The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-10-12 00:00:00, page 2

From the Political Magazine for June, 1782.
STATE PAPERS.
Substance of the Correspondence between lord George
Germain, fir Henry Clinton, earl Cornwallis, rear
admiral Graves, &c. &c. &c. laid before the House
of Lords, on the late enquiry into the loss of earl
Cornwallis's Army at York-Town, in Virginia.
(Continued from cur lad.)
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, May 2d,
1781.
HA D received his dispatches up to the 9th of
March. A v c ffei had arrived from admiral Ar
bnthnot, with the important intelligence of his
having Defeated the French admiral's project of carry
ing troops to attack gen. Arnold in the Chefapeak, and
of major gen. Philips's arrival with his reinforcement in
James river. Ifadmiral Arbuthnot had not overtaken
the French admiral, general Arnold and his small corps
would have been destroyed, lord Cornwallis's progress
flopped, and all <or hopes of recovering the southern
provinces would have been biased for the present cam
paign. Although hislordth'p greatly regretted that all
tie French thips escaped, yet he rejoiced exceedingly
in the success we had me: with, as it had delivered us
'from an eminent danger, and had given confidence to
our hopes that lord Cornwallis would be able to effeß
a junction with general Phillips, whose co-operation
must greatly facilitate his lordfltip's approach, and
would convince the loyalifls, that the recovery of the
southern provinces was the unalterable objeft of the
king's measures. That if there had been any doubt of
the vafl importance of the recovery of Virginia, the
condu& of the rebels would have confirmed us in our
judgment, by thegreat efforts made to preserve it, from
Washington's detaching so large a part of his best
troops. His lordfllip therefore was sorry that fir Hen
ry's inOruOions to general Phillips meant thatonly a
part of the troops were to continue there, and that
both he and general Arnold were 10 return to New-
York, leaving only a fufficient force for garrisons in
the pofis. Sir Henry's ideas were so different from his
lordship's, that he asked the advice of his majesty's o
ther servants, and their opinion concurring w«h his
'lordfllip's, it had been submitted to the king. It was
his majesty's orders, that the recovery of the southern
provinces was to be considered as the chief object of all
the forces under fir Henry's command, that could be
spared from the defence of the places in his majesty's
possession. That when the summer months rendered
it unhealthy for the troops to operate to the southward,
fir Henry was at liberty to employ them to the north of
the Delaware, nor was it the king's intention to re
flrain him from availing himfelf of any favourable cir
cumfiance that might occur at any other time in the
northern provinces. It being only his majesty's pur
pose, that the war should be conducted upon a per
manent and fettled plan, always securing and preserv
ing what was recovered ; and not by desultory enterpriz
estaking possession of places at one time, and abandoning
them at another, which never would bring the war to a
conclusion, or encourage the people to avow their loy
alty, and exert themselves to get rid of the tyranny of
the rebel rulers, and enable his majesty to restore them
to their conflitutional liberty, which was the most fer
vent wish of his royal breast. The German troops were
to fail from Bremerlehe and proceed to New-York, the
3 British regiments and the recruits, he trusted were
well on their way to Charleftown, and as fir George
Rodney was to bring three more regiments from the lee
ward islands, fir Henry he hoped won Id have an aug
mentation equal to his wishes ; that the exertions made,
shewed his majesty's entire conviction that the most va
luable part of America might be recovered in this cam
paign, which had excited him to make his utmost ef
forts to supply fir Henry with a force fully fufficient.
That the reduction of the southern provinces must give
the death wound to the rebellion, notwithstanding any
afliflance the French might give; and if that were the
cafe,a general peace would soon fellow, and this coun
try be delivered from the most burthenfome war it ever
was engaged in. Therefore, as so much depended on
our successes in America, fir Henry Could not be fur
prised, that the eyes of all the people of England were
turned upon him, nor at the anxiety with which the
king and all his servants waited for accounts of his
movements. His lordship concluded with hoping fir
Henry would excuse the earnestness and frequency of
his exhortations to decision in council, and to adivity,
vigour, and perseverance in execution of his majesty's
pleasure, of which he had now fully informed him.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, May 2,
and June 4, 1781.
The French had sent to diffwade the congress f orn
invading Canada, until the king's forces should be
driven out of the thirteen provinces.
That from the beginning of this year to the present
date, upwards of 6000 effective men, British and Ger
man, had been sent fir Henry, which his lordship
trusted would, with his former strength, give him a
decided superiority over the French and rebels.
Sir Henry was directed to pay great attention to the
fafety and comfort of the inhabitants of Georgia, the
assembly having (hewn much loyalty.
Lord George Germain to earl Cornwallis, June 4,
1781.
The rapidity of his movements in a country so lit
tle cultivated, was justly matter of astonishment to all
Europe, as well as to the rebels in America. Had been
alarmed at fir Henry Clinton's intention to recall the
greatest part of the force under general Phillips, but
his lordship trusted that the victory at Guilford would
afford lord Cornwallis an opportunity of taking him
and his whole force under his command.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, June 6,
1781.
Informs fir Henry, that lord Cornwallis's opinion
entirely coincided with his lordfllip's own, viz. to push
the watt n Virginia with all the force that could be
(pared
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, June 7,
1781.
His majesty was much fatisfied with fir Henry hav
ing resolved to push the war in Virginia with all the
force he could spare from New-York, and of his in
tention of giving the inhabitants an opportunity of
joining the considerable body of troops he intended
carrying there. Hoped the three regiments and the
1000 British recruits from Ireland were arrived ; that
2800 Germans would soon be with him, which would
enable him to proceed immediately, without waiting
for the three Wefl-ludia regiments, as they would not
join him until the season for offenfive operations should
be over in that quarter. His lordship then believed
that the French fleet would push for North America,
but-that fir George Rodney would certainly follow
them, to prevent their giving him any interruption ;
and to enable him the better to effea it, admiral Dig
by was to carry out a reinforcement of three fllips of
the line.
A private letter, July 6, 1781, from h>r, George Ger
main o fir Henry Clinton
His lordfbi, was perpetually felicitous that no pof
fible opportunity might lie loft of attempting decisive
operations againfl thr r^bel army an° ! poffeffions.
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, June 14, 1
1781.
Rear admiral Digby detained by contrary winds.
The rebel correspondence that had fallen into fir Hen
ry's hands, shewed their affairs to be aimoil desperate,
and nothing but the success of some extraordinary eq
terprize could give vigour and activity to their cause.
His lordship was pleased they had fixed on New York
for their enterprize, and he had not any doubt of fir
Henry's repeling them, and when the troops from Ire
land and Germany arrived, of even adding offensively
The purpose of the enemy had been long known, and
fir George Rodney had been apprized of it, and cer
tainly would not lose fight of monsieur de Graffe. The
very proper Bep that fir Henry had taken, of trans
mitting to fir George, copies ofthe intercepted letters,
must have confirmed him in the resolution taken in
consequence of the so mer intelligence ; but as in a
matter of such great moment, no possible contingency
should be unguarded againfl, ^traDs of the intercept
ed letters were to be sent him' from England, with pre
cise inftruDion^ to proceed direftly to North-America,
when M. de Graffe quitN the Leeward islands. This
letter concludes with feme compliments to fir Hen # y
and lord Cornwallis.
A most secret I tter from lord George Germain to fir
Henry Clinton, August 2, 1781.
As M. de Grade's arrival in the Weft-Indies had
been later than intended, it would probably delay his
appearance on th, coa, of North-America beyond the
time fettled by Wafht'ngton and Rochambea u : and as
fir George Rodney knew his deflination, and the French
acknowledged his flips failed better than theirs, it was
hoped fir George world arrive before him,* and be in
readiness to receive him, when he came upon the coast.
His lordship expeHed that the lunaion of the French
troops with the Americans, would produce difeon
tents.
Lord G orge Germain to fir Henry Clinton, August
4, '7Br.
Had received dispatches by admiral Arbuthnot. Bis
majesty highly approved of the very spirited measure
fir Henry was preparing to execute, and his lordship
said he should be exceedingly anxious till he heard the
expedition had failed#
Lord George Germain to fir Henry Clinton, August 31,
178'-
Since fir Henry's dispatch, of tie 3d of July, his
lordship had been in daily expectation of the arrival of
the packet fir Henry had promißd to dispatch ; but
by private (hips that left New York, July 18th, he
had the mortification to learn, that none had then fail
ed, though there were three packet boats in that port.
That fir Henry's detention of the packets was ex
tremely distressing, as the operations of lord Corn
wallis, and the movement of Washington and Rocn
ambesu, as Bated in private letters and news-papers,
were become of great importance. Since Pensacola
had been loft, hoped fir Henry would attend to the
fafeiy of t e provinces of Ball Florida and Georgia,
and of the Bahama and Bermuda islands, as the Spani
ards might now turn their arms towards those quar
ters.
Sir Henry Clinton to lord Gorge Germain, dated
New York, March ift, 1781.
Contains one of fir Henry's criticisms on admiral
Arbuthnot's condufl.
Letter from earl Cornwallis to lord George Germain,
dated Wilmington, North-Carolina, April 23.1,
1781.
Had the day before received advice of the upper poffs
in South-Carolina being in the most eminent danger,
from a spirit of revolt among the people, and a move
ment of Greene's army. Yet as lord Rawdon had at
lead fix days notice before Greene could reach Cam
den, he hoped from his lordfllip's abilities, we should
not lose any considerable corps. The difiance from Wil
mington to Camden, the want of forage and fubfiflance
* Admiral Hood did arrive off the Chefapeak be
fore the French fleet; he failed from the Weft Indies,
August 10th, and made tiie land to the southward of
Cape Henry, August 25th, but not finding admiral
Graves off the Chefapeak, he inflantly dispatched a
frigate to him, and arrived himfelf at Sandy Hook the
28th. He would not go within the Hook with his fleet,
forefeeing great delay, but went up in his boat to
New York, which is about 30 miles. That fame
evening advice was received that the French had fail
ed from Rhode Island on thezgth of Aug iff. Sir Sa
muel's remon firances prevailed on admiral Graves to
think of putting to sea in quest of the enemy; and
Graves said his Clips would be out next day, but the
wind prevented them until the gift. De Graffe failed
from Cape Francois on the sth of August, and did
not anchor in the Chefapeak until the 30th.
t Admiral Arbuthnot arrived theist of August at
Portsmouth, having left New York early iu July.
on the greater part of theroad, and the difficulty of
pacing the Pedee when opposed by an enemy,rendered it
impossible for him to give lord Rawdon immediate as
sistance. If he attempted it;and should fuffer a severe
blow, the fiprit of revolt would become very general in
South Carolina, and in North-Carolina the numerous
rebels would become more active and violent than ever,
which might enable general Greene to hem him in among
the great rivers, and by cutting off his provisions,
render their arms useless. To remain waiting at Wil
mington for transports to carry them off, would take
time, would lo(e all the cavalry, and be as runious
and difgraceful as any event coud be. Under so ma
ny embarrassing circumstances, his lordship looking on
Charleftown as fafe, resolved immediately to march in
to Virginia, to attempt a junction with general Phil
lips. He was the more readily induced to take the
measure, because if Greene failed in his objed, his re
treat would rel eve South-Carolina; and his lordship's
force being infuffi cient for offenfive operations in North
Carolina, might be ufefully employed in Virginia, in
conjunction with tiie corps under general Phillips.
Sir Henry Clinton's opinions given to major general
Phillips before that officer's embarkation for the Che
fapak.
Until lord Cornwallis's success was known, and what
force could be (pared from the Southern o'iflria,and un
til the reinforcements expended should arrive,the t roops in
the Chefapeak, might be employed firfl in affixing his
lordship, and then in eflablifhing a permanent post
near the entrance of the bay (if the na™al commander
did not approve of the one in Elizabeth river) where
large ships as well as small, might be in security dur
ing any temporary superiority of the enemy's fleet; or
if such a post could not be found, to employ the re
mainder of the season in desultory expeditions against
magazines, towns/&c.
Wasat a loss to ccrc £ i" F h^w lord Cornwallis's num
bers came to be reduced before the action at Guilford
to 1360 linfantry, as his lordship said he had been uni
formly fuccefsful ; and fir Henry (ays also, that by
every information given to him, he had great reason
to believe that his lordship had above 3000 men besides
cavalry and militia, when he entered North Carolina.
Sir Henry from a hope that lord Cornwallis's success,
aroongf lour friends in North Carolina, would have
been such as to h ve reflored it and South-Carolina to
tranquility, he had written to his lordship on the 10th
of April, fubmiting to him the propriety of coming in
a frigate to the Chefapeak, though now his lordship
may not think his presence can be dispensed with in
North Carolina ; yet as his lordship thought his army
could not act until it was reinforced, it was possible
he might avail himfelf of the invitation, and go to the
Chefapeak to consult with general Phillips; in which
cife such plans will of course be fettled as may best
assist his lordship's operations in both Carolinas. After
taefe are over, such other operations would take place
to the northward, as the reinforcements expe&ed,
would enable him to undertake. He had ever been
sensible of the great importance of operations in the
Chefapeak, the' aware of the great risk that attended
them, unless we had a permanent superiority at sea.
Was to fend another reinforcement to lord Cornwallis.
Sir Henry Clinton to lord George Germain, New-
York, May 18, 1781.
Lamented exceedingly the very critical situation
which the inclofed letter from lord Cornwallis to major
general Phillips .described the southern army to be in.
Sir Henry hop'd that lord Cornwallis, inflead of ad
vancing towards Hillsborough or Petersburg, had gone
back to South Carolina, either by sea or land, as from
Wilmiugtonro Georgetown was only 120 miles, and
from Georgetown to Camden not above five or fix days
march. But if his lordship should have formed a junc
tion with general Phillips, at or near Petersburg, fir
Henry thould if expedient, proceed there himfelf, and
cn confultat on with his lordship and the other general
officers, fotra some plan for the campaign. Sir Hen
ry also mentioned the alarming date of general Phil ips's
illness, an that he should have proceeded immediately
to the Chefapeak, I ut for the precarious Bate of gene
ral Koyphauforfs health, and the reduced Bate of New-
York, even as a defenfive post, which seemed more for
cibly to require his continuance in that post. Sir
Henry mentioned ids intention to lord G- Germain, in
his letter of April 23d, of fending lieutenant general
Robertson to command in Virginia, until he was join
ed by lord Cornwall's, or received further orders from
himfelf; and for general*Robertfon's guidance, in the
mean time he should refer hirc to the inflructions given
to general Phili ps.
Sir Henry inclofed the account of general Arnold's suc
cesses in Virginia.
At the conclusion, he Lot lord George Germain an
extrad of a report concerning the French fleet. Doubt
ed not he should have some information of the failing
of such a fleet, and that it would be immediately fol
lowed, before it could arrive on the coast. From this
he should think it advisable to give up all operations
'' With regard to a flation for the proteaion of the
" king's Blips, I know of no place so proper as York
“ town, if it could be taken possession of, fortified and
" garrisoned with 1000 men; as by having 1000 more
“ somewhere in Elizabeth river, York and James rivers
" would be ou/s, and ourcruizers might command
" the waters of the Chefapeak." That troops might
also be f pared from these polls for water movements in
summer. "But if the heights of York and those on
" Gloucester fide, cannot be so well or so soon fortifi
" ed, asto render them dors d'infulte, before the ene
" my can move a force against it, it may not be ad
" vifeable to attempt it • in that case something may
" possibly be done at Old Point Comfort, to cover large
" ships lying in Hampton road. If neither can be fe
“ cured, we must content ourselves with keeping the
" Chefa peak, with frigates and other armed vessels,
'• which will always find security against a superior
" naval force in Elizabeth river. Perhaps a situation
" might be found on J mes river. James town seems
" a proper spot."
Sir Henry Clinton to lord George Germain, New-
York, a journal from April 23d, to May ift, 1781.