Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1777-07-29 00:00:00, page 2

Dr % PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
IT is the birthright of Freemen to examine the con
dud of public men, and to deliver their sentiments
on public meafuret. The prefect crisis of pur affairs
requires every friend to his country to speak his mind
freely, and with a jealous eye to watch the proceedings
of those to whom be has committed the sacred trust of
maintaining his liberties. It is his duty to demand
why the important pals of Ticonderoga is loft to the
States, and to require such an inv^ftigatipn of that
myfactious affair, as will plainly discover wheie the
fault lies. If we have not virtue sufficient for this, it
will scarcely bear us out in this arduous centeft fcr
liberty. General St, Claims letter to Congrels of the
14th inst. opens such a field for enquiry, that I trust
the United States will not rest fatisfied until it takes
place. The following observations on that letter will
serve to (hew how well he ha# acquitted himfelf in the
affair.
, The General cal's ft Council of War and informs
them, that the enemy had so nearly inverted Ticonde
roga and Mount Independence tha: twenty four hours
would complect it; that the enemies batteries, to whose
fire our whole encampment on the Ticonderoga fide
would be expafed, were ready to open ; that he had
but two thou'and and eight,mine effective men to man
lines which required ten thousand, end that these were
ill equipped and wnfo armed, not one in ten having a
bayonet to his muiket. And in his letter to Congress
h@ tells them, that he could not call on the militia in
tithe for want of provifwns, and when supplied with
that article, the militia which arrived ware so ill pro
vided that they could not flay above a lew days with
him. The!e things being true, there mwft have been a
capital defe& somewhere, or no design to maintain that
po£f, as no General so circumstanced could defend it.
But then a question arises, Was the General acquaint
ed with the Situation of the eaeiwy and flare of the gar
rison any time previous to the'calling this Council? If
he was acquainted with the condition of the garrison,
he ought to have provided for an evacuation in time,
as it roust have been evident to a mao lets Celled in
military matters than a Major General, that should am
enemy appear he was in no condition te receive them.
This mould have taught him to keep a good look out,
that he might not he fu-pried, and thereby hfe his
garrifcn and a'l: But it (earns the case was otherwise,
for, from ths face of his letter it would appear, that
the enemy had nearly surrounded him before he knew
any thing about them; and that they had their batter
rics ready to open upon him e'er he began to think of
taking ^ny meafuree for the security of his m # ,Q or de
fence of the place To fuller himfeif to be so farround
ed, and batteries to be erected, which commanded his
encampment, by an enemy whom he had a right hourly
to exped, without having the least intelligence of their
movements, difeovers a criminal inattention to his own
filiation, and ignorance of military duty; and to lye
I:, 0 '■ ^ nee, without either attempting to
e^ rearing to bring off the cannon,
^'^ ^^^tr before they should put it cut of
bis power, betrays a very great degree of carekffnefs,
^capacity, or something wor^'e.
Another (hiking proof of his ignorance of the ene
my's fruition appears in this, That he ordered off the
cannon and stores under the care of Cot Long's regi
ment and the invalids for security to a place, of which
the energy were in possession. And when the evacua'i
on was determined on, it was conducted as ill as the
rest; For how eife could the infirm ba left with the
rear guard, whose bufine s was tn fkrmifh with the
enemy until the main body escaped. The leaf! degree
' ' reflexion must have pointed out tteevil consequences
nf this measure ; but it would Lem, that they only
taught as they ran, freight forward.
In the Council of War, matters are carried, on in
the fame manner; for firft he proposes to remove the
tents to the low ground where they would be le's ex.
pefed, and wait the attack at the Ticonderoga linms,
though he had not the least intention of complying with
it, it agreed to by the Council, as fully appears from
his letter. Next he proposes to remove the cannon,
troops and stores to Mount Independence, t m e more
tffedually to provide for the defence of that post, which,
though agreed to, is not even attempted to be executed,
but, before the Council breaks up, an evacuation of
Mount Independence itfelf is proposed arid agreed to;
Here was a wafting of time in making proportions
which he never meant to accede to, when a moment
might either five or lose the garrison. The second
vropofition was the only one which afforded any chance
:.>r lecuring the cannon and fores, and therefore ought
to have been executed. For it nuft have been evident
that the cannon and stores wou'd be loft, and eved the
gatrifon in the utmost hazard of falling into the ene
my's hands, if he attempted to evacuate, when the
• dv pars unoccupied by them did not exceed three
quarters of a mile; the only chance, therefore, was to
ft.rd and fight at Independence. The General excuses
tee evacuation by telling Congress, that the r wo M i s
fTurret's regiments of militia which composed part of
'be garrison would stay but two days longer, their time
ir!^, co, and that the nine hundred which arrived the
preceding the evacuation proposed to stay only a
few days; but had his design been to defend the pit's,
tip- wou'd nee have difeouraged him, as in twenty fcur
hours it would have been cut of their power to get
away.
If things were as re,related in the General's letter,
the post must have been intended by homebody to be
given up, as it was impossible for him to defend it with
such a handful of men so accoutred ; and equally im
possible to bring off the cannon, provifico, stores, &c.
in the face of an enemy, which should have induced
him to evacuate it in time, unless it be supposed that
he concurred in the measure. The not spiking np the
cannon, nor dertroyiag the stores, may give an air of
probability to a fufpicioß of the kind. It would seem,
therefore, that there was not a design to preserve this
important pass, or it would have been better supported,
and that the 12c pieces of artillery, with the provisions
and stores, were designed for the en.my, or they would
either have been defended or removed in time. There
may be circumstances not yet exhibited to public view,
which can clear up the affair, and honourably acquit
the General and all those on whom h^s letter seems to
refle&. I am mot in the Council of the States, nor
know I any thin, of the affair, but what is published
by authority. If I have m.funderllood the General's
letter, I hope to be let ri^ht, and (hall acknowledge
the favour. Iff have mot, the Public has a right to
expect, and ought to demand a ferminy; for if we are
to be given up, let us have a (hare in the measure, that
we may not have lealon to grumble hereafter.
The General hepes his conduct will at least not be
censured when we consider that he has made good a
retreat from under the nole of an array at least four
time his numbers. Why, truly, if to fuffer himfelf to
be nearly furroutided; and to have batteries ereded
commanding .his whole encampment without knowing
it; if to give up the very important pass of Ticonde
roga without firing a gtin in its defence ; if to leave
such a quantity of provTona, stores, artillery, and
even waggons to help the enemy to At with more vi
gour and expedition agaiaft us, and to lose a thousand
men of the rear guard, are not deferring of censure,
when he might have saved the whole by evacuating the
place two weeks foaner, aed when by so doing he might
have provided for covering the country with much
greater ease and profptd of (ticebfs, I don't knew what
does. Would an Rr.glidi officer have done (0? Or
what f uft he ex, ti ° 'he did ? What would the King
of Prussia fav to an officer of his, who mould behave
in this manner? Are we ever like to have our fortifi
cations property defended if such precedents pals, ahd
such reasoning admitted in excuse?
Philadelphia, 'July 16, 1-777.
CHARLESTOWN, [S. Cardinal f 0 , 7.
F FRIDAY latt bei^g the firft anniversary of the glo
rious formation es the American Empire, when
Thirteen Colonies, driven by necessity, threw off the
yoke, and rejected the tyranny, al Great Britain, by de
claring thtmfelves F ee, Independent, and S< vereign
States, the fame was commemorated by ever y demenftra
tion of joy. Ringing of bells timbered in the day. At sun
rise American colours were displayed from all the forts
and batten's, and vefTels in the harbour. The Charles
Town Regiment of Militia, commanded by the Hen.
Col. Charles Pinckney, and the Charles Town Artillery
(ompany. commanded by Capt. Thomas Grimball,
were assembled upon the parade, and reviewed by His
Excellency the Prefideht, who was attended upon this
oceafion by H*s Honor the Vice Prefi/en', and the Ho
norable the Members of the Privy Council. At one
o'clock the Several forts, beginning at Fort Moultrie,
on Sullivan's Island, discharged 76 pieces of cannon,
alluding to the glorious year (776, and the militia and
artillery fired three general vullies, His Excellency
the President then gave a ntoft elegant ±htertaiument io
the Council Chamber, at which were prefect all the
members cf the legiflatcre then in town, all the public
officers, civil and military, the Ciergy, and many ftraft
gers of n te, to the amount of more than double the
number that ever observed the birth-day of the prefect
mfguided and unfortunate King of Great-Britain^ —
After dinner the following toasts were drank, viz. r,
The Free, Independent, and Sovereign States of Ame
rica. 2, The Great Council of America—may wil
dom ptefide in all its deliberations. ;, General Wafh
ifigten. 4, The American army and navy—may the,
be victorious and invincible. 5, 'lhe nations in friend
foip or alliance with America. 6, Ihe American Am
bassadors at foreign Courts# 7, The 4th of July 1776#
8, The memory of the officers and feldiers who have
bravely failed io defence of America. 9, South Ca
rolina. 10, May only those Americans enjoy freedom
who are ready to die for its defence, it, Liberty tri
umphant. 13, Confufion, shame and dilgrace, to our
enemies—may the foes to America (flares to tyranny)
humble and fall before her. 13, May the R.r£ing States
of America reach the fmnmit or human power and gran
deur, and enjoy every blessing. Each toast being suc
ceeded by a salute of 13 guns, which were fired by
Capt. Grimball's Company from their two field pieces
with admirable regularity. Theda, having been spent
in feftivity and the most confpictiotis joy and harmony,
the evening was concluded with illuminations, &c. far
exceeding any that had ever been exhibited before.
Last Thursday arrived at a fafe port the prize Coop
Blakeney, of aad for Jamaica from Cape Nichola, laden
with flour, brandy, geneva, beef. ^O. taken on the 2d
of June by the Walhing&ri privateer, Capt. Anthony,
of this port. Toe piize mafler informs us that Capt.
Anthony&d made two more prizes fioce the fix men
tioned in our last, one a flaep of 90 tons, from the Bay
From Bermuda we learb, tbit the fort lately demo
lished at Nealy's Harbour has been repaired, remounted
with cannon, and the command given to a Lieutenant
of the Nautilus. That the Galatea's tender havir g
lately taken a schooner, Capt. Gilbert, and a sloop,
Capt. Penniftone, both from North Carolina, the flnep
was armed with ten guns and Rationed in Nealy's Har
bour. That Governor Bruere was going to England,
and a Weft India packet was daily expeded to call for
him, and that the Daphne man of Wat was expected on
that Ration.
Philadelphia, July 25, 1777.
TWELVEDOLLARS REWAR D.
RAN AWAY from the armed v ffel Ranger,
commanded by John Mitchell, Esq; a certain
CONRAD SMALL'E R, barn in Germany, twenty
years of age, about five feet eight inches high, speaks but
indifferent English ; had oh when he went away, a short
blue nap jacket lined with white flannel ; he is remarka
ble for making a noise like a quail. It is supposed he is
concealed somewhere at the louth end of the town. It.
is most earntffly requested of any friend to the prefect
just opposition, should an opportunity offer, to commit
him to gaol, this being the third time of his desertion,
and he has b-en forgiven in confluence of his being a
foreigner. Whoever secures him a# aforefaid, or delivers
him on board the Ranger, (hall have the above Reward.
NATHAN SIMMONS. z d Lieut.
N. B. Should he return to his duty in three days frem
t' is publication, I d > ptoraite he (hall not be brought to
trial by a Court-Martial.§
TEN DOLLARS REWARD.
DESERTED from my company, a certain
CHARLES DOUGHERTY, a native of
Ireland, about thirty years of age, five feet ieven or
eight inches high, short curled brownilh hair, pitted
with the Imall-pox, large white eyes, when examined
will gape with his mouth. I expe& he is gone to Capt.
Rogers's, cn Antietem, Cumberland County, where he
formerly lived. Whoever takes up said deserter and se
cures him in any gaol in the States, so that his Captain
may have him again, or brings him to the regiment,
(ball have the above Reward, and reasonable charges,
paid by JAMES GRIER, Capiain,
Ju; z 3. + Fiift P. Regiment.
of Honduras, laden with logwood ; the other a fmaM
fleop, which be cut out of Dry Harbour in Jamaica
the fame day, in order to put on board the contents of
two long boats laden with sugar. which he had taken.
Capt. Anthony had put into Havanna for necessaries,
with which he was supplied in the most expeditious and
friendly manner.
On Saturday last arrived in a fafe port the prize sloop
cut out of Dry Haibc ur 10 Jamaica, by the Wafliingtcn
privateer Capt. Anthony. She has on beard, befaes
[even hogsheads of sugar taken out of the long boats,
some linens, Caftile soap, candles, &c.
The (loop Swallow, Capt. Gray, of Philahelphia,
from this port, bound for, St. Euftatius, was taken on
the 26th of May last, at the watering place at St. Tho
mas's, at anchor, after having beat off the enemythree
times, by the privateer Hoop Repri al, Capt. Phillips,
of Antigua. Capt. Gray had but four hands, one of
whom was killed during the defence of his vessel. The'
lame privateer had four days before taken the fchoorer
Elliot, of this port, Capt. Pitt; from Surenheim, and
carried her into St. Thomas's, where the vessel and car
go were immediately fold.
WILLIAMSBURG, (Virginia) July 18.
By a vessel just arrived at Portsmouth, in five days'
from Bermuda, we learn, that a little before (he
left Bermuda a vessel arrived there from Bristol, the
Captain of which informed, that the commotions in
England were so great that many of the people were
a&ualiy in arms; that Lord North lay at the point of
death; and that war was abfulufely declared agaioft
Fiance and Spain.
The enemy's (hips of war found means, the week be
fore iaft, to cut out from Chiogoteague about nine ves
sels. Some they carried off, and burnt others. They
were chiefly French vessels,
W<*M^^^W^^^W^^^W^
WA R- OFFIC F; %/, 28, 17,7.
AN Y person or persons who will undertake
the supply of the army with beer, cyder, vegeta
bles, soap, vinegar and four crour; or any of these ar
ticles, go fending his cr their proposals in writing to the
B ard o' War, will be treated wiih; and if his or the:r
propofols are deemed reasonable, contra's will be imme
diately-entered into with him or them, on behalf of the
United Spates, for 'hr purposes aforHauL
By order op the Board,
RICHARD PETERS, >a
The federal Printers are dtfired to insert the above ad
lertifement in thei f papers.
Philadelphia, July 29, 1777.
T\,T OTICE is hereby given to all the male
X^ white inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, the
hwthrrn Liberties, the Diftri& of S#u hwark, and the
Townships of Meyamenfipg and Pafijuik, between the
gg&s of eighteen and fifty-three ye^s, who have been
diawn in the fhft or second class of our Militia, and
who are not giving personal service, nor have fubftitute^
regularly returned, to call at the house of Sub-Lieutenant
Ephraim Bonham, in Arch street, between Front and
Second-ft eets, and there diicharge their refpe&ive furcs
paid for substitutes found for them, before Monday next ;
ad thole who neglect to difeharge such funis by that
time, may expea to have them recovered in the mode
the Law points out.
WILLIAM HENRY, Lieutenant
of the City of Philadelphia.