The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-01-24 00:00:00, page 2

Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS^ Boston^
December 19th, 1780,
The above named George Batterman came before
me, and, being cautioned to declare the truth, made
solemn oath to the foregoing deposition by him fub*
scribed. S. H OLT E N,
justice of peace thro' the commonwealth.
True copy.
Attest. JOHN AVERY, Secretary,
In CONGRESS, January 13, 1781.
CONGRESS, taking into consideration the eminent
fervicefy rendered to the United States by Brigadier
General Sumpter, of South-Carolina, at the head of a
number of volunteer militia,from that and the neigh
bouring states, particularly in the victory obtained
over the enemy at the Hanging- Rock, on the 6th of
August---In the defeat of major Wemyfs ; and the
corps of British infantry and dragoons under his com
mand, at Broad-River, on the ninth day of Novem
ber, in which the said Major Wemyfs was made pri
soner---And in the repulse of Lieutenant Colonel
Tarleton and the Britilh cavalry and infantry under
his command, at Black-Storks, on Tyger-River, on
the 20th day of November last: in each of which
actions, the gallantry and military conduct of General
Sumpter, and the courage and perfeverence of his
troops were highly conspicuous:
Resolved therefore, That the thanks of Congress
be presented to Brigadier General Sumpter, and the
militia aforefaid, for such reiterated proofs of their
patriotism, bravery and military conduct, which in
title them to the highest esteem and confidence of
their country; and that the commanding officer of
the southern department do forthwith cause the fame
to be issued in general orders, and transmitted to
General Sumpter.
Extract from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
LONDO N, September 1.
TH E public have been much divided as to what
line of conduct government will pursue refpeCt
ing the armed neutrality. A Ruffian ihip was by a
London privateer taken a few days since, with naval
stores bound for Nantz, and brought into Plymouth,
The Gondemnation or difeharge of this vessel will de
termine this interesting and important point.
EXPLANATION which the Court of Sweden has
demanded, relative to the proposal which the Court
of Russia has made her, for the reciprocal protecti
on and navigation of their fubjeCts.
I. LIOW, and in what manner, a reciprocal protec
tion and mutual assistance shall be given?
11. Whether each particular power fltall be oblig
ed to protest the general commerce of the whole, or
if in the mean time it may employ a part of its ar
mament in the protection of its own particular com
merce ?
111. If several of these combined squadrons should
meet, or, for example, one or more of their vessels,
what should be the rule of their conduct towards
each other, and how far shall the neutral protection
extend ?
IV. It seems essential to agree upon the manner
in which representations should be made to the pow
ers at war, if notwithstanding our measures, their
fllips of war, or armed vessels, should continue to
interrupt our commerce in any manner. Must these
remonstrances be made in the general name of the
united powers, or shall each particular power plead
its own cause only ?
V. Lastly, it appears essentially to provide against
this possible event, where one of the united powers
feeing itfelf driven to extremities against any of the
powers actually at war, should claim the affiitance of
the allies in this convention to do herjuftice ; in what
manner can this be best concerted ? A circumstance
which equally requires a stipulation, that the repri
f Is in that case shall not be at the will of such party
injured, but that the common voice shall decide; o
therwise an individual power might at pleasure draw
the rest against their inclinations and interests into
disagreeable extremities, or break the whole league,
arid reduce matters into their original date, which
would render the whole fruitlefs and of no effect.
ANSWER of the Court of Russia.
I. As to the manner in which protection and mu
tual assistance shall be granted, it must be fettled by
a formal convention, to which all the neutral powers
will be invited, the principal end of which is, to in
sure a free navigation to the merchant fliips of all na
tions. Whenever such vessels shall have proved from
its papers that it carries no contraband goods, the
protection of a squadron, or vessels of war shall be
granted her, under whose care she shall put herfelf,
and which shall prevent her being interrupted. From
hence it follows:
11. That each power must concur in the general
security of commerce. In the mean time the better
to accomplish this object, it will be necessary to fet
tle, by means of a separate article, the places and
distances which may be judged proper for the station
of each power. From that method will arise this ad
vantage, that all the squadrons of the allies will form
a kind of chain, and be able to assist each other; the
particular arrangement to be confined only to the
knowledge of the allies, though the convention in all
other points will be communicated to the powers at
war, accompanied with all the protestations of a ftriCt
neutrality.
111. It is undoubtedly the principle of a perfect
equality, which must regulate this point. We shall
follow the common mode with regard to fafety. In
case the squadrons should meet and engage, the com
manders will conform, to. the usages of the sea ser
vice, because, as is observed above, the reciprocal
protection, under these conditions, should be unli
mited.
IV. It seems expedient that the representations
mentioned in this article, be made by the party ag
grieved; and that the ministers of the other confe
derate powers support those remonstrances in the most
forcible and efficacious manner.
V. We feel all the importance of this conside
ration; and, to render it clear, it is necessary, to
distinguish the case.
If any of the allied powers should fuffer itfelf to
be drawn in by motives contrary to the established
principles of a neutrality and perfect impartiality,
should injure its laws or extend their bounds, it can
not certainly be expected that the others should es
pouse the quarrel; on the contrary, such a conduct
would be deemed an abandoning the ties which unite
them. But it the insult offered to one of the allies
should be hostile to the principles adopted and an
nounced in the face of all Europe, or should be mark
ed with the character of hatred and animolity, in
spired by resentment, these common measures of the
confederacy, which have no other tendency than to
make in a precise and irrevocable manner, laws for the
liberty of commerce, and the rights of every nation,
then it flrail be held indispensable for the united pow
ers to make a common cause of it (at sea only) with
out its being a ground work for other operations,
as these connections are purely maritime, having no
other object than naval commerce and navigation.
From all that is said above, it evidently results,
that the common will of all, founded upon the prin
ciples admitted and adopted by the contracting par
ties, mult alone decide, and that will always be the
fixed basis of the conduct and operations of this uni
on. Finally, we shall observe, that these conventi
ons suppose no other naval armament than what shall
be conformable to circumstances, according as those
shall render them necessary, or as may be agreed.
It is probable that this agreement, once ratified and
established, will be of the greatest consequence ; and
that the billigerent powers will find in it fuflicient
motives to persuade them to refpeCt the neutral flag,
and prevent their provoking the resentment of a re
fpe&able communion, founded under the auspices
of the most evident justice, and the foie idea of which
is received with the universal applause of all impar
tial Europe.
Intelligence from LLOYD's LIST.
June 13. The Diana, Webber, from Lisbon to New
foundland, is taken by the Nymph French frigate of
40 guns, coming from Cape Francois, who burnt the
Diana, and carried the Captain and crew into Brest.
The Achilles privateer of Folkftone, Capt. Yawkins,
has sent into Portsmouth the De Vrow Anna, from
Bayonne to Ferrol, with 1234 barrels of pork, 433
barrels of flour, and some wine, &c.
The George, Thomas, from London to Dublin,
was taken off the Lizard the 20th ult. by the Black
Princess privateer of Boston, and ransomed for 10001.
The privateer took Capt. Thomas as holtage, and the
velfel is arrived in Fifhgard road.
Taken and ransomed by the Duc D'Eftiffac.
The Swift of Peterhead, for 150 guineas ; the Suc
cess of Kincardine, 300 ditto; the Charming Nelly
of Sunderland, 150 ditto ; the Elizabeth of Aberdeen,
115 ditto; the Swan of Campleton, 300 ditto; the
ransomers arrived at Dunkirk.
Taken and ransomed by the Jackall.
The Elizabeth of Aberdeen, for 80 guineas.
June 16. The Hannah, Hinchinough, from Fyal to
New-York, was taken the 29th of March by an A
merican privateer, and sent for New-London.
The Bataver, from Amsterdam to Breit, is taken
and sent intd Plymouth by the Lighthorfe privateer.
La Fortune, from Cape Francois for Bourdeaux,
laden with sugar, coffee, indigo, &c. is taken and sent
into Dartmouth by the Friendlhip privateer of that
port, Capt. Abrahams.
The Hope, Potter, failed from Liverpool for Afri
ca in February last, and was taken by the French fleet.
The Vigilant, Bound, from Milford, is arrived at
Pool, after being taken off Durlcftone-bay, by a
French row-boat, and ransomed for 4501.
The Providence, Pagan, from Liverpool to Chep
ftow, was taken off Bardfey, by the Flower of May,
and ransomed for 300 guineas.
The Dartmouth, Giles, from Limington for Dart
mouth, was taken and ransomed for 601.
El/inore, July 8. The Nancy and Peggy, Cload,
from Riga, is arrived at Parkgate, after being taken
the Bth init. off the Calf of Man by the Black Prin
cess privateer, and ransomed for 6001. Capt. Cload
fays, they burnt a fine brig in his light, and told him
they had burnt a fine Ihip the day before, and that it
was quite a matter of indifference to them, that they
would as soon burn or fink as ransom ; that they had
twenty-two ransomers on board. After they had
done with him they made fail for Scotland to meet
other fliips that were coming. Captain Cload fears
they could not escape.
BOSTO N, January 11.
The people of America cannot guard too care
fully against the wiles and artifices of Great-bri
tain. W hen we hear it said that some of our friends
ig that kingdom have wrote that a new Parliament
was chosen. and Lord North had left the Miniftr,
on purpole to prepare the way for peace, we can,
not forbear to recoiled that every year during the
war, the Britilh Court has artfully circulated a
rumour of peace, and covered their most vigorous
preparations for war with some pretext of an ac
commodation, on purpose to put these States off
their guard, and relax their exertions. It is cer
tain, that our best friends in Europe, those who are
in a situation to penetrate furtheft into the real in
tentions of the Britilh Government, have lately as
sured us, that it discovers no inclinations to peace
upon a balls fafe and lionourable to America, and
that opr lecuiity rests upon our own vigorous exer
tions in the field, as Britain has been elated above
meafuie by the capture of Charleftown. This is
the ground upon which we ought to go in the present
critical moment, and instead of abating to add frefh
vigour to all our efforts for the eftabliihment of our
army. Peace for America must be established by the
sword; and Britain will not think of acknowledging
our Independence, as one of our molt trusty corre
spondents, of high character, has lately allured us,
while she can maintain a powerful army in the heart
of these States.
We have Advices from Holland as late as the
firft of November, when a war with England was
much talked es. It is laid that, or a general peace,
will be the consequence of the confederacy of the
Northern Powers, if that confederacy can be firmly
fixed. Russia has 30 fail of the line, Denmark 10,
Sweden 12, Holland 35; which will give so great
a balance in our favour, that an acknowledgment
of our Independence must be the consequence l ire
underwriters at Amsterdam asked 12 per cent, on
neutral bottoms to the Weft-lndies, from which you
^ay judge their opinion of things.
Arrived at a fafe port, afhip from Jamaica, bound
to England, but captur'd by the Essex. r l is said
she has on board 345 hogsheads sugar, and 320 pun
cheons rum.
Thursday last arrived in port a ship from New
foundland, bound to Scotland, prize to the Essex
allo. She has on board 400 barrels of oil, &c.
A letter from England, dated the 17th of OCto
ber, informs that Gen. Clinton has requested an ad
ditional number 'of 10,000 troops to be sent him
from England; and if he was denied his request he
desired liberty to return home. He was informed
that his conduct in America was highly approved
and that orders were given for railing nine regi
ments of foot and one of horse, to be immediately
raised and sent to America. The writer adds, that
the Britilh ministry had it in view to subjugate Vir
ginia and North-Carolina, during the present win
ter and next spring.
PROVIDENC E, January 6.
We learn that the armament which lately failed
from the Havannah is fafely arrived at Pensacola,
and that a body of Spanish troops have been landed
there.'
It is reported that the 34th British regiment was
lately loft, in attempting to cross one of the lakes.
Thursday last arrived hfre Capt. John Updike, in
the sloop Crawford, of this port, from Amsterdam in
Holland, which place he left the 18th of OCtober last.
By Capt. Updike we received Dutch papers to the
12th of October, from them we have translated the
following articles:
Hague, oa. 9. The Rates of Holland and Weft-
Friezland, have this day met in Council in conse
quence of some dispatches which have arrived from
the Court of Peterfburgh to the Ruffian Ambassador
here. The dispatches contain an account that that
Court has engaged Sweden to join the ai med neutra
lity, with some other matters of great importance.
OH. io. It is no longera doubt here that the Court
of Portugal has acceded to the armed neutrality,
which will be not a little detrimental to Britain, as
that haughty power can now no longer seize vessels
on the coast of Portugal as it has done.
Oct. 11. We have certain intelligence that the Court
of Portugal has forbidden the English Commodore
Johnftone cruizing on their coast ; and has ordered
him to deliver up all the Portugucze sailors he has on
board his squadron.
Off. 12. By recent advice from London we learn,
that it is determined on there to fend a large reinforce-<
ment, both of ihips and troops, to America early in
the spring.
The Court of London is exceedingly chagrined to
fee all the maritime powers in Europe arming to pAj
vent her tyrannizing on the sea any longer ; and we
may add that it is generally believed that the fleet now
on the ocean for the protection of the neutral com
merce, will fhortlyjoin the combined fleet, and dic
tate terms of peace to that haughty power.
HARTFORD, January 16.
We hear that a few days since a schooner arrived at
Newport in fix days from Wilmington, North-Caro-