The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1781-02-28 00:00:00, page 2

views of our enemies, and restore the blessings of a
fafe and honorable peace.
“ We are fatisfied that the only way to accomplish
this great end, which your Majesty so earnestly delires,
^ to make such powerful and refpedable preparations
as flull convince our enemies that we will not submit
to receive the law from any powers whatever, but,
with that spirit and resolution which becomes us, will
maintain the essential rights, honor, and dignity of
Great-Britain.
" We have a deep and most grateful sense of the
constant solicitude your Majesty thews to promote the
true interests and happiness of all your fubjeds, and
to preserve inviolate our excellent constitution in
church and state. And we beg leave humbly to as
sure your Majesty, that it shall be our earnest endea
vour to juftify and deserve the confidence which your
Majesty so gracioully places in our affedion, duty,
and zeal."
To which his Majesty returned the following most
gracious anfwer:'
" My Lords,
" I thank you heartily for this very loyal and duti
ful address.
“ The joy you express in the increase of my family,
and in the happy recovery of the Queen, is extremely
agreeable to me.
" Your wife and fpii'ited resolutions to prosecute
the war with vigour, and to maintain, at every ha
zard,- the essential interests, dignity and honour of
Great-Britain, give me the highest fatisfadion, and
mud be productive of the most salutary effects, both
at home and abroad."
Lord North was blooded three times on Thursday.
The measures, system and plan of the Court are so
fitted, that even his death, suppose it was to happen,
would make no alteration. The runners of the in
terior cabinet will make no scruple of faying the King
has already fixed upon Mr. Jenkinfon for his successor.
His Majesty's last speech breathes nothing but war ;
andthe people, in consequence, are to feel nothing
but taxes.
Nov. 6. A great number of letters from Charles
town, which came by the lad Ihip with dispatches,
mention the discontents that subsist between the mi
litary and the inhabitants of that capital. The let
ters of the tory inhabitants, as well as the Scotch and
other merchants, atfe full of inventive against the harsh
'meafures pradifed by the British army.
Accounts from Jamaica mention, that 502 of the
troops sent out in Commodore Walfingham's fleet,
had died on the passage, and that of the 1500 landed
at Jamaica, the greatell portion were sick, and in a
miserable way.
Several merchants, formerly in the tobacco trade,
are now so certain that Virginia and North-Carolina
will " come in" to the British dominion in a few
months, that very large cargoes of goods are buying
up in readiness to be sent there under factors, as was
usually the mode in that trade, as soon as the news
comes of the detachment from New-York, meant to
be sent up James river, effecting a landing. Time,
the mother of truth, will difeover whether that coun
try will " come in," or that the army from New York
will effect its landing in the most flourishing and rich
est part of all the continent.
General Clinton's Aid de Camp some days ago set
out on his return to New-York, via Ireland. This
gentleman will probably carry out the news of the de
termination of the cabinet to carry on the American
war, and that 10,000 are to go out in the spring.—
Where these men are to be got, no one at present
can tell, for there is no appearance of any marching
towards the fca-ports. Fullerton's corps has been
some time at Portsmouth, intended for Jersey and
Guernsey, and not for the marauding expedition for
which they were faifed, and so much expectation
formed from upwards of a year ago. About 2000
men are to go from Corketo Charleftown, to embark
in a week or two, and where transports are now col
lecting to take them, under the superintendency of a
Captain Curling, formerly a mailer of a Ihip in the
Carolina trade.
It was on Saturday night strongly reported at the
weft end of the town, that advice was received from
Madrid, which confirms that the Court of Portugal
had acceded to the treaty of the armed neutrality,
proposed by the Empress of Russia.
HOUSE of COMMONS, November 6.
The Speaker having informed the House that he
had obtained an authentic copy of the King's speech,
laid that it would be now proper that they should
confider of an address to his Majesty in answer to it.
Mr. De Grey proposed an address, which, as usual,
re-echoed his Majesty's speech. He was very full in
the praises of the British officers that had distinguish
ed themselves in the present war, either by sea or land.
Sir Richard Sutton seconded the motion for an ad
dress, and, among other things, said that it was vain
to hope to detach the Americans from the French, to
whom they had been so much obliged.
Mr. Grenville proposed, as an amendment to the
address, that the whole of it should be omitted, ex
cept that which refpeded the fafe delivery of the
Queen, and the birth of a Prince ; and that, instead
of those paragraphs in the proposed address which
seemed to encourage the American war, and which
bellowed praise on the victories obtained of late by
the British troops, the following words be in ferted:
" And we beg leave to affiire your Majesty, that we
are united in a firm resolution to defend this our na
tive country against all her enemies, and'to undergo
every difficulty and hazard for the preservation pfher
essential interests."
This amendment Mr. Grenville recommended from
the state of the nation in refpeCtof trade, national
debt, the general opinion that the war with America
would be ruinous to this country, and from the pow
erful confederacy with which we were forced to
Itruggle.
Colonel Fitzpatrick seconded the motion for the a
mendment, reasoning against every clause in the ad
dress but the firft. The King had not been informed,
by the late election, of the real sentiments of his peo
ple. The majority obtained by ministry was a proof,
not that they possessed the favour of the people, but
that they had the command of a plentiful treasury, &Ci
Mr. Pultney, who had formerly thought the war a
gainst America unjust, was now of a different opinion,
since taxation was given up, and the war declared just,
repeatedly, by a British Parliament. We were not
now in so deplorable a situation as we had been ; we
were in more prosperous circumstances than we had
been in at any period since the unfortunate conventi
on at Saratoga. We had it not in our option to quit
the American war, in order to direCt our force against
France and Spain ; and whatever might happen, we
could not declare to th& world an intention of giving
up the war, &c.
Sir Horace Mann exculpated ministry from the de
merit of being the authors of the American war. He
thought it a just and necessary war, and had good
hopes of success, chiefly from the want of union and
of perseverance which commonly takes place among
allies. He was for paying some extraordinary com
pliment in the address to the lingular merit of Lord
Cornwallis, and the officers and troops under his
command.
Mr. Ti TocunJhend derided the idea of his Majesty's
learning the sentiments of his people from the late
election; and allo that of the Hon. Gentleman who
Icemed to confider allies as a disadvantage, &c.
Mr. Welbore Ellis infilled that voting the address
in its original form did not bind down any Gentle
man to any particular mode (the American war, or
any other mode) of preserving our essential interests.
He thought it would be indecent to refufe to concur
in following, the usage of Parliament in anfweriug
each article in the King's speech ; it would have a bad
effect in Europe ; to abandon the Americans, who
were well disposed to this country, would be inglo
rious, impolitic, inhuman, &c.
Gen. Smith contended, that Great-Britain was less
able to subdue America now than flic was fix years
ago, &c.
°The Hon. Mr. Charles Fox spoke for the amend
ment near two hours.
Lord G. Germaine followed him in a speech of about
half an hour.
Mr. W. Hartley, Alderman Newnham, Mr. Pen
ton, and Ford Mahon, followed.
On a division of the House there appeared
For the amendment 130
Against it 21%
BOSTO N, February 5.
The prize Ihip laden with sugar, &c. taken by the
Essex, Capt. Cathcart, about three months since, we
hear is fafe arrived at a neighbouring port ; seventeen
of the hands died since file was taken.
Feb. 15. In the severe snow storm on Saturday last,
the brig Drake, Capt. Newman, from Martinico, ran
alhore at Plumb illand, near Newbury, and was brand
ed. His cargo, it is said, will be saved. We learn
that a Martinico paper was brought in this vchel,
which contained an account that Count d'Estaing,
with the combined fleets, fell in # with Commodore
Hood, with 16 fail of the lime and 100 transports with
troops, provilions, &c. bound to St. Lucia ; that af
ter a Ihort engagement, the Count made capture of
fix fail of the line and 95 transports ; the Commo
dore with the remaining part of the fleet made off and
arrived fafe at their defined port. We hope in tfur
next to give our readers a particular account of so
important a blow given to the haughty power of Bri-\
tain. Capt. Newman had but eleven days passage.
Yeftefday arrived a light bark, captuied by the
Amsterdam, Capt. Magee. She was from New-York
bound to White-Haven.
A fourth prize to the Ihip Pilgrim is fafe arrived at]
an eastern port.
Extract of a letter from St. Piere, Martinique, dated
January 18, 1781.
" The British made a very serious attack on St.
Vincents about three weeksago ; Admiral Rodney,
with 14 fail of the line, covered their landing 3000
troops, and having made an aflault upon the garrison,
were defeated, and obliged to retreat on board their
fleet; they loft, as 'tis said, 700 killed and upwards
of 500 wounded ; the garrison consisted of about 700,
besides militia.
“ We have accounts from St. Lucia, that Com
modore Hood has arrived there with 4 fail of the line
and several transports, being part of a fleet of ten fail
of the line and one hundred transports with troops,
&c. and having fallen in with the Count d'Estaing,
were all taken except those arrived at St. Lucia. They
have now 18 fail of the line there, under the command
of Admiral Rodney. The French have five fail of
the line to windward, which are at Port-Royal.
“ We have intelligence from St. Euftatia, that the
Dutch have declared the Rates independent; the
French believe it here, and a day or two ago a French
frigate was sent down with dispatches from the com
mander here, to the Governor of Statia. We havg
intelligence likcwife here, that the Spaniards have
taken the Floridas.
“ The ihip Columbia, Capt. Newell, has taken a
rich prize, and both arrived at Guadaloupe ; the prize
is said to be worth 30,0001. sterling.
SALE M, February 13.
Friday last arrived here the privateer ihip Pilgrim,
Capt. Robinson, from a cruile, in which he has cap
tured nine valuable prizes, two of which were sent
into France ; they were brigs from the Weil-Indies
bound to London, their cargoes confided of sugar,
cocoa, cotton, oil, &c. the other seven were ordered
for this port, three of which have arrived, their car
goes consist of a large quantity of provisions, dry
goods, cordage, &c.
One of the above prizes was a large copper bottoms
ship (fafe arrived) mounting 22 guns, 8 eighteen^
the rest nine's and fix's, and 84 men. Capt. Robin
son engaged the aforefaid ihip upwaids of three glasses
before the struck ; ihe had 5 men killed on board, one
of which was the Captain, and 18 wounded. The
Pilgrim had only one man killed and two wounded.
Capt. Robinson likewise brings an account of 50 fail
of victuallers and transports, with 1500 troops 011
board, under convoy of a 64 gun ihip and one frigate,
lying at Corke, ready to fail for New-York.
On Wednesday last arrived here the Salem Packet,
Capt. Joseph Cook, in 21 days from Lugan, Hispa
niola, but brings nothing new.
By Capt. Cox, who arrived here last week from
Guadaloupe, we have the following extract of a letter
from a gentleman at that place, to his friend in this
town, dated Jan. 13, 1781./
" Sir George Rodney, with a fleet consisting of 10
fail of the line, 7 frigates and two Hoops of war, with
4000 troops inclusive of grenadiers and marines on
board, made an attack upon St. Vincent, when after
being beat off, with the loss of 100 killed and 200
wounded, of his belt and most experienced men, he
was obliged to retire after taking with him a large
number of negroes and 7oor 80 head of cattle."
PROVIDENC E, February 10.
By the western pofl we learn, that a lloop arrived
at New-London from Grenada on Tuesday, and
brings a confirmation of the repulse of the Britifli
ti oops at St. Vincent's, as mentioned in our last.
Advice is aifo received by the above vehel, that Ad
miral Rodney had arrived at Barbados from St. Vin
cent's ; that the Britons were about to undertake an
other expedition, which it was supposed would be a
gainst Grenada, and that our allies had prepared for
their reception, by reinforcing the garrison of that
island, which now conlifts of 1300 regular troops.
We are informed that a Britilh trigate and a tender
were wrecked on Long-Island in the late storm.
By a vessel which airived at New-London on Tues
day last, in a ihort passage from Grenada, we have
advice, that an officer commanding the French gar
rison of St. Vincent, in the Weft-Indies, having fold
the fame to Sir G. B. Rodney, he went there with
about 600 men to take possession of his purchase ; but
the commandant of Martinico having had previous
intelligence of the affair, sent two or three frigates,
with a number of troops as a reinforcement, and a
proper officer to take the command, who gave Sir
George so warm a reception on his landing, that it
was with the greatest difficulty he reached his ships,
with about one third of his party. The traitor was
sent to Martinico in irons.
NEW-L OND O N, February 9 .
Last Tuesday the lloop Hamlin, Capt. John Smith,
arrived here in 19 days from Grenada, and brings the
following account refpeCting Admiral Rodney's going
against St. Vincent's, viz. That he landed 500 men
and was repulsed with the loss of 200 of them ; that
he embarked and fleered off S. S.E ; that this took
place 50 days ago ; after which accounts were receiv
ed of their arrival at Barbados, and that another fleet
had also arrived there from England ; that the Gene
rd of St. Vincent's had agreed to give up the illand
for a large sum to Admiral Rodney, but the plot be
ing difeovered, the General was sent over to Marti
nico and put in confinement to be sent home to France ;
that the Governor of Martinico had gone over to Gre
nada in a frigate with a hoop of war, having 40&
troops, expecting the British from Barbados to come
against Grenada ; that there were 900 troops at Gre
nada besides the 400 which went with the Governor
of Martinico.
By Capt. Smith we hear of the following arrivals
from this port, viz. Capts. Jared Starr and Jabez Lord
at Surinam, Capts. Wm. Leeds and Seymour
at Demarara.
We hear that the sloop Retaliation, Captain Elisha
Hart, from this port with horses, sprung a leak, and
put into Bermuda, where the vessel was taken posses
sion of, and Capt. Hart sent to South-Carolina.
We also learn that Capt. Toby, in a sloop from this
port, was taken near St. Euftatia.
Lift of British ships lying in Gardiner's bay. Eu r
rope 64 ; Bedford 74, difmafted ; London 90 ; Roy
al Oak 74; Robust 74 ; Prudent 64 ; Adamant 50 ;
Guadaloupe frigate. Culloden 74, loft in the late
storm, 150 ofher crew took to the woods after get
ting on shore ; Fair American 64, miffing.
Mr. John Tinker, (whose death was mentioned in
our last) was born in February in the year 1678, and
died the z%d of Jan. 1781. He had (by his second