The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-06-01 00:00:00, page 2

BOSTON, Slay 17.
Extras of a letter from Philadelphia, April 13.
" A Vessel just arrivedfroni Snrinham, mentions, that
a Dutch man of war had arrived there just before
she left it, in 3, days from Amsterdam, and brought ac
counts that the States General, on the repeated and vio
lent remonstrances of their merchants, had given permis
sion for individuals to fit out vessels to cruize against the
British trade, and had granted letters of marque and re
prisals for that purpose."
May 20. On Monday last, Capt. Parsons arrived at
Newbury-Pott from Martinic®, and informs, that Count
de Eftaing had been reinforced with such a number of
capital ships aS to make his fleet Tuperior to the British; and
that Admiral Byron lay at St. Lucia, not daring to ven
ture out, as ficKnefs raged with great violence on board his
fleet.
Last Sunday the Hancock and Beaver privateers, sent
into New- I endon, the Ayfcough, a privateer of 10 guns,
from New-York.
Thursday the 13th inflant, being the General Election
for the state of Conned^ ut, his Excellency Jonathan Trum
bull, Esq ; was chosen Governor, aad the Hon. Matthew
Griswold, Esq ; Deputy Governor, for said State.
It is said that feverd vessels of force, and a number of
transports with troops had failed from New-York, their
destination uncertain —some suppose to Canada. Weare
told at the fame time that General Washington's army is
moving, and drawing nearer to New-York.
Since our last several vessels have arrived at different
ports from Statia, Martinico, Guadaloup, and other ports
of the Weft. Indies;- by these vessels we have it reported,
that Admiral Byron and the Count d'Estaing were Hill at
their old stations, without having made any capital move
ment Some attribute this to a pacific disposition at bot
tom of l^oth Courts ; others to the inferiority of Byron in
seamen, and of the Count in fllips. That not long since
Admiral Byron sent four men of war of the line, and a
number of frigates, to cruize not far from Martinico ; the
Count, as soon as he was apprized of it, sent a number of
the line and frigates to take care of them; this motion
drew out, by successive detachments, both fleets, but
without producing any general affioß.
By the above vessels we learn, that Count d'Estaing,
having embarked his troops, and made such dispositions
as indicated some enterprize in view, all the island of St.
Kitts was in arms, expecting a visit from the French fleet,
and every precaution taken there for the defence of the
island.
One of the last vessels from the Weft-Indies informs,
that a large number 0: Hore ships, with some fllips ®f force,
had arrived at Martinico from old France, this is pro
bably the fleet mentioned to have failed from Fr nee to the
Weft Indies, by the cutter not long since arrived here,
and which left Brest the beginning of March. This rein
forcement, it is said, will give the fleet of France a fupe.
riority of firesgth to that of the British iQ those seas.
By the fame channel we are informed, that two ships of
-the line, belonging to the squadron of Admiral Byron,
were hauled up at St. Lucia for want of men, each of them
having buried three hundred of their sailors.
In a speech which Admiral Keppel pronounced before
his Judges of the Court-Martial, he did honor to the be
haviour of Count d'Orvilliers and his fleet during the com
bat.
Since our last four vessels have arrived here from South-
Carolina, laden with rice, belonging to the Continent.
NEW-LONDO N, May 2d.
ThUrfday last arrived here a sloop from Corke, bound
to New-York, laden with provisions, a prize to the ship
Putnam.
Sunday was sent into port the privateer Lady Erskine,
Capt. Drew, of eight guns, taken in fight of this harbour
by the Hancock and Bearer privateers, out of a fleet of
twenty-one fail, who were bound from New York to
Rhode Island, under convoy of the Thomas, a British
frigate of thirty fix guns.
Tuesday arrived here the privateer American Revenue,
Capt. Leeds, and brought in with her the privateer
schooner Sally, Capt. Spelling, of eight guns; and also a
schooner (pilot boat built) from North - Carolina, bound
to the Weft-Indies, laden with tobacco and tar, who had
been taken by a Eritilh privateer.
Saturday three iloops from Newport, bound to Saghar
bour for wood, finding no convoy at that place, set fail
with an intenti@ of returning, but were intercepted by
two armed boats, and sent into Stonington.
The fame day also arrived the brig -, Capt. Phipps,
in ten days from Charleftown, South-Carolina, who in
forms, that the British army, confiding of 1000 men, had
maac a circuitous march by way of Puryfburg, and got
into the rear 01 Gen Lincoln's army of 3000 men, and
in the front of G n. Moultrie's army, also of 3000, with
in fifty miles of Charleftown; that Charleftown was pick
eted and walled in by the inhabitants, who were deter
mined to defend the town to the last extremity, provided
the -nemy £hould be hardy enough to proceed to that
place.
We hear that a privateer sloop. belonging to the enemy,
which had landed her men on Nantucket, and robbed the
inhabitants of some effeds, was last week boarded by a
boat having a number of men armed with lancets and
harpoons, who took the vtffel.
Yesterday was sent into this port, by the fllip Oliver
Cromwell, a fchoon r from Baltimore, burthen about
thirty tons ; she had been taken by a British ctuizer, and
was retaken the south fide of Long-Iftand.
HARTFOR D, May
By a vessel lately arrived at Martinico from the Havaa
na, an account was brought that the last mentioned place
was in the belt state of defence, Besides 14,000 men, of
which the militia on the island of Cuba, now confifls, who
are regimental, and considerably well disciplined, there
are eight regiments of regular troops at the Havanna, five
ships of the line, and twelve frigates in the po t. Two
ships of ninety and sixty guns ready to be launched, and
several others of high rates on the flocks. The Ameri
cans, who flock there from all parts, are well received
with their cargoes of every kind.
- FISH- KI L L^-May#
It is asserted, that the enemy at New-York are in mo
tion, and have determined to attack some of our posts on
this river. This intelligence is corroborated, by feme of
their vessels coming up the river a few days since, in order
as is supposed, to reconnoitre our present situation in this
quarter.
Wdliamfburgk, Maj 21, 1779.
SIR,
Being in the greatest haste to dispatch your express, I
have not time to give you any very particular information,
concerning the preferit invasion ; let it fuffice therefore to
inform Congress that the enemy's ships are nearly the fame
as was mentioned in my former letter; with regard to the
number of the troops, which landed and took Portsmouth,
and afterwards proceeded, burnt, plundered and' destroyed
Suffolk, committing various barbarities, we are ftili ig
norant, as the accounts from deserters differ widely ; per
haps, however, it may not exceed toco or 2500 men.
I trust that we have a fufficient number of troops Ration
ed in certain proportions at this place, York, Hampton,
and on the South fide of James's river.
W. en any further particulars come to my knowledge,
they shall be communicated to Congress without delay. I
have the Honor to be,
Sir, your humble servant,
Tothe Hon. the P. HENRY.
President of Congress.
P. S. I am pretty certain that the land forces are com
manded by General Matthews, and the fleet by Sir George
Colder.
Williamfourgb, May 21, 1779.
SIR,
I received theletter which accompanies this, yesterday,
from South-Carolina, by express ; and by desire of Lieut.
Governor Bee, transmit it to you for the perusal of Con
gress. With great regard, I have the honor to be, Sir,
your Excellency's most obedient servant,
His Excellency the P. HENRY.
President of Congress.
Charleftovon, ^South-Carolina,) Ma, 5, 1779.
SIR,
The enemy having crossed from Georgia into this State,
and by a rapid movement got between General Lincoln
and Charleftown, are bending their whole force this way ;
they were this morning within, 68 miles of us, and are
pursuing General Moultrie, who with about 1500 men is
retreating before them, Governor Rutledge, with about
350 men, had marched from Orangeburgh on Monday,
to join General Moultrie, but I much fear will be too
late. General Lincoln intended coming en their rear, but
they were at least 4 days march ahead of him.
In this situation I thought it my duty once more to re
quest the aid of our brethren of Virginia. No time is to be
loft. Indeed ! fear any assistance wll come full late.
I am with great efteem,'
your Excellency's most obedient humble servant.
T HO. BEE.
Col. John Laurens received a flight wound in the arm,
in a skirmish with the enemy's advanced party yesterday,
and his horse was also shot. Beis in a good way. Pray,
let his father know this, as 1 have hot time to write to
him.
Hi&Excellency Patrick Henry, Bfq;
Governor of Virginia.
By order of&n«refr,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
COMMITTEE-ROOM, May 28, 1779.
Refolded That the retail prices of the underwritten ar
ticles on the firfl day of May were as follows—
Coffee, - per pound, £0 17 6
Bohea Tea, ditto, 4 15 0
Loaf Sugar, ditto, 2 15 ©
Mufeovado Sugar, ditto, from 018 9to£l 5 0
according to quality.
Weft-India Rum, by gallon or quart, 7 0 0
Country Rum, by do. or do. 5 5 •
Whiskey, by do. 2 0 0
Rice, per pound, 0 3 0
And as it is absolutely necessary, that dry-goods, and
all other commodities, whether imported or the produce
of the country, should fall in price as well as those artic
les which are already published. Therefore,
Resolved, That this Committee do earnestly request
and exped, that no person do fell any commodity whate
ver, at a higher price than the fame was fold for on theist
day of this month.
By order of the Committee,
WILLIAM HENRY, Chairman.
In COMMITTEE, May 31st, i 77 9.
Notice is hereby given, that the Committee will ascer
tain, as soon as poflible, the wholesale and retail prices of
goods as they flood on the firft day of April last, and that
the prices to be fixt in consequence thereof, are to be
come current on the firft day of July next ensuing; and
to remain so till the next regulation.
The pric s, as they are already fixt, being reduced to
what they were on the firft day of May, are to remain in
being for the'month of June, or as much cheaper as buyer
and feller can agree.
Resolved, That it be recommended to our fellow-ci.
tizens in the country, who supply the markets in this city
with produce and provisions, that they likewise lower
their prices.
. Refolded, That if any inhabitant or inhabitants of this
city shall be detected in offering or giving an extravagant
price for any articles brought to market, such person or
persons, whoever chey may be, shall be summoned to ap
pear at the Coffee-houfe on that, or the ensuing, market
day, or at the next General Town Meeting, as the case
may require. And that if any person or persons fliall be
deteded in unjustly imposing on people coming to mar
ket, or in market, by forceably obliging them to take
prices for their commodities much below their value.
By Capt. Newton Cannon, of ffie schooner Lady Wash
ington, who on Sunday night arrived in this port in it
days from Providence, we learn, that he heard there
from several British Captains of vessels, of General
Lincoln's having routed the British forces in South-Caro
lina, some where about Puryfburg, and killed and taken
1400 of them, but he could gather no further particulars.
PHILADELPHIA, June 1.
that such person or perform shall be held up as aforefaid.
Resolved, That an enquiry be made into the old and
prefect rent of houses./
And whereas the numerous articles of dry goode, and
variety of their affortmeuts, render it difficult to afeertain
and fix their several values, the Committee do therefore
earnestly recommend to the public, to be as flack in mak
ing purchases for the present as their cec< ffity will admit
of. And do hereby inform, that they will enquire into the
prices of broad and narrow cloths, and such dther princi
pal articles in the dry goods trade, as when fixt may lead
to a knowledge of the comparative value of other articles.
And whereas, in the present time of genera! fuffering
and resentment, it may happen that innocent persons may,
by mistake, be exposed to the unmerited censure of their
fellow citizens, while those who truly deserve it efcapc—■
This Committee therefore, in order to prevent as much as
in them lie any mistakes, and the coofeguences arising
therefrom, as well as to carry the resolves of the General
Town Meeting into effectual execution, will receive in
formatiqn, either in writing or personally, against per
sons tranfgrefiing the resolutions of the General Town
Meeting, or evading, or obtruding, t^e execution of the
fame, and that after having afeertained the charge, the
persons so offending to be notified thereof in writing,
figaed by the Chairmen.
Resolved, That a Committee of three do fit by rotation
at the Court-house, from nine to twelve every day (Sun
days excepted) to receive complaints, and to report the
fame to the General Committee.
Re/olved, That this Committee will not take on them
selves to determine the punishment due to a^y person or
persons who shall transgress the resolves of the General
Town Meeting; but that after having afeertained the
fads will l ave such person ®r persons to make their peace
with the public the best way they can, uplefs desired to
interpole. WILLIAM HENRY, Chairman.
For the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
A Correspondent communicates a remarkable tranfadion
" of last week, some worthies of the iaw, it seems,
undertook last summer, for a large group of proscribed
Tories by thedump, and received in the moment of terror
a tolerable retaining fee, coupled with promises of farther
recompense. These ungrateful men, finding themselves out
of danger of the law, have forgotten their benefactors,
who, to do themfe ves justice, have sued some of these de
linquents. About fifty writs only have yet been issued. -
It is whispered that these hardened wretches have set their
patrons at defiance, pretending, that by the common law,
Councellors can not make a bill, nor recover any wages.
—What can such ingrates exp 6& on the next occasion,
short of the Gallows ? for even gentlemen of the bar can
scarcely be tricked the fecondtime.
The difaffeaed gentry fliould cerfider how far the so
phistry, artifice, management, unrestrained insolence and
over-bearing of a band of Attornies, may sometimes pre
vail to turn alkie the edge of the keenest la w, and how,
by ftifling evidence, they may prevent prosecution. This
would convince a reafonab e man, that the highest advan
tage may be thus indirectly obt^ ined by individuals, against
whom the Grand Jury has not found matter of indictment.
Hard, indeed, would it be, (if the case were to happen )
that the deep policy and eminent success of the Lawyers,
in warding of the firft attempts at crimination, should oper
ate to the loss of the Half Johannes, which a multitude es
trials, with a proper proportion of convictions interspersed,
would injure and multiply.
Some persons alledge in excuse of these Tory defendants,
(in the case only supposed above) that these practitioners
in the law, may, by the greatness and glare oftheir suc
cess, have brought their clients into more danger than be
fore; for by retraining the re entment of the public, from
operating in its proper channel, it may be apt to burst forth
in a more extensive and fatal manner, till, therefore, the
fafety of these people, in faCt as well as law, be eftabiifh
ed, these Advocates should defer their demands.
T 9 S. DEAN E, Esquire.
Suspicion always baunts the guilt, mind:
The thief doth fear each bufo an Officer.
ShakesFeAß.
S I R,
READING your performance in Mr. Dunlap's
paper of Tuesday last, it puts me in mind of a story
told of John Dennis, the Poet. This John Dennis, Sir,
had, as he called it, lampooned the French King, and be
ing at Southampton, or some of the places near the British
Channel, on hearing that a French squadron had made its
appearance in the Channel, the poor afrighted bard polled
up to London as faft as possible, and told his friends and
acquaintance that he was confident the Court of France
had heard of his being at Southampton, and had dis
patched that powerful fleet in hopes to furprize him at
Portsmouth.
Pray, good Mr. Punster, by what sophism, or if you
please logic, can you make it appear that Candour lad it
in idea uncandidl, to insinuate “ yen had been officii ufly
busy in procuring Rivington's Gazette, for the purpose of
bringing forward the enquiry in Congress refpeaing it"
I am well acquainted with the author of the piece sign
ed Candour, and can venture to assure you, that he had
you as little in his thoughts when he prefaced the letter
referred to, as the Court of France had the poor, vain son
of Apollo, when she sent the squadron to sea. Sir, he had
higher game in view, and was influenced by a nobler ob
ject, the vindication @f a great and venerable Senator of
America from meditated persecution. It had been indus
triously said abroad, that the letter contained high reflecti
ons upon that Honorable Body the Congress ; and if I ara
rightly informed, some of its Members had determined to
persecute, if possible, the supposed writer. I myfelf heard
it said that the letter contained sentiments dishonorable to
the writer, and I presume that Candour, who thought dif
ferently of the letter, chafe to undeceive the public as to
its contents. This I really believe, Sir, was the sole end
the publisher had in view, and that he had no intention
of insinuating any thing to your Honor's disadvantage.
He knows you not ; and from any thing he has heard of
you, he wishes not so know you. You seem entirely to
have misconceived Candour in supposing he meant to
draw the public attention from a serious and important en
quiry, and to fix it on trifles. To convince you of your
tiff The Committee meet this morning at nine o'clock,
precisely.