The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-04-30 00:00:00, page 2

L'O 'N D O N, January 26.
Extract of a letter from Plymouth, Jan. 21.
" This afternoon 30 Americans were landed from
the prison-ship, and conducted to Mdl-Prifon. The
number of American prisoners new there is 498."
On Saturday last lord Cornwallis arrived at Exeter,
in his way to town from Brixham, where he landed.
The mayor and chamber immediately assembled at
the Gueldhall, where he was received by them in form,
and presented with the freedom of the city, amidst
the repeated acclamations of the people ; and after
having been addressed by the recorder, in a speech
upon the occasion, his lordship was pleased to express
his shanks in the following manner :
" I most gratefully feel the honour conferred upon
me by the city of Exeter. The approbation of my
countrymen greatly overpays any hardships I may
have undergone in my endeavours to serve them.
" The severe blow which the British arms have sus
tained in America, and which has so unfortunately
fallen on my head, impresses me with the deepest con
cern, although I am supported by a confeioufnefs of
having exerted the utmost of my abilities to prevent
it. I beg leave to return my thanks to Mr. Recorder,
for the very obliging manner in which he, has been
pleased to communicate to me the resolution of the
Chamber.”'
Lord Sandwich has assured the king that the only
possible way of gaining a decided Superiority over the
House of Bourbon at sea, is to execute the projed of,
a naval militia : lord Southampton was prefect when
the conVerfation passed, and he gave it as his opinion,
that if a fubfeription was opened in all the counties of
England, under the auspices of the lord lieutenants,
money enough would be subscribed to build for each
a fhipof the line of proportional size to the largeness
and wealth of the county; and that if this were made
a voluntary measure, means would also be found to
^n them with landsmen, fubje& to distribution and
change, so that each ship might have a proper num
ber of seasoned favors on board. He also thought that
the fubfeription should be taken at the estimate of a
thousand pounds a gun—Lord Sandwich said it would
be a very proper scheme to try ; but if it-failed, an aft
should pals to levy the money.
Jan. 29. Yesterday lord Chewtons, son of the earl
of Waldegrave, was at the levee for the firft time
since his arrival from America.
The fame day general Arnold was at the levee for
the firft time since his arrival from America, and was
introduced to the king. He was dressed in regimen
tals? his left leg being much Wounded, he wore a high
heeled shoe, and leaned on the arm of a young naval
officer. He has a pleasing countenance, and a keen,
penetrating eye. His stature is about five feet eight,
and he appears to be about 45 years of age.
Jan. 30. Various council, have been lately held on
the Subject of the American war, produced by the new
representations which have been made refpeding its
practicability by lord Cornwallis and general Arnold.
The latter gentleman is confidently of opinion, that
the subjugation of America may Rill be effected, and
has had repeated interviews with lord North and the
American secretary, forthe purpose of explaining his
plan, and urging his acquiescence. His firft propofi
tion, which he makes the condition and corner-stone
, of his scheme, is a new commander in chief, and a re
inforcement of sixteen thousand men. With these he
pledges himfelf that the whole of the revolted provin
ces will be once more reduced under the power of this
country. How far administration have concurred in
this scheme has not yet transpired, but 8 regiments
of infantry have been already determined upon for
that service, and the Anfpach and Hessian corps are
^lfo engaged, probably with the fame view.
RIC H MON D, (Virginia) April 20.
We ha,e been favoured with a few English papers as
fate as the 7th of February, from which We have
extruded the following:
PETERSBURG H, December 28.
^ N consequence of the resolution of the empress,
£ our august Sovereign, refpeding. t,e augmentati
on of her marine, orders have been issued for build
ing 12 fllips of the line at Cheifon, and eight others,
taree deckers, here: by this arrangement, our ma
rine will amount to 42 fllips of the line for the-Bal
tick, and 12 of the line for the Black Sea, exclusive of
frigates, galleys, bomb-vessels, and other armed ships.
Madrid, (Spain) Jan. 1. Inters from the camp at
St. Roche, dated Dec. 20, advise, that on the loth it
was impossible to go on with their works, 011 account
of the violent winds and rains which prevailed; but
since that time they have continued working with ac
tivity, notwithstanding the brisk fire of the enemy,
who nave done us no damage during the last ten days,
except wounding 14 men three of them very danger
ouily." The fire of the enffiy seems to be directed
towards our advanced works.
Jan. 4. The night of the 19th ult. two ships of a
bout 500 tons burthen, under favour of a weft wind,
have entered into the port of Gibraltar. It is not
doubted that they were laden with provisions and
ammunition, of whicn the garrison was much in need.
From the care which the English take of dispatching
several fhipnhus burthened to this place, it is evident
that they have no intention of fending any squadron
for the purpose of victualling Gibraltar.
Paris, (France) Jan. 21. The maquis de la-Fayette,
and, the Viscount de Noailles arrived here yesterday;
at their depasture from Amarica every thing was
qulet, no enterprize having taken place since the capi
tulation of lord Cornwallis.
It seems certain, that by a treaty newly concluded
between us and the Dutch East-India company, our
government is to cede to them the port of L'Orient
fd, two yvars'to build ships, to receive returns, and
make their Giles.
It is reported as a decided matter that our miniflry
are going to use reprisals at Grenada, and other islands
we may take, to make good the losses dur merchants
fulfilled at St. Euftatia.
Foreign Intelligence.
“ In the ports of Norway, as well as those of the
Baltick, theyards are full of shipping, building for
commercial purposes, for the use of the several powers
of Europe. The Dutch, who once solely enjoyed this
valuable trade, have loft it by the war ; and it is now
got into filch hands as will not easily give it up.”
They write from Dublin, that the volunteers of
Ireland are going to take field, in orderto make them
selves acquainted with the discipline and practice of
camps. For this purpose there are to be four provin
cial camps, eacli to consist of about 15 or 16,000 men.
The different corps are providing themselves with
camp equipage, and it is said that early in the Spring
they will begin to march to the ground marked out
for their respective encampments.
Baron Van Shamplet, lately arrived from Quebec,
has made a proposition to the 'king to raise, 30,000
men in Germany, which we hear has been accepted
by his majesty. Morning Herald.
In a private negociation with the emperor, Minor
ca and Nova-Scotid'have been offered to him, if he
will engage in the present war for the recovery of Al
sace; affca subsidy of a million a year while he has
6b,000 men actually in the field against France ; and
another subsidy to the king of Prussia, while he leaves
the emperor uhmolefted in such an undertaking.
These are bold and spirited negotiations, and show
that the present cabinet are solicitous to exert every
nerve against theenemy.
Extract of a letter from Brussels, Jan. 16.
The Dutch have ten fail of the line at Amflerdam,
Seven in the Maefe, and four in the ports of North-
Holland, all nearly ready for sea.
Extract of a letter from Elfineur, Jan. 2.
mined upon.
Lord Sandwich was at Buckingham House on Sunday
evening, in order to lay before the king the lifts of
ships of the line that will be ready for tea next month,
to form the fleets for the channel and the North Sea.
Earl Cornwallis has had three private audiences of
his majesty since his arrival at Buckingham House,
when he laid before the king the whole detail of his
operations in the southern colonies of America, pre
vious to the unfortunate capitulation of York-Town.
Feb. 7. The cartel ship, which brought home some
English officers and soldiers from America, is ordered
for Portsmouth, to take on board a number of Ame
rican prisoners from Forten prison.
The Spitfire, with provisions from Cork for Gibral
tar, is taken by the Spaniards, and carried into Alge
firas ; (he was taken off Tangier by two Feluccas.
Extra& of a letter from New-York, Dec. 5.
ambassador, will return hither from Faris as soon as
ever the terms and articles of a treaty of alliance, of
fehfive and defenfive, between Holland and France, are
fettled by the French ministry, which will then be ne
gotiated here. England has so many friends here as
will possibly protrad that bufine's ; for should it ever
be brought to a conclusion, there is a lading farewel
to the political connexion which has so long subsisted
between ^ reat Britain and this republic.”
Feb, 4. It is said that general Arnold is shortly to
return back to America, and to have command of the
loyalifis, a prosecution of the war having been deter-
for soldiers, are sent on board the ships of war, and
made seamen : the condua of their high mightinesses
in this particular is somewhat remarkable, however it
Shows a confidence in the friendship of the emperor.”
Wednesday last the corporation of Bristol unani
mously voted a petition to the house of commons, a
gainll the further prosecution of the war in America,
and requesting that house to advise the king to a to
tal change of the unhappy system which has involved
this - nation in such ^complicated misfortunes..
Near one third of the ships taken by the squadron
under admiral Kempenfel pt has been claimed as re
captures, having formerly been the property of British
merchants.
Jan. 31. The court of Anhalt Zerbft have made
an offer of 6000 men to serve the court of London
till the-conclusion of the war, for which they are to
be fubfidifed.
Sweden has built for France since the year 1762, 12
ships of the line, which, according to report, are the
best conftruded of any in their navy ; they are all 74
" We are under some apprehenfipns here for the fafe.
ty of the garrison of Charleftown, South-Carolina. If
that should meet with the fame fate as York-Town in
Virginia, America, it is feared, will betotally loft to
Great-Britain." —.
" Since the dismantling of the Barvariaritowns,
and the withdrawing of the Dutch garrisons, that re
public have Shown less disposition to recruiting their
land forces, andare bestowing all their attention to
their marine : mbn who had been railed in Holland
Since our last arrived the Hampden packet boat,
captain Brathwait, from Lisbon with a mail. By her
we learn, that a very fuccefsful sally has been lately
made by the besieged at Mahon,in which t wenty-feven
pieces of brass cannon and some iron ditto were spiked
up, belonging to the Spaniards, and about 600 Spani
ards tah'n prisoners.
gun ships.
February 2. A capital merchant in this city has re
ceived advice from his correspondent at New-York, not
to fllip any thing more on his account for America, as
Congress have issued positive orders that nothing Shall
be used of the manufacture of Great-Britain.
The whole plans for the subjugation of America, we
hear, are in future to be under the direction of Mr.
Arnold, so much has he ingratiated himfelf in the good
opinion of miniflers!
Colonel Fanning, who brought home general Leslie's
dispatches from Charleftown, commands a loyal Ame
rican regiment, and is a very a&ive officer, having
been of great service to Lord Cornwallis in his march
through the Corolinas.
Yesterday some letters were received from general
Elliot, governor of Gibraltar, which came by way of
Lisbon ; they mention that the governor and+garrifon
were in high Spirits, and plentifully supplied with frefli
provisions.
Extrad of a letter from Amflerdam, January 16.
" It is now said that the due Vaugftyon, the French
F A LMOUT H, Feb. 4.
BASSETERRE, (St. Kitts) March 22.
His majesty's frigate the Aftrea, captain la Peroufe,
and the Amazon, captain Montguoyt, anchored at
Sandy-peint the 19th instant. in the afternoon, with
a convoy of (loops and schooners, loaded with provi
fibn an'd ammunition of all kind, and fix hundred men
of royal Controls, Dillim' sand Walfn's regiments.
We hear by those frigates, that a cutter was arrived
at Martinico, with the news of a convoy of two hun
dred fail of transports, eighteen ships of the line, and
fix thousand troops, being arrived by this at St'. Do
mingo. It is imagined, not without reason, that France
is determined upon taking Jamaica, and the more so,
as the Spaniards have 23 fail, and 20,000 troops at Ha:
vana or St. Domingo, ready for this expedition. We
are likewise informed from Martinico, that the English
ships of war that were at Demarara proposed surrender
ing without firing a (hot, provided the officers were in
sured what effe&s they had on board; but monsieur
de Kerfant, captain of a ship, who was on board the
Iphigenia, and commanded the expedition, not think
ing so cheap a conquest would be any honour to him,
required that the English men of war, should at least
fire one broad-fide into the air, before they firuck their
colours.
sale m; April 11.
The several privateers belonging to this port, which
failed from Martinico on an expedition against Tor
tola, having, in the night, over (hot the port, and the
enemy being apprized of the design, the enterprize was
laid aside. The enemy, however, apprehending dan
ger, several of their vessels runout of the harbour ; one
of which, formerly the Maccaroni privateer of this'port,
was taken.
By this dreadful calamity, in the (pace of about se
ven hours, upwards of eighty houses and stores were
totally destroyed, as likewise vast quantities of mer
chandize upon the different wharfs, both public and
private. An eflimate of the total loss cannot at pre
sent be made with any degree of certainty. It is, how
ever, generally supposed to be little short of 500,0001.
flerling.
Admiral Rowley, captains Affleck and Hill, major
Pole, with other gentlemen of the army and navy, were
uftfully aftive on this melancholy occasion. Under
their prudent diredion, the several houses were blown
up, arid by that means the remainder of the town was
happily-preserved.
Though the late dreadful conflagration appears to
have happened by accident, yet that there are incen
diaries amongst us, is too evident to admit of a doubt
for on Thursday night an attempt was made to burn
the house adjoining to doctor Briant in Duke-street
several bricks had been taken out of the wall, and &
fire flick prepared with tar put through the aperture.
A naked negro was perceived at this work and cl@;ely
pursued, he however made his escape.
By captain Brookhoufe we are informed, that the
Porus, captain Carnes, and the Pilgrim, captain Ro
binfan, have taken a ship from Liverpool, bound to
Jamaica, loaded chiefly with provisions.
Capt. Cox, arrived here from St. Euftatia, informs,
that admiral Rodney, with 10 fail of the line from Eng
land, had joined the British fleet in the Weft-Indies,
and that the whole, amounting to 36 fail of the line,
were lying at St. Lucia : that the French fleet, confid
ing of 34 fail of the line, lay at Martinico.
KINGSTON, (Jamaica,) February 9.
Between one and two o'clock on Sunday morning, a
fire broke out at the house of Mary Wett, a free qua
droon, the north fide of Harbour-Preet, and three doors
from Princefs-fireet ; supposed to have been occasioned
by the carlefsnefs of a negro w^man, who had been em
ployed in ironing linen; a Prong wind from the north
at the fame time prevailing, the flames were almost in
flantaneoufly communicated to the adjoining houses,
and raged with such violence as to baffle every attempt
that was made to extinguish them. Innumerable flakes
of fire were carried by the breeze, and lodged upon
the roofs on the opposite fide of Harbour street, which
communicating with the flores in Port Royal-flreet, a
feene of horror presented itfelf to view, of which none
but those who are acquainted with the situation can have
an adequate conception. The conflagration was truly
dreadful, rapidly hastening to the deftrudion of the
most valuable spot in the Weft-Indies. Several Acres
were blowed up by order of the magistrates, with a
view of flopping the progress of the flames, but with
out producing the desired effect; it was, however, at
last, happily accomplished, but not without the intire
demolition of Mr. Allwood's vendue store, the cor
ner of Harbour and King streets, with all the other
dores from thence to the water fide, as likewise the
market house. A Negro girl in the house of Mary Weft,
where the fire began, having been chained to a large
weight for some misdemeanor, unhappily perished in
the flames.
B O ST O N, April 18.
A gentleman came to town yesterday, who arrived
at Salem on Tuesday last, in a short passage from Mar
tinico, who informs, that admiral Rodney lately arriv
ed at Barbadoes from England, with 11 or 12 fail of
the line, where he joined admiral Hood's squadron,
whose united force made 37 line of battle ships, besides
one of 50 guns, and a number of frigates : that a French
fleet of about 80 fail of vessels, having oh board 5000
troops, with three fail of the line and several frigates,
were fafe arrived at Martinico from France, and the
whole force of count de Graffe at that island, confided
of 37 fail of line of battle ships, besides frigates: That
several French men of war, besides those at'Martinico,
were gone to Hispaniola, where they were to be joined
by a Spanish squadron, which would make 20 fail of
the line, which, with a large body of troops, 'twas said
were soon to proceed against Jamaica.
By an intelligent person who came in the above ves
sel from Martinico we learn, that the squadron com
manded by admiral Hood was badly manned ; t ? e ships
lately arrived under admiral Rodney had nearly their
complement. A number of the British officers at Bar
badges expressed their regret at the continuance of a
war in which Britain had been so long on the loosing