The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1782-05-08 00:00:00, page 2

" The severe blow which-the British arms have
sustained in America, arid which has so unfortunate
ly fallen on my head, impresses me with the deepest:
concern, although 1 am supported by a consciousness
of having exerted the utmost of my abilities to pre
vent it. I beg leave to return my thanks to Mr.
Recorder, for the very obliging manner in which he
has been pleased to communicate to me the refolu
/tion of the chamber."
Loid Sandwich has assured the King that the
only polible way of gaining a decided superiority
over the house of Bourbon at lea, is to execute the
project of a naval militia: Lord Southampton was
present when the conversation passed, and he gave
of age.
Jan. 30. Various council, have been lately held
bn the fubjed of the American war, produced by
the new representations which have been made rc
fpe&ing its practicability by Lord Cornwallis and
General Arnold. The latter gentleman is confi
dently of opinion, that the subjugation of America
may still be effected, and has had repeated inter
views with Lord North and the American Secreta
ry, for the purpose of explaining his plan, and urg
ing his acquiescence. His firft proportion, which
he makes the condition and corner-stone of his
scheme, is a new Commander in Chief, and a re
inforcement of sixteen thousand men. With these
he pledges himfelf that the whole of the revolted
provinces will be once more reduced under the pow
er of this country. How far administration have
concurred in this scheme has not yet transpired, but
8 regiments of infantry have been already determin
ed upon for that service, and the Anfpach and Hes
sian corps are also engaged, probably with the fame
view.
The Dutch have ten fail of the line at Amster
dam, seven in the Maefe, and four in the ports of
North-Holland, all nearly ready for lea.
Extract of a letter from Elfineur, Jan. 2.
“ In the ports of Norway, as well as those of
the Baltick, the yards are full of flipping, building
for commercial purposes, for the use of the several
powers of Europe. The Dutch, who once solely
enjoyed this valuable trade, h ive loft it by the war;
and it is now got into such hands, as will not easily
give it up."
They write from Dublin, that the volunteers of
Ireland are going to take field, in order to make
themselves acquainted with the discipline and prac
tice of camps. For this purpose there are to be 4
provincial camps, each to consist of about 15 or
16,000 men. The different corps are providing
themselves with camp equipage, and it is said that
early in the spring they will begin to march to the
ground marked out for their refpe&ive encampments.
Baron Van Shamplet, lately arrived from Quebec,
has made a proportion to the King to raise 30,000
men in Germany, which we hear has been accepted
by his Majesty. Morning Herald.
In a private negociation with the Emperor, Mi
norca and Nova-Scotia have been offered to him, if
he will engage in the present war for the recovery
of Alsace; also a subsidy of a Million a year while
he has 60,000 men actually in the field against
France; and another subsidy to the King of Prussia,
while he leaves the Emperor unmolested in such an
undertaking.' These are bold and spirited negoci
ations, and show that the present cabinet are solicit
ous to exert every nerve against the enemy.
Extract of a letter from Brussels, Jan. 16.
“ Since the dismantling of the Bavarian towns,
and the withdraw ing of the Dutch gafrifons, that
it as his opinion, that if a fubfeription was opened
in all the counties in England, under the auspices
of the Lord Lieutenants, money enough would be
fubferibed to build for each a ship of the line of
proportional size to the largeness and wealth of the
county; and that if this were made a voluntary
measure, means would also be found to man them
with landfmeh, fubjedf to distribution and change,
so that each ship might have a proper number of
seasoned sailors on board. He also thought that
the fubfeription should be taken at the estimate of a
'J houfand Pounds a gun—Lord Sandwich said it
would be a very proper scheme to try; but if it
failed, an ad should pass to levy the money.
Jan. 29. Yesterday Lord Chewtons, son of the
Earl of Waldegrave, was at the levee for the firft
time since his arrival from America.
The fan;e day General Arnold was at the levee
for the firft time since his arrival from America, and
was introduced to, the King. He was dressed in
regimentals, his left leg being much wounded, he
wore a high-heeled shoe, and leaned on the arm of
a young naval officer. He hasa pleasing countenance,
and a keen, penetrating eye. His stature is about
five feet eight, and he appears to be about 45 years
republick have shown less disposition to recruiting
their land forces, and are bellowing all their atten
tion to their marine: men who had been railed in
Holland for soldiers, are sent on board the ships of
war, and made seamen: the conduct of their high
mightinefTes in this particular is somewhat remarka
ble, however it shows a confidence in the friendihip
of the Empeidr."
Wednelday last the corporation of Briftpl unani
mously voted a petition to the house of commons,
against the further prosecution of the war in Ame
rica, and requeuing that house to advise the King
to a total change of the unhappy system which has
involved this nation in such complicated misfortunes.
Near one third of the ships taken by the squadron
under Admiral Kempenfelt has been claimed as
recaptures, having formerly been the property of
British merchants.
Jan. 31. The court of Anhalt-Zerbft have made
an offer of 6000 men to serve the court of London
till the conclusion of the war, for which they are to
be fubfidifed.
Sweden has built for France since the year 1762,
12 ships of the line, which, according to report, are
the best conftruded of any in their navy; they are
all 74 gun ships.
Feb. 2. A capital merchant in this city has re
ceived advice from his correspondent at New-York,
not to ship any thing more on his account for Ame
rica, as Congress have issued positive orders that
nothing shall be used of the manufacture of Great-
Britain.
The whole plans for the subjugation of America,
we hear, are in future to be under the direction of
Mr. Arnold, so much has he ingratiated himfelf in
the good opinion of Ministers!
Colonel Fanning, who brought home General
Leslie's defpatches from Charleftown, commands a
loyal American regiment, and is a very active officer,
having been of great service to Lord Cornwallis in
his march through the Carolinas.
Yesterday feme letters were received from Gen.
Elliot, Governor of Gibraltar, which came by way
of Lisbon; they mention that the Governor and
garrison were in high spirits, and plentifully fup
piied with frefh provisions.
Extract of a letter from Amflerdam, January 16.
“ It is now said that the due Vaugftyon, the
French Ambassador, will return hither fiom Paris
as loon as ever the terms and articles of a treaty of
alliance, offensive and defenfive, between Holland
and France, are fettled by the French Ministry,
which will then be negociated here. England has
so many friends here as will possibly protrad that
business; for should it ever be brought to a conclu
sion, there is a lasting faiewel to the political con
nection which has so long subsisted between Great-
Britain and this republick."
Feb. 4. It is said that General Arnold is short
ly to return back to America, and to have command
of the loyalists, a prosecution of the war having
been determined upon.
Lord Sandwich was at Buckingham House on
Sunday evening, in order to lay before the King
the lifts of ships of the line that will be ready for
sea next month, to form the fleets for the channel
and the North-Sea.
Earl Cornwallis has had three private audiences
of his Majesty since his arrival at Buckingham
House, when he laid before the King the whole
detail of his operations in the southern colonies of
America, previous to the unfortunate capitulation
of York-Town.
Feb. 7. The cartel ship, which brought some
Englilh officers and soldiers from America, is order
ed for Portsmouth, to take on board a number of
American prisoners from r'orten prison.
The Spitfire, with provifions-from Cork for Gi
braltar, is taken by the Spaniards, and carried into
Algefiras: she was taken off Tangier by two Feluc
cas.
Extra& of a letter from New-York, Dec. 5.
" We are under some apprehensions here for the
fafety of the garrison of Charleftown, South-Caro
lina. If that should meet with the fame fate as
York-Town in Virginia, America, it is feared, will
be totally loft to Great-Britain."
FALMOUTH, February 4.
Since our last arrived the Hampden packet boat,
Captain Brathwait, from Lisbon with a mail. By
her we learn, that a very fuccefsful sally has been
lately made by the besieged at Mahon, in which 27
pieces of brass cannon and some iron ditto were
ipiked up, belonging to the Spaniards, and about
600 Spaniards taken prisoners.
KINGSTON, (Jamaica,) February 9.
Between one and two o'clock on Sunday morn
ing, a fire broke out at the house of Mary Weft, a
free quadroon, the north fide of Harbour-ftreeb
and three doors from Pjinceis-flreet ; supposed to
have been occasioned by the carelelTnefs of a negro
woman, who had been employed in ironing linens
a strong wind from the north at the fame time pre
vailing, the flames were almoh inlUntaoeouGy com
municated to the adjoining houses, and raged with
such violence as to baffle every attempt that was.
made to extinguish them. Innumerable flakes of
fire were carried by the breeze, and lodged upon
the roofs on the opposite fide of Haibour-ftreet,
which communicating with the stores in Port Royal
ftreet, a feene of horror presented itfelf to view, of
which none but those who are acquainted with
the situation can have an adequate conception. Ihe
conflagration was truly dreadful, rapidly battening
to the destruction of the molt valuable spot in the
Weft-Indies. Several stores were biowed up by
order of the Magistrates, with a view of flopping
the progress of the flames, but without producing
the desired effect; it was, however, at last, happily
accomplished, but not without the intire demol.tion
of Mr. Allwood's vendue store, the corner of Har
bour and King-streets, with all the other stores from
thence to the water fide, as likewise the market
houfe. A negro girl in the house of Mary Welt,
where the fire began, having been chained to a large
weight for some misdemeanor, unhappily perilled
in the flames.
TRENT O N, April 8.
On Saturday the 27th ult. the Carteret packet,
Captain Newman, with the February mail, arrived
at New-York in eight weeks from Falmouth; and
on Sunday the 28th the Duke of Cumberland pack
et, Captain Dafhwood, with the March mail, in fix
weeks from the fame port : by them the following im
portant advices were received, which we haveextra&-
ed from New-York papers. These papers also con
tain part of the articles of capitulation of St. Phi
lip's castle, (Minorca) and fays, that the account of
the dangerous situation of St. Kitts had reached
London; and in consequence a sass failing vessel had
been dispatched after a fleet of merchantmen bound
to the Weft-Indies, advising them of this news, in
order that they might avoid the danger.
LONDO N.
Feb. 5. We are informed, that Welbore Ellis,
Esq. is to be secretary of date for American depart
ment, in the room of Lord George Germaine, who
goes to the house of peers, with the title of Vis
count Sackville, Baron Drayton, of Drayton.
Feb. ,12. Lord Cornwallis had delivered his opi
nion at Buckingham house, on American affairs,,
with great openness and sincerity; and it is report
ed he has given it as his opinion, that even now ne
gociation may effect what he is afraid the sword ne
ver can.
House of Lords. Monday, Feb. 18.
The Duke of Chandois moved, that copies of
all letters and expresses which had been received by
any of his Majesty's ministers of date from the com
manders of the different parts of the fleet in North-
America, might be laid before the house.
Lord Sandwich said, that he had no objection to
any papers being communicated to the house, which
did not go to giving information to the enemy.
1 he papers were then ordered.
The Duke of Chandois then moved for the or
der for the inquiry into the cause of the surrender
of General Earl Cornwallis being difeharged, and
that a new order should be made for going into thu
inquiry upon Wednesday the 17th instant; both
which motions were agreed to.
By this dreadful calamity, in the space of about
seven hours, upwards of eighty houses and stores
were totally destroyed, as likewise vast quantities of
merchandize upon the different wharfs, both publick
and private. An estimate of the total loss cannot
at present be made with any degree of certainty. It
is, however, generally supposed to be little short of
500,0001. sterling.
Admiral Rowley, Captains Affleck and Hill.
Major Pole, with other gentlemen of the army and
navy; were ufefully adive on this melancholy occa
sion. Under their prudent direction, the several
houses were blown up, and by that means the re
mainder of the town was happily preserved.
Though the late dreadful conflagration appears
to have happened by accident, yet that there arc
incendiaries amongst us, is too evident to admit of a
doubt, for on Thursday night an attempt was made
to burn the house adjoining to Doctor Briant in
Duke-street, several bricks had been taken out of
the wall, and a fire stick prepared with tar put thro'
the aperture. A naked negro was perceived at this
work, and closely pursued, he however made sis
escape.•