The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-10-17 00:00:00, page 2

0 But on the 28th of September, admiral Graves
* ten applied to, (aid, that the officers of the yard in
ermed him the fleet would not be ready before the Bth
of October. On the 30th of September, admiral Graves
gave assurances that they might pass the bar on the 12th
of Oftober. If they had failed either of these days, they
probably would have reached the Chefa peak before lord
Cornwallis was forced to surrender, which was on the
11th of O&ober. But our fleet was much inferior to
the French, it confided of 25 of the line and two fifty's;
the French of 34 of the line and one fifty. With such
odds against us, success was not very probable. Ad
miral Graves loft the favourable opportunity on (he
sth of September, in not attacking the French, when
in confufion in Lynnhaven Bay, and firuggling to get
off a lee Chore.
f Lord Cornwallis on September Bth, had provisions
for fix weeks, which was to the 20th of OHober.
t Admiral Graves's skirmish with de Graffe was on
the sth.
# Admiral Digby arrived with the Prince George,
,8 guns, J. Williams ; Canada 74, honourable Willi
am Cornwallis: Liorf 64, William Fox. He had the
young prince William on board.
f 'lhis was a very intrepid officer, he went in a ves
sel to the capes, and made his way to lord Cornwallis,
through the whole French fleet in an open boat. He
got to York Town on the 10th of October, but lord
Cornwallis's fate was then nearly determined. Major
Cochran soon after his arrival had his head carried off
by a cannon ball.
As the papers laid before the house do not go to the
From the Political Magazine for June, 1782.
ST ATE PAPERS.
Sobftance of the Correspondence between lord Ge#rge
Germain, fir Henry Clinton, eatl Cornwallis, rear
admiral Graven, &c. Ac. &c. laid before the House
of Lords, on the late enquiry into the loss of earl
Cornwallis's Army at'York-Town, in Virginia. -
(Concluded from.our lafl.)
Sir Heiirr Clinton to lord George Germain, New York,
September 12th, 1781
JUDGE'S th: only etfeClcal way of relieving hi* lord
ship, is hypoing to him : but could not fli, un
til the admiral informed him the paffae was open. If
the French fleet fhculd prove Superior to ours, and
remain in the Chc.'wpeak, and if Mr. Graves did pot
find it expedient for .Hack them now, or when joined
by admiral Digby, he fhoull despair of relieving the
army there, Before he had heard fronilord Cornwal
-Is, that d° Graffe was in the Chefapeak, he fays,
« I had some intention of moving into Jersey, with
'< such a Small force ^ I could spare from hegee, in
“ order to divert Mr. Wafhiogton from his march to
“ the Southward But theinflant J knew of the French
" being a&u*lly there, and that Washington had mov
'' eddecidediy to meet them, I saw J had no way of
“ relieving his lordship but by joining him." Adding
he had every reason to suppose that admiral Graves
would co-operate with him to the utmost of his pow
er.
Sir Henry Clinton to earl Cornwallis, dated New-
York, September 25, 1781.
Enclosing an unanimous opinion of a council of war,
that 5000 men were to be embarked in the king's ships ;
that there was every reason to hope they should flart
from New-York the sth of October*, and that they
had ordered three additional fire ships.
Sir Henry Clinton to lord George Germain, New-
York. September 26, 1,81.
In the very critical situation of lord Cornwallis, oc
casioned by tke very unexpeHed naval Superiority of
the enemy, fir Henry wishes to give his lordship the
earliest and mos lcircumflantial information. Encloses
his correspondence with Admiral Graves. The enemf
were absolute masters of the navigation of the Chefa
peak, which made it expedient to fend off the rein
forcement immediately. Had called a council of gene
ral officers, who ' were unanimous io their opinion, that
as lord Cornwallis had provisions to last him until the
end f of O—ober, it was advifeable to wait for more
favourable accounts from admiral Graves, or the ar
rival of admiral Digby, rendered the failing of the re
inforcement less hazardous : and that as nothing but a
dire& movement could afford his lordship eff-aual
assistance, and rear admiral Digby was hourly expect
ed, no other ought to be undertaken, whilst this was
possible, left the principal object should be thereby de
layed. That admiral Graves had written, that as a
Mattered fleet, such as his, should not be exposed to
the equinoctial storms, he was determined to shelter at
New Yorkfc That on this, he instantly called another
council, and it was unanimously agreed, that the ad
miral should be immediately informed, “ that it was
abfolutcly necessary that a reinforcement of troops and
supplies of provisions, should be lent to lord Cornwal
lis, the firft moment it was practicable, and that the
attempt, at all events, should be made before the end
ofOHober." That admiral Graves returning on the
19th of September to the Hook, a council ©f flag and
general officers determined " that 5000 men should be
embarked on board of the king's ships as soon as they
were refitted, and that the exertions of both fl^et and
army should be made to form a jun&ion with lord
Cornwallis." That admiral Digby had arrived at the
Hook the 24th of September*
Sir Henry Clinton to earl Cornwall's, New-York, Sep
tember 30th, 1781.
Assured his lordship he should do every thing to re
lieve him by R dir # a move. Admiral Graves gave as
surances they might pals the bar the 12th o f October,
if the winds permitted ; but this being Subject to dis
appointment, he should persist in his determination un
til the middle of November, if it was his lord Ship's opi
nion that he could hold out so long. If his lordship
could not, and fir Henry had no hopes of arriving in
time, he should make an attempt on Philadelphia by
land, and if that should draw off any part of Washing
ton's force, it might give his lordship an opportunity
of doing something to save his army.
A duplicate of this letter was sent by major Coch
ran f on the 3d of October.
close ofthe tranfaftion, it is necessary to mention that
the fleet under admiral Graves, came down from New.
York to the Hook on the 17th October. Next day
the 18th, the troops in number 7149, embarked on
board the ships of war; they passed the bar the morn
ing of the 19th, which was the day after lord Cornwal
lis had been forced to surrender. The fleet consisted
of 25 of the line, 2 fifty's, and 8 frigates. As they were
Handing out to sea, they met rhe Centurion of 50 guns,
with a convoy from England. Admiral Graves and
fir Henry arrived off Cape Charles at the entrance of
the Chefa peak on the 24th, where they received intel
ligence that all was over; on which they returned to
Sandy Hook, where they arrived on the 2d of Novem
ber.
* His lordship had about 200 cavalry under lieut.
Col. Tarleton.
t The march of between 2 and 300 miles, through an
enemy's country to join general Phillips. His lordship
reached Peterfburgh in Virginia May 20th, and joined
the corps lately commanded by general Phillips, whose
death he greatly lamented. In a letter to fir Henry he
also paid most just compliments to the abilities, cou
rage and firmnefs of lord Rawdon, whose success a
gainst Greene had relieved him from the moflcruel
anxieties.
t His lordfllip had not then seen York : the expres
sion appears to be in reply to fir Henry's instructions
to general Phillips.
North of James River, May 26th
Had opened all fir Henry's dispatches to the late ge
neral Phillips. Pu posed to move to the neck at Wil
liamfburgh, which was represented as healthy. Hop
ed to receive fir Henry's plan for the campaign, and
by that time to receive better information than lie had
procured hitherto, relative to a proper harbour and
place of arms. At present was inclined to think well
of Yorkfc Portsmouth could not be kept without an
army, was unhealthy, and could give no protection to
a ship of the line, if offensive war was intended, Vir
ginia was the province, but without a considerable ar
my, the bufnefs would end unfavourably, though %t
firft it might be fuccefsful. If a proper army could be
found, his lordship neither wished nor expected to com
mand it, leaving fir Henry at New York on the defen
five, for few things could give him greater plea sure
than being relieved by fir Henry's, presence from a situ
ation of to much anxiety and re fponfibility. Some
of the British and provincial regiments retain nothing
but the name. His weakness at Guilford was owing to
losses by action, by sickness and during the winter cam
paign.
Sir Henry Clinton to earl Cornwallis, May 29th and
June Bth, 1781.
Blames his lordship for his marches from Croffcreek
to Wilmington, and from thence to Virginia. Refers him
to the inftrudions given gen. Phillips. Possibly his lord
ship might return him some corps for the post at New-
York, but desires him not to confider thisas a call.
June Bth. Sends his lordship feme intercepted let
ters to shew that his call was not a wanton one.
Lord Cornwallis answers the above letter July 24,
1781.
This letter contain' reasons similar to those written
to lord George Germain, for his different marches.
Sir Henrf Clinton to earl Cornwallis, June 71, 1781.
Refers his lordship again to the inftrudions given to
general Philips refpeOiog Rations on James and York
rvers. Since OHober last had sent from New. York to
Chefapeak 7724 effectives, his lordship might have 1500
or 2000 opposed to him, seems to blame his lordship
for not cutting off Fayette ; is himfelf threatened with
a siege, his whole effedive force only 10,931, and the
enemy might collect 20,000, besides reinforcements
from the French, which from pretty good authority he
had reason toexped. Therefore if his lordship did not
adopt his ideas in moving to Baltimore or the
Delaware hook, he begged leave to recommend it to
him to take a defenfive flation in any h ealthvfpot, be
it at Williamfburgh or York town ; and then to fend
him in succession the 2 battalions of light infantry, 43d,
76th, or 80th. Two battalions of Anfpach, Queen's
rangers, cavalry and infantry. The remains of the
detachment of the 17th light dragoons, and such a
proportion of artillery as he could spare.
ton, North-Carolina, April 24, 1781.
Encloses his letter to lord George Germain, to fir
Henry Clinton, as it contained the mofl exact account
of the present slate of things in that diftrift, hi^ap
prehanlions in con sequence of Greene's movement to
wards Camden, and his resolutions in consequence of
it. Adding that his cavalry wanted every thing*, and
his infantry every thing bot shoes. Neither were in
readiness to move, and yet hemuft begin his march to
morrow. It was very disagreeable to him to decide
upon measures offuch importance, without having an
opportunity of procuring his excellency's directions,
but the impossibility of waiting for answers, rendered
it indispensably necessary. His present undertaking
fat heavy on his mind. He had experienced the dis
tresses of marching hundreds of miles in a country
chiefly hoflile, without one afiive or ufeful friend,
without intelligence, and without communication with
any part of the country. The situation of South-
Carolina added to his anxiety. Yet he was under the
oeceffity of adopting his present hazardous enterprize,
hafiily, and with the appearance of precipitation, as
he saw no profpea of speedy reinforcements from Eu
rope, and the return of general Greene to North-Ca
rolina, either with or without success, would put a
junHion with general Phillips out of his power. He had
receded very seriously on the fubjed. If he should
find the junaion inexpedient or impraaicable, and
should also have the mortification of feeing that there
was no other method of conveying his majelly's troops
to South Carolina without expofinc them to the evident
danger of being loft, he had directed lieutenant colonel
Balfour to fend transports and provisions to Wilming
ton.
Additional State Papers, relating to earl Cornwallis's
march into Virginia, and the occupying the posts of
York town and Gloucester in that province.
Earl Cornwallis to fir Henry Clinton, dated Wilming-
Lord Cornwallis in his answer, dated Williamfourgfr/
June 30, 1781, fays,
* Upon viewing York, I was clearly of opinion if
" far exceeds our powers, consistent with your plans,
" to make fafe and defenfive posts there and at Glou
" cefler." That when he had passed James river, he
should dispatch as many troops as the transports could
carry. That when he saw Portsmouth, he would give
his opinion what number of men wbuld be wanted for
it, or any other post that might be thought more pro
per. Submitted it to fir Henry 's confederation, as there
was little chance of being able to eflablifh a port for
the effeaual proteaion of ships of war, whether it was
worth while to hold a sickly defenfive post, which
would be always exposed to.a sudden French attack,
and which experience had now shewn made no diversi
on in favour of the southern army. “ From the slate
" of lord Rawdon's health, it is impossible that he
" can remain, for which reason, although the com
" mand in that quarter can only be attended with
" mortification and disappointment, yet as I came to
" America with no other view than to endeavour to
" be ufeful to my country, and as I do not think it
“ possible to render any service in a defenfive situation
“ here, I am willing to repair to Charleftown if you
approve of it."
A copy of a letter from earl Cornwallis, to fir Henry
Clinton, dated New-York, December 2, 1781.
"S I R,
“ Yesterday afternoon I was honoured with your
excellency's letter, dated the 30th November, 1781.
“ I do not recoiled that any conversation passed be
tween us the other day, before the publication of my
letter, relative to my taking possession of the posts of
York and Gloucefler.
But in my answer to your dispatches, dated the Bth
and nth of July, direding me so positively to poffefa
a harbour in the Chefapeak, for line of battle ships,
your excellency will fee, that after finding that works
on Point Comfort, could not protest a naval force in
Hampton Road, I thought that I aded in Arid obe
dience to your orders, by taking possession of those
polls. I thought it unnecessary to enter into a minute
derail of the difad vantages of the ground, either on ray
firft examination of it in the month of June, or my re
turn to it in Au^uf t ; because, on the firft occasion,
as I have already had the honour of explaining to your
excellency, I did not, after feeing it, entertain for a
moment ao idea of occupying it, not thinking mv elf
at liberty by the inftruaions, under which I then aded,
to detain the greatefl part of the force in Virginia, for
the purpose of securing a harbour for ships of the line ;
and, on my return to it in Anguft, I thought it then
became my duty to m^ke the bed of it I could, having
no other harbour to propose in its place.
" In regard to the promise of the exertions of the
navy, previous to your letter of the 24th of September
I can only repeat what I had the honour of faying to
your excellency, in the conversation to which you al
lude, that, without any particular engagement for the
navy before that date, all your letters held out uni
formly hopes of relief : and that I had no reason from
any of them to fuppefe that you had loft fight of the
possibility of tffeaing it ; and that under those hopes,
after serious refleaion, I did not think that it would
have beet juftifiable in me to abandon those posts with
our numerous sick, artillery, flores, and fhip^ng, or to
risk an aHion, which in all probability, would, in its
consequences, have precipitated the loss of them.
“ My letter from from York, dated the 20th of Oc
tober, was written under great agitation of mind, and
in a great hurry, being conflantly interrupted by num
bers of people coming in upon business or ceremony;
but my intention in that'fetter was to explain the mo
tive that influenced my own conduct, and to narrate
the incidents that preceded the extremity that forced
us to surrender." I have the honour to be &c.
(Signed) Cornwallis.
LON DO .N, July 4.
By the death of Mrs. Pulteney, her daughter be
comes the riches l heiress in our country ; her fortune,
reckoning all things together, far exceeding 20,000 I.
a year!
Lord G was the fortunate gamefler the other
night at the E 0 table in the temple of thieves ; his
lord&p's winnings are Rated at 15,000 1.
It is the indifpenfible duty of every man in this coun
try, who wishes the prosperity of it, to firengthen the
hands of government. Opposition at this time must
Ih ke tileempire to ns centre. Our enemies must obtain
greater advantages by a continuation of our intestine
divifioDs,thah by the utmod exertions of their fleets and
armies. Let us therefor be unanimous, as the salvati
on of the empire depends upon it. Let us banish the
man who endeavours to sow the fe*ds of discord, and
who, for the miserable ambition of removing a mini
fkr, will labour to destroy the glory of his sovereign,
and the prosperity of his country.
A pentieman at Oftend writes to a merchant at
Lloyd's as follows: < Jealoirfy of the Superior power
of the Britfh flag, firft made France assist America a
gainst you ; the profpea of humbling your conse
quence, brought Spain into the quarrel, and induced
the Hollander to set your boasted Sovereignty at defi
ance. The em,refs and all Europe contemplated with
fatisfaHion the profpeft of your approaching humili
ty, and not a fingie hand was upheld to save or assist ;
till they saw your territories flript, your co'onies Se
parated, your trace reduced, your debt increased, your
very exr'ance 25 a naval and commercial kingdom,
tottering upon the verge of deflruHion. The empress
then grew jealous in her turn of encreafing the power
of the house of Bourbon, and inclined to affect a me
diation. Your last vidor^, however, Shews you are
Bill capable of redeeming your honour without an ally.
France fees a peace at this period appear to Europe tole
a peace of necessity, and therefore will not renounce the
reputation of four years successes in consequence of one
unfortunate blow. Spainand Holland likovife judge,
that your triumph would be greater than ever, if they
desist at this juncture ; and therefore, he assured, you
will have no peace till you compel one, which is not like-.
Iy to be the case for a considerable time to come."