The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-10-16 00:00:00, page 2

To the Printer of the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET.
SIR'
WHEN piffage and miflake give way to candor and
benevolence, we fenfibiy forget the injury in con
templating the etFcd and pay a reverence to virtue tho'
provoked into action by a fault. The late unfortunate af
fair of the fourth inst. will, to different minds, admini
ster a different melicine. Surviving relations will feel as
nature teaches; their part requires no invention, needs
no apology, and whoever were to blamethey are to be pi
tied. Those who unfortunately tell on either fide, have
paid a martyrdom to mistake, and diftinguiihd them
selves as the hmenttd viHims of wafted bravery. In the
fefter sentiments of a thoughtful world, the whole affair
will become a subject of concern ; and the only confola
tiom it affords, is the hope of feeing the fame degree of
spirit exerted acainft the enemy, which, w rped by error
and aggravated by passion, produced a tumult in which
no one enemy fell.
The countenance of the city during that affair, wore an
nnufual contemplative gloominess. It had nothing of tnat
hetted appearance which accompanies the disturbances of
other countries, and was totally veid of that eagerness
of emerprife winch takes place against a known enemy.
Neither Whig nor Tory could rejoice; all were at a
ftanl; concern produced in the one what dread created
in the other ; and or once the city was affi flediy united.
Neither can I fee any hope t e enemy can derive, wuen
they learn the story with its causes and confequ n es. As
a misfortune which we lament, it may to them become a
matter of malignant joy ; but it promises them notni g;
it neither gives encouragement to their arms, nor invita
tion to their artifice; it neither indicates unwillingness to
the field, nor wariness in refitting. On the contrary, it
holds out to them a redundancy of zeal, a vehemence of
spirit, which, however injudicious in its plans, or unfor
tunate in its effeas, was intentionally aim d at their abet
tors.
It was the fourth of October. The anniversary of the
adion at Germantown. A day, difiinguilhed by perplex
ities and cenfigned to misfortune. Whether the cir^um
flance occurred at. the time he matter was con erted, is
what I have not authority even to gueis upon ; but be that
as it \pay, we cannot but lament that the events of the
evening sh mid, in both inftduces, close with a tear the
spirits of the morning.
As it is one es those occurrences which it is unpleasant
to enquire into, I with not to know more titan I already
know, nor indulge any otner thoughts on the fubjefts than
what may tend to abate t. e painfulnefs of remembrance,
and exunguifh the acrimony which error may have kin
dled. It i- oe , and tnank God it was no worse. But
were nothing 1 id tt.e matter might fuller abroad by ag
gravated mitre pr.fentation. The deaths of three men
might be multiplied into as many hundreds, and perpetu
ity be ad led *o the contention of an hour.
That nothing more was meant by those who assembled
on the Commons than to remove persons fufpeded of dif
a lection, is uuivfrfdly contented to; and in this light
their design w is naturally prompted by an attachment to
the cause of an injured country. The difficulty of at
tempting such a measure, the hazard of executing it, and
the confequenLCS which might probably ensue, without
firft obtaining an authoritative fandisn and content, were
matters which d© Pot always accompany an excels of
zeal. Those whose talent it ^to aft, ate seldom much
devoted to deliberate thinking ; and f eling that they mean
well they suppose it impoffinle to be wrong, and in the
confidence of success overlook the trouble that lies con
cealed. Where is the man who has not, in his turn, ex
claimed, tnat the Tories ought to be removed; and who
had those men laid hold of, that could be deemed a Whig ?
The merfure, while it existed in words, was a measure es
popularity ; and every one who has promoted it in con
verfation, has prompted them on.
On what occasion, or by what contrivance a number of
Gentlemen were brought together in Mr Widow's house,
makes up the most mysterious part of the business. As
far as I can discover, I cannot find the ie&ft trace where
on to conclude that any one who went there had the Ie ft
reason to be apprehensive of his own fafety. T ey must,
in general, have been induced by mifreprefentuion tho'
some, I am well assured, were led by a generous intention
of preventing mhchief; and pity it is their advice was not
taken. That Mr. Wilson is not a favourite in toe State,
is a matter which, I presume, he is fully sensible es ; yet
the difference is exceedingly gre .t, between not being in
favor and being confiJered as an enemy. But that he who
never armed when tie country was in danger, Ihould arm
his house to provoke danger, and draw to it a number of
Gentlemen at the hazard of their lives, when a timely ap
plication to the Civil Power might have prevented every
thing, was at once both unconstitutional and unfriendly,
a disregard to the laws of the State and the peace of the
city. By this imprudent conduct, parties became pitted
who knew not each other ; and that waich had the appear
ance of a challenge, produced an action.
The affiiaicn which followed, soon extended itfeff over
the city. Every one asked what was the matter; how it
began ; w'o were the persons, with every other question
of curiefity concern, and still the matter was inve
loped ia darkness ; tome (uppofed one thing, and some
another, without b< ing able to fatisty themselves or those
who enquired. But when the parties in and out of the
house were known, and beeame known to each other, the
animofi y began to sub de; and the whole, exclusive of
the impru ence, explained itfelf into a tragedy es errors.
ft generally happens that distress is the forerunner of
benevolence , at lead it f rues to quicken into aflion that
which might otherwise take a longertime to awake. The
sickness which has so generally prevailed through the city,
added to t e misfortune already mentioned, has been toe
means of ft ing on foot two well intended fubferiptions;
tue one for te relief of the families of those who were
killed or woun led on the fourth instant, the other for re
lief of the ficK and distressed in the several wards.
Both of them nave been liberally supported ; and most of
the persons botn in and out of the house, who could afford
it, have been ample contr butors. How different this, to
that spirit of rancor which generally accompanies, and
most aifuredly succeeds, premeditated don.eftic feuds. It
calls back the mind to a Rate of serenity ; and shews, by
the most convincing proofs, that the affair, now too late
to be remedied, was not the quarrel of enemies or of par
ties, but the unfortunate blunder of friends.
C S
PHILADELPHIA, Odober 16.
Extras of a letter from Weft Point, Oflober g, 1779*
" Capt. M. is now at breakfaft in General Greene's
marquee : he is immediately from New- York. He informs
us. tnat a report is in thecity, that Count D'Eflaing has
captured all the British troops at the Southward, and ta -
en all their Flipping and baggage. The people are in great
conflernation in the city, and are under fearful apprehen
fiens, that the Count will shortly be on that coast. They
are fortifying, with all possible expedition, every advan
tageous place in and about the city, and have eleven ves
sels ready to fink in the channel at the Hook. Every pos
sible exertion is making on board their (hipping, in case of
an attack. In (hort, the whole city is one feene of con
fufion and fear."
Extract of a letter from Pittsburgh, September 16, 1779°
" The many Savage barbarities and horrid depreciati
ons, committed by tne Seneca and Muncy Nations upon
the Weflern frontiers, had determined Col. Broadhead,
as the moR effectual way to pre ent such hoflilities in
future, and revenge the pafi, to carry the war into
their own country, and flake a decisive blow at their
towns.
“ On the nth ©f August, our little army, confining
only of fix hundred and five rank and file, marched from
Pittsburgh witn one month's provision; at Mahoning, if
miles above the Old Kittanning, we were detained four
days by the excessive rains, from whence (leaving the ri
ver which rolls in a thousand meanders) we pro erded by
a blind path leading to Cufcufhing, thro'a country almost
impassible, by reason of the ftupen Jous heights and fright
ful declivities, with a continued range of craggy hills, o
verspread with fallen timber, thorns and underwood, here
and there an intervening valley, whose deep impenetrable
gloom has always been impervious to the piercing rays of
the warmest fun. A; Cufcuih ng (which is 15 miles above
Venango) we crossed the Alleghany, and continued our
r. ute upon its bnks. But here our march was rendered
still more difficult by the mountains which jutted cleft up
on the river, forming a continued narrow aefile, allowing
us only the breadth of an Indian path to march upon. In
the miJftof one of these defiles, our advanced p rty, con
sisting of 15 White men and 8 Delawares, difeovered be
tween 30 and 40 Wa, ri>rs lauding from their canoes, who
having also seen part of our troops, immediately dripped
themselves and prepared for a&ion. Lieutenant Harding,
who commanded our advance, disposed his men in a semi
circular form, and began he attack with such irrefid ble
fury, tomohawk in hand, that the Savages could not long
sustain the charge, but fled with the utmost horror and
precipitation, some p ungihg themselves into the riv r,
and others, favored by the tbicknefs of the bushes, made
their escape on the main, leaving five dead on the fi Id,
without any loss on our fide, except three men (lightly
wounded. Upon the firft alarm, supposing it to be more
serious, the army was arranged for fight, both officers and
men, enraged at their former cruel les, and animated by
the ealmnefs resolution and intrepidity of the commandant,
(hewed the utfooft ardor to engage; and had the adion
been general, we had evety profpea of the most ample
success from a brave commander, at the head of brave
men. Continuing our march, we arrived the fame day
at Bu haloons, where leaving our baggage, flores, &c. un
der a guard, proceeded to their towns with the utmost dis
patch, which we founl at the diflance of about twenty
milts farther, with extensive corn-fields on both sides of the
river, but defected by the inhabitants on our approach.
Eight towns we set in flames, and committed their pagod
and war pofis to the river ; the corn was our next object,
which, in three days, we cut down and piled into heaps,
amounting in the whole to near 600 acres, without the
lead interruption from the enemy.
" Upon our return we several times crossed a creek about
ten miles above Venango, remarkable for an oily liquor,
which ouzes from the fiJes and bottom of the channel,
anithe adjacent springs, much resembling British oil, and
if applied to woolen cloth, burns it in an instant.
" After burning the old tqwns of Conauwago and M&-
hufquachiakocken, we arrived at Pittsburgh the 14th inst.
with the icalp; we had taken, and 30,000 dollars worth of
plunder, having in the course of 33 days compleated a
march of near 400 miles, thro' a country the Indians had
hitherto thought impenetrable by us, and court iered as a
(efficient barrier for the security of their towns, and indeed
nothing but the absolute necessity of such a measure, and
a noble Spirit of enterprize, could be a fufficient induce
ment to undertake so arduous a talk, and encounter those
diffi ulties and obstacles which require the most consum
mate fortitude to furmount.''
Ata General Election, held ths twelfth day of October
instant, for the county of Philadelphia, the following
Gentlemen were duly elected viz.
Counfellor. His Excellency Joseph Reed Esquire.
Representatives in General Affemby. Robert Knox,
John By ri, Robert Lollar, jofeph M'Lean, Edward
Heston, Willi:m C ats, Daniel Heister, Samuel Mechlin,
Archibald Thomson
Sheriff's. James Claypoole, Chriflopher Ludwig.
Coroners Robert Jewel, William Moulder.
Commissioner. Robert Curry, 01 Providence.
Affeff°rs. Chri im Say ier, Nathan Gibson, Jacob
Laughlin, George Schloffer, Thomas Shields, Prefly
Blakifton.
CHESTER COUNTY.
Counsellor; Joseph Gardner.
Representatives. David Thomas, Henry Hayes, John
Fulton, James Boyd, Patrick Anderson, Joseph Parke,
William H arris, Sketchley Morton, John Culbertson, John
Fleming. ( lbefe three last mere equal in note, though one
only be eligible.)
Sheriffs. David Mackay, John Gardner.
Coroners. David Denny, Allen Cunningham.
Commissioner. Benjamin Brannan.
Assessors. Joseph M'Call, John Lindsay, Gideon Ir
win, Joseph Strawbridge, Samuel Denny, John Bartholo
mew.
BERKS COUNTY.
Representatives. Gabriel Heifler Sebastian Levan,
Valentine Eckart, Christian Laur, George Egee, Jonathan
Jones.
Sheriff's. Henry Haifa, Philip Kramer.
Coroners. John Spohn, Jaraes Whitehead.
Commissioner. Thoraas Jones.
Assessors. Joseph Sands, John Robinson, John Rice,
George Kletchner, J®hn Hartman, Vernor Stam.
TH E Subferibers to the City Assembly are
requested to meet at the City Tavern on Tuesday
the nineteenth instant, at Ten o?clock A. M. for the
purpose of cboofing Managers for the ensuing sea on.
TH E New School in Fountain Yard, near
Elbow-Lane, will be opened on Monday evening
the 18th instant, precisely at Six o'clock, for the benefit
of those of riper years, by
SAMUEL PETERS.
Philadelphia, Oaober 16
TO BE SO L D,
At Nine o'clock this mo ning, at the late dwelling
h. use ofAnthony Fortune, deceased, in Shippen
(beet, between Third and Fourth-ftte^s,
ALL his Koufhold Goods and Kitchen Furniture,
confiftirg of feather beds and bedding, tables,
chairs, defk r , looking- l^ffes, piaures, bedheads, and
irons, shovel and tongs ; giafs, delph and china wares;
brafe, copper, pewter and ti> ditto ; a ^od milch cow,
about nine tons of good hay, and a variety of wearing
apparel, &c. &c. &c.
Ad persons having any demands against the estate are
desired to produce the fame, properly abetted ; and all
periods who stand indebted, >.re called on by this notice
to ditcharge the fame immediately, and save any fur
ther trouble or expence.
NICHOLAS BERNARD ].. . .
JAMES HAM, JAdmimftrato^
TO BE S O L D,
At the Coffee house, on Wednesday evening nex<at
Six o'clock, if not before disposed of at private sale,
A FRAME HouL and Lot of Ground, situate on
the eatt fide of Third street, above the Barracks,
in the Northern Liberties, containing in breadth te feet
and in depth 115 feet; the house is printed blue, well
built and in good repair; fubjea to a ground-rent of
31. 15s. currency per annum.
A valuable piece of Land situate near Nice Town,
about a mle this tide of Germantown, containing ,
acres and 20 perches, most of which may be made into
meadow. There is on the premises a good tenantable
house, and all fenced in.
A large Lot of Ground situate on the no th fide of
°' n ,. ftrcet, between front and Second Greets, in the
diftfict of Southwark, containing in front 6e feet, and
in depth 100 and a half feet: It can be easily divided
into three lots o' 20 feet each. Clear of incumbrances.
An excellent tra& of patented Land situate on the
south fide of the weft branch es Sufquthanna river, part
ly opposite the Long Hland in the Oval Lime- done Val
ley, in the county of Northumberland, containing 1000
aa es and allowance. This trail is very rich, well wood
ed and watered, and a very large quantity of excellent
meadow may be made.
To be SOLD on Saturday evening, at Six o'clock,
A valuable piece of Upland and Meadow Ground, si
tuate on the south-east fide of the road leading to the
Province Island, about five miles from the city, con
taining near eight acres, the Upland well manured, and
the whole enclosed with a good new cedar post and rail
fence. It is leafed.
To be SOLD at Private Sale,
A valuable piece of banked Meadow Ground, situate
about fix miles from the city, in Paffyunk township,
bounded by the river Schuylkill, lands of William Jones,
John Hamits, and Reels Meredith, deceased, contain
ing near 23 acres.
Any perlon inclining to purchase any of the above
premifts may know the terms by applying to Bonsall
and Sh emaker, at their office in Fourth-street, below
Spruce street; who have a great number of lonfes,
plantations, lots of ground and unimproved lands en
tered in laid office for ( le, a description of which would
be tedious in an advertisement.
Wanted at said office, a Clerk who writes a good
band. Such a one will have good wages given.
"WAN t E ^rir^irrpi^^
A NUMBER of able-bodied Men, that can be well
" Recommended, to serve in the nightly Watch, and
to whom good wages will Ie iven. Any such willitf
to serve in that Nation, are desired to apply to ALEr
ANDER CARLISLE, Constable.
To be SOLD by toe Subscriber,
Living in Tren on,
A STOUT likely NEGRO MAN, about twenty.
" three years of age, by trade a blacksmith; he un
derstands horse flioeirg well, likewise can do any kind
of labouring work. For further particulars enquire of
HEZEKIAH HOWELL
At a Court of Oyer ani Terminer and Goal Delivery
holden last week at Lancafler, Dennis Dunn, yeoman, was
convicted of burglary and larceny, in breaking in the
night time the house of John Warnock, of Little Britain
township, about the tenth of June last, and robbing him
of Sixteen Pounds in money The warrant is issued for
his execution on Saturday the 23d instant.
Married, on the evening of the ,c. inst, the Rev. Mr.
ROBERT KEITH, Chaplain to the Continental
frigate Confederacy, to Miss POLLY ADA MS,
Daughter of Mr. James Adams, Printer in Wilmington.
In CONGRESS, Odober 14, 1,79.
Refolded, That the thanks of Congress be given to His
Excellency General Wafhin,ron for directing, and to Ma
jor-General Sullivan, and the brave officers and soldiers
under his command, for effectually executing an impor
tant expedition against fu h of the Indian Nations as en
couraged by the Councils, and conducted by the officers
of his Britannic Majefly, had perfidioufly waged an un
provoked and cruel war against these United States, laid
waste many of their defencelefs towns, and with savage
barbarity slaughtered the inhabitants thereof.
Extrafl from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.