The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-12-26 00:00:00, page 2

Extras of a letter from a gentleman of diflinahn, dated Lon
don, O#ober 3, 1781.
" The reign of faperftition is not yet over, nor the prac
tice of giving away kingdoms by the Pope ended. You will be
furprized, my friend, when I tell you that his present Holi
ucfs, in the plenitude and fimremacy of his pretended Apostolic
authority to dispose of the kingdoms of the earth, has granted
North Americano his nnft Christian Mtjetly! It rnuf tindeed
astonish every one that this absurd practice, which took its rife
in the days of barbarity, darkness and fuperltition, should be
revived at this enlightened period.
“ But the case was this. The policy of the French Court
and Ministry, induced them to fapport the rebellion in Ameri
ca, that they might thereby not only distress this country, but
in case of success, that they might add North America to the
French dominions. The French officers and fohliers, however,
did not roh the war. No people are more firmly attached
than the French, and the support of rebels^againft their right
ful Sovereign, clashed with their principles; their pride was
also much hurt in being commanded by rebel Generals, who
had been lately taken from civil occupations. Several French
officers returned from America, very much disgusted and cha
grined; and thefc propagated their difeontent at Paris, arid
elsewhere. In short, a general damp seemed to be thrown 011
the French measures refpeding America.
" In this exigence, the French Ministry cast about for some
expedient to help them out of these, and some other difficul
ties of a fimiTar kind, and the expedient finally concluded on,
was to apply to the Pope for a Bull, which would constitute
Louis XVI. and his successors, the only lawful Sovereigns of
North-America. This was to silence all scruples in future,
for the contef twas no longer to be considered as merely poli
tical ; it was thenceforth a religious war, in which the cause
of the Pope, the Church, and Catholick religion, were deeply
concerned; conlequently it applied to the confeience of every
Catholick, and the confeience of a Frenchman is as much at
the Pope's devotion now, as in the time of Henry IV. who
was murdered by a French friar. Nor was this the only ad
vantage which the French Court and Ministry hoped to derive
'from the Pope's Bull: some Roman Catholick Princes, parti
cularly the EmpeFourlof Germany, and the Queen of Portugal,
seemed to disapprove of the measures of France, and gave
alarming intimations that they would take an active part with
England, to secure the poffeflion of her colonies; but it was
imagined that when those colonies were conveyed to France
by the Pope, his Holiness's devout fon's of Germany and Por
tugal would not interfere, nor obfirud a conveyance made
for the most laudable purposes. Moreover, France had a very
plausible pretext for the application, as South-America and
the Indies, had formerly been conveyed to the Kings of Spain
and Portugal, by similar grants.
'' Accordingly, the Court of France applied to the Pope,
and the Bull was obtained. We may suppose his Holiness did
not hefitute long in granting a conveyance which flattered his
vanity, and cost him nothing.
" This information, I believe, may be depended on; I had
it from a very intelligent friend, now on his travels through
the continent. He accidentally got a fight of this Bull, though
it is kept very fccret, and devuiged to those only who are im
mediately concerned, and that under the seal of secrecy. My
friend fays the Bull is not so furious as some from that quarter
in former times ; beiides the dale pretexts ofpropagating the
true religrn, promoting unity in it, tbr extirpation ofberefy, &c.
the Bull urges the right of Catholicks to the New-World, as
they were the firft discoverer ofit. The right of the Pope, as
fuccefTor of St. Peter, to dispose of kingdoms, is barely men
tioned, because, I presume, it was a point taken for granted;
but the argument from firft difeoverv and occupancy is prose
cuted as large, and with much plausibility.
" I hope the next accounts from you will shew us that the
exertions of our fleets and armies have tended to invalidate
the grant of his Holiness. Our common friend J T ,
prognosticates the contrary, bus you know he ever was a croaker,
and, for my part, I always considered his prognostications as
the effects of fear and low spirits, not of found judgment.—
What effe& the Pope's Bull may have on the Emperour and
her Portuguese Majesty, time only can fhew.—&The above
tranfa Fiion is of a recent date."
December 17. His Majesty's frigate the Medea, Captain
Duncan, on his paiTage from the Chefapeak, took the Black
Princess privateer, of twenty-four 12 pounders, and 170 men,
commanded by the noted M'Carty.
Extras of a letter, dated London, October r, 1711.
" No event of much confeqnence has taken place here since
Jwrote last. The combined fleets made a shew of intending
a viht to the Channel, 'but they meant no such thing. Out
fleet, though less numerous, was preparing to meet them;
and by the time that we bad a wind to go to iea with, the
French and Spanifb squadrons retired to their own harbours.
Within a few days of their retreat, our Leeward Ifiand fleet,
of 150 drips, arrived, without the loss of a rebel. All our
accounts represent the Dutch as tired of the war; and it is
believed that negotiations are going on for a separate peace
between us. The Spaniards, at last, are in reality alarmed at
the situation of their own colonies in South-America ; and are
making preparations to. secure, if possible, their interest in
that quarter. We have lately had such repeated accounts of
this, that it can no longer be queflioned. This work must eu-
N E W-Y O R K, December 3.
A LARGE new schooner from Newbury; 'fdr Phila
delphia, was sent in here last Saturday by his Ma
jesty's ihip Centurion, Capt. Clayton. She is leaded
with lumber,&c. The Centurion was left in chafe of aTarge
fliip supposed to be a frigate.
Saturday last the fliip Eleonora, Capt. Clark, arrived here
from St. Kitt's in seven weeks.
Came up yelterday morning a brig front Newbury, for the
Chefapeak, called the Alexander, Capt. Crawford, prize to
his Majesty's fliip Amphion, with a trifling cargo.
At the fame time came up also, a small French brig from New
London, for Philadelphia, loaded with cyder, onions, &c.
prize to his Majesty's ihip Centurion.
December 8. On Saturday last a detachment of. Colonel
James Delancey's loyal refugee cavalry, under the command of
Capt. Samuel Kipp, made ail encurfion as far as King-street,
where he fell in with a party of rebels commanded by a Capt.
Sackett, who, together with one Ensign and one private, were
made prisoners; the command then divolved on a Lieutenant
Molher, who retreated some distance; but at length finding
himfelf under the neceflity of coming toadlion, lie formed his
men in a solid body, with fixed bayonets, and altho' Captain
"Kipp's little party charged with great resolution, the rebels
were so far superior, and stood so very firm, as not to be broke.
Ourlofs in the charge was Capt. Kipp's horse killed, and him
felf wounded in the body by bayonets, Lieut. Col. Holmes ser
ving as a volunteer, with five others wounded. The loss of
the rebels could not be ascertained. Immediately after the
charge, the rebels dispersed and Capt. Kipp and his party re
turned to their post unmolested.
Saturday last the ihip Viper, Capt. Cowan, of 16 guns, and
70 men, arrived here from Liverpool ; which place ihe left the
23d of October.
December 13. On Tuesday last the Dispatch-boat Swallow,
Captain Watson, arrived here from Charleftown, South-
Carolina.
Ame^ican Intelligence.
There was no other resource but in a victory ; to accomplish
this, it was necellary to attack an enemy much superior in
numbers, and to oblige them to lay down their arms: Nothing
could flop the Marquis de Bouille: he took his rcfolutions
in the instant, and marched at the head of his men, who were
full of bravery and courage. At half pad four in the morning,
we were still a mile and a half from^the fort and the barracks,
though we had made aforced march. Count Dillon had orders
to go strait to the barracks with the Irish brigades, to fend one
detachment to take possession of the batteries to the right of
the town, and another to surprise the Governour in his house.
Monsieur de Frefne, Major of Royal-Comtois, was detached
with 100 chaffeurs to attack the fort, and to scale it if he could
not get in at the gates. Viscount de Damas was ordered with
the rest of his soldiers to support this attack.
The sloops, who had each of them a frigate fhallop, anchor
ed, after fome' difficulty, at the entrance of Jenkins bay, to
the north-caff of the ifiand, whilst the frigates lay to at a little
distance. Count Dillon, who was on board the Diligent with
thg Chaficurs of his regiment, landed firft. Au unexpected
swell on this coast dashed the boats against the reefs which
were covered by the sea, and several soldiers were drowned.
Our intrepid General next landed in the midst of the greatest
dangers, having with liim a detachment of the Irish brigades;
his boat was overfet, but all the men were saved. They dis
covered at last a landing place less difficult, where they suc
ceeded, after incredible difficulties, in landing a part of the
troops. Those firft on shore endeavoured to gain the heights,
by climbing up a rock almost perpendicular 7 or 800 feet high,
the only way by which they could penetrate into the ifiand,
and which was accomplished by our troops, the Marquis de
Bouille shewing the example of ardour and intrepidity. An
hour before day there were only about 400 men landed, and
we could not expert any more as the boats were almost all
dashed to pieces against the rocks.
gage their whole attention and make them wish for peace with
us at almost any rate ; yet they have laid liege to Minorca ;
but molt people are of opinion that they will not succeed.
The mediation of the Northern Powers, and of the Emperor;
is still offered : my opinion is, that before another year, there
will be an alteration in our favour, either by a general or par
tial peace, or a general war."
When the last accounts were received from Commodore
Jqhnfton, he was at St. Helena, with his live Dutch Eaft-In
diamen, valued at ioo,oool. sterling each.
The Congress, by a Resolve dated the 23d November, have
granted the Marquis de la Fayette permission to go to France,
and return at inch time as may be mod convenient to him.'
Saturday morning last, the fleet for Great-Britain and Ire
land, failed out of Sandy-Hook with a fair wind, amounting
to about 150 fail, under a proper convoy.
Wednesday last was sent in here by his Majesty's ship the
Perseverance, Capt. Lutwidge, a French cutter called the
Alert, Morif. de Chabond, commander, of 18 guns, and 124
men from Rhode-Bland for Martinique ; She formerly belong
ed to Liverpool, and is the vessel that lately arrived at Boston,
from France.
The letter of marque fliip Triumph, Capt. Scott, sent in
the fame day a brig from Cadiz, bound for Philadelphia, Hop
kins rAafter, loaded with dry goods, fruit, salt, &c. &c.——
Five or fix more vessels with good cargoes, defined for the
lame port, were tofollow her in a few days.
The schooner Fox, Abel Coffin, matter; and brig Impri
matur, Jeremiah Peaced, matter, are both taken by his Ma
jelly's ihip the Centurion.
By the Robuft's convoy, a Notification is sent sent by the
Hon. Cofino Gordon, ofthc 3d regiment of British Guards, to
the editor of the Morning Post, that a prosecution will take
place, with damages laid against the AJfeiOß or EDITOR.
to the amount in value of bis commission and rank: in conse
quence of his having inserted during the absence of Colonel
Gordon from Europe, an article in his paper of the aid of last
March, infahoufly, falfel,, and defamatorif libellous, (his name
and delignation at full length) with a view.to prejudice his re
putation as an officer and gentleman ; which paragraph was re
futed by authority of the Deputy Judge advocate of America,
in the Royal Gazette, New-York, theist of July last; and in
the other publick prints of the garrison of New-York.
Carmage, (St. Lucia) December 8. On the sth instant, his
Majesty's fleet, under the command of Sir Samuel Hood,
arrived at Barbados, from America.—Since which he has been
joined by the Ruffekfrpm Antigha..
Admiral Digby fhifted his flag from the Prince George to
the Lion ; the former of which Ihips is with Sir Samuel Hood;
and Admiral Graves went to Jamaica in the London.
The French fleet, which conlifts of 31 fail of the line, ex
cldfive of frigates, &c. remain still in Fort-Royai; fcveral of
them are very much crippled.
We have been favoured with the Martinique Gazette, of the
6th instant, containing the French account of the capture of
St. Euftatius, of which the following is a translation.
THE ifiand of St. Euftatius, situated in 17, 28, North La
titude, captured from the Dutch by Admiral Rodney and
General Vaughan, with the formidable force of 13 fail of the
line and 4000 men, had been long the object of these Com
manders care, nni Sir George gave to his conquest the pom
pous title of the Gibraltar of America. They had, 'tis true,
employed three months in fortifying it, and it was furnifhed
with a numerous artillery ; from 60 to 80 pieces of cannon
defended it 011 the fca-fide, and were pointed against the land
ing places; the Upper Town was defended by a fort mounted
with 22 guns; but nature contributed more than Engiifh art
to make this ifiand impregnable: its coasts, surrounded every
where with dreadful rocks, afforded very few places where
a landing could be attempted, and these were defended by
batteries and circumflances that re ndered it almost impossible.
The advantageous situation of this colony, covered by An
tigua and St. Christopher's, induced the Governour and the
garrison to live in the utmost security ; but above all they could
have little apprehension at a time when they had a determined
superiority in these seas with regard to naval force.- It was
under these circumstances that the Matquia.de Bouille, well
informed ot all that passed at St. Euftatius, and the distribution
of the men of war, formed the design of furprifieg this illand,
before the return of the fleets from America, which would
have made the execution of this corp de main more difficult.—
The forces defined for the expedition were collected together
in silence : the frigates, on board which the troops were to be
embarked, arrived almost at the fame time at St. Pierre's and
at C:tfe Pilote, without their Commanders knowing any thing
of their destination. The ryth of November our little army,
composed of 400 men of Auxerrois, 320 of the Royal Com
tois, 400 of the Irifli Brigades, 50 Grenadiers of Martinique,
and 24 Cannomyrs, embarked on board the King's frigates
the Medee, commanded by Chevalier de Girarden, the Ama
zon, Monlieur de Villages, the Galatea, Chevalier de Rocquart,
the Corvette Eagle, Mr. de Pieneuf, the sloops St. Louis and
Diligent, and the fchboners La Felicite and La Cnarmante.
They took on board also in St. Pierre's road, a great number
of pilotsto give a turn to the expedition, and to raise a fafyi
cion that we were going to meet the fleet expected in these
seas. The Iquadron under the command of the Chevalier de
Girarden went through the channel of Dominica, which they
were four days in weathering, and the 20th they appeared to
windward of Martinique, where they cruised for two days.
In the nighty of the 2%d they continued their courfc to wind
ward of the iffands, and the 25th, at nine o'clock in the even
ing, they difc,vered St. Euftatius.
On Puefday the 22d of January next,
Will be SOLD before the EXCHANGE,
l^foecn the Hevrs of 12 and I JC&, at Pabdch Sale,
TH A T very large, convenient and roomy WHITE
HO USE in King-street, No. 187, fronting tire Parade and
LOT of LAND on which it Hands, containing in front 50 feet 8
inches, and in depth 148 feet, being vred fenced rcund with a Inkk
wall, and haying many very nfeful buildings, all of brick, the yard
paved and in every refpe& compleat; being late the property of Mr.
Lewis Leftarjette, and Lized on execution', and fold by order of the
Board of Police.
At the few? Time vdl be fo!d.
That very convenient HOUSE and LOT, No. 51, in ILrg
ftrett, containing in front 29 feet, and in depth 100 feet, withe ffiop
and other convenient buildings; late the property of James Carmi
chael, & Co. and seized on execution and fold by order of th:
Board of Police. JOHN DAVIES, Sheriff.
Gbarlfn^n, 24th December, 1781.
Count billon got to the barracks at 6 o'clock, and fount
a part of the garrison exercising upon the parade; the Enrich
who were deceived at firft by the dress of the brigades w"
soon undeceived by a discharge made upon them within th'
dilance of pillol Oiott Governour Cockburn, who was ex'
tiling them, was immediately arretted by Chev. O'Conn,
Captain in Walsh's brigade. Chevalier Frefne ran Rrait to th'
fort, where tne enemy had thrown thentfelves in. a croud • h
got to the bridge the moment they were going to lift it
Monsieur de la Motte, Captain en second of the Chaffeurs,
Auxerrois, threw himfelf upon the bridge, and made so tai
directed a fire that the Englilh abandoned the chains of the
bridge ; this spirited adion, worthy of the greatest praises, was
the lignal of victory ; the enemy were followed into the fort
by the Chaffeurs of the Royal Comtois, the Chevalier Frefne
ordered the bridge to be drawn up, and the whole garrison
threw down their arms. All the prisoners were collect d to
gether in the fort. We discovered, after making a recapitu
lation of our loss, that it extended to 10 men killed, drowned'
wounded; the enemy loft 32. —This is the second time that
victory has crowned our brave General in a manner the most
interesting to so sensible a foul, by conquers which occasion
great regret to, the vanquished, and few tears to the conquerors.
The fame day, the 26th, Viscount de Damas, with
men of his regiment, was detached in the Amazon frigate and
a sloop, to take possession of the Ifiand of St, Martins : he took
35 prisoners of war, amongst which were 3 officers, and
brought the garrison to Bt. Euftatius the 29th, after having
re-established the Dutch and French Government there in the
fame manner as they existed before the English made them
selves makers of that Ifiand.
The Ifiand of Saba was summoned to surrender the fame
day, and the Dutch Laws were established there.
The 27th, the Flag of the United Provinces was hoisted at
the fort, which was announced by a discharge of artillery, ac
companied by the acclamations of the inhabitants at the colony
returning to the dominion of the Dutch. Monsieur de Cha
berts was appointed Civil Governour of the Islands of St. Eu
ftatius, St. Martin's, and Saba, for their High and Mighty
Lords the States General of the United Provinces; Mr. Fitz
maurice, Captain Commandant of Walsh's Brigade with the
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, was appointed to the Chief Com
mand of the military forces ; M. de Banks, Captain Comman
dant of Dillon's regiment, Lieutenant de Roi; Mons. de
Abzac, Major, and Mons. de Geoffroy, Aide-Major of the
town and of fort Orange. The Marquis de Bouille established
at the fame time a considerable garrison fufficient for,the de
fence of his conquest, and put it in a refpc&able Rate.
The garrison of St. Euftatius was composed of the 13th and
15th regiments, making in all 691 men : and the whole of the
prisoners made in this expedition is 776; viz. 2 Lieutenant-
Colonels, 7 Captains, 33 Lieutenants, Ensigns, and Quarter-
Makers, 703 non-commiflioned officers, fokiiers and artillery,
and 22 sailors.
The Count de Bouille, nephew to the General, pitched
upon to announce to the King this new success of our arms,
and to present to his Majesty the four colours of the 13th and
15th regiments, left St. Euftatius the 28th in the Eagle.
Count Dillon, Viscount de Damas, Chevalier de Frefne,
and M. Fitzmaurice, who commanded the different detach
ments on this expedition, were particularly distinguished by
their intrepidity, their attention, and their good difyfitions:
it would be necessary to mention the name of every officer and
Soldier in our little army, to render justice to those who have
deferred well of their country on this occasion by their courage
and bravery.
The Captains and officers of the Royal Navy, employed an
this expedition, have greatly contributed io its success; the
zeal, activity, and good conduct by which they distinguished
themselves, juftify Sufficiently the high idea that has been form
ed of their talents and of their patriorifm—All the operations
of this conquest have been executed with a harmony and good
understanding that presage the greatest success.
This Coup de Main can add nothing to the opinion that Egg
land^ and all Europe have long since conceived of our General,
but it will give him a further claim to the acknowledgments of
his country.
The English cannot have forgotten, that according to the
system of Gen. Vaughan, Col. Cockburn himfelf, and other
officers, St. Euftatius, with a garrison of 1000 men, could te
defended against ten thousand ; What will they fay when they
learn that their new Gibraltar is conquered by 400 French:
They will fay that their Generals calculate badly, and that
bravery supplies the place of numbers.
The Marquis de Bouille embarked the 30th on board the
Medea, and our iquadron failed for Martinique. She anchor
ed the 4th instant in our road, when they landed all the pri
soners of war. The Marquis de Bouille, who we expected
with the greatest impatience, left the Medee in a boat and cf
caped from our eager withes, in order to get footer to Fort
Royal, where he was received with transports impossible to
express.
St. yobn'% (Antigua) December 15. On Wednesday arrived
the long-expected Corke fleet. Five vessels only came for this
ifiand, viz. brig Falmouth, Pinkerton, from Belfift ; brig Sally,
Cooper, from Strangford ; brig Charming Sally, MefYer, from
Corke ; dogger Two Sifters, Lewis, Dublin and Corke; barque
Minerva, Falcon, from Whitehaven.
His Excellency General Shirley, attended by Mr. Winftone,
the Solicitor General, and Mr. Hutchinson, his Excellency's
private fecretrary, embarked for St. Chriftopher"s in ope of
the frigates which convoyed tire Corke fleet to leeward, on
Thursday evening last.
To the Editor of the Muti^ua Chronicle.
SIR,
THE Editor of the Antigua Chronicle could incur no cen
sure for puffing over in silence the particulars of an event, which
it was hastily conceived, could admit of no palliation ; but it
is now thought rather extraordinary, that he could so quickly
learn the merits of the Marquis de Bonillie, “ <witb a bardfd
of men," without happening to hear, that the error of CoL
Cockburn, in removing the Guard placed by his predeceSbr
upon a quarter well understood to be most open to the enemy,
and an incidental mistaking of the Irish brigades in the French
few;ce, for friends, (their regimentals being the fame with out %
and their landing not discovered or fufpe&ed) ehc&ually COII
- to produce his success and our unfortunate reverb in
the late unprecedented capture. V. R.