The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-10-07 00:00:00, page 1

'Copy of a Letter from his ?,Iffl Chrifian Majesty
to Count Darbaud, Commandant at Guadeloupe,
dated at Versailles, June 28, 1778.
" Count Darbaud!
THE iniult committed against my Flag
by one of the King of England's Fri
gates, by attacking my Frigate la Belle
Poule; the seizure made by an Engliih
squadron, contrary to the Laws of Na
tions, of my Frigates la Licorne and la
Pallas, and of my sloop le Courreur; —the seizure on
^e high teas and confdeation of fcveral Ihips belong
ing to my fubjetts, made by England, contrary to
Treaties ; the continual trouble and damage occali
omd by that power to the maritime trade of my
Kingdom, and Colonies in America, both by their
iffy, and privateers, whole depredations are ianflion
cd by her authority ; all these injurious proceedings,
and anoee all the insults committed against my Flag,
have forced me to set a turn to the moderation I in
tended to ad with, and will not permit me any longer
to withhold the effects of my Resentment. —The
Dignity of my Crown, and the Protection I owe my
1 fo,c , do, at last, force me to make Reprisals ; to
act in an hoftils manner against England, to order
that my mips do attack, and endeavour to take all
snips of the line, frigates, and other vessels belongs
ing to the King of England, which they ihall meet
with, and that they do attack and take in like man
ner, all Engliih merchant ships, which they may have
an opportunity so to do, and that my troops do at
tack, take, and occupy the possessions of his Britan
nic Majesty. I accordingly write this letter to you,
to let you know that my intention is that you do
make use of all my forces, both by land and sea, that
are at your disposal, to attack and take the possessi
ons of the King of England, his ships of the line,
frigates and other vessels, as well as all other mer
chant ships belonging to his fubjedts ; and that to that
end, you do exercise, and cause to be exercised, all
the hostilities that are authorized by the laws of war.
I am confident I shall find in the foftice of my Cause,
in the valour and ability of my General Officers, in
the capacity and bravery of my sea and land officers,
in the steadiness and courage of my troops and sail
ors, in the love of all my fubjefts, the resources I
always experienced from thence, this letter being to
no other purpose. I pray God.
(Signed) L OUIS.
And underneath, by the King's order,
S A RTI N E."
From the Boston Independent Ledger.
Mr. Printer,
I A Mno great writer or talker, but have an op
portunity of feeing much, and now and then give
out a watch-word for the fafety of my neighbours.
Formerly, t% firft military word given to the loldiers
at their exerctic, was, TAKE HEED ; afterwards it
was changed to HAVE A CARE; now it is, AT
TENTION. I fee no difference in the feufe, bitt
not to, be out of the fallnon, 1 will take the last.
ATTENTION! —my fellow-citizens, —to your
rulers of every order; for if you do not attend to
them, they will attend to themfehes, and not to,ou.
Ko free people ever long preserved their liberty and
happiness without watching those w ho held the reins
of government.
ATTENTION ! —to the men that handle public
money, cither for the civil or military fcrvice ; for
the gridiron over which it is told, often enriches in
dividuals to the impoverishment and luin of the com
munity. Many may think perhaps that paper money
is not so apt to flip through as dollars were, but they
arc mistaken ; some men can double their money, and
hide it through a chink where a dollar would not
enter.
ATTENTION ! —to the form of government you
may adopt; for if you do not look to that, posterity
will look back upon you with curses, and all the world
will look upon you as a parcel of fools, who have
thrown away the faireft opportunity any people ever
had to secure their own liberty and happiness. Look
then, that rotation in office be not left out of your
constitution. It was designedly omitted in that lately
proposed, though wifely adopted by Congress, and
aimoil all the other States. A few men, continued
in the most important places for a succession of years,
may so extend their connections and influence, as to
become really, though not openly, masters of the State.
ATTENTION !—to the accumulation of offices on
ore man. Nothing is more unreasonable in itfelf,
nothing more contrary to the genius of a free govern
mert, than that one, equally well qualified, Should
[Vol. I.] ' THE . [Numb. 44.]
NEW-JERSEY GAZETTE.
W E D N ESD AY, October 7, 1778.
have no public employment, while others have more
than they can properly attend to. In the iadcafe, they
who confer them, want wisdom ; they who accept
them, want modify.
ATTENTION ! —to your Commifaries of Prison
ers, that they treat the uniortunate men m der their
care with all humanity anti indulgence confident with
the public fafety, and no more; that the prisoners
we have, be faithfully exchanged for the redemption
of our brethren ; that no clandefine trade with our
enemies be carried on in our flags, Ac. and nothing
done, that may wear the lead appearance of a fecet
bargain, between a British officer, tory merchant, or
mercenary whig, and an American Commissary.
ATTENTION!—to Britifn commissaries; British
iidinuations, and British m/ and take care that their
gold be not more fatal to you than their lead. The
last has slain its thousands, the firft may purchase
chains for millions. Observe where it is like to go;
mark its effects in every order; and let the sovereign
remedy be ever kept, a wakeful attention in the body
of the people. No people in their senses would refufe
a good peace, but take care, that in the shape of
peace, you do not embrace the most miserable bond
age, and without remedy.
ATTENTION! —to the freedom of the press.
Some people, who have talked for it, who have wrote
for it, may, upon a change of situation, be ready to
winch at it. This fliows the constant netefiity for it.
Never let the press be over awed either by public or
private persons. Only let truth and decency be pre
served, and then, my countrymen, speak freely, write
freely, of all men, and of all measures. If you at
tend to this, and some other things I have hinted at,
vou will secure all that is worth your Attention.
808 CENTINEL.
P A R I S, July 5.
r r II E Brest squadron, like that of Cadiz, Inas or
-1 ders to remain at tingle anchor, and,to keep all
their cannon charged with ball, for fear of a furprize
in the harbour.
Two frigates have been dispatched with inftrudti
cns, as it is laid, to the Count D'ERaign.
A body of infantry, confiding of 21,000 picked
troops, are now encamped in the plains on the tea
coast near Dunkirk, supposed to be the force diftir
cd for carrying into execution Mons. Broglio's mad
feheme of invading this country.
We are informed by a gentleman just returned from
France, that the French are at this time meditating
to strike a blow immediately against this kingdom;
and that 18,00® men were actually on their march
for that purpose.
Nay 22. It is said, and from rcfpeftable authority,
that the American Commissioners have a molt un
heard of latitude of power to treat with the Ameri
cans, delegated to them ; and m consequence of hints
thrown out by the leaders of the rebellion, " that no
terms will be listened to, if America be net acknowledg
ed independent, and all her expences incurred
by the (unnatural) \VAR DEFRAYED." That
sum amounting to near 2,000,0001. will be tendered
to them.---This, if fad, may indeed be a prudent
means of avoiding a heavier expence; but seems the
most humiliating condition that England, (next to
rendering hostages to France in the former war) ever
yet submitted to.
A vast concouifc of people flocked yesterday to the
Jerusalem Chamber, to fee the remains of the Earl
ATTENTION ! —to the army es your enemies in
every quarter. For, he allured whether you watch
them or not, they watch you, and would be glad in
some place or other, to patch you napping.
ATTENTION! —to your own army, thft it be
well filled up ; well fed, well eloathed, well paid ;
and then that the capable,"rthe active, the brave, be
at lead well Honoured; and The incapable, negligent,
and cowardly be well defffed. But watch with all
year eyes, that in no place and upon no occasion,
the military encroach upon the ci r ej power.
ATTENTION ! —to your naval affairs, and in
what manner they are conducted, from the highest
to the lowest department. Observe, with what ex
pedition your ships are fitted out; when they fail ;
with what capacity and spirit their commanders and
officers behave; what fcr<ricc they perform in pro
portion to their force ; and what public rewards and
punifhmeuts are difpehfed according to their different
behaviour. Let those be extolled even to the fars,
who support the honour of your flag, your new con
flellation, the thirteen fears ; and these who stain it,
be overwhelmed with cohfufibn, and Dink into dark
ness.
LONDO N, Alay 21.
It is asserted, that Marshal Broglio has accepted of
a certain 'bench Duke's invitation, and really has
marched with 22,000 men to the neighbourhood of
Dunkirk, where he waits for his flat bottomed barges
to wait him and his attendants on a visit to this island.
It is laid he means to land on the Suffolk, or Eflex
coast, though Suffer has been the usual place of de
barkation tor hostile dastards from France; but so
large a company might incommode his Grace's te
nants about Godwood.
'July 6. There is a ship just arrived from New-York.
She had a very Ihort pahage, and brings advice that
the army is all arrived at New-York from Philadel
phia; and that Lord Cornwallis is to go to Jamaica
with five thoufteid men immediately. The Com
midioners are arrived at New-York, but there arc
no hopes ol any accommodation, without firft ac
knowledging the Independence of America.
'Jrc, 6. It hn& b^rczio froallu^eatinef^ to th^ Jxlrtg
that his brothers have so often divided in the Houle
of Peers against the Court. An House divided against
itfelf cannot jiand. The measures of our precious mi
nillry,infiead ofhealing, have only tended to height
en the Fiffenfiohs of the empire, and of the whole
reigning family. Of late they seem more inclined
than they have been to allay these dissensions; but
having long despised the blessings of peace, and of
peacemakers, they know not how to restore it, where
wounds of deadly bate have pierc'd so deep.
The late action between the Arethufa, a British
frigate, and the Belle Poule, a French one, was very
levere.' Neither fide has any thing to boast: By all
the accounts from the Arethufa, the was roughly
handled. Her rigging, mails and yards were cut to
pieces. The boats and hammocks brought on deck
for defence, were shot away. The engagement last
ed three hours ; and ihe was towed away next morn
ing into Keppel's fleet a mere wreck ; the loft in kill
ed and wounded near fifty men, among the latter
Lord Charles Fitzgerrald. The French are pleased
that the Belle Poule, though much wounded, made
so good a defence against an equal force, and so good
an escape into harbour when the whole Britifo fleet
were so near at hand. Her commander understood
himfeli—he would not begin hostilities, nor would
he dishonour the French flag, by obeying the orders
given to him in the name of Admiral Keppel, to bring
to, under the stern of a British man of war. The
Court of France is collecting all the circumflances of
this affair, and of the behaviour of the BriLih squa
dron on their coasts, in order to prove, in case of a
war, England the aggressor. A circumftar.ee of which
they mean to avail themselves among their allies, and
in the courts of Europe. Such are our accounts from
France.
The French memorial has been replied to in very
few words, " The wind is fair, and Admiral Keppel
ordered to Jail ,—a laconic and spirited answer this !
an honourable testimony how highly the conduct of
our officers is approved.
General Burgoyne dined on Wednesday with the
Hon. Col. Harcourt, when he took his leave, and it
is said the General will return to America in the
course of next week.
Extract of a private letter from Doroer, dated July 8.
'' We hourly expert the communication between
this port and Calais to be flopped ; for we learn by
some gentlemen who landed here this day from Paris,
that the French were tn declare war last Tuesday
of Chatham lie in state ;---the outside of his coffin is
only to be fecn, as the body has been wrapped in
lead forhe time. Monday is the day that the Cham
bers will be illuminated, and adorned with mourn
ful trophies customary on such a melancholy occasion.
Letters from Paris mention the death of Henry d'
Acary de Beaucovoy, Lord of Coviemont, d'Efcuire,
&c. Knight of the Order of St. Louis, Governor of
Beauqueane, &c. &c. on the 28th ult. aged 120 years.
It is affirmed by a perlon of diftindion, that Lord
Chatham just before h(s death, was offered a ducal
coronet, the payment of all his debts, and some ex
ceeding lucrative employments, if he would take the
l#a'd, in the present critical situation of affairs.
June 6. It is said that orders are sent to Hanover
for the troops of that Electorate to be in readiness
to take the held.cn the firft notice.
It i;politirety averted, that government have come
to a resolution to dedroy every tea-port town of con-
Icquence cn the coast of America, and to recall all
Lie troops, part of which are to be lent for better
defence of the Weft India islands.
July 9. If the Brest fleet is actually failed, (and if
we may credit the Paris accounts, there is little or
no doubt thereof) it cannot be long before a serious
meeting takes place between Mr. Keppel's squadron
and that pf,M. de Chaffault.