The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-08-14 00:00:00, page 2

The last Will qWTestament of OLD ENGLAND,
lOldI Old England, being in a very weak and languishing
fate, through voluptuousness and loss of blood, do
make and ordain, this my last Will and 1 eflament, in the
following manner, viz.
Imprimis. I do give and bequeath unto the ft ifhops of
St. ^faph an'd Peterborough, tv be equally divided be
them, alAry religion.,
2 I.rive all my virtue andtincerity to the worthy mem
bers of the minority in the House of Commons.
' - I give all my knowledge in politics to Lord Cambden
and Lord Abingdon, and those other noble Lords who op
posed the Ministry, in their late mischievous and cursed
war in America. h , , „ -, juu
4. I give to my filler Scotland, all my pride and haugh
tiness.
5. I give to my filler Ireland, the oke half of my po
verty, distress and ruin. , \
6. I give to the Earl of Bute and Lord North, all my
treachery and tyranny, to be equally divided between
thera.
7 I give to Lord Howe and General Howe, all my cru
elty, as a reward for their treatment of the American pri
'"s" I give all my low cunning to Lord Mansfield and
Lord George Germaine^
I give my stupidity and obflinacy to the present Mi
°io' I give my power by sea and land to the French
King., .
11. I give my integrity to the King of Spain.
12. I 'give my trade and commerce to the States of
Holland..
[give those abjed mortals ths Tories in America,
one ton of hemp, to be equally distributed amongst them
by Jack Ketch. n
14. I give ail my riaht and title contained in that m©k
glorious traff called Magna Charta, to the United States
of America, to their heirs and assigns for ever
15 I give unto my Colonies in America, viz. Canada,
Nova Scotia, East and Weft Florida, and the Weft-In
dies, the other half of my poverty, distress and rum; and
I do appoint theUnited,States of America, to be the guar
dians of my said Colonies.
Lastly, I nominate, constitute, and appoint the Count
D'Almodavar, to be the executor of this my last Will and
Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set mv
hand and seal, in the palace of Necessity, this 19th day of
April, (just four years from the fatal day, on which my
last opportunity was loft by the blood of America at Lex
ingtoh) Anno Domi 1779. A
." OLD ENGLAND.
Signed, sealed, pronounced and declared
to be the last Will and Testament of the said
Old England, in presence of us, who have
cheerfully fu. G ribed our names.
His Holiness Pope,
His Impudence Mahomet,
His Ignorance Fagan.
The Printers in the United States are desired to regifler
this my Will in their newspapers, for the benefit of those
Legatees who reside in America. Her last words.
O, E.
Test. by a Nova Scotia Refugee.
S I R,
WHEN it was known among the people of Ame
rica, that the greatest Prince on earth had declared,
that as a mark of his special favour to them, he had ap
pointed the Sieur Gerard, who had so great a share in
forming the treaties of amity and commerce fubfifling be
tween the two nations, to reside in these States, as Minifler
Plenipotentiary of France, every friend of his country,
forgetting the calamities of war, rejoiced in the certainty
of a firm and happy eftablilhment of our freedom and in
dependence. When you, Sir, arrived in this city, the
citizens were impressed with too great refpef fto admit of
the utterance of that heart felt gladness, which cheered
and animated every bosom: The greatness of the occasion,
and the'fulnefs of ther joy, railed emotions in their breads,
which the huzzas of a multitude would have disgraced:
And, if there has been any change in their sentiments,
since that time, it has only been the moulding of thole sen
timents of veneration and refped, by your own hand, into
a warm and more cordially affectionate esteem and re
gard.
This Committee, Sir, feel themselves happy in the op
portunity of congratulating your Excellency, on the signal
victory obtained by the fleet of His Most Christian Majes
ty, commanded by His Excellency the Count D'Eftaing,
over the fleet of Great- Britain, under the command of
Admiral Byron, near the island of Grenada, on the sixth
of July last. A victory rendered glorious, even in the
midst of fuccefsful operations, by the extensive and impor
tant consequences, both to France and to America, which
have already flowed from it: And, flill more illustrious by
the manner in which tliat victory has been gained. The
proudest of Britons will tremble when they learn, that
their ships, the boas tand dependance of those insolent
inlanders, were not able to endure the fire of an inferior
In CO M M ITT E E, August 13, 1779.
Resolved, That the Address, presented to His Excel
lency the Sieur Gerard, be published in Mr. Dinlap's pa
per of tomorrow, together with the answer.
J. INGERSOLL, Secretary.
To His Excellency the Sieur GERARD,
Minifler Plenipotentiary of His Most Christian
MAJESTY.
The ADDRESS of the General Committee
of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia.
amplest manner. And as it is the ardent with of America
to promote, as far as her other engagements will permit,
a reciprocal commercial interest with you, I am to allure
you, they will seek every means to eftablith and extend it;
an« it has given the most sensible pleasure to have those
inftru:lions committed to my care, as I have ever retained
the most perfed good will and esteem for the people of
Ireland. And am, with every sentiment of refpefl, their
obedient and humble servant,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Itofailles, O^ober 4, 1778.
PHILADELPHIA.
number of the ships of France. Scarcely recovered from
the prejudices impressed on our minds, while connected
with that haughty people, our surprise at this great event
is only equalled by our joy at the certainty and import
ance of it. The Count D'Eftaing, and the brave officers
under his command, will merit the high honors they can
not fail to receive tor their skill and intrepidity on that
glorious occasion, and they will be for ever peculiarly dear
to all Americans, who will assuredly preserve their names
with all poffible> attention: Even the seamen and soldiers
on board that fleet, will be gratefully remembered, and
their bravery acknowledged on all occasions.
Sir, that superior wisdom which animated and inspired the
heart ofLevels the Sixteenth, the friend of mankind, and in
duced him to reach out his powerful arm for the assistance
and relief ofAmerica,at 2 time when every circumftancecon
fpired to render that aft illustrious and glorious, will, in
duce future ages, even to the latefl, to acknowledge, that
Heaven had reserved for this Great Prince, the most refined
and most important ftr®ke of policy, that ever honoured
the counsels of a King, and the \effeßs of it, encreafing
and extending beyond the reach of imagination, will asto
nish mankind for ages to come. Policy founded on bene
volence, justice and wisdom, mud strengthen with time,
and Thine with encreafing luftre even thru' eternity.
Be allured, Sir, that no nation was ever more sensible of
the benefits of an alliance, than the people of this City and
Liberties are, of the advantages which America derives
from /bat in which file is engaged with the greatest of
Princes, whom you so honorably represent: Nor can any
people be more sincere in their expressions of joy, on any
occasion, than the' citizens of Philadelphia are, upon the
great vi^ory which we have the honor, in behalf of our
selves and our fellow -citizens, now to congratulate -your
Excellency. And we beg you to believe, that the citizens
of Philadelphia regard the person of the Sieur Gerard with
the utmost possible esteem and refpe&.
(Bythe-unanimous vote of the Committee)
Signed, By your Excellency's most obedient
and very humble servant,
JAMES HUTCHINSON, Chairman.
Au Comite General de la Ville et des Libertes de P HI
LADELPHIE.
Messieurs,
JE regois avec la plus vive fenfibilite les felicitations qut
vous m'addreffes en votre nom et en celui des ci
toyens de Philadelphie, fur l'avantage que la marine du
Roi a remporte dans un combat pres de l'ile de la Gre
nade fur la marine Britannique.
Les avantages qui refultent de 'cet evenement pour les
Etats Unis nous rendent nos fheces plus chers. Cette fagon
de penfer est univerfelle en France et je me plais a pre
sumer la meme chose de l'Amerique par cede que les ci
toyens de Philadelphia manifeftent. J'aurai foin de pein
dre leur attention et leur empreffement avec les corcleurs
qu'ils meritent et je ne laifferai point ignorer a Monsieur
Ie Compte D'Eftaing et a la flotte le tribut h honorable des
eloges qu'ils donnent a leur conduite et a leur bravoure.
La m^niere dont vous exprimez vos fentimeos a cette oc
casion respire cette confiance pretieu fe que fa Majefte re
gardera tonjours comme Ie fruit le plu^agreable de l'amitie
sincere et defintereffee qu'eile a vouee aux peoples Ameri
cains, des efforts qu'elle fait pour leur cause et de la reso
lution con ftante ou elle est de deployer toutes les forces que
Dieu lui a confiees pour assurer auffi promtement qu'il fera
possible V liberte, I'independance, la fecurite et le bonheur
de l'Amerique con federee.
Je vois d'un autre cote avec un plaifir infini, Messieurs,
que les citoyens de Philadelphie fentent le prix de la con
duce du Rei envers l'Amerique. L'honneur et I'intefet
de la couronne et de la nation font deformais inseparables
de I'indipepdance et de la profperite des Etats Unis et fa
Majefte qui n'epargne ni le fang ni les trefors de fes fujete
pour l'avantage de la cause commune ne desire d'autre re-
Gompenfe que d'affurer le bonheur des citoyens et des
Etats fes allies. . Elle fe flatte que I'experience ayant appris
a €es peuples sensibles et eclaires a difeerner leurs amis de
leurs ennemis et a juger par eux memes des choses qui les
intereffent, auront reconnu que les ennemis de l'alliance
le font egalement de l'Amerique, et je fuis dans la pleiue
confiance que ces ennemis commons foit publics foit secrets
ne pouffont jamais par leurs manoeuvres Gourdes et leurs
fauffes suggestions, troubler une union auffi deferable.
Il me refte, Messieurs, a vous temoigner toute ma re
connoiffance de toutes les choses obligeantes pout moi per
fonnellement qui fe trouvent dans l' adreffe a la quelle j'ai
l'honneur de repondre. J'ai d^ja regu des marques des
fentimens d'un nombre de citoyens refpebables de Phila
delphie Iw fque je partis pour aller rendre vifite a votre il
luftre General. J'en fus vivement flatte ; les temoignages
que vous voules bien me tranfmettre aujeurd'hui au nous
detous les citoyens mettent le corable a ma farisfaaion et a
ma fenfibilite. Ma conduite a toujours ete celle d'un
homme qui cherchoit a meriter I'eftime des citoyens Ame
ricains et a juftiffier la confiance que peut m'avoir concilie
le zele que j'ai montre pour leur cause. Le judgement qu'en
portent les citoyens refpeHables de cette capitale qui era out
ete les temoins de plus pres, est infiniment honorable pour
moi et je le placerai parmi les evenemens les plus heureux
de ma vie.
GERARD.
A Philadelphie, le 13 Aout, 1779.
The following is a translation of the above Answer.
To the Genera L Co mm 1 t tee of the City and
Liberties of Philadelphia.
Gentlemen,
IR ECEIVE with'the warmest fen fibility thecongra
tulations, which you address to me in your @wn, and
in the name of the citizens of Philadelphia, upon the ad
vantage which his Majesty's navy has obtained over that
of Britain, in an engagement near the island of Grenada.
The advantages which result from this event to the U
nited States, renders our success peculiarly pleasing to us.
This manner of thinking isuaiverfal in France, and I please
myfelf with the fuppbfition, from the sentiments which the
citizens of Philadelphia express, that it is so in America.
I shall take care to represent their attention, and their
warm attachment in thecolours which they merit. And I
shall not fail to inform the Compte D'E ftaing and his fleet,
with this so honorable tribute of praise, bellowed upon
their conduct and their bravery.
The manner in which you express yourselves on this oc
casion, breathes that precious confidence, which his Ma
jesty will ever confider, as the most agreeable effect of that
sincere and disinterested friendship which his Majefly has
pledged 10 the people of America, of the efforts which he
is making on their account, and of his constant refolutioM
to exert all the force which God has intruded to him, to
eftahlilh as soon as shall be possible, the liberty, the inde
pendence, the Security, an^ the happiness of confederated
America.
On the other hand I perceive with infinite pleasure,
Gentlemen, that the citizens of Philadelphia, are sensible
of the value of this His Majesty's conduct towards Ame
rica. The honor, and the interest of the nation are from
this time forward, inseparably connected with the Inde
pendence of these United States, and his Majesty who (pares
neither the blood, nor the treasure of his Subjects for the
advantage ofthe common cause, desires no other record
pence or reward, than 1$ secure the happiness of the citizens
and of the States, his allies. He flatters himfelf that the
sensible and enlightened people of this country, having
been taught by experience; to rifLmguilh tteeir friends from
their enemies, and to judge for themselves, of the things
which concern them, will have found out, and be ready
to acknowledge, that the enemies of the alliance, are equal
ly so to America. And I entertain the fuller confidence,
that those common enemies, whether public or private, will
never be able by their under hand dealing, and their falfe
suggestions, to trouble so defireable a union.
It remains for me, Gentlemen, to teftify to you my ft
cereft acknowledgement for the obliging manner, in which
you have expressed yourselves, with refpe& to me, in th:
address, which I have the honor to answer. I receive!
honorable marks of the favorable sentiments of a number
of refpeflable citizens of Philadelphia, when I set off to pay
a visit to your illustrious General: I was extremely happy
in receiving them. The testimony, which you have be<n
pleased to communicate to me this day, in the name of <ll ?
the citizens, compleats my fatisfa&ion and my joy.
My conduct has always been that ofa man, who endea
voured to merit tire esteem of American citizens, and to
juflify that confidence, which the zeal I had fhownin
their cause might have gained me.
The opinion which the citizens of this city, who have
been the immediate witaeffes of my behaviour, entertain
of me, is infinitely honorable for me, and I shall rank it
amongst the happiest events of my life.
GERARD.
Philadelphia, Augu, 13, 1779.
In CONGRESS, August 2,1 177%
Resolved unanimously, That the Minifler of France be
assured that Congress will-at all times afford every counte
nance and proteaion to the Consuls and other servants of
His Most Christian Majesty within the powers and autho
rities to them delegated by their conflituerts.
That the several appointments of Consuls made, and
which may hereafter be made and approved by Congress,
be duly registered in the Secretary's office, and properly
notified by the President to the Executive Authorities of
the refpe&ive States in whose ports such Consuls may re
side.
Tn CONGRES S, August 12, 1779.
WHEREAS Francis Chevalier de la Nos, Jules Anne
le Moine, Chevalier de Nevfeille, Julian Bouchand and
Job r tJacob du Tetre, fubjefts of his M^ft Christian Ma
jesty, have, by due course of law, recovered judgment
against John Douglass, late Commander of the Privateer
Schooner, called the Hunter, byfcommiffion under Con
gress, for the fam of nine thousand seven hundred and
eighty pounds for injuries they had sustained from the said
John Douglass, while acting under pretext of his said
commission, in seizing and taking the said Francis Cheva
lier de la Nos, Jules Anne le Moine, Chevalier de Neufe
ille, Julian Bouchand and Joseph Jacob du Tetre, their
vessel and cargo ; and that since the said judgment was
obtained, the said John Douglass hath abfeonded out of
the State of Pennsylvania, and eluded the said judgment,
and prevented redress for the said injuries committed :
Therefore
Resolved, That the bond given at the time the said John
Douglass obtained his said commission be put in foit, and
that his said commission be vacated and made void ; and
also, that the said John Douglass be not admitted to hold
any commission under these United States, on board any
fllip or vessel of war, until such time as he shall surrender
himfelf, and abide the said judgment against him, or pro
cure the fame to be reversed, or set aside by due course of
law. Extraa from the Minutes,
CHARLES T HOMSON, Sec.
^^c±^± e d^d^±^^±^J^^
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD;
DAN AWAY on the ninth inst. (Auguff) from
" the f^bferiber, living in Upper Dublin township,
Philadelphia county, a Scotch servant lad named Do
nald Morrisson; he has dark hair and an innocent
look, is about seventeen years of age, and ofa small size
for that age: Had on when he went away, an old home
spun shirt and tow trowfers, nankeen jacket without
sleeves, a pair of black grain calf.fkin ffioes with plated
buckles, and an old fur hat cut round. It is likely he
will make towards Marsh Creek, in York county, as his
father lives there. Whoever apprehends said servant lad
and secures him in any gaol so that his matter may get
him again, fliail have the above reward by applying to
JOHN JARRETT.
That the measures taken by Mr. Holker to procure
four for the fleet of His Most Christian Majesty in the
way of Commerce, have from time to time been made
known unto, and been fully approved by Cengrefs: That
the several proceedings and publications complained of by
the Minifler on that fubje&, are very injurious to the ser
vants of his said Majesty, and that C®ngrefs do highly
disapprove of the fame.
That the President and Supreme Executive Council of
Peonfylvahia be informed, that any prosecutions which it
may be expedient to direct for such matters and things in
the said publications or tranfaflions as may be againftthe
laws of nations, shall be carried on at the expence of the
United States.
1 hat the Minifler of France be informed, that the Pre
sident and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania
have taken proper measures to restore the flour taken from
the Agents of Mr. Holker.
Eretraß from the Minuter,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.