
with express the highest approbation of it. I am parti
larly pleased with the energy and dignity with which
congrefs express themselves in this ad. It must do them
honour in the eyes of this and all the states, and event
of the Britons themselves, who'have laughed at, and
reproached us for the advantages we have given there
against ourselves. They are much chagrined, I an#
well assured, at the completion of the confederation of
the states, and at the vigilance firmnefs, and energy of
our government."
May 14. Siturdayfaft arrived here a Guernsey priva
teer brig of 36 guns and 120 men, captured by the
continental frighte Alliance, captain Barry, in compa
nywith a French frigate of 40 guns. The privateer
made ferae refi fiance ; but on receiving a broad fide
from the Alliance, flruck. She has 15 tons of gun
powder on board, several or her guns are brass. A
brig of 20 guns, at the time in concert made off, but
was soon overtaken and left in company with the Al
liance about 20 days since, when the above prize
parted with them.
Lafl Friday arrived a Marblehead a brig, laden with
proviffons from Liverpool, bound to New-York, a
prize to the privateer ship Pilgrim, belonging to Sa
lem- the Pigrim captured another provision ship
which has arrived at cape Ann.
Thursday last arrived here a brig, prize to the
ship ProteHor, John Foster Williams commander. Her
cargo consists of wines, &c.
The fame day arrived a brig from France after a
passage of thirty-fix days By this vessel we are in
formed that a fleet, making upwards of two hund red
fail have adually failed from France: this fleet was ge
nerally supposed to be destined to America, and the
Weft-Indies: 15 fail of the line, and a considerable
body of land forces it is said were bound to the former.
F I SH K I L L, May 17th.
We have just heard that a party of ours, at Cro
ton's, under thecommand of colonel Green, were fur
prized by the enemy, two d ys ago, about sun
rise. The enemy's guides came firft to colonel Green's
and major Flag's quarters, and pointed to the, bed^
where they lay, the major was murdered in bed, the
colonel badly wounded, they attempted to carry hira
I off, but finding he could not march as faft as tleir
fears obliged them, they inhumanly murdered him.
Report fays the whole party were either killed or ta
ken.