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

BASSETERRE, (St. Cbrifapber) April 2.
The following is a Letter written by the Commodore and Coun
cil of toe River Demerara, and the diJlriSs annexed thereto, to
their High Migbtineffes the States General, after that Colony had
capitulated to the private Jhips of war, the Bellona, the Mercury
and the Hornet.
Demerara, 26th February, 1781.
High and Mighty Lords,
WE are obliged to communicate to your High Mighti
nesses the disagreeable situation in which we find our
selves.
The 21st instant two of our ships entirely laden put to sea
to proceed on their voyage to Holland ; scarcely had they pas
sed the bar, but they were attacked and taken, by the English
privateers ; they kept them one day at the mouth of the river,
during which we sent an officer on board, who on his return,
informed us, that war was declared betwixt Great-Britain,
and the States General. This put us in the greatest constern
ation, considering the defenceless Rate of the settlements on
this river, and the total want of every military store whatever;
notwithstanding, every thing that was in our power to do, was
done and doing for its protection, when lo! on the morn
ing of the 24th inst. three fail of fltips under English colours
entered the river; the small fort that was erected at the en
trance of the river gave them firft a gun with loose powder,
and then one with a foot, which was returned by broadsides
from the ships. .The sudden arrival of these vessels, prevent
ed our putting ourselves in a proper state of defence ; add to
which we had but 50 men, officers included; lo that we saw
no possibility of making any resistance to such a superior force,
>tin the contrary, we should by attempting it probably have
facrificed the few men we had, and have exposed the inhabi
tants to plunder; from which consideration, we determined
to fend one of the Members of the Council with two of the
most principal Planters, with a flag of truce to the Commo
dore of the squadron, to enquire who they were, and what
they wanted ; the flag returned in a short time and brought
an Officer from the Commodore, with information, that they
were three English Letters of Marque, who demanded to be
put instantly in possession of every vessel lying in the river, and
that we should have two hours to determine ; in case of our
hcquiefcence, we were as a signal of the fame, to strike the
flags at the forts, and on board the ships ; but should we re
fufe this their demand, death and daughter would commence,
and we should instantly experience all the horrors of war.
By this time we could plainly perceive the strength of the
'veffels, which were advanced as high up as the grand fort,
two of them were ships of 26 guns each, which appeared to
be 12 pounders ; one a schooner of 14 fix pounders, and two
Ichocners armed with swivels, &c.'befides these, there was a
ihip of 34 guns, which in coming up the river got aground,
but shortly afterwards made her appearance; this convinced
us entirely that we had an enemy to deal with, which was not
in our power to rkfift.
We assembled on one of the neighbouring plantations and
consulted with a large number of the planters who were very
considerably interested in the cargoes on board the ships ; they
were unanimously of opinion, that we could not make any
. defence, and of course if we did not comply, that the ships
would be taken from us by force, which would expose us to
the indignation and plunder of an enraged enemy, by which
means we should funer more in our properties on shore, than
we could by the loss of the shipping, and possibly the event
might terminate in the total deßrudtion of the Colony: We
determined therefore to deliver up the vessels quietly and to
obtain if possible a capitulation. Our Committee went again
on board, and proposed that if we delivered up the vessels that
the Commodore' should leave one of the ships here for our
protection against other privateers, which might be momently
expected, but this was refufed, arid they persisted in their firft
demand, giving us one hour longer to determine.
What were we to do? not being able to defend ourselves,
and no time being allowed us to obtain fuccours from the
neighbouring Colonies, we were obliged to submit to the terms
proposed, hard as they were.
The loss we have sustained is exceeding great, cxclufive of
the two ships taken on the 21st. there were, 15 fail, mostly
loaden, which we had the mortification to fee carried off.—
We are left destitute of ships, of men, and in short, are left a
prey to our own slaves and to all privateers and pirates ; and
this entirely owing to the ward of every article necessary for
our defence, and no men of war having been left for our pro
tection. We implore your High Mightinesses to fend us every
necessary affiftaace for the preservation of this Colony, and as
soon as possible. Recommending your High Mightinesses to
the protection of the Supreme Being, we have the honour to
subscribe ourselves,
High and Mighty Lords,
Your High Mightinesses
Most obedient and most humble servants,
Commodore and Council of the river and
annexed districts of Demarara.
, P. VAN SCHUYLENBURGH.
L. J. VAN GROVESTINS.
JOSEPH BOURDA.
By Order, J. L. C. Van Baarle, Secretary.
:^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
MACNAIK & MAXWELL,
Have removed from No. 45, on the Bay, to No. 4, from the Bay,
in Tradd-ftreet, almost opposite to Bedon's Alley,
Where they have for sale, on the most reasonable terms, whole
sale and retail,
A cornmeal Afortment of GROCE R IE S,
CONSISTING OF
HYSON, green, fouchong, and bolted teas, coffee, double and
single refined sugar, best pearl barley, India sago, prunes, cur
rants, soap. fpermaceti, wax, and tallow candles, Cheshire and
Gloucester Cheese.
SP I C ERI E S.
Black pepper, nutmegs, cloves, cinnamon, mace, trufles, morells,
and vermicelli. > ~ %
P I CKL E S.
Oil in pint and quart bottles, ketchup in ditto, anchovies, capers,
mangoes, olives, girkins, walnuts, French beans, and excellent
wine vinegar.
CONFECTIONARY.
Currant jelly, Barberry comfits, [fine Caraways, Scotch ditto,
mixed comfits, capjllaire and orgeat.
They have likewise for sale, as ufaal,
Best Jamaica spirits and Wed-India rum, Coniac and British
brandy, Geneva, old Madeira, Port and Teneriffe wines, by the
pipe, quarter-calk, or dozen, London porter on draught, or bottled,
Mufcoyado sugar, Maccuba, Scotch, and Rappee Snuff, an as
sortment of China Bowls, Queen's ware, hair brooms, brushes,
&c. &c. Also, FRESH LIMES.
THE Subscriber intends going off the province for the re
covery of his health, and requests all peffons indebted to
him on open accounts, to pay the fame, or fettle to his fatis
faftion by the 15th day of June next.
GEORGE HAHNBAUM.
Cbarleflown, May „b, 1781. *
A NY gentleman in the country desirous of having their %
- 1 children genteely boarded in town, for the benefit of edu
cation, may hear of a lady that will accommodate two boys,
by applying to the Printers of this paper. .^
Charlestown, May 9.
BY an Officer who left Camden the 2d inst. we are favour
ed with the following intelligence.
Lord Rawdon having received information, by a deserter
front Greene's camp, early in the morning of the 25th of last
month, that a part of the Rebel army with some artillery,
had been detached to Lynch's Creek for provisions, gave or
ders for his troops to hold themselves in readiness to march at
half past 9, a.m.to attack the enemy in their camp at Hobkirk's
Hill, near two miles from Camden. Nothing could exceed
the joy manifefted by the whole garrison, on these orders being
made known ; every arrangement was made ; but part of the
cavalry being then cut a foraging, prevented the march of the
troops at the hour appointed.
A fufficient body of men being reserved to take charge of
the works, our little army'marched at 10 o'clock, taking a cir
cuitous rout through the woods, and always avoiding the pub
lick road. At 5 minutes past it, the rebel picket fired on the
light company of the Volunteers of Ireland, who formed the
advanced party. In an instant the whole pickets were driven
in, and carried to their astonished brethren in camp the firft in
telligence of our army's approach. The Rebels had been with
out provisions the two preceding days. Their party had returned
from Lynch's Creek that morning, and a number of them were
then busily employed in cooking. In their hurry and furprize
they flew to their arms, many without their coats ; and a con
siderable body had formed when Lord Rawdon came up ; they
gave our troops a very heavy fire of mufquetry and grape foot,
butcould not check their ardour. The fire was immediately
returned, the Rebels were charged, and driven from their advan
tageous situation. In 15 minutes the rout was general. Several
attempts were made by Greene to rally his dismayed tattered
companions, but the keenness of the pursuers rendered them
totally ineffectual. The pursuit was continued to Sandy.
Creek, fix miles from the field of battle.
The loss of the Rebels on the field and in the pursuit, was
upwards of five hundred killed and wounded ; one hundred
and seventy-two were taken prisoners, fifty-eight of whom
were wounded.—Our whole loss in killed, wounded and mif
fing, was one hundred and fifty-one. Not a man deserted
from Camden, from the day the firft accounts of Green's ap
proach were received.
Seventy deserters, amongst whom were several of Lee's
dragoons, with their horses and accoutrements, came into
Camden in the course of three days after the action. They
all agreed in faying, there were in Green's hospital from two
to three hundred men dangerously wounded, besides those
who could walk about.
The rebels saved their cannon by taking them off the car
riages and putting them in waggons, which were drove off
early in the action. At least seven hundred stand of their
arms were taken and destroyed.
On theist instant, Greene's camp was two miles beyond
Rugeley's Mills, on the north fide of the. creek. He was then
employed in fending offhis wounded, and it was reported he
had sent off his cannon.
The gallantry and good conduct displayed by Lord Raw
don on this occasion, are spoken of in the highest terms by
the whole army, and particularly entitle him to the grateful
acknowledgements of every loyal inhabitant in this Pro
vince. His Lordflrip enjoys good health, the troops under
his command are in high spirits, and amply supplied with
provisions.
HEAD-QUARTERS, Camden, 25th April. 1781.
Morning Orders.
The Troops will march at 9 o'clock to attack the enemy in
their Camp. It is proposed to gain the enemy's left flank.
The following to be the Order of Battle.
King's Am. Reg. X York Inf. 63d Regiment.
Capt. Robinson's Volrs. of Ireland.
Detachment.
So. Carolina Regiment.
Cavalry. Cavalry.
Order of March.
Light company of the Volunteers of Ireland formed to the
front. 63d Regiment and Volunteers of Ireland in columns,
four in front, each regiment marching from its right.
The Guns.
Infantry of the New-York Volunteers, King's American
Regiment, and South-Carolina Regiment, in columns like the
63d and Volunteers of Ireland.
The Cavalry,
Flanked on the left by Captain Robinson's detachment.
Head-Quarters, Camden, April 26, 1781,
Parole, Cornwallis. Counterf/gn, England.
Lord RAWDON hopes the Troops will be convinced that
he has the most lively sense of their manly and intrepid be
haviour in the well fought action of yesterday. He feels most
warmly how much he is indebted to the conduct and gallantry
of Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, Majors Campbell, Era
ser and Coffin, Captains St. Leger, Kain and Robinson,
commanding corps and detachments, and Lieutenant Laye,
commanding the Royal Artillery. " 'Every other officer fulfilled
the separate duty of his Ration with ' such zeal and courage,
that it is impossible to particularize further, and Lord Raw
don must request them to accept his most grateful thanks
and address to the whole. He has however such personal
obligations to Major of Brigade Doyle, to Lieutenants Ran
ken and Stark, as anting Aid de Camps, for the great
assistance they rendered to him, that he must add this publick
testimony of his gratitude and their merit.
Officers hilled and wounded.
Killed. Lieut. Jewell, Volunteers of Ireland.
/Founded. Major Campbell, Volunteers of Ireland; Captain
Robinson, Loyal American Regiment ; Captain Dawkins,
South Carolina Regiment; Captain Harrison, South Carolina
Rangers ; ?" Lieutenant Laye, Royal Artillery ; * Lieutenant
M'Leroth, 63d regiment ; * Lieutenant Moffat, and ^Lieute
nant Black, Volunteers of Ireland; ^Lieutenant Wightman,
King's American Regiment ; * Ensign Lloyd, 63d regimeut ;
Ensign Brereton, Volunteers of Ireland.
Prisoner. Lieutenant Macgregor, New-York Volunteers.
The Officers marked thus * were paroled by the enemy's
dragoons, as they lay wounded in our rear.
Gbarlefo^vn, May 9, 1781.
LOST yesterday afternoon (supposed to be about Watson's
garden without fide the gates) two sets of Bills of Exchange,
each of four, drawn by Adam Gordon on Robert and Henry Drum^
mond, & Co. one dated the iith of April, in favour of John M'Nair,
for forty pounds ; the other 27th April, in favour of Janies and Ed^
ward Penman, for the like sum; and both blank indorfed. Who
ever has found them, and will deliver them to the Printers, will re.
ceive a reward of FIVE GUINEAS : If they are offered to be nego.
tiated, it is hoped they will be flopped, and the fame reward shall
be given. +
PUBLICK AUCTION.
TO-MORROW, (Thursday) the loth instant,
WILL BE SOLD,
By JOHN MORRIS,
On Greenwood's Wharf,
(For CASH only)
The CARGO of the Schooner POLLY & ALICE, prize to
His Majesty's Ship Orpheus, 'John Colpoys, Esq; Commander,
CONSISTING OF
Havana SUGAR in Cases;
LIMES, ORANGES, &c.
A N D,
On MONDAY next, the 14th instant,
If fair, if not, the firft fair Day,
The CARGO of the Brigantine DELIGHT, likewise prize to
His Majesty's Ship Orpheus, John Colpoys, Esq; Commander,
CONSISTING OF
Eighty-five Hogflieads of prime Virginia TOBACCO.
Cbarlfozun, May 9,1781. f
ALL persons anyways indebted to the estate of Edwarl
Oats, late of Charleftown, vendue-mafter, deceased, are
desired to make immediate payment; and all those to whom
the estate is indebted, are desired to bring in their accounts
properly attested, to .1 ELIZABETH OATS, Exrx.|
N.B. Afront STORE and CELLAR, No. 47 on the Bay
to be let. / '
—— -: : <
To be fold at publick Sale, on Tuesday next, the 15th Day {
Ma, inflant, at the Exchange, ' '
FOUR NEGRO MEN, late the property of fames Faga^
and Fagan & Ofburne, and fold under execution by order'
of the Board of Police. *
% 8, I7 Bi. j: JOHN DAVIES, Sheriff.'
T O be hired and well recommended, a likely young MU
1 LATTO WENCH, with a fine breast of milk, withou
a child. Likewise, a single Lady or a Gentleman may bi
accommodated with board and lodging in a retired family.-
Enquire of the Printers.
ALL persons anywise indebted to the estate of the deceafa
Right Honourable Lord William Campbell, art
requeued to make immediate settlements with the fubferiber. Thof
who are possessed of furniture, books, or other property of the fail
deceased, seized and fold under the assumed authority of Slate Juf
dicatures, or in any "other manner unlawfully obtained, are warned
to restore the fame without loss of time,, and thereby prevent th
disagreeable consequences which their unwarrantable conduct in do
taining what is not their own, will most affuredlv bring upon theni
t COLLIN CAMPBEL.I
A L L persons indebted to the late George Ojburne, are de
fired to make immediate payment; and those who havl
any demands against him to bring in their accounts, proper)
attested, to George Cooke, No. 2, Legarc ftree 4 , or hr
den and Allan, N .1, Tradd-ftreet, Admir. ft ators. I,
Exfrafl of a hue Letter from Glagow.
" I really once thought tiiis City must be mined if the
American war continued so long as it has done. Our mer
chants had, as was said, a million sterling of their stock in the
handsof the virtuous Americans, most of which has been con
fifeated, or otherwise loft to the creditors; America was the'
market for near nine-tenths of Glasgow manufactures. With
this loss of hock and trade, there have not been more or
greater failures, than might have been expected in the like
period of profound peace. Our trade is still vigorous, and all
the manufacturing hands are fully employed. Of this paradox
I can give no solution but the following—That where the
spirit of commerce has taken root in a place, and acquired
a certain degree of maturity, if you shut it out at one door
it will find another.
“ As far as I am able to judge from what I fee or hear, the
resources of Britain are far from being exhausted. The publick
credit continues unshaken ; and as to the national debt, which
is indeed tremendous, we leave the care of it to posterity.
“ I am fatisfied that our ministers always had good intenti
ons, and that they never meant to oppress America. They
may in some instances have been ill informed, in others, as
badly served; and the violence of opposition has undoubtedly
hung as a dead weight upon all their measures. But that op.|
position finks more and more into contempt, and in this Par.
liament is much weaker than in the last.".
On Monday his Majesty's frigate Orpheus, Capt. John
Colpoys, arrived off our bar, with two prizes, which he sent
in here. The prizes are the schooner Polly and Alice; from
Havana for North-Carolina, with lugar, fruit, &c. and the
brigantine Delight, laden with tobacco, bound from Ocra.
cock for Old France.
Accounts are received by the Orpheus, who was lately in
the Chefapeak, that Captain Bolton of the letter of marque
fliip Cochran, who left, this port about 5 weeks ago, bound
for Virginia, the day after he failed fell in with a rebel pri.
vateer of 18 guns, whom, after a smart engagement, he 0.
bliged to sheer off; two or three days after lie fell in with
another rebel privateer, a brigantine of 16 guns, and 89 men
whom he engaged, took and carried with him into Virginia!
The Cochran mounted 18 guns, carronades, and had about
thirty men, several of whom were wounded in the last action
but none of them dangeroufly.'
GARRISON ORDERS,
7tb May, 1781.
THE Commandant begs Lieutenant Mackay and the
,Officers, who, with him, so long maintained the post at
Wright's Bluff against a greatly superior force of the enemy,
will accept his Thanks for their gallant resistance ; and though
in the end, from the uncommon difficulties they had to con
tend with, the fort was compelled to Surrender on honourable
terms, he shall ever confider their condud on the occasion, as
an example to all Officers in the like situation.
By Order of the Commandant,
C. FRASE R, Town-Major.
" —
To General Greene, requeuing a Return of killed, wounded and
rifling, to submit to the Publick.
TO Camden, so fatal to Rebels, we're told
l That Greene with his forces, and forces so bold,
Of success so secure, advanc'd, that the Tanner
Promis d laurels to each, who fought under his banner.
On the 25th ult. fatal day ! what a hardship ?
Without the least warning, out sallied his Lordship;
Kill'd, wounded and took, alas ! my poor Tanner,
How many of those who fought under your banner ?