The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-03-03 00:00:00, page 2

or colour of complaint, the clandestine assistance,
the avowed support, the formal engagements which
at different periods that court has not thought it
inconsistent with its honour to afford to your Ma
jesty's revolted fubjeCts in North-America, and to
conclude with the leaders of rebellion, excite in our
breasts a just abhorrence of the violation of every
public principle which such a conduct manifeCts, and
a determination to concur in every measure which
may enable your Majesty to resent, with effect, the
hostilities committed on yo ur faithful fubjeCts, and
the actual invasion of your Majesty's dominions in
America and the Weft-Indies.
We beg leave to express our grateful sense of the
tender concern for the happiness of your people
which has uniformly induced your Majesty to en
deavour to prevent the calamities of war, and will
make your.Majefty desirous to fee the return of
peace, whenever it can be effected with perfect honor,
and with security to the rights of this country.
At the fame time we return your Majesty our duti
ful thanks for your great care in taking the proper
and necessary mcafures for disappointing the malig
nant designs of our enemies, and also for making
general reprisals, and for the protection which has
been derived from the vigilance of your Majesty's
fleets to our extensive commerce, in most of its
branches, while that of the enemy has materially
fuffered by the aCtive and enterprising spirit of our
fellow fubjeCts ; and we hope, although your Ma
jesty's efforts have not hitherto been attended with
all the success which the justice of our cause and
the vigour of our exertions seemed to promise, that
consequences more adequate to both may result from
the animated exertions of firm and active councils,
which the times require, and with which the spirited
perseverance of the Britiih nation has so often sur
mounted the greatest difficulties.
It is with concern we learn, that the concilia
tory measures of Parliament have not yet had the
good effect with your Majesty's revolted fubjeCts
which was due to the wisdom and temper with which
they were planned.
In this situation of affairs, fully sensible that the
national honour and security loudly calls for the most
active exertions, we will strenuously concur in sup
porting your Majesty, that, under the bleffihg of
God, means may be derived^ from the conduct and
intrepidity 'of your Majesty's officers and forces, by
sea and land, and the yet updaunded spirit of the
nation, to vindicate and maintain the honour of the
crown, and the interests of the people of Great-
Britain.
We return your Majesty our cordial acknowledg
ments for having called forth the militia, to assist
in the interior defence o; this country ; and it is with
joy and exultation we h ar the gracious testimony
your Majesty is pleafcd to ar to the public spirit,
the Ready ardour, and th ove of their country,
which animate that national!. ~ and unite all ranks
of your Majesty's faithful sub ' s in giving signal
proofs toad the world, of a 10, i, and zeal which
must render us fafe at home and resp .tied abroad.
His Majesty's M®ft Gracious Answer.
My Lords,
I THANK you for this loyal and dutiful address:
The zeal you Ihew for my honour and support,
and the firmnefs and vigour you manifeft in the pre
fect conjuncture, cannot fail to produce the belt
effects. It must add confidence to my people, and
encourage animated efforts to withstand, oppose, and
subdue, every hoftilc attack upon the honour and
interests of my kingdoms.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, Thursday, Nov. 26.
Governor Johnflone shewed the impossibility of
keeping poffeflion of New-York, Long-Illand, and
Rhode-Ifland, without an expence of half a million
of moneys and additional troops. He added, that
it was necessary to have a large army in Canada, and
another in the Weft-Indies; for the French would
bring fuccours to the Americans in all quarters, and
it would not be practicable almost with any force to
stand our ground in the different and distant parts of
North-America. The hour of reconciliation was
passed. A party in the Congress were in the interest
of France. The army and the Congress, and the
people in America, were as much divided as the
ilonfe of Commons in England. The people in
many of the provinces wished to return to their alle
giance to Britain. He therefore advised, that we
should either shew them we are in earned, by declar
ing our resolution to exert ourselves with vigour, and
to persist to the end, or give up the contest at present.
He would not advise which was best, but seemed to
think we had not force enough to spare from our
natural defence against France, or any other foreign
enemy who might join in her support.
Mr. Attorney General spoke for an hour, and told
an anecdote of the famous Admiral Blake, who ad
dressed the crew a few minutes before an engage
ment, and told them their lives were no longer at
their own disposal, for they were under an indis
pensable duty to execute whatever they were com
manded. lie seemed extremely disposed to crimi
nate the Admirals and Generals employed since the
commencement of the American war, but fpokf
with great caution. ).
Lord Howe said, as reports had got abroad, he
should be extremely glad that the conduct of the
several officers employed was enquired into: Hewas
included in that description, and of course expected
that general justice which every man in his situation
was entitled to.
Admiral Keppel spoke so very low, that it was diffi
cult to diftinguilh what he said; but as well as
we could colled, it amounted to this: That he did
not imagine that the passage in the speech alluded to
him ; that, however, he wished for an inquiry ; but
that in the present posture of affairs, when the ques
tion came to be put, he meant to give his vote for
the address. —
Madrid, Sept. 9. Our preparations for war are car
ried on with vigour; the fleet at Cadiz is ready to
fail at an hour's warning. The camp at Urrera is
completely formed. The fleet at Ferrol, consisting
of 14 ships of the line, from 70 to 84 guns, is like
wise ready for sea. From the quantity of provisions
put on board it is conjectured they are bound for
North-America.
Gibraltar, Sept. 18. We hear that the Emperor of
Morocco hath refufed to give an audience to Mr.
Logie, the English Consul, and that he will neither
admit him into his presence, nor receive the presents
from his Court.
London, ONober 1. It is said that a few days will
produce the event so long fufpeCted and now ready
to burst—the Spanish Ambassador is now to declare
to our Court, that the King of Spain, his master,
has acknowledged the independence of America.
Lieut Gen. Don Levis de Cordova is appointed to
the command of a fleet of 16 or 18 Spanish men of
war, fitting out at Ferrol, Carthagena and Cadiz.
Nov. 27. The letter written by Lord Suffolk to their
High Mightinesses of Holland is perhaps the most hu
miliating piece of writing ever transmitted by one state
to another, and cannot but forever disgrace the an
nals of Great-Britain. If the Minister who has ven
tured to subscribe his name thereto does not deserve
impeachment, surely those Ministers do who have
brought us under so difgraceful a necessity.
PHILADELPHIA, February 25.
Letters from Paris and Nantz fay—" In the months
of September, October and November last, upwards
of 120 privateers, of 22 guns and upwards, failed
from the ports of Bayonne, St. Moloe and Dunkirk
only, who have had prodigious success. There are
now upwards of 10,000 English seamen in our pri
sons. Our fleets are well fitted, manned and com
manded. Besides the Count D'Orvilliers' fleet of 30
fllips of the lire and a great number of frigates, the
Count De Graffe has seven ships of the line and seve
ral frigates, who cruize from Cape Finiftre to the
Sortingues for the protection of our trade and that of
our allies. Forty Britilh privateers within 2 months
have been brought into the ports of Brest, Port L'
Orient, Nantz and Rochelle. L'lphiginie on the sth
of November last brought into L'Orient a transport
richly laden, bound to Gibraltar. Le Therpficore
has taken and carried into Rochfort the Lisbon Pack
et, bound to London, with a great quantity of gold
and diamonds. Le Juno has taken the Fox. L'lphi
ginie has taken the Lively. Le St. Michael has car
ried two frigates to Corunna. Le Vengeur is return
ed with eight considerable prizes. Le frigates Con
fonante and L'Engageante are also returned with six
teen prizes, which they have taken in the Baltick.
Indeed it would be too tedious to mention all the
particular advantages we have gained."
TRENTO N, March 3 .
i he anniversary of our alliance with France was
celebrated on the 18th ultimo at Pluck'emin, at a
very elegant entertainment and display of fire-works
given by General Knox, and the officers of the corps of
artillery. It was pofiponed to this late day on ac
count of His Excellency General Washington's ab
sence from camp.
General Washington—the principal officers of the
army ; Mrs. Washington—Mrs. Greene —Mrs. Knox;
the gentlemen and ladies for a large circuit round
the camp, were of the company. Besides these, there
was a vast concourse of fpeCtators from every part
of the Jerfies.
1 he barracks of the artillery are at a small distance
from Pluck'emin, on a piece of riling ground which
thews them to great advantage. The entertainment
and ball were held in the academy of the Park.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, the celebra
tion of the ALLIANCE was announced by the
discharge of thirteen cannon, when the company
aflembled in the academy, to a very elegant dinner.
The room was fpacioirt, and the tables very prettily
disposed both as to profped and convenience.—The
feftivity was universal, and the toasts descriptive of
the happy event, which had given certainty to our
liberties, empire—and independence.
In the evening was exhibited a very fine set of
fire-works, conducted by Col. Stevens—arranged on
the point of a Temple of one 'hundred feet in length,
and proportionably high. The Temple flawed
thirteen arches, each displaying an illuminated
painting.—The centre arch was ornamented with a
pediment, larger than any of the others ; —and the
whole edifice supported by a colonnade, of the Co
rinthian order.
The illuminated paintings were disposed in the
following order:
Theist arch on the right represented the com
mencement of hostilities at Lexington, with this
inscription. The feene opened.
2d. British clemency. Represented in the burn
ing of Charleftown, Falmouth, Norfolk and Kings.
ton.
3d. The separation of America from Britain. A
magnificent arch broken in the centre, with this
motto. By your tyranny to the people of America you
have separated the wide arch of an extended empire.
4th. Britain represented as a decaying empire---
by a barren country---broken arches---fallcn spires---
ships dcferting its ihores---birds of prey hovering overl
its mouldering cities---and a gloomy setting fun.—
Motto.
The Babylonian spires are funk —
Achaia-.-Rome—and Egypt mouldered dozen.
Time Jhakes the Jiable tyranny of thrones,
And tottering empires rujb by their own weight.
sth. America represented as a riling Empire.
Profped tof a fertile country---harbours-- 7 and rivers
covered with ships—new canals opening—cities
rising amidst woods---a splendid fun emerging from
a bright horizon. Motto.
Rew worlds are fill emerging from the deep,
The old defending in their turns to rife.
6th. A grand illuminated representation of LOUIS:
the sixteenth. The encourager of letters---the
supporter of the rights of humanity---the ally and
'friend of the American people.
7th. The centre arch. THE FATHERS IN
CONGRESS. Motto. Nil dejperanaum reipub
lic^t. '
Bth. The American Philosopher and Ambassador
extracting lightening from the clouds.
9th. The battle near Saratoga, 7th October, 1777.
10th. The Convention of Saratoga.
iith. A representation of the sea fight off Ulhant,
between Count D'Orvilliers and Admiral Kepple.'
12th. Warren---Montgomery---Mcrcer---Woof-|
ter---Nafn---and a croud of heroes who have fallen 1
in the American contest, in Elifium, receiving the'
thanks and praises of Brutus---Cato-- and those
spirits who in all ages have gloriously firuggled
against tyrants and tyranny. Motto. Those who
fed their blood in such a cause Jball live and reign
for-ever.
13th Represented peace with all her train of|
bleflings. Her right hand displayed an olive branch
at her feet lay the honors of harvest —the back
ground was filled with flourifhing cities—ports
crouded with ships—and other emblems of an ex
tensive empire, and unrestrained commerce.
When the fire works were finifted the company
returned to the academy, and concluded the cele-'
bration by a very splendid ball.—
Ihe whole was conducted in a flylc and manner
that reflects great honor on the taste of the managers.|
The news, announced to Congress, from the Sban'Jb 4
blanch of the house of Bourbon, arriving at the
moment of celebration, nothing could have, so op-I
portunely, encreafed the good humour of the com-,
pany, or added to those animated expressions of
pleasure which arose on the occasion.
Extract of a letter from an officer at Elizabeth-Town,
dated March 1, 1779.
" A body of the enemy consisting of the 42d and
33d regiments, and the light infantry of the guards,
in number about a thousand, commanded by Lieut.
Colonel Stirling, attempted to furprize the troops and
inhabitants of Elizabeth-Town, on the morning of
Thursday last. They embarked at Long-Island the
evening before, about seven o'clock, and landed on :
the salt-meadows better than a mile to the left of
Crane's-Ferry, between two and three in the morn
ing. From thence they were conducted through a
very difficult marsh to Woodruff's-farms, which
lies directly to the left of the town.
" The guard at Crane's-Ferry having difeovere d
their landing, immediately dispatched the intelligence
to town, where the alarm being founded, the troops
were afforded an opportunity to collect. The num
ber and movements of the enemy remaining doubt
ful by reason of the darkness, our troops were march
ed to the rear of the town, where the whig-inha
bitants likewise retired.
" A detachment of the enemy was dispatched to
the Governor's house, while the main body advanced
to the skirts of the town, and from thence proceed
ed along the rear until they fell into the Brunswick
road on the right. The Governor happened to be
absent from home that night; but if he had not,
they would have been unfuccefsful in this instance
likewise, as,the family received timely notice of their
approach. Xie farift Cuf^Q ^fr q
" Finding themselves compleatly disappointed in
every expectation, they made their visit in town very
short ; however, during their small halt, they set fire
to the barracks, the school-house (in which were
stored some few articles of provision) and a black
smith's fliop. So soon as they began their retreat to
their boats General Maxwell marched such of his
troops as were yet in reserve against their rear; the
number of these, however, were small, several parties
having been detached at different times to hang upon
them.
" About half way between the town and ferry,
the enemy perceiving their rear in danger, from the
sudden advance of our troops and the assembling
of the militia, faced about and paraded, as if for
action. A few well directed shot from our artillery
induced them to renew their retreat, leaving two
dead on the field. Perceiving an embarkation at the