The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-04-18 00:00:00, page 2

For the New-Jersey Gazette
1 HE genius of Great-Britain is, without parallel,
1 fertile in—blunders. Had the despicable dunces
who held her helm, the sense to avoid present, from
the experience of former ^bfurdities, they would ne
ver have dreamt of the reduction of Charleftown. —
Whether they will believe it or not, they will find, in
the refulty that such victories only accelerate their
ruin. The desolation of the country in its vicinity,
is indeed the present consequence to us: And so far
as bare deftruftion without any real benefit to the
destroyer can gratify savage minds, those savage ra
vagers are doubtless gratified. In human misery they
chiefly delight ; and cursed be their anger for it,is fierce,
and their curatb for it is cruel. But what advantage
have they reaped ? What advantage do they expect to
reap from the reduction of the capital of South-Caro
lina ? Will it enable them to reduce to the\ power of
their merciless sovereign the territory of that date?
Groundless hope ! Fatal delulion ! They cannot pe
netrate into the country without being driven back to
their intrenchments with great daughter. They add
thousands of soldiers to the strength of the United
States by rousing to arms the southern peasantry,
which had never been called into action against them
on this part of the continent. They have converted
myriads of tories into whigs by an argument which
they only can life, and the only argument by which
tories can be converted, the destruction of their pro
perty by their good friends and faithful protestors.
They have, by the mod intolerable cruelties in South-
Carolina, compelled us at last to retaliate ; and reta
liation continued will deprive them in future of the
advantages they have hitherto reaped from barbarities
unretaliated. They are wafting their troops by march
es and countermarches, by desertions, by the sword,
and by the unwholfomenefs of the climate ; and they
are adding millions to their national debt for the fake
of exchanging one prison for another, and the plea
sure of varying the profpeCtof Hudson's for that of
Afoley river. And yet the reduction of Charleftown
has been blazoned in Europe as an event to them of
the most important beneficial 'confequence; and all
the bombast of England has been exhausted in exagge
rated and pompous defcriptious of thi^ momentous
acquisition. If they keep such lying geniuffes in pay
in Britain as they do in New-York, they ought, I
grant, at least to have big words for their money.---
But the importance of the acquisition ! alas, how long
will the world be duped by imposture ! Beneficial in
deed to individuals, and very important, are such re
presentations. While the war continues they accu
mulate riches. By a thousand ways which an honest
man can never invent, or a rogue will ever difeover,
these infatiate leeches fuck out the very vitals of their
devoted nation ; a nation induftriotffly kept in con
stant delusion by magnificent boasts of victories that
have never been gained, and of events that may never
happen ; a nation over which even we might shed a
tear, at feeing her obstinately pursuing measures that
must infallibly terminate in her deprivation of that im
portance in the balance of Europe, which, not from
affection, (which she has by diabolical and hitherto
unheard of Cruelties, eternally expunged from our
hearts) but for political reasons, we would with her
to preserve, for the common tranquillity of mankind,
and our own posterity in future ages. But when to
tally stripped of her wealth, and drained of her men,
her navy reduced, and the marine of her enemies in
creased, her commerce decayed, and her American
dominions for-ever dismembered from her empire,
with the world against her for her infufferable inso
lence, and the Almighty for her outrageous impieties,
she calls upon those her deluders who daily flatter her
hopes and inflame her infatuation, for the perform
ance of their promise—the conquest of America; how
dreadful will be her disappointment! What consola
tion will she receive from the filly excuse ever on the
tip of an Englishman's tongue, when he has played
the fool or the knave, echo cvould have thought it ?
What atonement for her perdition in the gibbeting of
fifty or an hundred scoundrels?
From the Neco-York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury,
Extraordinary. April icth.
This morning arrived here the brig Active, Capt. Craw
ford, in 33 days from St. Kitts, by whom cue have
the following advices, extracted from the St. Chriflo
pber Gazette.
BASSETERR E, Feb. 5, 1781.
Intelligence Extraordinary.
SATURDAY morning appeared off this island 12
fail of the line, two of them three deckers, seve
ral frigates and cutters ; —they shewed no colours,
and manoeuvred in such a manner as made it believ
ed they were the enemy's Blips. The 28th regiment
then on duty here, were immediately marched for
Brimstone Hill, and the militia took charge of the pri
soners, amounting to near 600; about 10 o'clock the
fleet bore away for St. Euftatius. Yesterday morn
ing Mr. Cathcart, pilot of the Sandwich, arrived here
from St. Euftatius, he informs, that Admiral Rodney
anchored in the road of St. Euftatius, with 12 fail of
the line at 12 o'clock on Saturday ; that he and Ge
neral Vaughan sent to inform the Governor, that war
was declared against the Dutch, and desired him to
surrender the island under his command to his Bri
tannic Majesty's forces under their command, arid
granted him four hours to confider of it ; at 4 o'clock
P. M. the Dutch colours were hauled down, and the
British coloitrs displayed on all the fortifications in
HORACIUS.
t :t if nd; 00 men were landed and immediately
took possession of it.
The greatest order and regularity was observed on
this occasion. One hundred and thirty-eight French,
Spanish, American and Dutch vessels were captured,
many of them richly laden. A Dutch frigate at an
chor got her tomkins out and prepared to salute the
Admiral —she did salute and hauled down her colours;
die was commanded by Capt. Byland, son of Adm.
Byland. One pilot boat efCaped. Admiral Rodney
received dispatches from government dated the Bth of
January, acquainting him of a Dutch and Portugueze
war, and that the Empress of Russia had joined Great
Britain, and sent her fleet to the relief of Gibraltar.
The Danes and Swedes are as yet neutral, but it is
imagined they will/ not lon^ remain so ; the former
it is laid will join Great-Britain. A fleet of men of
war, have been sent to the Eaft-Indics, to seize the
Dutch spice islands.
His Majesty's fliip the Terrible, James Ferguson,
,Esq. commander, with four Dutch ihips prizes, rich
ly laden, palled by this road, on their way for St,
Euftatius.
By an intelligent person who lately made his escape
from St. Euftatia, an island belonging to the States
of Holland in the Wed-Indies, a free port, and where
a vast traffic was carried on between all trading na
tions, we have obtained the following particulars of
the capture of that important place.
On the 3d of February Admiral Rodney, with a
British squadron of 13 Ihips of the line, and with
transports that carried, as was said, 2000 men, arriv
ed at that island. The Governor had no previous no
tice of the approach of this squadron, or that any
hostilities had commenced between the two nations ;
so that 'Statia was completely furprized. The British
Admiral immediately sent a message to the Governor,
demanding a total and unconditional surrender of the
place, allowing him four hours to confider of the de
mand ; but before a quarter of this lime had elapsed
he landed his troops, and took possession of the for
treffes, the town, and all the merchandize and wealth
Extract of a letter from St. Euftatius, dated Feb. 14.
" The Itridteft discipline and decorum is kept up
by the military here; a bomb battery and several new
fortifications arc conftrufling; Tumble-Do^n-Dick
point, and the hill that commands both it, the town
and the harbour, are to be strongly fortified; it is
imagined that 'Statia will, be, made a second Gibral
tar, The money, goods, /hipping, &c. taken here is
ahouilhing; two millions one hundred thousand pieces
of eight ; feventy-hx thousand of which was in the
poor chest, the remainder belonging to the company,
lias been taken ; fix' hundred and thirty thousand
pounds was found on board the Dutch Admiral's ship,
and four days ago a ship arrived from Amsterdam,
with thirty-two thousand light Joes on board, betides
a very valuable cargo of silks, fattins, velvets, &c.
Vessels are daily dropping in from different parts of
France, Holland and America; the number of whip
ping in this harbour, at the time of the capture is
nearly doubled since that period. Vast quantities of
fug.ar, tobacco, cotton, &c. are now fllipping off on
board the empty vessels, in order to proceed with the
25 fail of Dutch ihips taken by the Monarch, for Eu
rope, which are to be convoyed by the Dutch Adm.
ship, which is now repairing for that purpose. They
talk of a general confiscation of property, but I hope
there will be a line of diflindion drawn between the
friends of Great-Britain and the difaffetted. Several
of the merchants who have been concerned in flip
porting the American rebels as well as the French
islands, are sent on board the men of war, and are to
be sent to England in the firft fleet, together with the
Governor, Fiscal and other Dutch officers. The
Jews it is said will be banished.
" Also fifteen hundred Dutch vessels have been
taken or destroyed in the Texel or Channel ; and Ad
miral Digby has been sent three months ago with $
fail of the line to the East-Indies to seize the Dutch
spice island. I may now fay, that the Dutch are
completely ruined, and that they will not be able to
enter into a war with Great-Britain, but must accede
to any terms imposed upon them."
On Tuesday night about 7 o'clock, was brought
to this town escorted by the 15th regiment, 500 pri
soners who came from St. Euftatius, and were land
ed at Old Road, and delivered to the 28th, and for
want of places of confinement were obliged to guard
them in Londonderry fort all night.
The 15th marched for Sandy-point at two o'clock
yesterday morning, and on their way are to receive
700 more prisoners, that were to be landed at the
Old Road. The church at Sandy-point, and all the
spare houses are full of prisoners ; the number of pri
soners, French, Spaniards, Americans and Dutch in
this island, is said to amount to.near 2000.
The fame day arrived his Majesty's ship the Shrewf
bury, with between 20 and goon board, one of them,
in coming off, was searched, and 1400 Joes taken out
of his trunk.
By a tender arrived here on Tuesday last from Ad
miral Rodney, we are informed, that the Admiral had
received advice by express from England, that his
Majesty's ship the Bellona, in company with some
others, had fallen in with and captured a French con
voy, confiding of a 64 gun ship, a 40 gun frigate,
and 19 fail of transports, in the Bay of Biscay.
BOSTO N, March 29.
February 15.
March 1.
of the place, without opposition. The American
matters of vessels in the harbour went to the Gover
nor, it is said, and offered, with their sailors, amount
ing to 600, to enter and defend the fortreffes, or assist
in repelling the invaders in any way that might be
pointed out by him ; the Governor did not think pro
per to accept the offer, and no refinance was made.
There were upwards of 200 vessels of different nati
ons in the place, all of which fell into the hands of the
British. Al! the flores, merchandize and money that
could be difeovered, to a vast amount, shared the
fame fate. Upwards of 2d Danish vessels were seized
by the invaders, some of which had been released ; a
Portugueze ship was detained by them, and the re
port was, that war either had already commenced or
would soon take place between Portugal and Britain.
The day after the British troops landed, a drum went
round the town, notifying all the Jews there to re
pair to an'appointed place, and produce all their mo
ney and effects; the funimons was obeyed, and the
British commander took all into his possession, but
gave the Jews four Johannes a man, and sent them to
St. Christopher's.
Two days before Rodney appeared off 'Statia, a
Dutch fleet of between 20 and 30 merchant Ihips fail
ed from 'Statia, under convoy of a man of war of 64
guns. Rodney, as soon as he was made acquainted
with it, dispatched two 74 gun ihips and a frigate af
ter this fleet, which was soon overtaken by the Bri
tish. The Dutch commander fought with great va
lour and obstinacy, and refufed to surrender. He
was however overpowered, and the British took pos
session of his ship, and most, if not all, his convoy,
though not till after he had received seven balls in his
body, of which he soon expired. The brave defence
of this officer so disabled one of the British ships of
74 guns, that she was obliged after the action to be
towed in to a near port.
Rodney, by keeping up the Dutch colours upon
the fortreffes of 'Statia, after he had taken it, decoy
ed a number of trading vessels bound thither; by
which means he has enlarged the advantages gained
by him in the capture of the place.
One circumstance deserves particular notice. Three
hundred American seamen, finding that the island
was to be surrendered without refinance, retired to
an eminence in the middle of it, where they display
ed the flag of the United States, and Rood upon their
defence. One hundred of these men soon capitulat
ed with the British, but were immediately forced in
to service on board their ships. The remaining two
hundred continued to defend themselves. A British
party was lent to reduce them, which they repulsed,
and a number of which they made prisoners ;'and sent
a flag to the British officer for an exchange of prison
ers, which it is said took place. These brave fellows
kept their station, where the American colours were
flying when our informant left the island.
April 5. Nothing can be more evident than the
warm disposition of our allies effectually to aid the
cause of America. The late expedition from Rhode
Island are frefli and strong proofs of such a disposition.
It difeovered no small spirit in the French command
er to make two enterprizes for the fuccour of Virgi
nia, in the face of a superior British squadron. In the
naval action which ensued upon the last, great ho
nour was reflected upon the arms of France: Tho'
the British squadron was superior by 88 guns, yet the
advantage Was clearly on the fide of the French. And
indeed the whole conduct of our allies through the
war, convinces us of the folly of our former preju
dices refpedihg the vast superiority of the skill and
prowess ofthe Britons in comparison with the French.
An officer of reputation in the American army, who
was on board the French fleet in the late action, and
an eye witness to the whole, speaks in the highest
terms of the coolness, intrepidity and good conduct
of the Chevalier Deftouche and his whole squadron.
Their superiority, he fays, in the engagement was
undeniably evident; and the conduct of the British
squadron while in action, and when they retired, were
but ill adapted to support the vaunts of that nation.
Last Tuesday arrived at Newport, a fliip from Ber
muda, bound to New-York, prize to the Hermoine
frigate. The Surveillante frigate has also taken a
large brig, which was afterwards funk.
Thursday last failed from Salem the privateers Bru
tus and Neptune, in quest of a privateer Hoop be
longing to the enemy, which had been cruizing off
Cape Cod, and Sunday the Brutus returned into port
with her. The Neptune being left to cruize for her
consort, has since ran ashore near Barnftable, but 'tis
said will be got off.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Nantz, dated
November 25, 1780.
" The Dutch have at last signed the neutral treaty,
the 21st instant, to the great joy of all Europe.
This has been the only answer they have given Sir
Joseph Yorke, on the address he had made for fatis
fadtion for the papers found on Mr. Laurens, concern
ing a treaty between the United States and the State
of Amsterdam."
Extract of a letter from New-London, March 20.
" Capt. Peck is just arrived in a short passage from
St. Croix, and informs, that Admiral Rodney took
possession of St. Euftatia, St. Martins, and Saba, on
the 3d of February.
' 'Capt. Seymore is also just arrived from Efquebo,
who informs, that that place and Demarara are both
taken by the British, and the inhabitants plundered.
It was also reported that eight fail of the line and a
number of troops were failed for Curracoa."