The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1782-05-18 00:00:00, page 2

Extract), a letter from d gentleman on board the Rmanibal \
man of war, toaf tend in Glasgow, dated SK Helena, No
vember 18, £7Bl.
" In cOnfequ<Mice of orders from Commodore Johnftone,
we failed fiom hence on the 29th of September Lift, by our
selves, to cruize a fortnight oft the Cape of Good Hope. On
the 26th of October we difeovered a fleet, the Cape being then
three of four leagues diflant. We gave chace, and in an hour's
time, could plainly fee them to be seven large ships and a snow,
all-under French colours. They crowded all the fail they.
could, and flood different ways. At five P. M. we came up
with the ftemmoft. who flruck, and proved to be Le Severe,
from L'Orient, bound to the Mauritius. The next we came
up with was a snow, but night com ng on, and a large deep
laden fliip being but a short way a head, we thought it more
eligible to take her; no sooner did she fee us Landing after her,
bu, whether from accident or design, her m iin--maft with her
fore mizen-top-mafts went over the fide; when we came up
with her, she was a mere wreck; and it was with difficulty
we got the officers and a few of the men out of her that night.
She proves to be Le Neckar, a French frigate, from L'Orient
for the Mauritius. Next morning we took her in tow, and in
a fortnight arrived fafe with both at this place. They are both
very valuable prizes, being richly laden. Le Severe is now
unlading, and will be mostly fold offhere: the fh:p herfelf is
going to France as a cartel, with.all the prisoners, to the a
mount of 278. Le Neckar is pierced for 36 guns, and is bought
into Government service for 12,000!. She is going out to the
Taft-Indies, where the cargo will be fold for our behoof. They
were part of a fl et, confiding of one frigate of 40 guns, laden
with money, two carrying 28, one of which we took, and live
merchant ships, two of which mounted 24 gyns. The Mag
riamine and Sultari, with tire whole of the outward-bound Ealt
lndia fleet, are lying here fafe. We art to fail before them for
the Bast-Indies in two or three days."
Lord Cornwallis has delivered his opinion at B —house,
on American affairs, with great openness and sincerity; audit
is reported he has given it as his opinion, that even now nego
ciation may effect what he is afraid the sword never can.
February 23. It is remarkable, and (hews the confidence the
Dutch havein our Government, that they have been through
out the war, and are at prefect, more ' ready purchasers than
ever in our funds. All the houses in London, concerned in
those transitions, have now as much business on their hands
as they can execute.
Vienna, ( Austria) February 2. It isfaid our Court has con
trasted a treaty of alliance, offenfive and defenfive, with the
Em press of Russia, and that proper documents relative thereto
have been exchanged.
For some time past recruits have been raised, and all those
who have lea e of absence are ordered to join their refpedive
regiments. The report runs that our Court and that of 11-
to fburgh are going to establish magazines on the frontiers.
Madrid, (Soain) January 14. The vcffcls which are un
der the command of Don Louis de Cordova, to go to Ameri
ca, are the St. Domingo, a new ship, which replaced that
which was blown up in the engagement with Don Juan de
Langara, the Glorieux, the Si. Pierre, and the St. Philip, all
of 70 guns; the St. Leander of 50, three frigates, and one
hoy of 40 guns. The four last carry quicksilver for the work
ing of the mines. The convoy escorted by this division consists
of 30 fail, having on board three regiments, each of 1200 ef
fective men, and 400 or 500 to recruit the corps already in A
merica. This fleet has had a very favourable wind lince its
departure. _
Letters from Peterfburgh fay, that orders are issued out for
the men cfwar to take on board fix months provisions; and
transports fufficient for 10,000 men are ordered to be got rea
dy as faft as possible, in order for the fleet to put to sea as soon
as the season of the year will permit ; their destination is hot
certainly known, but the French, Spanilh, and Dutch Am
baffadorap are apprehensive they are going to the affidance of
the King of Gfeat-Britain.
- The matter now in agitation with the Court of Peterfourgh,
we hear, has not the Dutch war for its object, but a plan for a
general peace, of which the Empress cf Rufira has proffered to
be the ,mediatrix with all the belligerent powers : the fame
message delivered by Mons. de Simolin last week to Lord Stor
mont, was delivered abort the fame time by the Empress's
Snifter at Paris, -Madrid, 2nd at the Hague.
_ Whitehill, February 23. The King has been pleased to ap
poirit.Lieut. Gen. Sir Guy Carleton, Knight of the Bath, to
be General and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's forces
within the Colonies in North-America lying upon tne Atlan
tick Ocean, in the room of Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the
Bath.
Extras cfa letter from the Hague, February 35.
" We hear that the Emperor will not listen to the leprefen
tations of the States General relative to Namur, wherefore or
ders will soon be sent to the garrison of that place to return to
these provinces. Neverthclefs it is believed, that the fortifi
cation^ of Namur will not be dcmolifhed, and that the inten
tion of the Emperor is only to get rid of the Dutch out of his
Netherlands.
London, February 26. Yesterday at noon an express arrived
in town from Bristol, which brought an acount that the Hor
net privateer of London had fallen in with the Spanish Beet
cruizing off Cape St. Vincent, which he failed through with
out any molestation, being, he fappofes, not obfeivcd by the
enemy; that he soon after fell in with a laige Spanish (hip of
400 tons, laden with flores for the Spaniih fleet, which he took,
and carried her into Kingroad,
A correspondent wishes to know, what would have been
the couLquence if General Conway's motion had been second
ed by the Minister, and carried unauimou^y in the House of
Commons on Friday? for it appears to him, that though it
might serve to convince the world of our weakntfs and inabili
ty, yet he cannot fee that the American war could be termin
ated a minute the sooner ; but, on the contrary, it would
serve to chcrifh the hopes.of Congicfs, and afford them a new
argument to prevail with the Ameiicans to decline every reason
able offer that can be made from this country, and to hope for
the power of dictating the terms of peace. Whether (fays he)
are we to exptCl a re^fonable peace from shewing that we still
have the power of wielding the sword, or from laying it down
at the feet of the enemy? The General has said, that there are
ferfons not very diflant from us authored to treat with Admini-
Jlratibn; arid it has been reported that the persons alluded to,
are Dr. Franklyn and Mr. Laurens ; but furcly no such autho
rity could have come to the last mentioned person from Con
gress since it has been possible to convey to America the news
of his being at liberty ; and, at any rate, time will be neces
sary to open and carry on a negotiation, which may terminate
unfavourably; and therefore common sense, as well prudence,
fays, we should be prepared for the worst.
The Admiral Barrington, from Charleftown, South-Caro
lina, is arrived in the Downs.
Admiralty-Office, February 27, 1782.
Extract cf a letter Sir Richard Pearson, Captain of his Ma
jtfly'sjbip Arethufa, to Mr. Stephens, dated off Cqc Clear,
February 20, 1782.
" On the 17th inst. we have chace to, and came up with, a
brig, which proved to be La Jeune Olimpe, Tcte\ Du Bon
waller, a French privateer belonging to St. Malots, oft guns
nd 80 men."
Admiralty- QfPte , February 27, 1782.
Extract cf a letter from Captain Fabian, Commander of his
MajeffsHoop the Ariel, to Mr. STEPHEys, dated Corke Har
bour, February 18, 1782.
" On the ijtitinft. at noon we came up with the Letre
bucket, Captain Pierre Bcrthtlering Blocin, of Dunkirk,
mounting eight guns, four of which are twelve- pounders, apd
fifty men; after firing a few (hot at her flic (truck"
Yesterday morning Mr. Laurens was upwards of two hours
in conference with the Earl of Sandwich, at his house in the
Admiralty.
Mr. Laurcur, through the medium of Doctor Franklin, is
said to be veiled with powers from the American Congress,
for treating of af,arate peace with Great-Biitain. This cir
cumstance has g >t wind at Paris, in confegucace of which the
American Secretary is very nar t <:vly watched in all his politi
cal manoeuvres! „,
The Americans have changed their matters, (said Lord
North, in the debate which lifted till-two "this morning) that
is, they have exchanged the mildcft laws in the universe for
the moll defpotick. And irnny raanfo weak as to imagine the
King of France has turned Knight-Errant in favour of that
diftielEd damsel, Liberty ? He mud be an Idiot that.tlf.nks so.
Let the difpohdon therefore of the Americans be what it may,
they are now in the hands, they are now under the dominion
of France!
As soon as the majority was declared this' morning in the
House of Commons, General Conway followed his motion
with another for an Address to his Majesty, which was fecoud
ed by tord Althorpe, and carried , without a division..
Faris, (F ane.:) February r^- We have accounts from Brett
that Count de Guichen stiled from that port co the 11th inst.
and was entirely out offight the next day: his fleet consists of
14 fail ofthe hne, seven frigates, cutters,- See. two (hips arm?
eu flute, and 61 transport; carrying troops and ammunition,
befules other vessels wi.h provisions : two tranports which
ran fiju of each other, are returned, one having a company of
artillery on board, and trie other 200 foldicA. The ;bove
ffeet has on board ri,coo clfc&ive men, besides theufual com
plement on board cab flfp. It is Did that federal officers re
ngned a few days before the embarkation.
(''?'> March 2. The Admiral Barrington, Paffmore,
vhiclris arrived from C'nrlelown, on her parge captured
therblig "newl, Capt. Foffey, from Surrinamto Boston.
Yesterday the members of the Hriufeof Commons, attend
ed by their Speaker, waited bn Ids Mfelly at St. James's,
to present their addreft, “ Mott humbly repreferring, to
" his Majesty, that the farther prosecution of offeufive war
“ on the continent of North-America, for the purpose of re
" ducing the revolted colonies to obedience by force, will be
" the means of weakening the efforts of this country against
" against the European enemies; that it mud tend, under the
“ prefect circumstances, dangerously to inercafe the mutual
“ enmity so fatal to the interests both of Crea'-Britain and
“ America; and by preventing an happy reconciliation with
“ that country, frustrate the earned define * oft graciously cx
“ pressed by your Majesty, to icßore the blcffings of publick
“ t anquility."
Anjwer to the aFlrfs of the House of Commons, delivered the
fir, infant.
" Gentlemen ofthe House of Commons,
“ There are no object nearer my heart than the case, hap
“ pinefs, and prosperity of mypcople.
" lon may be allured, tint in pursuance of your advice,
“ I (hall take filch meafares as Shall appear to me to be mod
" conducive to the restoration of harmony between Great
“ Britain and the revolted colonies, so cflential to the prof
“ cerity of both; and that my efforts (hall be dueled in the
'• inoft effectual manner against our Euro[>ear> enemies, till
“ such peace can be obtained as ihall coniilh with the irderefts
, “ and permanent welfare of my kingdom."*
March s. A private letter from Paris fays, that expresses
have for a fortnight pad been alm rl daily arriving for Dr.
Fiauklin from England, nhrch ma.de the Mhiilkylthvre fuf
pert that (ymethin ; of 'importance is carrying on which may
prove detrimental to theintcreft of France ; howeverthey had
just received advice from their correspondents in London of
some endeavours in agitation to bring about a reconciliation
with the Americans. Dr. Franklin had been sent for to Court,
but he is too cautious to make any difcoverics, and therefore
two persons cf diftinftion were set out to go by the way of Of
te^ to London, to make what discoveries they can.
The Catherine, Capt. Coptic ; the Carolina Packet, Capt.
White; and the Re-Union, Capt. Grant, from Charleftown,
South-Carolina, were all taken off the Land's End by the Ma
dam privateer, of France, mounting 4, guns; three days af
terwards the crew of the Re-Union, when within three leagues
of Uihant, rose, retook the (hip, and brought her fafe into
Dartmouth: Capt. Grant is arrived in town, and brou r ht the
prize-mailer with him.
Yesterday orders were sent over to Ireland for none of the
troops which were draughted off for America to embark on
board any of the transports, but to remain until farther orders.
The troops which were draughted off last week from the
thr^e regiments of guards, in order to be lent to America, arc
ordered into the barracks.
March 8. The following is the reflation, verbatim, that
followed his Nifty's moll gracious aufwer to the address of
the House oi Commons.
fhfobved,
' '1 hat, after the solemn declaration of the opinion of this
' House in their humble address presented to his Majesty on
‘ Friday last, and his Maiedy's affmance of his gracious in
' tention, in purfaance of their advice, to take such meafarts
' as mail appear to his Majesty to be most conducive to the
' reftorati >n of harmony, between Great, Britain and the re
-6 volted Colonies, so effe dial to the prosperity of both ; the
6 House will consider as enemies to his Majesty and this coun
' try, all those who (ball endeavour to frudrate his Majesty's
paternal ca^e for tire case and nappinefs of Iris people, by ad
' vising, or by any means attempting the further prosecution
6 of ofhmfive war on the continent of North-America, for the
‘ purpose of reducing the revolted Colonies to. obedience by
6 force. -'
Fxtreß of a letter from Cleve, February 20.
" A secret treaty has been talked of for some time past
between Russia and the Emperor, the object of which is the
partition of the Grand Siguior's dominions in Europe. It ap
pears row no longer doubtful, and it is even confirmed by a
report, which is equally given for credit, that is, that the In
teruuncio of the Court of Vienna at Constantinople has been
taken up by order of the Sultan, and sent to the cattle of the
seven towers. They even preend, that in consequence of that
raft project, the Aufhiins and the Ruffians are already formin'?
magazines in Poland; and that the Emperor had given orders
to raise .20,g00 men, who were to be complete before the
month of May."
Extras of a letter from Edinburgh, dated March 20.
" The following particulars were received here last night
in a letter from Oftend, dated March 7. " There is handed
about in Paris, the fubßance as follows, of anfivers and re-
Presentations given by Dr. Franklin in a late conversation with
the French Minivers upon American affair:.
The Do&or in terms of the profoundeft relpeft, testified the
very great and just esteem Congress and himfelf had for his
Most Christian Majesty, his men and the whole French notion
with affuriinees of the strong and Lifting sense of gratitude
which ever would be retained by America, for the ample and
timely fuccours and supplies afforded them in loans, warlike
ffores, and in a military and naval force.
“ That he was however by his constituents ordered expli
citly to declare, that the terms of late infilled on by France
were utterly inadmissible; that they never had so much as
glanced at them in any of the prior or subsequent treaty or
agreement.
^ He was likewise ftridly enjoined to express the disappro
bation of Congress, and their utter repugnancy to some hint,
offensively thrown out or fuggeded by the Minister at Phila
delphia, and flatter themfelvcs they proceeded rather from
Mons. Lucerne's private suggestions than from any orders from
his court.
“ He was indruaed to reprefeut to the Court of France,
with ail due fubmißion, but in terms of the utmost precifion'
that America had Shed her b&t blood, exhausted her wealth;
hazarded the rum of her commerce, and, with perseverance
and fortitude, had beheld her towns, her villages and country,
depopulated and laid waste with tire and sword, in Support of
of her freedom and liberties, in opposition to the encroach
ments of the parent date ; all these they had fuffcred, and were
ready Rill to fuller ere, with meaimefs and ptililanimity, they
would abandon, or fuffer to be infringed, their fall and ori
ginal ideas of enjoying, with the rest of mankind, the bene
fits and fruits of a f; ee government.
" He was intruded to reprefait, in themoft positive terms,'
that the States of America would never admit of a fiagle con
dition that in and degree was deragatory to the dignity of a
free people, any that the bore would ever watch, with a jealous'
eye, to whate^ci y.the r.iQfr durant resemblance, or produced
the lighted encroachments upon their liberty and independence.
" That CoEgtifb were determined never to give their affect
to the introducing more foreign troops, and that, agreeable to
fipulation, those win)already were in America, should be re
moved as soon as their continuance was judged no longer ne
ceffiry or expedient.
“ lie observed that England, from dear bought experience
had learn' more moderation, fully fatished that the reduction
of America, by force of arms, was chimerical and impracti
c able. Parliament had avowed it. He hoped soon the ravages'
cf warmight ccale, and peace, tranquilly and commerce be
restored upon honourable and advantageous terms to all par
ties.
“ He al, animadverted upon the mode proofed for the
payment of levans, and nail positive inftrudions to fay, they
never would be littered to. Holland in her Rrug^le for free
dom, was nigh exhausted, and contra fed a vast and almost
incredible load of debt comparatively then with the vifibie
means of difebarging it. The united fta'es of America, hoped
likewise in time to clifchar w, fri faftorily and honomablv, all
claims of that nature. America possesses within herfclf ample
means tor that purpose."
Fr^^e LONDON GAZETTE, of fydy March 26.
Gfd of a letterfrom the hon. G^er il Murray, GjverHour of
Minorca, to the Earl of Hili.sb>urough, 0 e of his Ma
jeffs prmcfal Scenario cf State. Received by Gabt. Don.
March 19.
t , Minorca, Feb. 16, r 82.
1 ~ the honour to acquaint your Lordship, that Fort
St. Philips, was surrendered to his Catholick Majesty the cth
'?,'"'; Ine capitulation accompanies this. I flatter my—
all, suiope will agree the brave garrison (hewed uncommon
hcroilm, and that third for glory, which has ever difiinguifhed
the troops of my Royal Map er. Our necessary Guards re
quired foul lijnJred and fifteen men; the night before the
capitulation, the whole number able to carry arms amounted
to fix hundred and sixty only, of course there was none for
the picquet, and a defect of one hundred and seventy to re
lieve the guards, as is evident by the returns. The most in
veterate feurvy which I believe ever infeded poor mortal
reduced us to this situation. The reports of the Faculty fully
explain the dreadful havock it made, that three days further
obfiinacy on my part mufl have inevitably destroyed the brave
remains of tliis garrison, as they declare there was no remedy
for the men in the hospitals but vegetables; and that of the
fix hundred and sixty able to do duty, five hundred and sixty
were actually tainted with the scurvy, and in all likeiyhood
would have been in the hospitals in three or four days time*
Such was the uncommon spirit of the King's soldiers, that
they concealed their disorders and inability rather than go into
the hospitals; tveral men died on guard, aier having flood
sentry. Their fate was not difeovered till called upon for the
relief, when it came to their turn to mutant again.
Perhaps a more noble or a more tragical scene was never
exhibited than that of the inarch ofthe garrison of St. Phillip's
tmougl: the Spamfh and French armies. It consisted cf no
moie than fix bandied old decnepid soldiers, two hundred fea
mei), one hundied and twenty of the royal artillery, twenty
Corfic,,, and twenty-five Greeks, Turks, Moors, Jews,
&c. Ihe two armies were drawn up in two lines, the battal
lions fronting each other, forming a bay for us to march
through: they confided of fourteen thousand men, and reach
ed fiom the Glacis to George- 1 own, where our battalions
laid clown their arms, declaring they had surrendered them to
God alone, having the consolation to know the victors could
noi plume themfelvcs in taking an liofpital. Such was the,dif
treffing figures of cur men, that many of the Spanish and
French troops arc said to have died tears as they passed them;
tat Dime de Ciidon and the Baron de Falkenhayn declare it
is ti uc: I cannot aver this, but I think it was natural; for
my own part, 1 felt no uneasiness 011 this occasion but that
which proceeded from the miserable disorder which threatened
us with defti uetion. I hanks to the Almighty, my appehen
lions are now abated ; the humanity of the Duke de Crillon
(wuofc heart was most f nfibly touched by the misfortunes of
such brave men) has gone even beyond my wishes in providing
every thing which can contribute to our recovery. The Spanish
as well as the French surgeons attend our hospitals. We are
^ rc '" y moeoted to the Baron de Falkenhayn who commands
troops. We owe infinite obligations to the Count
de Crnlon; they can never be forgot by any of us. I hope this
young man never will command an army against my sovereign,
01 )ib military talents are as conspicuous as the goodness of
his heart. °
Lids of the killed and wounded, wi'h the number of our
guns, v hich were destroyed by the enemies battering artillery,
• ,c A" 1 ,! 0 ' ?°? P ieces . of cannon and 26 mortars, are
• Jf ia " wait cere until! I fee the last man of my noble
garrhon faitly und commodiously embarked. If my accom
panying them in a transport to England could be of the fmalkft
service to any of them, I would chemfullv go with them b,
c r" be n ° f V ther use to them after they are
on board ship, I trust his Majesty will ap wove of my going to
V ^ rm£; h?" I ' wilh me "V wre and children, who
o'" lc cvcni ^ °' ^ e ° a y the Spanish army landed on
the ifland.'
A'd-cle-Camp Captain Don, will have the honour to
present this letterto your Lordship; he is well acquainted with
the most minute circumstances relative to the siege, is an intel
ligent, didin^mhed officer, and is furnifhed with cep ; sos all
reqilfite" w '" c h ' ie w "i lay before your Lordship if
The Captains Savages Boothby, and Don, of the 51st regi
ment, Lieutenant Mercier, of ditto, Lieutenant Botticher, of