The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-01-09 00:00:00, page 3

BOSTO N, December 2%.
We learn from New-York, that about 60 American
„aval officers who were prisoners there, were lately sent
to England in a Britifli man of war ; that the prison
ers, both French and Americans, who are confined at
that place, never experienced worse treatment since the
war than they do at present; their provision being
small in quantity, and very bad in quality.
The loss sustained on Montego Bay, Savannah la
Mar, and St. Lucia, in Jamaica, is computed at ene
million flerling.
By a vessel lately arrived from Cadiz, in a passage
•f 60 days, we learn, that the count d'Estaing was
at that place in character of commander in chief of
the combined fleets in that port, which consisted of
more than 40 (hips of the fine : that count Guichen
bad arrived there with an addition of 18 men of war
from the Weft-Indies, and a rich convoy of merchant
men: that the blockade of Gibraltar was more close
than ever, both by sea and land : that the garrison was
in great straits for provisions and fuel: that the courts
@f France and Spain had lately concluded a treaty with
the emperor of Morocco, by which the latter had en
gaged to furnifh provisions for their ships and forces em
ployed in the blockade, which used to be sent to the
garrison of Gibraltar; and that there was the highest
probability that the place would be obliged to furren
d?r before the beginning of another y9?.r. It is added,
that should there Re a necessity of making any at
tempts on that fortress, the king of Spain had lately re
leased the prisoners in his kingdom to the amount of
several thousand, who were to be employed in that ser
vice, and have, besides a pardon, a generous reward :
that the queen of Portugal in consequence of the re
monstrance of the king of Spain, has passed an edift
forbidding any prizes or ships of war belonging to Bri
tain, to enter her ports, except in distress: that 10
fail of the line and 2 frigates belonging to Russia,
were at anchor in the Tagus : that the emperor of
Morocco had given Aria orders, that none of their
armed vessels should capture any American vessel, un
der penalty of the captain's losing his head: that there
was 8 Spanish ships of the line cruising of Cape St. Vin
cent, and several Spanilh and French frigates crufing
in the ftreights of Gibraltar.
All our accounts from Europe agree, that Portugal
and Holland have acceeded to the armed neutrality of
the Northern Powers, but none mention any appa
rent difpontion in the court of London towards a pa
cification.
It is reported, from the city of New York, that
Lord North, after having secured a Parliament to the
mind of his Sovereign, and having made ample provifi
en, in lucrative posts, for his family and particular
connections, had refignef his place as prime minister,
and gone up to the house of peers, and that he was
focceeded by Lord Stormont, late ambassador in
France, and nephew to Lord Mansfield.
A day or two ago arrived in this town from New
port, the count ——, only son of the marquis de Caf
tres, and colonel in the French army at that pod; as
alio the count Dillon: the latter, upon his arrival, re
ceiving an intimation from a friend by letter, that an
embarkation from New-York was taking place, and
that perhaps a descent might be made by the enemy on
some part of Connecticut where his regiment was quar
tered/ immediately returned, and rode all night in or
der to join it.
It is observed of the army at Newport, that in pro
portion to its numbers, it has more principal officers
©f diflinguifhed character and family, than any army
that ever was sent to such a distance from France; a
demonflration that the leading men in that nation are
warmly engaged in the American cause.
N EWPO R T, December 22.
tail Friday morning died here, his excellency
CI.:ARLES LOUIS de TERNAY, knight of St. John
of te ufalem, late governorofrhe islands of Franceand
IL /on, and chief commander of the French squadron
in the American seas—His talents, zeal, and distin
guished services, has merited him the confidence and
favour of Ins government and country.—His remains
were the next day interred in Trinity chureh yard in
tni- towns attended with military honours, &c.. The
command of the fleet devolves on M. Destouches,
c }?,^] a °' 'brigadier of the naval army, an officer in
highelteem among all ranks in the French navy, and
who particularly distinguished himfelf in the battle of
Oueffant.
Extract of a letter from Frederickfourgh, dated Janu
ary 2, 1781.
• About 48 fail of vessels arrived in our Bay,
turday evening last, fappofed from New York."
'°^ MO ND, (Virginia) December 30.
an officer, immediately from the southern army
we have the agreeable and certain intelligence, that on
pliant colonel Tarleton's legion, commanded
by himfelf in person, received a severe repulse in an at
tempt to furprze colonels Marian and Clarke, who,
with a detachment of five or fix hundred men were pos
ted in the difirid of Ninety Six : upwards of one hun
dred of the enemy were left dead on the field, and a
great number wounded ; the principal part of the lat
ter they found means to carry off: our loss does not
exceed twenty killed and wounded. This is the third
attempt in which that enterprizing partizan has been
#epulfed by the vigilance and good conduct of our
tyoops.
NEW-LONDON, December r 2.
LalThursday captain House, in a small schooner
privateer fitted from Philadelphia, with nineteen men,
v e , an " brought in a schooner, from Madeira
to New- York, with 108 pipes of wine, which he took
near Sapdy-hook. Captain House also took a pilot
came out from New-York to pilot in the
above schooner.
Philadelphia, Jan. 9.
na.
Schooner , captain Clunn, from St. Euftatia.
A large schooner from PenobF ot bound to New-Verk,
laden with spars ; prize to the Patty, captain Read.
The famous major Rogers, of the British army, was
a passenger in this prize, but is now fafely lodged
in the new jail.
Extract of a letter from North-Caroling dated Camp,
near 12 mile creek, October 24, 1780.
ARRIVALS in this port-
On Friday last, the privateer ship Resolution, from
New-York on a cruize, taken by the Saratoga hoop
of war.
The brig Betsey, from New York bound to Charlef
town, taken and sent in by an eastern vessel.
On Sunday, the brigantines Patty, captain Read, and
Polly, captain Frazer, from I'Orient in France.
Schooner Livingston, captain Kelly, from the Havan-
" A short narrative of our late and present fituatiotl
will not, I hope, be disagreeable to you, altho' the
most material fads may reach you before this.
“ About the Bth of last month the enemy advanced
in force to Waxaws, at which time Ferguson advanced
on his left as far asßurke court-house. I was indefa
tigable in urging my neighbours and acquaintance to
take the field immediately, in the defence of our
country, which was beset on different quarters, and
thought proper to set the example by my own con
dud; and accordingly joined the troops under general
Davidson on the 14th, at M'Galpin's creek, 8 miles
below Charlotte. General Davidson's force at that
time did not exceed 600, and sometimes not more than
one third of that number. On the 21d we were joined
by general Sumpter with about 800 militia ; the fame
evening colonel Davie returned from Waxaws with 116
cavalry- and infantry, having that morning defeated
about an equal number of tories, two miles in the ene
mies rear, killed 12 on the spot, took 40 horses with
their furniture, and 14 hand of arm^: he had not a
man killed and only one slightly wounded.
" On the evening of the 24th the enemy advanced in
force toward Charlotte, and our main body retreated
early on the 25th to the Cross-Roads, four miles above
the town on the way to Sallifoury, and sent off our
baggage, determined to avoid a general aftion ; but at
the fame time keep out light parties to fkirmiih with
and retard the enemy's rapid progress, and if possible,
to prevent their cavalry and light infantry from an
noying our main body in farther retreating. Early on
the 26th the enemy marched into the town. Colonel
Davie ikirmifted with their advance from below the
academy to the Cross-Roads, where.the enemy halted.
As they were much superior to U 3 in force, it was
judged proper to retreat and take post on the north
bank of the Yadkin : on that occasion you cannot con
ceive the distress and consternation of the inhabitants,
who almost universally appeared disposed to fly with
the little property they could take with them, and
look out for an affylum in some other part of the world,
rather than be under the domination of Great-Britain.
"" y eaf i'y conjecture with how many car.
fes M'Cafferty must oe loaded, having made himfelf as
obnoxious to the enemy as he could be to us.
consequence of M'Cafferty's information gene
ral Davidson, with the light troops, marched immedi
y ""° " e tovvn, and ordered the main body to file
to the right by way of J. M c Alexander's, .ppre
hending the enemy might manoeuvre.
“ Colonel Davie then pursued the enemy, anl found
them encamped on strong ground two miles on this fide
the ford, so that he could not give a blow to any of
their out-posts, and narrowly escaped a considerable
body who were endeavouring to fall in his rear at a
" I suppose you will have the particulars before this
can reach you, of the compleat victory obtained over
Ferguson on King's mountain on the /th instant.
The conduct of our militia friends on that occasion
cannot be excelled, and deserves to be recorded, not
only for the information, but also for the imitation
of posterity. On the nth colonel Davie was sent with
200 light horse and infantry, and patroleJ within t^ree
or four miles from Charlotte, with a view to fall upon
any foraging parties which might be sent out : he was
so unfortunate as not to hear that the enemy had re
treated on the evening of the 12th, until next day.
When the enemy recreated they took M'Cafferty (who
had taken shelter under his lordfllip's wing) for their
pilot, to Armor's ford on Catawba river, about Bar
nett's mill M'Cafferty left them, and under cover of
the night, made his way to us against fun rife : on his
desertion the enemy were extremely embarrassed ; not
a creature who could conduct them a step 011 the right
way. One resource only remained ; one of the militia,
who was paroled in CharlNlown and lived near the
mill, was sent for immediately, and obliged to pilot
them toward Nation ford. This hinderance and em
barrassment obliged them to leave 20 waggons, two
loaded with arms, one of which they burned, in the
othtr was 70 stand of arms, the rest chiefly loaded with
tents, camp furniture, and the greater part of the le
gion's eloathiog, all fell into our hands : the legion at
that time were in quell of our troops who had defeated
Ferguson.
" On the 29th major Dixon, with a party of horse,
furprized a small party of the enemy at Mr. M'Cree's
took 17 prisoners, together with the old man, his sons,
and Peter Johnflon, who had t*ken paroles, which
conduct we were determined to bring into disgrace in
the firft instance.
" On the 30th general Davidson, with the Rowan
and Mecklenburg militia, re-crossed the river, and
supported colonel Davie, who had been left with the
light troops to observe t^e enemy, and annoy them in
their attempts to ravage the country. Parties of rifle
men were then detached to take off the enemy's pic
quets and furprize their foraging parties, in which we
were fuccefsful and terrified them much: take one in
fiance for all. Captains Thompson and Knox, with
fourteen men, attacked above 300 of a foraging party,
who were entering Mr. Bradley's plantation (eight
miles from Charlotte) with near 60 waggons, and drove
them back with such precipitation that, as I am well
informed, many of their horses fell dead in the streets
on their return.
defile. Before we could coiled force enough to ad C
fenfively, they thought proper to cross the river ar
Land's ford, and have since taken post about 45 miles
south weft of Cambden. Whilst the enemy lay at
Charlotte they were confined within their lines by our
riflemen, who nabbed them if they let out their heads.
In short, his lordffiip never found himfelf so far from
home as at that place; and it may appear strange,
that although we were more than two weeks within
furprizing difiance with our raw militia, yet the ene
my never attempted it, owing, I suppose, to the great
attention of our commander in preventing them from
obtaining intelligence, and moving his troops ever,
night
" General Davidson and colonel Davie poffeG the
entire confidence of their troops, and discipline is bet
ter drived than formerly, when it was more lax. It
woum give you pleasure to fee the order our camp is ill,
at present, and are much plea fed with general Small
wood's arrival yeflerday to take the command.
“ Our guard is burthened with deserters from Bry4
an's tory regiment. Many applications have been
made to general Davidson by the tories to know on
what terms they can be received ; they seem very pe
nitent at present, how long their conviction may laftis
not so certain; the leaden arguments lately used with
them have been infinitely more efficacious than the
more gentle perfuafives."
Extract of another letter, dated Camp, New-Provi
dence, Oftubet 2sth, 1780.
“ James Kerr, of Salisbury, fellow adventurer and
appellate with the infernal Booth, is our prisoner; he
fays, the reasons of Cornwallis's retreat, were, the de^
lay or disappointment of a detachment of the Britifft
army which was to land in Virginia, and co-operate
with him : the defeat and capture of Ferguson's whole
army ; and the unparralelled obflinacy of the people in
this part of the country, in not complying with the
terms of his lordfhip'-s proclamations. Be the reasons
what they may, his retreat was essential to the fafety s
of his army./
" We gave the enemy art excellent back stroke at
Augusta, the particulars of which I fuppo'e you have
heard. Thanks to general Sumpter, who matured the
plan, though colonel Clarke and captain M'Caulle ex
ecuted it.
“ Just now Eazel Pretor and Willi m Snow ara
committed to our guard : they deserted from the ene
my at Land's ford, having in tw^ weeks time been ti
red of his majetty's service, and his gracious and mild
government, and have left Isaac Lovelace in their
camp very sick, whole name ought to be entered on
the black roll of American Appoftates."
The following is taken from a New-York paper of
' December 29.
" Extract of a letter from Kingflon, in Jamaica, dated
" November 15.
“ The greatest part of the wefiern end of this iflandl
“ has been destroyed by a hurricane. Admiral Row-/
" ley's squadron were totally difmafted in lat. 25, and
" the Thunderer of ,4 guns, commodore Walfing
“ ham, and the Stirling Caftie, captain Cark^t, two
“ of that squadron are miffing, and their fate un
“ known."
From a late London Paper.
“ A Correspondent just arrived from
“ Paris declares that avery considerable re
" volution in dfefs hath lately taken place a.
“ mong the French ladies of the ton, whose
" heads have rapidly funk full half a yard;
" the cushion is returned to the dunghill
“ from whence it sprung. No caps nor a
" ny other ornament, except four flowing
“ curls, and abroad lain round the wa:ft,
"In fhorr, they look very like our boar
" ding school misses."
*#* Doctor Morgan's concluding remarks on doc
tor Shipper's vindication, will bepubbihed in a sepa
rate halt sheet on Saturday next # '
^@^^mmss
IQOTICE is hereby given to the Own
era cf WICACO MEADOWS, that tha Ma
nagers have been under the necessity ot laying a tax of
ten milling# p<r acre, or the exchange in current mo
ney on fad Meadows, for the repairs es the Binks,
Sluices, &c. And they are desired to remtm%r, that,
according to law, the Treasurer is empowered to de
mand rwopenca in each drilling, as as fine for non
payment, which may be added to their tax every three
months, during such negiea, or thoir meadows may
be seized, and in thirty days after seizure, unless the
tax is paid, be let to ue highest bidder; and the law
will certainly be put in force, as the repairs of the
Banks, Sluices, ^, will admit of no delay.
By Order of the Managers,
Jan. 8, 178;. PETER PARIS, Treasurer.
-f'A- KTE~N R
the 15th of September hft, on Arfpicion of being stolen,
* NEGRO man named SAM, five foot four inches
high; h? lays his matter's name is Thomas
M'Keniey, living between Black-ford Town and fto- 1
ney creek, Virginia, Shacodore county. The negro
was taken in company with Daniel Brocks, from the
abeve mentioned place, who he five ffoto him away
from his master. Ris malhr is deiiraa to apply to Wil
li^u Tmhr, butcher at the Yellow spring hospital,
C. <0 county, Penntyvani„ and he ihaft have him
aga.n.
Phriade;phi^, Jan. 9, 1781,
ALL P^rfons are hereby forbid t> uuft rav wife
HANNAH WOELTFK, as I will pay nJ debts
of her con^ading teem this date.
J)HN WOLL PER, £4%