The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-08-11 00:00:00, page 2

LOND O N, April 6.
Yesterday Sir Charles Hardy hoisted his flag on
board the Victory man of war of 100 guns, he being
appointed Commander in Chief of the grand fleet;
part of which is dropped down to St. Helens, and
the rest will fail from Spithead in a few days.
An express from Torbay, dated Saturday noon,
fays, that Admiral Arbuthnot was (till lying with the
fleets in that place, and in all likelihood would re
main there foine time, as the weft and south-west
winds generally prevail at this time of the year.
The Dutch at St. Euftatius are carrying on a most
profitable traffic between the French Islands and
America.
On Tuesday last Sir Robert Harland resigned the
command of the fleet. The reasons he gave in his
letter of relignation to the Lords of the Admiralty,
were, that he was to have two officers in command
under him (Admirals Digby and Darby) whose ideas
of discipline were so different from his own, that he
could not expert any other obedience or treatment
from them, than what Admiral Keppel had met with
from Sir Hugh Pallifer.
Orders are gone to flop Admiral Arbuthnot from
proceeding to America. He was in Torbay with his
whole fleet, when the last advices came from him.
The reason for flopping him is, the fleet cannot be
spared ; they are wanted for our home defence. Ex
cept this fleet, there are not 4 ships of the line ready
for sea. All the ships at Portsmouth were ftript to
fit out Admiral Arbuthnot. And if the Admiralty
were ordered to fit out ten ships of the line to-mor
row, they could not do it in four weeks.
— — The King 11no b^rn plcafcd to appoint Major-Ge
neral James Robertson to be Captain-General and
Governor in Chief of his Majesty's Province of New-
York, in America, in the room of Major-General
Tryon.
BASSETERRE, July 17 .
On Thursday morning last arrived here Admiral
Byron, with the ships under his command.
On Tuesday the sixth of July inst. at fix in the
morning, Admiral Byron engaged Mons. d'Eftaing's
fleet off Grenada.
The Monmouth engaged a French Rear Admiral
for three hours, made her sheer off; a second Rear
Admiral engaged and fought her some time; the
Boyne came up to her support, at which time eight
French ships of the line were firing on her and the
Boyne. Admiral Barrington then came up and kept
a continual fire on the French ships, seven or eight
of which were firing on him. The Grafton then came
up with the Vigilant, Stirling Castle, Albion, Corn
wall, Magnificent; the Lion then bore away, and
the Sultan came up and kept a smart fire, on which
the French flood away from the English fleet as faft
as poflible.
The fleet engaged the French from fix o'clock to
twelve, and drove them into Grenada; the Lion and
Monmouth were very much disabled ; but the Prince
cf Wales, Grafton, and some others did wonders,
fighting some times eight to one. Count d'Eltaing
had twenty-fix fail of the line and ten frigates, four
of them taken to be forty gun ships.
When the British fleet arrived at Grenada, it con
sisted of 21 fail of the line, and the Ariadne ; three
of which the Admiral was obliged to leave as a guard
to his convoy, and kept the Ariadne to repeat signals.
With x 8 fail of the line the Admiral determined to
attack, and the Count weighed to receive him. Not
withstanding the great disparity of force in the two
fleets, the British Admiral far from being intimidated,
though the odds were almost two ships to one, made
the signal for a general chafe, and immediately after
the signal for a close engagement, and found it ne
cessary to call in to his assistance the ships he left to
guard the transports, the preservation of which en
grofl'ed great part of his attention. The Admiral
Tingled out the Languedoc for himfelf, for which pur
pose he gave orders to be laid close along fide the
French Admiral ; but here he was disappointed, for
Admiral Barrington, in the Prince of Wales, ranged
up with the Languedoc ; here Admiral Barrington
seemed to swim in liquid fire.
We cannot undertake poll lively to assert the num
bers killed and wounded isl the different ships, but
the loss is eftimattd at about 300 killed and wound
ed. Lieut. Hutenings of the Grafton, formerly com
mander of the blip London Merchants of Nevis, was
back again to America, and will be accompanied by
1500 chosen men, all officers and subalterns, who,
on their arrival, will be dispersed in the different re
giments of the United States, in order to perfect them,
with all poflible fpecd, in the military discipline.
Dublin, April 27. Yesterday, pursuant to notice
issued by the high fheriffs of the city, a numerous
body of the aggregate inhabitants assembled at the
Tholfel, to take into conlideration the mod effectual
method of promoting the trade and manufactures of
this country, Rcfolvcd, that from and after the firft
of May next, they would not, directly or indirectly,
life any of the goods o[ wares of Great-Britain, which
can be manufactured in this kingdom. The resolu
tions are similar to those entered into by the corpo
ration of the Quarter Assembly.
A correspondent desires to inform the public, that
government is become highly alarmed at the associa
tions generally formed throughout the kingdom, a
gainst the use of British manufactures; which alarm
of government, our correspondent thinks, an excel
lent 6gn of success.
BOSTO N, July 29.
The Captain of the brig Sally, bound from Topf
ham to Trepary, Ireland, and taken off cape Race
by an American privateer, appeared before the Hon.
Council of this State on Thursday last, and teftified
as follows: That he failed from Torbay the 23d day
of May, with a fleet under the command of Admiral
Arbuthnot, confiding of fix fail of the line, viz. three
0 74, two of 64, and one of 50 guns, and two fri
gates, one of which was bound to Newfoundland, the
other, with a ship of 64 guns, bound to Quebec. The
Admiral was bound to New-York, and the rest to
different parts of America : That he left them about
a month or five weeks ago, in lon. 20, eastward of
the Westward Islands: That it was reported they had
7coo land forces with them, bound to America,
which were Hessian and British. The Experiment
was bound to Georgia.
Extract of a letter from Capt. Everett, to Mr. Stevens,
Secretary to the Board of Admiralty, dated Brest,
March 22, 1779.
" It is with great regret I must beg you to inform
their Lordships of the loss of the King's frigate, the
Arethufa. Deceived by the coming on of the night,
in chafe of a French vessel, I perceived my error when
it was too late. The Arethufa was loft on the reefs
of Ufhant the 19th. We are to be conducted to Par
haix, a little town of Brittany. I ought to do justice
to the nation in which lam a prisoner: The inhabi
tants of these coasts have given us every fuccour in
their power, with uncommon readiness: They have
omitted nothing that might comfort us under our mis
fortune, and my people are treated with the greatest
humanity."
[Notwithftanding the known humanity of the
French in Europe, and of the Count d'Estaing in A
merica, to the British prisoners, in how different a
manner have the fubjeds of France been treated who
have fallen into British hands ?]
On the 28th of June the fleet from France, that
had been some time expeded, arrived in the bay of
Port-Royal, in Martinico. It consisted of 46 fail of
merchantmen, 19 King's transports, under convoy of
two men of war of 74 guns, two of 64, four of 50,
two frigates of 36, and one of 26 guns. Their passage
was jodays, M. de Ie Mothe Piquet commander in
chief. This fleet, besides a great body of fine troops,
brought a large quantity of provisions and stores of
all kinds for the land forces and navy of France in
the Weft-Indies. On their voyage, one of the mer
chant-men was separated from the fleet by an accident
of weather; the commander made a signal for the
la'Blanche frigate to look after her, and conduct her
back to the fleet: in performing this duty, she was
attacked by an Englilh man cf war, the Jupiter, of
50 guns. M. Galliffonaire, Captain of the la'Blan
che, and worthy his name, received the fire of the
Jupiter with great intrepidity, and returned it so vi
gorously as to oblige her to sheer off; the la'Blanche
pursued her for half an hour, when, to avoid being
fepa;ated from tlx fleet, lire left the chafe. One of
This action, upon the whole, may be considered.
in the following point of view: The Admiral was de
ceived as to the strength of the enemy; he had a
convoy which he must protect ; he never coulo bring
the enemy to a close fight, as they edged away from
him as he bore down; several of his capital ships ne
ver came into action, which was the reason the ships
engaged received so much damage, being obliged (in
the general chafe) to run by so many of the enemy's
fliips, whom they beat out of the line. The ships are
now refitting, and are determined to seek the foe as
soon as repaired.
Admiral Byron, who was obliged to keep a Arid
watch on his convoy of transports with troops, which
was a great hindrance to his operations, lay some
time exposed to a heavy fire from three of their ca
pital ships, notwithstanding which his damage is but
trifling, having but 3 men killed and 2 wounded.
In this desperate attack Admiral Barrington re
ceived a wound in the lower part of his right arm by
a splinter.
It is hoped the gentlemen and ladies ofthis and the
neighbouring islands will shew their gratitude to the
men, who have so nobly bled for us, in fending some
frefh provisions for the nourishment of the poor
wounded men landed here yesterday. Let every one
contribute a little, and they will the sooner be able
to do that duty which we hope will keep this country
out of the hands of those that will oblige you to pay
them for taking your country.
Bets run twenty to one in St. Euftatius, that this
island will be in the hands ofthe French in the space of
three or four weeks.
killed, and the third Lieut, of the fame flip is dan
gerously wounded.
It is also reported there, that the French had fail
ed for Barbados with five fail of the line and some
ST. JOHN'S, (in Antigua) July 7, 1779.
By a vessel just arrived from Newfoundland, we
are informed, that the town of St. John, the capi
tal of that island, is better than half destroyed by a
dreadful fire which happened there. All his Majes
ty's magazine, arsenal and stores are destroyed to a
large amount.
We hear from home of lamentable dissensions a
mongst the most illustrious characters in the navy,
with daily resignations, said to be owing to the ac
quittal of Admiral Pallifer, and the resignations of
Admirals Keppel and Howe.
the 50 gun ships in this fleet, was fitted out by M.
de Beau Marchais.
PHILADELPHIA, August 3.
Friday last arrived here from St. Eudatia, the brig
antines Active, Industry and Convention, with the
schooner Speedwell and Roop Mars, all loaded with
rum and sugar.
And on Monday anived&e schooner Swan, Capt.
Robinson, in 18 days frfflfylartimgue. The fame
day was sent in lure by t^tohon ligate, a priva
teer schooner from New-York.
Aug.s. The inhabitants of Williamsburg, (V rgi
nia) have formed a committee for the regulation of
prices, and which is not doubted will be followed by
every county in the state.
The English accounts tell us, that the marquis de
la Fayette, is on board the squadron under Mons. la
Mothe Piquet, but they are mistaken, it is a cousin.
of the Marquis who had the command of the troops
on board that fleet, and is fafe arrived at Martinico.
On Monday last was Cent in here by the frigates
Boston and Dean, the privateer schooner Tryall, of
jo guns, of New-York, by whom we learn that the
privateer Flyingfifii is also taken by the frigates, and
may be hourly expected.
By authentic accounts from the frontiers it appears
that on the 28th of July a small fort, called Freeland's
fort, about 17 miles from Sunbury, was attached by
about 200 Indians and 100 Whites, who called them
fclves regulars, but are supposed by some to be tories
dressed in red regimentals. They were commanded
by one M'Donald. There were in the fort about 30
men and 50 women and children. Upon the attack
being made, Capt. Hawkins Boone, a very brave and
gallant officer, with about 30 men, went to the re
lief of the foit, but before he got there the fort had
surrendered, and with the neighbouring houses was
set 011 fire and burnt. M'Donald conferred to let the
women and children come away, but it is not yet
known what has been the fate ofthe men. Captain
Boone advanced to the fort and engaged the enen;y,
but was soon overpowered by numbers, and fell gal
lantly fighting for his distressed country. Captains
Dougherty and Hamilton are also miffing, and i 8 cf
the party. Some prisoners who came from them fry,
that Captain Boone's and 11 other scalps were bro't
into the fort in a handkerchief before they came away.
On the 29th July Northumberland was the frontier;
and it was exposed the next day that all the people
and effe&s would be removed over to Sunbury. Fort
Munsey is evacuated.
The possession of Dominica and St. Vincent by our
allies the French, must be an heavy blow to Britain,
and conduce much to the eftabiilhment of the great
objects of the late treaty of Paris, the independence
and rights of the United States : additional conquests,
of which we have the faireft profped, must propor
tionably conduce to an happy termination of the war.
But these are not the only advantages we reap from
that great and expensive armamtnt of his Most Chri
fiian Majesty, under the orders of the Count d'Es
taing. Ihe moment that commander appeared on
our coasts, we were relieved from the British cruizers
that had, in a manner, Ihut up all our ports, they
being obliged to keep collected for their own defence.
When the Count went to the Weft-Indies, he drew
Byron and the greatest part of the British ships of
war on these leas, after him ; making a most impor
tant diverlion in our favour, and tranflatihg iu a great
measure the naval war to the Weft-Indies. The ad
vantages arising from hence, to these States, are too
numeious to be particularly mentioned, and too ob
vious to require it.
Yesterday a veiled arrived at Salem in 17 days from
Dominica; in her pahage she saw a large fleet not
far to the leward of St. Chriftophers, beating up to-"
wa& that island, winch was judged to be the icua
dron of the Count d'Estaing.
FIS H-K I L L, August 5.
Extract of a letter from Boflon, dated July 28.
This moment there is an account received from
Salem, of an engagement between Count d'Estaing
and Admiral Byron---That the Count had taken five
line of battle ships, and difmafted many othets--that
the enemy made towards Jamaica; and that the
Count was following them. \'
The 21st ult. about 150 Tories and Savages, led by
Branot, fell on Minifink, and took several prisoners,
killed and scalped 4, destroyed a church, 8 dwelling
houfes, 8 barns, and 1 or 2 mills; they took some
cattle and plunder, some of which oar people retook,
and delivered to the owners. About 120 of the mi
litia were speedily collected, pursued and came up
with the enemy at Legheway, 27 miles from Minifink,
as they were transporting their plunder over the De
laware; here our troops, commanded by Col. Haw
thorne, attacked and killed many, but getting into
disorder, the enemy rallied, and rccroiTed the river,
having, it's said, got a reinforcement from Kafhegton
we had a few killed, 21 officers and privates are
miffing, among whom is Lieut. Col. Tuften. A more
full account of this action will be in our next.
On the night of the 14th of June, a fire broke out
in a large ship, loaded at Grenada, but at that time
in tee road of St. Christopher, with the grand fleet,
for the fake of convoy. This ship, all on fire in the
middle of the road, had like to have enveloped the
whole fleet in flames. Lady Macartney, who was
on board, had only time to save herfclf, and loft all
her effects.