The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-11-28 00:00:00, page 2

NEW-Y 0 R K, November 2.
From the Postscript of the Penufhruia fournnl, published
so y T. Bradford and P Hall, atThihdelphia.
P H I LA DELP H I A, October 2%.
This morndig (arrived Colonel Tench Tilghman, Aid ale-Cam,
- to bis .Excellency General Waftington, ^ibb the following
dispatches to Congress.
Head-Quarters, near York, 19th October, 1781.
SIR,
THAVE the honour to inform Congress, that a reduction of
the britifh army under the command of Lord Cornwallis,
is meft happily effected. The unremitted ardour which actu
ated every officer and soldier in the combined army on this oc
caflon, hL principally ted to this event, at an earlier period
than my molt sanguine hopes had induced me to expert.
The lingular Spirit of emulation which animated then-hole
army from the firft commencement of our operations, has fil
led my mind with the highest pleasure qnd fatisfaftion, and
tad given me the happiest prefaces of success.
On the 17th inst. a letter was received from Lord Cornwal
lis, p opofing a meeting of Commissioners to consult on terms
for the surrender of the posts of York and Gioucefter. This
letter (the firft that had paced between ns) opened a corres
pondence, a copy of which T co myfelf the honour to encTofe;
that correfpcndcnce was followed by the definitive capitula
tion, which was agreed to and signed on the 19th, copy of
which is herewith tradfinirted; and which I hope will meet
with the approbation of Congress.
I ibould be wanting in the feelings of gratitude, did I not
mention on this occasion, with tree warmest sense of acknow
ledgement, the very cheerful and able assistance which I have
received in the course of our operations from his Excellency
the Cownt'dc Rochambeau. —Nothing could equal th ; s zeal
ci our allies, but the imitating Spirit of the American offi
cers, whole ardour would not fuffer their exertions to be ex
ceeded.,
The very uncommon degree of duty and fatigue, which
th: nature of the service required from the officers wf engi
"htv is and artillery of both armies, obliges me particularly to
mention the obligations I am under to the commanding and
& her officers of those corps.
I with it was in my power to express to Coqgrefs, how much
, I feel myfelf indebted to the Count de Graffe and the offeers
;of the fleet under his command, for the distinguished aid and
support which has been afforded by them, between whom and
-the army, the mod happy concurrence of sentiments and views
have subsisted, and from whom every possible co-operation has
been experienced, which the most harmonious intercourse
could afford.
Returns of the prisoners, military stores, ordnance, /hip
ping, and other matters, I (hall do myfelf the honour to tranf
frit to Congress as soon as they can be collected by the heads
of departments to which they belong.
Col. Laurens, and the Viscount de Noailles on the part
ofthc combined army, were the gentlemen who a&ed as com
missioners for forming and fettling the terms of capitulation
and surrender, herewith transmitted, to whom I am particu
larly obliged for their readiness and attention exhibited on the
occasion.
Col. Tilghman, one of my aids-de-camp, will have the
honour to deliver these dispatches to your Excellency ; he will
be able to inform you of every minute circumstance which is
not particularly mentioned in my letter. His merits, which
are too well known to need any observation at this time, have
gained my particular attention, and I could wiilrthat they may
be honoured by the notice of your Excellency and Congress.
Your Excellency and Congress will be pleased to accept my
congratulations on this happy event, and believe me to be,
with the highest esteem and refpea, Sir, your Excellency's most
obedient humble servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON.
p. S. Though lam not possessed of the particular returns,
yet I have reason to funpofe that the number of prisoners will
be between five and fix thousand, exclusive of seamen and
others.
His Excellency the PreJident of Congress.
No. I.
SI R, Tork, Viremia, OSo'oer 17, 1781.
I PROPOSE a reflation of hostilities for 24 hours, and
th it two officers may be appointed by each fide to meet at Mr.
Moore's boufe, to fettle terms for the surrender of the posts
of York and Gloucester I have the honour to be, Sir, your
most obedient, and most humble servant, CORNWALLIS.
To bis Excellency General JVaJhlngton,
commanding the combined forces of France And America.
No. 11.
My LORD, Camp, before Tort, nth ORHer T73T.
T HAVE had the honour cf receiving your Lordship's letter
of this date.
An ardent desire to foare the further effufion of blood will
readily incline me to lifted to such terms for the surrender of
your posts of Work and Glouceßcr as are admissible.
T with,.previous to the meeting of Commissioners, that your
Lordship's propofols in writing may be sent to the American
lines; for which purpose a suspension of hostilities during two
'hours from the delivery of this letter, will be granted. I have
the honour to be, My Lord, your Lordship's most obedient
and most humble servant, G. WASHINGTON.
His Excellency Gen. Earl Cornwallis,
commanding bis Britannic Maje/lfs forces in fork and Glouctfer.
No. 111.
York, in Virginia, half pafl 4, P. M. 17th October,l7Bl.
SIR,
I HAVE this moment been honoured with your Excellen
cy's'letter dated this day. _, ^
The time lim ted for fending my answer will not admit of
entering into the detail of articles. But the basis of my pro-,
pofals will be, that the garrisons of York and Gloucester shall
be prisoners of war, with the customary honours, and for the
conveniency of the individuals which I have the honour to
command, that the British shall be sent to Britain, and the
Germans to Germany, under the engagement not to fcrve
against France, America, or their allies, until released, or
regularly exchanged. That all arms and public stores shall be
delivered up to you, but that the usual indulgence of fide arms
to officers, and of retaining private property, shall be granted
to officers and soldiers: and that the interest of fcveral indivi-
duals in civil capacities, and connected with us, shall be at
tended to. If your Excellency thinks that a continuance of
the suspension of hostilities will be necefTary to transmit your
answer, I shall have no objections to the hour that you propose.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient, and most
humble servant, CORNWALLIS.
His Excellency Genera! W"afoingtor, commanding, &c.
No. IV.
My LORD, Head Quarters, before York, Ofl. 18.
TO avoid unneccfhry difeuffions and delays, I shall at once
in anfiver to your Lordßip's letter of yesterday, declare the
general balls upon which a definitive treaty of capitulation
mutt take place. The garrisons o c York and Gloucester, in
cluding the teamen, as you proposed, will be received priso
ners of war: The condition annexed, of fending the British
and German troops, to the parts of Europe to which they re
fa^ively belong, i&inadmiffible; inroad of this, they will be
American Intelligence.
marched to such parts of the country as can most convenient!,
provide for their subsistence; and the benevolent treatment of
prisoners, which is invariably observed by the Americans, will
be extended to them. —The fame honours will be granted to
tlie surrendering army, as were granted to the garrison of
Charleftown.
The Shipping and boats in the two harbours, with all their
gains, stores, tackling, furniture and apparel, shall be deli
vered in their present date to an officer of the navy appointed
to take poffedion of them.
The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and
public stores of every denomination, shall be delivered, un
impaired, to the heads of departments to which they respec
tively belong.
The 'officers will be indulged in retaining their fide-arms,
and the officers and soldiers may preserve their baggage and
effects; with this reserve, that property taken in the country
will be reclaimed.
With regard to the individuals in civil capacities, whose
interests your Lordship wishes may be attended to, until they
are more particularly described, nothing definitive can be
fettled. I have to add, that I expert the sick and wounded
will be supplied with their own hospital stores, and be attended
by British surgeons, particularly charged with the care of them.
Your Lordfllip will be pleased to lignify your determination,
either to accept or reject the propoftls now offered, in the
course of two hours from the delivery of this letter, that
Commissioners may be appointed to digest the articles of capi
tulation, or a renewal of hostilities may take place. I have
the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obe
dient, &c. G. WASHINGTON.
To Lieut. Gen. Earl Cornwallis, commanding, \Sc.
No. V.
SI R, York, in Virginia, 18th October, I,Br.
I AGREE to open a treaty of capitulation, upon the basis
of the garrisons of York and Gloucester, including Ramen,
being prisoners of war, without annexing the condition of
their being sent to Europe; but I expert to receive a com
pensation in arranging the articles of capitulation for the
surrender of York-Town in its present Bate of defence. I
shall in particular, desire that the Bonetta sloop of war may
be left entirely at my disposal from the hour the capitulation
is signed, to receive an Aid-de-Camp to carry my dispatches
to Sir Henry Clinton, and such soldiers as I may think pro
per to fend as passengers in her, to be manned with 50 men
of her <own crew, and to be permitted to fail without exami
nation, when my dispatches are ready; engaging on my
part, that the ship shall be brought back and delivered to you,
if the efcapcs the dangers of the sea, that the crew and
soldiers fentas p^tfengers shall be accounted for in future ex
changes as prisoners ; that the shall carry off no officer with
out your consent, nor public: property of any kind: and I
shall likewise desire that the traders and inhabitants may pre
serve their property, and that no person may be punished for
having joined the British troops.
If you chufu to proceed to negociation on'thefe grounds
I shall appoint two field officers of my army to meet two of
ficers from you, at any time and p ace that you think proper,
to digest thearticles of capitulation. I have the honour to be,
Sir, your most obedient and most humble fervent,
CORNWALLIS.
His Excellency Gen. Waftington, commanding, Jfc. foe. &c.
ARTICLES of CAPITULATION fettled between bis Excel
lency, General Washington, Commander in Chief of the
combined forces of America and France , bis Excellency the
Count de Rochambeau, Lieutenant-General of the armies
of ibe King of France, Great Cross of the Royal and Milita
ry Order of St. Louis, commanding the auxiliary troops of bis
Most Cbri/lian.Majeft, in America, and bis Excellency the
Count de . Grasse, Lieutenant-General cf the naval armies of
bis Most Cbri/han Mujefly, Commander of the Order of St.
Louie, commanding in chief the. nairt! army of France in the
Cbefapeah, , on the one part ; and the Right Honourable Earl
Cornwallis, Lieutenant-General of his Britannick Majeflfs
forces, commanding the garrisons of York and Gloucefler, and
Thomas Symonds, E/quire, commanding bis Britarinick
Majeflfs naval forces in York-River, in Virginia, on the
other part.
Art.l. THE garrisons of York and Gloucester, including
the officers and seamen of his Britannick Majesty's ships, as
well as other mariners, to surrender themfelvefprifoners of war,
to the combined forces of America and France. The land
troops to remain prisoners to the United States, the navy to
the naval army of his Most Christian Majesty.—Granted.
Art. 11. The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest
and publick stores of every denomination, shall be delivered,
unimpaired, to the heads of departments appointed to receive
them.—Granted.,
Art. HL At twelve o'clock this day, the two redoubts
on the left flank of York to be delivered, the one to a detach
ment- of American infantry, the other to a detachment of
French grenadiers. The garrifoo of York will march out to
a place to be appointed, in front of the pods, at two o'clock
precisely, with shouldered arms, colours cased, and drums
beating a British or German march.—They are then to ground
their arms, and return to their encampment, where they will
remain until they are dispatched to the place of their desti
nation. Two works on t'^ Gloucester fide, will be delivered
at one o'clock to detachments of French and American troops
appointed to possess them. The garrison will march out at
three o'clock in the afternoon, the cavalry with their swords
drawn, trumpets founding, and the infantry in the manner
prescribed for the garrison of York.—They are likewise to re
turn to their encampment until they can be finally marched
off.—Granted.
Art. IV. Officers are to retain their fide-arms—both offi
cers and soldiers to keep their private property of every kind,
and no part of their baggage or papers to be at any time
fubjedt to search or infpeftion.—The baggage and papers of
officers and soldiers taken during the siege, to be likewise pre
ferred for them.—lt is underload that any property obviously
belonging to the inhabitants of these dates in possession of the
garrison, shall be fubjed to be reclaimed.—Granted.
Art V. The soldiers arc to be kept in Virginia, Maryland
or Pennfylvauia, and as much by regiments as possible, and
supplied with the fame latior s of provisions as are allowed to
soldiers in the service of America: A field officer from every
nation, viz. British, Anfpach and Ileffian, and other officers
on parole, in the proportion of one to fifty men, to be allowed
to reude near their refpe&ive regiments, to vint them frequently
and be witueffes of their treatment; and that these officers
may receive and deliver eloathing and other necessaries for
them, for which palfports are to be granted when applied
for.—^Granted.
Art. VI. The general, ftaff, and other officers,, not em
ployed as mentioned in the above article, and who chufe it,
to be permitted to go on parole to Europe, or New-York,
or to any other American maritime port at present in the pos
session of the British forces, at their own option ; and proper
vessels to be granted by the Count de Graffe to carry them,
under flags of truce, to New-York, within ten days from
this date, if possible; and they to reside in a diftrid to be
agreed upon hereafter until they embark. The officers of
the civil department of the army and navy to be included in
this article. Passports to go by land to be granted to those
to whom vessels cannot be'furnifbed. —Granted.
Art. VII. Officers to be allowed to keep soldiers as ser
vants, araahpg tQihe common pra^ice of the army. Sgr-
* the humanity of Lord Cornwallis is placed in the most confident
point of view, by bis regarding the permiffon to fend the B&etta Jkop°f
war unfeatchea to ZVewA orb, as a fuffieient eombenfafion for furrenderug
the gat % ifons f 1 orh-d own and Glcuccfter, while the former was still is
afate of defence, ana though the latter bud never been att rhed. The perfat
for wof ffe, these publish fact fees were made, and who accordingly
embarked on board the Bonetta, were the dferters from the rebel troops,
that bad intfed in our provincial regiments, and the loyalifs who bad
jorel the hri'f army in Virg nia, and nubo rightly conceived, from ""
fffol °J the loth Article of the Capitulation, that, if they remained,
twi. persons would be in danger, when in the possession of their former
ofprefers.
TAMt^ not soldiers, are not to be considered * prifon, r
are to be allowed to attend their matters.—Granted ^
Art. VIII. The Bonetta sloop of war to be equip
navigated bv its present captain and crew and left CTf ^
the.difpofal of Lord Cornwallis, from the hour that th'''™
tulation is ffgned, to receive an Aid de Camp to ^1
fpatches to Sir Henry Clinton, and such soldiers as ,'
think proper to fend to New-.Yoik, to be Ipermitted't °" !
without examination, when his dispatches are readv"'
Lordship engaging on his part that the fliip shall be dlr "'
to the order of the Count de Graffe, if the efcan™
dangers of the seas; that Re shall not carry off anynkr''
stores, —any part of the crew that may be deficient 0i
returli, and the soldiers, passengers, to be accounted < "
her delivery *.—Granted. ° r °t
Ait. lX. The tracers are to preserve their property
be allowed three months to dispose of or remove them"'°
those traders are not to be confidcred as prisoners of war ™
Answered. The traders quill be allowed to di pose of p''
feas,—the allied army having the right of pre-emption, 'tbetr't
to be conJidcred as prisoners of war on parole.
Art. X. Natives or inhabitants of different parts o f
country, at present in York and Gloucester, are not toL
punched on account of having joined the British army. °
Arfwered. This article cannot be assented to, being ah
ther of civil re ort. "^
Art. XI. Proper Hospitals to be furnifhed for thefick 2 r
wounded ; they are to be attended by their own furgeons'
parole, and they are to be.furnifhed with mcdicim&and
from the American hospitals.
Answer. The hofpitalfores now in York and Gloucester
be delivered for the ife of the Britfbfck and wounded;
will be granted for precuring them farther supplies from
York, as occasion may require, and proper hospitals 'will be so
ribbed for reception of tbejick and wounded of the two marram;
Art. XII. Waggons to be furnifhed to carry the baL':
of the officers attending the foldien, and the Surgeons
travelling on account of the sick, attending the hofpit,,
publick expence.
Anfwen d. They will be furnifhed if pffible.
Arts XIII. The (hipping and boats in the two'harbour,
with their stores, guns, tackling and apparel, shall be del
Vered up in their present state, to an officer of the navym
pointed to take poffeflion of them, prcvioufly unloading the
private property, part of which had been on board for fa.
rity during the lie ge.—Granted.
Art. XIV. No article of the capitulation to be infringed
on pretext of reprisal; and if there be any doubtful expreffioni
in it, they are to be interpreted according to the coining
meaning and acceptation of the words.—Granted.
Done at York, in Virginia, this 19th day of OElober, 1781
CORNWALLIS,
THOS. SIMMONDS.
Published by Order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Halifax, (Nova-Scotia) September 12. On Monday last ar.
rived the Fairy sloop of war, in a ihort passage from New.
foundland. By her we learn, that advice had been received
there, by way of Lisbon, confirming our former accounts
the infurredions in Spanish America ; and that the Revolted
continue to gain ground :—Thefe glorious Contenders for Libety
and Independence, have killed the Spanish Viceroy, and appoint
ed a King, by the name of fofeph the First.—How pleafire
mufti this intelligence be to his Most Christian Majesty,
great Advocate for the Liberties of Mankind! And what fatifri
taction mutt diffufe itftlf through his dearly beloved and afa.l
tienate allies the American C ngrefs!
October 12. Wednesday last arrived here from a cruize inl
Bofion Bay, his Majesty's ship Chatham, Captain Douglafi,
The Chatham brought in with her the privateer snip Generi
Stark, belonging to Salem. She mounts upwards of 20 guns,
and had near 100 men. Also, a brig from Salem, laden with
fifh and lumber.
New-York,No~j. 9. Wednesday evening a report was brought
to town, and still feeins to be credited, that a frigate had ar.
rived at Boston, in a short passage f om France, which brings
in eibgence, that the Emperor of Germany had issued a Ma.
nifefto, importing bis determination to march a powerful army
into Alftce and Lorrain, provinces now in possession of France,
although always considered as part of the German Empire,
if his Most Christian Majesty would not immediately relinquish
his alliance with, and withdraw his arms from'aiding the
rebellious Americans. It is also said, that the Empress of
kufia has acceded to the alliance concluded between thrir
Imperial and Britannick Majesties, and has agreed to assist the
latter with a number of ships of the line, and a powerful body
of land forces.
The following is an account of the French artillery lately
employed at the siege of York-Town.
24 Founders —— 1%
16 Q. —— 8
12 Do. — — 8
8 Inch Howitzers —— %
6 Do. —— — 6
12 Inch Mortars — —~
8 Do. —— — 4
American Artillery, Efe.
24 Founders —— 3
18 Do. —— 18
12 Do. —— 3
15 Mortars different sizes.
5 Howitzers.
The Frence fired upwards of 16,c00 foot and Rells, 3000 of
which were large Shells. The Americans fired as many.
The enemy loft between 7 and 800 men. M. Simon, Brifl
dicr-General, wounded.
Troops from the Weft-Indies.
Gatanois, 2 Battalions, — icoo
Agenois, 2 Do. —— 99 o
Turennc, 2 Do. —— 99 0
Artillery, —— 9o
Hussars, —— i s o
Marines, —— Seo
NEXT WEEK will be publißed,
Tobler's ALMANACK,
For the Yeaj r 1782.
Effeaive Men, 19,877
*, The above account is from Lieut. Gen. Rochambeau.
Total French, 8,877
Total Americans, 11,000