The royal gazette — [Charleston] S.C., 1781-07-21 00:00:00, page 2

Extras of a letter from Captain Brown, of the Profely^^ ^
the Hon. Keith Stewart, Commander in Chief of h:s Ma
jefly's fcfs employed on the Leith fiation, and by him trans
mitted to Mr. Stephens, dated Leith, May 3, 1781.
ON WednefJay the 26th ult. Fair Island bearing R) V\•
distant 10 leagues, I fell in ovith the Rouen Soubife, a
fliip belonging to the French King, commanded by
Pierre Vanftabel, a Lieutenant de Fregate, mounting 22 nine
founders, i;6 men, which we took, after chafing* thirteen
nouts; and she is now in this Road.
London, May 12. The three General officers appointed to
enquire into the conduct of Gov. Morris, on the loss of the
iflanQ of St. Vincent, have made their report to his Majesty,
" That the Governour's conduct was not only irreproachable,
but meritorious:" they further recommended, that another
officer be tried by a general Court- Martial.
From Versailles we have an account, that the Dutch Mini
ster has acquainted the court in form, that their High Mighti
nesses the States General do not propose to join their fleet with
that of France and Spain, having barely Sufficient to protect
their coasts and grant convoys.
Ma, 14. The French mention it as a distressing and melan
choly event, that the Spanish squadron should quietly lie at
anchor in the Bay in presence of Admiral Darby, who, with
eg fliips, challenged them to fight him ; while fix others con
voyed 36 victualling and store-ships to Gibraltar. This dis
couraging intelligence, so difgraceful to the Spaniards, and
honourable to British heroism, arrived at Paris from Madrid
and Bayonne.
Admiralty-Office, May Is. Captain Trollope, of his Ma
jefly's sloop the Kite, arrived at this office on Sunday last with
dispatches from Vice-Admiral Darby to Mr. Stephens, dated
April the 22d, 1781, off Cape St. Vincent's, of which the fol
lowing is an extract:
YOU will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, that early on the morning of the iith instant,
we saw three fail at a distance from each other ; I lent the A-
Jexander, Foudroyant, and Minerva, to chafe. Captain Field
ing, who came up the ncareft to them, said they were three
frigates, which made into Cadiz, where he counted thirty
three fail of large ships ; fix of them had flags and distinguish
ing pendants, with a number of small ships and craft of all
kinds. That evening we brought-to off Cape Spartel, when I
dispatched the Kite cutter with a letter to General Elliot. The
next day about noon, the convoy, with four ships of the line
and some frigates to protect them, anchored in and about
Rosier Bay, in Gibraltar. I kept under fail with the rest of
the squadron. At dusk the Flora'and Crescent parted com
pany with thirteen fail for Minorca. As soon as the ships were
Secured, they began unloading the victuallers. The morning
of the 14th, finding the wind lixely to continue westerly, and
being desirous of giving the garrifan all the assistance in my
power during our hay, by facilitating the unloading the vic
tuallers, and protecting them from the enemy's gun-boats, I
directed Sir John Ross (who hoisted his flag on board the Alex
ander) to anchor, with the other two-decked ships of his divi
sion, in the Road.
-The 19th, I anchored with some of the ships to the Eastward
of Europa Point, in order to set up the rigging, and get off
some frefh water. The next morning, the 20th, the wind
sprung up to the Eastward, which being willing to avail my
felf of as soon as pofhblc, Sir John Ross having unmoored the
ships in the Road, I at nine made the signal to weigh, not
wittiftanding which it was live o'clock in the evening before I
could make fail, owing to the usual delays on those occasions.
Sir John Ross has been indefatigable in his attention to all
points of this duty ; and the Captains, both of the line of bat
tle ships and frigates, have greatly exerted themselves in their
attacks upon the gun-boats. The Minerva and Monsieur have
.had some men badly wounded, and the Nonfuch's mizen-maft
so much hurt that it was Drifted.
Yesterday morning I made the signal for the Foudroyant to
stand towards Cadiz ; the wind would not permit her to fetch
it, but Captain Jervis is certain nothing was offthe port.
The Kite cutter carries these dispatches. Capt. Trollope
will be able to inform their Lordships of such things as have
not come under my notice, he having been constantly employ
ed actively in the Bay night and day ; for which service I leave
him to their Lordships consideration.
May 19. As soon as the news of Earl Cornwallis's vic
tory over Greene, reached Nantz, a courier was immediately
dispatched with it to Paris, which was on the 2d instant, and
theday following Mons. Crefpignie and other gentlemen, rail
ing a loan of 100,000'1. sterling for the use of Congress, stop
ped further progress therein for three months,
St. James's, May 18. His Majesty having been pleased so
appoint William Browne, Esq; to be Governour and Com
mander in Chief of his Majesty's Bermuda or Somers Island,
in America, he this day in council took the oaths appointed to
be ta'ken by the Governours of his Majesty's Plantations.
The following intelligence was this day received from Bom
bay, dated January 11, 1781.
That it having been resolved to lay siege to Bafan, on the
coast of Malabar, Gen. Goddard, with the forces under his
command, with great difficulty completed his march from
Swat, so as to arrive before the place on the 13th of Novem
ber, where he was joined by reinforcements and stores from
Bombay. The General, finding it very strong, and defended
by a numerous garrison, under the command of Vifagee Punt,
determined to carry on his operations with regularity and pre
caution. On the 28th in the morning he had compleated a
battery of fix guns and fix mortars, within nine hundred f-ards
of the place, and under cover of the fire carried on his ap
proaches to the spot, where he erected the grand battery of
nine twenty-four pounders, which was opened the nth of De
cember in the morning, within 500 yards cf the wall; besides
which, a battery of 20 mortars, of different sizes, was opened
upon ore of the flanks of the parapet. These were served with
such effect, that, on the lot'll in the morning, a practicable
breach being nearly compleated, a message was sent from the
fort, offering to surrender ; and, after some demur on the part
of the enemy, which obliged the General to renew the fire from
the batteries, the place Surrendered next day at discretion.
The garrison marched out, and laid down their arms in front
of the fort, being allowed only to carry away their own private
effects. It adds greatly to the Satisfaction which this impor
tant acquisition gives, that the loss we sustained is very small,
one officer only, Lieutenant Sir John James Gordon, who,
having been wounded, is since dead, and about twelve men
killed and wounded, of whom four only were Europeans.
A considerable quantity of ammunition was found in the fort,
two hundred and twenty pieces of cannon, and ten brass mor
tars, of which nineteen^pieces of bhafs cannon, several of a very
large calibre, one hundred and twenty-eight pieces of the iron
ordnance, and all the mortars have been reported Serviceable.
Admiralty-Office, May 22. The following are extracts of let
ters received by Mr. Stephens from Vice Admiral Darby,
Commander in chief of a fquadran of his Majesty's ships em
ployed to the westward ; and of a letter from the Right Hon.
Lord Shuldham, Commander in chief of his Majesty's ships at
Plymouth.
Britannia, off Stilly, May 16, 1781.
I HAVE on'y just time to acquaint their Lerdfhips, that the
yonfuch, which parted iron; us the evening of the 13th, h; s
European Intelligence.
ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, May 7, 1781.
Britannia, to the Wefiward of the Staid,
May 19, 1781.
I mentioned in my letter of the 16th instant, the Nonfuch's
having fallen in alone with a French flrip of war of at least 80
guns. I now enclose a copy of Sir James Wallace's narrative
to me of that great and Spirited action.
Tranfaßions on board the Nonfach, in an engagement between the
14th and 15th of May, 1781, received in Vice-Admiral Dar
by's letter of the igtb.
ON the 14th being the look-out flrip from the van squa
dron, at eight A. M. saw three fail in the N. E. Made the sig
nal, chafed ; soon after we law a fail in the F. S. E. which we
took to be a French line-of-battle flrip ; chafed, gained upon
her. At about half part ten at night came along-fide of her;
she gave us her broad ride, we returned it ; the dropped a-stern,
we wore and raked her ; we continued the action for near an
hour, during some part of which, we were on board one a
nother; she carried away our fprit-fail-yard, and our anchors
hooking her quarter carried away the flukes of them. All
this time she had so much the worst of the aCtion, that she
took the opportunity of our heads being different ways to
make all the fail she could to get away ; we wore, and chafed
her again ; our mizen-maft being entirely disabled prevented
our getting up with her before five A. .M. It being day-light,
we could distinguish one another plainly ; she appeared to be
a French 80 gun Snip, in good order for battle.
Some people on board us, who.pretend to know, fay she is
the Languedoc. At five we began the action again, and con
tinued till half past fix, when finding our ship much disabled,
the fore-yard coming down, all the masts, yards, fails, and
rigging much hurt, guns dismounted ; —'the wreck of these and
dead and wounded men filling the deck, I thought it proper
to hawl our wind, in order to clear it. The enemy kept on
her course for Brest.
Our loss in men is twenty-fix killed, and fixtv-four woun
ded. * (Signed) JA. WALLACE.
* Among the former are no officers; but among the latter
are, viz.
Mr. Spry - - ift)
Falconer - - jd [ Lieutenants:
Market - - 4th )
Williams - Acting Lieutenant.
Stone - - Master,
Hotham - Boatswain.
Cambridge In Hameze, May 19, 1781. II A. M.
Sir,
I HAVE the pleasure to acquaint you, for their Lordships
information, that Vice Admiral Darby, with his Majesty's
squadron under his command, is now of the Eddyftone, pro
ceeding to the Eastward with a moderate breeze at N. W. and
that five fail of the line are now standing in the Sound.
l am, &c. SHULDHAM.
London, Ma, 22. This day Admiral Darby arrived at the
Admiralty, 'fen fail of the line, under Admiral Digby, are
left to cruize in the channel.
The Paris Gazette of Tuesday last, which gives an account
of the capture 0f22 of the St. Euftatius fleet, makes 110 mention
of their arrival at Brest.
May 24. Sir James Wallace, in his engagement with
the Languedoc, has shewn his usual intrepidity, and it is
much to be lamented that the disparity of the ihips was so
very great; however, it is plain that the enormous superiority
of the enemy did not prevent them from declining the engage
ment, and endeavouring to escape while it was night. In the
morning indeed, when they saw the diminutive hze of the
Nonfuch when compared with the Languedoc, they were
alhamed not to wait a renewal of the engagement, but neither
pre Led to renew it, nor to obftrud the retreat of the Non
fuch, and made the bed of their way for Brest.
The men of war arrived at Spithead belonging to the grand
fleet, are ordered to take on board afrelh supply of provisions
and water, as they are expected to fail in the course of a few
days.
By the express which arrived at Bombay the 18th instant, we
further learn, that General Goddard, after leaving as Strong a
garrison as he could spare from his army at Bafan, moved with
his remaining troops, and a reinforcement of men and batter
ing cannon, from Bombay towards Mangalore, the principal
settlement Hyder Ally has in the Malabar country, with in
tention to lay liege to the fame. Most of the artillery, and all
the mortar-pieces, found upon the walls of Bafan, &c. were
cither made in France or Holland, and fold by their merchants
and factors to Hyder Ally.
A letter from Penzance fays, that a cartel ship is put in there
from Brest, the master of which fays, that he fell in with the
Languedoc, a French man of war of 90 guns, in such a shat
tered condition that it was with difficulty she was kept above
water.
joined us since dark, having fallen in that night with a French
man of war of 80 guns, supposed to be the Languedoc ; the
had 27 men killed, and 50 or 60 wounded and is much flut
tered.
May 26. By the private dispatches from Bengal, we learn
that a further reinforcement of 300 Europeans and 800 feapoys
had been sent to the relief of the Coromandel coast. Meer
Abdullah Beig, Rajah of the Patna country, had raised an ar
my of 10,000 men, which are taken into the Company's ser
vice. Trejudulia, a fort 100 miles from Calcutta, had far
rendered to the Company's arms, and Surkeil Cawn had re
treated to the Southermoft part of the empire. Allinoadar
Abdallah Cawn, in the environs of Patna, had raised an army
of 20,000 men, and was upon the march to join the Company's
troops. The action at Culladadore was in favour of the Com
pany's army ; Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, with his detach
ment, had taken Sempavara lorr, which belonged to Jan Al
deil Beig, brother to the Rajah of Patna, in which were up
wards of 80 pieces of cannon, and 1600 men, who farrender
ed to the Colonel at discretion. This Rajah's brother is in the
interest of the French, consequently in that of Hyder Ally,
but is too weak to stand against his brother, united with the
Company's forces. The Treasury of Bengal has, after paying
all army demands, near 1,700,0001. The Company's Euro
pean army in the kingdom of Bengal does not consist of less
than 6,000 men, feapoys about 46,000, well disciplined, and
firmly attached to the Company.
Extract of a letter from Corke, May 16.
" Arrived yesterday 2a fail of transports from Kinfale, but
lately from Charleftown. They are to load with provisions,
and fail for America with the next convoy."
Ma, 28. Advice is received from Brest, that Le Languedoc
man of war, of 90 guns, is so much damaged in the engage
ment die had with the Nonfueh, that she is condemned as un
fit for any farther service ; that she had 137 men killed and
wounded in the engagement, and that the Captain and two
other officers are since dead of their wounds.
May 29. On Saturday evening arrived at his house in Port
land-place, from Madrid, Richard Cumberland, Esq. He tra
velled through France, having obtained a passport of the
French Ambaffadcr at the Spanish Court, When he arrived
at Paris, he was detained nine days ; in that time a Council
was convened; but, at length, was fuffered to depart.
We have often heard ft repeated that Mr. Neckar, the
financier cf France, was going to resign, because of the pro
tection afforded to the person who examined his Compte rendu
an Roi with so much attention, and gave his observations to
the public ; and our last letters from France fay that he actual
ly has resigned. Whether they will be able to find a native cf
equal ability and application, is a question ; but it is now evi
dent that the finances of France are not capable of producing
London, May 30. Prince William -Henry, who is now crui
sing with Admiral Digby, after having been twice to the relief
of Gibraltar, will, as soon as he returns home, be made a
lieutenant, in which station he will continue three years be
fore he is advanced any higher.
Extract of a letter from Dublin, Ma, 20.
" The provincial reviews in this country, which are to be on
the sth of June, will exhibit a feene surpassing any thing that
modern, or perhaps ancient history can produce. There are
upwards of 65,000 men returned for the field, 15,000 of wh ch
are of the province of Leinher ; these are to be reviewed in the
Phoenix-park within a mile of the city. Each battalion is am
ply provided with field-pieces, mortars, standards, &c. fitting
for tile field. After the review they are to be marched int>
Dublin, every citizen in good circumstances having given in
his name for the entertainment of a certain number, and the
ensuing day they are to fepatate and march for their different
habitations. People of all denominations are coming from alt
parts of the province to fee this extraordinary fight ; and eve
ry packet brings over a number of passengers from Cheshire,
Lancafinre, and Wales, for the fame purpose."
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, Ma, 29.
" It is generally believed here that Admiral Parker will go
out Commander in Chief, having fhifted his flag on board the
Victory; the fleet is now ready to put to sea, they only wait
for orders.
" There never was more expedition nfed in victualling fldips
than at this time, all was on board in 48 hours. The sailors
are in high spirits and healthy, and. wishing to be out at sea,
that they may have a brush with some of our enemies. Ad
miral Parker teems to,be in great favour with the tars."
Five men of war failed from Portsmouth a few days age,,
three more of 80 guns, a day or two-after, which were to be
joined with two of 70 from Plymouth ;'the whole squadron;
being commanded by Sir John Lockhart Ross; their dedination
is not yet known.
,me I. A gentleman in the Ante cf the Ruffian Miniftcr
at Paris, in his private dispatches to a foreigner of diftindion
in town, writes : " It is a great matter of doubt whether the
Empress will not very severely resent the indifference with
which the States of Holland have presumed to treat her prof
fered mediation for reconciling matters with Great-Britain.
This I can assure you of, a treaty is in agitation between the'
Courts of Russia, Vienna, Berlin, and London."
Versailles, (France) Ma, 23. His Mhjefty having agreed to
the difmiffion of Mr. Neckar, Diredor-General of "the Fi
nances, the King has charged Mr. Soly de Fieury, Counlellor
of State, with the detail of that department, in order to give
account thereof to his Majesty.
London, June 2. A merchant in the city has received the
most interesting intelligence from Cadiz, that upon a survey of
the Spanish fleet, no less than 16 fail of the line, are unfit for
any immediate service ; amongst which is the S. Trinidada,
pierced for 120 guns.
Extrafi cf a letter from Kinfale, Ma, 21.
" I take the present opportunity of informing you, per
bearer, whom I met by accident going to Corke, that there is
arrived this instant in our harbour a large Spanish galleon, prize?
to the Sandwich privateer of London, Captain Robinson. She
is called the N. S. La Moche de Todas los Santas, commanded,
by General Don Antonio Carajoy Cojones, of 70c tons burthen,
from La Vera Cruz, but last from the Havana, to Cadiz,,
laden with dollars, cochineal, quick-silver, Jesuits bark, hides„
&c. and supposed to be worth 300,0001. She is certainly the
richest prize taken this war; she fought three glasses, and,
had fix men killed, and nine wounded; the privateer had
one man killed, and 18 wounded ; among the latter is the
firft Lieutenant."
"Various eaufes have occasioned this event, but the princi
pal is his Memorial to the King, against the authority veiled
in , Parliament to register edids concerning questions of finance•
which authority Mr. Neckar wanted to abolish, and by that
stroke render himfelf uncontrollable in all the innovations he
should choose to introduce in that department."
Dublin, May 22. The most peremptory orders have been
issued by the Emperor of Germany for all officers in his service
absent on forlough immediately to return to their refpe&ive
regiments: letters containing these orders were received here
a few days ago, in consequence of which many Irish gentle
men in the German service are preparing to set off with the.
greatest expedition.
TO BE LE T,
THE convenient and well situated STORE, No. roB, Broad
ftreet. Apply to t JOHN & ADAM TUNNO.
JACOB VALK, begs leave to inform his friends and the
publick, that he has removed his office to No. 109, King
ftreet, where he carries on the COMMISSION BUSINESS
as formerly.t
IT is requested of all persons indebted to William Bryck,
late of Charleftown, merchant, deceased, to call and make
payment; and those to whom the estate is indebted, will
please make their claims known, to
t JAMES M'MURRAY, Administrator.
TO BE SOL
A Stout, likely, country-born NEGRO FELLOW, 23
years of age, a very good cooper. Enquire at No. 49,
Meeting-street, of % BENJAMIN TUCKER.
T O BE LET,
A HOUSE situated in King-Erect, convenient for a Bore or
A tavern. Enquire of the Printers.t
r 1 1 H E fubferiber, as Surviving Executor of the estate of
X Miles Brewton, Esq; deceased, requests the favour of all
persons indebted to that estate, to difeharge their debts forthwith,
in order to enable him to make remittances to the creditors thereof
in Great-Britain; and for the more speedily effe&ing the fame, he
gives notice, that several very valuable and improved PLANTA
TIONS on both sides the Savannah river, and near the town of
Savannah, (being part of the lands of feid estate) are for file, fee
bills of Exchange, or otherwise, as may be agreed on.
t CHARLES PINCKNEY, fen.
Who has several valuable LOTS of LANI), in excellent situations
for trade, in Charleftown, to let out on building leases; also, some
good Negro Tradesmen, to hire out by the month. And further
requests those who are indebted to him on his own private account,
to pay off their debs.
r I 'HE fubferiber has given up his store in Eliiott-ftreet, and
taken a large store, &c. on Greenwood's wharf, facing the
scale-house, where he will be highly obliged to the publick in general
and his friends in particular, for their cuftem in the few articles he
deals in, viz. Sugar and coffee, rum, brandy, gin, wines, corks, all
forts of glass ware, Queen's ware plates, dishes, tureens, bowls, &c.
also all forts of tin ware, and a neat assortment of camp kettles, fuh
kcttles, hew and fancepans, fpeakir, trumpets and lanthorns, codnlh
and potatoes. He has very good accommodation for the Forage of
tobacco and country produce, and will do the utmoftjufticc to thole
that will employ him in. the Fadorige Way. Bread, flour and por
ter very reasonable; |fa GEORGE THOMSON.
the effmates of Mr. Nerfcar, but that, on the contrary, there
aie enoimous deficicßewL, and the people will tery soon fed
severely the conftquenccs of a continuation of the war.
Extract of a letter from Paris.
" At last the great man so loudly trumpeted in France is no
more—this feeond Colbert, has left the helm, and his royal
master has permitted him (as it is usually done) to aft leave to
retire, when it was fettled that he should be dismissed.