The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-03-27 00:00:00, page 3

On the ALLIANCE between FRANCE find
AMERICA. Translated from a French 1
Paper-•
GENERAL Conway, in his Speech, May 6th, 1780,
j r the house of commons, affert^d that the alii
ance between France and the United States is not na
tural. It is, without doubt, a great gueflion to know
whether it is or not. Before it c^n be resolved, it is
proper to examine what we underhand by a natural
alliance; and this T believe, may be jufily said, that
when two nations have the fame interests in general,
they are natural all es. General Conway observes,
Ift.' " That namre has placed a barrier betweenfFrance
and America;" but nature has placed no other bar
r^r than the ocean and the dflance; and this barrier
iseomlly great between England and America, for
general Conw y will not maintain that nature hath
placed in the confutation of the minds or bodies of the
Americans, certain principles of friendship or of enmi
ty, for one nation more than for another.
The general goes on to observe, that habit has rai
led a barr er between France and America; but lie
ought to have remarked, that, the habits of affedion
or hatred between nations, easily alter according to the
change of circumbances and essential interests. Be
sides,' the fa& is, that the cruelties of the British to
wards the Americans, (cruelties which tin y have been
careful to extend over all parts of America for a long
course of years,) have detached their minds and their
hearts from the Americans ; and I do not know, if at
this day, there exists in Europe, a nation so generally
and frcotdially detail d, as England is by America,
The greater part of the nations of Europe have treated
the Americans with sincerity. France and Spain have
Ihewn esteem, confidence and affection ; and this pro
ceeding has wonderfully changed the habit of the Ame
ricans in this refpeft.
The third barrier of general Conway's indention, is
the difference of language: it is not at all doubtful,
that the difference of language occasions feme dif
ficulty in the communication of allies, but these difficul
ties diminish every day. There, perhaps, never was a
language which Ivas been fludied in the fame time, by
so many perform, as the French language ''s in Ameri
ca: and it is certain, that the language spoken by the
Americans, has never been so much fiu)ied in France,
as firice the present revolution, so that (he ernba#raffment
o£not understanding one anotiier diminishes sensibly every
day.
Religion is the fourth barrier. But let us observe,
in the firft place, that there is not a fufficiency of reli
gion of any kind amongO the great in England, to
render the Americans passionately attached to them. Tn
(the second place, that whatever religion there may be
in England, it is as far from b ing the religion of Ame
rica, as is that of France. The hierarchy of England
is not less disagreeable to America than that of any
other country. Moreover, the Americans know well
that the desire of extending a religion by conqueft,and
of making proselytes by force and intrigue, has difap.
peared in';, great measure anion, fl all other nations of
the world ; and that there remains more of this fpiritin
England, than any where else, The Americans have
had, and flill have more reason to dread that a con
rectiou with England may not be more proper thana
connexion with any other nation ofEurope, to introduce
amongst them a religion, which to them, is disagreea
ble, at least with regard to the bishops and the hierar
chy. The alliance with France contains not any ar
licle that concerns religion. France neither claims,
nor desires any authority or influence over America in
' this refpe&, while England, on the other hand, claims
and proposes to exercise an authority, and to oblige
America, at least. to receive bifllops ; and the British
missionaries, under the pretence of propagating the
gospel in foreign parts, have sent, for a Century pad,
great fu'msof money to America, with a view of sup
porting their religion. This gold has in reality pro
duced this effea, which was expected ; it has corrupt
ed many hearts, and has been the principal source of
toryifm. It follows then, that as long as this religion
shall remain, the alliance of America with France, is
in reality more natural, than the ancient connections
of America with Gteat-Britain, or than any other
connection which she could form.
In fad, every one who will examine seriously, will
fee, that these three circumfiances of habit, language
and religion, will oper te in time to„come, as the na
tural causes of animosity between England and Ameri
ca, because they will facilitate emigration, the loris of
liberty, the deftrudion of religion, the enormity of
the national debt, the diminution of commerce, politic
cal importance in Europe, and of the maritime pow
ers; there are many misfortunes which cannot but
come to pass in England, arid which will, engage many„
of her best fubje&s to go to America ; and thus, the
similarity of manners, language and religion, will
contribute to this emigration. In order to prevent it,
the British government will fee itfelf obliged to employ
every means, and they will believe that they cannot
succeed better, than by nourishing the hatred of the
British nation for the Americans.
The bad difpofitibn of the British is already well
known, and all the world fees, that for a num! er of
years their government is not only given up to pas"
fions, the mofl opposed to the Americans, but has
even taken it for its system, to foment these p flions
in the minds of the people of Great-Britair..
Finally, habit, language and religion, have much
less force than other more essential interests, to ieter
mine the fripndfhip and hatred of nations. It is prin
cipally commerce, which influences national affection
or apimofity. At this day it is easy to fee, that the
mercantile interests of England and America will ?e
from this time incompatible. America will take away,
Qr at leaf! diminish, the commerce 0 England, in
building vefftls, in freight, in whale, cod and every
other kind of filhery, in peltry and fur, finally, in an
infinity cf articles, -which it would be too long to
enumerate. In these reforms America will not inter
sere with France, and on the contrary, she will give -
prodigious facility and advantage to the commerce and
marine of this power. Now there would be p perpe
tual interference between England and America, and
this would be ni leternal source of hatred and war.
America will have need' if the alliance of France to
defend her against the evil designs of England, as
France will have need of that of America, to affifther
againtt the jealousy and the natural and perpetual hos
tilities of G'reat-Brithin.
The limits of territory will be another cohflant
source of disputes. If unhappily a peace is made,l
which will put the British in posse ffion of Canada, No-|
va-Scotia, and the Floridas, or any part of land in;
America ; wil| encroach constantly on the territory of|
the Unit'd States; while France, having renounced|
all territorial jurifdi&ion in America, there will be no
room for any dispute.
It is for these reafohs the people of America, amongst
whom even the farm rs appeared to have examined
more seriously the interests of nations than general
Conway, believe generally, that since they have de
clared tiemfelves independent, England, is become their
natural enemy, and that as far several ages, she has
been, and will always be the nattral enemy of France,
and the natural ally of other natural enemies of
France. America is become the natural friend of
France, and France the natural friend of the United
States: Powers naturally united against a common
enemy, and whose interests will combine a long time
reciprocally secure and favoured by a mutual friend
fllip.
It is very firigular, that the British judge so dog
matically of the interests of all other nations. If we
are to believe them, the Americans hold arid have
held for several years, a condufl wholly contrary to
their interests : France and Spain have a&ed contrary•
to their interests ; Russia and tfie powers of the North,
aft contrary th their interest ; Ireland a&s contrary
to her imereft, &c to that on the whole furface of
the globe, there is but this little Ilie of Gr6at-Britain
that knows her interest, and yet amongst her inhabi
tants, her laws, her associations, her assemblies are
in the fame error with the rest of the world. Thus,
ambngfl all the nations of the World, there is only the
British ministry and its uncertain and changing majo
rity, which aft naturally and agreeable to their true
interests.
The rest of the world nevertheless believe themselves
right, and that it is the British or the Scotch majority
§ who are in the wrong.
Philadelphia, March 27.
Veflepday arrived at Chefler the Hermione, a French
frigate, under the command of Mr. De la Touche,
having been dispatched from the French Squadron on
the evening of the nineteenth. By this vessel we are
informed, that on the 16th there was an aßion be
tween the two fleets, which was maintained for an
hour and a quarter with great spirit by both parties.
The enemy's line was then thrown into disorder, many
of their ships having fuffered much in their rigging,
and one of them so considerably, that her fire entirely
ceased, and she was obliged to bear away before the
wind. The king's ship Le Conquerant, which led the
van of the French line, having sustained the fire of
three of the enemy's fllips, received so much-dartiage,
as not to be in a condition to renew the action, a cir
cumstance Which prevented the French admiral from
tacking upon the enemy, and taking advantage of
their disorder. We shall, in our next, give a more
circumßantial account of this action, which, consider
ing the superiority of the enemy's force, does honor
to the arms of His Most Chriflian Majefly.
The following is a Lift of the refpe&ive Fleets.
Advices were yeftetday received from the Southward <
of an afhon being fought on the 15th inflant, between
general Greene and lord Cornwallis, at Guilford Covert
houfe, in North. Carolina ; that general Greene re
tired a small distance, with intent to renew the combat
next day, but the weather proving unfavourable, pre
vented any farther operations for that time. ' These
are all the particulars yet^ome to hand, and those not
authentic. We apxioufly wait for accounts from au
thority of this event.
Saturday last arrived here the fllip Hope, captain
Heyman, from Port-au Prince.
The Cen'ederacy and Saratoga fllips of war, have
lately carried into Cape Francois a ship of 20 guns,
from St. Euftatia for Jamaica, with a very valuable
cargo on board, said to be part of admiral Rodney's
plunder at St. Eu^atia.
It is fiad a large embarkation has lately taken place
at New. York, and that the light infantry and grena
. diets, of the British drmy, make a considerable part
We hear that the Province Island will shortly be
fold, for the redemption of the bills of credit of this
Hate.,
V The PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, are de-|
fired, to meet next Friday Evening, when ai
ELECTION for new Members is to be held.|
*t* Further Observation, on the Bill for be Sup
port of Government and AdminiOration of Justice, by
a PENNSYLVANIAN, fha<lhavea place in our next.
FRENCH^ Guns.
Conquerant 74
Jason 64
Ardent 64
Duc de Bourgone 80
Neptune ~ 74
Erille 64
Provence 64
4^4
Frigates.
Romulus 44
Hermoine 32
560
BRITISH. Guns.
Bedford' 74
Prudent 64
Europe 64
Royal Oak 74
London 98
America 64
Adamant^
Robust 74
562
1 Frigates.
One of 44
One of 32
One other of 32
The Galatea 28
698 -
TO BE LET,
That elegapt Country Seat; called
Mount - Pleasant,
Situate on the east fide of the river Schufl. ill, about
four miles from town, with finby privileges, and
with or without the benefit of the farm, which is leafed
on the shares. Tof Terms enquire of WILLIAM
M'MULLIN, Enquire, near the New. Market.
—Hi
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
LOST, on Friday afternoon, the 23d infant, in the
Pennsylvania Market, under the butchers Gambles.
A green flk Umbrella,
With a green linen Cate on it, marked on the handle,
with ink, J. P. Whoever brings the said Umbrella to
the Printer hereof, shall receive the above Reward.
Loft, about three Weeks ago,
Two Lottery Tickets,
No. 45,178, and 93,355; they were sealed up in a letx
ter, dire&ed to a gentleman in Lancafcr. Whoever
will deliver them to Mr. Hiners, in Lancaster, or at
tie Widow Gilman's, at the King of Prussia Tavern,
in Market-fireet, will be gratefully thanked.
TO BE SOL D,
By Daniel Sutter,
In Second- Greet, a few Doors above R ce-ftreet,
Lisbon Wine, Jamaica Spirits, Weftindil
and Philadelphia Rum, Souchong and Bohea Tea,
Coffee, lo^f. white and brown Spanish Sugars, Pepper,
Alfpice, Ginger, Lampblack, Glue, Cnalk, boiled
and raw Linked Oil, Sweet Oil, Cotton, cotton and
wool Cards, mens and womans Leather Shoes, a Quan
tity 0! Writing Paper, &c. &c. &c.
Those that are in arrears to the
fubferiber for Ground-rents, wi'l pltale to call on me
at my San's House, in C?tharine-ftreei, Southwark,
and diferar T e the fame ; otherwifa I shall be under the
necOTry ot diffraining on the premises.
A Pasture Lot of about 6 acres, to be let.'
March 23. ANTHONY DUCHE.
Newtewn, March 13, 1781.
Deserted from Newtown, Bucks
county, two>SOLDIERS of the 6th Pennsylvania re.
giment, commanded by Colonel RICHARD HUMP
TON, viz. JAMES DUFFEY, born in Ireland, five
feet five inches kigh, nell built, fair completion, Light
hair, has a fore under his H: cheek 1 Had on a regi
mental coat faced with red, formerly belonged to the
2d Pennsylvania regiment: The other named THO
MAS MOTIMORE, born in Ireland, 5 feet 6 inches
high, dark brown hair, well made, and formerly be
longed to the loth Pennsylvania regiment, has a down
look: Had on a brown coat, leather breeches. Who
ever apprehends and secures said D^faters in any goal,
or delivers them up to any Officer of the Pennsylvania
line, shall receive TWENTY SHILLINGS SPECIE
for each, over and above what C n fallows, by
JOHN STOTESBURY,
Captain of the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Eight Silver Dollars Reward.
P AN-AWAY, last night, from the fubferiber, living
in Lancaster, a NEGRO MAN and WOMANS
each of them about 2, years of age: the Man. a stout,
well set fellow, about 5 feet 3 inches high, hat a four,
gloomy countenance, and a Hopage in his speech : The
Woman, a flout, (mart wench, is marked with the
small pox, and can read Eoglifi); had on und took
with them, a brown cloth coat, a light coloured faga
thoy ditto, one fine broidcloath, light coloured, waiff
coat, one pair of muff coloured cm duaroy breeches, one
pair of buckskin ditto, two tow shirts, and three fine
homespun ditto, two low fhifts and four homespun die.
a broad striped, blue and white, cotton petticoat and
short gown, due blue and white linen, damped, petti
coat and fhart go^r, a yellow Griped polanee, calico
jacket, a light coloured cali o fho t gown, two striped
lintey petticoats, with one short gown of the fame, one
wool bat hUf r«orn, and one half worn beaver ditto,
one white mullc apron and cue check ditto: The
Man's named CHARLES, and the Woman MARY,
but it is likely they may change them. Whoever take#
op and fecnr^ fad Negroes, in any goal, fol that the
Owner may have them again, (hull have the above
Reward arid reasonable charges paid, by
March 19. JACOB KAGEY.
.—=-—=w-.M—^e&rratr MI m iren. m m »hw>w »inreii —.__&___„#e
Notice is hereby given, That
FRANCIs MURRY, lately a ftne-kee^er at the Head
of El<, received a Note of Hind ficm me, for a Horse
ano C nir that I bought from hi,r, which was to be de
livered to me in Baltimore, by his brother, in Gay
ttrect, but when I went to his brother he refuted
to deliver the Horie and Chair according to, the
brother's bargain. I therefore forworn all persons frem
pur-chafing bid Note, as I * ill not pay it until I receive
'be Horiie and Chair. Given under mv hand, at the
Heal GET. M.rch 17, <7Bl- ROBERT LAIRD.
T ft ^ the above. James Fife, of laid place.
N, B- I so ewarn arimakers of vrflels, at their peril,
not so give him paff?fc, until he predicts a certificate
from me, or from a justice of ^h• peace of Cracifcounty,
MatykoJ. ROBERT LAIRD,