The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-02-23 00:00:00, page 5

From the St. Christopher's Journal, Nov.
21, 1778.
To the Dutch Admiral commanding at St. Ev-
STATIUS.
SIR,
IM EAN to address you, as a man in high command in your
country's service, on your irjurious conduct to Great-Bri
tain in the present dispute. If I pay you not all the iefpe&
which yau may claim as due to your rank, 1 (hall at least en
deavour to avoid misrepresentation, and allow only your own
anions to bring unpleafint founds to your ear. What your
country owes to Great-Britain, what you have engaged by
treaty, what your own interest demands of you, wul form
the contrast with your present conduct.
'o tell how far your country is indebted to Great-Brit^in
for her existence as a community would be to tranferibe her hi
dory. 1 (hall confine the review, on which I mean to found
my censure, to that crisis, when the monarchs of Great-Bri
tain and France combined to annihilate you as a people, when
ycu were reduced to the wretched expedient of refolding to
tianfport yourselves to the inhospitable clime at Batavia. It
was then, that the voice of a disinterested people, the British
people at large, interposed their authority in your favor, formed
their King to break with France, and fared you from ruin,
saved you to combine in these times with traitors and pirates
in a deftruaive war agajnft them. At the moment of danger
indeed your High and Mighty States appeared for once, impress
ed with the feelings of gratitude, and a6ted as if sensible that
their fate was wound up in the prosperity of Great-Britain.
They solemnly declared by treaty, " to give no affiftane^ nor
f liter to (hips cruizing against the State or commerce of Great
..itain: if any such, belonging to powers in amity with Hol
land, fnould enter their ports, they arc to take on board only
as much water and providers as are {efficient to carry them by
the shortest courft to the netieft port in their own State: if any
captured British (hips be brought into the Dutch ports, if any
captured British property be difeovered in them, they and it
firall be carefully attached and be faithfully restored: Pirates
cruizing on the trade of Great Britain, (hall be seized, where
ever found, and be delivered up or brought to punifliment."
This union of interest did Dutch gratitude at that time dictate,
and for this conduct is Dutch faith engaged. Gratitude or ge
nerosity, when we talk of your country's condua, at this
rime, we will pass by ; but surely we may suppose Dutchmen
Avmetimes influenced by commercial good faith, and to be feme
times open to the call of interest, at least if we can, on your
fide produce no ads of disinterested gratitude we (halt have a
faithful adherence to treaties, w^ich have been entered into for
the mutual interests of both (fates; and in all your transac
tions with other nations, by which Britain may be affe&ed, we
shall find an rdifputable preference (hewn to her interest and
fafety, which are in truth your own. Your country, I affiim,
is i tereAed in the fafety, nay, in the honour and grandeur of
Great-Biitain, as intimately as Britain her fafety, I dare add,
more nearly concerned. Holland will exist no longer as a State,
than Britain, her protestor, preserves her rank and influence
among the kingdoms of Europe; but Britain reduced within
her own limits, is Bill capable of maintaining her laws and go
vernment entire. Half the property of your country is lock
ed up in the British funds, and if @ny difader befal her, that
will be the firft facrifiee to misfortunes, while her own natural
wealth and productions will Bill be fufficient for her and her
Children. And in truth so much am 1 impressed with the opi
nion of the drift attention of your people to their interest, that
in all the late melancholy profpeas of the affairs of m, coun
try, 1 have reaped no small consolation from your ungrateful
behaviour to her, and that apparent contradidion to your real
interest, which has marked the whole of your condud reced
ing America, For thus have I argued, if the difadroua issue of
she present war were but probably to end in the loss cf the In
dependence of Holland, and of fifty-fix millions sterling, Dutch
money in the British funds, the Dutch would exert all their
llrength in common to counteract the event. But as they have
: ffifted the foes of Britain, and of conference of their Coun
try, with warlike stores and necessaries by every means in their
power, in conrradiaion as well to their own general inteceft,
as to the moll solemn particular treaties; as they have sent out
in time of peace Admirals and strong squadrons, to insult the
British navy, and vindicate and protea the illegal and scanda
lous traffic,' 1 am left to conclude, that however fatal in other
refpeas the war may be to Britain, Hill (lie will be able to pro
tea Holland, still be able to pay to the Dutch two millions
sterling yearly interest money.
Pei haps you may affed to take fire at this indignity, and may
pretend to confider a representative of some of the old noble fa
milies of Burgundy, and a Dutch Admiral affronted by being
called a protector of smugglers, and a copartner with pirates.
I do not pretend to know your inftruaions, yet if they can be
read, the legible colours in which consequences cannot be mis
taken, have not misrepresented them. And for no other pur
pose but to protea a dirty traffic with and encourage smugglers,
rebels and pirates, is a man of your family and rank kept with
a Arong squadron at a little rocky isle, that cannot supply you
even with water.
Have not your fllips been employed as convoys to these your
creditable associates ? Have not the British cruizers been fired
upon by you, because a rebel or a pirate vessel has been in fight,
and you have trembled for her danger; and yet, under what
pretence, confident with your engagements to Britain, can you
giant the protection of your ports to pirates cruizing on her
trade, rr out-laws that have Bed her justice? Before this time,
gut-laws have been seized at the Hague, and sent to Britain to
punishment. Have you not permitted the rebel flags to fly in
for presence? and treated with a contempt that glanced even
at his Britannic Majesty the remonftrancts made on the fubje^
by the British governors. Has not your Squadron robbed the
British cruizers of rebel prizes taken on the high seas, and car
ried the men prisoners into your peris ? Have not pirates been
entertained, been fitted out and manned in your ports? Have
you not lately fuffered a French frigate to bring in and fell in
your presence a British prize ? Have y&u not Summed upeve
ry mark of insolence and injurious behavior in your late recep
tion of Cunningham, a known out-law, who long infeded the
British seas, without so much as the flimfey pretence of a Con
gress commission, with which indeed he had no connection,
and in whose quarrel he had no pretence to enter? Surely
wherever such a fellow could have been seized, he (hould have
been facrificed to the violated rights of mankind. When your
predecessor in command, Du Graaf, aftedfuch an injurious and
scandalous part, we thought the conduct cogenial with his sor
did foul, and were contented with his removal. But as we ex
peded more propriety of conduct, more attention to the ho
nor and interest of yeur country in a man of your birth and
rank, so unless you retrieve your character by refpeding the
interests of the only true ally of your country, we (hall be apt
to demand in you a more exemplary vindications of our vio
Pennsylvania Packet Extraordinary. JL UCimy, ±~ 9& ~.~-j ') >
lated rights. By mentioning that groveling miser Du Graaf, I
mean not to compare you with such a wretch. Ido not f^p
pofe in your conduct you are influenced by the dirty bribe or
the pitiful bargain. Yet why cannot you get above low preju
dices and present considerations, to aft apart worthy of your
felf and your country.
TEMP L E.
St. Chriflopher, Nov. 19, 1778.
To the PUBLIC.
IN Mr. Dunlap's paper of the 9th liftant,after the eighth
resolutions of the President and Council of this State,
are the following words.
cc On confederation Ordered, That as the waggons sent
“ by General Arnold to Egg-Harbour, were drawn forth
" under the law of the State, and the waggoners not being
'' able to procure payment, either from the Qiarter-Maft
" ter's department, or from General Arnold, who is de?
" parted from this city while the complaint against him
" was depending, and they being in great neceffty, this
“ Board ought to relieve them so far as to advance four
" hundred and fifty pounds, until they can procure far
" ther redress. Aad that Jesse Jordan the Waggon-Maf
“ ter give a special receipt to be accountable therefor.
Bx?raft from the Minutes,
T. MATLACK, Secretary.
Then follows
“By order of Council a certi ed copy of the foregoing
" resolves were delivered to Maj # r General Aftfold before
66 heleft this State," ~
From this certificate the public are artfully made to be
lieve, that the foregoing order was delivered me with the
resolutions, before I left the State. Whereas in fact it
never was delivered me, either before my departure, or
since my return ; neither was the Waggon-Mafter Jesse
Jordan, ever refufed payment, as will folly appear by the
following certificate and letter, nor is it true , that the re
folutionsof the President and Council were delivered me,
before I left the State. I crossed the Delaware at Phila
delphia, the third inflant in the morning, reached Bur
lington that night, next day at ten o'clock I crossed the
river to Bristol, where the ref®lutions were delivered me
by an Express, sent for that purpose.
Whether these infiouations to injure my character, and
prejudice the minds of the public again ft me ,are confid
ent with the b^nor and dignity of a President and Coun
cil of a State, I leave the candid public to judge.—With
refpe& to the charges brought against me, I shall be silent
until the matter is determined by a Committee of Con
gress, who are appointed for that purpose.
B. ARNOLD.
Philadelphia, February 19,1779.
N.B. General Arnold requests Mr. Jesse Jordan to
call for the pay of his brigade of waggons, if the President
and Council of the State will permit him.
IDO certify that Major General Arnold, on the firft
and second instant, put into my hands a sum of money
to pay several debts, among others desired me to pay
Jefe Jordan his account for hire of waggons to Egg-Har
bour last Fall, which he said amounted to about five hun
dred pounds. He t@ld me he had desired Col. Mitchel to
pay the account, which if he had done desired me to re
pay him. As Mr. Jordan never called on me, and I did
not know where to find him, it was not in my power to
pay the meney.
M. CLARKSON, Aid de Camp.
Head- garters Pbiiade/pbia,
^brua^ 48, 1779. „
s 1 R >
AS you have requested I would give you a fate of the
fads which came to my knowledge refpefting the
waggons you sent to Egg harbour last Fall, the following
is the account of that affair. In the month of Odober
last, at the time the enemy had landed some troops at
Egg-harbour, General Arnold requested I would furnifh
him with a brigade of teams, which he wanted to fend to
the Jerseys, and that he would pay the hire of them, they
being wanted to remove property, which was in iminent
danger of falling into the enemy's hands. I informed him
he should have the Waggon-mafter of the firft brigade
which could be spared from public service sent to him,
when he would give him such orders as he pleased. Ac
cordingly about the zzd of October, Mr. Jordan was sent
to the General to receive his directions, having at that
time sent forward a large supply for the army, &c. When
Jordan returned he was desired to make out his account
to General Arnold to be paid. Ido not know where the
loading was stored, nor whose property it was further than
what is before-mentioned ; a greater number of Conti
nental teams coming in than I expe&ed, enabled me to
comply with General Arnold's request without any in
convenience to the service. On Saturday the 30th of
January last, Mr. Jordan came to my office, when he
was directed to apply to you, as I had nothing to do in
the matter; he returned in a short time with a dote from
you, requesting I would inform you what you should pay
him ; 1 answered, his whole demand ; he then made out
a new pay roll. As I found on examining the Forage
mafter's book, he had drawn forage which I was unac
quainted with before, the pay for which forage I request
ed Me would pay to the Forage-master : He then left my
office to call on you for his money, but returned very soon
and said you were not at home : From that time I have
had no conversation or knowledge of Mr. Jordan. You
called on me on the Monday or Tuesday following, and
informed me you were going cut of town, but had left
the money to pay Mr. Jordan with Major Clarkfon, and
requested if the Waggon-mafter called, I would fend him
to your house to be paid, or fend for Major Clarkfon to
bring the money and pay him.---Mr. Jordan never called
at my office to my knowledge after Saturday evening.
I am, with refpe&, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JOHN MITCHELL, D. Q M.G.
Philadelphia, Feb. 19, 1779.
Major-General Arnold.
p A R I S, November ty
ON the 20th of this month, an American vessel ar
rived at Nantz, dispatched by Congress. The Cap
tain on his arrival, requested a guard to prevent any of
his people coming on shore. He sent an Express to Dr.
Franklin, to desire that he would fend a person of confi
dence, t® whom he might eXplain+the objed of his dis
patches. Dr. Franklin immediately sent his grandfon §
and it has been said since he is gone, that there has been
a bloody battle in America, and that 6000 men of Waih
ington's army have gone over to the Englifli. - .
M. D'Orvilliers has been here some days, and though
he is reputed to be a very able and experienced officer, ic
is not thought.he will command the fleet the ensuing cam
paign. It is said Count D'Eftaing will be appointed to
the command of the Brest fleet, and that M. de Graffe,
who is going to Boston with fix men of war and some fri
gates, will succeed the Count in America.
L O N D O N.J
It was this morning (oa. ift) strongly reported in the
city, that the Court of Spain has consented to supply
France with 12 ships of the line, and that they are now
on their passage to release D'Eftaing's fleet, which is
blocked up in the Delaware by Lord Howe and Admiral
Byron.
It is said that a few days will produce the event so long
fufpe&ed and now ready to burst—the Spanish Ambaffa^
dor is now to declare to our Court, that the King of Spain,
his mafler, has acknowledged the independence of Ame
rica. : '
Lieut. Gen. Don Levis de Cordova is appointed to the
command of a fleet of <6 or iS Spaniih men of war, fitting
but at Ferrol, Carthagena, and Cadiz.
Orders are gone down to Scotland, for the immediate
railing of another regiment of Highlanders, under th@
command of the late Lord Cromartie's son, to be sent
with all pofible expedition, w th the battalion which is
how at Guernsey and Jersey, to the Baft-Indies.l
Admiral Montague, in' a letter dated at sea, fays,
« I am advanced about 4.00 leagues towards my govern
ment, without any material accident, though bulfetted
by contrary wind^ and much bad,weather. Not so with
poor Byron, for he has parted from his fleet, and I fup
pbfe will not rejoin it till he arrives at his place of rendez
vous. Four days ago I fell in with Parker as far to the
Northward as 49, 3d, having in company fix fail, four
Of which are cripples. . The Grafton and Sultan had their
main-masts sprung ; the Royal Oak And Bedford their
sore-mast sprung. The Conqueror and Fame in good
condition. The Albion had loft all her top-masts and
main mast, and when last seen was firing distress guns,
without any possibility of being affifled by other thips^
In the fame gale, which was ^trimmer, I loft all my con
voy, .and have recovered only one lame Irish goose which
I have in tow, and retards my progress greatly. By"
falling in with a veflel bound to Bilboa I have an oppor
tunity of telling you all on board the Europe is well."
“ As it is not very unlikely, from the warlike prepara
“ tions in the Spanifliports, but we may soon lose Gib
" raltar and Minorca, a correspondent is of opinion ,that
" the language of our Minify, on such an event, will be
" the Very fame with that they have lately used in regard
"to America, namely, " That they were not worth the
" keeping " Thus by degrees, they may reduce us to this
“ single Island, or even the half of that, and continue to
" juftify therafelves or the ground of expediency > —O
“ Englishmen ! where is your former spirits ! 9
The humble ADDRESS of the Right Honourable
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament
afTembled, November ^, 1 778.
WE your Mrjefty's most dutiful and loyal fub
jeds. the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in
Parliament assembled, beg leave to return yourMajef
ty our humble thanks for your most gracious speech
from the throne.
We have the strongest sense of the importance of
those objects which render the present conjundur&i
worthy of the most serious attention
The disturbance of the Public tranquillity by the
court of France, without pretence of provocation or
colour of complaint, the clandestine assistance, the
avowed support, the formal engagements which at
different periods that court has not thought it incon r
fiftent with its honour to afford to your Majesty's re
volted fubjefts in North America, and to conclude
with the leaders of frebHlion, excite in our breasts, a
just abhorrence of the violation of every public prin
ciple which such a condud manifefts, and a determin
ation to concur in every measure which may enable
your Majesty to resent, with effect, the hostilities com
mitted on your faithful fubjeds, and the actual invasion
of your Majesty's dominions in America and the Weft
Indies.
We beg leave to express our grateful sense of the
tender concern for the bappinefs of your people which
has uniformly induced your Majesty to endeavour to
preventthe calamities cf war, and will make your Ma
jesty desirous to fee the return of peace, whenever it
can be effected with perfect honour, and with security,
to the rights of this country.
At the fame time we return your Majesty our du
tiful thanks for your great care in taking the proper
and necessary measures for disappointing the malignant
designs of our enemies, and allo for making general
reprisals, and for the protedicn which has derived
from the vigilance of your Majesty's fleets to our ex
tensive commerce, in most of its branches, while that
of the enemy has materially fuffered by the a&ive and
enterprising Spirit of our fellow fubjeds; and we hope