The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-01-16 00:00:00, page 3

This Morning, just as this paper was going to press,
the Schooner Two Sifters, captain FoAct, arrived here
in 14 days from St. Euftatia. Captain Foster saw five
flips of the British fleet lying in Hampton road, the
rest had gone up James river with Arnold and the
troops under his command,
Exirad from an Antigua Gazette brought by captain
Foster.
St. J O H N's, December 20.
Extrad of a letter from St. Eufl^ia, Dec. 16, 1780
“ We hear that Sir George B. Rodney, with 15 fail
of the line and a l^rge body of troops, had failed from
Barbados on an , ^'edition, some think Grenada the
•bjed, as a large fleet order Dutch colours were met
by a vessel in the neighbourhood of that iiland. It is
reported that five fail of French line of battle ships are
at St. Vincent's, T so, perhaps he m<y ihew them the
way to English-harbour.”
In C ONGRE S S, January sth, 7781.
T H E committee to whom were referred the letter
•f Abraham Skinner, commissary general of prilon
ers, and other p pers relative to the treatment of pri
soners in the hands of the enemy, delivered in a re
port; as follows,
" T H A T, notwithßanding efery effort of Con
gress to obtain for our people, prisoners in the hands
of the enemy, that treatment which humanity atone
Ihould have dictated, the British commander, unmind
ful of the tenderness exercised towards their men, pri
soners in our hands, and regard's of the practice of
civilized nations, have p< rfifted in treating our people,
prisoners to them, with every species of insult, outrage
and cruelty. Officers and meu^re iodiferiminately
thrown into the holds of prison ships and into loathsome
dungeons, and there deprived of fueland the common
necessaries of life, by which means many of the citi
zens of these Rates have been compelled to enter into
their service, to avoid those difirefles which a conduct
so contrary to the law of nations had brought noon
them. Our seamen taken upon the American ^afl
have been sent to Great Britain, or other parts be
yond seas, to prevent their being exchanged, or to
force them to take arms against their country : that,
in the opinion of the commit ee, an exercise of the l^w
of retaliation has become nec+ffary, as a justice due to
those citizens of America, whom the fortune of war
has thrown into the power of our enemy:" whereupon
Resolved, That copies of the letter of Mr. A. Skin
ner, and the other papers referred, be transmitted to
the commander in chief, and that he be directed to en
quire into the manner in which our people, who are
prisoners, are treated by the enemy, and that he give
immediate orders to the commanding officers at the
different polls to take particular care that the British
prisoners receive the fame allowance and treatment, in
every refpe&, as our people, who are prisoners, receive
from the enemy.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the refpeflive
executives to take effectual measures for carrying into
execution the aft of Congress of January 13th, 1780,
refpe& ; ng prisoners taken by the citizens, troops or
ships of particular Rates :
That the board of admiralty issue orders not to ex
change any British sea officers or seamen, until the
enemy have returned to fame of their garrisons in
America, such seamen as they have taken upon the A
merican coaffs, and sent to Great-Britain, or other
parts beyond sea ; and that the board of admiralty give
orders for continuing the treatment of prisoners as
herein direct d, until they receive orders to the con
trary from Congress or the commander in chief.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.
THE deposition of George Batterman, passenger on
board the brig Providence, from Turks Island bound
to Rhode Island, of lawful age, teflifies and declares,
" That he was captured the fifteenth day of Septem
ber last, by the Intrepid, a sixty four gun ship, be
longing to the British King, commanded by James An
thony Pic Mewloy, who with his own hands took
every flitch of cloaths the prisoners brought on roard
and hove them over board, on purpose to distress trem,
as they were of no service to him ; and on the twen
ty eighth of said month put us on board of the prifon
lhip at New-York, where we were served about eight
ounces of condemned bread per day, and about eight
ounces of meat per week; from thence transported on
board the Jersey, a fixtv-four gun ship, where there
were supposed to be eleven hundred Americans on
board, and we were told that we were now in a King's
ship, and that if we ran away we fliould be brought
to the gangway and flogged, according to their arti
cles of war • where we were supplied with the fame
quantity of bread and meat, though neither of them fit
to eat; and after we w re on board a few days there
c^e on board recruiting officers, and finding that our
officers persuaded our people not to enlist, or enter in
to their service, they came on board, and told all the
officers to give in their names to be exchanged -the
day following there came on board several boats' and
took them ashore, where, were informed they were sent
to the provost, then telling the people that they never
would be exchanged, they enticed them to enlist . af
ter they found that this scheme would not take, they
took another method, made another draught of officers
and sent them on board of the Yarmouth, a sixty four
gun ship, and they informed us that they were sent to
England, also that all officers of commiffoned vessels
Should be sent to England. The tenth day of Decem
ber they made another draught, to fend in the fleet,
and they called their names over before we came away.
On the fifth day of December w r were served one pint
•f water, when there was feventy-five puncheons in
the hold. They have taken this method of sta r ving
us for the want of water to kill us, or make us enter
inte their service. They never allow a man that is
tick to go to the hospital-ship, till they are so weak
and low that they often expire before they get out of
the ship. They never allow the sick to be mustered,
enly when there is a wet or damp air. The commaud
Philadelphia, Jan. 16.
ing officer on board told us, that his orders were, that if
the ship took fire, we should all be turned below, and
perilh in the flames, which we experienced one day ; by
accident the ship took fire in the Reward's room ; the
commanding officer ordered the Hessian guards to turn
us below, and if we offered to resist, that they should
fire among us, and if any of us fliould g& into the water,
they fliould fire 011 us, and kill us if podibie.
GEORGE BAT TERMAN."
Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS, Bolton, De
cember 19th, 1780.
The above named George Bitterman came before
me, and, being cautioned to declare the truth, made
folemm oath to the foregoing deposition by him fubfcri
bcd. S. H OLTEN,
justice of peace thro' the commonwealth.
Tru~ copy.
Attest. JOHN AVERY, secretary.
In CONGRESS, January 13, 1780.
CONGRESS, taking into confideratien the emi
nent services rendered to the United States by briga
dier general Sumpter, of South-Carolina, at the head
of a number of volunteer militia, from that and the
neighbouring dates, particularly in the victory obtain
ed over the enemy at the Hanging-Rock, on the 6th
of Augufi—ln the defeat of major Wtmyfs, and the
corps of British infantry and dragoons under his com
mand, at Broad- River, on r e ninth day of Novem
ber, in which the said major vVemyfs was made prison
er—And in the repulse of lieutenant colonel Tarleton,
and the British cavalry and infantry under his com
mand, at Black Storks, on Tyg'r River, on the 20th
day of November last : in each of which actions, the
gallantry and military conduct of general Sumpter,
aud the courage and perseverance of his troops were
highly confpicuons:
Resolved therefore, That the thanks of Congress be
presented to brigadier general Sumpter, and the militia
aforesaid, for such reiterated proofs of their patriot
ism, bravery and military conduct, which intitle them
to the bigheft esteem and confidence of their country ;
and that the commanding officer of tee southern de
partment do forthwith cause the fame to be issued in
general orders and transmitted to general Sumpter.
Extract from the minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, secretary.
Friday last arrived here tire brig Fan 'v, captain
Tanner, and febooner — captain Vicary, from
the Havannah.
Yest rday came into port a prize brig, taken by
the Fair American, captain Jackways, on her inten
ded voyage from New-York to Charleftown. She has
on board a valuable cargo, confiding of halt, wine,
dry goods. &c. &c.
The British forces which lately embarked at New-
York have landed in Virginia. We hear that major
general Philips (of Burgoyne's Convention troops, but
lately exchanged) commands on this expedition, al
tho' it is said that Arnold a&s as a principal officer :
this is confirmed by the following extract of a letter
from Frederickfburg, received yesterday per post:
" Arnold, with about 1500 men and a few lighthorfe,
landed 15 miles below Richmond, and marched into
that town on Friday, about 12 o'clock, They havede
ftroyed Weftham and all the public works, great
quantities of rum and sugar, but dont underhand
they destroyed any tobacco. They retreated on the
Saturday, about 12 o'clock, the fame way they came-
General Nelson is collecting the militia as faflas pos
sible, and following them in order to harass their rear.
We hourly expect the particulars."
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Amflerdam to
his friend in this city, dated September 16.
" The capture of 55 ships at one : so much wealth :
so many seamen and soldiers ; and such quantities of
stores, is a severe firoke to the English, and cannot
but have the most excellent effects for us, both in the
Weft-Indies and North America. The right vein is
now opened and it is to be hop d that the courts of
France and Spain will now be in earnest in convoying
their own commerce, and cruising for that oft^eir ene
mies. This is the ihort, easy and infallible method of
humbling the English, preventing the effufion of an
ocean of blood, and bringing the war to a conclusion.
In this policy I hope our countrymen will join with a
lacrity. Privateering is as well underflood by them
as any people whatever ; and it is by cutting &ff sup
plies, not by attacks, sieges or assaults, that I expert
deliverance from our enemies; and I fliould be wanting
in my duty if I did warn them against any relaxation
o' exertions, by sea or land, from a fond expectation
of peace ; they will deceive themselves if they depend
upon it. Never, never, will the English make peace
while they have an army in North-America."
Next Friday Evening the Phi
losophical Society arc to meet, at
the usual place, when an Election
for new Members will be held.
A City Court will be held at
the Court-hcufe in this city, on
Monday next, at ten o'clock in
the morning.
TO BE L E T,
And entered on the firft day of April next.
THAT noted and well accustomed TAVERN
'"d PLANTATION known by t^e name of the
Sorrel Horse, in Chester county, upon the Lan
<alter road, about fourteen miles from Philadelphia,
lately kept by hhchael S^dlcman, deceahd, but now
in the tenure of Jacob Wagoner. The terms to be
made known the firft day of February next upon the
premiles, by the GUARDIANS.
N. B. The excellency of the fland mikes it necef
hry to be known, that none need apply but such as
come well recommended^
Philadelphia, Jan. 15, 1781.
Y_/ °AS brought to the liable of the sub«
fcMber, the i^h day of November last, by a
,%rfon unknown, a Mouse coloured HORSE, about 7
years old, ,4 hands and a half high, some fadd!e marks,
and bis off tore foot white. The owner is desired to
come, throve his property and pay chages within Two
weeks from this date, otherwise he will be fold to de
fray the expence of keeping h^m
MARY BOGART,
Cross keys tavern, corner of Thud and Chelnut ftreetl. 1
And a few Dry Goods : Confiding of
B^ k Rufei; and Calamancoes, B^d-bunts, Durante
Camber, double purp ! e Calicoes, Scotch Thread',
I<my Combs, Ballot Penknives, &c.
A QU A^fTf- Y~
School Bibles for Sale,
By the Dezen, at JOHN OLDDEN's store in Seconds
ftreei, two doors below the churchy
TNhC^p-O^-D-ER".
Ihe very best Black I^k-Fowder may be
bad at
W. Poyntell's Stationary Store,
th^ee doois below M. r ket-ltnet in Second- street, op
petite the Meeting-hook gate ; its quality, in making
Ink black ad durable, is inferior to none, being ra^dc
or the best Aleppo G^ir, and free from the grols parti
cles that cause Ink to turn yellow, and in every other
< fr uxa such ?s cannot fail to please thole who chyle to
write with the belt INK.
It may be had by the Groce, Dozen or Retail, with
printed direaion# for mixing it.
This is to Inform the Public,
that I fh<P begin to drive a STAGE, from
Egg-Harbour to Philadelphia.
I will leave Anush Kifley's, at Egg-harhour, and ar
rive tt Robert Mattocks's, at the Blue-anchor on
Monday, and from thence to William Cooper's on
Tue Gay, and on Thursday back to Anne Kley's.
All Gentlemen and Ladies that will oblige me with
their Custom, (hull be iervH yrrh care and fatisfaaion.
by me JOSEPH COKLYN.
CWIFT's Work l , 24V015.
' Montaigne Efßvi, 375.
R fleau's Works, 10 vols.
Pliny's Letters, 2 vo s.
Robe t'on's Hil. ofSrot.zvs
English Theatre, 12 veil.
French, English, and Ita
-I*> n Diaicnaries, 3 vols,
Johafon's Diflionry.
A large G neral A las.
British Plutarch, 6 vols.
Buoey on Mufich, 3 vs.
Bacon's Worki, 3 va. so.
Pliny's Letter, z vols.
TP H E Street Commissioners being in-
X formed, that a numbar of persons are willing to
keep the Streets, of certain diftrifts in this city, clean
for the Manures Th# PUBLIC are hereby Notified^
I hat the Board of Commiffiosers meet at the Court
house every Friday Evening, from Six to Eight o'clock,
wher^ aoy Person may apply for the above Purpose, and
have itch Di^ri&e appointed as may be agreed on,
end b av e the benefit of the Manure thereof. Jan. it.
Rofe-Buccer in Firkins,
TO BE SOLD, BY,
Jh^OT Hubley,
In the old burnt houfe# in Water-street, below Walnut
Likewise the best Black Liquid Ink.
At the fame Place may be had, Writing Paper of the
best quality, Slates, Blank Books, Spelling Books,
Primmer#, best Sealing Wax, Wafers, &c. &c.
To ALL whom it may concern.'
VOTICE is hereby given, That ^ Court of Admi
" raky will be held at the Admiralty office in Arch<
fireet, between Third and Fourth-streets, on Saturday
the Twentieth day of January, instant, at 10 o'Clock
in the Forenoon, for the Trial of the Brigantine or vef
tel called the FANNY, burthen about ,e tons, James
Townthend late master, her Tackle, Apparel, Furni
:ur^ a d Cargo, taken at sea, on her intended voyage
from New-York for Charleftown, lent into this port
and 1 celled agairft, by JOSEPH JACKWAYS, (qui
tarn, &c.) To the intent, tuat the owners thereof, or
any pcricu concerned therein, mav appear and shew
ca<f, if any they have, why the fame fliould not be
condemned pursuant to " e Prayer of the Libel, &c.
By Order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Register.
hreet :
Muscovado Sugar,
Eo^r Tea,
MH h,,
Biitoi Ale,
Pori Wine,
Boxes Soap,
FOR SA L E,
A number of Books, elegantly Bound ;
Confiding of
Port es Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ff.
Esquire 01 the Printers,
Letters from Italy, 2 vols.
Gaaganelii's Letters, 4 vs.
.&; ufylvania Gazette for
21 sears, ending with
1773, II vo!s. %
Gjkbmith's Natural His.
tory, 8 vols.
Guthrie's Universal His
tory, 12 vols,
Rollin's Ancient Hist. tovs.
Defagu ur's Experiments,
2 volumes.
Hume's Essays, 4 volt.
Aifo,
Enghfh Starch in barrels.
Ch cola 'e,
Writing Paper,
l>Pat4 Tongues in kegs,
Croffent Saws,
6d and 8d Nails.