The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1778-09-07 00:00:00, page 2

iSkfloty, and tl\e conditions requTead of America on
CT: 1 Jicr A unexceptionable, that the Commiffiunera of the
Congress did not think proper to proceed until they should
be fyecially au.horifed.
Mr Simeon Deane, after having been some weeks at
Tea was obliged to put back iutooneof the French ports
and return to Paris: I > the mean time the Parliament
had met again on the 20th of January ,nd the proposi
tions to be made, though not formally stated till the 17th
of February, were occasionally daring the whole interval
afutya of d feuffion in all the preparatory debates upon
the Rate of thenation. It was, durihg'^his interval, and
not before that France being informed of the liberal and
extensive nature of the rite, lied ofters, thought it expedi-,
ent for the purpose of prolonging the war, and of making
these colonics the infliumeok of her ambition, to new
tnodel and enlarge her propofafs.
Still however the fail powers are not pretended to have
been given to Mons. Gerard before the 30th of January.
And whatever time the treaties thus notoriously fl >wing
from he generous measures of G eat-Brirain, may have
bean dated by the French Ministers, cither in fad br
by collusion, for the purpose of giving an uncanded Inter
pretation to the proceedings of the B itiffi Parliament;
whatever too may have been the dates of the dispatches
which accompanied those treaties, it is well known that
neither treaties, nor letters notifying treaties, were feat
from France before the B,h of March.
When these particulars together with all the other cir
gumftances, attending the cor.&ha of the French Court
towardsthefe colonies during the years 1775, 1776, and
1777, mot of which must be well known to the Ame
rican Cungrefe, are duly confiderci. the Resigns of France,
the ungenerous motives of her policy, arid the degree of
faith due to her profeffians, will become too obvious to
need any illustration.
And his M?jefty's CrmmifTvmers thought and still
think themselves intitled to expea, that the general Con
gee's fbeu d not on the Ground us iuch treaties, even it
the conlitu ion under which they a&, had authored
them, assume the derisive part, wh ch they have taken,.,
without previously c<n ulring the aifemblics of their
different provinces, and making their conftiuents ac
quainted w th all the falls upon which a true judgement
might be formed. 1
New-York, Aug. 16,177%. CARLISLE,
H CLINTON,
Wm. EDEN.
Puaiim^l Iyorder of their Excellencies his Ma
jesty's Commissioners.
ADAM FERGUSON, Secretary.
S<OX)^C*X)R)^
Fromthe Pennf,lvliia Evening Post, of Aug. 20.
To the Citizens of Philadelphia.
Gentlemen, Philad. Aug. to, 2775.
IRequeft youg attention to the following letters,
the publication of which is intended to serve as an
jntrodu3ion to a very necefftry and important in
\fauidy--m inquiry which will lead much farther
Khan is generally imagined, and which may, in its
/corfeqnences, exceed even the expedition and views
/ of thole who firft put it on foot.
' lam informed that congress have been too much
engaged to have had it in their power to appoint a
committee for the purpo es mentioned in my letters
to the president. I will therefore delay the publica
tion of my intended address to you three weeks. In
the mean time, should congress be ^leafed to give
me a public hearing before a committee, I will m ft
cheerfully appear and mike my defence against any
changes that may be nade against me as quarter mas
ter general ; which defence may render the addiefs
to you vnneceffary.
I do not know what charges will be made against
:he late department, having heard of none from any
frublic authority. All I have been able to culled,
has been obtained from general hints and private
infinuuiors. Conscious of my own integrity'and
firm attachment to the true inte efts of my country,
and relying on tire industry, a&:vny and integrity of
my late affirtants, in the quarter matter general's de
nartmenr, I can, with fatety, fall for a public in
qniry ; which, I trust, will end to you' fatisfadion,
and the honor of my late department. I am, with
the greatest refped, and attachment to your true in
terest, your fellow citizen.
THOMAS MIFFLIN.
In CONGRESS, June ir, 1778.
On motion made, R^folved, Tiiat general Wash
ington he directed to order an inquiry to be made into
te conduct of major general Miflih, late quarter
master general, and the other officers who aded un
der him in that department, and f it th ill appear that
the extraordinary deficiencies thereof, and the conse
quent distresses of the atmy, were chargeable to the
mifeondud of the f % id quarter master general, or any
of the said officers, that a court martial be held on
the delinquent.
Extras from the minutes,
Charles Thomson, fee.
Sir,---! beg the favour of you to represent to con
gress, that the inhabitants of North America, and of
this date in particular, have been induced to believe
th^t grert deficiencies have happened, and great de
faults have been made in the department of the late
quarter master general.
That thecondud of every officer or servant of the
public, who hasbeen charged with, or even fafpeded
of negled or mifeondud in office, should, in my
opinion, be inquired into, and the defence made in
as open and public a manner as possible.
That I am prepared to defend my own condud as
quarter matter general ; and that the officers, who
aded under me in that department, are ready to an
fiver any charges which may be made against them.
That the trials of general Lee and general Sinclair,
at the army, in all probability cannot be c!ofed in left
than fix or eight weeks; and, of c mlequence, will
prevent an immediate and mol necessary inquiiy into
the caufis of the distress of the army last winter.
That colonels Lutterlogh, gird, Mifflin, and
Thornburgh, and mr. Butler have reiigned, with
many other gentlemen in my late department; and
in their opinions cannct be the objeds of a court of
inanity or court martial at the army.
That col. Hooper, col. Ross, mr. Hiltzheimer,
and many other officers of the late depirtaent, are
row engaged in procuring supplies feri^the army l ;
and cannot, without great injury to the public and to
themselves, leave this fate to attend aninquiry atthel
army.
That references will neccffirily be madZin the 1
cou.fe of the inquiry, to the records cf cfengrefs, of,:
the board of war, and of the council and aifembly ofl
Pennfylvan^.,4# ;
That many witnesses, utntial in the igtyuiry, are|
now resident in this date, and cannot be availed on
to leave their families and bufaefs for so long a time
as aninquiry at the army will require.
That the deficiencies attributed to the late depart
ment, and consequent distress of the army, happened
hi this state, and, of cotufu, can be more accurately
traced here to their true source then elsewhere.
That the, officers of the said department have the
highest opinion cf the candor, integriy, and justice of
the officers of the army, and would be happy in an
Spphrtunity of being heard before them ; but for the
foregoing and many other ' substantial reasons, it is
our will), and we most eameftly request that congress
will bepleafed toappoint a committee for the purposes
mentioned in their refolurion of the eleventh of June,
and that we may h?ve an opportunity of being heard,
in this city, wifl&t delay, in as public a manner as
may be confident with good order, and the conveni
ence of the committee.
In behalf of myfelfand the assistants in n) y late de
partment of quarter mailer gen. I am, fir, your
humble servant,
Philadelphia, August 10th, 1775.
Thomas Mifflin.
To the hon. Henry Laurens,
efy president of congress.
Sir,—-I request you to inform congress that the
account# of my expenditures as quarter master gen.
were delivered <0 the board of treasury in the month
ofMay, and that no measures have been taken by
thflt board for the examination and settlement of those
accounts.
That it appears, by the estimates of the several
deputy quarter matters general, the debts due to the
inhabitants of these Rates, for the hire of horses,
waggons, &c. amount to one million of dollars ;
exclusive of col. Hughes's (^artment, of whose con
tiafis I have no return.
That the people in general are much difreffed,
and have become very clamourous for the payment
of their accounts ; and that the public service requires
the aeccunts of the late department should b imme
diately fettled, and the deputies, who contracted the
debts, should be furmfhtd with cash to difeharge
them. I have the honour to he, fir, your humble
fcrvant, THOMAS MIFFLIN.
Philadelphia; August 12, 1778.
The hon. Henry Laurens, efq; prefiJent of congress.
Sir,---I request you to info: m me what orders con
gn fs have been pleased to give in consequence of my
letters to you of the tenth and twelfth inst.—l am,
with much refya, fn, year humtle servant,
THOMAS MIFFLIN.
Philadelphia, August 15, 1778.
The hon. Henry Laurens, efq;
Sir,---By permiilion of congress, I inform you
that no orders are given in consequence of your let
ters of the tenth and 12th. I am thus particular be
cause I wilh you to believe, fir, that had I received
any order, the duty I owe to the house, as well as
the refp^ft I bear to you, would have prompted an
immediate intimation, I have the honor to be, fir;
your most obedient humble servant,
HENRY LAURENS, president of congress.
; Chefnut-ftreet, Aug. 15, 1778. five o'clock, the
Iminute I am leleafed fom congress.
I The hon. major gen. Mifflin.
Dear Sir, Pbilad. Aug. 17, 1778.
One of the last crimes I commit, will be the catling
in question your politsnef-, and your attention to the
service of the public. My letter to you of the i,h
Lift, was intended to remind congress, in a way the
most decent and least offenfive, of a request made by
me the ioth inst. Iconfefc [ was much hurt by their
negh.a of my letters ; which I do not wish to confider
as a delay of justice, in my case amounting to a
denial of it.
I have borne for along time the most bitter calum
ny; and have Buffered the most abusive lies, against
my chara&er, to pass current, without making use
of the means in my power of counteracting or re
futing them ; depending on the justice of congress fcr
a speedy, public and candid inquiry.
As the proposition made for that purpose by me on
the tenth infant, has in all probability been disa
greeable to congie's, and as I confider an immediate,
public, unbiased inquiry into the causes of the
army's diftieffis last winter, abf>lutely necessary for
my own juftification, I will take the liberty to ex
plain to my fellow citizens what these deficierces
were, which occasioned the dist cfs of the troops,
and which had almost ruined the cause of cur
. country.
I now enclose my commission of major gener 1,
which I request you to present to congress, with my
most refpe&ful resignation of the fame. I wish
congress to believe that, by this resignation, I do not
mean to fly from any enquiry they may be pleated
hereafter to make into my public conduct; on the
contrary, I shall be highly gratified with a general
examination of it; and will molt ch erfully appear
before any committee appointed by them for that
pu-pofe. lam, with much refpe& and esteem, fir,
your humble servant,
THOMAS MIFFLIN.
To the hon. Henry Laurens, Esq;
In Congress, zluguft 17, 1775.
Refolded, That all the loan office certificates struck
by resolutions of congress, of the third day of Octo
ber, 1776, fourteenth of January and twenty-fe
cund day of February, 1777, and eight hundred and
sixty certificates of one thousand dollars each, num
bered from no. 1 to S6O, of the emiilion ordered by
congress the seventeenth day of January, 1778,
which have been signed by Michael Hillegas, Eq;
ireafurer, 'or Samuel HiUegas,, be good and valid,
notwithstanding some of the said certificates may be
issued by the several commissioners of the Continental
loan offices after the date of the resolution of con
gress appointing Francis Hopkinfon, Esq; treasurer
of loans. Extract from the Minuter,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secry. 1
BOSTO N, July 30.
The freeholders and other inhabitants of this town
are to meet at Fineuil-Hall, this afternoon, in order
to confider and determine what ftps are proper to be
taken with refpeft to a number of persons, late in
habitants of this metropolis, who have fought and
received protection from the Britiffi king, and, as it
is reported, are about returning to this town.
We are warranted to fay, that the members of the
court Martial, hell on Thomas Thomf>n, late
commander of the Raleigh, have wrote a letter to
the navy board, wherein they have recommended him
in ftrpng terms, as still qualified to be again employ
ed in the American navy, teftifving their opinion,
that he is an able experienced officer, and a good
seaman ; that his mifeondud on the ninth of March
hft, when in company with the Alfred, appeared
to them an error in judgement only^ and not to pro
ceed from any defect of heart ; they desire that the
said representation may be tranfinitted to congress by
board ; and farther fay they hope it will have a due
eff & with congress in behalf of a man whom they
confider as a good officer. We are informed said
letter is forwarded to congress accordingly.
From the New-Jersey Gazette, of Sept.
2, 1778.
BOSTON, August 17.
Extra# of a letter from an officer of di,in#ion, dated
Rbode-IJland, Augufl 14.
" You have doubtless heard of, our being in
polLffion of the North End of this Blind, and may
perhaps soon ^xp^a to heat of our being in Newport.
The filtration of the Enemy is foch, that it is almost
impoffihle to make any impression on their works.
They are ftropgly fortified across the whole Iftahd.
Their Works consist of a Chain of Redoubts 7 in
number, within half musket shot of each other, which
is what they call the front Line : T#ey have id the
rear of these five other redoubts at about the fame
distance fiom each other, conne&tdby a bread-work
7 feet high, with a Ditch 10 feet wide, and a battery
▼in front, and a firing line of piquets in the Rear of
the ditch. Their numbers are about dooo--Provtfon3
they are not in,want of —desertion prevails Among
them ; As soon as the weather permits we shall move
dole to their lines—-\Ve are now at the distance of 5
miles from them. The late storm has been very
unfavourable for us---The Count De Eftaing is not
in fight. By *A,|ers from them we hear, that he
took 4, and funk z of Howe's fleet ; but nothing
certain is yet arrived.. It is the Opinion of many,
that our army will not attempt at present to ftotm
the lines cf the enemy but only cannonade and
bombard them, Which must soon wear them out; and
at the fame time give the faired opportunity for
indulging the spirit of desertion tharprevails among
them, especially the foreign troops."
Authentic Intelligence from our Army on
Rhode Iftand, Augufi Ic, 1778.
" On the i sth inst. at 6 o'clock, P. M. a de
tachment of our troops, with a covering party, para
ded in the font" of our army, wher^ the facines,
intrenching tools, gabions, &c. were ordered, and
as soon as it was dak, took possession of a height op
the enemy’s right, which commands their front line
of wo ks at the dist mce of about half a mile. The
enemy did not discover our taking pofftflinn of this
pull until the morning of the i6h, when they begun
and continued a brisk cannonade without eff a. —
During the time our detachment were at work, they
openeda covered way., and about half compleated a
battery on the right fr, vhich was to be fi.n&d,
and another on the left ere^ed the next night ; that
our batteries would be opened on the 19th. Our
troops were in high fpirirs, and that great regularity
had been conspicuous in all their ma, oeuvres. The
French fleet not returned on the niwoing of the
18th."
By the last night's express from Rhode-lfland, we
are informed, that on the night of the 17th inst. the
covered way and two batteries of four guns each,
were almoit complected ;---that a fatigue party of
loco men were employed cn the works on the 18:h,
which so provoked the enemy that they fi td geo shot
at our people, but to very little purpojfy two men
only being slightly wounded, and the pasty conti*
nued at work.
Extra# of a letter from Major-General Hancock, to
the Hon. J. Poivell, Efa; dated Tucfda, Etching
Auguji 18.
“ Nothing material has happened since fay letter
cf this morning, except a constant cannonade from
the enemy, without any other damage than flightiy
wounding one Man. A firing has been heard at lea,
which we think denotes the approach cf the French
fleet, and exp cl to fee them in the morning, after
which we shall proceed with great vigour and dispatch;
our Mtn busily employed in completing the work
near the Enemy's Lines. Desertion prevails among
them notwithstanding their circumfejibed fixation
and double guards. This Night being very daik.
On wednefday morning $ 0 clock, every thing
very quiet, and very heavy fog and final! rains. No
account of the French fleet ; indeed 'tit imp< ffible
they should get in, as it is exceeding thick fog."
Extra# of a letter from an officer of rank, to bis
friend in this tonon, dated R. Ijiand, Aug. 15.
“ At 6 o'clock this morning the army was para
ded, and at 7 the signal for marching was given,
when the whole army began to advance. We arrived
without opposition within two miles of the enemy's
lines in the afternoon, where the army now remains
encamped on the Hills."
Last Wednofday Captains Neil, M' Intyer, Hart
and Ferland, all of Pifeataqua, venturing too near
the Enemy's Lines, on Rhode-Bland, were made
prisoners by a party of light-horse. One other Per
son in Company with them had his horse (hot, which
gave him such a four that he could not be ttopt, and
was the only means of his Escape. The Horse died
about half am Hour after.
WORCESTER, August 20.
Extra# of a leterjrom an officer of difiinaion, dated
camp near Newport, Auguji 17, 1778.
" We landed on this island Sunday the 9th inst.
and lock pols ffion of the enemy's works on the north
part, which they had evacuated, without damaging
them in the lead Those on Qjaker-hill were c?fiJeta
ble, with commodious barracks. The army was
immediately formed in three lines acrefs the inland,
viz. fi it and tecond line of battle, with a corps de re
serve ; the fi ft dine composed moflly of Continental
troops. Exclusive of the afoteftid arrangement, we
bad a very considerable body of light troops advanced.
In this situation we remained till Saturday the 15th,
in confeqnence of the most severe storm I ever knew ;
the army fuffered much, for it was impossible to keep
the tents ffanding, the wind was so exceeding strong.
“ The morning cf the xgh we advanced towards
Newport, each line in three columns. During our
march, as we puffed over fomeeminencies, leered al
most take the whole in at one view. The heavy co
lumns, with the artillery, together with the advance
corps and flanking divisions, all moving in the most
regular manner, with mufick, and standards display
ed, was a fight trulp animating. We advanced
within -about one mile aud an half of the enemy's
lines, where we have ft cured out camp by throwing
up some redoubts. We are now imploved in raifiog
batteries the diftarcc. of about 100 rods front the ene
my's redoubts ; they are very frequently saluting us
from their works.
“ The French fleet that you was informed filled
out to attack the English, has not yet returned---the
wind is not fair---we expe& they will soon appear in
fight ; after which we hope soon to render a good ac
count of the Bri,ilh army in Newport.
" General Pigot, who commands the British ar
my, was heard to fay, that if the French fl-et return
ed they must all be pfifonets.
Extra# of a Letter, dated Rhode- If and, 4 Miles
from Newport, Augufi 17.
“ Last Night we began to throw up some
more new Works, not above 100 Rods from
the Enemy's Redoubts, in which we were fa
voured this Morning by a Fog ; it has now
cleared off; since which the Enemy have salu
ted us with a few Cannon Ball. We expert 'the
French Fleet in To-Day, %nd arc all mdy for
^ Attack."
fnatl© Letter, dated Camp 0; Ibode-ijiand.
Auguji fi.'
" It was confidently averted in Camp Yes
terday, That Accounts were received from a
Gentleman of Veracity, that the French Fleet
had taken an English 64 Gun Ship, 3 Frigates,
and I z Transports, fuppoied to be part of the
Cork Fleet, which was expected' in with Provi
sions for the Relief of the Army on Rh. Bland.
I am just informed, this Report is confirmed by
an Express to the Commander in Chief."
Another Letter; dated R. If and, near Newport,
August 18.
" I am well informed, that an Express Boat
from the French Fleet arrived Yesterday with
Dispatches for Gen. Sullivan. They are said
to contain good Intelligence, that the Fleet are
fafe, and have taken a Number of the Enemy's
Provision Ships. lam just told, a Number of
Ships appear in Sight off Newport ; they are
undoubtedly the French Fleet."
NEW-LONDON, August 7.
Sunday towards evening, a canoe, in which were
five boys, was overfet by a flaw of wind, at the
month of Wheeler's Cove, when one of them, fort
of MrvChriftopher Greene, about nine years old,
was/ drowned, and another had. nearly (hared the
fame fate.
DIo day evening a privateer brig, belonging to
Boston, anchored at the harbour's mouth, being
chafed in from Montauk by a Britifli cruder.
Monday night a flag arrived here from New-York
with twenty-two American prifeners, among whom
was Capt. Eli Ail Lathrop of Norwich, with several
other matters of vessels whose names we do not know.
Tuefdiy the privateer brig Nancy, Capt. Molally,
returned here from a cruize.
PHILADELPHIA, August 18.
This day the (loop Friends Adventure, Captain
Tiaac Bennet, arrived here from Boston. She was
taken by tire Monmouth, a British man of war, at
the capes, . The Cspt, of the man of war gave the
flobp to Capti Bennet, after taking cn,t the cargo,
whichconfiiled of Wed-India goods.
From Dunlap's PennJjhania Packet, Aug. 29.
At a court martial lately held in this city, Samuel
Lyons, late Lieutenant of the Dickinfun galley, Sa
muel Ford; Lieutenant of the Effingham galley,
John Wilson, Lieutenant of the Ranger galley, and
John Lawrence, gunner cf the Dickinlon galley, were
conviaed of defiling to the enemy, and sentenced to
Coffer death. The council, liaving examined the pro
ceedings of the said court, approve of the sentence,
and have ordered that they be executed on Wednes
day next. The execution will be on board the gallies
inthe river, nearly opposite t'o Market-street wharf.
John Lawrence is to be hanged, the other three to be
(hot.
,What opinion (fays a correspondent) must the pub
lic entertain of the Honourable Congress of the
United States of America, when some men openly
and zealously espouse the cause of the molt infamous
tories, while others who call themselves leading mem
bers, officipully undertake the management ofoballs,
graced with Mefienxa Ladies, equally noted for their
tory principles, and their late fondnefs for Briiifh
debauchees and macaronies.
On Tturfday last, before the Hon. Thomas Me.
Kean, Esq; chieljufiice for this rtate, Bhas Buudmot,
Esq; jelegite in congress for the state of New- Jet fey,
appeared among others, an attorney, or council, for
IJohn Rcbeits, an infamous tory, now confined in
the goal of this county, on a charge of high treason.
The qneftion argued was. Whether said John Ro
berts may be admitted to bail ? This leads to another
• qu^ffion, flow far it is confident with the dignity of
congress for a delegate representing one of the Thir
teen United States, aaually attending his duty in
congress, to appear as attorney or council in favour
of hotorioufly difaffefted persons ?
TRENTON, September 2 .
We hivejuft received Information, that the
French Fleet, in Consequence of the Damage
received at Sea in the late Storm, have gone
to Loftonto tyit, As the E) edition against
Rh&Je^bnd jrafo Nature requires a Co-ope
ration of Fqrce hy Water and Land, it is pro
bablfi.cnrAimy may be withdrawn from thence
till the Fleet are ready to make a joint Attack.
POUGHKEEPSIE, August 10.'
Some days ago, a difeovery was made of the
vilhins who, in January 1777, so cibiy entered thp
lodgings of Henry Williams, Esq; at the house of
Henry Dickiufon, in Bedford, and robbed him of
money, plate,wearin apparel, &c. io a Targe amount.
Five of these robbers, viz. Jeremiah Merritt, Tho
mas Green, principals, and Gilbert Pudy, John
Van Veifer, John Slut, accomplices, together with
Samuel Tilley, charged with being concerned wi h,
them, in robbing Mr. Benedi&, were taken up, and
carried before Ebenezer Purdy, Esq; who examined
and committed them to Poughkeepfic jail, where they
are now secured.
One Nathaniel Akeily, another accomplice, is
Aid to be confined in some goal in Cohneaicut.
We hear that on last Monday night, Mr. John
White of Nine Partners was robbed of money and
goods to a great amount, that some of the robbers
% are taken up and secured, and that he has recovered
part of bis goods.
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
RUN-AWAY from the fubfiriber, about five weeks
Jince, a negro boy named DANIEL, about 16
)e,^rs old, .a 1 k:ly Gnooth-faced fellow, ab~ut five feet
1 g) : He was purchaf-d from Mr. Filhcr, of this city,
me chant. He formerly lived with Dr, Stewart, and
frequently went to Jnfyira, on Lonfrlfland, to fee his
fitter. He had on a white ozenbrig trowfers and ihirt, a
brown coat with red cuffs, woolen bat with a silver band
round it, and silver ttyffel, Whoever will secure the Gid
boy, and deliver him to the fubferiber, in Queen-street,
mill be immediately paid the above reward, and all rea
sonable charges. All raifters of vessels and others, are
forwarded not to carry him est, or conceal him, as the,
may expeQ to answer it at their peril,
PHILIP KISSICK.
FIVE POUNDS Rewards
AT Philadelphia was taken or, inveigled away, on the
ifth day of June last, from the fi.bferiber, a negro
buy named TOM, a well set stout boy, brought up by
him, it being the fame lad heretofore advertised by Capt.
Lve. Any peffon apprehending the.Lid boy, and deli
vering him to John Donnelly,late tavern-keeper from Ph -
ladelphia, now reading, in this city, near the Exchange,
Iha 1 heetiti;!^ to the above reward.
,EDWARD FITZ RAT DOLPH, J