The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-12-26 00:00:00, page 3

other, repairing ourdanfees. Rear-Admiral Drake
fhifted his Bag into the Alcide, until the Princeffa
had got up another main-topmast. The Shrewsbu
ry, whose Captain loft a leg, and had the firfl Lieut,
killed, was obliged to reef both top-masts, fhifted
her top-fail yards, and had sustained very great dam
age. I ordered Captain Colpoys, ofthe Orpheus, to
take command of her, and put her into a state for
action.
The Intripid had both top-fail yards shot down,
her top-mad in great danger of falling, and her low
er masts and yards very much damaged, her Captain
'having behaved with the greatest gallantry to cover
the Shrewsbury. The Montague was in great danger
of losing her masts; the Terrible was so leaky as to
keep all her pumps going; and the Ajax also very
leaky.
In the present state of the fleet, and being five fail
of the line less than the enemy, and they having ad
vanced very much in the wind upon us during the
day, I determined to taele after eight, to prevent
being drawn too far from the Chefapeak, and to
stand to the northward.
The ships in general did their duty well, and the
officers and people exerted themselves exceedingly.
On the Bth it came to blow pretty frefh, and, in
handing against a head sea, the Terrible made the
signal of distress: I immediately feut the Fortunes
and the Orpheus frigates to attend upon her.
It being determined in a council of war, on the roth
to evacuate the Terrible and destroy her, I took the
firft calm day to effect it, and at times diftribut^d
the water and provisions. This took up the whole
of the iith; the wreck was set fire to, and I bore
'up for the Chefapeak about nine at night.
The fleets had continued in fight of each other for
five days fucceflively, and at times were very near.
We had not speed enough in so mutilated a state to
attack them, and they shewed no inclination to re
new the action, for they generally maintained the
wind ofus, and had it often in their power.—l sent
Captain Duncan to reconnoitre the Chefapeak, who
brought me information of the French fleet being
all anchored within the Cape, so as to block up the
passage. I then determined to follow the resolution
of a Council of War, to proceed with the fleet to
New-York before the equinox, and there use every
possible means for putting the Chips into the best
state for service; and I immediately dispatched the
Medea with this packet for their Lordfltips informa
tion.
N. B. Caplin Duncan reports, that before he
left the fleet the Prudent of 64 guns had joined it;
and the account was just received of Rear-Admiral
Digby being upon the co ift.
Sept. 11. This day some defpatches were received
from Admiral Darby, at Torbay, by which we are
informed, that the grand fleet are all unmoored,
and were under way on Sunday morning.
The report of Commodore Stuart joining Admiral
Darby at Torbay, is without foundation, the Com
modore having proceeded with his squadron to his
station before the Texel.
A Cadiz letter to an Agent in Oftend, fays, " Our
fleet has no more than two months full fra provisi
on on board, the French but about fix weeks: the
latter may be supplied with provisions on their de
stined Rations, by victuallers from their ports, to
enable them to keep longer at sea, but fifty fail of
the line, besides other ships, never can."
It is said that a secret and important expedition,
was propbfed at the Board of Admiralty on Friday
last, and which had since met with the concurrence
of the council. The land forces will consist of a
large body of men, who are to be marched down
to Portsmouth, where a powerful squadron is order
ed to be got in immediate readiness, to cover the
transports on board of which they are to embark:
a train of cannon with all other necessary imple
ments, are to be flripped on board the men of war
for the above expedition, which is expected will be
complete, apd ready to put to sea within a fort
night.
In consequence of a letter which it is said Lord
George Gordon wrote to Lord North, acquainting
him that he had a book to deliver to His Majesty;
it is said, that his Lordship returned him the fol
lowing answer: Lord North's compliments to Lord
George Gordon. If his Lordship has any book to
present to the King, he must present it at the levee.
PORTSMOUTH, December s.
We hear from Charleftown, in the county of
Cheshire, in this state, on the east fide of Connec
ticut river, that Colonel Enoch Hale, of Rindge,
the high-fheriff of said county, having received or
ders to proceed to that town, and there to liberate
two prisoners who were confined in the county gaol
by the usurped authority of Vermont, having de
manded the keys, and being denied, he attempted
to break open the prison doors, but was knocked
down by two men, and much wounded: And ap
plication being made to one Giles, a new made
Justice in Vermont, (who has been in commission
under New-Hampshire all the war till lately) very
readily made out a warrant, and committed the
high-fheriff close prisoner, where he remained at the
last account.
The day is at length arrived, big with the fate
of Vermont or New-Hampfliire ;— now we feel
the want of a well established government, to put
in force its laws, and which we hope soon to fee—
If the high-fheriff can be imprisoned within his own
county gaol, of which he was appointed the keeper,
by the laws of this state, and in the execution of
his office, and that too by the authority of a man
anting under the pretended state of Vermont, with
out a spirited resentment to the audacity of the at
tempt, adieu to all government; the way is now
clear, and the remedy is at hand: This attack up
on the person of one of the executive officers of
this state, will convince the Honourable Congress
of the necessity of quelling these insurgents for
by indulging them with only a hearing on the fub
jedl of a union, they have taken it for granted, they
are really recognized as a state; but if any thing
might once be said in their favour before, this pre
sumptuous condud will obliterate every favourable
impression; and if the United States can be thus
trampled upon, and their resolves disregarded, the
confederation is set at nought, therefore nothing
less than a solemn resolve to annihilate this usurped
state, can be the consequence of an application from
this state.
The eastern post informs, that on Sunday last ar
rived at a fafe port, a vessel in 16 days from the
Weft-Indies, with a valuable cargo of rum, &c.
The Captain of which informs, that todays before
his arrival, he spoke with the French fleet from the
Chefapeak, bound to the Weft-Indies.
NEW-LONDON, Dec. 14.
Last Saturday a flag returned here from White
ftone, near New-York, that carried 1, prisoners
from hence ; and though she waited todays, return
ed without an answer of any kind, or even a priso
ner.
The privateer schooner Young-Cromwell, Captain
Cook, from this port, is carried into New-York.
By a velf I arrived at Providence, from Cape Fran
cois, in 15 days, there are several letters which
mention the arrival of 5 fail of Mons. Barras's fleet,
from the Chesapeake ; and that some others of the
fleet were arrived at the Windward.
TREN 1' ON, Dec. 26.
On Thursday the 29th ult. died at his feat on
Raritan, Mr. Derrick Van-Vechten, in the 84th year
of his age.—This gentleman possessed the virtues of
patriotism and hospitality in a very eminent de
gree;—warmly attached to the cause of his country,
he took peculiar pleasu r e in rendering it any services
in his power, and when his property was very es
sentially injured by the winter quarters of a division
of our army being fixed on his possessions, like a
good citizen, he fubmittef without repining, to fuf
fer as an individual, to promote the publick good.
His benevolence and hospitality were not confined
to the circle of hie friends and acquaintances—His
doors were ever open to the friendlefs ftranger;—his
house afforded a refling place and a chearfnl wel
come to the weary traveller—the buffings of the
poor and needy, the widow and orphan daily afeend
ed to Heaven in his behalf. —Providence blessed him
with a good coafEtution, and he met the gradual
approaches of death with that composure and re
signation which proceed from the confeioufnefs of
a virtuous life, and a well grounded hope of the
divine acceptance.—The general sorrow of the nu
merous assembly which attended the funeral on the
Sunday following, teftified their sense of his merit,
and their loss.
Peter Hopkins, Esq. was lately elected a Represen
tative to serve in General Assembly for the county of
Sussex, in the room of William Maxwell, Esq. who
did not take his feat.
#t The person who left a quarto bible at the
Printing-Office federal months ago, to be rebound, is
requested to call for it.
Mr. COLLINS,
The inclofed being sent to me by C.?. A. Walton White,
as a friend of bis I de/ire you mill insert the fame
in your next paper, and you mill oblige your humble
jervant, A. W.
Camp near York, in Virginia, Od. 25, 1781.
SIR,
IN compliance with your request of the 20th inst.
I have informed His Excellency the Commander
in Chief of your application for a hearing on the
charges exhibited against you by Capt. John Heard,
of the 4th regiment of light dragoons, and find that
Capt. Heard has declared he was mifinformed by the
officers, he expected to produce in support of the
charges he has preferred, and petitioned to withdraw
them, which his Excellency acquiesces in.
This, Sir, in my opinion, amounts to as ample a
juftification of your conduct as an acquittal by a
General Court Martial, and ought for that reason to
be as fatisfaftory to you. I am, Sir, with regard
and esteem, your obedient and very humble servant,
EDWARD HAND, Adj. Gen.
Col. Anthony W. White, ift. regt. Light Dragoons.
(Copy)
Extract from GENERAL ORD
" (COLONEL White, of theist regiment ofura
goons, being favouied with an opportunity, by
the arrival of the northern army, to request a hear
ing be Court Martial, upon the charges exhibited
against him by Capt. Heard, of the 4th regiment of
light dragoons, in the year 1779, and having obtain
ed the Commander in Chief's ^ermiffion forthat pur
pose, informed Capt. Heard officially of his determi
nation, and requested him to prepare his evidences
accordingly. In consequence of which Capt. Heard
replied, that upon investigation he found that his
charges against Col. While Were grounded upon mif
information, and exprefled his withes to withdraw
them. The General, in order that this declaration
may have its proper effect, and that Coi. White may
be totally freed from the aspersions cast on his cha
rafterin consequence of the charges alluded to, di
rects it to be published to the army.
The General cannot forbear adding, that accusa
tions of so serious a nature mould be made with the
most scrupulous caution, an officer's chara&et being
too sacred to be impeached with levity or without a
fufficient foundation."
Why the charges alluded to in the above letter
and general orders were not inquired into at an earlier
period, the publick will be informed by the follow
ing remarks :
Colonel White, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th
regiment of light dragoons, then with the northern
army, commanded the regiment on the lines most
part of the campaign of the year 1778, during all
which time Capt. Heard was with the regiment. In
the beginning of the year followii g Col. White was
appointed to the command of the firft regiment of
dragoons, then serving with the southern army, and
ordered to join that regiment immediately, which he
did : Ard although Capt. Heard had been frequently
heard to declare, during the campaign before men
tioned, that he had and intended to exhibit several
charges of a most serious nature against Col. White,
he delayed, for reasons too obvious, doing it until
Col. White had joined the southern army, when he
exhibited the charges alluded to in the'gencral orders,
notwithstanding he was cautioned and told kt the
time, that his delaying to exhibit the charges during
Cob White's presence, and offering them when the
Colonel was at too great a difiance to vindicate him
fe f, would bear a very unfavourable afpeCt. Col.
White having continued to the southward ever since
his joining the firft regiment, never had an opportu
nity of a hearing until this time, when he joined the
northern army before York, in Virginia, and imme
diately applied for a hearing ; —the issue of which
the above letter and general orders fully explains.
Mr. COLLINS.
Please to give this Hymn (mbich mas fang in fe.
veral Chur< hes on the Day of our publick Thanksgiving)
a Place in your ufeful Gazette, and it mill be very ac
ceptable to many.
1. r ro Thee, great fov'reign of the fkßs!
£ This day our grateful songs resound;
From ev',y heart shall incense rife,
And praise through all thy temples found.
2. Our land, a tributary slave,
Doom'd to rebellion's awful fate,
When Hcav'n a pow'rful monarch gave
To aid new pillars ofthe state,
3. Our States supported by thy pow'r;
Firm prop of the Republic's laws ; —
Thy blcffings on the people fhov'r;
Thine arm defends th' united cause.
4. Union 'tis God alone inspires;
Founded by Heav'n the fabrics rife:
Th' aftonifh'd world the woik admires,
And owns the counsel of the Ikies.
5. New empires hever rife by chance;
No veering gales promotion blow;
A fov'reign judge doth states advance,
And lays oppressing kingdoms low.
6. He forms our gen'ral prudent, brave,
Gives the young Captains warlike skill;
Angelic shields our troops preserve,
Who scale proud tow'rs with breasts offteet
7. No savage deed diftains the sword,
While Heav'n's taught chief dire&s the hos
Submission hears the joyous word —
—Mercy ! —the chriftian conq'ror's boast !
8. The mem'ry of thy recent grace,
Afrefh shall fire them for the field :
The foe shall find renew'd disgrace,
And fly our shores, or Blameful yield.
9. Our fertile fields thy favour show;
With gifts revolving moons appear;
Gifts ! —that in streams luxuriant flow—
Thy goodness crowns th' auspicious year.
10. Save us from all despondent cries;
Now may our trust in God be strong,
Till full salvation shall arise,
And heav'n-born peace attend the song.
NATHAN 'BEAKE S'
HAS just opened store at the house lately oc
pied by David Pinckerton, deccafed, where
has an assortment of dry goods suitable to the seas
Also Weft-India and country rum, sugar, pepper, t<
coffee, &c. which he will fell by wholesale or retail.
As he has laid in his goods upon the best tern,
and being determined to fell for a moderat^rofit,
wishes to claim the attention ofthe publick ^genera
and his friends and acquaintances in particular. „\