The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-02-26 00:00:00, page 2

OU R government has published an edid of neutrali
ty during the present war between France and Eng
land, containing 15 articles, and directing among other
things th econdud to be held by the belligerant powers in
pur ports.
Lisbon, July 13. Nothing is more fixed than the
system of neutrality adopted by our Sovereign, with re
fped to all £ags except that of the Thirteen United
States.
b feciirity can be gained by a war, but what may be
accomplished by a peace, the case becomes revered,
and Such now is the Situation of England.
That America is beyond the reach pf conquest, is a fad
which experience has Shewn and time confirmed, and
this admitted, what, I alk, is now the object in conten
tion ? If there be any honcr in pursuing felf-deflruaion
with inflexible passion ; if national suicide be the perfefti
on of national glory, you may, with all the pride of crimi
nal happiness, expire unenvied and unrivalled. —But when
the tumult of war shall cease, and the tempest of present
piffions be succeeded by calm reflexion, or when those
who Surviving its fury, shall inherit from you a legacy of
dents and mifcrtuoes, when the yearly revenue shall
Scarcely be able to discharge the interest of the one, and
no possible remedy be left for the other ; ideas, far differ
ent to the present, will arise, and embitter the remembrance
of former follies. A mind disarmed of its rage, feels
no pleasure in contemplating a frantic quarrel. Sickaefs
of thought, the sure consequence of con-Just like yours,
leaves no ability for enjoyment, no relish for resentment;
and tho'like a man in a fit, you feel not the injury of the
flru,gle, nor distinguish between Strength and disease, the
weakness will neverthele's be proportioned to the violence,
and the sense of pain encreafe with the recovery.
To what perlons or to whole system of politics you owe
your present State of wretchedness is a matter of total in
diiference to America. They have contributed, howe
ver unwillingly, to set her above themftlves, and fhein the
tranquility of conquest resigns the enquiry. The case
now is not so properly who begqn the war, as who conti
nues it. That there are men in all countries to whom a
state of war is a mine of wealth, is a fad never to be doubt
ed. Characters like these naturally breed in the putre
fadion of dift*mpered times, and after fattening on the
disease they perish with ; t, or impregnated with the flench
retreat into obscurity.
But there are several erroneous notions to which you
like wife owe a share of your misfortunes, and which if con
tinued will only increase your trouble and your losses.
An opinion hangs about the gentlemen of the minority,
that America would relish measures under their admini
stration, which she would not from the present cabinet.
On this rock Lord Chatham would have split had he
gained the helm, and several of his survivors are fleering
tne fame course. Such diftindions in the infancy of the
argument had some degree sf foundation, but theynow serve
no other purpose than to lengthen out a war, in which the
limits of the dispute, being fixt by the fate of arms, and
guarantied by treaties, are not to be changed or altered by
trivial circum fiances.
The Ministry and many of the minority facrifice their
time in disputing on a question with which they have no
thing to do, namely, whether America shall be indepen
dant'or not? Whereas the only question that can come
under their determination, if, whether they will accede
to it or not ? They confound a military question with a
political one, and undertake to supply by a vote what they
loft by a battle. Say, she shall not be independant, and
it will Signify as much as if they voted against a de
cree of fate, or fay that she shall, and she will be no more
independant than before. Questions, which when deter
mined, cannot be executed, serve only to shew the folly of
diiputeand the weakness of disputants.
From a long habit of calling America your own, you
foppofe her governed by the fame prejudices and conceits
which govern yourselves. Because you have set up a particu
lar denomination of religion to the exclusion of all others,
vou imagine she must do the farce, and because you, with
an unsociable narrowness of mind, have cherished animo
sity against France and Spain, you suppose her alliance must
be defective in friendfhip. Copying her notions of the
world from you, she formerly thought as you inftruded,
but now feeling herfelf free, and the prejudice removed,
she thinks and ads upon a different system. It frequent
ly happens that in proportion as we are taught to dislike
persons and countries not knowing why, we feel an ardor
of efleem upon a removal of the mistake; It seems as if
something was to be made amends for, and we eagerly
give into every office of friendfhip to attone for the inju
ry of the error.
But perhaps there is something in the extent of coun
tries, which among the generality of people, infallibly
communicates extention to the mind. The foul of an Is
lander in its native State, teems bounded by the foggy
confines of the water's edge, and all beyond, affords to
him matter only for profit or curiosity, not for friend
fhip. His island is to him his world, and fixt to that his
every thing centers in it ; while those, who are inhabi
tants of a continent, by casting their eye over a larger
field, takes in likewise a larger intellectual circuit, and
thus approaching nearer to an acquaintance with the
universe, tbeir atmosphere of thought is extended, and
their liberality fills a wider space. In short, our minds seem
to be measured by countries when we are men, as they
are by places, when we are children, and until something
happens to disentangle ns from the prejudice, we serve un
der it without perceiving it.
In addition to this, it may be remarked, that men who
study any universal Science, the principles of which are
universally known, or admitted, and applied without dif
tinftion to the common benifit of all countries, obtain
thereby a larger share of philanthrophy than those who
only study national arts and improvements. Natural
phVofophy, mathematics and astronomy, carry the mind
from the country to the creation, and give it a fitnefs Suit
ed to the extent. It was not Newton's honor, neither
could it be his pride, that be was an Englishman, but that
he was a philosopher: The Heavens had liberated him
from the prejudices of an island, and Science had expand
ed his foul as boundless as his Rudies.
( Tobe concluded in a Subsequent paper. )
GENO A, July 10.
Vienna, July 17. The Empress Queen has, by a pub
lic ordinance, directed that for the future Protestants may
be admitted to the degree of a dodorate, in any part of
her hereditary dominions.
Spain. His Majesty has allowed a freedom of trading
between the ports of Old Spain, and those of the New
World.
Corunna, Auguff 4. The Britifti frigate George is
taken by the Concord frigate.
Toulon, August 21. M. de Flotte, in the Aurora of
28 guns, put into Algiers in a florm. The French Con
sul at that place informed him, that he had learned from
the English Consul, that 4 British cruizers were lying off
the port to intercept him if he went out. M. de Flotte
immediately failed, flipping his cables. He met the4
English vessels about two leagues off : They ranged in or
der of battle, and waited for him. The brave de Flotte,
unintimidated by numbers, run within half shot, and gave
them his broadsides fe warmly, that they were pierced
through and through, and flruck almost instantly. De
Flotte returned with his prizes to Algiers, covered his an
chor, and convinced the English Consul how she ships of
France can deal with English cruizers. The prizes were ,
the Saville of 20 guns, the Salerno of 20, the Italian Mer
chant of 16, the Favorite of 10, in all 66 guns.
Toulon, September 7. Three hundred cannon and
one hundred mortars are carried to the camps at St. Roch.
For a month past not a Single boat has been able to get
into Gibraltar harbor, so effectually it is blocked up. And
whatever has attempted to get out, has fallen into the
hands of the Spaniards.
Lisbon, Sept. 14. A sailor, (belonging to Boston)
having left the British (hip Chatham, now in this port, the
Captain sent an officer on there with a part , to bring him
back. After they had taken him, a Portuguese officer
with assistance, set him again at liberty. The Quean being
informed of this violence done to her rights of territory
by the British commander, issued orders to prevent the
Ship leaving the port, and the Secretary of State notified
this ref@lution to Mr. Walpole, the British Minister there,
and the furprize of the Court that the Captain had not
given Satisfaction for the insult, or apologized for his con
dud. At the fame time taking occasion to complain of.
the many repeated insults the Portugu~fe had received
from the British in different parts. The Captain having
made concessions, the prohibition of his vessel's failing was
taken off.
Brest, Sept. 15. Most positive orders are received
from Court for the fleet to put to sea again as Soon as possi
ble. _
Count D'Orvilliers having solicited the King's permifli
on to retire from the command of the fleet, has obtained
it, and Count Duchaffault is appointed to succeed him,
and is arrived here.
Paris, 08. 11. They write from Toulon that Count
De Sade with a fq&adron of men of war, failed from thence
the 30th last month.
Letters from Brest are full of the preparations making
to get the fleet to sea before the 15th.
It is said that a plan for the ensuing campaign formed
by the British cabinet has in some measure transpired.
They are to eflablifh strong garrisons in Quebeck, at Ha
lifax, New-York, and the places adjacent ; to make the
most vigorous efforts to reduce South Carolina ; to form
a strong barrier in North -Carolin a, to prevent any mea
sures of the Americans from the northward; to possess
themselves of the efeblifhments of the Spaniards at New-
Orleans and on the banks of the Miffifippi; and having
effected this, to bend their force against the French and
Spanish Weft-India islands. They mean to embody the
loyal Americans, and leave part for the defence of those
countries and carry the rest against the common enemy.
The force for these several operations will be compleated
by the firft of June next to 30 battalions of 750 men each.
The guards and 8 regiments of British will be left at New-
York with Lord Cornwallis, together with 8 regiments
of the Loyalists. It is expelled that this force will be
fufflcient for the defence of New-York.
The Marattas have taken possession of the coast of Ma
labar, and the adjacent country, with a booty of 5 or 6 mil
lions Sterling. India flocks have fallen 2 per cent.
Hague, 08. 13. Sir Joseph Yorke the British Am
bassador presented the following memorial to their High
Mightinesses on the 9th instant.
" High and Mighty Lords,
" The under signed Ambassador Extraordinary and Ple
nipotentary of the King of Great Britain, has the honcr
to communicate to your High Mightinesses, that two of
his Majesty's ships (the Seraphis and Countess of Scarbo
rough) arrived some days ago in the Texel, having been
attacked and taken by force, by a certain Paul Jones, a
fubjea of the King, who according to treaties and the
laws of war, can only be considered as a rebel and a pi
rate. The under-signed is therefore in duty bound t© re
cur to your High Mightinesses, and demand their imme
diate orders that those ships with their officers and crews
may be flopped, and he especially recommends to your
humanity, to permit the wounded to be brought on shore,
that proper attention may be paid te them at the expence of
the King his wafer. YORKE."
It is to be feared Admiral Hughes has attacked the Isl
ands of France and Bourbon, which, tho' they are pre
pared for a vigorous defence, it isapprehended must yield
to a superior force.
Camp atSr. Roch, Sept. 20. Tie batteries of Gi
braltar began to fire on the Spanish lines, the 12th at fix
o'clock in the morning, only one Soldier has been killed,
by upwards of 600 difeharges. The 14th and 15th the
fire was moderate, the 16th more lively, 3 Soldiers were
wounded. The 17th and 18th it again abated. One Shell
fell near our provision magazine, and one soldier was kill
ed. Yefcrday they damaged one of our gun carriages,
and wounded one soldier. This day they are warm, but
our workmen go on with equal calmness and dispatch.
Paris, October 1. All the reports which have been
current, respecting propositions of peace, appear to lose
ground. It is no longer to be doubted, but that Russia
has made overtures, and offered her mediation in concert
with other neutral powers: And that M, Simoulin, ap
pointed her Minister at the Court of London, came here
with a view of opening a negociation. But as long as
England persists in refufing to treat with the Colonies, as
independent, through the medium of the mediating pow
ers, there is little hopes of peace being restored to Europe.
M. Simoulin is setting off for London
The 30th of last month, a Council was held at St.
James's, to regulate the tine of proroguing the Parliament.
The Members of Administration, have for several weeks
past, been in a warm debate, whether the present Parlia
ment shall be continued another,ear. Those who are for
calling a new Parliament, immediately after the C ; rift
mas holy-days, will content to a friendly accommodation
with the United States of America. But Lord North has
declared strongly against this measure.
They talk of striking a decisive blow next campaign,
with 18,000 Hinoverians, whom government is to take
into pay, and 12,000 of which, are to go to America early
in the spring.
The London Chronicle of the 23d instant, gives the
following account of the British King's ships, taken or
destroyed since 1774, viz. ®ne of 70, two of 64, one of 44,
nine of 32, seven or 28, one of 26, five of 20, nine of 16,
two of 14, one of 12, three of 8 and one bomb ketch. To
tal 41.
By letters we learn, that Gibraltar is closely invefled
by sea and land, and that the garrison is already reduced
to live on fait provisions.
In answer to the merchants, who applied to Minis
try for convoys for their trade, frem the islands, they
were told, that while the enemy appeared so determined
to invade England, the heart of the Empire must be fe-
Cured in preference to any of the limbs.
October 12. Orders are fentto Sir Joseph. Yorkeatthe
Hague, to demand reflitutiop from the Spates General of
the two frigates taken by Paul Jones; and that Paul Jones
fhcu'd be ordered immediately to leave the Trxel, his
commission being derived from a power not known by that
Republic.
October 15. M. de Simoulin, the Minister from the
Empress of Ruffa, arrived here the 11th from Paris, and
on the 13th had an audience of his Majefly.
Capt. Peatfon of the Seraphim, carried by Paul Jones
into the Texel, writes to the government, that they rtfufe
to let him visit the British Ambassador at the Hague, or
even to go ashore.
October 19. Count de WelJeren, the Amb. ffador from
Holland, is making those preparation, which usually pre
cede the departure of foreign Ministers. It is aifo (aid,
Sir Joseph Yorke, the British Minister at the Hague, is
taking the fame measures. But these reports make less
impression than they did, as the Court of London has
lowered its tone of haughtiness, with which it demanded
the delivery of the vessels, which Paul Jones had carried
into the Texel.
Letters from Portfmou'h fay, that on the 15th, the
Victory m-deafignal for unmooring; but it is thought the
fleet will not again be at sea before spring.
October 30. It is said, thatif tin King hesitates to de
termine immediately on the demands of the Irlh, and
gives only vague and conditional answers, waiting to cob
fult his English Parliament, that of Ireland will ad
journ itfelf from week to week, and will not enter on any
business, or make any grants till they receive a decisive
answer.
The volunteers zonally embodied, amount to 40,000
men, and form a national army, independent of Great-
Britain.
The Duke of Leinfter, assembled them on the 22d,and
entered into, and signed the following association. "We
pledge ourselves one to another, on our honor, to regi
ment ourselves for the defence of the city of Dublin, a
gainst all internal as well as external enemies, and to obey
rigidly, all orders we shall receive from such officers as
may be chosen by us."
An address from General Burgoyne, to his conflituenfs,
has been publifhea in the papers, explaining his reasons
for referring all his military employments It contains his
c< rrefpondence with the Secretaries of State, relative to
his return to America.
The Council and traders of Cadiz propose to equip 20
privateers to cruize against the English. Three have fail
ed already, and three others are nearly ready. The La
dies of that place have asked the King's permission to fit
out at their own c®ft a ship of war to cruize against the
enemy.
The following amendment was proposed to an address
from the Parliament of Ireland to his Majefly, and was
carried in theHoufe ofCommon&,and House of Lords there:
« We pray your Majesty to be perfoaded, that in the
present situation of affairs, no temporizing expedients will
allure this nation to its deftru&fGn,and that the only means
of saving it, is to extend to its ports a free and unrestric
ted commerce." It passed the Council alfa unaninioufly.
Mr. Henry Flood, is gone over with this address to En
gland, and it is not doubted, but that Ireland will have
a free and unlimited trade, and will rear its bead among
the most powerful nations of Europe. The foundation
of this was laid, when we heard of the voluntary armed
associations formed to military exercise and discipline-
These associations saved Ireland. The House of Commons
who were encouraged under their protection to assume the
language of an independent nation, have passed a vote of
thanks to them, which has been formally Signified to them.
The Duke of Leinfter, and Lord Shannon appeared at
their head; and the Duke distributed through the city
the following hand-bill: “ His Grace, the Duke of
Leinfter, begs you to appear to-morrow, at half after
twelve o'clock precisely, to appear at Leinfter House with
all your accoutrements, to form a double line along the
street, through which the Members of Parliament pass
from the House of Commons, to the palace of His Ex
cellency the Lord Lieutenant, to present the address for a
free trade." The volunteers, that is to fay, all the male
inhabitants of Dublin, attended accordingly, and per
formed the military honors to the members of the glori
ous address,
Pa^is. An arret of the Council of State is publiffied,
by which the exemption from the duty of 15 per cent,
imposed on Dutch vessels and goods, is extended to the
inhabitants o f the provinces 0! Holland.
Twenty-five per cent, insurance was given on the ves
sels expected frem the leeward islands
The ships which were on the Southern whale fifhery this
year, have been un'orpnate * Of fifteen fail from London,
7 were taken on their paffige
The most curious circumflance attending the Parlia
mentary enquiry into the present state of the nation, is
the manner in which it was abandoned. It is certain go-
LONDO N, Augufl g.