The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-05-30 00:00:00, page 2

during the recess of his Parliament, under an actual
necessity to grant letters of marque and general re
prisal against the States General of the United Pro
vinces of Holland —that it was not till after the tie
of the antient friendihip which had adopted this mea
sure; but notwithstanding his extreme aversion for
entering into hostilities with the old ally, a regard
for the honour of his crown, and the essential wel
fare of his people had at last compelled him to it. He
had ordered the various papers on which he had been
induced to take this step, to be laid before their Lord
ships, and entertained no doubt that they would
concur with him on the propriety of his proceed
ings, and of course readily assist him with their ad
vice, concurrence and support, in pursuing, with
proper spirit and resolution, a measure which the ge
neral interest of this kingdom so eminently required,
and which was so necessary for effecting the great end
of a speedy and lasting peace,"
Lord Stormont rose again, and moved, " That
the papers alluded to by his Majesty should be read
to the house, and laid on the table."
They consisted of eight different papers, including
all the memorials which have been presented by Sir
Joseph Yorke to their High Mightinesses since July
1778, to the final declaration published in the Ga
zette, December 26, 1780, and also a copy of a
treaty agreed upon by Mr. Van Berckel, the Penfi
onary of Arafterdam, and the Congress of the Ame
rican colonies, found in the trunk of Mr. Laurens.
The Duke of Richmond arose and observed, that
all the memorials, &c. which had been presented by
Sir Joseph Yorke, in behalf of this country, were
faithfully submitted to their infpedions; but the an
swers that had been returned, the counter complaints
that had been made, the various manifestoes which
• had, doubtless, been urged on the part of the Unit
ed Provinces, were retained.
Lord Stormont, in reply to the Duke of Richmond,
said, that answers to Sir Joseph Yorke's memorials
could not be included in those papers, as their High
Mightinesses had not condescended to transmit any.
They passed them over in silent neglect, and perse
vered in their injuries and injuftiee, without an at
tempt at explanation or defence. His Lordihip then
proceeded briefly to Rate the intermediate Reps that
had been adopted before the recent rupture took
place.—A treaty had been made in 1714, stating, that
if either of the two nations should be attacked, the
other ihould immediately suspend all amicable inter
course with the state which was the aggressor, and in
two months be bound to supply its ally with certain
stipulated fuccours. But even when France and Spain
were united in a perfidious confederacy against us,
we did not attempt to preclude every species of their
commerce, but only to prevent their affixing our
foes with the illicit property of naval stores. We re
ceived no answer to repeated applications, made with
due decency and refpe& No effect followed, how
ever; they still continued to furnifh the Rates at open
war with their ally with every kind of stores neces
sary for their conducing it, and even took off the
duty from several naval articles, in order the more
effectually to expedite their importation to the hos
tile countries in question.—His Lordihip concluded
with a motion for the thanks of the house to be giv
en to his Majesty for his moR gracious message, which
was carried without a division.
Extract of a letter from Rotterdam, Jan. 19.
" The Non-Agreement of what are called here the
two refractory provinces, is doubtless a great flop to
those necessary exertions so much to be wished for
at this time ; nevertheless in those which have agreed,
on the grand question of war with the English,
all possible diligence is used in fitting out Grips of war:
At Amsterdam in particular nine ships of the line are
now equipping, i. e. two of 70, four of 60, and three
of 50 guns. Our navy is at present but small, how
ever 40 fail will be added before the expiration of the
present year, which will give it a degree of refpec'ta
bility at least, if not reverence."
Feb. 6. It is said that fifteen of the fleet of trans
ports, which failed from Portsmouth for Cork, about
the 20th ult. on board of which was part of the 49th
regiment, were captured by a cutter of 16 guns, hav
ing a Congress commission, though the crew were
mostly Welch and Irish. The transports were imme
diately ransomed, and are arrived at Cork.
Extract of a letter from Bristol, Feb. 4.
" The spirit of party is at present risen here to a
height scarce ever known before. Nothing but riots
and tumults all the day, with different mobs parading
the streets, which, as they meet each other, raise ter
rible disturbances and encounter with a fury more be
coming nations at open and declared war, than con
tending factions at an election. In one of these frays
the White Lion Inn was nearly demolished, and much
other mifehief done. Nay, to such a pitch is the par
ty arrived, that a friend of one of the candidates ac
tually proceeded to the place of poll, with drums
beating and the American colours displayed. In Ihort
we know not what end things may come to at last.
Pitched battles are fought between the opposite clubs
in which many are killed. A gentleman this moment
assures me, that he law fix lying dead in the Rreet."
The Caesar privateer, of Bristol, has sent into Cork
the Hazard, an American vessel, bound from Nantz
to America, laden with military stores, bale goods,
and an assortment of other articles.'
Feb. 8. A private letter from Versailles fays,
" The ministry are determined to oppose the English
fleet which are upon the point of failing for the re
lief of Gibraltar; every RJp that can possibly swim
will be sent to join those of Spain—should M. d'E-
Raing not be able to proceed on the duty, the Count
d'Orvilliers is to command in chief.
Extract of a private letter from the Hague,. Jan. 30.
" We are assured that the Court of London has
made general overtures to the States-General, set
ting forth, that they were ready to accommodate
matters with the Republick of the United Provinces,,
provided the dignity of the Crown of England could
permit it; and for that purpose proposed a truce for
two months. That their High Mightinesses had an
swered, that on their parts, as they were ready to
listen to any proposals that were just and equitable,
they would willingly hear what the Court of Great-
Britain had to propose. If this proves true, we may
yet hope to fee peace again established between the
two countries."
Le Majeßeux, of 110 guns, has gone from Tou
lon to Cadiz, to join the Spanilh squadron. A great
many ships have left Brest for the fame purpose, un
der M. de Bores, and other, officers.
ExtraCt of a letter from Plymouth, Feb. 10.
" To-morrow a draught of 350 marines, proper
ly officered, are to go on board the Hero and Coura
geux, in order to fail for Portsmouth, and join the
fleet destined for Gibraltar."
The EaR and WeR-India fleets are appointed to
fail from Spithead the 20th instant, at which time the
grand fleet is expected to fail, in order to escort them
across the bay.
A letter from Aldborough, in Suffolk, February
12, fays, " We have had, for these three days, the molt
violent storms of wind that ever were remember
ed by the oldest men living.—Our coast is covered
with pieces of wrecks of ships, and every tide throws
up dead bodies, in so much that it is employment for
several men to bury them. Guns from ships in di-
Rrefs are continually difeharging, but the wind blows
so hard that we cannot ventureto their assistance : A
vessel from Lynn, which put in here for shelter, was
blown out, and loft within fight of this, town, and
the crew were drowned."
Extract of a letter fron. Norwich, Feb. 10.
"We are all in the utmost confufion. The odious
American war, with its consequent evils, have pro
duced such a feene of insolvency, distress and conster
nation, as beggars all description. Within these few
days, no less than four of our capital manufacturers
have flopped payment ; the consequence of which is,
that private credit and confidence is staggered, if not
destroyed, and the industrious poor Rarving for want
of bread and employment."
At the close of the poll last Tuesday for member
for Bristol, the numbers were, for Mr. Cruger 2^9;
for Mr. Daubeney 2009.
The cabinet couriers are laughed out of counte
nance, for their story of the American defection; and
now they are wreathing laurels for the brow of Lord
Cornwallis, whose gallant spirit does not wifli to re
ceive them but from the hands of the fubjeCted ene
my. —Stale baits to catch scrip hunters !
Those who are well acquainted with the political
thermometer at this season of the year, imagine we
shall hear of nothing but good news, good news in
perfpeftive, till after the opening of the budget.
Many of the premier's monied friends in the city
have been teazmg him of late to know the particu
lars of the new loan, but they have hitherto received
no other answer from him, than that it will be a good
thing. Probably his Lordihip is waiting for some
good news from America to regulate his plan by.
Feb. 16. Yesterday Captain King, of the Resolu
tion, was presented to his Majesty at the Levee, by
the Lord in'waiting, accompanied by Mr. Banks,
and was most gracioully received. Captain King at
the fame time had the honour to present to his Ma
jesty the journals kept on board the Discovery and
Resolution, in their voyage round the world.
March 2. The following is a correct lift of the squa
dron under the command of Commodore Johnftone,
destined for a secret expedition, viz.
Hero - - 74 Jason - 36
Monmouth - 64 Mercury - 30
Romney - 50 Shark Sloop
Jupiter - 50 Rattlesnake ditto
Isis - - 50 Porto ditto
Dianna - 36 Lark Cutter
Active - 36 Seven armed transports
And three armed Rore-lhips.
Expresses are continually going from the Admiral
ty to Portsmouth, with official dispatches to Admi
ral Darby, refpeCting the failing and entire equip
ment of the grand fleet. Capt. Moore arrived in
town on Wednesday at the Admiralty, charged with
a particular letter from the Admiral to Lord Sand
wich, and yesterday morning the Captain set off, on
his return to Portsmouth.
Captain Moore carries the final and positive orders
for the immediate failing of the fleet, the instant the
wind comes about. The Admiral has directions not
to wait for any more Whipping, which might take the
benefit of his convoy. It is a necessary justice to the
Lords of the Admiralty to explain this circumstance
to the world, as it is a certain faCt, that the grand
fleet could have been at sea ten days ago, if they had
not been detained at that time, by waiting for the
Eaft-Indiamen. Since then the adverse winds have
kept them in port, and probably may for some time
to come; it is a maxim in so large a fleet never to
trust to a change immediately, but to stay in port till
it is confirmed by keeping one whole day to a point.
The equinoctial winds are generally very changeable,,
so that there may not be such a wind as they will!
think expedient to trust to for a month to come.
ExtraCt of a letter from Dartmouth, Feb. 24.
'" Our privateers are in and out constantly, but
have lately taken nothing. The Dutchmen are very
shy; they all keep over on the French coast, where
there is hardly a probability of falling in with them."
The conduct of administration on Mr. Burke's bill,
confirms this fact, that oeconomy forms no part of
their system. They in short indirectly declare, that
it is too late to save ; and hold out this melancholy
truth to the publick, " that as they have burned the
candle, they will burn the inch."
Letters from Paris fay, that 12000 workmen are
employed night and day at Brest, repairing and sheath—
ing with copper the fliips which are to put to sea
this month; and that that squadron will consist of
28 ships of the line, with fourteen regiments or:
board. D'ERaingis to have the command.
From the L ONDON GAZETTE.
Whitehall, February 20, 1781.
Extract of a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Lord
George Germaine, one of his Majesty's principal
Secretaries of date, received this morning by Lieu,
tenant Sir William Twyfden, who arrived in the
Grantham packet, whit h failed from Sandy Hook
the 29th of last month.
ON the 3d inst. it was reported to me, that on
theist the Pennsylvania line had revolted. The
particulars, as far as I have been able to afeertain
them, and the Reps I took in consequence, are con
tained in the Journal, which I have the honour to
enclose. My offers reached them on the 6th, toge
ther with a declaration of the Admiral's and mine,
as cemmiffioners. They admitted two of their Ge
nerals to a conference on the 7th. Their demands
were, pay, arrears of pay, the depreciation of mo
ney made up to them according to the different pe
riods, and their discharges from further service. I had
no reason to suppose they intended joining us; nor
was it possible to fay what measures they meant to
pursue, until they removed at a distance from us,
and delivered over two of our messengers to Con
gress. On the 15th, notwithstanding the season was
so far advanced, I made a movement with the Elite
of the army to Staten-IGand, in which situation, writ
the alliflance given me by the Vice-Admiral, of a fl.ir
of war, and a number of boats, to co-operate with
the army, I was ready to aft as circumstances might
make necessary; but until I had some certain infor
mation refpe&ing their intentions or wishes, it would
have been very imprudent for me to have done any
thing more than favour the revolt, and offer asylum;
for one step further might have re-united them to
their oppressors. On theiyth I received, by the re
turn of two of my messengers, the enclafed printed
papers,* by which I plainly saw that there was an
appearance of accommodation. I therefore returned
from Staten-Island ; and the general officer I left in
command there reporting to me, that the troops
fuffered much from the inclemency of the weather,
and that their Rate in fad might be termed a conti
nual picquet, I ordered them to return to their huts
on Lonfclfland.
It is impossible at present to fay in what manner,
or how soon, this business will be fettled ; 'tis gene
rally thought that Congress cannot fatisfy the de
mands of the revolters, and it is probable, there
fore, they may attempt to force them. If they do,
those people may still fall back upon us, as there is
no force in Jersey to prevent them, nor any river to
pass but that at South Amboy, which our ships can
command.
* The papers referred to are, the journal kept by the
emissaries, and the proposals offered by his Excellency
the PreJident, (jc. to the troops.
February 8.
The last dispatches from Sir Henry Clinton are full
of complaints against ministry for not fending him re
inforcements. They knew, he fays, that the opera
tions to the southward would occasion continual
drains from the main army, and yet they allowed
him to weaken himfelf, from time to time, even to
a degree of danger, without ever supplying the place
of those troops, which the exigencies of the service
General Washington has not moved a man from
his army as yet; and as it is probable their demands
are nearly the fame with the Pennsylvania line, 'tis
not thought likely he will. I am, however, in a si
tuation to avail myfelf of favourable events; but to
Rir before they offer, might mar all.
I have received no certain intelligence from the
southward since my last; but I make no doubt that
General Leslie has joined Lord Cornwallis ; and I
every hour expeCt to hear the rebels have quitted the
Carolinas, more especially as Brigadier-General Ar
nold arrived in the Chefapeak on the 2d. Rebel re
ports fay, he has reached Richmond, the capital of
Virginia.
There is every reason to suppose that Ethan Allen
has quited the rebel cause.
Lieutenant Sir William Twyfden, of the royal fu
zileers, who has requested my permission to return
to Europe on his own private affairs, will have the
honour of delivering my private dispatches. I beg
leave to refer your Lordship to him for further par
ticulars, particularly with regard to the operations
to the southward.