The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-10-19 00:00:00, page 3

A particular and just account of the taking of Provi
dence, with some refleaions on the importance of
that valuable capture, extracted from a French pa
per.
" W''" already mentioned the expedition a-
VV gainft Providence: an expedition no less in
tererting for toe advantages that may be drawn from
it by its commerce, than for the manner by which it
was conduded. The accountsthat we have procured,
put it in our power to fatisfy the curiosity of the pub
lic.
" Few people are ignorant that the position of these
islands offer to the English privateers a fafe harbour, a
feoure retreat, and the command of the passages for
the fleets coming from the gulf of Mexico, to the Ha
vannah and St. Domingo.
" Although the foil of the Lucayes," fays a cele
brated author, " cannot be compared to many of the
" islands, it is fufficient to support in abundance, by
'' labour, a population much more considerable than
" that which is found at prefect in whites and slaves.
"If cultivation is neglected, it is to their firfl princi
" pies and their present inclinations, that it is to be
" attributed. Their situation, so favourable to pira
'' cy; has turned the views of the inhabitants entirely
" tuat way. They are continually wishing for hofti
“ lities, that the produceof the French and Spaniards
" may fall into their hands."
" Their present population is two thousand three
hundred and seventy-six whites, and eight hundred
and forty seven negroes ; their buildings five hundred
and sixty fix houses. About half of them is at Provi
dence; the rest are scattered about in the other five
little islands, which form the colony.
'f The numerical proportion of whites to slaves,
compared to that of other islands, fufficiently proves
how far agriculture is neglected upon a foil, where its
variety never ceases to solicit the industry of the in
habitants, and even their ambition. We should not
then be furprized, that tuey fend to Great- Britain to
the amount only of fifty or sixty thousand French
crowns, in cotton, logwood, turtles and salt.
" Don Cagigal, lieutenant general of the armies of
his catholic maj-fty, and his captain.general in the
island of Cuba, convinced of the importance of these
possessions, and determining to make a conquert of
them, failed from the Havaunah, the 22d of April lafl,
with a fleet of 48 transports, on board of which were
±OOO troops including militia and negroes; ten 24
pounders, fix of 3, eight of 4, seven mortars and two
carronades. The defeent was to be covered by the
South Carolina, an American frigate of 40 guns, by
fix lighter vessels of 16 guns e>c>, and by eight gal
ley of two guns. Until now it was believed that the
canal of Providence was not navigable for so confider
ablea fleet ; this was the opinion even of the b-ft ma
riners ; but genius gets the better of prejudice. Be
fldes Don Cagigal well knew, that in ranging Bahama
to the south, he might fall in with the English frigates
that cruised upon those coasts. He fleered then through
this canal, supposed to be impracticable, and got out
the 2d of May. They difeovert-d the islands Eimi
nis. The 3d at day-break, they took a fchoonrer
from Provider.ee, charged with dispatches for Charlef
town, but had thrown them overboard The governor
of the Lucayes, informed that there was preparing at
the Havannah a considerable armament, which threat
ened him (the grearert part of this armament was
for Cape Francois) determined to make a good defence,
and demanded another reinforcement from the govern
or of Charleflown. He had already received troops,
artillery,&c. The frigate and four transports which
had brought them, had failed some days. This in
formation that he had received from the schooner,
would have diffuadecf a general fr n m his expedition,
who had been less ambitious of the glory of his coun
try and that of his own.
" Don Cagigal did not fyppofe he should meet with
no opposition, since he took the command of the expe
dition himfelf, nor did he suppose he should find a su
perior force. On the 4th was taken another schooner,
but had also thrown her dispatches overboard. How
ever the confirmed the news of the firfl. The fleet
col'eßed on the sth. The 7th at day-break, the
Spanish fleet blocked up the port, and took a packet
carrying dispatches to Charleftown. The fameday the
convoy anchored in the Salt Quays, at the entry of
the port, under protection of the galleys, threatening
three landings at the fame time, one to the east, ano
ther to the weft and a third upon the island of Hog,
which forms the port, and is within reach of fort Na(-
fau and the batteries of the place.
" At five o'clock in the evening of the fame day,
the 7th ofthe month, Mr. Maxwell, the English gover
nor, was (ummoned to surrender in ten hours time,
with threats, that if he made any refinance, to grant
him nd capitulation. The governor, who expected eve
ry iriftant the arrival of the frigates which he had de
minded, endeavoured to prolong the matter ; however
the n< .t day at day break, be sent a flag' of truce,
who brought the preliminaries signed Nevertheless,
Caftilian prudence was not lulled. Don Cagigal pre
tending wish reason, that so long as all the articles of the
capitulation were not definitively signed, the prelimina
ries ought not to be regarded but as vague conferen
ces, and 0 dered his troops to be landed, in spite of
the complaints of the governor, who, feeing himfelf
thus pressed, and fearing to be attacked by an army
that he believed to be at least 5 or 6000 men, signed
the capitulation, and gave hostages Every thing by
midnight was fettled, and the day following the Spa
nifh troops were put in possession of all the ports.
" The troops of his Britannic majesty were made
prisoners of war, under an express article that they
should be transported to England, not withstanding the
earnest Solicitations of the governor, that they might
be sent to North America. They confided of 274 re
gular troops, 338 militia, and 800 Sailors, drawn from
the whipping and armed ; all which composed a body of
1412 men.
" The regret of the governor, upon feeing the little
army to which he had Surrendered, is not to be ex
pressed; and much encreafed when he was informed of
the news that arrived some days after.
STATE of NEW-JERSEY.
A fupplimeotal a to the aH, entitled, an aft to pu
nish traitors and difaffeaed persons.
WHEREAS divert persons fuhpas of this Rate,
have, in a traiterous manner, joined or taken re uge
with the Army of the king of Grest-Britain, contrary
to the duties of their allegiance, at good f u ieffs.
And inasmuch as they have negleßed to avail them
selves of the several offers of mercy and ttndernefs hi
therto extended towards th m, but continue, by
counsel or otherwise, to aid the said king in his at
tempts to reduce this and the United Stages of Ameri
ca to abjed submission, thereby forfeiting all claim 111
future to the inestimable rights of freedom:
Be it enabled y th, council 'nd general assembly of
this Rate, and it is hereby mari-d by the authority of
tie fame, that each and every fubjed of this Rate who
has since the fourth day of OHoher, one thousand se
ven hundred and seventy-six. aided and affifled the,
enemies thereof, or of the United States, by joining
their armies within this Rate or elfewnere, or who hath
voluntarily gone to, taken refuge or continued with or
endeavoured to con inue with tie enemy aforefaid, and
aid them by counsel or otherwise. who (hall after the
parting of this aa return io, or be found within this
flare, shall be and is hereby declared 10 be guilty of
hightreafon against this Rate, and being thereof legally
con'iaed, (hall fufferd.ath without benefit of clergy
(laving the corruption of blood.)
That by the articles of confederation all charges of war,
and all other expences incurred for the common defence
or general welfare, and allowed by the united Rates in
congress assembled, are tn be defrayed out of the com
mon treasury which fhal be supplied by the several
Rates, and the united Rates in congress assembled are
to ascertain the sums so to be supplied, and to appro
priate and apply the fame in defraying such expences :
That in pursuance of this delegated power, tongrefs
did, in the month of November lafl, require of the fe
feveral flat's their refpeaive proportions of the sum
of eight millions f dollars, for the ferries of the cur
rent year, in which service was in luded the payment
ofthe army, so that in case of compliance with the
fa d requisition, the whole army will be regularly and
duy paid:
That, if therefore individual Rates undertake, with
out the previous warrant of congress, to dispense any
part of monies requlr d for and appropriated to th e
payment of the army, or any other purposes of the
union, the federal confutation must be so far infringed:
That such infractions ought the more to be guarded
againfl, as they tend to subvert the plans whi h con
gress have adopted and are now carrying into eff-& for
a uniform and economical administration of the pub
lic revenue, as they murt prolong the 'xirtence of un
settled accounts between the united Rates and individu
al Rates from which great inconveniences have beenex
perienced,and as they cannnot fail to produce ultimately
difeords among the fevera# Rates, and intermediate
confufions and murmurs in the army; whereupon,
Philadelphia, October ro.
By the UNITED STATES in CONGRESS Assembled.
October iff, 1782.
THE committee, 10 whom ,as referred a repre
sentation of the legislature of New Jersey, re
port :
Tiat it appears from the Aid r^prefenta Hon that
complaints have been made to the legiflourr of New
Jersey, by the officers of t e line of th t state, of par
tial payments made by other Rates to the troops of
their particular lines; and that it is proposed by the
said legislature, unleft meafares be taken by congress
for securing equal juflice to the troops of N w-Jer
sey, to apply to r eir use a part ofthe tax?s required
by and allotted for the difpofiiion of the united ftate#
in congress assembled :
" The humanity and address of Don Cagigal hath
equally shined forth in this operation where his pru
dence hath known how to prevent, the (hedging of hu
man blood; they have already appeared with eclat in
the cartel eftabhfhed with the governor of Jamaica,
for the xchangPof their resp Hive prisoners.
" Thi cartel, signed at Jamaica, tie 18th of No
vember, 1781, by Mr Dalling, Mr Parker, and Don
F. Miranda, authorised for this purpose, has delivered
from the horrors of a prison, 1600 Spaniards, who
have been offering their f eble hands to their country,
and in their (offerings have accused them of cruelty
and ingratitude for their services."
" Don Cagigal, after having provided for the de
fence of his new conquefl, and thinking that his
government was threatened, did not think proper to
wait for his fleet; he returned to the Havannah, with
the hopes of gathering frelh laurels. Happily the con
voy arrived some time after, though not without hav
ing caused a good deal of uneasiness concerning its fate.
"The quantity of provisions, &c. found in the sin
gle island of Providence, is astonishing. In 21 ports
conftruded for the defence of the 'country, among
which may be reckoned three forts, was found 159
cannon of all sizes, 93 Swivels, 4977 bullets, 6 carro
nades, 535 bombs, &c. The ships which were taken
in the harbour mounted in all 150 cannon, one of
which was a privates of 26 guns, 4 brigs of 14 guns,
5 Schooners of 10 guns, and 2 belaodres of 3 guns.
There were also taken 65 merchantmen. Their hulls
were given up to the proprietors, but their artillery
and all their warlike floras, considered as the property
of his Catholic Majesty. To bring into one point of
view all that concern these possessions, we Shall repeat
what we have already said in our 26th number, that
since the war there has been carried into Providence
176 prizes, 137 of which were taken from the Ameri
cans, 24 from the French, 14 from tie Spaniards, and
I from the Hollanders.
Imported id the last v&frU from France, and in the
Herr Ad.m^ ,just arrived from Amfterd -m -nd ta
be Sold by the B le or Package, st the STORE of
H. S H IE L L,
In Market ft-#e*, between Sixth and Seventh ftre^tf.
SUPERFINE Broad C oths, Fl nnels, Flanders
Sheeting, Britannia, Laval, Ponthias an Non
hatteau Linens, clear Lawns, Camtr ; :ks, Checks, S't
tins, Lu'^rnfs and Mantuas of dlnerrnt colours, fill
tambou Waistcoats, faun and kidlkm Gloves. Sept. if.
Reed and Forde,
At their STORE in F ont-Rreet, two doors above the
Market,
Have on Hand, A few PIPES of
London, particular London, York and
Virginia
Madeira Wines, a few Chests
of Bohee Tea, Powder and Sheet Lead, and 2 General
ASSORTMENT o' DRY GOODS, which th^y will
Di pose of for C sh, Paymasters Notes, Bills of Ex
change or Paper Currency. June 17.
Just Imported and to be Sold, By
Thomas Randall & Co.
In F ent-ftreet, a few Dors above Msrket-ftrest
WEST-india Rum by the ho^fhead.'
Window G ass by the box,
Tin in erfks and boxes.
Pig Lcsd#
Alo, Su^r, Crffee and Tea.
Ado, A Variety of DRY GOODS by the bale.
Bache and Shee,
HAVE FOR SALE,
Cafiile Soap, Pig Lead, Cordage,
and WINDOW GLa Sos different fiz #& °
French Army Bills of Exchange,
At THIRTY Dys Sight,
FOR SALE, BY
John Chaloner.
TO BE SO L D,
A Negro Wench and Child,
part of the estate of the late colonel Georpe Nu^rfh.
She is under a mortgage and will Le fold ch~ao on that
account. Pleafa to apply to WILLIAM GEDDES,
adroiniftraror,
A fe, To be hired one or two Negro L^l
A woman with a good breast of
milk w.nts to take a child to nurle. Enquire of the
Printer,'
A Billiard Table to be fold.
Enquire o' c" Porter.
T 0 BE n 0 L D, A
Healthy Negro Lad, well grown,
a^out 17 years old: Sod for no ofer f ult but hi#
Matin's w at of money. Enquire of the Printer.
R solved, That the legislature of New ferfey fe h+
formed that congress have adopted every means m their
power for securing payment of the arrears due to the
army, prior to it day of January last, and for the re
gular payment of the army in future, which they hope
the fev ral state wdl exert themselves to enable congref#
to accomplish. and that congress have d fco ntenanced
all partial payments of the army by particular Rates#
Revolved, That no monies paid by any of toe Rates
to the officers and soldiers of the army of the united
Rates as pay for the year 1782,be considered as advance
ed in behalf of the united Rates, and that the fame be
not credited to the state by which the advance Shall
have been made.
Refoived, That the several Rates be required to
make speedy payment of the refpe&ive quotas into the
public treasury, that congress may be thereby enabled
to pay the officers and soldiers of the American army
the amount of their pay for the present year.
CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.
M&£^±^c«»«»4+¥WMTQggfcg^d^
O^ THURSDAY,
The 24th oaoher, instant,
At T WELVE o'CI ck at Noon,
Will be SOLD by PUBLIC AUCTION,
A the Coffee- honie, in Philadelphia,
THE MERCHANT MILLS in the borough of
Brirtol, containing three Pair of Stones, one
whereof s burs, together with the appurtenant
ce, and a LOT ^f five acres. The character and i
tuiti^n of thee Mills are so well known, as to render
any particul r ^e'erip-ion unnecessary, being situate ora
the Delaware, 0 1, 20 miles distant from Philadelphia.
Credit may be had for half or more of the purchase
reon-y, if required. Further information on the pre.
miles, or hv application to JOHN MEASE.
N. B. Possession may be had one month after pur
chase.