The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1777-05-12 00:00:00, page 2

In Jersey, upon the approach of the van of
Lord Cornwallis's corps to Brunswick by a
forced march, on theist infant, the enemy
went off moil precipitately to Princetown ;
and had they not prevented the passage of the
Rariton, by breaking a part of Brunswick
bridges fu great was the confufion among
them, that their army must have inevitably
been cut to pieces.
My firft design extending no farther than to
get and keep possession or Eart Jersey, Lord (
Cornwallis had orders not to advance beyond
Brunswick, which occasioned him to discon
tinue his pursuit; but finding the advantages
that might be gained by pushing on to the
Delaware, and the poflibiliry of getting to
Philadelphia, the communication leading to
Brunswick was reinforced, and on the 6th I
joined bis Lordship with the 4th brigade of
British under the command of Major-general
Grant. On the 7th Lord Cornwallis's corps,
the guards excepted, who were left at Bruns
wick, marched to Princetown, which the ene
my had quitted on the fame day. This corps
marched in two divisions on the Bth; the firft
advancing to Trenton reached the Delaware
soon after the enemy's rear guard had crossed.
Their main army having paired the preceding
day and night, took poll on the other fide of
the river.
Lord Cornwallis, with the rear division,
halted at Maidenhead, fix miles from Trenton,
and marched next morning at one o'clock
to Corriel's Ferry, thirteen miles higher
up the Delaware, in some expectation of
finding boats there, and in the neighbour
hood, fufficient to pass the river ; but in this
he was disappointed, the emeny having taken
the precaution to destroy or to Secure on the
south fide, all the boats that could possibly be
employed for this purpose.
The passage of the Delaware being thus
rendered impracticable, his Lord Ship took port
at Pennington, in which place and Trenton
the two divisions remained until the 14th,
' when the weather having become too Severe to
keep the field, and the winter cantonments
being arranged, the troops marched from both
places to their refpeCtive Stations. The chain,
I own, is rather too extensive, but I was in
duced to occupy Burlington, to cover the
county of Monmouth, in which there are
many loyal inhabitants; and trusting to the
, almost general submission of the country to
the Southward of this chain, and to the
Strength of the corps placed in the advanced
posts, I conclude the Coops will be in perfect
security. Lord Cornwallis having desired to
return to Britain, the command in Jersey is
given to Major-general Grant, in whose ap
proved good conduct I place the greatest con
fidence.
[ cannot too much commend Lord Cornwal-
Fs's good services during this campaign, and
particularly the ability and conduct he dis
played in the pursuit of the enemy from Fort
Lee to Trenton, a distance exceeding eighty
miles, in which he was well fapported by the
ardour of his corps, who cheerfully quitted
their tents and heavy baggage, as impediments
to their march.
By ; reffing the rebels so close, they had not
time to destroy the country, as they intended,
or to remove their stores; by which a large
quantity of provisions, and plenty of forage,
have been secured.
During Lord Cornwallis's day at Penning
ton, a patrole of thirty dragoons from the
16th regiment, was sent out to gain intelli
gence of a corps under the command of
General ' Lee, reported to be in Morris county,
on their way to cross the Delaware at Alexan
dria. Lieutenant-colonel Harcourt desired the
diredion of this detachment, and learning,
as he proceeded, the situation of this corps,
confiding of two thousand men, and of Ge
neral Lei's head-quarters, he contrived by
infinite address and gallantry, to get to his
Louse undifeovered by the guard, surrounded
it, and overcome all their refinance, made the
General prisoner.
Being confident this gallant action will not
efcaoe his Majefy's gracious attention, it is
needled for me to recommend Lieutenant
colonel Harcourt to the King's notice upon
this occasion.„
I muff also mention the signal services of
Sir William Erfleine, in Lis department of
quarter-matter general, whose indefatigable
zeal has eminently contributed to the success
of this campaign ; nor must I omit M.yjor
Maitland, of the corps of marines, who has
Last TkurNy Evening His Nifty's Shf t'>e
AUGUL A, of 64 G^s Joseph Rey
nolds, rfq; Commander, arrived here from
Plym uh, in 6 Weeks ; by whom we Lave
lb:following Advices, 4 viz.
From the LONDON GAZETTE.
Whitehall, February 25, 1777>
HIS Majesty's Ship Bristol, which arrived
at Portfmoutti the 23d ink. has brought
from New-York dispatches from General Sir
William Howe and Governor Tryon, to. Lord
George Germaine, of which the following are
extracts :
Extract of a letter from General Sir TYiViam
Halve, to Lord George Germaine, dated New-
York, December 20, 1776.
I HAVE the honour to intlofe an extract of
a letter from lieutenant-general Clinton,
containing advice of his being in possession of
Rhode-Ifhnd without any loss to his Majesty's
troops. The season may be found too far ad
vanced for him to proceed to Providence, but,
if practicable, I am confident the attempt will
be made ; the advantages to be derived from
this acquisition are neverthclefs very import
ant.
On the 2d Lord Cornwallis having received
accounts of the rebel army being ported at
Trenton, advanced thither, leaving the 4th
brigade under the command of Lieutenant
colonel Mawhood, at Princetown, and the 2d
brigade with Brigadier-general Leslie at Mai
denhead. On the approach of the Britiffi
troops, the enemy's forward posts were driven
back upon their army, which was formed in a
strong pofitior., behind a creek running through
Trenton. During the night of the 2d, the
enemy quitted this situation, and marching
by Allen's Town, and from thence to Prince
town, fell in on the morning of the 3d, with
the 17th and 55th regiments, on their march
to join Brigadier-general Lellie at Maidenhead.l
Lieutenant-colonel Mawhood not being ap-;
prehehfive of the enemy's strength, attacked|
and beat back the troops that firft prefentedl
themselves to him, but finding them at length|
very superior to him in numbers, he pulhed|
forward with the 17th regiment, and joined
Brigadier-general Leslie. The 55th regiment
retired by the way of Hillfborough to Brunf-1
wick, and the enemy proceeding immediately
to Princetown, the 40th regiment also retired
to Brunswick.
The loss upon this occasion to his Majesty's
troops is 17 killed, and nearly 200 wounded
and miffing ; captain Leslie of the 17th is
among the few killed, and for further parti
culars I beg leave to refer your Lordship to
the intlofed return. Captain Philips, of the
35th grenadiers, returning from hence to join
his company, was on this day beset between
Eruaf^ick and Princetown by some lurking
villains, who murdered him in a mod barba
rous manner ; which is a mode of war the
enemy seem from federal late indances to have
adopted, with a degree of barbarity that sa
vages could not exceed.
It has not yet come to my knowledge how
much the enemy has fuffered, but it is certain
there were many killed and wounded, and
among the former a general Mercer from Vir
ginia.
The bravery and conduce of Lieutenant
colonel Mawhood, and the behaviour of the
regiments under his command, particularly
the 17th, are highly commended by Lord
Cornwallis.—His Lordihip finding the enemy
had made this movement, and having heard
the fire occasioned by Col. Mawhood's' attack,
returned immediately from Trenton ; but the
enemy being some hours march in front, and
keeping this advantage by an immediate de
parture from Princeton, retreated by King's
The rebels recrofled the river Delaware im
mediately with the troops and cannon that
they had taken. This misfortune seems to
have proceeded from Col. Rall's quitting his
post, and advancing to the attack, inftcad of
defending the village. Some few officers and
about 200 men of the brigade, with the chaf
feurs, and a party of dragoons, retreated to
Col. Donop's corps at Burdentown, 6 miles
dirtant. Several officers were wounded, and
about 40 men killed and wounded.
Extrafl of a letter from General Sir William
Howe, to Lord George Germaine, dated New-
York, January 5, 1777.
IN consequence of the advantage gained by
the enemy at Trenton, on the 26th of lart
month, and the necessity of an alteration in
the cantonments, Lord Cornwallis deferring
his going to England by this opportunity, went
from hence to jersey on theist instant, and
reached Princeton that night, to which place
General Grant had advanced, with a body of
troops frem Brunswick and Hillfborough, upon'
gaining intelligence that the enemy, on re-.j
ceiving reinforcements from Virginia, Mary-1
land, and the militia of Pennsylvania, had !
repaffed the Delaware into Jersey.
Extras of a Letter from General Sir HHiam
Have, to Lord George Germaine, dated New-
York, December 29, 1776..
ON the 25th instant, in the evening, a party
of the enemy attacked an out-guard
from the Port of Trenton, where Col. Rall,
commanded with three battalions of Hessians,
50 chaffeurs, arid 20 light dragoons, having
with them 6 field pieces; which party was
beaten back. On the succeeding morning at
6 o'clock, the rebels appeared in force with
cannon, evidently intending to attack the post.
Colonel Rall having received intelligence of
their design, had the troops under arms, and
detached his own regiment to Support an ad
vanced picket. This picket being forced, and
falling back upon the regiment, threw it into,
some disorder, which occasioned them to re
tire upon the other battalions ; no advantage
being taken of this, they recovered them
selves, and the whole formed in front of the
village.
The rebels, without advancing, cannonaded
them in this Situation, and Col. Rall moved
forward to attack them with the regiments of
Lofsberg and Rall ; in which attack Col.
Rall was wounded, and the regiments were
made prisoners. The rebels then advanced,
to the regiment of Knyphaufen, and also
made that corps prisoners.
the command of the 2d battalion of light in
fantry, in which he has dift'nguilhed himfeif
much to his honour.
The time of "Service for which most of the
enemy's troops were engaged, being expired,
their prefect Strength, from a review of the
latest intelligence ' received, is about 8000 on
the south fide of the Delaware, and in Phila
delphia ; 500 militia embodied id Morris
County, New-Jersey, and about 3000 at Peek's
Kill, North-Castle, and the smaller posts in
this province. Major-general Robertson, who
Served the campaign by his Majesty's permis
sion, wiil return to Britain by the earliest op
portunity.
most of whom, I was made to underhand, would
quit the service if they could get home.
I I have the pleasure to assure your Lordship,
I through the whole of this tour I did not hear
• the leak murmur of difeontent, but a general fa-
I tisfa&ion exprefled of my coming among them;
I and to judge from the temper and disposition
I I perceived in them, there is not the lead ap
prehension of any farther commotions from the
inhabitants on Long Irtand. All are industri
ous in bringing to market what provisions the
rifland affords.
While on Long Island I gave certificates to
near 300 men, who signed the declaration pre
sented by the King's commiflioners proclama
tion. of the 30th of November daft. Large
bodiesofthe people have already taken the
benefit of the grace therein offered them.
LOND O N,
March I- Many of the Transports are pre
paring to fail from the River, to <ake on boa^d
the foreign Troops, the Rein forcements will
all be embarked before the loth of March, or
at least intended they shall fail by that Time.
Orders are given from the Ordinance Office
for immediately fele&ing some light Pieces of
Artillery to be Dipped for Canada.
Yesterday Hugli Elliot, Esq; appointed his
Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, waited on his
Majesty at the Levee at St. James's and had a
long Conference with the King. At the fame
'I ime his Letters of Credence were delivered to
him, previous to his Departure.
Yeflerday there was a Privy Council at St.
James's on American Affairs, at which moll of
the great Officers of State assisted.
A Letter was read at Lloyd's Coffee Iloufe
Yeferday, which a Merchan't had received by
the Mail which gave him an Account of the
Court of France having issued Orders for the
American Privateers, with their Prizes, to quit
the Ports of France in 48 Hours from the Time
of the Publication of the Notice.
Extrafl of a Letter from Gefyort, Feb. 26.
" On Sunday the Royal Oak, Hedor, of
74. Guns, and two Sloops, are this Day or
dered to St. Helen's, and from thence to pro
ceed to Sea as soon as the Wind permits."
Extras of a Letter from Chatham, Feb. 27.
" On Sunday the Invincible, of 74 Guns,
Capt. Parker, and the Ariadne, of 20 Guns,
Capt Pringle, failed from this Port for Spit
head, to join the Fleet of Obfefvation.
" The Pegasus Sloop, of 14 Guns, Capt.
Gore, now in Contention here, is ordered for
Newfoundland.
" The Orford Hospital Ship, of 70 Guns,
is put into Cemmiffion at this Port, and the
Command of her given to Lieutenant Richard
V, ^to.r?"
On Tuesday a foreigner was re-examined
at the Rotation-office, St. Margaret's-hiil, for
having taken twenty female apprentices from
a workhouse with the parish fees, in order to
Town, breaking down the bridge behind
them, and crossed the Millstone river at a
bridge under Rocicy-hili, to throw taemfelves
into a hrong country.
• Lord Cornwallis.feeing it could not answer
any purpose to continue his pursuit, returned
with his whole force to Brunswick, and the
troops upon the right being aflembled at Eli
zabeth Town, Major-general Vaughan has
that command.
Return of the killed, wounded; end miffing, of
the following corps of bis Majesty's forces, in
the Jerfen, Friday January 3, 1777*
17th Regiment.—l captain, 12 rank and
file, killed; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 en
sign, 4 ferjeants, 46 rank and file, wounded ;
I ferjeant, 1 drummer, 33 rank and file, mif
fing.
40th Regiment-—1 lieutenant wounded'; 1
enfen, 3 ferjeant; 1 drummer, 88 rank and
file, milling.
55th Regiment- —1 ferjeant, 4 rank and
file,' killed ; 1 ensign, 1 ferjeant, 2 rank and
file, wounded ; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant; 1 ef
fign, i ferjeant, 2 drummers, 66 rank and
file, miffing.
Total.—i captain, r ferjeant, 16 rankand
file, killed; 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 2 en
figus, 5 ferjeants, 48 rank and file, wounded ;
1 captain, 1 lieutenant, zenfigns, 5 feyeartts,
4 drummers, 18'7 rank and file, milling.
w. Howe.
Hon. captain Leslie, of the 17th regiment
of foot, killed.
Captain Philips, of the 35th grenadiers,
killed on his way to join the battalion.
N. B Since the above return many of the
men miffing have joined their corps.
ft appears by the muster-master general Sir
George Ofborn'sreturn of the Henian troops,
after the affair of the 26th of December at
Trenton, that the prisoners and miffing amount
ed to about 700. 1
Extract of a letter from Governor Tryon to Lord
George Germaine, dated New-York, Dec. 24,
'77^
ON the loth infant I reviewed the militia
of Queen's County, at Hampftead, when
820 men were mustered, and or . Thursday
following I saw the Suffolk militia at Brook
haven, where near 800 men appeared, to all
of whom, as well as to the militia of Queens
County, I had, in ray presence, an oath of
allegiance and fidelity administered.
I took much pain's in explaining to the peo
ple (having formed them into circles) the
iniquitous arts, &c. that had been craflifed
on their credulity, to seduce and mislead them ;
and I had the fatisfaclion to obferye among
them, a general return of confidence in go
vernment. A very large majority of the in
habitants of Queen's County have, indeed,
ftedfaftly maintained their loyal principles, as
have small diftrids in Suffolk county.
Three companies, I learned, had been r~i
fed out of Suffolk county, for thb rebel army,
& its &qrgrdr&&&??r&er£i?ntrQf9 ff ^ f ^^ r ^ ^ f ^
M,ij<lX LUNa.I.I fiuicim cvi»puiatuu id the
ladies and gentlemen intending to fubferibe to
tue military remarksand collefiions, for raising acharity
to relieve beliefs orphans, and indigent widoaus of valiant
faitors and brave soldiers, that have fallen, or nivy fall in
this unnatural rebellion; anl acquaints them, that as
the Work will f,eelily be put to Press, their names
ihall be printed at large in the treauf:, with the
sum dedicated.
Carried forward, {. goB 9 9
Royal Artillery, Capt. Adye, Judge Advocate, 1 1 0
26th Re#. —Corps of Officers, 7 9 6
37th Aegt.—Corps of Officers, 10 10 @
64th Regt.—Corps of Officers, 10 0 0
Marines, Lieut. Ragg, c 10 6
WA NTE D,
ABnatlwain for a large ffiip, that can be well recom
mended, and some landsmen: Such will meet with
encouragement, by applying to Hugh Gaine,
I EFT in the poftefiion of the fubferiber, about two
_, years ago, living at Graveferid on Long-Liard, by
a woman, who Did her name was Maud, a CHEST of
woman's wearing apparel. The perf.m who it belongs
to, is desired to call for the fame, and pay charges, other
wise it will be fold at public vendue on Monday the 26th
inftanr by SAMUEL GARRISON.}
^oru'e'Er.
A NY person or persons willing to Supply spruce for
fl the forvice of h:s Majefty'snaval brewery, on
Long-Illand, are desired to apply to Mr, George Cherry,
agent for victualling his Majesty's fl etin North-America,
on board the ihip Grand Duke, at Brownejohn's wharf,
near the Fly-Market, New-York.
rOHE Copartnership between 1 hemas Courtney and
4 Sons, Taylors, being diffolv'd, they beg the Favour
of all those that are indebted to them, to fettle their
Accounts; which will much oblige their humble Ser
vants, THOMAS COURTNEY, and SONS,
F 0
A Genteel SMALL-SWORD. The owner may have
it again, proving his property, and paying charges,
by applying to Hugh Gaine.
A Woman with a break of milk five months old ;is
willing to go into a gentlemen's family in the qua
lity of a wet nurse. For particulars apply to John
Simpson, at the house of Mr. Thomas Buchannan, in
-.Q^cn-flmt.
" Our accounts from Paris fay, there is
much talk of a change in the French miniftry.'
" It is reported, that the States General
have received heavy complaints against the
rear admiral who commands the Dutch fleet
in the Mediterranean, which have been sent
to them in a memorial from the captains under
the admiral. Although it is not exactly known
what gave rife to these complaints, yet they
are Did to regard his conduct at a council of
war, held on board the admiral's snip, re
fpeding a certain expedition, which is not
known, and that the admiral opposed the exe
cution of it very violently ; that all the re
presentations of the different captains could
not make him agree to it, and that they all
blamed his condud very much. This is what
report fays, the truth of it will no doubt be
known in time.
" It is now said to be certainly known, that
the delay of the journey of the emperor into
France, is on account of the violent illness
which a certain crowned head labours under.
Some fay it is the empress queen, whilst others
imagine it to be the king of Prussia, who it is
said is in a very critical situation, but whether
either of these accounts merit credit or not,
is yet uncertain."
Extract of a letter from Perlin, Jan. 19.
" Yeflercay a smart yoking Frenchman ap
peared at court to compliment prince Henry,
it being his highness's birth day. He was
observed to take particular notice of a lady
of great personal accomplifhmekts, whose fa
ther took care soon to remove her from the
Frenchman's presence: there being, however,
in the evening, a grand supper at die queen's
palace, and a ballen domino, the Frenchman
again met this young lady, and took her en
tirely off. Great conllernation ensued ; the
father flew like a madman from the ball
room ; and there being guards placed round
the palace, a hue-and-cry was soon made, and.
the young lady recovered. But the French
man got clear off; nor can either threats or
perfuafives pervail on the lady to give the least
intimation of him."
Letters from Lisbon, dated the beginning
of Idl month, advise, that notwithstanding
the reports cf a war between Spain and Por
tugal, the commerce of the latter kingdom
seems no way affected, and the navigation be
tween Portugal and her colonies is carried on
with as much security as in time of the most
profound tranquility. From the Sth to the
14th of December, there have entered, the
Tagus five thips richly laden, three from Fer
nambuco, one from Parahio, and one from.
Maranhoa. Two others have failed about the
fame time to the bay cf All Saints, one to Rio
Janeiro, and three, to Fernambuco. Tne Le
vant frigate and theZephyr sloop, belonging to
the English squadron under admiral Mann,
have failed; the firft for Gibraltar, and the
latter to cruize against the Anglo Americans
on our coart.
teach them the working of tambour. Th^
complaints lodged against him by the gbu
were, that their allowance on week.-dr.vs ,
only one pint of water, a few cruft of bread,
and a large boiled potatoe each, without ei
ther butter or milk, and on Sundays two
ounces cf bread of mutton and halfa pint of
small beer each : If they did not perform dm
take he allotted them in the day, at night he
tied their hands and legs toge her, thr^w them
upon their faces, and fogged them with a
cat-of-ninc-tails in a raortinhuman manner.
One girl, about ten years of age, to escape a
fecohd punishment, jumped into the necessary,
and it was with much difficulty her life was
saved : She and two more of the girls now lie
dangerously ill in the workhouse. He was re
manded to New Bridewell, St. George's-field;
for further examination.