The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-12-12 00:00:00, page 2

LONDON, September 27.
^„HE following petition or memorial was presented some
■ time since by the merchants of Rotterdam, to the
1 Burgomasters of that city.
To the Noble and Most Rest enable the Burgomasters and Re
gents of tbe city of Rotterdam.
“ The underwritten merchants and inhabitants of this city,
mioft refpedfully represent, That their High Mightinesses
having refeinded the order of the 26th of January, by virtue
of which the navigation to the ports of Flanders and the Bal
tick had been prohibited to all the vessels belonging to this
country ; so that by rescinding the order, the Status-General
have opened this navigation for all the fubjeds of the Repub
lick, and the necessary convoys to protect the trade,"were, at
the fame time promised : Your Petitioners waited with impa
tience to fee the promise performed, but to no effect ; till in
June last they were informed, by their correspondents at Am
sterdam, that a convoy was getting ready to fail in July, and
that therefore the merchants of that city were getting their
ships ready as faft as possible. Your Petitioners, to their great
furprize, not having received any official notice of the time
appointed for the failing of it, were led to apprehend that the
ships belonging to the Meuse and Goeree were to be excluded
from the benefit of it : This apprehension made fouie of your
Petitioners apply to the Burgomasters, and to other Members, of
the Admiralty residing in this city, to obtain information on this
head ; but the answer received both from the Burgomasters
and the Admiralty was— that they knew nothing of the matter.
At length, when most of the drips belonging to Amsterdam
had taken in their lading, and were ready for fear, then, and
toot before, your Petitioners received directions from the Se
cretary to the Admiralty of the Meuse, to dispatch, without
loss of time, to Helvoetnuice, all the fliips bound for the Baltick,
where they should meet a convoy: But the Secretary observed,
at the fame time, that the critical posture of affairs would not
permit him to open himftlf more fully on the manner in which
this was to be done, or to mention the number of men of war
that were to form their convoy. This information coming so
suddenly, prevented your Petitioners from being able to freight
and fit out their ships at as little expence as the merchants of
Amsterdam, who had had timely notice : Your Petitioners were
obliged to put themselves to extraordinary expence, in order to
be able to get ready in time ; and the number of fliips that were
to convoy them not being known, the Underwriters availed
themselves of that circumdance, and raised the price of insu
rance. Your Petitioners confided entirely in those, whose
bnfinefs it was to appoint and regulate convoys, and waited
the favourable opportunity to fend out their fliips, under the
protection of the Rep'ublick's men of war; and they waited
with the more lively impatience, as the season of the year was
already so far advanced, that there was ground to apprehend
for the fafe return of the trade before the winter. At length,
to their utter astonishment, your Petitioners learned, on the
3d, that the convoy had failed from the Texel and Vlie on the
xft ; and on the 4th Mess. Faanco, and Adrian Dubbledermuts
were informed, by a letter from the aforementioned Secretary
to the Admiralty of the Meuse, that as the convoy had failed
before the trade from Goeree could get out, and as it was
to be feared the Prince William man of war could not be got
ready to fail time enough, the merchants, (your Petitioners)
should lignify to the Admiralty whether they would fuffer
their ships to fail under convoy of a small frigate of 20 guns,
a cutter of 18, and a yacht of 14." „ „ , ,
The petition concludes with the strongest request, that the
Bur ^m>a& f would make the most feribus and heavy com
plaints™^^ States of Holland, of the conduct of the Admi
ralty of the Meuse, for having so fcandalouDy deceived tbe
merchants of Rotterdam., . ,
It was thought that this affair would make a great deal of
noise in the Affcmbly of the States of the Province of Holland.
September 28. Wednesday there was a quarterly general
<court of the proprietors of East-India flock, at their house in
Leadenhall-ftreet. , „
In the statement of the accounts of debtor and creditor of
the Company, from the Ift of March to theist of September,
1,81, there appeared a balance in favour of the Company of
above 700,000 b besides nearly as much more in caih, which,
by their late engagement with Government, was to be reserved
in the hands of the Company, for extraordinary exigencies.
The Chairman likewise went into a general survey of the
Company's affairs in India, according to their latest advices,
which afford, as he said, a more favourable representation of
the return of their affairs to their ancient prosperity, than has
been for some time received ; and that though there are not
any.pofitive accounts of the retreat of Hyder Ally, yet there
is every reason to believe, from the several checks received by
him from the troops under Sir Eyre Coote, that chief must,
Before this time, have evacuated the Carnatick:
Mr. Fitzgerald and General Smith made some observations
on the heavy bills of exchange drawn upon the Company, and
loon about to become due ; the payment of which must greatly
diminish the balance, as Rated in the Company's favour; nor
did they agree with the inferences drawn by the Chairman in
favour of the hopeful profpea: of our affairs in India, from the
Rate of the latest advices, submitted to that court.
The Chairman, in reply, observed, that though the Company
had accepted bills of exchange to the amount of 1,500,0001.
only 400,000 b of that sum was requited to be paid in a short
;time ; and for this, thirty-one of the Company's ships were
rexpedted, whose cargoes, in the usual course, ought to have
been in the Company's warehouses some months past, and that
Tor this acceptance they had the permission of the Lords of
the Treasury, as the adt r quires; and he persisted in the fa
vourable complexion of our affairs in India, in a comparative
view with what they were fix months ago.
October I. Saturday being the birth-day of her Royal High
ness Charlotte Augusta Matilda, Princess Royal of England,
who entered the 16th year of her age, the fame was observed
at Windsor, and at night there was a ball for the young
nobility.
St. James's, September 29. The King has been pleated to
grant the dignity of a baronet ot the kingdom of Great-Bri
tain to Jonathan Lovett, of Lifcombe House, in the county
of Buckingham, Esq; and his heirs male.
London, Oflober 6. It is the opinion of some speculative poli
ticians, that our detaining the Dutch convoy much longer in
the Texel would not be of that consequence to this nation
which many people imagine ; on the contrary, they scruple
not to fay, tl at it would be our wisest course to let them pur
sue their voyage. For this they afrign a two-fold reason: One
is, that, by leaving them a free paffagc at this advanced period
of the season, they could not be ready to return before the ice
set in, and locked them up for the winter ; the consequence of
which would be, that our main end would be equally answer
ed, with this additional advantage, that the enemy would be
put to an immense expence, by supporting so many hands, for
so long-time, in foreign countries. The other reason is, that
we might w* ch their motions in the Spring, when the navi
gation of the Baltick became open, with as much certainty,
and a far better effed than at present ; as, in that case, if any
prizes were made, the enemy would be much more hurt than
by thelofs of an equal number of their outward-bound fleet,
while at the fame time we would be adding to our own naval
stores. These arguments, it must be allowed, are not with
out are appearance of weight; but there is an old proverb,
European Intelligence.
The Dutch have the alternative of either coming out of har
.hour to fight, or paying id to be half ruined ; for that great
Gulph, the Baltick, which is said neither to ebb nor flow, they
in a very little time will be entirely incapable of deriving the
smallest advantage from, on account of the season.,
Ainidft the strong concussion of accidepts at present agitating;
the State of Holland, the Bank of Amferdam cannot fail to
tremble to its very centre.
A brave tar with a wooden leg, who was on board Admiral
Parker's fleet in the late engagement with the Dutch, having
the misfortune to have the other foot off; as his comrades
were conveying him to the surgeon, ' notwithstanding the poig
nancy of hi's.agonies, (being a man bf humour) he could not
fupprefe his joke, faying, “ It was high time for him to leave
off play, when his last pin was bowled down."
Extract of tbe Journal of tbe Resolutions entered into bj
tbeir NCble Mightines s tbe States of G^O^i^GE^.
Die "folds, noth September, 1781.
The report made by the Committee for Petitions of the
Council of Statc'and Finances of this province.
" Noble and Mighty Lords,'
“ Conformable to the refutations come to by your Noble
Mightinesses, of the 3d of July last, the Committee having
taken into consideration a letter from his Highness Due Louis
de Brunfwyk Wolffenbuttle, to their High Mightinesses, da
ted the 21st of June last, wherein he heavily complains against
the Memorial presented to the Prince Stadthokler, by the
Regents of Amflerdam, &c. are of opinion, that the Repre
sentatives of your Noble Mightinesses, in the Assembly of their
High Mightinesses, should declare, that your Noble Mighti
nesses have a vast field open to expatiate on the calamitous
situation of the Republick, both at home aw'd abroad, and to
enquire into the causes of the defencelefs Rate in which we
have hitherto remained, notwithstanding the danger which
daily encreafes; but that you will decline it at present, as such
an enquiry has already been set on foot by their High Mighti
nesses, and will no doubt, be further pursued; and that as
your Noble Mightinesses will, in a little time, be fully intrud
ed on this bead, you may entertain the greatest hope to fee
tranquillity and harmony restored.
“ That the measures pursued by tbe Regents of Amsterdam,
in the present complexion of affairs, does not only appear ill
timed to your Noble Mightinesses, but that they may be pro
dudive of very serious consequences, since there is nought in
the said memorial, that may tend to support the diflant hints
which are said to be aimed against the Duke; but on the con
trary, that the Regents of Amflerdam are far from supposing
the Duke as guilty of what is pubhckly alledged against him.
“ That for these reasons your NobU Mightinesses neither
did nor could expert that such a step should have been taken ;
but since it is so, they tear left it should have a bad influence
on the affairs of the Republick; when in the present crisis,
union and mutual confidence are the principal, not to fay the
only means of saving the dear country from present danger,
and preserve it from future want.
“ That such being the with and inclination of all well-mean
ing Regents, they will be disposed to contribute thereto in the
belt maimer in their d&ct and that it'h fully <w&3ed that
the Burgomasters and Regents of Amsterdam will co-operate "
thereto.
“ That, therefore, nothing less can be expeded, than that
the above noble and, venerable Lords will make no difficulty of
dropping the vague tofinuations contained in their Memorial,
and join your Noble raghtinefres in acquitting the Duke of all
blame and suspicion, aid thus give proper fatisfadion ; other
wise the said noble an% venerable Lords will lay with confi
dence before the confederated States, who are equally inter
ested, those chargeable insinuations, and adduce their proofs.
“ That, mean while, your Noble Mightinesses find your
selves under an obligation to declare, that you will constantly
perlift in those sentiments of eftem for the said Duke, of which
the Confederates in general, and your Noble Mightinesses in
particular, have given him the mod solemn proofs, till you
are convinced of the truth of the charges against him.
“ That your Noble Mightinesses have established amongst
you necessary orders to prevent the felling and vending any
inflammatory libels. The said Committee at the fame time
present your Noble Mightinesses with the following private
resolution relative to the matter aforefaid.
" Private resolve: In consequence ofthe deliberations held
on the above report, the Lords, the States of Groningen,
have thought proper and well to authorize and injoin, their
reprefeutatives'at the Assembly of their High Mightinesses, to
use all means, either privately, or in concert with the repre
sentatives of the other provinces, when and however they may
think it expedient, in order that the burgomasters and regents
of Amsterdam, may be induced to relinquish within a conve
nient time, the vague insinuations contained ia their memorial,
or for adminiftring their proofs, &c. And that the States of
Holland and Weft-Friezeland shall take the most convenient
steps to clear and acquit the said Duke, whose high birth and
meritorious conduct during a long furies of years, will not
permit him to remain liable to suspicions injurious to his cha
rader ; and thus by giving him fatisfa&ion, prevent the bad
consequences likely to arise from such accusations.
“ Agreed to the report, Coli. accord."
The late terrible storm, of which some accoints have been
given from Oftt nd, is very circumstantially defer bed in a letter
to a Mr. Wrightman of Tower-street. Of fich extent, as
well as force, was the wind, that ships were blown to a con
liderablc distance: twd were wrecked near Blackenburgh ; and
a French privateer, with a prize, and another vessel, and also
a Daniffi Wefclndiaman, met with the fame fate, to the north
east end of Dunkirk
Among the numerous wrecks on the sea-coast o' Oftend, &c.
occasioned by the tempest, there were some trit had been
laden with naval ftbres for the port of Brest, and which the
French were in the greatest want of. The Dane also, men
tioned above, was in particular heavily lad:n with stores for
the French service. So that, with refperft to the iutereft of
England, ip this case, it may be said with fruth, “ 'tie an ill
wind that blowi no vac any good."
which fays, that " a Bird in Hand is Worth two in the Bufb;"
and, probably, it might ,be as good policy to keep the Dutch
at home, as to depend on kidnapping them on their return
from the North.
A letter from Dublin, dated Sept. 26, fays: “ A Right
Hon. Member of the Legislature, highly distinguished for his
Urbanity and Liberality, proposes to move early in the ap
proaching Sessions a repeal of several penal Statutes against the
Roman Catholicks, which are at present so great a disgrace to
our code of laws. As they now stand, a loyal and industrious
fubjeft of that persuasion, having a horse of fifty or an hun
dred pounds value, upon being offered five pounds as his price,
by Turk, Jew, or Atheist, is obliged to deliver up the bead ;
with many other Ads equally inhuman and oppressive. The
dark mists of prejudice being dispersed, policy as well as Chris
tian charity and brotherly love, should strongly urge the abo
lishing all such laws, as are a reflection upon a free and a gene
rous people."
A correspondent is assured from good commercial authority,
that the Dutch trade at the present crlfis sustains a shock not
cafily tp be described : The Texel is full of merchantmen,
great numbers of which are bound to Amfrerdam; but the
mouth of the Channel, separating the Texel from the conti
nent of Holland, through which these mult pass, is so com
pletely blocked up by the British Commodore, that they dare
not stir.
October 10. Op reading that Mons. Simolin had made serious
representations to ohr Court concerning a Ruffian vessel having
been plundered by a ship under English colours, a correfpoa.
>dent observes, that the surprising part of the article is, that
such events have not frequently happened before; and that
there is but too much reason to apprehend this instance is but
a foretafe of what all trading nations are doomed to fuffer•
for what conduct can be more clearly confident with the dis
petition hitherto manifested by the colonies; who, unreftrain.
ed by.ideas of justice, will not fail, under British colours, to
plunder neutral vessels ; by which means, considering the dif
ficulty of detention, by their speaking the fame language, &c,
'they will promote the double pufpofe of enriching themfelves'
and throwing the odium on their Mother Country It will
not perhaps be long before France, Spain and Holland
may be paid in this coin for the assistance they have afford
ed them to become a scourge to every commercial nation on
the globe.
aUer g. Should the Emperor of Morocco really A
himfclf into the Spanish Pofleffions, the diversion may b ",
alarniing to the Spanish Monarch, as to withdraw him f "
our foes. 1; °"l
Yesterday morning some dispatches were received from
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, by which we learn, that the wil
of the transports and victuallers were laden, and only tyaita
for a convoy..
The relief of Minorca is certainly very seriously intended.
Admiral Darby's squadron not having been heard of latel
makes it probable they have bent their course that way, ?'
The superior health of British ships is contemplated with
ineffectual envy, by all our maritime neighbours; and vetF
this consequence be traced upwards ,to what cause can it?
imputed but to those which are practicable in every ihin
Dr. Irwin's method of obtaining frelh water by diftilhtio?
and Captain Cook's improvements in nautical clcanliuefs and
ventilation between decks.
As a tree by its fruits, so a minister is difeerned by his mini,
ftration: the above-mentioned nautical improvements, whid
save and soothe the lives of our most valuable countrymen
were pefeCted in the period of Lord Sandwich's presiding ove ;
the marine department.
The beautiful Miss Armstrong, of Ferfene, in Ireland
worked a most elegant handed, and presented it to the corps
of Barony Rangers. At tbe next meeting of the corps they
unanimously agreed to present that lady with the following
address of thanks:'
'' Tc Miss Armstrong.
" The Barony Rangers beg leave to offer to you their warm
“ est thanks, tor the very elegant standard you were so obligi^
" as to work for them. As the best return they can make far
“ the high honour you have conferred on them, they take this
" publick method of assuring you, that they will never defcrt
" their standard."
A letter from the Hague fays, that the States of the Pro
vince of Zealand have declared, that it is not in their power
to fit out their quota of men of war, as they cannot procure
a fufficient number of shipwrights for the purpose; and if they
had fliips, they could not raise men fufficient for them ; there
fore, they Would with that their High Mightinesses would
agree to the proposals of the Empress of Russia, to enter into
a negotiation for a peace with England; and this some other
Provinces have requeued also.
OBober 16. A correspondent observes, that whatever may
br nrne noflicated by gloomy spirits, or set forth by designing
men, yet our publick affairs wear a ver," promise, ?fr& I#
fes we must meet with as the inevitable consequences of war;
but let us balance our losses with our advantages, and then we
will find that cur enemies have no great reason to triumph.
It is certain that our successes have exceeded even our highest
expectations, considering the powerful force united against us.
As the combination against Britain was unnatural and unprece
dented, so Providence has hitherto so far smiled upon us, as to
furprize all Europe. Perseverance and unanimity will fill flip
port our honour and promote our interests. The entering in
to unnecessary disputes concerning politicks, can never be at
tended with any beneficial consequences, especially in timesof
danger.
It has been determined in Council, to fend a strong reinforce
ment of both the navy and army in America, on intelligence
having been received, that the French intend making a grand
effort in that part of the globe, to detach effectually, if possible,
the colonies from Great-Britain.
Accounts have been received by the Helena sloop of war,
which arrived at Portsmouth on Saturday from Gibraltar, from
which place she failed the 20th of September—That the left the
garrison in good health a»d spirits—that on the 25th ult. she
palled the Spanish fltf&^^lon the sth inst. fell in with the
French fleet, about ss%ty)es apart, consisting of about 18
fail of the line ; and that three days after she met with the
fleet under the command of Admiral Darby.
Yesterday at twelve o'clock Luke Ryan, and his Mate, were
examined before the I^Mliipful William Wynne, Doctor of
Laws, and King's Advocate, at the Horn Tavern, in Donor's
Commons, and committed to New-Prison, Clerkcnwell.
The only questions alked of Ryan, were the following:
Whether his name was Ryan ?
Whether the names Luke Ryan, signed to the bond for his
English letter of marque, which was produced him,, were of
his hand writing ?
To both which he answered in the affirmative, which was
the whole of the examination.
Both Ryan and his Mate seemed much affe&ed with them
commitment, wrung their hands and wept, and seemed in
very great agitation.
e ßyan fays, that the Mate when he engaged him was Car
ving in France, and dripped himfelf with him as an American,
and he insists that America is the place of his birth.
A Bohemian peasant, who had invented a machine for reap
ing corn, was lately conduced to Vienna, by the Emperour's
order. Two horses are harnessed, with their heads to the
corn, and drag in a reversing manner the machine towards the
Landing corn. It throws out curved hooks for gathering and
holding it, whilst feythes also advance, and cutting it, lay it
in little heaps. Two horses, two men and a boy, used it hi
the neighbourhood of Vienna, and it did as much work in fix
hours, as twelve men could have none in a day. His Imperial
Majesty bought the peasant's freedom of his Lord, gave him
a farm, and Locked it, and fettled a pension on him for life.
Thus it has been that the ignorance of a Bohemian boor has
effected, what the feientifick efforts of half the societies ia
Europe have attempted in vain!
Hamburgh, (Germany) September 18. A report is spread
that at the next election of King of the Romans, the choice
will fall on the Grand Duke of Tuscany; it is even pretended,
that this affair is in a great measure fettled.
London, OBob r 11. The embarrassment in the Dutch ma
rine for want of sailors, is now experienced more fcverely
than ever.
JAMAICA RU M,
MUSCOVADO SUGAR,
MADEIRA WIN E,
CORDAGE, &c.
F OR S AL E,
By THOMAS INGLIS-