The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-11-03 00:00:00, page 2

L O N D O N, August 2.
Extras of a letter from the Hague, July 7.
" We hear that the memorial presented last Thurs
day, by the Englifa Ambassador to the States Gene
ral, was the fame day communicated to the States of
Holland, and the next day lent to the rest of the Con
federates for their opinions upon this important lub
jed. In the mean time it is believed, the States are
not sorry this memorial has intervened, as they are
by that means difpenced from thinking ot the convoy
to be granted to naval supplies, &c. which mull be
put aside till this much more important affair is de
cided: Particularly, as we are informed, that the
provinces of Guelderland, Zealand, Friefland, and
Groningen, have delivered their answers relative to
the convoy, by which it is found they are against the
granting it."
August to. On Friday last a vessel arrived at Fal
mouth from New-York, in which came pallengers
from thence Sir William Erskine and General Jones,
who arrived in town yesterday morning.
Aug. 17. Another negociation for peace is again
upon the carpet, through the mediation of the courts
of Russia and Prussia, by their ministers at Versailles ;
Lord Harrington's regiment of 700 men is compleat
ed in 5 weeks; beating orders are issued from the
war-office for railing 16 more Scotch and Irish regi
ments; an American privateer called the Resolution,
from Bilboa to America, is taken and carried into
Lisbon.
AUGUST 21.
Extract of a letter from Exon, August 18.
“ The news of the French and Spanish fleets being
off Plymouth is confirmed, to the number of 60 fail
of the line, and 20 frigates ; the people at Plymouth
are in the utmost confternaticn. The Ardent of 64
guns, in attempting to join our fleet, was attacked
by two 74 gun ships and two frigates, all of which the
engaged in a running fight four hours; some fay the
is taken, but others assert she is arrived in the Sound
much Shattered. The letters are numerous, —but I
will give you a true copy of Sir C. Hardy's dispatch
to Lord Edgecombe in answer to his Lordship.
" My Lord,
" I received both your Lordships dispatches, and
immediately ordered the whole fleet to tack. I am
on the date of this off Falmouth; I hope soon to
meet the combined fleets of France and Spain, and
give your Lordship a good account of them.
" Last night it blowing bard at east, the French
and Spanish fleets were obliged to go to the westward,
so that you mull exped in my next to hear of a bloody
battle."
August 26. The King's intention to take the field
in case of an invasion, is very certain ; his Majesty's
baggage being all got ready for his departure at a
moment's warning.
Extract of a letter from Plymouth, dated Sunday
evening, August 22.
'' Before you receive this account, you will no
doubt have heard, that the combined fleets of France
and Spain took their departure from hence on Wed
nesday evening last, the 18th inst. without attempt
ing any hostilities, except in the attack of the Ardent
man of war, Captain Boteler, who defended himfelf
heroically against two frigates, and three 74 gun ships
of the enemy, for near three hours, but was at last
of - rd to strike, in fight of the whole garrison, to
nequal force, after having every yard, and her
11ft shot away.
e fleet of the enemy, consisting of 60 fail of
20 frigates and transports, made their ap-
of October 26, 1779.
Last Saturday'arrived the Anna Teressa packet, Cap
tain Gaylor, in fix weeks from Falmouth, by whom
we have the following advices, viz.
M ADRI D, July 5.
SINCE it has been publicly known, that the siege
of Gibraltar will be one of the firft operations
of our armies by land and sea, every one has
hopes of feeing us re-possessed of that important for
trefs again ; but as it is almost impregnable by force,
the plan is to reduce it by famine. In consequence of
which it is death to furnilh that place with any pro
vision, and our army will block it up on the land fide,
whilst a division of the Cadiz squadron will anchor in
the bay, which will be reinforced by two 70 gun
fllips, two frigates, two chebecs, of 32 guns, and ;
galliots, which failed from Carthagena the 25th ot last
month ; and with two 70 gun Ships, two frigates,
two chebecs, two bomb-ketches, and three flat boats
with a 24-pounder in each, under Don Barcelo. We
are assured that the rest of the Cadiz fleet is failed from
St. Vincent to join the Toulon fleet. With regard to
the Ferrol fleet, which was to join that of Brest, we
find that a misunderstanding hindered that squadron
from failing, which has prevented a great stroke, and
for which Don Anthony D'Argee is displaced, and
Don Solano succeeds him as commander of the Spa
nifli fleet.
Petersburg^, July 27. The news of the decla
ration of war between Spain and England has thrown
the Captains of three Spanish ships, which arrived
here some time ago with wines and other productions
of Spain, into great embarraflment ; they were laden
for their return with flax, linen cloth, and other com
modities of our country. They dare not depart for
fear of being taken by the English privateers; and
have therefore resolved to fell their ships and cargoes,
and fend bacle their crews in some neutral vessels.
From the New-York Royal American Gazette,
Since our last, we have had no direct advices from
either of the armies employed upon the Southern ex
pedition. All we certainly know, is, That Count
D'Eftaing did land as many troops as he thought ne
cellary at Beulah, nearly opposite to the Orphan-
House, 12 miles from Savannah, in the night between
the 11th and 12th inlL and without the lead oppofi
•tion ; and that a communication had. been opened be
tween him and Gen. Lincoln; that Gen. Lincoln had
been joined by Gen. M'lntalh ; and that the Head-
Quarters of our army, a week ago, were at Cherokee
hwi, 9 miles from Savannah: That Gen. Count Pu
laiki was advanced with the cavalry, and had not only
taken an advanced picket of the enemy, but also fur
prized one of their captains and three privates at E
benetzer: That Col. Maitland had abandoned Port
Royal Island, with the whole force he had there, on
the 12th inst. after breaking off the trunnions from the
cannon, and having buried upwards of 290 men, lea
ving behind also 300 negroes, for want of means of
tranfport^tion : That his embarkation was made ra
pearance on the morning of the 14th instant, and in
a few hours arrived off Caufand Bay, about a league
and a half from hence, where they lay to, in two
grand divihons for four days, till their departure as
above related.
" The enemy's squadron never came to anchor,
and ftudioully avoided the reach of our land batteries
which we could constantly fee them reconnoitering,
with their glasses. As soon as it was high water on
Wednesday evening, Count d'Orvilliers's ship fired a
gun to leeward, which was returned by that of Count
d'Arce, the Spanish Admiral, on which the two divi
hons tacked immediately, and flood to the southward.
On Thursday morning they were barely difcernable
with our belt glasses, fleering the fame course, and by
noon were totally out of fight; since which time no
tidings whatever have been heard of them. It is the
general opinion here, that they are gone for the Irish
coait; if so they cannot fail of meeting with Sir Charles
Hardy.
" The consternation occasioned by the firft appear
ance of this vast naval armament off this port was
certainly great, the inhabitants flying with what va
luable effects they could get together, so that the town
was presently left to those only who meant gallantly
to defend it; and to the credit of the country, the
place of the female and infirm fugitives was more
than doubly supplied by the able volunteers who
flocked in from all parts. Twenty guineas were re
peatedly given for a chaise and pair to carry different
families but 20 miles from hence.
By private letters from Falmouth, as late as the
Bth of September, we learn, that the royal fleet then
lay at St. Helens, and consisted of 48 tail of the line.
The Ariadne, from the Weft-Indies, with Admi
ral Barrington on board, was arrived in England.
" The black cattle and Iheep were all driven from
the coast up into the country by order of the Gover
nor ; so that ifa siege had actually taken place we mult
have been for some time without frelh provisions.
" The garrison, which consists of 4000 effective
men, were under arms night and day, as were the
officers and artificers of the dock, about 2000 more ;
and I am sure from the general disposition, they
would have defended the place to the last extremity.
The vigilance and spirit of the officers soon got the
better of the firft momentary panic, and not a man
was to be found within twenty miles of the place who
did not arm himfelf, and bravely resolve to shed his
blood in defence of his,country. The warmest enco
miums are due to Lord Shuldham, who commands
at this port, and the rest of the officers, naval as well
as military, whole activity and zeal on this occasion
served to raise that glorious animation that pervaded
the whole country. We do not expert the honour of
a second vilit, for as gafconading was evidently their
object, they are doubtless gone to some other part of
our coast to frighten a few more of our women and
children, or are returned into Brest, content with the
heroick deed they have already atchieved. Adieu !
" P. S. Since the writing the above, I have learned
that the Cork fleet of merchantmen, consisting of 70
fail, got .fafe into this port yesterday, though they
failed within a league of the enemy's fleet. Lord
Bateman has just brought the news that Sir Charles
Hardy was seen yesterday morning off the Lizard, all
well, and in pursuit of the enemy."
August 28. An express arrived yesterday at the Ad
miralty, with advice, that the Thetis man of war from
Lisbon was arrived in the Bristol channel. She came
through Sir Charles Hardy's fleet the 19th instant,
eighteen leagues weft of Scilly, and brings an account
of nis being joined b, the Ramilies, the Marlborough
and the Ills, which made the Britilh fleet 41 fail of
the line, betides seven 50 gun ships, and a considera
ble number of frigates, &c. &c. That when he met
them they were bearing to windward, and had no
doubt of soon falling in with the combined fleets of
the enemy, from the accounts of their course receiv
ed by the Ramilies, and several cruizing cutters.
Cox-Heath, Aug. 31. The King's marquee, &c.
is ail ready for his reception; it is noble, but very
plain; it contains twelve different apartments in a
very imall space of ground.
Sept. 3. Yesterday Gen. Robinson took leave of
their Majesties, and next Monday will let out for his
government at New-York.
CHARLESTOWN, (South-Carolina) Sept. 22.
NEW -YO RK, October 25.
ther hastily, on board the Vigilante, the Gallies, and
feme other small craft, with an intent to push through
Skull-Creek, and join Gen. Prevoft at Savannah : but
it is doubted, whether he has been able to effect that
junction: it is rather believed, that his vessels are
blocked up in Skull-Creek, and his troops confined to
Hilton Head Island; the troops he embarked are said
to amount to between 6 and 700, 200 of them lick
and wounded ; some fay 600 effectives and about 400
invalids.
In the mean time, the expedition Westward under
Gen. Williamson against that part of the Cherokee
nation of Indians, that remained attached to the in
terest of our enemy, has succeeded beyond our most
sanguine expectations. The General 'has burnt 7of
their towns, destroyed all their provisions, and ob
tained their fubmillion, without any bloodshed.
Alexander Cameron, Esq. (who succeeds Mr. Stuart,
as the Britilh King's fupcrintendant of Indian affairs)
with great difficulty escaped falling into the General's
bands, notwithstanding the great refpeCt the whole
nation bear to that gentleman.
The enemy, before they quitted their post at Ebe
netzer, burnt their magazine there. The small-pox,
we are told, rages moll violently among the Crcek-
Indians at present, so that they will hardly be able to
do any thing for their Britilh brothers this campaign,
just as this paper was going to press, letters were re
ceived from the camp of the Charleftown militia,
dated at Zubly's ferry, last Friday. The follow
ing is an extract of one of them:
".We reached here yesterday, are to cross Savan
na river, this day at noon, and suppose shall join Gen.
Lincoln's army to-morrow. The news from the other
fide, is chiefly as follows, and you have it as I, to wit,
I hat Count D'Eftaing had landed two detachments,
one at Brewton's plantation, with 36 pieces of brass
cannon, the other at Girardeau's point: That the ac
tive and enterprizing Gen. Count Pulaski, with the
cavalry, had so thoroughly cleared the way, and broke
up all the enemy's advanced posts, as to afford Major
General Lincoln the opportunity of an interview with
the French General, at the Orphan-House, on the
16th, when and where the plan of operations was fet
tled: l hat some of the French men of war had got
into the harbour, and possessed themselves of all the
Britiln whipping below Brewton's, amongst them the
Fowey man of war, which, tho' grounded, had all
been got off and into the fleet: That the fortificati
ons at Savannah were but trifling, consisting only of
9 redoubts (no lines) and abbatis: That the force to
defend thelc, consisted of about loco regulars and
i,oo militia, refugees and protection gentry: That
Sir James Wright, Governor, &c. was in Savanna:
That Colonel Maitland had not been able to effeCta
junction with Gen. Prevoft, and it was supposed had
been repulsed in an attempt to get thro' Skull creek,
yesterday morning, when we heard a heavy cannon
ade: that the enemy's soldiery in general were much
diffatisfied ; and tho' it was pretended, that Savan
na would be defended, even the officers gave their
opinions publicly, that it mutt capitulate: And that
Gen. Prevoft had applied to the Count D'Eftaing, for
a fafe conduct and permission to remove his lady,
plate and effects, to Florida: to which the gallant
French General politely replied, 6 That it was im
poflible he could have any objection to what concerned
the Lady ; but the plate, he had been informed, was
obtained in such a way from the Allies of his King,
that he was confident the General could not mean to
disgrace himfelf with keeping possession of it.—'
Sept. 29. On Saturday last the Marquis de Bretigny,
who went lately in one of the gallics of this State to
serve against the enemy in Georgia, brought into this
port a large prize sloop from New-Providence,mount
ing four guns, which he boarded in a boat with eight
men, as she came to anchor in Savanna river.
We have abundance of intelligence from the Ame
rican army commanded by the Hon. Major-General
Lincoln, acting in conjunction, in Georgia, with that
of his Most Christian Majesty, (our great and most
refpeCtable Ally) under the command of his Excel
lency General Count D'Eftaing—But, as it is likely
that a general attack upon Savanna cannot be made
before to-morrow or next day (bad weather, excessive
bad roads, and the many difficulties that have attend
ed the bringing up of heavy cannon and mortars, from
a great distance, having prolonged that event) we shall
defer giving particulars till the fate of the State of
Georgia be decided, which is not doubted will be in
a few days.
The most remarkable occurrence in that quarter has
been,—a sortie made last Friday morning, upon a co
vering party of about aco French, to a battery erect
ing near the barracks, by 200 Britilh Light Infantrv,
commanded by Capt. Campbell, who were repulsed
and pursued into their redoubts, with the lot's of 53
men, amongst them Capt. Campbell, Lieut. MTher
fon (not long since ^ prifoncr here) and another offi
cer, and near too wounded: Our Ally's loss is said
to be 26 killed and 84 wounded, amongst these ten
(Officers. The eagerness and impetuosity of the French
was so great, that, instead of waiting for the enemy,
they leaped out of their trenches, attacked and pur
sued them, using chiefly the bayonet, till they were
galied by the cannon from the Britilh redoubts, by
which they sustained their greatest loss.
A gentleman from the Southward fays he law, last
Sunday, a number of people and tents, upon the small
island called Buck-Island; supposed to be the lick and
wounded which Col. Maitland removed from Port-
Royal, and had not been able to get into Georgia,