The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1784-12-20 00:00:00, page 1

Foreign Intelligence.
H A G U E, Odober 7.
F ffi IHE Governor of Fort Lillo has sent infor
mation, that last week a vessel under Au
fttian colours failed from Antwerp amidst
-' the loudest acclamations of the citizens,
in order to pass by the way of the eastern branch of
the Scheldt to the ocean, to proceed to France to
take in a cargo of the wines of that country. The
Governor, in obedience to the resolution of the States
General, permitted the vessel to pass before Lillo ;
but when ihe arrived at Saftingen, the frigates there
obftru^ted her passage, and therefore she returned up
the river to the place from whence (he returned, with
out meeting with any further molestations. The un
expeded return of the veflel, however, so exasperated
the Antwerpers, that they vented their rage by dis
charging large stones at the vessel when she had en
tered the port.
The distresses which are daily overwhelming the
American merchants, will prove the necessity of the
interference of government, in behalf of that impor
tant class. At present, darkness and confufion per
vade the exchange. With America, no treaty of
commerce, or any stipulation in trade. No ambassa
dor, no consuls appointed. Our doors thrown wide
open for the exportation of our manufactures, but
closely shut against those articles of their produce by
which alone they can pay for the goods sent to them.
The duty on tobacco so enormous, that ere long it
will be forced to foreign markets. Oil, that staple of
all the eastern states, is under an absolute prohibition,
and almost every other article of payment feels the ef
fects of similar obftru&ions.
Not only every tradesman and manufacturer, but
also the nation at large, are interested, and ought to
put government in mind of their duty, and call upon
them to pay early attention to the critical situation of
the thousands concerned in the American commerce.
NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
There are a number of Canadian gentlemen now in
England, who have come over to prosecute a redress
of grievances they have fuffered from Governor Hal
dimand. They charge him with various acts of rapa
city, and have preferred complaints against him of a
heavy nature, which are now before his Majesty's
privy council.
Sept. 24. A letter from Dublin fays, " That it is
now intended that the Congress shall not meet in the
capital, but in the town of Athlone, in the county of
Rofcommon, which stands nearly in the centre of the
kingdom. The letter adds, however, that it is not
on account of its centrical situation that Athlone is to
be preferred to Dublin, but on account of something
that has transpired relative to the intention of govern
ment : It has been rumoured, time will tell with what
truth, that government intend to prevent the fitting
of Congress, and if proclamation should prove ineffec
tual for that purpose, to call in the aid of the mili
tary: The numerous garrison of Dublin, reinforced
as it is to be, would prove an overmatch for the volun
teers of the capital ; and therefore it is, that a small
country town is made choice of, where there are no
barracks but for a troop of horse; if government
should march regiments towards it, it will appear that
it can be for no other purpose than that of breaking
up the Congress, and in that case each county could
march a fufficient body of men, for the protection of
its delegates. Be these different reports true or falfe,
certain it is, that the political horizon of Ireland is
very clouded ; and the prorogation of the Irish parli
ament to the 2d of November, is thought by many
a measure of a very serious nature."
The Dutch navy has lately had an increase, rapid
almost beyond conception. In the engagement off the
Dogger Bank, in the month of August, 1780, they
could only muster eight ships of the line, as the squa
dron for the home defence, even in that very great
emergency. In the succeeding year they added four
teen ships of the line to their fleet; and before the
[Vol. VIII.]
TRENTON: Printed by ISAAC COLLIN S, Printer ri the State.
LONDO N, August 26.
September 1.
MONDA Y, December 20, 1784.
peace was concluded, they had strengthened their na
val force with ten more two-deckers, making in the
whole 24 additional ships of the line. The navy of
Holland now consists of two flips of 76 guns, five of
74, four of 68, ten of 64, four of 60, and fourteen
from 50 to 56 guns, which last, in the Dutch ser
vice, are always included under the head of vessels of
the line; if to these we add four ships of 74 guns,
three of 68, two of 64, three of 60 and four of 66
guns, now on the stocks building, the Dutch naval
force, at this time, consists in the following manner:
Two of 76 guns, nine of 74, seven of 68, twelve of
64, seven of 60, and eighteen from 50 to 56 guns, in
all 55 fllips of the line. Ihe number of frigates is
not so ealily determined, though it is known they
have upwards of thirty, of various rates, from 24 to
40 guns, and they are now building fume others.—
The admiralty of Amsterdam is contributing largely
to the advancement of the naval force of the confede
rate provinces.
Oftober 2. We are well informed, that the Mi
nister has a plan to propose to Parliament early in the
next session, for railing publick credit substantially,
and for keeping it upon such a refpedable footing, as
it never has yet experienced in this country.
ORober 9. A letter from Brest, by Tuesday's
French mail, fays, that a frigate is ordered to be got
ready for sea as faft as possible, and to take on board
three months provisions ; and according to accounts
received, it is to carry Dr. Franklin and his domef
ticks to America, and that he was expected at Brest,
by the 12th of October, to embark, part of his bag
gage being come to the hotel taken for him in that
town.
Odeber 14. Last Thursday morning James Bour
dieu, Esq. set out for Paris, to procure his credenti
als from the court of France, in whose service he is to
be employed as one of the commissioners towards fet
tling a treaty of commerce between the two courts;
but we understand that the necefiary arrangements to
be agreed upon between the two East-India Compa
nies, more particularly comes within the limits of his
commission.
Ollober 19. French politicks have at length suc
ceeded, and inveigled the Dutch into a contest with
the Emperor, where, it is mod likely, they will be
left by their Gallick friends, to get out again as well
as they can.
The Emperor having pubiickly declared that he
should conlider an opposition to a ship with his colours
passing the Scheldt as a declaration of war, and the
Dutch having gone so far as to fire at one of his ves
sels for making the attempt, there can be little hopes
of matters being now accommodated without blood-
Hied ; and we may exped the next mail will bring
over accounts of hostilities having been reciprocal be
tween them.
Extract of a letter, dated Eastern Scheldt, OR. 8.
“ This morning, at seven o'clock, M. Le Lt. Ver
dooren, who belongs to the schooner Le Dauphin,
lying at anchor behind Stockgate, in the view of Lil
lo, received orders from Lieut. Cuperns, commander
of the schooner, to go and reconnoitre a bring under
Imperial colours, which was failing down the Scheldt,
on this Lieutenant Verdooren demanded of the com
mander of the Austrian ship where he was going? to
which he aniwered, " he was going down the Scheldt
for the sea." 'lhe Lieutenant entreated him, in a
friendly manner, desiring him to be on his guard, as
his orders were not to allow any Imperial ship to pass
by the Scheldt, and advised him to cast anchor. '1 he
Austrian captain replied, “ that his Imperial Majesty
had declared the Scheldt to be open, and that he had
orders to continue his route without minding what he
might do." Lieut. Verdooren continued his friendly
entreaties, in the name of his commander, adding,
that if he refufed, very disagreeable consequences
would ensue, for which he mull be answerable ; the
Lieut. Verdooren made signals for his boat, and rowed
towards Le Dauphin. On which Lieutenant Cuperns
fired a gun with powder, and requested the brig to
approach ; but the captain of the brig, holding a paper
in his hand, cried out, that what he did was by order
of his Imperial Majesty. M. Cuperns, after having
THE
again and again entreated him to come to anchor, for
that he could not peripit him to pass the Scheldt for
sea, while the captain 'ftill persisted in his design, when
the fchooner' fired a b'roadfide, on which the brig came
to anchors - Ihl damage which the brig received is
but trifling," / 4 •
Extract of a letter from Of end, Odober 13.
" News is brought here by express, that the dis
pute betwe,e^the Emperor and the United States of
Holland ill a last come to an open rupture; it is fur
ther addfol that the Dutch have actually taken pos
session of./Juys, in Flanders, and of a small Imperial
fort in its neighbourhood."
Wednesday the Sth inst. arrived at Nee-York the
brig Alary, Capt. Curry, in five eeeks from Lon
donderry, by ebom ee have received the follow,
ing advices :
To the VOLUNTEER ARMY of IRELAND.
Countrymen and Felloe-Soldiers,
TH E alarming period is now arrived, when the
servants of the crown boldly avow that your
e^iftence as an army is at an end; a certain law-offi
cer (who distinguished himfelf by his mandate to the
High-Sheriffs of the city of Dublin) was heard to de
clare, that he would disarm the Volunteers of the
kingdom of Ireland. I know, my dear countrymen,
such a daclaration Should fill you with indignation, and
justly too; but I likewise know, that the magnanimity
and moderation, which has hitherto regulated your
conduct,will still guide you—that magnanimity which
has gained you the admiration of surrounding nati
ons—that magnanimity which forced approbation and
thanks from both Houses of Parliament, will teach
you to despise the attacks of so contemptible an enemy.
Be watchful of yourselves, my countrymen, left arti
fice should be too fuccefsfully used among you ; let no
little piques or division separate you; let unanimity
still prevail. Every court machination will be tried
to divide you ; force will be the dernier resource; and
when that appears, be firm, be re solved. Remember,
my dear fellow-foldiers, remember how you are bound
to each other; remember how often you have pub
lickly pledged yourselves to your country, that you
would never part your arms but with your lives; that
you would persevere till corruption was rooted from
your senate, the constitution renovated, and a Parli
amentary Reform established.
These being your laudable pursuits, I think I know
you too well to suppose you will retrad.- Let no
threats intimidate you, no apprehensions warp you. I
know you will meet great trials, and be branded with
harsh epithets for your perseverance. No doubt you
may be stiled rebels; but you all know, and your
country knows, that you are the most loyal fubjeds
his Majesty has in his dominions, and mod deserving
your fotfereign's confidence. Your motives are pure
and difinteretted; your enemies motives are corrup
tion and avarice ; you are patriot soldiers, and should
have the love of a patriot king, which I have no doubt
your endeavours will gain, with the bleflings of peace
and a free constitution, your inherent right, which, I
hope, will be gloriously contended for
BY ALL IRISH VOLUNTEERS.
DUBLI N, September 28.
There is something very mysterious in the behavi
our of those lawyers, who have given their opinions
against the meeting of Congress—surely, if their judg
ment is no way biaffed—if what they fay is the real
result of their mature deliberation, why fear to give it
authenticity, by the usual mode of affixing their
names? What adds more to the oddity of the affair
is, that one of the long-robed gentlemen is said to
have refufed ten guineas —this is flrange indeed !
Nothing ought to be held more sacred than the
character of a magistrate ; if once he becomes open to
the insults of men in power, he loses his dignity, and
is no longer refpe&ed by the lower orders of the peo
ple, who ought to venerate his name. A fneriff is a
Superior officer to the attorney-general—petulence and
ill temper should yield to becoming decency; and if
the magistrate a&s improperly, he is to be punished
by law, and not with iufolence.
[Numb. 345.]