The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-12-08 00:00:00, page 2

Augu/l 26. Letters were received yesterday at the
Admiralty from Capt. Boteler, late commander of his
Majesty's ship the Ardent, of which the following
are authentic particulars: That on the appearance of
the French and Spanifli fleets off Plymouth, having
hoisted English colours, were taken by the Captain
for the English fleet, who having received orders to
join Sir Charles Hardy, made fail towards them.—
Capt. Boteler soon perceived his mistake, having al
most immediately as he discovered his error, received
a broadside from a French ship of 74 guns. This he
most gallantly fought, and was endeavouring to effect
his escape, when two other ships of the fame force
bore down, and engaged him likewise. Notwith
standing the unequal contest, like a brave Briton, he
would not strike his colours till such time as he found
his ship unable to keep above water; as soon as he
struck, he made his situation known to the enemy,
who instantly hoisted out their boats, by which means
himfelf and all the remains of a brave crew were sav
ed; for in a few minutes, the Ardent went to the
bottom.
August 28. A commission hath palled the great
seal, authorizing Sir Henry Clinton, or the com
mander in chief of the King's forces in America, for
the time being, to issue such proclamations as may
be judged negeffary, with offers of pardon to all that
Berlin, July 25. On Friday last his Prussian Ma
jesty, attended by Major-General Goertz, made a
Ihort tour to the new established Colonies in the
Middle Marche of Brandenburgh, and returned last
night to Potzdam, in good health.
Algiers, July 4. Eight privateers belonging to this
regency, that failed from this port upon a cruize on
the 24th of May, are returned with four Spanish
prizes, two of which were bound to the Welt-In
dies. On the firft inst. arrived here an Ambassador
from the Emperor of Morocco, with some dispatches
to our Dey, the contents of which have not yet tran
spired. A Danish frigate of 18 guns, which arrived
here on the 16th of June, brought from the court of
Copenhagen the usual presents, which consist of 400
barrels of gunpowder, 4000 balls of 241 b. 40C0 ditto
of izlb. and 36 large cables; on the 15th of the fame
month the above frigate failed for the Weft-Indies.
The Swedilh consul has delivered his master's pre
sents in specie.
Amsterdam, AuguJhg. In several of the provinces
all is tumult and coufufion, since the presentation of
the memorial by Sir Joseph Yorke to the States Ge
neral. French fineffe, French gold, and even French
threats have been most profufely lavilhed, and three
of the seven provinces are actually in their interest.
On the other hand Sir Joseph Yorke behaves with
great firmnefs and spirit, and has repeatedly demand
ed a categorical answer, which their high Mightinesses
have as yet evaded; but it is hoped by the moderate
part of the people, they will espouse the cause of
Britain. The French have even offered some of their
frontier towns, and great privileges of trade, which
has had vast influence upon the minds of the people.
They have likewise attempted, by promises and pre
sents, to gain over the Stadtholder, but in that they
have entirely failed, as he has a great fondnefs for the
English, and particularly for their Ambassador, who
is often honoured with being along with him, on pri
vate parties of pleasure. Several American Agents
are here now, among them two or three who are well
known in London. It is this moment said that their
High Mightinesses are again met on the British me
morial, but it is feared it will come to nothing, at
least for a month or so, ere which there will have pro
bably been an engagement between the English and
the French and Spaniards. Those best versed in the
political secret here, fay that the States General will
give the definitive answer to Sir Joseph Yorke before
November.
LONDO N.
Extract of a letter from Madrid, dated July 28.
" You may be assured this Court has too much
business on their hands. The revolt of the South-
American provinces, which is now no longer doubt
ful, is oftoo much consequence to be neglected, and
will take up too much of their attention for them to
with to lengthen their dispute with the English."
It is remarkable, that the city of Lima founded a
bove 250 years by the destroyers of Peru, was over
turned at different times by eleven earthquakes; the
12th, which happened in October 1746, in three mi
nutes ingulphed the town, its harbour of Collao, all
the vessels belonging to the coast, with above forty
five and a half millions of silver, either coined or in
ingots. Its gates on being opened presented to the
Duke of Plata, streets paved with silver. How the
lust of gain there must have been glutted! The cata
strophe was awful and inftruCtive.
Augufl 21. They write from Madeira, that an
English frigate has had an engagement with a large
French ship of force near that place, which was main
tained with determined obstinacy by each party, till
at length the latter, which was nearest the shore,
drove on a ledge of rocks, where she was totally de
stroyed. The Captain, Surgeon, and 195 persons
perished on board her. The others were with much
difficulty saved by the frigate. It blew a frefh wind
all the action, and there was a great swell of the sea.
PETERSBURG H, Au^ft 3.
YESTERDAY being the birth-day of her Imperial
Highness the Great Duchess, there was a grand
ball and magnificent illuminations at Peterhoff; and
to-morrow the Court removes from thence to Caafco
Zelo.
On Tuesday night some dispatches were brought
to the Admiralty-office from Falmouth, with advice
that several French transports, having miffed the
French and Spanish combined fleets, were driven
upon that coast, and by the assistance of some men of
war that were coming there, it was expected that
they would be all taken.
Sept. 4. Bamber Gafcoyne, Esq. is appointed a
Lord of the Admiralty, and Andrew Stuart and Ed
ward Gibbon, Efqrs. Lords of Trade. The Hon.
H. Dundas, Esq. Keeper of his Majesty's Signet in
Scotland. Lord Onflow is appointed Treasurer of
his Majesty's houfhold, vice Lord Carlifle, the latter
succeeds Earl Talbot, as Lord Stewaid.
The Hon. Mr. William Hanger, brother to Lord
Colerain, and Lord Townfliend's son, were embark
ed on board the Terrible man of war, Sir Richard
Bickerton, as volunteers in the fleet under Sir Charles
Hardy.
We are assured from the most refpeCtable authority,
that another negociation for peace is actually again
upon the carpef, through the mediations ofthe courts
of Russia and Prussia, by their ministers at Versailles;
and the present inactivity of the fleets of Great-Bri
tain, France and Spain, may in some measure be ac
counted for, by the repeated memorials delivered to
the court of France by the,Ruffian, Dutch and Pruf
Advice is received that Sir Charles Hardy had ar
rived in the Channel, and by a fhift of the wind had
fortunately got to the eastward of the enemy, who
could not escape him without risking a general en
gagement.
Extras of a letter from Gibraltar, July 25, brought
by a Swedish man of war, the Mars, which sent it
on Jhore as foe pafled through the Downs.
" We have just received advice here that an English
ship, about 150 tons burthen, had been cast on shore
on the coast of Barbary, near Tangiers; that when
flie was discovered, she was lying on her beam ends,
and three seamen on the wreck, who were got fafe
to land alive, but two of them died a few hours after
their arrival. The survivor said, that she was bound
up the Mediterranean, but in a squall of wind, by
carrying too much fail, overfet, and that this was so
sudden, that the Captain and all the rest of the hands
were washed overboard, except himfelf and the two
others found on the wreck, who had contrived to
get in the main chains, where they had remained a
bove a fortnight, during which time, on a fine day,
one of them, by a rope, got down into the cabbin,
and found there some biscuit, cheese, butter and
wine, on which they had subsisted, at a very small
allowance, as neither of them would go down again
for more, the hazard of perishing being so great. —
They had all tied themselves to the chain plates, to
prevent their being washed over board, and one of
them always watched while the others slept. They
had two days of exceeding bad weather, by which
they fuffered exceedingly, as they were continually
washed by the sea, and sadly bruised by the waves
beating against the ship; and he supposed the two
men who died on their getting on shore, was owing
to the hurt they received. The Moors behaved ex
ceedingly well to the surviving seaman; and as soon
as he was able to travel, he intended to come over to
this place. No mention is made of the name of the
ship."
Sept. 2. Yesterday Gen. Burgoyne's regiment of
light dragoons, being recruited to their full comple
ment of men, relieved Gen. Elliot's regiment at St.
James's, which are marched on camp duty.
Extract of a letter from Capt. fohn Haflie, of the pri
vateer Hawke, belonging to Clyne, to one of the own
ers, dated St. Michael's, one of the Weficrn-IJlands,
July 13.
" The 11th of June I had an engagement with two
French privateers, one a ship, the other a brigantine,
for half an hour, when they sheered off. The next
afternoon we fell in with them again, and fought
three hours; they set fail and put about. Our rig
ging, &c. being a little hurt, and three men wound
ed, I did not think proper to proceed after them.—
We are employed in scrubbing the Hawke's sides,
and plugging up the shot holes we received in the
hull. They were all nine pound shot. The brigan
tine mounted 24 nine and fix pounders; the ship
mounted 16 nines and fixes. I have been informed
by the English consul, that there was a fleet of 130
ships to fail from Martinique, the middle of June last;
lintend to proceed to the westward, to endeavour to
fall in with them. Our carronades were of great ser
vice in the engagement. We sent our 10 and 12
pounders, carronades, through both sides of the
brigantine. This we u^re informed of by a vessel
we boarded, and which they had spoke with the fame
day."
fliall fubm'it to take the oaths to his Majesty without
reftriCtion.
We hear that the Empress of Russia has at last con
sented to conclude a treaty with Great-Britain; in
consequence of which, several ships are now equip
ping in Conftadt, and will soon form a refpettable
fleet; thirty thousand men are already on their march
towards Germany and are to compole with a Prussian
corps, some Hanoverian and Hessian troops, an army
of observation upon the Rhine, which is to be com
manded by the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick. The
Empress, with the King of Prussia, have both under
taken to be mediators, and to negociate peace between
Great-Britain, France and Spain; and should they
refufe to listen to their proposals, they intend to de
clare for Great-Britain.
A gentleman in Cork writes to his friend in St.
Euftatia, that the fleets had been in fight of each o
ther for some days; that should numbers get the
better of British valour, that an invasion of that de
voted island must be the consequence.
A late Martinique paper mentions, that a battle
had been fought in the Channel betwen the united
fleets of France and Spain, and that of Great-Britain,
which latted eleven hours, and was the bloodied that
was ever fought at sea; that the French had three of
their capital ships funk and the English two. Their
fleet consisted of 52 fail ofthe line and 30 frigates, and
ours of 47 fail of the line and 20 frigates.
By the last accounts from London we are informed
ofthe arrival of his Majesty's ship Ariadne, Thomas
Pringle, Esq. Commander, with the Honourable
Vice-Admiral Barrington on board, after a passage of
7 weeks; the Admiral had the honour of kissing his
Majesty's hand, and was most graciously received.
We are credibly informed that his Majesty's ship
Russel, a 74 gun ship, was loft on the rocks of Scylla,
and that a 50 gun ship with a large sum of money for
the army in New-York, was taken by the French
fleet.
By the lad accounts from England we are informed
that there were fire thousand seamen, who were got
out of the Jamaica fleet and the one that failed from
this Island in June last, waiting for ships, and that
15 fail of the line were near ready for sea.
A gentleman in town has received a letter from a
correspondent in St. Euftatia, informing, that two
veflels had arrived there on Thursday last from Am
sterdam, the Captains of whom fay, that an engage
ment had been fought in the Bay between the English
fleet and the united fleets of France and Spain; but
they could give no particulars.
CHARLESTOW N, October 20.
The following are some of the reasons that have
been assigned, why the assault on Savannah did not
succeed, viz.
ift. The enemy having a much more numerous gar
rison than had been represented; being said to consist
of about 1700 effective regulars, and a great number
of sailors, marines, militia, armed blacks, &c.
2d. Their having the advantage of the presence,
Skill and activity of so able and indefatigable an officer
as the Hon. Col. Maitland; who, while our army
were obliged to wait for the bringing up proper can
non and mortars from the fleet, (which took up many
days, and was attended with inconceivable difficul
ties, on account of the distance of the Whipping, and
a series of tempestuous weather) was night and day
incessantly engaged in adding to the strength and
number of the works, upon which, it is said, he
employed upwards of 2000 negroes.
gdly. The enemy having, by some means or other,
discovered the approach of our columns, a full hour
before it was possible for them to reach their respec
tive stations; by which they had an opportunity of
pouring upon their assailants, such a heavy and in
cessant front, flanl< and cross fire, as no troops what
ever could have sustained, without being disordered,
and occasioned the order for difeontinuing the assault
even while the brave French troops had gained one of
the enemy's works, and our, as brave troops, another.
Several frigates having been since dispatched from
the Count D'Eftaing's fleet, on different routes, and
several other very striking circumstances, have given
rife to a conjecture, that a strong combined squadron
will soon appear in a quarter where least expected.—
One of the frigates, it is said, has been met fleering
for Havanna, and another going into Chefapeak Bay.
Nov. 3. Last Sunday his most Christian Majesty's
frigate, Iphigenie, commanded by M. de Kerfaint,
failed upon a cruize. 'Tis remarkable that during
the time this ship was in port, though there were
near 1000 foreign sailors here at once, not the smallest
riot happened.
WILLIAMSBURG, November 13.
We are informed from unquestionable authority,
that 7 French ships of the line, of the squadron of
Count D'Eftaing, are to winter in the harbours of
this State, in order to protect our coasts from any
fian ministers, all tending to a reconciliation be
tween the belligerent powers.
The many late reports about Lord Howe being to
take the command of the grand fleet, are certainly
void of all foundation, nor can they answer either of
the purposes for which they seem evidently calculat
ed. If they have any meaning at all, it must be either
to disparage the character of Sir Charles Hardy, or
to enhance that of Lord Howe. But the reputation
of the former is too well eftabliihed to fuffer by such
little tricks.
BASSETERRE, (St. Christopher's) October 18.
A brig which arrived last week at St. Euftatia from
Cork, which place she left the sth ult. brings the
following iiiterefting intelligence: that the united
fleets of France and Spain, consisting of 60 fail and
upwards, were off Start Point, on the coast of Sus
sex; that Sir Charles Hardy's fleet was then to the
westward of Scylla; that it consisted only of 47 fail
of the line and 20 frigates, in excellent order, well
manned, and eager to come to an engagement, for
which purpose they did all in their power to work to
windward ; but the wind being at east, and the enemy
plying close, hauled to the foUthward, prevented
them for five days. The vessel that brought the in
telligence, left the fleets in fight of each other, the
French and Spanish fleets endeavouring to avoid an
engagement.