The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-03-10 00:00:00, page 2

LONDO N, ORobef %
Notwithstanding advice was received at
the admiralty on Thursday morning, of Mr-
Laurens being so bad at Newton Abbot, in Devon
shire, that he could not undergo the fatigue of travel
ling without very much endangering his life, and beg
ging an indulgence of remaining two or three days at
that place, which was immediately granted; Mr.
Laurens, in a few hours after the express was sent to
the admiralty', of his indisposition, found himfelf so
much recovered, as to proceed on his journey, under
the guard of Mr. Norris, lieutenant of the Vestal, and
arrived id a post coach at the admiralty, at five o'clock
in the evening. Notice of his arrival being immediate
ly sent to Lord Sandwich and Mr. Stephens, Mr.
Laurens was ordered into the audience room in the
admiralty, and not having dined, an elegant dinner
was ordered for him from the Salopian Coffee-houfe;
but neither Lord Sandwich nor Mr. Stephens thought
it confident with piopriet, to be introduced Co him,
without a previous consultation of the cabinet.
Advice of Mil- Laurens's arrival was sent to the
American Secretary, Lord George Germain, who im
mediately sent his secretary Mr. Knox, to wait on
Hr- Laurens, who was introduced to him, and they
had some private eonverfation together. Afterwards
justice Addington, and two king's messengers, were
with Mr. Laurens for some time; and he remained in
the audience 100 m till after he had supped. He was
then placed under the care of a messenger of the admi
ralty, who lives in Scotland-yard, and conveyed to
his house.
Mr. Laurens is feemingfy about sixty years of age,
of a swarthy, but keen, intelligent, yet rather a melan
choly countenance, has his own hair, is rather below
the middle size, and wears a red furtout, a coat of the
fame colour, and white breeches.
Mr. Laurens, if we may judge from his intelligent
but melancholy countenance, is chagrined not at the
loss of his liberty, but on account of the whole of his
papers being saved, and now in the hands of govern
ment, as they are said to disclose the whole system
of American politics, and the private conduct of all
the European powers towards America. Mr. Laurens
is very reserved in eonverfation, and very thoughtful.
Tee Honourable Henry Laurens, who was brought
to London on Thursday night, accompanied by lieu
tenant Norris, of the Vestal, was examined a second
time yesterday noon at Lord George Germain's office,
and committed, by a warrant from justice Addington,
a close prisoner to the tower, to which place he was con
duced in a chaise, under a guard of soldiers, and no
person permitted to fee or converse with him.
Various are the reports of the town as to discoveries
made from Mr. Laurens's papers ; those most prevail
ing are, that Ministers are in? possession of the plans of
three different expeditions of the Americans and French;
one against Newfoundland and Hallifax, a second to
the Southward, and one a winter expedition into Ca
nada; whether ministers believe it or not, it is very
certain two or three expresses have been recently sent
to America and the Weft Indies.
Molt likely the post of last night conveyed intelligence
to Paris of Mr. Laurens's commitment as a close prison
er to the Tower. That advice thereof will be sent to
America, and in consequence of it the generals Philips,
Reidefell, Hamilton, Burgoyne, and fifty other field
officers, whom the Americans either have in their pos
session or on parole, will be put under close confine
ment.
Part of Mr. Laurens's buffnefs in Holland was to
borrow 600,0e0i. for the slates of America.
Governor Jbhnftone is at his house at Kensington
Gore, in a very bad Rate of health.
The Sybil was sent last week with inftrufyons to
Sir George Rodney. The Medea was sent last week
with inftrudions to Sir Henry Clinton ; and on Thurs
day another vessel was sent with further inftruaions
to Sir Henry Clinton, contradicting those sent last
week.
All these inftruftions are so absurd, ridiculous, and
contemptible, that if they were laid before the public,
no man in his senses would give credit to them.
What means the nonsense to Sir Henry about draw
ing his troops near and close to the sea shore? Lord
Germain was a military man, and knows that
ought to have known more of pradice.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Nov. 7 ^
AS soon as the business of the petitions, was dispatch
ed, Mr. Fox arose, and took notice of an expression
that had dropt from lord George Germaine in the pre
ceeding night's debate. His lordship had said, that
we could treat with the Americans if we acknowledged
th ir independence. Mr. Fox congratulated the house
and his country on this information, and begged to
know on what authority the noble lord had said so •
as in this case we might expert to conclude a separate
peace with America.
Lord George Germaine said in answer, that accord
ing to all the information he could receive, the Ameri
cans had never given authority or commission to any
person or persons to treat for them on any terms, with
out our acknowledging their independence.
Lord Mahon said, that the Americans had offered to
treat with us without acknowledging their indepen
dence, if we withdraw our fleets and armies from their
country.
MONDAY, November 27.
THE resolutions of Friday last, on the supply, viz.
that 39,666 effective men, commissioned and non'com
miffioned officers, including 4213 invalids, be employ
ed for land forces for 1781.
That 1,400,7741. be granted f® r maintaining said
men.
That 1,488,9271. be granted for defraying the charge
of the forces in the garrison of Minorca, Gibraltar
the Plantations, &c. for 1781.'
That 42,9271. be granted for the pay of general and
general ft ait officers.
That 56,0741. be granted for the pay o f five Hano
verian battalions serving in Gibraltar, in Britiih pay.
That 13,4721. be granted for the pay of the troops @f
Landgrave of Hesse Caffel, in ditto.
That 39,5971. be granted for the pay of two regi
ments of Hanau, in ditto.
That 17,4981. be granted for one regiment of the
troops of Waldeck, in ditto.
That 93,9471. be grai^d for the pay of 4013 of the
troops of Brunswick, in ditto.
Tirat 39,6441. be granted for the pty of the troops of
the Margrave of Brandenbvrgh, in d : ttq.„\
That 16,630 b be granted for the pay of the troops of
the Prince of Anhault Zerbß, in ditto.l
That 49,3731. be granted tor defrayingthe charge of
provisions for the foreign troops serving in North-Ame
rica, for 1781.•
That 6,4631. be granted' for the pay of the troops of
the Prince of Hesse, in British pay, not before provi
ded for.
By a gentleman from New-York we learn, that ffie
17th light dragoons and a detachment of infantry had
marched from New-York and the environs, towards the
east end of Long-Island ; — That the 22d and 47th Bri
tish regiments, one Hessian regiment of grenadiers, and
the regimentof Anfpach, with some more troops, were
about to embark from New-York for the southward :
That the transports were not quite ready' the 24th ult
That these troops were supposed to be bound to the Che
fapeak, to reinforce or relieve Arnold :—That an ex
press had been sent up the Sound on the 20th ult. and
another by land, from New-York to Arbuthnot, at
Gardiner's Bay, to haflen his departure from thence,
whether to go to New-York or the Chefapeak, is not
known. By the fame gentleman we are assured, that
they are under very great anxiety at New-York, be
ing in expectation of the arrival of a French fleet' and
10,000 troops from Europe, of which they were advised
by the arrival of the last packet from England : That
the cannon have been actually removed from Nutten-
Island, on board t e ships. Th€ gentleman further
adds, that it was confidently said, that Mr. Galloway
has wrote to Mr. Shoemaker, informing him, that the
French fleet had failed from Brest with troops . and
that he was under great concern for his friends', the
refugees, and fays, he fears New-York will be loft to
their king, early in the spring.
Philadelphia, March 10.
Tuesday last arrived captain M'Clenachan, in three
weeks from Dominica, who informs that it was report
ed there, that after the arrival of admiral Hood, at
St. Lucia, the English fleet put to sea, and that eight
of them went to St. Euftatia, and it was Did they had
taken the iftand and seized all the vessels of what na
tion soever in that road. He further adds, that ac
counts were received at Dominica, that the English
had seized all the Dutch vessels in their ports, and
where ever else they could lay their hands on them
in Europe.
Extract of a letter from an officer in the southern ar-
JOHN LUKENS, esquire, (Late surveyor general)
and ARCHIBALD MCLEAN, esquire ; of York
Town, are appointed commissioners by the president
in council, to run the boundary line between this state
and Virginia, pursuant to the agreement formerly
made at Baltimore. And we hear it has been proposed
to the state of Virginia to run the line as early this
spring as circumstances will admit.—ln case of the in
ability of either of the above commissioners to attend
said service, ALEXANDER M'CLEAN, esquire, of
Weftmoreland, is appointed in his head.
Departed this life, the 24th ult. Mrs. M'ILVAINE,
the very amiable consort of doctor M-TLVAINE, of
Briflol.
That 27,6831. be granted for the change of artillery
for the foreign troops, in British service.
That. 672.4571. be granted for d fraying th^ clrarge
of the militia in South-Britain, and four regiments of
fencibles in North Britain.
my, dated Halifax county, February 17, 1781.
" Notwithstanding the signal victory, obtained by
general Morgan,, and the furprize of the king's regi- 1
ment at George-Town, Cornwallis has pushed us to
Halifax Court-house, and is now encamped within se
ven miles of our van, on the weft fide of the~river Dan.
I am at a loss which to commend most, thecondua of
general Greene's retreat, or the vigor of his lordship's
advance. Our small army, amounting only t 0.1500,
has been exceedingly fortunate, neither sto r es, bag
gage nor men loft on the retreat. The enemy purfued'
with 3000 effectives. Lieutenant colonel Lee's legion,
and the light infantry, covered our rear. Tarleton's
dragoons have been severely handled. Lee's gallant
partizans retaliate for past massacres where ever they
meet them; one of his trumpeters was murdered by'
some of Tarleton's legion, in fight of the Corps, which
immediately made a charge, and facrificed 16 of the
enemy to his manes. In short, the enemy's cavalry
were completely confined within their pickets, and
whenever they advanced they fuffered for their temeri
ty-"
Extract of another letter, dated Dan river, February
18th and 19th, 1781.
" The enemy, after a halt of three d°ys, are retreat
ing in the direction of Hillfborough. Our force, from
large collections of militia, is become formidable. I
should particularife, but duty calls me on. We are
just after the enemy."
That 99 670 k be granted for defraying the expence
of pay and eloathing the militia for 1781.
The further report of thepregrefs from the commissi
oners appointed by Parliament to take and state the
public accounts, was delivered in at the bar by Mr,Pigot,
which were ordered to lie on the table ; and afterwar is
it was ordered, on the motion of Mr. Dunning, that
the fame be printed..
Mr. Minchin brought in a 'bill for empowering cer
tain persons to aft as juftictfof the peace in times of
public riot and diftutbance'; which was read ffie firft
time.
Sir Grey Cooper moved for leave, to bring in a bill
for regulating the collection of the land tax ; which was
agreed to, and he was ordered to draw' up the fame.
On Friday, the 2d iriffant, theannferfar/ oration of
the American Philosophical Society was delivered at
the University, by OWEN BIDDLE, esquire. The
society on that occasion was honoured by the presence
of bis excellency the Pfe^fly of -the state, 'as patron,
ihs &cellencpthe Prefideht-apd Congress, the honour
" able V^-Trefidentaud Courici 1 , the honourable Speak
er Q e Houfe.and General Assembly, the honourable
gentlemen of the boards'of Treasury, of War, and of
;the Admiralty, the principal Officers of the state, and
such of,the General and Field Officers as were in the
tity, th^ Consul and Vice-Cpnful of France, Don Fran
cisco, a number of refpeftable Gentlemen from the
neighbouring Rates, and as many citizens as could be
accommodated.
N. B. His excellency the Mimfter of France, and
Mr. Marbois, secretary of the embassy, took their feats
as members of the society.
On Wedhefday, the 28^ of February last, departed
this life, at his feat at tfrven, in New Jersey in tie
51st year of bis age, RICHARD STOCKTON, Efr
The ability, dignity and- integrity with which this
gentleman discharged the duties of the federal impor
tant offices to which he was called by the voice of his
country, are well known.
In the private walk of life he was peculiarly engag
ing. His manners were easy, and his eonverfation was
at all times embellished with^he marks of education,
taste, and knowledge of'the world.
It pl,fed God to shew she efficacy of the Chriflian
religion upon the human heart, by the fortitude and
pious refijnation with which he fuftaifed a disease pe
culiarly painfu^and tedious, and by that composure
and triumph with which he parted with every thing
dear in lift: His r-maihs wre conduced to the col
lege Halt, where a fermop, suitable to 1 the occasion,
was preached by the reverend Samuel Smith, the pro
feffor of divinity; they were ' afterwards interred with
his ancefiors, in the friends burying ground near
Princeton.
STATE of PENNSYLVANIA.
In GENERAL ASSEMBL Y,
Friday, March 9, 178'1.
Ordered, that the Bill for the support of govern
ment and administration of justice, be printed for
public consideration.
: Extract from ' the minutes,
SAMUEL STERETT, clerk.
An ACT for the Support of Government, and the
Adminißri^ion. of Justice.
W' HERBAS those, who dedicate 'their time and
abilities tothe service of the public, ought to
receive a reasonable compensation for the fame : And
whereas the pure administration of justice, as it re
gards personal security and private property, is of the
utmost consequence to the immediate and private hap
piness of individuals, and tn^fe who hold feats in the
highest courts of judicature, ought to be fr e, not on
ly from all corruption and influence, but from ever,
temptation, and rendered entirely independent, as
well with refpeft to their salaries as their commissions:
towards the attaining of which, the constitution of
this Commonwealth requires, that the salaries of the
justices of the supreme court should be fixed.
Be it therefore ena&ed, and it is hereby enabled, b,
the Reprefenfatives of the Freemen of the Common
wealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met,
and by the Authority of the fame, that the following
annual salaries shall be allowed to the several officers
of state hereinafter mentioned ; to commence on the
day of and to continue for the space of
three years, and until the fame shall be afterwards al
tered by the legislature, to-be paid to them feverall,
on their receipts, or on their draughts, quarterly ort
the treasurer of the hate, that is to fay,
To the Frefident of the Supreme Executive Coun
cil, or Commander in Chief of the Forces of this State,
for the time being, two thousand pounds^
The Vice President; seven hundred pounds.
The Chief Justice fifteen hundred pounds..
The Second Jufiice of the Supreme Court, seven
hundred pounds.
The third and fourth juflTces of ditto each five hun
dred pounds:, .; ; ',
The Attorney General, three hundred pounds.
The Secretary of the Supreme Executive Council,
being Register of forfeited estates, including the ex?
pence of Clerks, five hundred pounds.
And be it further ena&td by the Authority afore
faid, That the following wages shall be .allowed and
paid to the persons herein after mentioned, to wit,
To the delegates or deputies of this commonwealth
in the Congress of the United States of America, for
every day's attendance in the public service, each, the
sum of il. rof.
The members of the supreme executive council, (0-
ther than the president and vice-president) for every
day's attendance, each, the sum of il. 2L 6d.
The speaker of the house of assembly, for each day's
attendance, the sum of il. rof.
The other members of the house of assembly, for e
very day's attendance, each, the sum of il.
The clerk of the house of assembly, for every day's
attendance, the sum of il. rof.
The auditors of the public accounts, for every day's
attendance, each, the sum of il. lof.
The sergeant at arms, for every day's attendance,
the sum of fsf.
The door keeper of the council and the door-keeper
of tne house of assembly, for every day's attendance,
each, the sum of 15L
And be it further enabled by the authority aforesaid,
that every delegate in Congress and member of Coun
cil, shall be farther allowed, towards his travelling
charges, after the rate of twelve pence per mile; once
in every three months, from the place of his abode to
the places where the Congress and Council shall r&
fpedively fit, provided he shall so often Dually visit
his family ; and that every member of AfNi bly shall
be further allowed,@towards his traveling Adirges, af
ter the Tame rate, once in each-fitting of the house,
which said wages and travelling expenses shall be piid