The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-06-27 00:00:00, page 2

At half an hour after one o'clock, the enemy being very ap
prehensive of the danger and inconvenience of engaging to
-windward from the high sea that was running, and squally
weather, wore and formed their line to leeward of the British
line.
At two o'clock the van of my squadron wore in the line,
and in a few minutes the Robust which led the fleet, and af
terwards behaved in the most gallant manner, was warmly
engaged with the van of the enemy.—The ships in the van and
center of the line were all engaged by half an hour part two,
and by three o'clock the French line was broke ; their ships
began soon after to wear, and to form their line again, with
their heads to the South 'faaft into the ocean.
At 20 minutes after three, J wore and flood after them. I
was sorry to observe the Robust, Prudent, and Europe, which
were the headmoft ships, and received the whole of the ene
my's fire at their rigging as they bere down, so intirely difa
blcd, and the London's main top-fail yard being carried away
(the two firft unmanageable, laying with their heads from the
enemy) as to be incapable of pursuit, and of rendering the
advantage we had gained decisive.
At half an hour after four the haze came on so very thick,
as entirely to intercept the enemy from my view. The Me
dia coined me soon after, which I directed to follow, and ob
ferv^ the rout of the enemy, while I proceeded with the squa
dron to the Chefapeak, in the hope of intercepting them,
should they attempt to get in there.
At seven o'clock I brought to with the squadron, to put the
disabled ihips in a situation to execute these intentions.
Next morning I made fail, and the fame evening (the Robust
being towed by the America, and the Prudent by the Ada
mant) anchored with the "whole squadron about three leagues
to the Eastward of Cape Charles, within Cape Henry: the
evening after the whole squadron anchored in Lynne-haveu
bay. ..
I cannot but regret the early flight of the enemy prevented
the action from becoming general.
I have had a conference with Brigadier-General Arnold,
and find his force began to be pressed for provision, as well as
by the formidable combination against him. Fayette's conti
ncntal detachment is blocked up at Annapolis by his Majesty's
Hoops tile Hope and General Monk. The rebel militia, dif
aflected to the service, will speedily disperse; and the Count
de Rochambault must seek another opportunity of visiting Vir
ginia. The plan of the rebel campaign is entirely disconcert
ed; and I flatter myfelf these events will be productive of very
solid advantages to his Majesty's service.
I have detached frigates after the enemy, and fliall put to
sea immediately with the squadron to follow their movements,
and bring them if possible to a second action. In this firft they
must have loft great numbers of their men, though their rig
ging fuffered little to appearance.
I have the honour to inclofe a return of the killed and
wounded, lilt and difpoiitiou of the squadron, and line of
battle.
Captain Balfour, who is charged with the delivery of this
letter, served as a volunteer for fix weeks on board of the
Royal Oak, and was with me in the day of action.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Mt. ARBUTHNOT.
Extras of a letter from Tice-Admiral Arbuthnot to Mr.
Stephens, dated Ilsyal Oak in Lynne-haven-Bay, March
30, 1781.
IN continuation of my letter of the 20th inst. I have the
•honour to acquaint you that I put to sea with the squadron
under my command on the morning of the 24th, and steered
a course for the Delaware, where it was conceived likely the
enemy might endeavour to take refuge ; but as the state of the
weather towards noon appeared to indicate a gale, which is
generally expected at this feafoe, I judged it advifeable to re
turn to the Bay, where I anchored the fame evening.
The next day and the following we had the wind from the
northward, which, had we been at sea, must inevitably have
crippled some of our ihips, or thriven me very considerably to
the Southward.
On the 26th a reinforcement of troops, in number about
2000, commanded by Major General Phillips, arrived from
New-York, under the escort of Captain Hudson, of the Rich
znond, with the ships and vessels named in the margin* : at
On tea 13'.:, in lat. ,9 : 30, North, within a few kgneg of
? ':'"’ UP°kc a vessel from London for New-York, which
nad let'll the French squadron the day before, a degree to the
HP.thward, consisting of eight fail of large ships, three frigates,
and a tender. I parted from her the fame evening, and steer
ed fucha course as would best enable me to intercept it.
The fame evening a gale from the N. W. was exceedingly
favourable to the pursuit, and pushed the squadron on ; fts
violence, however, appears by the event to have equally re
tarded the enemy, who must have lain to while it lalted.
On the 16th at fix A. M. the Iris made the signal for disco
vering five strange fail to the N. N. E. and soon afterwards
','"'? "''' they w ere large ships fleering for the Capei iof
Virginia, and supposed to be distant about three miles. I im
mediately concluded it must be the enemy I was in search of,
a nl accordingly prepared the squadron for battle, by forming
1 c line a head a cable's length asunder, on a wind which was
• p"t,, and proceeding towards them with a pre® of fail:
at this time Cape Henry bore S. W. by W. distant about 14
leagues, wind at weft ; the French bearing from us N. N. E.
the Feather so hazy that the length of the British line could
scarcely be difeerned.
At a quarter of an hour after eight A. M. the wind veered
to N. W. by W. and soon after to N. by W. which gave the
enemy the advantage of the weather-gage. About this time
several of the enemy's ships were discovered to windward,
manoeuvring to form their line.
At 25 minutes after eight, the Guadaloupe ranged up under
our lee, bringing the fame intelligence with that already given
by the Iris, and was ordered to make fail, and endeavour to
keep fight of the enemy.
, .At 35 minutes after eight I directed the Iris by signal to make
fail a-head, and keep fight of the enemy, as the haze appear
ed to thicken. The British line was by this time completely
formed, and close hauled on the larboard tack.
At 20 minutes after nine the headmoft of the French ships
tacked, as did the rest in fucceflion, and formed the line on
the starboard tack.
At 35 minutes after nine, the weather being very squally, I
formed the line a-head at two cables length a funder.
At a quarter of an hour aften ten, I made the signal for the
squadron to tack, the headmoft and weathermoft firft, and
gain the wind of the enemy.
At a quarter of an hour after eleven, the headmoft of the
French line tacked ; but one of them having miffed days, the
rest wore, and formed the line on the larboard tack.
At 40 minutes after 11, I re-formed my line, at one cable's
length asunder.
At twelve o'clock there being a profped of the van of my
line reaching the enemy, the whole of my line tacked by sig
nal, the van firft, and the leading ship continuing to lead on the
other tack.
At ten o'clock the French squadron having compleated their
form in a line a head, consisting of eight two-deckers, bore E.
bv S. the British line close hauled, fleering E. S. E. Wind at
N.E.
* Orpheus, Chatham, Savage, Halifax, Boactta, Vulcan sire-ship.
The army under Major General Phillips were immediately
forwarded to Fortfmouth ; and the junftion effected between
the forces at present there under Brigadier-General Arnold.
I wait with great impatience to embrace the firft opportuni
ty to put to sea, which I fliall seize the moment it offers, For
these last two days the weather has been so squally, as to pre
clude all communication by boats between the ihips of the
squadron.
Return of the killed and wounded in the action between the Bri
ti/b and French fauddrons off the Capes of Virginia, March
16, 1781.
Killed. Wounded.
Robust — 15 21
Europe — 8 19
Prudent — 7 24
Royal Oak —— 3
London — _ 3
Adamant —.—- 3
Bedford —.
America —. _ —.
Total 30 73
Officer killed. Hon. Lieutenant Lyttelton, of the Robust,
Officer wounded. Master of the America.
Royal Oak, Lynne-Haven Bay,
March 28, 1781.
Mt. ARBUTHNOT.
LINE OF BATTL E.
Mariot Arbuthnot, Esq; Vice-Admiral of the White, Com
mander in Chief.
The America to lead with the Jlarboard, andthe Robust to lead
with the larboard tacks, an board.
Ships. Names. Guns, Men.
America Capt. Thompson. 64 500
Bedford Capt. Affleck 74. 600
Adamant Capt. Johnston 50 350
London {Rear-Admiral Graves ß
(Capt. Graves y '
Royal Oak % Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot,
1 Capt. Swiney, *
Prudent Capt. Burnett 64 500
Europe Capt. Child 64 500
Robust Capt. Colby 74 600
Frigates—Guadaloupe ; Pearl to repeat signals ; Iris.
Given on board his Majefty'sfhip the Royal Oak, in
Gardiner's Bay, February 13, i,Br^
Mt. ARBUTHNOT.
A^ °f the French ships combofog the enemy's squadron, on the
16th of March, 1781.
Ships Names. Guns. Ships Names. Guns.
Neptune (coppered) 84 Ardent - 64
Bourgogne (coppered) 84 Jason - 64
Conquerant - 74 Eveille (coppered) 64
Provence - 64 Romulus - 44
Frigates—Hermione, Gentile, Fantafque en flute.
Royal Oak, Lynne-Haven Bay,
March 28, 1781.•
Mt. ARBUTHNOT.
Vienna, ( Austria) April 7. Last week the Baron de Bre
teuil, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of his
Most Christian Majesty, and Sir Robert Keith Murray, Ple
nipotentiary from his Britannick Majesty, had each a long
separate conference with the Prince de Kaunitz. It is pre
tended that these conferences have for their objeft the pro
positions made by his Imperial and Royal Majesty to the two
Courts. At the close of these conferences the French Ambas
sador and the English Envoy dispatched couriers to their re
fpe&i&e C ourts ; and another courier was sent on the part of
QurCourt to that of Peterfburgh.
Hague, (Holland) April 19. Mr. Adams, who is furnifhed
with full powers to take upon him, in case it is found neces
sary, the character of Ambassador from the Thirteen United
States of America at this Court, has presented a note to their
High Mightinesses, through the hands of Mr. Dumas, to which,
however, it is said, no answer will be returned, as this Repub
lick has not yet acknowledged the independence of the said
States.
London, April 28. A report is circulating in Paris, that M.
Rochambeau has peremptorily demanded permission to resign
his command, and return to Europe.
Whitehall, April 25. Dispatches were this day received
from Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath, to Lord George
Germaine, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State,'
brought by the Mercury packet from New-York, of which the
following are extracts.
Neou-York, March I, 1,81.
My Lord,
IN a letter of the 24th of February (which was sent to England by
the Adventure brig, and of which a duplicate is tranfmkted here
with) I had the honour of giving your Lordship all the information I
could with propriety do by such an uncertain conveyance. I therein
told your Lordship that the packet waited only for the Admiral's dif
pa/ches for Europe. But circumstances began to assume such an ap
pearance at the time of their arrival, that I thought it proper to de
tain her a little longer, in hopes of being able to give yonr Lordihip
a clearer detail of events (which seemed to promise the most impor
tant consequences) than was then in my power to do.
On the 16th ult. I received information from Vice-Admiral Ar
buthnot, that the French fleet at Rhodedfland were all ready for
failing, supposed for the Chefapeak; and that a number of troops
were embarked in tfanfports to accompany them. I immediately
upon this directed a large proportion of troops, most of them the
elite of my army, to be ready at a moment's warning to embark,
with Major General Phillips, under such convoy as the Vice-Admi
ral Ihould think proper to appoint. Though I must, at the fame time,
confefs to your Lordship, that I then imagined their obje& to be an
attack of our fleet in Gardiner's Bay (in its weak state, from the en
tire loss of one 74, the absence of one flip of the line and a 50, and
another 74 being difmafted :) and I was the more inclined to form
this opinion (which I had also given to the Admiral) from the rebels
having made no movements whatsoever in their camp, which indi
cated any intention of detaching to the Southward.
I was, however, on the 19th, alarmed by information from Bri
gadier-General Arnold, dated the 14th, that a French 64, and two
frigates, blocked the Chefapeak, and had placed themselves in a si
tuation to favour a co-operation against our post at Portsmouth. I
dispatched this intelligence to the Admiral without delay; but I am
apprehensive that he had no certain information of these ships being
part of the Rhode-Ifland squadron until the 21st, though they failed
from thence the 9th) as he suggested to me nothing of such a move
ment before his letter of that date, (which was only two days before
their return thither with the Romulus man of war, which they had
taken at the entrance of the Chefapeak) else I am persuaded the Ad
miral would have sent to Virginia an adequate detachment from his
fleet, which was now become more refpe&able by its being rejoined
by the two miffing ships, and the Bedford's having got in her jury
masts. •
March T. At this time I received information that the rebel Ge
neral Washington had made a considerable detachment to the South
ward under the Marquis de Fayette, clearly marking an intention of
either attempting Something against our polls on Elizabeth river, or
reinforcing the #my under the rebel General Green. Of this I like
wise sent immediate notice to Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot ; and (though
the fame time the Iris and Pearl, which had been detached to
observe the rout of the enemy, returned without having dis
covered them ; the former had sprung her main-mail in the
late gale.
The Medea was immediately dispatched to reconnoitre the
Delaware. -
IliA'.ml::? tiken 3- granted he bad alfea !v dc+rfy/ 1 r.-^Q
number of Ihips to clear toe Cheibpea yfo ^mt^n to him ifn c
not done it, tile propriety of doing it directly. °
March 4. I now immediately emkarl cd the troops defined f or
this service; and I directed them to be placed in a utuatron, front
whence they might proceed to sea at a moment's notice, having rea
son every hour to expe& the Admiral's appearing with his squadr c ;
to escort them, especially as I had just received a letter frem h
dated the 2d, to that effect ; and acquainting me that he had ti^
morning received undoubted intelligence that 1000 French troops tan
barked the 25th, to which more were to be added; and that th-v
were supposed to have failed for the Chefapeak on the 27th. ™
On the 7th I received another letter from the Admiral, dated the
4% faying, “ He would move immediately with the Ships, lending
“ a frigate to reconnoitre Rhode-Ifland in puffing, and regulate his
measures, with refpeft to calling offthe Hook, by what is difeover
cd there ; and that be had ordered the Richmond, Orpheus, and
" Savage, to proceed with the reinforcement, in case he Jkou/d „4
" call off the Hack."
From these letters I was induced to expe& that I ffiould either fee
or hear from the Admiral before the expedition moved from kence•
but, by his orders to the naval commanding officer in this port, (of
the fame date, and lent, I suppose, at the fame time with his letter
to me of the 4th) “ directing him to proceed with the transports to
the Gbefopeak with all possible expedition ; and if I declined fending
“ any reinforcement to Virginia, requiring him pofitfoly to join the
" Admiral in the Chefapeak with all possible, difpatco, it seemed to ap
pear that the Admiral was already failed to that Bay. Captain Hud
son, who commanded the King's ships, uitderftood this also as a
tive order for him to proceed immediately. I however thought it fingu.
lar that Captain Hudson should receive from the Admiral such pefi
tive orders to fail immediately to the Chefapeak, when his letter to
me of the fame date (recapitulating these orders) only fays, that he
is directed to do so, in case the Admiral does not call off the Hook. Ha
ving therefore no means of afeertaining whether the Admiral was
gone to the Chefapeak or no, or whether he had even failed from
Gardiner's Bay, or whether the whole or any part of the French
fleet had moved from Rhode-Ifland to the Chefapeak, I thought it
right to submit to Captain Hudson the propriety of flaying a little
longer, in expectation of this matter being cleared up, either by tile-
Admiral's appearance off the Hook, or at least a message from him
declaratory of his intentions, as, during our present uncertainty, I
did not think it advifeable to let the troops go, before I heard again
from the Admiral, with which he was so obliging as to acquiesce?
I immediately after this wrote again to the Admiral, informing
him, that the expedition to the Chefapeak only waited for his orders';
and earnestly requeuing that he would, without loss of time, favour
me with his pofttroe advice refpeaing this very feribus and igterefitig fob
jea; because, as long as I had reason, from his information; to sup
pose that part of the French fleet were gone to the Chefapeak, f
could not think of risking such a corps of troops under the convoy of
only two frigates, unless I* was allured that he was in a situation to.
cover them,.
$ March 11. Soon after this letter was dispatched, information ar
rived from Brigadier-General Arnold, dated the Bth, that the Chefa
peak was entirely clear of a French naval force. By which, being
perfwaded that the report of one having failed thither 'from Rhode I^
land on the 27th ultimo, was not founded, I did not hesitate a mo
ment to give it to Captain Hudson, as my opinion, That the expedi
tion should fail, without loss of time, under the convoy the Admiral
had allotted for it; suggesting to him, at the fame time, whether he
had not better take with him all the King's ships now here, or which
he might fall in with on his passage. Twas also more Wrongly con.
firmed in this opinion by a letter 1 received from the Admiral dated'
the Bth, informing me, “ That in consequence of undoubted intell^
" gence received at two o'clock that afternoon that the French fleet.
“ and troops are evacuting Newport with the greater expedition,
“ and that their destination is certainly for Virginia."
March 14. This day a letter, dated the 11th, at sea, was brought
to me from the Admiral by the Halifax sloop of war, Captain Bowers,
who fortunately fell in with him off Montack Point, the loth instant;
in addition to what the Admiral fays, Captain Bowers informs me,
that the whole French fleet failed from Newport on the Bth inftantl
I am not without hopes, that, as the Admiral is clear of all incum
brances, notwithflanding they had two days start of him, he will
overtake them before they get the length of the Chefapeak, should
that be really their destination. But, should theVice-Admiral be so
fortunate to overtake the French fleet, before they reach the Chefa
peak, I have every hope of his success, which so fine a fleet, and the
abilities of its Commander, can give me.
From Brigadier-General Arnold's letters to me, your Lordship will
perceive he is under no apprehensions of any sudden misfortune; and,
with rcfpe& to the rebel troops marched to the southward under Fay
ette, I have no doubt their progress (at least by water) will be im
peded, if the officer commanding the King's ships in the Chefapeak
has availed himfelf of the information I have sent him ; nor do I think
they can arrive near our polls before the 20th at soonest. The rein
forcement under General Phillips waits only for a wind to go to'
sea. I wish it could have been Wronger; but I have not another
transport left; those sent to Virginia with General Arnold remaining
flill there, I suppose for want of convoy to bring them back.
The best information which my late letters from the southward,
and intelligence from the rebel country enable me to give your Lord
ship, refpe6ling Lord Cornwallis's situation, is, That having forced
the passage of the Catawba, and dispersed the militia who opposed
him, his Lordship had penetrated into North-Carolina as far as Hillf
borough, driving before him the rebel Generals Green and Morgan,,
who fled towards Virginia with the utmost precipitation. And Ge
neral Arnold's late dispatches give me reason to think, that his Lord
ship has even reached the Banks of the Roanoke.
My Lord, NeTv-Torfe, March 27, 1781.
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship, that the convoy to
Major-General Phillips's expedition, having been considerably rein
forced by Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot's orders, failed for the Chefapeak
on the 20th instant ; but contrary winds having detained the packet
for some days, I did not think it proper to fend her after the wind
came fair, as I was in hourly expectation of hearing from the Admiral
something very interefling.
Having therefore received yesterday a letter from him, informing
me of his having come up with the French fleet off the Capes of Vir
ginia, and engaged them on the 16th instant; I have the honour to
fend your Lordship a copy of his letter herewith.
I sincerely wish that this action had fortunately been more decisive
than it appears to be ; but if the French have been prevented by it
from eflablifhing themselves in the Chefapeak, a very great point is
certainly gained. London Gazette.
London, April 30. Three thousand troops are ordered for embarka
tion in the present outward-bound fleet for the Bast-Indies.
It is computed that two or three capital Dutch houses in the city
have executed foreign commissions in purchasing of funds, to the a
mount of 3 io,oool. within the last fortnight.
May 2. Several private letters from the Hague mention that
affairs are likely to take a new turn in Holland, and that the arts
of France will probably turn out as unfortunate as her arms.
By the fame channel there is account that the Count de Welderen,
who was lately Ambassador to the Court of London, was on the
point of setting off on an important embassy for Vienna.
May 3. This morning the troops took the field, and the military
operations commenced for the ensuing campaign, when his Majesty
reviewed, in Hyde Park, Gem Elliott's regiment of light-dragoons,,
whose well known activity, discipline, and martial appearance, af
forded the highest fatisfa&ion to ah immense crowd of fpe&atofs.
Lord Sheffield's light-horse are to occupy the fame ground, and pafe
in royal review on Saturday, which (though the youngest regiment
of cavalry in the service) is justly distinguished for the youthful figure
and agility of the troops, and the life and vivacity with which the,
perform all their evolutions and manoeuvres.
The Hound man of war, from Pensacola, is arrived at Corke.
Extradl of a letter from Cohort, May 2.
“ Remain at the Mother Bank and Stokes-Bay, the New-York
^nd Quebec fleets, waiting till the Court-Martial of Capt. G. is over
before they can fail."
May 5. Sir Joseph Yorke is not yet set out for the Continent, as
has been so frequently reported; neither is it certain whar day ha
will take his departure; most likely, &,at^: of Peerage wi.l tor.
run that eve it.