The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-12-05 00:00:00, page 2

" Her approach was difeovered by the enemy and us at the
fame time, about five o'clock. She was in the Gut, to the
southward of Cabarita Point, and nearly a third of the way
over from it towards Europa. It was perfectly calm, and
the Helena was rowing for the rock. 1 immediately took the
Repulse and Vanguard gun boats, with all the boats of the
ships, and went for her as expeditiously as possible. Fourteen
gun boats of the enemy, carrying each one twenty- fix poun
der in the bow, moved also from Algaziras, accompanied by
several launches. These boats got on fafter than I could pro
ceed with the Repulse and Vanguard, and before eight o'clock
those of them moR advanced com fenced their fire upon the
Helena, being then within half gun-fliot. She returned it
with great deliberation and effeQ, but Rill continuing to life
her oars. The greater part of the gun boats were soon close
to her, and the clouds of grape and other first that seemed al
most to bury her, were really astonishing. However the did
not, without some aid, bear long this very unequal combat.
The Repulse and Vanguard began a well-directed fire upon
the enemy, being so placed as was deemed the most efficaci
ous to cover the Helena, and annoy them. The commence
ment of the sea breeze having got to the Helena, she soon
reached us, the enemy still persevering in their attempt upon
her; some ofthem firing at her broadside; and others keeping
< Ihern, raking her. However the steadiness and bravery exhi
bited on board the_Helena, and the well-applied grape from
the Repulse and Vanguard, very soon made several of them re
tire; and they all fled by ten o'clock, allowing us to tow the
the Helena into the mole without farther molestation. A xe
beck, mounting between twenty and thirty guns, which was
lying near to Cabarita Point, got under way when the breeze
came, and advanced to join the gun-boats; but, upon feeing
them retire, she retired also.
<*- “ The masts, fails, rigging, and furniture of the Helena are
cut all to pieces, and the hull a good deal damaged ; but it is
wonderful, as it is fortunate, the boatswain was the only man
killed on board her.
“ The bravery, the coolness, and the judicious conduct of
Captain Roberts do him infinite honour: His officers and men
deserve the highest commendation." L. G.
Eafl-India Hoafe, September 17, 1/81.
By accounts received over-land from Bombay, dated the
31st of March, and 30th of April, 1781, the East-India Com
pany are informed, that the terms offered to the Marattas for
peace had not been accepted.
That every acquisition proposed by the government of Bom
bay to be made in the courfc of the war having been accom^
St. J A M E S's, September ir.
THIS morning A meflenger arrived at the office of the Eari
of Hill(borough, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries
of State, with a letter to his Lordflrip from Sir Horace Mann,
Bart# and K. B. his Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary at Flo
rence, enclosing a letter from Lieutenant General Murray,
Governour of Minorca, dated St. Philip's Castle, August 19,
iiTwhich the Governour gives an account, that a division of
the Spanifli fleet and transports was pushing that morning to
the cart part of the harbour of Mahon, with an intention as
was supposed, to land troops in that quarter; and that another
division appeared to be going to the weft part of the harbour.
The Governour adds, that he had for some time been apprized
of the intention of the enemy; was perfectly prepared to re
ceive them; that the garrison was in high health and spirits,
and that he had no doubt of making a vigorous refinance. L.G.
Leghorn, August 27. On the 25th instant, a Ruffian squa
dron arrived here from St. Peterfburgh, and last from Copen
hagen, confiding of the following ships, viz.
Ships. Commanders. Guns. Men.
Pantaleon ,{cfoerg^74 700
Nehren Aleajg . Mefiucorff 64 650
Europa Scuratoff 64 650
Vidlor UfchincofT 64 650
Parnet Jeftroff Pauluriu 64 650
Frigate Voine Schenben 34 300
Maria Currenuoff 26 250
A Venetian ship arrived here yesterday from Mahon in twelve
days, with several passengers on board. They left the island
on the evening of Sunday the 19th instant. The Spaniards had
effected a landing that day at noon, at two different places,
about two miles from St. Philip's Castle.
London, September 15. Letters from Leghorn, dated the
loth of Augtift, bring advice that on the ryth Governour Mur
ray's lady, and about 20 other ladies were arrived at that place
from Minorca. The vessel which brought this intelligence
failed from Gibraltar on the 9th, at which time the garrison
were all well, and in high spirits: In her passage, near Mahon,
she heard a heavy cannonade, supposed to be between the
Spanish troops and the garrison, and that the latter was well
provided with provisions and military stores.
General Murray, Governour of St. Philip's, having been in
formed that the combined fleet had failed fromC^diz,and being
apprehensive of its fleering towards Minorca, gave orders to all
the Mahonefe privateers to go out, and seize all (hips, whether
neutrals or not, that they ihould find laden with ammunition'
and provisions to re-viftual the garrison ; they obeyed this or
der, and have carried into this island a considerable number
of ships of all nations.
The garrison at Minorca consists of the „ft regiment, 880
men ; 61st ditto, 940 ; Prince Ernest's Hanoverians, 1000 ;
Goldacker's ditto, 820 ; corps of artillery, 120 ; artificers,
408: in all 4168. This with, 1500 militia, make up the total
force of the island.
Paris, (France) September 3. By a courier extraordinary
ivho arrived yesterday at Verlailles, we arc informed, that the
Spaniards effected their landing in the island of Minorca on the
30th ult. They met with no manner of opposition.
General Murray, timely apprized of their intended visit,
has improved his leisure, to get into the fort a fufficient quan
tity of provisions, so as not to be starved into a surrender.
St. jAMEs'r, September 12, 1781.
Extra# of a Letter from General Elliott, Governour of
Gibraltar, to the Earl o/Hillsborgugh, dated Gibraltar,
August 8, 1781.
" Yesterday morning I received your dispatch of the 20th
of July, with the inclofure, by his Majesty's sloop Helena,
Captain Roberts, who arrived by dint of perseverance and
bravery, with the assistance of our two gun-boats (the Van
guard and Repulse) towed into the Bay, and polled by Captain
Curtis himfelf. He personally conducted their attack in his
barge with diftinguilhed success, notwithstanding a constant
and heavy fire of round and grape from the enemy's gun-boats
for nearly two hours: The particulars of Captain Roberts's
gallant behaviour and his ship will, no doubt, be transmitted
by Captain Curtis; but as he (Captain Curtis) is not a man to
foeak to any action so highly redounding to his own honour,
on my part it is an indifpeniable duty±o inform your Lordihip,
that his zeal for the service is scarcely to paralleled in forward
ing every operation that can any way contribute to our com
fort or defence." L. G.
Admiralty-Office, September 18, 1781.
Extra# of a Letter from Captain Curtis, to Mr. Stephens,
dated Brilliant, Gibraltar, August 7, 1781.
" I beg you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commis
sioners, that his Majesty's Roop Helena arrived here this
morning.
European Intelligence.
phfhed,they had taken Measures, in concert with General God
dard, to confine their future operations to a mere plan of de
fence, to the fccurity and preservation of those acquisitions, and
of the Company's other poffeßions, to the fafety of Bombay, to
the reduction of their extraordinary military charges, to ren
dering affißance, so far as in their power, to the presidency of
Fort St. George, for which purpose preparation was making to
fend back all the troops of that presidency; by which measure
the army under Gen. Coote will be considerably strengthened.
In pursuance of this plan, Gen. Goddard relinquished pos
session of Bhore Gaut, where he had proposed to form a forti
fied post, and marched the army to Panwell, to lodge his stores
and baggage, and in order to proceed according to the system
of defence before concerted.
During the match of the army, it was very much harraffed
by numerous bodies of borfe and foot, who pressed upon the
Company's troops with a degree of boldness imputed only to
their exultation at the appearance of a retreat. The Company's
troops behaved with their accustomed firmnefs and resolution;
baffled every effort of the enemy to make anyimpreffion either on
the line or baggage; but as the country was favourable for the
mode oßattack observed by the enemy, the Company's troops,
during two days march, sustained a lots of 3 officers and 55 men
killed, and 15 officers and 393 men wounded; few or none of
the privates killed or wounded were Europeans; but Colonel
Parker, who commanded the rear-guard, was one of the
officers mortally wounded.
The Tateft advices relative to the affairs of Fort St. George .
are also contained in the above letters from Bombay; and con
firm the accounts, that the French fleet left the coast of Coro
mandel in February, without landing any aßtftance for Hyder
Ally, or doing any material damage. The poficion of General
Coote's army, and his having burnt all the boats at Pondicherry
prevented the French from getting any supply of provisions
from the shore, for which they seemed much distressed.
The letter of the 31st of March states, that General Coote
had retaken Carangoly, andthe enemy withdrawn their troops,
with which for many weeks they had been besieging Velore,
Pcrmacoil, and Wandiwafh. That Hyder was also employed
in removing his heavy cannon and stores from Arcot; but it
then seemed to be the general opinion he would not withdraw
his army without hazarding a battle.
The letter of the 30th of April Rates, that country intelli
gence, collected by Mr. Stewart at Goa, mentions Hyder
having quitted the Carnatic^
The letter of tire 30th of April concludes with an account
of Colonel Camac having gained a very complcat victory over
Mhadage Scindia; The Colonel had been obliged to retreat,
and was harraffed for four days together,~by a very powerful
army. After the fourth day's retreat, the Colonel counter
marched a detachment from his army in the night, with which
he got in the rear of the enemy, and attacked their camp,
which was forced and plundered, and two guns, four elephants,
and a large booty, fell into his hands. Several accounts con
cur, that the enemy's loss amounted to goco men, and Scindia
himfelf eleaped with difficulty to Serouge, attended by only a
few horsemen.
London, September 18. The agreeable advice was received at
the Admiralty, that the Baltick fleet under the convoy of the
Venus, Camilla, and Galatea frigates, was arrived in Leith
Roads, Yarmouth Roads, the Humber, and the River ; it can
lifted of one hundred and fifty-two fail, all of which are got
fafe into port, except one, which foundered near Yarmouth
Sands, but the crew were laved.
Plymouth, September 21. On Wednesday the 19th at 11
in the forenoon, the Gibraltar arrived and anchored in Caw
fand Bay, after a passage of fix weeks from the Well-Indies,
but laR from Corke. '
Off Cape Clear, in the night, she fell in with the Arethufa
of 40 guns, Captain Sir Richard Pearson, chaced her and fired
nine Ihot at her, five of which struck the Arethufa, one car
ried away the crojack-yard, another knocked the cat-heart all
to pieces; and though the fore-caßle was full of men, provi
dentially no person was hurt. At dav-break the Gibraltar came
within hail of the Arethufa: the latter was happy to find a
friend where she expelled to have met an enemy; and indeed
it was fortunate they fell in with each other, as the Arethufa
was dispatched to meet the homeward bound WeR-India fleets,
which Sir George Rodney left all well in lat. 30. It should be
remarked, that the Arethufa when chafed had every fail Lt,
and the Gibraltar with only her top-fails and top-gallant fails
set, came up with her- Immediately on the anchoring of the
Gibraltar, Capt. Affleck went off in a chaise and four for Lon
don. Admiral Rodney landed at Mount Edgecumbe, where he
has been till this forenoon, when he arrived at the victualling
office point in his barge with Admiral Hughes, Governour of
Nova-Scotia, who came passenger in the ships from Corke.
Admiral Rodney looks pale, though in good spirits ; he refresh
ed himfelf in the storekeeper's room, took a survey of the diffe
rent offices, walked to the Prince George attended by a num
ber of Spectators, and set off in a chaise and four, amids tthe
huzzas of a large concourse of Britiffi tars, which the Admiral
politely returned by waving his hat.
A chest of letters, said to contain the treasonable corres
pondence of our Anglo-Americans, was landed at the dock
this morning from the Gibraltar; if it can be proved, it is to
be hoped Government will make severe examples of tlrofe peo
ple, who under the molt lenient administration in the universe
dare to supply its enemies with stores in time of war.
London, September 25. The Count de Guichen having fail
ed from Breftand cleared the land the 29th of June with 18
fail of the line, he entered the Bay of Cadiz the 6th of July,
where he found the Majefteoux no guns; the three French
men of war from Rochfort went on with the merchantmen,
and were to fee them as far as the Weflern Islands. The Spa
nish fleet of 30 fail under Don Louis de Cordova, in conjunc
tion with Gnichen's 19 fail, convoyed the Duke de Crillon's ex
pedition, and saw it fafe into the Mediterrenean on the 24th
of July; the combined fleet then failed for the English channel.
Nothing farther was heard of them till the 24th of August,
when Admiral Darby came into Torbay, and moored his fleet
of 21 fail across the entrance. The Agamemnon and Protbee
64 guns each, with the Cerberus and Qiebeck frigates, which
had failed from Plymouth August 2zd, put back with their
convoy on intelligence received at sea, that the enemy was on
our coast, and the two firft joined Admiral Darby in Torbay,
September ill. The Arrogant 74 guns failed the 3d, and the
Nonfuch 64 the 12th, from Portsmouth, the Sceptre 64 the
12th, and the Sampson of 64 from the Nore, and the Assistance
of 50 from Milford the 16th, all to join him. From the 9th to
the 14th Admiral Darby made several attempts to fail, but the
wind did not hold ; on the 14th he got out of the Bay, and on
Saturday morning the 15th went down the channel with a fair
wind, having been joined by the Dublin and Hercules 74 each
from Plymouth; on the 18th he was off the Lizard, the 19th
passed Scilly wind North-East. His fleet confided of 30 fail of
the line, several others are getting ready, and will fail soon.
Before Admiral Darby failed many people were afraid for our
Weft-India fleets. The combined fleet also raised a great a
larm in Ireland. An attack on Cork was dreaded, where a
large convoy lay bound for the Weft-Indies and America,
and where in the store houses it is said, there are 12 months
provisions for our armies in America The regular troops
filed off towards Cork, and the Irish volunteers, like true pa
triots, offered their service wherever there might be occasion.
The combined squadron never came within fight of land, the
intelligence received of them came chiefly by neutral ships that
had fallen in with them. We dp not even hear that they made
Letters from Cork of tire 14th of September mention, that
an express from the Admiralty arrived there the oth'nhh
orders for the Weft-India, New-York, and African convoy
to get to sea by any possible means, and Rear whatever coast
they could from that harbour. That the St. Albans 64, and
Leander 50, &c. &c. put to sea with them 011 the ictli, to'ta^
shelter in the weft of Scotland, but the wind coming contras
obliged mod of them to anchor off the harbour, and next
morning another express came ordering them to remain.
September 27. Sometime before Admiral Rodney's arrive
the late Lord Powis's'houfc in Albemarlc-Rrect was taken so
his residence ; and cn Monday the 24th, at fix in the eveniy
he arrived there from Plymouth, in a pretty good Rate of heal
In coming through Windsor he flopped to pay his duty to i;
Majesty, but bulinefs was not talked of, after which he set out
for London. On the 25th he paid a long visit to laird Sand
wich at his house in the Admiralty.
The 26th he was at the levee, had an audience of an lw nr
and kfffed the King's hand in consequence of the knighthood
of the Bath haring been conferred 011 him, wailft'in %
Weft-Indies.
Lando:, O&ofcr 2. Commodore Stuart fell upon a very fart unite
Rheme to procure .perfect intelligence of the Rate of the Iquadron fa
the Texel. He captured a Dutch fuliing-bcat, and having dretfed
fume of his sailors in the fishermen's cloaths, font them in°the boat
to reconnoitre the Dutch fleet, which they did very compleatlv, and
have informed him, that, inchiding five of their Indiamen,\&h
they have armed compleatly, they have what they call twelve fail of
the line ready for sea; so that, if they venture out, we may hear of
another bras h in the vicinity of the Dogger-Bonk.
Extract of a tetter dated off the Texet the us ult.
" The Admiral-General, aDutch fliip of 74 guns, is now on more
in the Texel Road. Capt M'Bride was out taking a view of the fleet
and brought this intelligence; they have row 12 or 13 fail ofthe Fine,
and 12 frigates, ready to come out; we are anxiously expecting then'.
'?4 r '° rce is the Bellona, Berwick and Fortitude, of 74 guns each*
Princess Amelia, of 80; Sampson and Bienfaifant, of 64 each; Bafc
falo, of 60; Princess Caroline and Preston, of 54 each; Artois
Roebuck, and Dolphin of 44 each; Latona of 38; Cleopatra and
Apollo, of 32 each; Myrmidon, of 24; one brig and two cutters.
ORobcrs. Yesterday morning farther advices were received at tit
Admiralty from the Hon. Commodore Keith Stewart, with an ac
count that he was off the Texel, watching the motions of the Dutch
fleet, and informing their Lordships of the fafe-rrtiral of the Africa
of 64 g uns , which was dispatched as a reinforcement to the fquadtoa
under his command. He adds, that the present Rate ofthe wind,
being in the North-East, it is impossible for the Dutch fleet to get
out; but he has received the belt information, that the momenta
change takes place, it is their determined resolution to fail; so that
an account of an a&ion may be hourly expedited.
October 6. Some people talk of the reduction of Fort St. Philip's
with the fame ease ns of that of a common redoubt. But, besides tte
numerous and almoll impregnable additions made to the works, the
approaches to that important fortress are very different, now, front
what they were in the last war, when it was besieged by the FrencL
At that time, some houses were left flanding, within cannon shot ?
which served as a mzik for the enemy, and behind which they ered*
ed their batteries, though with much toil and labour, having earth
to carry, for that purpose, from a dißance of several miles. Now,
however, no such thing can happen. General Murray, sensible of
the indiferetion of General Blakeney, has ordered the whole ground,
within range of his cannon, to be cleared of every cover, or Shelter,
for an enemy; so that, as there is little else but solid rock, tire pr
fent besiegers can neither entrench themfdves, nor fubftitote other
means of protection, like their predeceftors, in any Ration capable
of annoying the Eritilh garrison. If therefore the Dons ever plant
their standard on the Walls of St. Philips's, they will not, in all like
lihood have reason to ling Te Dorn: for the facility of thier conqtieft.
Ohtober 9. Advice is received that ten tail of transports with troops
on board, bound from Cadiz to Mahan to reinforce the army there,
are taken by some Barbary Corsairs, and carried into Algiers; that
Don Louis Cordova had dispatched a squadron of men of war to de
mand their releafement, and if refufed to bombard the city.
O^ober 11. Private accounts from Paris fay, that the Court of
Versailles are of opinion, that the States of Holland will enter into 1
separate peace with England, which the Due de Vauguyon is endea
vouring to prevent by his interest at the Hague, where he is Ambas
sador. Should he fail, and the Dutch make peace, the Court of
France will immediately declare the States to be a common enemy,
and proceed against them as such.
Extract of a Letter from the Hacue, October 5.
" Several merchants of Amsterdam concerned in the Baltick trade
have preferred a petition to the States, setting forth their fyfferings
by the convoy and fleet to the North Sea being detained,in port, and
that it will probably not make its voyage to the Baltick this winter,
which must ueceffarily be a great loss to them in freight, Ramen's
wages, provisions, &c. they therefore pray their High Mightiness
to grant them some proportionate indemnification for the great ex
pences they have been at; and further request their High Mightinefa
to give the necessary orders for the convoy to be ready to fail early
in the next spring, at furtheft by the end of March, that tlwy may
be made some amend, by an early voyage next year, &c.
.". ™ e above petition was deliberated upon, and rendered com
mifforial.
" It is most probable the Baltick fleet will winter in the Texel,
particularly as we have accounts that several of the veißls are unload
ing their merchandize to prevent its spoiling."
Admiralty-Office, October 10, 1781.
Extract of a Letter from the 'Right Honours te Lord HeRVEY, Cofr
wander of bis Majesty's Slip Recovery, to Mt. STEPHENS, d^l
Corke Harbour, October I, 1781.
" I l )e g you will acquaint their Lordships, that at day-light, on
the 28th ult. Cape Clear bearing N. E. distance 20 leagues, Ifatf
a fail close under the lee-bow, and immediately Rood towards her;
after a chace 01 twenty-two hours, having got up along-fide of her,
she struck to his Majesty's ship. She is an American privateer brig,
called the-Wexford, mounts 20 -twelve-pounders, carries 120 men,
and is 320 tons burthen. She has been only fix weeks fr®m Boston,
and had taken nothing."
London, O&ober 11.
Extras of a letter ft cm an officer on board bis Jtfajcfly's fd, B:r*wici,
to bis friend in Nerucofle, dated of ' the Lexel; Sept. 19/A.
“ It is with pleasure I acquaint you that we have at lull formed a
grand squadron, and are now watching the motions of the Dutch;
we are ten fail of two-deckers, besides as many frigates, cutters,^
under Commodore Stewart's command. This day the Myrmrkn
joined us, after looking into the Texel, and reports, she faw.a two
decked ship on fhorq and laying on her broadside on the outside the
Texel; as Ilie has been in that situation for four days, I now think
it impossible for her ever to get off.
" Every fliip has now joined us that was I'll the action on the ,th
of August; whereas the Dutch have loft four of their;, one of 'he
line on the Dogger where we engaged, one of the liife,in the inr^
a single capture. It is said that their principal Ration Was!
' tween 47 and 49 degree north fat. and 7 and 10 weft lon^it/
their main body inclining sometimes towards Scilly 'fo""
times towards Ufhant, with their cruizers ftretchU
the Channel. acr ' s
By the French account, the main body of the combinet fl
36 fail under Cordova with their frigates and cutters, for,"}
a line from Ufhant to scilly, and Guichen, with 13 of'the
cruized on the coast of Ireland, and they gave cut their ob°#
to be intercepting our Weft-India fleets. They were to co
tinue at sea till the 15th or 20th of September; but the fta,
weather we have lately had on the coast, put them in such d'/
order, that they had been forced to go into port. Letters fr
Paris of the 13th fay, that the Majeftueux 110, and ProtefteJ
74, had returned to Brest in great distress ; and that Canby
had failed for Cadiz.. ™
An express which arrived in London on Sunday, September
23d, from Mr. Fitzherbert, our Minister at Brussels, brought
advice, that Guichen, with most of his squadron, had entered
Brest the 11th, and that the remainder had gone withe'
dova to Cadiz.