The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1782-06-15 00:00:00, page 2

RICHMOND,'fn%„ MAY n.
II7E are sorry to inform the Publick, that 'all our accounts
VV from the frontiers of this Rate afford a gloomy prof
peril; scarcely one of the counties along the Alleghany, that
has'not had Tome of its inhabitants' tnaffacred by the fav'agcs;
and the inhabitants of the two outer counties, Monongahela
and Greenoriar, are all in forts. Our accounts from the fron
tiers^ South-Carolina and Georgia, are, however, more fa
vourable, as the militia of those Bates have penetrated tire
Indian country on the sources of the Mobille, and bid fair to
•repress their imfolence
Baltimore, (Maryland) Mav T 4. A number of small pri
vateers, five of which are said to be armed barges, manned
principally by desperate refugees, now infeft our bay, and
greatly annoy our commerce. Three of them latelv captured
an armed boat from Annapolis, under Captain Grarfon s com
mand, near the Tangier ifladds, after a sharp contest in which
this brave Captain and fcveral of his men, loft then lives, after
performing signal arils of valour.
Annapolis, (Maryland) May 16.
Tn the House of Delegates, May re, 1782.
Rivington's Royal Gazette of the Bth instant announcing
the arrival of Sir Guy Carleton at New-York, as a Commis
sioner for malting peace or war in North America; the dis
solution of the late British Ministry, and the appointment of
a new 4dminiftration; and the draught of a bill brought into
the British Parliament to enable the King of Great-Britain to
conclude a peace or truce with the United States, (bv the ap
pellation of the revolted colonies) being laid before the house
and read; ,
Re/olved unanimous. That it is the-opinion of this House,
that peace with Great-Britain and all the world is an object
truly desirable, but that war, with all its calamities, i to be
preferred to national difhonour, and that it is theTentiment
of this house, that any negociafion for peace or truce, not
agreeable to the alliance with France, is inadnvffible: that
every danger ought to be encountered, every event hazarded,
rather than fully our national character, or violate, in the head
degree, our connexion with our great and good ally: and that
good faith, gratitude and fafety, forbid any treaty with Great-
Britain, but in conjunction with France, or with her consent
firft obtained.
Reffod unammouly, That this house will exert the power
of the Bate to enable Congrefo to prosecute the war, until
Great-Britain renounce all claim of sovereignty over the Uni
ted States, or any part thereof, and until their independence
be formally, or tacitly assured by the treaty with Great-Bri
tain, France and the United States, which flnh terminate the
war. B, Order,
W. HARWOOD, Clk.
By the Senate, May 16, 1782.
Read and unanimously affected to.
By Order, J. MACCUBBIN, Clk.
Boston, May ▼;.
Extrafl of a letter from Martinico, dibril 17.
“ We have various reports of an engagement between the
heets of De Graffe and Rodney, which is avowed to be the
most bloody action that has happened this war; but as there
are no accounts fufficiently particular at this time, shall collect
what is mod to be depended on and pen it on a separate piece of
paper and inclofe it in this.
P. S. the 18th of April. Having procured a newfpipe r of
this date, I inclofe it herein, and refer you to it for the best
account of the arilion between the French and English fleets,
that can be at present obtained. Would only observe, that
Count de Grade saved an immensely rich fleet which he had
under his protection, and then pnrfued his originally intended
course, to join the Spanifli fleet to leeward."
Thefollowing account of a sea engagement between the French (vt,
under the command of his Excellency the Count de Grafle, and
the British fleet under the orders of Sir George B. Rodney; is
franflated fi om the Martinico Gazette, of April 18, brought
by the brig Swan, Capt. Goodhue, who arrived at Newbury
Taft Thursday, in 20 days from Martinico.'
M. de Graffe having held the English fleet at bay during the
right between the Bth and 9th, in the channel of Dominica,
covered the merchant flrips by his grand manoeuvres, and by
that means gave them time enough to make their escape. The
9th in the morning the two van guards were engaged, 15 French
against 13 English fliips, the main body of the two fl ets being
not near enough to engage. The Cato, command by M. Frarn
mond, sustained, with the greatest firmnefs, the fire from three
English ships; near go men were killed and wounded, and lire
was soon disengaged by the Triumphant and Pluto. The Eng-
Tfh left us the field of battle, and appeared infini ely more da
maged than we were. The Cato proceeded to Guadaloupe to
repair, and the next day was followed by the Jason, who had
buffered by-the Zele's running on toard her; this last ship ha
ving also run on board the Ville de Paris in the night between
the nth and 12th, her inizen-maß and bowsprit were carried
away, and not being able to manoeuvre, would have fallen into
the hands of the enemy if Count de Graffe had net ordered the
frigate ABrea to go and take her to tow. The English in that
moment crouded all their fails towards the damaged ships; our
General to save them, made a signal forthe whole fleet to lxar
down upon the enemy, and to attack them at pistol shot: That
judicious manoeuvre at the time when we had but 30 ships a
gainst ?7, was immediately executed with the greatest intrepi
dity; the Count de Graffe set the example, liecut off the Eng
lish line, and carried every thing before him that lay expofcd
to the fire of his artillery. The two fleets being becalmed,
were mixed together, and fought with unexampled bra^ry
from 7 o'clock in the morning till 7 in the evening; the drips
were engaged the greatef tpart of the time yard-arm and yard
arm. The ship of war le Gloffeux engaged by three of the
enemy," two of which were three deckers, was taken, being
entirely difmafted, and just ready to fink; the English after
taking her out of the line, set fire to her, and the blew up.— We
shall go no further in lamenting the fad effeds of\var, but wait
for the well authenticated account of this memorable and bloo
dy day. W^have but this moment the certainty of the deplo
rable situation in which the two fleets were left at the end of
the arition, and we know only that during this bloody engage
ment, a number of English ships were seen in a bad <oiJi''ot
going before the wind ; that on the 13th, the two fleets were
seen off Guadaloupe, 13 leagues distant from each other, that
the convoy passed by Basseterre tor St. Domingo in the night
between the 9th and ioth, under the escort of the Sagittaire
and the Experiment, and except the loss of the Gloric'ux, the
English Blips have filtered much more damage than ours.
P. S. It appears by the last letter; from Guadaloupe, that
cur fleet flood for St. Domingo; and that the English were en
deavouring, on Monday last to gain Antigua: They add, that
the frigate Richmond, after having towed the Glorieux for
some time, saved the crew, and then set heron fire.
Extras of a letter from Martinico, dated April i 5.
“ Now for news—The English fleet were seen since the ac
tion trying to beat up to Antigua, 7 ships Were wholly difmaf
led, with their Blears up railing jury masts, about 15 more
with part oftheir masts gone, and about 14 or 15 more only
'able to form a lihe.
REBEL INTELLIGENCE.
Bohon, Ma, 20. Thursday last arrived at this pert a packet
in 36 days from France, with dispatches for Congref;, which
wereimnu diately sent forward. Nothing Iras franfoired ex
cepting that greater preparations are making by France for a
vigorous, early and decisive campaign this year, than has yet
taken place since the commencement of hostilities.
Last Saturday arrived here the Blip Enterprize, Captain Da
niel Defbon, in forty'days froAi Amfteidam; front letters,
papeis, &c. brought by her, we have the following advices.
Extract of a letter fom a capital house in Amjierdam, dated
March 25, 17^2.
“ We arc happy in communicating to you, that this whole
nation now uhite with cne voice in the inoft urgent manner
for the acknowledgement of the independence of America by
our hates; frun the Beps taken by the separate Bates and
cities, &c. ths event is looked for in a few days; and Mr.
John Adams will be received as publick rainifter. We cannot
but fay, though we have long laboured to accelerate it, but
that we feared the court party and English interest gave us room
to fear this matter was at some distance; but the people are
grown so violent, and we are persuaded the Prince is sensible
ofthe danger there would be to himfelf, did he refill them
any longer,"
Another letter of the fame date fays, “ things begin to have
a much more p'cafing afped than they have had for some time:
Mr. Adams bought 2 house at the Ilague.—The province of
Friedland have acceded to the rcfolution to admit his Excel
lency as uiinifter from the United States of America: Holland
will de, the fame, and it is expected that the other provinces
will follow; the principal inhabitants of the different cities of
Holland have presented petitions to accelerate that Bep."
Extract of another Itter from Amflerdam, March 28.
" About fix weeks since the province of Friefland revived
the United States of America Free ^nd Independent : In imi
tation, the Bate of Holland the day before yederday made
the fame declaration; a Bate for wealth and political conse
quence in the affairs of the States-General, bears the greatest
Ijvay ; therefore in time (for we don't move the fafteft) we may
depend on the decided part ofthe United Netherlands in favour
of America.—Add to this we may form some happy conse
quences from the total change ofthe British Ministry."
Copy of a letter f, om Mfrs. Ingraham and Bromfield, merchants
in Am&rdam, to a gentleman of this town, dated March 20.
SI R, '
The knowledge we have of your attachment to America, and
the zeal yog have uniformly difeovered for her interests, induce
us to inclofe you a copy of a letter, which this day came to
our harfds. It is frem.a gentleman of eminence at the Harue,
and being wrote in a language that you are acquainted with,
will afford the oppcitunity of obliging your friends ' by a trans
lation. ' —
" The French u<ic Bento pass St. Kitts not half to much
damaged as the enemy, and bound to j.bin Don Cordova, the
Spaniih Admiral, with 17 ships, now lying oft Cape Tibcroon,
on an expedition, supposed by many to be America, but by
some to Jamaica: They fay the action has been the mod bar
barous and fierce ever fought. Rodney declared befo e he
failed, he would lose his whole fleet or deflroy the French be
fore they joined the Spanifli; the calm took them, and they
did not get separated for three days, they lay yard arm and
yard-armfronrfix in the forenoon till 7 in the afternoon, offi
cers filing at each other with their pitfols. The French had
'6500 troops divided in thhir ships. The English could get no
advantage by their being no wind, and the daughter great on
both tides."
\Extraß ts another letter from Martinico, dated April 17.
" I fu-ppofe you will be anxious for the news, ^s every one
here trembles for the event, but there is no particulars come
to hand ; it is supposed to be the mod severe arilion ever fought,
as they have been at it for three days; the French with 33 fail
of the line, aid the English v;ith 39- The French would not
have engaged had not one of their Blips Toft her boWfprit, and
could not keep the line to windward, and therefore Count de
Graffe ordered all to engage, and it ha's been almost a calm for
this week, so that they could not separate: The French Ad
miral had three ships on him from 6 o'clock in the morning
until 7 at night, yard-arm and yard-arm; he had difmailed
two of them when the frigate came away; but the accounts
are so various that we can depend on nothing: The French
had one Blip burnt by fhemfelves, and I believe one ©f two
funk, and federal difmaßed.
" Rodney's Blip it is said is funk by the French Admiral,
and two or three blown up and burnt, and almost all the rest
clifmafted ; but at any rate, there has been seen from the shore
fcveial ships to burn, several to fink, and two blew up of one
fide or the other; —the French had the advantage hi having 7 or
8000 men on board, and a vcry.clcfe action and Imopth water,
and they could not be out maaneuvred in a calm."
The fleet under convoy of Count de Graffe, bound from
Martinico for the Leeward Islands, when he fell in with Ad
miral Rodruy, coutifted-of 270 fail, and was said to be the
richest fleet that eve? failed from that iffand; and by the good
co:&ft of the Count every one of them escaped from falling
into the hands of the enemy.
Capt. Elwell, who arrived at Cape Ann last Friday, in 19
days from Martinico, confrihs the above, and further adds,
that the whole of the fleets were engaged the second da} ' after
meeting ; that the Cotint'de Grade and Admiral Rodney were
so near each other, that theicannon of the Count's Blip set Ad
miral Rodney's on fire, which was confirmed; and that Rodney
took himfeif on board one of the frigates during the remainder
of the engagement.',
It is reported he also bi ings an account that only two hands
were faced out ofthe Gtorietix.
N O RWI C IT, (New-England) May 16.
ExtfaE of a letter from an officer of diftmaion, at Camp, dated
Ma, so, yice. 4 .
" Sir Guy Carleton is arrived at New-York, joined in com
midion with Admiral Digby, forthe purpose of proposing peace
to the revolted colonies, much on the grounds of the former
commidion,, by placing us on the footing we were on in 1763.
Thisis announced to the General by Sir Guy, inclofing the act of
Parliament, &c. in a ?er, complaifaut stile.—Thus you fee, Sir,
their pretences are difctofed—and our conduct is a d plainly de
cided, and ought to be the nioft vigorous possible. By a change
of the British Minidry, the principal iw/^rtynlenders are to
be provided for and fileoced —peace proposed to quiet the minds
ofthe people of England and when their offers are rejected
by us, as they know they mud be, then it is to be said, that
e^xry conciliator, raeafare has been tried with these rebellious fab
jeßs, to no qfAt ; nothing therefore remains but vigorous and
uniled war.'
N E W-L O NDO N, (New-England) May 17.
Monday night last, the Continental frigate Alliance, fohn
Barry, Esq; commander,, arrived here in 55 days from Port
I'Orient, in France- This Blip was bound to Philadelphia,
but on her arrival in the Delaware, they diicsvered a British
Blip ofthe line, up the bay, who gave them chace, which oc
casioned their Banding for this port. Off Sandy Hook they
were chafed for some time by two-frigates. The only news of
importance brought by this vessel is, an account that the States
of Holland have entered intoan alliance with France, by which
these powers guarantee to each other all the poifeffions they
held before the prerent war: That the Dutch by this treaty,
engage to enter into the war with spirit, and were fitting out a
large fleet.
We congratulate you and your country upon thishapp
presage in this quarter, and are,
Your very humble servants,
INGRAHAM & BROMFIELD.,
Translation of the Handbill printed in Amsterdam.
Extra Tidings from the United States of Holland to the United
Slates of North- America, that is to fay, the Seven Provinces
of Holland have declared America Free and Independent States.
WE, the United States of Holland, have these twenty-five
years past fern the iniquity of the British administration to the
American colonies, and finding ourselves in gratitude to the
calls of religion, freedom and virtue, obliged to consent to
defend the FREEDOM of AMERICA, and grant them their
independence, from the 28th of March 1782, and are willing
to aid and assist them in every thing they foall think necessary.
Done and fettled with the Honourable John Adams, Mini/ler
Plenipotentiary fcm the United States of America to the
United States of Holland.
Extract of a letter from an American gentleman in Amsterdam
to his friend in this city, dated March 25,
“ The last papers which contain the substance of the late
change in England, will serve to shew you a different mode of
attack:—England experts by mild measures and by granting
what America does net thank her for, to conciliate their
fedions, and induce her to leave her ally to fhift for herfelf.
I think 1 know my countrymen too well, to believe that they
will Bain their national character with such a deed. I ihall onlv
fay, that I fee no profped of a peace, unless England finds her
fuff so embarrassed as to propose in the coming winter, a general
one, which I sincerely with but do not expeft." °
P H I L A D E L P H I A, May zz.
In Council, Philadelphia, Ma, 21st, 1782.
WHEREAS on the 25th day of May. 1778, at a time when
the British Parliament, Minify and King were artfully at
tempting, by insidious means to divide and deflroy these United
States, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, with a dignity
becoming the reprefeiitatives of a virtuous and free people,|
entered, unhitimoufly, into the following Resolves, viz.
" r. RefAm A unanimoufy, That the delegates or deputies of
the United States of America in Congrefa assembled, are in
vested with an exclusive authority to treat with the King of
Great-Britain, or Commissioners by him duly appointed, ic
fpeding a peace between the.two countries.
“ 2. Refolded unanimously, That any man, or body of men,
who ffiall presume to make any separate or partial convention 1
or agreement with the King of Great-Britain, or with the
commissioners or commiffioncr under the Crown of Great-
Britain, ought to be considered and treated as open and avowed
enemies of the United States of America.
“ 3. Refolded unanimously, That this House highly approve
of the declaration of Congress, “ That these United States
cannot, with propriety, hold any conference or treaty with anyl
commissioners on the part of Great-Britain, unless they Biall,l
as a preliminary thereto, cither withdraw their fleets and |
primes, ct elfc, in positive and express terms, acknowledge thel
independence of the said States."
" 4. Reived unanimously, That the Congress have no power,
authority, or right, to do any ad, matter or thing whatsoever,
that may have a tendency to yield up, or abridge the fove-|
reignty and independence of this State, without its consent
previously obtained.
" 5- Refolded unanimously, That this House will maintain,|
support and defend the sovereignty and independence of this 1
State with their lives and fortunes.
“ 6. Refolded unanimeufly, That it be recommended to the
fnpreme executive council of this State, forthwith to order the
militia to hold thcmrilves in icadinefs to ad as occasion may
require." %
And whereas there is the fulleft evidence, that the fame spirit
of wickedness and folly which at that time governed the councils
of the British nation, has excited the present rulers of that peo
ple, under more specious names and pretences, to repeat thel
inflating attempt. And whereas the people of a free State are,
intitled to rhe fulleß and cleared information of the principles
on which their rephefentatives, in the executive as well as in
the legislative, mean to proceed in every great concern, thisl
council conceive it to be their duty to declare, that as theyl
fully and unanimously approve of the said recited refolutions,'
so they determine to adhere ftridly to them on all occasions.
And it is the unanimous opinion of this council, that any
proportions which may be made by the Court of Great Britain,
in any manner whatsoever, tending to violate the treaty sub
fifting between us and our illußrious ally, ought to be treated
with every matk of indignity and contempt. And, at the fame
time, this council considering the advantages which nations de
rive from amity and commerce founded on good faith, esteem
and mutual interest, and well knowing the benefit which Great-
Britain might derive from America were she to adopt principles
of moderation, wisdom and justice, cannot so far suppress their
defile for the general inbereft of mankind, and regard to the/
dignity of human nature, as not to feel some concern while
they fee that once powerful and refpeaable nation, continuing
to ad upon principles which if perfißed in much longer mu{|
by destroying all title to the esteem, faith and confidence of
these United States, render treaties of amity and commerce
between us and them abfolutcly and altogether impracticable,l
Ordered, That the foregoing resolutions be publilhed.
Extras from the Minutes,
T. MATLACK, Secretary.
June 1.
Extraß of a Letter from his Excellency General Wafoington to
Congress, dated Head-Barters, May 10, 1782.
" JUST as I am doling these dispatches, a letter from Sir
Guy Carleton is handed me, covering sundry printed papers; a
copy of which, with the papers, I have now the honour to
enclose to your Excellency, together with the copy of my
aniwer to him; and I flatter myfelf my conduct herein will be,;
agreeable to the withes of Congrefs."'
S I R, Hcad-fgtart^y New-York, 7th May, 2782 c j
HAVING been appointed by his Majesty to the command of
the forces on the Atlantick ocean, and joined with Admiral!
Digby in the conunidion of peace, I find it proper in this man
ner to apprize your Excellency of my arrival at New-York.'
\The occasion, Sir, fee -to render this communication pro
per, but the ci cumßancvs of the present time render it also
indilpenfible, as I find it just to tranfinit herewith to your Ex
cellency certain papers, from the penufal of which your Excel
lency will perceive what dispositions prevail in the government
and people of England towards those of America, and what
further efforts are likely to follow; if the like pacifick difpofr
t:on should prevail in this country, both my inclination and
duty will lead me to meet it with the moB zealous concurrence.
In all . events, Sir, it is with me to declare, that if war mull
prevail, I shall endeavour to render its miseries as light to th,
people of th s continent as the circumßances of such a condij
tion will possibly permit.
I am much concerned to find, that private and unauthorised
perfonshave, on both sides, given way to those passions whic#
ought to have received the Brongeft and most effectual con
troul, and which have begot arils of retaliation, which, withi
out proper preventions, may have an extent equally c^lamito^
and dishonourable to both parties; though, as it fhculd fe^%
more txtenfivclp pernicious to the natives and settlers of th,
country.
How much soever, Sir, we may differ in other refperits, upon