The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1780-11-08 00:00:00, page 2

terred, no principle refrained him. In his person he
was smart and active, somewhat diminutive, Weak in
his capacities and trifling in his conversation ; and
though gallant in the field, was defe&ivein the talents
necessary for command. The early convulsion of the
times afforded him an introduction into life, 1 to the
elegance of which he was before a ftfanger, and the
eagerness oftthe public to reward and encourage en
terprize, procured him at once both applause and pro
motion. His march to Quebec gave him fame, and
the plunder of Montreal put the tirft stamp to his pub
lic character. His behaviour at Danbury and Sara
toga once more covered over his crimes, which again
broke forth in the plunder of Philadelphia, under
pretence of flipplying the army. From this time,
the true spring of his conduct being known, he be
came both disregarded and disesteemed, and this last
initance of his treachery has proved the publicjudg
ment right.
When we take a review of the history of former
times, it will turn out to the honor of America, that,
notwithstanding the trying variety of her situation,
this is the only instance of defection in a general'offi
cer ; and even in this case the unshaken honesty of
those who detected him heightens the national cha
racter, to which his apoftacy serves as a foil. From
the nature of his crime, and his disposition to mono
polize, it is reasonable to conclude he had few or no
direct accomplices. His sole object was to make a
monied bargain; and to be confident with himfelf,
he would as readily betray the tide he has dtferted
to, as that he defected from.
. But there is one reflection results from this black
bufmefs that deserves notice, which is, that it Ihows
tie declining power of the enemy. An attempt to
bribe is a facrifice of military famo, and a confeffion
of inability to conquer ; as a proud people they ought
to be above it, and as soldiers to despise it ; and how
ever they may feel on the occalion, the world at large
will despise them for it, and consider America supe
rior to their arms. C. S.
I, O NDO N, August 2 .
THEY write from Copenhagen, that an edict of his
X Danish Majesty is just issued, proclaiming liber
ty to all the fubjeCts of that crown to trade on their
own account to the four quarters of the globe, Eu-
rope, Asia, Africa, and America, and that in conle
quence of this some ntw commercial companies and
societies are forming.
It is said to be fixed that Lord Carlifle goes Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland, on the expiration of Lord
Buckinghamfllire's government.•
Aug. 17. The Empress of Russia has made a present
to the Emperor of Germany of a ship of the line and
four frigates, in order to make his Imperial Majesty
a maritime power, and from the assistance ofhis name
to give a further colour to the Northern marine con
federacy. The Emperor has ordered his new fleet to
rendezvous at Oftend, a port of his royal mother's,
having no one of his own that will admit the fmallelt
cutter in the British service.
A very strong memorial was dispatched yesterday to
Mr. Harris, our Envoy at Peterfburgh, to be present
ed without a moment's delay to the Einpreh, in cou
fequence of the present hostile appearance of the Ruf
fian flag in the British channel, while the two nations
reciprocally profefs the most perfect amity towards
cacti other.
1 here are now five fail of the line lying at Spithcad,
all ready for sea, which arc only detained there for
want of men.
The rcafon of the late very hot impress is said to
be owing to the advices received of the French fleet
from Toulon having joined that of Spaid from Cadiz.
Extras of a letter from Cadiz, "july 9.
" This morning failed from this port the combined
fleet, under the command of Don Lewis de Cordova,
DireCtor-General of the fleet, composed of 22 fail of
the Spanish, and nine French, with fix frigates, one
covette, and three bilanders."
Advices are said to be received from Admiral Geary,
of his having gained intelligence of the combined fleet
being fcen cruizing between Cape Ortugal and Cape
Finifterre ; and that he had called a council of war in
consequence of it, when it was unanimously agreed
to leave the Bay, and immediately proceed in quell
of them ; and as the wind was then exceedingly fair,
we have reafen to expect some news of an action
every hour.
The writers in the patriotic prints are beyond dis
pute the defrft politicians in the nation! They are
Satisfied that Mr. Cumberland has no political object
in view in his trip to the Continent, merely because
that gentleman affeCted to give out, that his intended
residence in Portugal had been resolved on solely for
the purpose of ceconomy, his private affairs having
been disordered by the conquest of Grenada. In for
mer times it was customary for politicians to put on
the mailt of dissimulation, and to cover a real deligii
by holding out a pretended one. But modern patri
otic politicians, initiating Mr. Cumberland in the new
school, make him Speak the real object of his journey,
and he must have ©economy only in view— because be
said so at setting out.
The wiseacres who fay that Mr. Cumberland left
England to reside in Portugal for the purpose of re
trenching his family expences, will be so good as to
inform the public why he left Portugal and went to
Madrid ? They are certainly bound in honour to clear
Mr. Cumberland from the charge of folly and absur
dity that their assertion carries with it : For every man
storm. We can fay nothing more ; we mult wait.
Tile moment our Court received the courier extra
ordinary from Madrid refpeding the failing of the
combined fleet, orders were sent to Breit to halted
the failing of every Ihip in that road. The flops wait
only for the signal to fail, which will probably not be
until the arrival of the Spanish fleet.
The Ruchfort squadron is at last arrived at Brest.
It was laden with warlike ftqres, particularly cannon,
which have already served to arm the Northumberland.
London, July 4. We learn from Lisbon that a large
body of Spanish forces have marched upon the fron
tiers of that kingdom, and a peremptory answer has
been at the fame time demanded from the Court of
Portugal by the Spanish Ministry there, to the request
made by the Court of Madrid, that English ships of
war of every denomination shall be refuted admittance
into the Portuguese harbours. A copy of the late
Spanish declaration, which is dated May 23, 1780,
has been delivered by the Court of Portugal to our
Envoy at Lisbon, and was immediately sent home by
the Milford frigate.
It is said that the journal of the late Capt. Cook is
now in pofleffion of the Board of Admiralty, and will,
we hope, in due time be communicated to the public.
Aug. 3. Letters now in town, dated from Paris,
are written by perlons whole lituation in public life
mult have given them opportunities of authentic in
telligence relative to some late proceedings in Ame
rica. Amonglt other particulars, they remark (ex
traordinary as the circumstance may appear) that the
Colonists have actually reduced their enormous debt
of two hundred millions of dollars to five millions Iter
ling ; and that this manoeuvre, so far from occasion
ing the lead alarm, had given general Satisfaction.
Admitting the fact, such a circumstance mult cer
tainly furnifh our opponents on the other fide of the
Atlantic with frelh force to continue the war. The
victory gained at Charleftown is important ; but its ad
vantages mult gradually leflen, if they retard the peace.
Notwithltanding the vigilance of Admiral Geary,
t^e combined fleet of France and Spain have at last
effected a junction off Ferrol, and consist of not less
than 52 ships of the line and 18 frigates.
POUGHKEEPSI E, Oft. 30.
His Excellency our Governor is returned here from
Tryon county. —We are informed, that after the re
pulse of the enemy by the militia and levies, under
.Brigadier Gen. Van Rensselaer at Fox's Mills, Sir John
Johnson, Brandt and Butler, with the Indians, sepa
rating from the main body of the troops, fled to the
woods, crofling the country to the Oneida. Our
troops pursued the main body of the enemy up the
Mohawk river so closely as to prevent their committing
any further devaluation. At Fort Herkemer they left
the river, and Struck across thf country towards One
ida. The pursuit was continued by the militia and
levies, headed by his Excellency the Governor, till
within about 15 miles of that place, when their pro
vision being entirely exhausted, many of them having
been near two days without any, and no proi'pect of
. the supplies which were to follow them, on so rapid
a march, arriving in time, they were obliged to re
turn; or in all probability, the whole party would
have fallen into our hands. ,
The force immediately under the command of Sir
John, amounted to about 750 picked men, from the
loth and 24th British regiments, Hessian Yagers, Sir
John's regiment, Butler's rangers, and Brandt's corps
of Indians and tories.
mult be supposed to be absolutely out of his senses,
who, in order to save money, Should quit his Country
retreat and repair to Madrid, St. Ildelphonfo and
Aranjuez, and continually follow the Court from one
of tliofe places to another. Mr. Cumberland will
certainly icceivc many civilities from the Spanish
Grandees, but they must in the end be very coltly,
as it cannot be expected that Mr. Cumberland will
be a mere mumper, and never return a civility, by
inviting some of the Lords and Ladies of the Court
to his table. How this may suit with his plan of ©eco
nomy or the Rate of his finances, the very wife men
mult determine, who have declared that he went a
broad for the sole purpose of saving money.
B OS T O N, October 19.
The privateer ihip Tracy, Capt. Hopkins, of this
port ; the brig Providence, Capt. Warner, of Prori
depce; and the privateer ihip Hannibal, Captain O'
Brian, of Newbury, were lately taken by the Britiih
Blips Intrepid and Cyclops, and carried into New-
Yoik.
About the middle of Auguf t a victualling fleet fail
ed fiom Cork, together with a number of loaded
fllips from England, bound to New-York ; on board
the former were about 3000 German recruits, under
convoy ot a 50 gun ship and two frigates. We re
ceived this account by a ship, one of the,fleet, fafe
mooted in Newport harbour. From London prints,
down to the 7th of Auguit, we have taken the fol
lowing articles, viz.
Paris, July 27. It seems the rendezvous of the
-ships that have not yet joined will be at Corunna,
where M. d'Estaing is to take command of the fleet.
There are great movements among the troops.
Upwards of 40,000 men are already on the coasts of
Britanny, and several other regiments both foot and
dragoons are filing off cm that fide. It is 'ufpeded
some grand project is on foot, that will come to light
in the courle of next month. Every tning is quiet as
yet, but it is like the Rillnefs of the air before the
C II A T H A M, November 1.
Another embarkation of troops, we ate told, is a^-
bout taking place at New-York, defined for the
Southward.
PHILADELPJi lA, November 1.
Captain Caton from Hispaniola, on the Bth ult. in.
lat. 28, 22, lon. 73, 20, law four large ships difmaft
ed, and the next day in lat. 29, 33, another, all of'
which he took to be British men of war of the line, as
they were evidently two deckers.
Extract of a letter from Richmond ( VirginiaJ dated
October 22, 1780.
" This morning we received information, by ex
press, that a large fleet of Britiih ships had made their
appearance in our bay, and this afternoon we hear
from General Nclfon, that they had already landed,
and had taken polfchion of Kemp's landing with a par
ty of horse.
The enemy had with them two brass mortars for f
aj>d 3, Quarter inch Shells, and one brass 3 pounder
The former they concealed on their route, the latter
with all their ammunition, fell into our hands at the
action at Fox s Mills. Nearly all the prisoners, and
all the negroes, cattle, and other plunder, which they
had collected, were allo recovered. In the pursuit
we have taken about 40 of the enemy prisoner:, uitlr
Sir John's servant and baggage. Our principal loss
is Col. Brown and about 37 of his party: He was Ra
tioned at Fort Plank, and on the enemy's approach,
was induced, by falfe intelligence of their strength
and pofuion, to attack them, and was led into The
mailt and received the fire of their main body bef&'
he discovered them.. The party of the enemy which
appeared at Balls-Town, confined of between ijcr
and 200 men, led by John Munroe, Esq.
On his Excellency's return to Albany, (by virtue
of the ad " Subjecting all persons who shall come out
from the enemy, and Secretly lurk in any part of this
state, to trials by courts-martials, as Spies,") he or
dered a general court-martial for the trial of Jacob
Shell, John M'Mullcn and James Van Driefon, who
were found guilty, and fenfenced to be hanged on
Friday lalt. 'I he two former were executed accord
ingly, and the'latter was respited for a few days.
1 heft villains, 11 appears, had joined the enemy,
were now in their service, and found lurking about :
the country, as is Suppoted for the purpose of recruit-"
ing, and obtaining intelligence for the enemy. As it
is probable there may be mkny more of these gentry
in other parts of the state, it behoves us to be very
vigilant in cauhng them to be apprehended and bro't
to justice.
." The Governor and Council are adopting the most
vigorous measures to prevent the enemy from getting
footing in the state,- and I shall march to-morrow
with about 1500 men, to oppose their penetrating in
to the country. % We shall come to blows vety soon
I expect, and the hardest fend off. lam much plead
ed to fee that the inhabitants of all ranks are ready to
turn out to oppose the enemy."
Ext, ali oj uno;ver letter jromfame place, Oct. 24, 1780...
" We have nothing at prefect but wars and ru
mors of wars, the enemy, if report could be credit
ed, have landed iu a thupfand places at once ; but the
tact is, they have taken Kemp's landing, and the
Great Bridge. lam now parading the troops at thia
post, and. il.all march to-morrow morning for Cab
bin Point, with about icco n.cn. The Goamor and
Council have promised me that they will have 20,000
men in the field in a little time, and'l hope Ipmcthing
v ill be done for the honour of the old dominion."
By other letters from Richmond in Virginia, dated
the 25th Ori. we learn, that the Britiih fleet, which
left New-York the 15th ult. confining of about jo fail
large and small, weie arrived in Chclapeake bay. On
the 21st they landed 800 men in the neighbourhood
ot Portimouth, and some more 011 the bay fide of
Princels Anne county; arid on the 23d they lauded
1000 infantry and ico cavalry X New-Ports News,
who immediately took pchedion of Hampton; the
relidue ot their force remained on board their trans
ports. The militia were turning out with great spi
rit, to prevent their incurhons into the country.
By accounts from General Gates's head-quartern
at Hillfborough, of the 18th Oriober, we learn, th,/
Lord Cornwallis, in consequence of Col. FergufonV
defeat, luddenly evacuated Charlotte on.the 12th ult.
at four o'clock in the afternoon, and had .already re
treated eleven miles when the last accounts were re
ceived. A coididcrable party of light troops were
close in their rear, and had taken twenty waggons
loaded with provilions and stores. By this Convey
ance we have a confirmation that Col. Clark, with a
body of South-Carolina and Georgia militia had fur
prized and taken Augusta, at the very instant the
Commandant was holding a treaty with the Southern
Indians. Col. Clark defeated the British and Indians
and loaded 300 horses with the goods and presents
collected at that poll: Among the prifi tiers are faid'
to be several Britiih officers and Col. 1 horoas Brown,
lately appointed Superintcudant of Indian affairs in
the southern department, in the room of John Stuart,
Esq. deceased. We also learn, that the British are
now prosecuting the war with the greatest rigour in
such parts of South-Carolina as they at present occu
py; accounts mention upwards of 200 boules beiuff
burnt in one diftriri, and the inhabitants, women and.
children, turned out naked to fhift f,,r thcnudvcs„
with no other rcafon assigned than that the men were
not at home, and therefore supposed to have takm