The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-01-03 00:00:00, page 2

BOSTO N, November 30.
Our latest accounts from Halifax are on or about
the 10th instant, by which we are informed, that the
Quebec fleet, consisting of 26 fail, had made an at
tempt to get up St. Lawrence river, but meeting with
extreme bad weather, had put into Halifax: That 2
transports had arrived there, from New-York for pro
visions ; and that two foips of the line were to con
voy four of the best of the above fleet bound to Que
bec for New-York.
Dec. 21. All accounts from our judicious friends in
Europe agree, that Britain is determined still to pro
secute the war. She cannot, they fay, bear thetho't
of giving independence to these dates. She will not
endure to hear of a peace dictated by France, and
grounded upon the basis of the treaty of Paris. The
ministry have taken great pains in getting a Parlia
ment to their mind. The acquisition of Charleftown
they confider as a pledge of the conquest of all Ame
rica, and are determined still to persevere in exerting
every nerve to bring ns to theii feet. The United
States can expert no peace while a British army pol
feffes any part of their territories. Every thing calls
upon us to put our own army on a more permanent
footing than ever it has yet been. A good army dur
ing the war is, under Providence, our only security.
We have been too dilatory in a matter of such vast
importance. Nothing routes us but deftrurtion at
the very door.
It is said that accounts were brought to New-York
by the ship Medea, that 12 fail of the line and 13000
troops had failed from France before she left England,
bound to Rhode .Island, and that 12 fail of British
Blips of the line were immediately to follow.
PROVIDENC E, Dec. 9.
The Honourable General Assembly of this state
stands adjourned to the second Monday in February
nex , then to meet at South Kingstown.
During their lad session they passed an ad asst fling
a tax of one million of pounds upon the inhabitants
of his state, in continental bills of the old emission;
one half thereof to be paid by the firft day of Febru
From the Boston Gazette of Nov. 9.
On Friday last Mr. Profeffor Williams, and the
gentlemen who accompanied him to Penobicot to
observe the late Solar Eclipse, returned to this town.
They had an uncomfortable voyage, and a fatiguing
time, in mailing their observations. It was the 17th
of October before they arrived in Penoblcot-Bay.
Captain Mowat, of the Albany, and his officers, re
ceived them with much politeness, and gave them
every assistance in their power. Lieut. Col. Camp
bell, commanded at the British fort, gave them leave
to land, but discovered no disposition to afford any
.assistance, or to make their lituation agreeable or
'comfortable.
The best situation they could find for their purpose
was on the east tide of Long-Island, near the centre
of Penobfeot-Bay. From the 19th to the 27th, they
were employed in fitting up their apparatus, regula
ting the clock, and making a variety of observations,
by day and night, to determine the latitude of the
place, variation of the compass, quantity of dew, re
fraiftion, &c.—The 27th proved favourable to their
withes, as the weather was fair, and the Iky free
from clouds. Five observers noted the beginning
and end of the eclipse with much precision—The
phenomena attending the greatest obfeuration were
extremely curious. Inftcad of being under the cen
tre of the path of the penumbra (as the astrono
mical tables led them, to expert) they were just at
the southern extremity. A very fine thread ot light
remained in the southeastern part of the Sun s limb.
The extremity of it on each fide was broken into
small stars or drops; some of which were round,
others oblong ; some joined again, others separated
and decreased until they wholly disappeared. The
extent of this very fine thread of light was about an
eighth part of the circumference of the Sun. That
part of it which remained unbroken was about a fif
teenth part; and the diameter, where greatest, not
more than nine seconds. Nothing could be more
curious, beautiful or entertaining, than this appear
ance of a fine circular light in the heavens, in the
midst of universal gloom and darkness.
The degree of darkness were such, that Venus shone
very bright. Jupiter appeared, though very near the
Sun. Lucida, Lyra, Arises, and several others of the
fixed stars were seen. And the young gentlemen who
noted the time were obliged to make use of candles
to count the seconds of the clock.
From the beginning to the time of the greatest ob
feuration, a chill and a dampness were very sensibly
increasing. The Mercury in Farenheit's Thermo
meter fell above ten degrees; and the quantity of dew
just after the middle of the eclipse was found to be
near as much as had fallen during the whole of the
preceding ' night.
Having had the happiness to succeed fully in the
observations they had in view, the apparatus was
put on board the veffcl, and the gentlemen embark
ed on the 28th, ever since which they have been
on their passage to this town.
A particular account of the several observations
that were made would be too lengthy for publication
in a news-paper. But as they are well adapted to
answer important purposes in Astronomy, Geogra
phy and Navigation, a particular account of them
will be prepared, and laid before the American Aca
demy of Arts and Sciences at their next meeting.
Among the remarkable pieces exhibited in the Lon
don Gazette, none more deserves the serious notice
of us friends to America, than the plausible offers
made by Great-Britain to the state of Georgia, thro'
the channel of Sir James Wright's speech, at the firft
meeting of the assembly, on. the 9th of May ult.
wherein he presents a firetch of concessions which
Great-Britain, after a five years war, is ready to make
to America, of those very pretentions for which the
war was undertaken.
After congratulating them upon their happy deli
verance from the usurpation and tyranny of tl e pro
moters of the rebellion, as he is pleased to term it,
and enumerating the blessings they will enjoy under
the regal government, amongst which be has not o
mitted mentioning the striking contrail between their
money, and our fluctuating paper currency, he pro
ceeds to inform them, that the King and parliament
have absolutely renounced the right of taxing Ame
rica, and reserved only the power of laying such im
posts as may be necessary for the regulation of trade,
(a power which the warmest partizans of America
have never contested with parliament) and the net
proceeds of those imposts are in all cases to be em
ployed for the use of the province.—He continues by
informing them, that he is happy in having it in his
po\yer to declare that the King, in order to relieve
his faithful fubjerts in that province, is graciously
pleased to remit all arrears of quitrents, and that he
generously purposes to assign all those which may be
come due in future, for the use of the province—
that the fines and confiscations which may be impo
sed or adjudged in future to his Majesty, shall be al
so employed in the fame manner.
These are the molt striking lines in the concessions
exhibited in Sir James Weight's speech ; and if we
could prevail on the British Lion to fuffer his teeth
to be drawn, and his nails pared, as the man in the
fable requested, when that beast wanted an alliance
with his family, such a speech might be iiftened to with
less danger than it can in the present powerful state
of that country that styles herfelf our mother.
Extract of a letter from an officer in the southern army,
dated camp, near the Waxtaus, Oct. 31.
" Upon the enemy's approaching as far as Char
lotte, I marched from Hillfborough with three com
panies of light-infantry, which were to aft with a
body of ho r se, commanded by Lieut. Col. Washing
ton, and a body of riflemen; the whole/ to be un
der the command of Col. Morgan. We reached the
Yadkin in 6 days (110 miles) where we were detain
ed three days by the heavy rains, which rendered
the river impassable. The enemy, during this time
hearing of the defeat of Col. Ferguson, who had pe
ary next ; one fourth by the firft day of March ; and
the remaining fourth part by the firft day of April
next. Also an ad assessing the sum of sixteen thou
sand pounds, in silver or gold, to be paid into the ge
neral treasury by the firft day of February next; fix
thousand pounds of which is to be appropriated to
wards paying the balances due to the troops of this
state in the continental army, on account of depreci
ation ; and ten thousand pounds thereof to be appro
priated towards railing this hate's quota of the new
continental army. Also an ad for railing three hun
dred and eight men, for three years or during the war.
The southern post informs us, that Mr. Peet, post
rider from Fish-Kill to New-London, having put up
at one Mr. Lacy's, at Stratford, was attacked by a
number of tories, who took from him the Philadel
phia mail, and made off with it.
Dec. 13. By the western post we learn, that two
brigades of continental troops, one of which was
commanded by the brave Gen. Stark, lately inarched
to Kingfbridge, where they remained two or three
days, without opposition from the enemy, and bro't
off about 1000 tons of hay, beside other forage, also
a large quantity of live stock. Such of the inhabitants
of that vicinity as chose to remain with the enemy
were permitted to go to New-York, the others were
brought off.
By a gentleman from Boston we learn, that a vessel
arrived there on Thursday last in twenty-eight days
from Nantz in France, the Captain of which inform
ed, that there were 8 French ships of the line, two of
90, two of 80, one of 70, and three of 60 guns, with
copper bottoms, and a number of transports with
troops and provisions on board, at that port, and
would fail in about a fortnight for this continent, to
reinforce Admiral Ternay and General Rochambeau.
The above vessel likewise brings advice, that Por
tugal had opened her ports to all privateers and vessels
belonging to the United States.
Lalt Thursday Capt. House, in a small schooner
privateer fitted from Philadelphia, with nineteen men,
arrived here and brought in a schooner from Madeira
bound to New-York, with 108 pipes of wine, which
he captured near Sandy-Hook. Captain House also
took a pilot boat which came out from New-York to
pilot in the above schooner.
A letter from Newport, dated the 15th inst. fays,
" The bells are now tolling for the death of Admiral
Ternay, Commander of the fquadrou in this harbour,
who died last evening."
BALTIMORE, Dec. 12.
N E W-L OND O N, December 12.
NE W- HA VE N, December 2 r.
NORWIC H, December 12.
metrated the upper part of this state, and was tc bay,
joined Lord Cornwallis at the Yadkin or Hillfbom
had began their retreat, and before we could
up with them, had eroded the Catawba. The <!
much harraffed while they lay in Charlotte ;
the retreat by a. body of militia horse, comn nd/i
by Col. Davie, a very active and good office tip
with 400 horse, and General Davidson, with 3
ber of infantry, are now encamped with us vhere
we are waiting the arrival of General Gates, ' a i 1
rest of the continental troops, who are on theirl el
" I have my fears if we should advance, not from
the enemy, for I believe we shall be able to cope
with them, unless they are reinforced, but of Oar.
ving—for the tories have plundered the whigs c..
ry thing, and the whigs are now plundering tl .a —
Between them they have laid the country u e,~~
You haye no idea of the distress of the inhabit. ^/'
South-Carolina; however, many of them are w .-.J
felted, and have turned out on every occafioro tor
which their houses have been burnt, and tome or them
hanged. In this state, from us to the Yadkin, 'hi y
are unanimous, and in other parts (except the S<
and regulators) pretty well affected."
Extract of another letter from the fame gentleman,
ted Waxbaws, November 10, 1780.
"It is probable that Something serious will I -forn
attempted against Camden, where there are not
than 400 men, commanded by Col. Turnbull,
New-York volunteers; their works not foim :
—The main body of the enemy are at Winfbor hr
40 miles S. W. of Camden. Lord Cornwalli
ry ill."
The late hurricane was very severely felt at S
cia, where inconceivable damage has been done ^
the forts, houses, plantations, and (hipping. Tre
Vengeance, Montague, and St. Vincento, PC ^
men of war, were difmafted; others were mi ;<>
maged. Several merchantmen foundered, and , r
lives were loft. A prize to the British man ' w.c
Beaver, on her passage from St. Lucia to Barb.
was loft, with all the people on board, except Toij
40, half of whom have died since. Lieut. Col. •bt'
el, and Doctors Knowles, and Ore, of the
army, passengers in. this vessel, were amonf tUdo
who perished. A lady, thro' the generous exe
of a faiior, got on shore from the wreck, but themJ
her preserver soon after expired.
Arrivals since our last. The brig Duke ofL< r
Capt. Taylor, from Hispaniola, and the 1100 '
poise, Capt. Weems, from Nantz.
The brig Trooper, Capt. M'Coy, of this p
arrived in the Delaware.
Dec. 19. The loss by the inundation of the! :cr
on the parishes of Montego-Bay, Savannah Id
and St. Lucia, in Jamaica, is computed at Oi .
lion fterhng.
The Talbot, an American armed vessel, lade
tobacco, for Bordeaux, is taken and carried int / ,
month by the British frigate Crescent.
The brig Lively, of 12 guns, and 33 men, ^rc
Maryland, bound to Bordeaux, with 96 hogihi
tobacco, and 1 ditto of furs, is taken and fer ...
Bristol, in England.-
An American brig of 12 guns and 36 men,
with 140 hogsheads of tobacco, 1 of 12 fail from V
ginia, bound to the Texcl, was carried into Leith?< adl
on the Bth of September last, by the Pegasus fr../^
The Apollo was left in chace of two more.
Nine fail of men of war of the line, and a ;:
ber of transports, with about 4000 troops on ?
are now on their passage from France to Amer,
PHILADELPHIA, December 2c
A letter from Salisbury, in North-Carolina, T;%
" that on the 20th ult. Col. Tarleton attache Cc
neral Sumpter, and was obliged to retreat, w tie
loss of upwards of 100 killed and wounded; < -
ton said to be mortally wounded —General Sum;; er
wounded in the arm ; but the ball was cut ou, Ids
loss very trifling." This account not coming off< ri
ally, no notice would have been taken of it, but a
similar report was brought yefterdav from New- f< .+,
in which the loss of the enemy is said to be c rh
more considerable—a few days will bring us par.<.<•
lars.
Extract of a letter from Col. Marian, dated Lyncl-
Creek, in South-Carolina, Nov. a, 178 c
" Having intelligence of a party of militia eml
ing in the forks of Black River, I crossed Peder " r
24th of October, and on the 25th at night fur; < ed
Colonel Tyne, with a body of 200 men, kilh
wounded 14, and took 23 prisoners, 80 boric
saddles, and as many mulkets, &c, This furpri:wv
so complete, that I had not one man killed ; 0 Tfr
was only two horses killed—my party consisted < :
ly 150. A few days after the above affair, I deta ;-
ed Capt. Snipes with a party of men to the highl
of Santee, to seize all the militia and civil of
which he found means to do, and took Col. ' ie
and a few other officers of militia, two Justices
Peace, in the British service, all of whom Iha ^ .n
to General Harrington, at Cherraw hill."
Extract of a letter from Edentown, North-CarTin 1,
dated December 2, 1780.
" Yesterday Capt. Buller arrived here from C 1
which he left the 24th of October. We are infr
by Col. Brufter, who came passenger, that about
ioth of October Count d'Estaing arrived at Can / in
perfect health ; the next day he set out to view
lines before Gibraltar, and on his return he 1
his hag on board the Terrible, of 90 guns. : 1<