The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-05-25 00:00:00, page 2

WILLI AMSBUR G, W 15.
LAST Sunday an express arrived here from Hamp
ton, informing of a number of the Baltic fleet ap
pearing qff Old-Point Comfort, confining of four men of
war, sixteen transport fhlps, seven tenders and one galley,
Tilth upwards of 20 o men, and about fed flat-bottom
boats. The next day they landed their troops, who took
the Fort at Pmfmouth, burnt several houses, and also de-
Rrcyed a number of vessels there. The officer whocom
,mended in the fort found the enemy Co far superior to him
in point 01 numbers, was obliged to retreat from it,, after
foiling up the cannon. The enemy have since marched
and taken fte town of Sass Ik, and burnt a confiJerable
part thereto?, committing many forced ravages, plundering
burning, and deftroyin/every thing on their way thither.
Exifad tfa letter from Col. Lerw^n :t^b:s Exo.tac, tbe
Governor dated Smithfield, May %3, '779-
“ I presume your Excellency by this time, is pretty well
informed of the Rrength and movements of the enemy.
From accounts which I have received, the cruel and iior
rid depredations and,rapine committed on the unfortunate
and defenceless inhabitants who have fallen within their
reach, exceed almost every thing yet heard of within the
circle of their tragic display of savage barbarity !~-Houf
hold furniture, flock of all kinds, honfes, and in short al
most every species of perilhable property, are sifctlually
destroyed, with unrelenting fury, by those devils incar
nafe ; murder, rape, rapine, and violence fill up the dark
catalogue of their detectable tranfa&ions !—They surprised
and tpok a fundi body of Frenchmen, at the Great Bridge,
whom they murdered immediately on th; foot, to the a
, mount of seven.—The feeling, of humanity are deply
wounded with refleaions on the various and printed cruel
ties exercised towards our fuffering countrymen' ,and call
aloud for the mofl vigorous and spirited exertions.—The
militia at this place, on being informed that arms were
coming down for them, are much fpirjted up, and possess
the greqteß desire of revenge and retaliation?'
Extract oj another letter jrm the fame gentleman.
" On my way down from Smithfield, towards ' Suffolk,
I met numbers of the unfortunate inhabitants flying from
the rapid approach of the enemy, with such circumstances
of diftrek as language canpot paint.—l fed no pieafure (I
believe your Excellency will think) in enumerating and
dwelling Upon the dißreffes of our countrymen and fellow
creatures , but, on the present occasion, they exceed any
thing in imagination. The enemy are now in possession of
Suffolk, a part of which is afUally in flames,and the whole
will probably be so in a small time."
BALTIMORE, May 20.
Mr. White informs us, that it was reported at
Hampton, on Tuesday last, that i, fail of vessels, two of
them large lhips, had just made their appearance within
Cape Henry, and were at anchor on the Horse-Shoe.•
Extras from a Gazette, printed at Cletes, on the Loiver
„Rhine.
" The noble and disinterested conduH of the members
of Congress, whom the Eritiih Gommiffloners endeavour
ed to corrupt, has blen received here with equal pieafure
^ns admiration. They have generbufly disdained the
most seducing offers that were made, and have thereby
given the lie to an assertion of an Agent from the Court of
London, at that of V erfailles, to a gentleman in high of
fice. The end of this affair will prove that your nation
has been the dupes ofit. After you have made great ef
forts, and incurred immense expences, to support Ameri
can Independence, we shall purchase the Members of
Congrefe, and the Congress itfelf; a little Gold distributed
apropos will re-eftabliih us in all our rights, and cover you
with shame for your proceedings.—l am not worth pur
chlfing, but,fuch as I am, the King of Great-Britain is
not rich enough to do it! Virtuous and fu>lime R EED !
Do not believe that we can pass over in silence a reply fa
magnanimous, so generous, worthy of being equalled
to the fiueft expressions of patriotifin and greatness of
foul, es whi-h the antient republics afford an example.
Should this writing ever find its way to you, accept the
homage which we pay to thy virtue, in the name of all
those whose hearts know the worth of it. May yourex
ample find many imitators in your country, where base
ness and venality have not made the fatal progress they
have done in the countries of Europe ! Such inßances of
magnanimity remind us that, four years ago, wheq the
firft Reps towards independence where taken, we ventu
red to predict " That the Americans would exhibit ex.
ampins of grandeur that would astonish our little fouls."
And we have every day the fatisfa&ion to fee that we
have not mistaken this extraordinary people, made to do
honour to human nature, and recall the idea of its primi
tive dignity.
A NNAPO LTs^May 14.
A number of the enemy's veffelshave lately appeared and
still continue in our bay ; they have captured some vessels,
and chafed others as high as the mouth of Patowmack.
Their destination apd intentions are not known.
BO S TO N, May 10.
We are informed that a number of small privateers, not
exceeding four er fix carriage gups, and weakly manned,
supposed from Newport, are cruizing off Nantucket, and
the adjacent coast, intercepting our coasters and trade.—
It is aftonifning that this should be allowed for so long a
time, when a single brig, or schooner, well armed and
manned, might capture those plunderers, and secure the
navigation in that quarter.
Since our last arrived here a vessel from Bermuda, by
which we learn the miserable Rate of that island with re
fpeH to provisions, and particularly bread ; of which, it is
said, they have,been aimoft wholly destitute for a c'onfi
derable time.
Last week returned to Salem, a letter of marque brig,
Capt. Ohier, and brought in with her a prize brigantine
which flie captured a few days-after fai ing. The prize is
very valuable, having on board, among many other arti
cles, two hundred puncheons of rum, five hundred barrels
©f flour and bread, a large quantity of beef, Toaf sugar,
&c. and several thou End pairs of shoes. She came out,
it is said, with a fleet of thirty fail from Glasgow, bound
to New-York
May 13. Tuesday last arrived here a brig from South-
Carolina, in twelve days, laden with rice.
We hear a proposal is talked of among the southern
gentlemen, in case the enemy should not soon evacuate
Georgia, wf manumitting a number of the blacks, and
forming them ints regiments, who, upan their gsod^>e
haviour during the continuance of the war, are to have
their freedom ever after ; for which, it is proposed, that
their masters should have a consideration made them by the
public. We have, however, no advice that fu'ch a plan
has ever yet been laid before Congress. It is not doubted
but feme of the firft officers for reputation and family, in
the service of the States, would cheerfully command in
such a corps, for the defence of their country.
Last Friday the privateer brig Fellas, belonging to New
bury Port, returned there from a cruize, during which the
has made two prizes, one a vegel laden with salt, the
other a ship from Liverpool, richly loaded.
A perfan who left England not long ago, and came here
by the way of Bermuda, informs, that he heard a gentle
-man of character, and well acquainted with public busi
ness, declare, that no more troops were to be sent to
America ; that the Britifligovermhent were heartily tired
of the war, as every body knew who had the ieaft know
ledge of the Rate of things at Court ; and that it was not
double! but public difetches would soon be feht to Ame
rica, upsn a plait of accommodation, and with a clear of
fer of independence to the United States.
By te fame person, we learn, that a very malignant
and putrid fr knefs, raged in the fleet lately commanded
by Admiral Keppel; occasioned by the sweepings of goals,
and the Americans from the prison ships being taken on
board the fcet; particularly, that so many had died or
were sick in the hospitals, from one large man of war, that
only 4.0 seamen remained wNI gut of a crew of6go. That
this fame fickhefs had carried off, a great number of Bri
tih sailors, in other lhips, by which means the Englilh
fleet was weakly manned, and unable to command the
channel and other parts of the European leas, while the
French kept out their men of war and cruizers, and made
many prizes.A'.
Last Sunday arrived a schooner from the Weft-Indies
and brought in with her a Row Galley belonging to this
State; which Rie came up with at sea, having no hands
on board. It appears that the had been taken a few days
before, off the ©ape, by one of the enemy's .privateers,
and by the fixation the was found in, it is supposed they
had left her in a fright.
William Apthorp, who lately came from New-York,
to folieit the mercy of his countrymen, and who has for
a number of days pad been indulged with a private room
in the Deputy Goaler's dwelling-notffe, was last Thursday
committed to elofe custody, by order of the Hon. Council,
in consequence it is said, of fome,letters received, no ways
to his advantage.
At the Superior Court held at Worcester, for April
term, Thomas Gieafon, was fentemed, for three several
offences of passing counterfeit money ; to two month's im
prifopment, and to pay rines to the amount of „01. His
youth and inexperience induced the Court to forbear cor
poral or ignominious punilhment.
Lemuel Burnham, for two offerees of a like nature, and
having a quantity of counterfeit money with intent to pass
the fame away, was sentenced to ijand one hour in tl e pil
lory ; to pay fines to the amount of 230!. and be whipped
forty stripes ; which sentence was executed last Wednesday.
Joshua Munfman, f6r affiftiag Nathan Davis to break
goal, and for uttering counterfeit mon^y, was sentenced
to pay a fine of 901. to be whipped forty stripes, and find
sureties for his good behaviour for the (pace of one year.
Nathan Cutler, for passing counterfeit money, was sen
tenced to pay a fine of yocl.
Tuesday last arrived at a fafe port, a brig from Scotland,
bound to New-York, laden wiuh rum, flour, beef and
dry goods, prize to the Bennington.
Last week arrived at Portsmouth, an armed brig from
France, with the effects of fo^ile prizes taken and carried
in there by the Hambden.
Extract of a letter from the Sotttbward.
" I cannot affirm that Britain has made any proposals
to Congress refpethng an accommodation; on the contra
ry, from the bell lights I am able to colled on this point,
I think I may venture to assure you, she has not. This
however does not prove that file is not in great need of a
peace, and that file has not made use of the channel' open
at London, to fignify her pacific disposition ; and to en
quire upon what terms the war may be closed. But in
making peace terms are every thing : And they may per
haps not come to such as would be accepted, in hopes of
some lucky event turning up in her favour, in the coufe of
another campaign. I hope we fn Jl be prepared for the
campaign. lam told Congress is like soon to agree upon
some meifures that bid fair to put our currency upon a
better and more Ruble footing; and that the union of that
body encreafes refpe&ing the points of general importance
that come before them I have less apprehensions of a
speedy peace, than I had some time ago, and with to fee
our battalions well filled up; and I am told this bqfinefs
goes 011 in this quarter with more expedition titan it has
yet done.
'fWe have the best reason to hope, if we exert ourselves
properly upon the present great occafi®n, that we shall ere
long accomplilh the great object of the revolution: We
may depend upon it, that our magnanimous and good al
ly, will not abate in his exertions till this is effected ; and
we have the most undoubted assurance, that as he has all
along regarded, so he continues to regard, his own inter
est and our's as one and the fame.”
NEW-HAVE N, May 12.,
Wednesday flight last, a party of the enemy landed at
Middlesex, in Stanford, to take Capt. Selleck, who lives
near the water-fide, but he being from home, they miffed
their aim; however they took off one Continental Lieu
tenant, and three other persons who lodg'd at Capt. Sel
leck's.
Friday morning, about 40 men landed from the Halli
fax brig, on a point near the above place, and took ®lf a
bout 40 sheep and lambs.
PROVIDENC E, May 13.
We are informed that the enemy landed a party of men,
Saturday last, at Point Judith, in this State ; and before
a fufficient force could be collected to oppose them, took
and carried off a number of sheep, and a few head of horn
ed cattle.
The enemy must infallibly have been obliged to have
left this country or capitulated before this time, had our
cattle, &c. been kept back from those parts of our sea-coast,
where no fufficient guard was Rationed to protest them:
And, as it is not doubted, that if we would treat the Ta
. ries as felf-prefervatwn dilates they fhouM be trer.tesehe
British and American Savages would soon be glad to court
our friendfhip and protection ; it is hoped th*t the legisla
tures of the different States will immediately 'enaft effec
tual laws for making lawful prizes of all oxen, cows, sheep,
&c. which shall be found within a certain distance of any
shore, convenient for the enemy to land at, unhfs it shall
evidently appear, that such oxen, &c. shall really have
strayed from their owners, or keepers, &c.
We hope it will be i.: our power to publish v,ry focn,
how many bard dollars the Tory Contractors at Newport
bargained to give their brethren, at Foint-Judith, for me
honour of being reputed fuccefifal Jbeep feelers.
A gentleman from theeaftward informs, that a privateer
belonging to Newbury, a few days past, carried 'into that
port a schooner loaded with rum and f'gar, and a ship
from Liverpool, with a rich cargo, with which the priva
teer had a warm engagement; also, that a vessel from
Bermudas had arrived at Boßon, and brought a confirma
tion of the loss of a great number of Britiih Blips on the
coast of France, which is much credited in Lofton. The
loss of the aforementioned vessels is further confirmed in a
letter from the Captain of a privateer at Teneriff, to a
gentleman in Bofton.'
NEW-LONDON, May ir..
, Sunday la ft, the privateer sloop Eagle, Capt. Edward
Conkling, then cruizing off Pomt-Judith, took fix fail of
vessels, chi-fly small, except one of them, which was load
ed with Weft-India goods.—The manning so many vessels
reduced the crew on board the privateer to fifteen, whilst
the number of prifon^rs on board were sixteen ; who tak
ing advantage of this eircumflance in their favour, fell
upon, and murdered the whole of the flcop's crew, except
two boys ; many of them were mangled in a most savage
manner after they had surrendered. They then retook one
^ the vessels ; butit was again taken by the Hancock and
Beaver privateers, and sent into Stonington, where the' fix
prizes have arrived. The Eagle was carried into New
port. Capt. Conkling's death js much regretted b) ah that
knew him. He was a humane and worthy man, and a
brave officer. 1 '
POUGHKE E, P 6 I E, May,,.
On Saturday the Bth inflant, was executed ^ Albany,
pursuant to his sentence, William Hooqhfeling for sundry
robberies, whereof he was cohvi&ed. This unhappy youth
began his evil pri&iceßby defection, from one of the Con
tinectal regiments raised under the direction of this State,
to which he declared he was induced by his fiep-fatber,
and others of the family ; this reduced him to the necessi
ty of skulking and ferreting himfelf, until he was induced
to join a banditti of robbets.--lkt his fa e be a warning to
others, not to persuade those who have plighted their frith -
for the defense of their country, ta violate their solemn en
gagemante, left their latter end should be like his.
Since our last, information being received of a number
of robbers and harbourers, in the county of Orange, and
the places of their abode ah ertaintd.—By warrants from
the Commifiioners for defecting conspiracies, &c. many of
those villains have been taken ; twenty of them lodged in
Pflughkeepfie gaol, and about the fame number are con
fined at Weft Point, besides some more of the crew sent to
Gofhen.—lt is to be hoped from such fptrited exertions,
that those neighbourhoods of Kakihte and the Clove, that
have for many months past, been so dreadfully infefted
with daring gangs of villains and their abettors, will find
a considerable relief. And that from proper examples being
made, we ffigll convinces those Royal Thieves themselves,
that the practices of murde r , burglar,, robber, and burfe-
Dealing, hre crimes so odious to God and good men, that
we cannot possibly tolerate them, even tho' their perpetra
tors should be keened by Majefy itfelf.
FISH-KILL, May zo.
We have just heard, that oneof the enemy's ships have
landed a party of men at Tappan Landing, where they
have burnt a'tew houses, and carried off feme cattle. It is
reported farther, that another party had gone on a plun
dering expedition to Hackinfack. Farther particulars we
have not been able to learn.
Britilh deserters, we learn, are daily coming io to our
several polls ; while we aim for their encouragement, at
using them well, let us not exceed, let us be cautious: Ma
ny of them we have already experienced, are villains;
and some, very probably, are encouraged to come out and
mix with us, to serve the bale purposes of the enemy. One
of those who lately murdered Capt. Hopper, was a British
deserter, who had been used well at his house. A corres
pondent judiciously observes, " That as many, or all, of
the British who desert to us, are cither farmers or mecha
nics, let them be sent to persons of approved political prin
ciples add good morals, who will employ them in their
refpedive profeffions, pay them wages, and lock well to
them; but by no means fuffer them to roara at large through
the country, or go near our camps. If they have been bad,
this line of conduct may reform them, and make them
ufeful members of society, or keep them from being per
nicious. If they are idle, and won't accept of employment,
they are to be fufpeded, and treated as pernicious vag
rants."
PHILADELPHIA, May 25.
At a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Goal
Delivery, holdeh at Eafton, for the county of Northamp
ton, on the 17th infant, before the Jufiices of the Su
preme Court; William M'Koy, Daniel Monaghan and
Patrick Drogan, late soldiers in the Pennsylvania Troops,
being indicted for wilful murder, committed on the body
of Samuel Seely, in the tewnftlip of Lower-Smithfield,
were found guilty. These criminals will fuffer death on
Saturday, the 12th day of June next.
Extras 0) a letter from Capt. Hoyfleid Hacker, to the Hon.
Navy Board, E. Department, dated Bedford, Ma, 11,
1779.
" I have the pieafure of informing you, that on Friday
the 7th instant I fell in with, and after an obstinate en
gagement tg&k, the brigantine Diligence, of 12 guns and
53 men, a King's vessel, and fitfed by the Admiral. In
the engagement I had two men killed and twelve wound
ed, two of which have since died of their wounds, viz.
Mr. James Rogers sailing-master, and Mr. Chelfon,
Lieut, of marines. The enemy hud eight killed and nine
teen wounded, three of which ere since dead. The en
gagement happened in soundings between Cape Charles
and one Vs the Capes of Delaware, but being chaced by a