The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-07-05 00:00:00, page 2

Several battalions of infantry are vow on their march
from Plymouth; which garrison, and its dp ndent
cantonments, will in a few days consist of ro 000 men,
in order to oppose any attempts the enemy may make
to land a body of troops on that quarter ®f the island,
in the absence of the grand fleet.
The repairs of the Sardinian AmbafTador's chappel
have been finifhed, and the chapel has been opened fore
time. Among the various improvements made in it,
the new altar-piece very d'ftrvedly attracts the pub
lic attention, and has drawn a great number of artists,
as well as pirfons of taste, and fafhion, to fee it,
though not to pay it adoration. The fubjeft is Jo
seph of Arimathea and icodemus carrying the body
of our Saviour to the Sepulchre. The Virgin is on one
fide, in deeply exprefled lorrow ; Mary Magdalen, St.
John ; and the two other marys have, each of them,
diftind and well expressed feelings on the pathetic and
and mournful occasion. This picture is much in the
File of the school of Bologna, and the colouring is ve
ry sweet. A report has been spread, that the picture
was brought from Italy; but we have the pleasure of
assuring our.readers, that it was painted in London,
and, what is very remarkable, by a pupil of Mr. Beau
mont, who painted that which was burnt in the late
riot. Mr. Beaumont was 6rft painter to the king of
Sardinia, and Mr. Rigand, the author of the present
printing, is a native of Turin. We think, however,
without disparaging the fame of Italy, that he is much
improved since he refried among us, either by expe
rience, or by feeing the works of those great artists
which this country has lately produc'd. Be this as it
may, this picture is painted in a solid and masterly
manner; it will fland the test of criticism, and do him
great credit.
April 3. Private advices from Paris inform us, that
there are upwards of 25,000 men under orders of em
barkation for secret service ; that the transports flat
bottom batteaux, &c. ready for their reception, are
lying at Brest, Havre, and St. Melees, and that they
are most assuredly designed for invading some part of
the British dominions • ,that a squadron of eight fail of
the line, under M. la Mothe Picquet is preparing at
Brest to a& with the army on the intended secret expe
dition, and that they will be ready in a few days.
Jersey and Guernsey are supposed to be the objects.
Amongst the papers found on board of the packet
taken coming from the Mauritius, a particular ac
count was found on board, of morfieur Tronjollis's fail
ing from thence with 6 fail of the line and some frigates
and with a convoy of 1400 French troops, for the as
sistance of Hyder Ally, immediately on their receiving
the news of the defeat of the army under fir Heßor
Munro.
The Spaniards give the most unlimited encouragement
to the traffick of the North-Americans with their co
lonies, the effects of which are already very evident
throughout the continent, where the Spanish dollars
are increasing daily in circulation. The refugees at
New York were much out of spirit, and notwithftand
ing their utmost care to conceal it, there appeared a
very general dejefton among the loyalifta.
April 16. Six new regiments are ordered to be rail
ed in Ireland ; the colonels of five of them are the fol
lowing: lord Ross, colonel Stopford, colonel Rowley
(brother to admiral Rowley) colonel Maunfel, and
general Cunningham. This last officer has already an
old r. giment, which is to be given to his brother, the
governor of Barbadoes. general Cunning! am is to
name all his officers; his companies are to be com
manded by old lieutenants, who are to have leave to
fell their lieutenants commissions.
The troops that are to form the different encamp
ments this summer, are now preparing to march from
divers parts of the kingdom, to the places of their re
fpedive flations.
Extract of a letter from Madrid, dated March 25.
" According to the last letters from Cadiz, a con
voy confiding of eight fail of the line, four armed ships
and 42 transports, with land forces on board, were to
(ail from that port for the Weft-Indies, on this day.
It is notorious the court have it much at heart to re
duce Florida."
The officers who c^me over from America to winter
here, have received orders to return ro their different
regiments by the next fleet, otherwise new officers will
be appointed in their dead.
A great improvement is said to be difeovered in the
manufacture of gun powder, by the use of what the
chymids call regenerated nitre, instead of tee common
fait petre.
Government have within a few days, contrasted for
an additional number ofmerchant ships, which are <0
be fitted up as transports, and are to get ready to fail
with the fl et which is going to the Weft-Indies.
Extraft of a letter from Plymouth, April 11.
" Arriv d from a cruizeth A Poily cutter, lieutenant
Knox, who spoke with admiral Darby, with the grand
fleet, within two days fail of Lisbon, all well."
We are told from good authority, that fir Joseph
3 orke is making preparations to set out for the con
t nent in a public character.
It is now in contemplation to ereC tthe province of
Maine with Sagadahock, and its dependencies, into a
separate government, the country meant to be inclu
ded in this new jurifdidion, is all that which lies to
political principles es tie once great Mr. Loci e h—
Well done, molt valiant Dean ! thou (halt have much
praise at St. James's ; lawn sleeves shall then await thee.
Go on, then and prosper.
Tlis majesty having perused and examined the jour,
nals, maps, charts, and every description of the dis
coveries madeby the late captain Cook, in his attempt
to explore a passage through the North seas, is of o
pinion, that such passage may be effected; and for that
purrofe has had frequent conferences with doder So
lander and Mr. Ban s on the fubjeft, and it is imagin
ed that those two enterprizing navigators will very
shortly prepare for a voyage to the North seas, pur
suing the traft set down by captain Cook.
Admiral Milbanke's squadron of observation at
Plymouth will, in the course of a fortnight, amount to
seventeen fail of the line, well manned and in fine con
dition.
By a vessel from St. Lucia, we are informed, that
on Tuesday morning last, the French fleet, confiftin, of
25 large ships, weathered that island, supposed to be
fleering for Tobago.
Letters from St. Lucia, mention, that admiral Rod
ney with 21 fail of the line, nad failed from Barbadoes
on Saturday last, for the relief of Tobago. Other ac
counts fay that ne did not know of that island's being
inverted on Sunday morning last ; but we suppose this
account to be erroneous, as we have certain accounts
of an express being dispatched from Tobago to Barba
does, immediately on the appearance of the enemy
and which, if not take% must have arrived there on
Friday, as the wind was in her favour.
The Ranger cutter has joined admiral Rodney with
dispatches from the lords of the admiralty, informing
him that the grand fleet had thrown fuccours into
Gibraltar, without opposition from the Spanish fleet
who stretched into Cadiz bay, on the approach of our
squadron; and orders that he must renore all British
property seized at St. Euftatius.
NEW- LONDO N, June 8.
Friday last the letter of marque ship Huntr, Capt.
Vathan Sage, arrived here in 19 days from Martinico.
In lat. 26, Capt. Sage fell in with and captured the brig
Resolution, from Charlestown, South Carolina, bound
to the Weil-Indies, laden wi<h rice and turpentine,
and brought her in with him,
A number of letters were found on board the prize,
from which we have made the following extracts.
Extract of a letter dated Charlestown May 6. directed
to Mr. John Dobfon, Clayton Square, Liverpool.
" > ou cannot conceive how disagreeable the times
are ; and however the people on your fide the Atlantic
may flatter themselves with an idea of conqueftby
perseverance, yet I am convinced it is as far off as ever:
Believe me, government have now five enemies to one
there was twelve months since. I with I could be with
you for an hour, just to fay what is our situation and
what our profpetls are, but I dare not write more on this
fubjett.”
ExtraO of a letter directed to John Wardrop, St. Kitts
dated Charleftown, 7th May, 1781.
The convulsed situation of this province at present
owing to large parties of Americans which ravage the
country from one end to tl e other without diferiminati
on, has caused trade being very dull, and prevents the
produce of the country coming regularly to market ;
the northward, and eartward.of N^w- Hairpfh ire, as far
as the limits of Nova Scotia. It has a long extent of
sea coast, abounding with fifh, and the bell harbours
in the world at the distance of every four or five leagues
with plenty of water in all of them for the largest ships.
The foil in general good ; and although it was hereto
fore thought incapable of producing wheat, it is found
upon fume late trials that the Siberian wheat may he
cultivated there to very good purpose. But what reh
ders it of most importance in a national view is, that it
contains immense forefts of pine trees fufficient always
to supply the royal navy with masts of every size with
out our being obliged for so essential an article, to the
courtesy of other nations. Tois territory was former
ly annexed to the government of Maffachufets-Bay,
but very unnaturally and absurdly, as they are sepa
rated from each other by the province of New Hamp
shire. Many advantages are forefeen in consequence
of this new eflablifhment.
From the London Courant, of February 7, 1781.
Extempore Verses, on viewing the Royal Countenance
at the Theatre.
NO traces of a nation's fad disgrace
Are to be seen in George's placid face;
No melancholy news his features tell,
For smile and laughter there for ever dwell:
What terrors fliocdd the people's hearts annov,
When thJr king's countenance is full of joy?
ANTIGU A, May 22, 1781
The French retreated from St. Lucia, on Monday
the 14th instant, (it is said) without firing afingl (hot,
and before they had completed a bomb battery which
was intended to play upon our works. His majesty's
brig Scourge followed th&m, till file had seen them
ten or twelve leagues to windward of Martinique, and
it is conjectured by persons wiser and better informed
than ourselves, that their reason for decamping with
such precipitancy was, that they had received notice of
a reinforcement, either to them or us, being at hand;
and that their objeH is now to fall in with that rein-'
forcement. The report of several ships of the line (some
fay 7, others to) being arrived at Barbados, was
brought to English harbour by his majefly's ship Tor
bay, from St. Chriflopher's, where it is generally be
lieved; but we have good authority to fay that no such
event had happened on Sunday evening the 13th in
stant. We are willing to believe however, that thein
telligence was only premature, and that ere now it
may be realized.
BASSETERRE, June &
Tn our last we mentioned the French having invest
ed Tobago, since which we have been favoured with
the following particulars, received by a vessel which
failed from one of the out ports of that island, on Sun
day last, and arrived here two days ago. The French
squadron confining of the Pluto a 64 gun thip, three
small ships and 4 or 5 cutters, appeared off that island,
on Thursday the 24th ult. they landed their troops,
confiding of a 150 regulars, supposed by their uniform
to be part of the Irilh brigade, and about 800 fr e
booters ; the governor spiked up the guns, and retreat
ed to Concordia hill, just above the town, and which
commands both it and the batteries ; on which he got
2 field pieces, one 18 pounder, 2 howitzers, and was
getting up another 18 pounder. The French got some
of the spikes out of the English cannon, and summon
ed the governor to surrender, offering him any terms
he should demand ; but he answe r ed he would not fur
rendtr rhe sovereignty of the island while he had a man
left. His force confided of 280 regulars, exclusive of
a reinforcement of 40 men whrch arrived a few days
before the island was inverted, from Barbados in the
Rattlesnake privateer, besides the militia,' which are
reckoned well disciplined.
particularly rice, cur triple commodity ; for which rea
son our Commandant has ordered that none be fhipt for
any place until the quantity in town exceeds a certain
quantity, which he wishes to be always in Hore in case
of an emergency."
Copy of a letter from James Dougan to Thomas Dou
gan, jun. St. Kitts, dated Charleftown, 7th May.
“ I arrived here the 3d of this month, all well, but
our cargo has come to a bad market and nothing to be
got, and I am afraid we shall be obliged to leave great
part of it behind., Times here are quite dead, this town
is bad off for all kinds of frefa provisions; beef is at a
(hilling, sterling per pound. Ido not like this place, it
resembles St. Euftatia very much, and the Americans
are very troublesome in the country, so that the farmers
cannot get their produce to town. There are about 500
American horse about 60 miles from this, who ravage
the country very much. Few paroles are given by them
but Georgia ones, and that is ball through you. You
mud excuse me to my brothers and fillers for not wri
ting them, as I have not time. I hope you have heard from
my father, and he is well, my love to my lifter and ail
the family.
I am, &c.
James Dovgan.
Mr. G?EEN, Stonington, June 4th, 1781.
Publishing the following extract, which is taken
from a letter whih I save now in possession, that
was taken a few days since in the found adrift near
Block Island, and supposed to be Hung overboard from
some prize, may in turn expose our enemies, and give
an agreeable apiece of news to our friends; some part
of the letter is tore off and defaced, but what I have
here extracted remains perfect and entire.
"Charleftown, May 9th, 1781.
Dear Anthony,
“ This will acquaint you of my arrival at Charlef
town in a parage of 15 days, to a poor market. We
have fold about sixty cases of gin at a joe a case, the
most we could get, and am afraid it will be less. I have
wished a thous nd times I never quitted St. Kitts. I
have found my brother almost as poor as myfelf. I
am afraid I shall come as I went. My brother is
trying very hard to get a load of rice for us, for the
Americans are only twelve miles back, and take every
thing that is coming to town ; they are fighting every
day in the country. I wanted to go and fee my filler,
but I am told I should get a Georgia parole, which
is a ball through the body, from the Americans. There
is no such thingas getting a horse for love or money,
the Americans have taken every horse 'they could
catch in the country. All my old friends are ruined.
Nothing but poverty and confufion here.
I am &c.
RICHARD SOMERSALE.
“ P. S. As for your Scotch friends there is not any,
they are all for themselves.
Anthony Somerfale, jun. St. Kitts."
Philadelphia, July ;.
Extras of a letter from Cadiz, dated May 28, 1781'
received by the brig Virginia, Captain Hopkins,
which arrived here on Tuesday evening last from
that placet.
“ It is generally reported here, though not yet con^
firmed, that M. de la Motte Piquette has taken 24 fail
of the Statia homeward bound convoy; hope this
news may have confirmation.—There is ' very great
talk of a peace here, but they could with Gibraltar to
remain in their own hands firfl, to obtain which, have
made immense preparations in the camp at Sin Roque,
and in confequeme will very probably make an assault
on that garrison."
In the night of the 26th ult. several houses in this
city, and a vessel in the harbour, were damaged by
lightning. The building which fuffered most is that
in which Mrs. Foufe lives, at the corner of Market
and Fifth-rtreets. The lightning entered near the
chimney, and puffed through several rooms, but no
person was injurd by it, nor was the house as much
damaged as might have been expeded, the lightning
having been conducted by a bell-wire, which it melted.
This incident affords an additional proof of the utili
ty of the electrical rods invented by the ingenious
Dr. Franklin.
Saturday arrived the prize schooner Liberty, late
captain Holliday, taken by the Riling Sun privateer.
Same day arrived the brig Minerva, late captain
Dalzal, from Tortola bound to New York ; prize to
the ship Congress, captain G ddes.
We hear that Thomas Hale, who has been confined
upwards of thirteen months in jail, is to have a hearing
this day, at the state-house, before the honorable Tho
mas M'Kean, esquire, chief justice, &c.
IN CONGRESS, February 27, 1781.
Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the
diftineuifhed bravery and military conduft of John
Paul Jones, esquire, captain in,the navy ofthe United
States, and particularly in his viftory over the British
fllip of war Serapis, on the coast of England; which
was attended with circumstances so brilliant as to ex
cite general a pplaufe and admiration.
Resolved, Th: t the minifhr plenipotentiary of these
United States at the court of Versailles, communicate
to His Most ChriHi^r,Majefly, the high fatisfacriion
Congress have received from the information of mon
sieur de Sartine, that the conduct and gallant behavi
our of captain John Paul Jones have merited the atten
ti n and approbation of His Most Chrifiian Majesty,
and that his Majefiy's offer of adorning captain Jones
with the cross of military merit, is highly acceptable
to Congress.
APRIL 14, 1781.
The Uni" I Stares in Congress atfembled, having ta
ken into confederation the report of the board of ad
mira tv of the 28th of M irch'laft, receding the con
du& of John Paul Jones, esquire, captain in the navy ;
do
Resolved, That the thanks of the United States in
Congrfs assembled be given to captain John haul
Jones, for the zeal, prudence and intrepidity, with