The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-12-24 00:00:00, page 3

“ At a meeting held the 29th of September, at the
French minifler's, there were present messieurs Fi:z
herbert and Oswald, on the part of Great-Britain ; Dr.
Franklin and Mr. Jay, from America ; the count
D'Aranda, ambassador from Spain : and M. de Ber
hemode, and another person, from Holland ; who all
produced their credentials from their refpeHive courts,
fully authorifing them to treat, and to fettle the pre
liminaries of a general peace. These ambassadors are
to meet again in a few days."
Extract of a letter from the Hague, Sept. it.
<' On 1 uefday Mr. Adams, the American minister,
had a conference with the slates general, when the trea
ty of amity and commerce between the thirteen united
slates of America and this republic was signed by their
high mightinesses."
OH. 26. The pensions of American refugees are flop
ped, by order of his majesty, till a new ad can be
made, which shall exclude those who have too long
been undeserved objects of Great-Britain's charity.
Mr. chancellor Pitt is to have the arrangement of this
business.
This day it was reported on change, that the Ville
de Paris was seen by a Portuguese vessel, which is ar
rived at Offend, bearing away for Lisbon.
CHATH A M, December 18.
Copy of a letter from count de Vergennes to general
Washington, dated at Versailles the 29th of July,
1782.
SIR,
IT is not in quality of a king, the friend and ally
of the united states (though with the knowledge
and consent of his majesty) that I now have the ho
nour to write to your excellency. It is as a man of
sensibility, and a tender father, who feels all the force
of paternal love, that I take the liberty to address to
your excellency, my earnest solicitations in favour of
a mother and family in tears. Her situation seems the
more worthy of notice, on our part, as it is to the
ciation will take place till the end of another cam
paign.
It nry be said that times are changed in favour of
America, since the year 1776, upon which it is to be
observed, that from the great support rebellion receiv
ed in our own senate, the colonies persisted in their de
termination to shake off the British government, and
gained some important advantages in the field; but if
it be asserted, that at the time Mr. Fox was in office,
the provinces were in a state to prosecute the war with
vigour, or indeed to support it with a chance of suc
cess, for another campaign, we dircdly appeal to the
rebel accounts, describing their own oeceffities and
impoverilhed state, as an incontrovertible evidence of
the contrary. The address of the loyalists to the Bri
tish commissioners at New-York, published lately in
this paper, Rates the miserable situation of the colo
nies, and laments that at a moment when we had the
faireft profpe&of bringing them once more under the
dominion of England, a vicious fyflem in the cabinet
at home, should, in a moment, blast all the r hopes.
However, the public will soon be officially informed
on thin very important fubjeß, as fir Guy Carleton's
dispatches a r e shortly expelled. He will truly inform us
fefpeding the temper and condition of the colon es, and
from thence the people will be enabled to judge, with
tolerable precision, what species of reward Mr. Fox is
entitled to for the services he has done his country.
" Monday, October 7. The merchantmen arrived
yesterday here from Jamaica, are as follows: the Lon
don, the Otley, Dianna, Peter, Bellona, Bedford, Ash
ley, Prince George, Jamaica Planter, Friendship, La
dy Taylor, St. Ann's Planter, and British Hero
“ Tne accounts brought by these ships are truly
melancholy; the gale of wind, the 16th ult. in lat 42.
50. long. 48. 33. caused a general dispersion, and prov
ed fatal to some of the men of war and merchantmen.
The Ramilies, 74, admiral Graves, captain Moriatry,
after having loft all her maffs, and thrown all her guns
over-board in the night, was providentially, in the
morning of the 17th of September, in this distressed
condition, in the middle of the foregoing merchantmen,
inafters of which, at great hazard, saved all the crew,
except those loft when the masts and yards went by the
board. Captain Moriatry, and 200 of the crew, are
arrived here. Just after they left the Ramilies, she
wvent down.
" The Centaur, 74, loft all her masts, rudder and
bowsprit, and was left under the care of the Ville de
Paris, which weathered the gale furprizingly, having
only carried away a topsail-yard; it was feared the
Centaur must be scuttled or burnt, as her situation was
very dreadful."
Extract of a letter from Paris.
LONDO N, October 10.
It appears that ad. Graves, who had tne charge of the
homeward-bound Jamaica convoy, kept a very north
ward course, to avoid the enemy's cruizers, which he
apprehended might be detached to intercept and pick up
the tardy ships of the convoy. His flag was flying on
board the Ramifies from his departure from Jamaica
to the moment it was found necessary to quit her, for
the preservation of the lives of her crew. She loft her
mails on the 10th of last month in a violent gale of wind,
and continued ungovernable till the 19th, when she
was abandoned and left finking. She was then in lat.
42. 20. north, long. 17 weft. A number of ships of the
convoy were observed foundering between the 13th and
19th of September, though most of the crews were
saved.
Every day furnifhes us with frefh advices of the me
lancholy eff Hs of the violent storm which the Jamaica
fleet met with off the banks of Newfoundland. Yes
terday intelligence was received of the Ann, captain
Sherrin, for London, and the Mentor, captain White
fide, for Liverpool, having foundered ; their refpedive
crews were saved, but we are sorry to find upwards of
thirty persons perished on board the Dutton, old In
diaman, several of whom were officers, and some French
prisoners. Upwards of thirty fail belonging to this fleet
are yet unaccounted for,
ExtraH of a letter from Plymouth, Odober 8.
From the New York Gazette, of Thursday last.
humanity of a nation, at war with her own, that she
has recourse, for what she ought to receive from the
impartial justice of her own generals,
I have the honour to enclose your excellency a copy
of a letter which Mrs. Afgill has just wrote me. I
am not known to her, nor was I acquainted that her
son was the unhappy vi&im, destined by lot to expi
ate the odious crimp that a formal denial of justice
obliges you to revenge. Your excellency will not read
this letter without being extremely attested; it had
that affe& upon the king and queen, to whom I com
municated it. The goodness of their meje flies hearts
induce them to desire, that the inquietudes of an un
fortunate mother may be calmed, and her tenderness
reassured. I feel, fir, that these are cases where hu
manity itfelf exads the most extreme rigor; perhaps
the one now in question may be of the number; but
allowing reprisals to be just, it is not let's horrid to
those who are the victims ; and the character of your
excellency is too well known for ire not to be persuad
ed that you desire nothing more than to be able to a
void the disagreeable necessity.
There is one confederation, fir, which, though it is
not decisive, m,y have an influence on your resolution,
captain Afgill # doubtless your prisoner, but he is a
mong those wh„ the arms of the king contributed
to put into your hands at York Town. Although
this circumßance does not operate as a fafeguard, it
however juftifies the interest I permit myfelf to take in
this affair. If bis in your power, fir. to confider and
have regard to it, you will do what is very agreeable
to their majeflies ; the danger of young Afgill, the
tears, the despair of his mother, affeft them sensibly;
and they will fee with pleasure tire hope of consolation
shine out for those unfortunate people.
In seeking to deliver Mr. Afgill from the fate which
threatens him, I am far from engaging you to seek a
nother viaim, the pardon to be perfectly (atisfaHory,
must be entire. Ido not imagine it can be productive
of any bid con sequences. If the English general has
not been able to punish the horrible crime you com
plain of, in so exemplary a manner as he should, there
is reason to think he will take the most efficacious mea
sure« to prevent the like in future.
I sincerely wish, fir, that my mterceffion may meet
success ; the sentiment which dictates it, and which you
have not ceased to manifeft on every occasion, affure*
me that you will not be indifferent to tne prayersand
to the tears of a family which has recourse to your
clemency through me. L is rendering homage to your
virtue to implore it. I have the honour to be, with
the mod perfect consideration, fir, four's, &c.
Signed, De Vergennes.
Philadelphia, Dec. 24.
We can, from good authority, inform our readers
that a commission has passed the great fed of Great-
Britain, authorifing Mr. Richard Oswald of the city
of London, to treat with the united Rates of America,
or their commissioners, in the general neg relation for
a peace at Paris, A copy of this coirmißion was yes
terday morning read in congress.
When the Danaefrigate left France, a report pre
vailed that the British fetdement ofMadras, in the East-
Indies, had been taken by Hyder Ally's troops, assist
ed by the French forces in that quarter.
By several late arrivals from the Wrß.lndies, w e
have great reason to suppose that the count d'Eflaing
will shortly mike his appearance in that quarter, at
tne head of al very rHphaable naval force.
Ex raft of k letter from Rochfort, dated ORo. 24.
" We have not lately had any very fausHHory
news from Gibraltar, the English leaving kept up a
firing^ith ted hot bullets against xhe floating batte-
Copy of a letter from Mrs. Afgill to count de Vergen
ne , dated London, July iB, 1782.
SIR,
IF the politeness of the French court will permit an
application of a stranger, there can be no doubt but
one in which all the tender feelings of an individual
can be interefled, will meet 1 th a favourable recepti
on from a nobleman, whose character does honour not
only to his own country, but to human nature. The
fubjed, fir, on which I presume to implore your assist
ance, is too heart-piercing for me to dwell on ; and
common fame has, most probably, informed you of it;
it therefore renders the painful talk unnecessary. My
son, (an only son) as dear as he is brave, amiable as
he is defer ring, to be so, only nineteen, a prisoner un
der articles of capitulation of York-Tewrt, is now con
fined in America, an obje& of rc-talliition. Shall an
innocent fuffer for the guilty ? Represent to yourfelf,
fir, the situation of a family under these circumstances,
surrounded as I am by obieHs of diflrefs ; dißraHed
with fear and grief; no words can express my feeling
or paint t e feene. My husband given over by his
piyfibans, a few hours befo e the news arrived, and
not in a Rare to be informed of the misfortune; my
daughter felled with a fever and delerium, raving a
bout her brother, and without one interval of reason,
save to hear heart-alleviating circumstances. Let your
feelings, fir, suggest and plead for my inexpressible mi
sery. A word from you, like a voice from Heaven,
will save us from diffraction and wretchedness. I am
well informed general Washington reveres your cha
racter ; fay but to him you wish my son to be released,
and he will reflore hm; to his dißrafled family, and
render im to happiness My fon's virtue and brave
ry wifo jußify the deed. His honour, fir, carried lion
to America. He was born to affluence, independence,
and the happiest profpeHs. Let me again supplicate your
goodness ; let me r^fpeHfußy implore your high influ
ence ; in behalf of innocence ; in the cause of justice, of
humanity ; that you would, fir, dispatch a letter to gene
ral Washington, from France, and favour me with a co
py of it, to be sent from rence. I am sensible of the liber
ty I take in making this requefl ; but I am sensible that
whether you comply with it or not, you will pity the
distress that fuegefts it ; your humanity will drop a
tear on the fault and efface it. I will pray that Heaven
may grant you may never want the comfor; it is in
your power to beflow on A S G I' L L.
ries ; but we are in expectation of hearing better news
the English fleet having been dis perfed ; 28 of their
vessels are in the channel, pursued I y 46 of the crm^
bined fleet, and by a good manoeuvre they may de
stroy or take them, they having no port to retire to
for refuge."#
Extract of a letter from London, dated Aug. 31, 1782.
" I flattered myfelf for feme months pafl, tl at 6,
this day an happy and lading peace wowd have been
effected between this country and America, as I well
know our present minihry have every wish, and shew
every disposition for that deferable purpose.
" The independency of America is absolutely agreed
on in council: I (as one of a committee of merchants
trading to America) was told so by lord Shelburne
himfelf a few days ago.
" The ports of Calais and Dover are open, and mefo
fengers passing daily, on the purport of a general con
gress meeting for terminating the war, of which all
the powers in Europe seem te be heartily tired."
*„* The time appointed by charter, for chufing the
Officers of the American Philosophical Society, held at
Philadelphia, for promoting ufeful knowledge, is the
firft Friday in January every, year, between the hours
of Two and Five in the Afternoon : And tl e Society,
at their last meeting, held on the third Friday in De
cember, fixed the place of holding the next election
to be at the University, of all which, this is due notice
to the Members. By order,
T. MATLACK, Sec.
H. I aylor, L/pho/flerer,
In Font-ftr-e', nea, tv oppefut the C- fF ehotife,
fy[ AKES up all forts of bed and win
dow Curtail in tire newest ^flri<w, line s, taffHs
and f,in%^ for ditto, 'ea her Bed: cd M tr ff^, car
or,, ?r,v re |. ? Truths, C-.nre*n&, V^bi^s, tea Cois,
Hammocks. Sacking Bit ms S phas • nd. Chair, ftvff
eJ in in- Lui main i. (Lnreaen <f the army may
b ra foorbed ^ith anv kind of Cmp equipage, on fhert
notices 4
N. B. For Lie a genteel four poSed b<dftead, wi'h
a cornice ami green mor cn fshuhure, n ad? to drat,
in double drapery.
4t4 -A Watch Chain, with several trinkets of gold,
was Loft last Saturday, near the Barracks. Whoever
will deliver it to the Printer shall be well Rewarded.
0„ THURSDAY Next,
At NINE ('Clock in the M ORNIN G,
Will be Sold by Public Auction,
At the House of THOMAS HALE, near the Neff
Gaol, in Walnut street—Sundry
Houfhold GOOD S,
Confining a$ follows, viz.
OF Feather Be/s, Beadfteads, Curtains, B ankets,'
Locking- Glass„, glass Tumblers, m hoganv and
other Tables, Chairs, Potts, Kettles, and other Kitch
en Furniture; with sundry Gin Cases with Bottles,
Spinning Wheels, and a number of Sashes, glals Bot
tles. &c. and a Ten Plate Stove w th Pipe compleat.
De. 23. JOHN BAYARD, Auaioneer.
A Few Bales of Royal Laval Linens and
Flande-s Sheeting to be fold, by Christopher, jun.
and Char es Marshall, at their Drug and Colour ttors,
in Chefnut street, Philadelphia. Dec. 23.
William Tanner,
TAKES this method to inform 'he Public in gene
ral, and hs Friends in particular, that he has
opened a GROCERY STORE, at the north-east cor
neref (hefnut ,nd Wa?r streets :—And as his House
isHrge and pleasantly situated, can Accommodate four
or five Gntlemen with genteel Lodgings. Dec. 23.
_ French Gentleman, who has learned
both the English and his own language by prin
ciples, <ff'rs to teach the Gentlemen and Ladies, who
may be desirous to le^rn either of thrm. It dpes not
become him to vaunt his own abilities; but he slitters
himfe'f, the progress cf hi r fchol 4 rs will convince them,
that he is not ill qualified for the undertaking. The
pleasing profp?& of a long inierc orfe of trade and
friendfhip, between the Americans ?nd his countrymen,
points out the ufefulnefs of these to f fh'onahle, and so
n. iverHllv admired languages, in too strong a manner
to render it necessary to expatiate in favour of the learn
ing of them.
The said Gentleman will tr?rflrte ary piece <f writ
ing from either of these languages into the other, an 4
keep the ftri&Ht frcre~v, if required.
He Lodges at the north- weft corner house, hut on%
cf Fourth and Wa nut sheets. Dec. 23.
L s O S T,
() N Wednefdav afternoon left, near the corner of
Fourth and P uen streets, two plain Gold RINGS,
they were wrapped up in a small piece of pin ed paper
some time before t'e were m ff m d. If anv person has,
or shall hereafter find them, and he so kind as to car
ry them to the printer, A GUINEA reward wit he
thankfully driven for their trouble, and ro farther quei
tubs asked. Dec. 24. 1782.
TO BE S
Handfeme, young Negro Man,
n neteen y^ars old; fit for t ^n 0 country business.
Erqwr o f the Printer. Dec. 23.