The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1781-06-11 00:00:00, page 2

March 14. The Dafliwood packet-boat,
Captain Robinson, which brought the last
mail from Jamaica, is ordered to be got ready
at Falmouth, to carry over the mail to Charles
Town.
Yetterday morning advice was received from
Iford, that a French Frigate of 36 guns,
d the St. Angoumois, commanded by M.
er, is taken by the Wasp sloop of war
Dragon privateer, after a hot engage
one hour, and sent in there. The
'd twenty of the crew on board the
I te were killed, and many wounded.
'I ( r and sloop had only four men
kiT wounded.
On Ift a Dutch Weft Indiaman,
with 3c digo, &c. came close in with
the Scilp , a boat went to her, and the
Captain i knowing of hoflilities, desired
them to put them into port, and the was car
ried fife into Scilly.
The Dartmouth Tartar privateer, of 36
guns, Capt. Ridley, from a cruize, is arrived
at Kinfale ; (be took on the 25th of January
tire Donna Maria, Antonio, from Leghorn to
Amsterdam, and on the 19th of February took
the American letter of marque, from Corunna
to Boiton, laden with bale goods.
An express arrived yesterday at two o'clock
from Porrfmouth, with advice that Admiral
Darby's feet failed from St. Helen's yeflerday
morning, at dawn of day; that it confided of
40 fail of rhe line, of which 13 were three
deckers, 18 of 74 guns, and 10 of 64, and that
the convoy amounted to 338 fail of merchant,
men. The Acleon frigate delivered the sig
nals to the fleet yesterday.
There are at this time in the Weft-Indies
none but copper bottomed ships; all those that
were not Breathed, whether of the line or fri
gates, bare come home as conveys, &c. to be
impaired, when they aifo will be coppered be
fore they go out again.
Coxfardinople, Jan. 21. On the 16th of the
lift month, the Ambassador from the Tartars,
of Ufbeck, had a public audience of the Grand
Signer, arid was most gracicufly received. On
the 28th, a large new frigate was launched
here with great success, in the presence of the
Grand Signor and the principal Officers of the
Seraglio. The Englilh Minister has lately
held federal conferences with..the Grand Vizir,
and other members of our government, and it
is said, that he is charged with a particular
negotiation, which is opposed with equal vigi
lance by the French Ambassador.
It is remarked, that fines Mr. de Stachieff,
Envoy from the Court of Russia, has acquaint
ed our Ministers, that a squadron of Ruffian
men cf war was now lying in the port of Leg
horn, they have appeared rather uneasy, and
have given orders for fitting out a considerable
squadron with the greatest expedition.
Vienna, March 3. Orders have been given
for fitting up the Imperial Palace le Belvedere,
for the reception of his Imperial Highness the
Grand Duke of Russia, who is Shortly expected
here from Peterfburgh.,
The Answer of the Northern Courts relative
to the Succours required by the Republick,
are not altogether agreeable. Sweden has
taken this Affair into Deliberation. Denmark
has only promised to provide for the Security
of the Dutch Vessels in the Danish Ports, and
to nation some Men cf War in the Sound for
the Proteaion of the Trade; And Russia has
offered her Mediation, with an Exhortation
'' to put this Country in a proper State of
" Defence, and not to rest folcly upon the
" Assistance of Allies."
Madrid, Tel. rg. On the gth inst. a Ruffian
express arrived here from PeterSburgh, who,
after delivering feme packets to the Ruffian
Minister here, continued his routte immediately
for Lisbon, with dispatches for the Comman
der of the Ruffian squadron now at anchor in
that port.
Our fourt yesterday received advice, by an
express from Cadiz, that the Spanish fleet,
confiding of go fail of the line and 6 frigates,
had failed from that port on the 6th instant,
Binder the command ofDon Louis de Cordova,
and Don Miguel Gaston. This fleet, it is
said, will be joined by 6 Ships of the line and
2 frigates from Ferrol, and will then fail to
meet an English squadron, which js said to
have failed from the ports of England with a
convoy defined for Gibraltar
By the last letters from Lisbon we learn,
that the Court, being informed of the rupture
between Holland and England: has sent a no
tification to the Minitier from their High
Mightinesses the States General, bearing in
fubitance, " That her Mod Faithful Majesty,
in cdnfequence of the ftri& neutrality which
the had ref Ived to observe, could not fuffer
that the men of war of any of the belligerent
powers Should make a long Hay in any of the
ports of. Portugal."
Paris, Feb. 27. The Deputies of the Par
liament of Bourdeaux appeared on Friday latt
at Versailles. They met with a very bad Re
ception : The Keeper of the Seals said to them
'' Dread to incur the King's Indignation ; he
orders you to return Home without passing
through Paris."
Hague, March 13. We are well informed
that a C ngrefs will soon be held at Vienna,
in order to bring about a general Pacification
between the belligerent Powers, wherein North
America will not be comprised.
We hear that the Court of Holland continue
their Examinations concerning the Papers
found upon Mr/Laurens; upon which, it is
said, they will soon give their Advice, which
it is reported will be much in Favour of the
accused Parties.
LONDO N,
Total amount 704,000
The interefl of the loan is 660,0wl there will there
fore be a surplus of 44,t001. which bis Lordship said
might be applied to make good the deficiencies of the
year, forfome there undoubtedly would be. In the
course of his fpeecb be fteaved., that the additional tax
which would fall c^ wines would be exadly one penny
per bottle upon all abides alike, and as the vintners bad
former) made the consumers pay 6d. a bottle when the
legifatwe bad onyimpofed id. be thought the vintners
could very well afford to pay the prefent' additional
penny without laying any further burthen on the public
by raising the price of a bottle of wine.
After a debate, the reflations moved by Lord North
were put and agreed to without a division,
March 20. The fleet under convoy of Capt.
Elpbialtone, in the Warwick, carries out a
larger reinforcement of troops than has been
sent at any tone time since 1776, as well as
Holes and provisions for our army in North-
America.
The Fly, Hamilton,^ from New-York to
London, is taken by a French frigate, and
carried into Harve de Grace.
It is said that a patent of peerage is making
out for creating Sir George Rodney, and his
heirs male, a Baron of Great-Britain.
Vice-Admiral Parker, Commander in Chief
at Plymouth, is l ordered to strike his flag at
that port, and hoist it in his Majesty's (hip
Viaory, at Portsmouth, to take the command
of a squadron of ships fitting out for immedi
ate service in the channel ; and which, in
case it shall be required, are to Hrengthen the
naval force already failed under Vice-Admi
ral Darby.-
Lord North had a levee yesterday at the
Cockpit, after which his Lordship waited on
his Majesty, and had a private conference, as
had Lord Amherst.
His Majesty has conferred the honour of
knighthood on Capt. Walter Stirling, who
brought the dispatches from Admiral Rodney.
Paul Wentworth, Esq; it is, said, is ap
pointed, and will in a few days embark for
He said that it was not bis intention to apply, how
ever be might bejufifed in so doing, the accefon of
1 90,000/ which bedfallen in by the change of the four
per cents. 10 the three per cents, to the prefix necefities,
but let it fall into tbejinkingju d; but a fit was necef
fay to fill up the fam with taxes, be would propofeihofe
which appeared to him the leaf burtbenfome. Hetben
went into ; proof that tobacco was well Jutted to bear
ing a tax; it had been at tbree fillings, +u . and six
pence, and was now at twentypence a pound ; that it
bad been heretofore but tenpence afund; yet, notwi'b
funding Jo exceedingly great a rife, it bad not at all
decreased in the quantity imported. He drew this con
clusion from a c^mparfon oj fomeyears back, and he
then proposed to lay a du, of one penny three farthings
uponthe pound oj tobacco, which would produce 6 <,OOO/.|
He then went to his las objea, which be said, tho'\
not an immediate necessary of life; would, be feared,
occafon the greatef murmurs, and be objeHed to : He 1
meant a tax on sugar. He went into an argument
upon the propriety of a tax on Jugar, on its probable
efra,and upon the fem it would produce. He said it
would notfall on the planter but 6n the confamer.
His Lordjbip referred to the imports and exports of
fagar, and, after a number of calculations and re
marks, fbewed, that by, laying a tax of one halfpenny
a pound on sugar, the sum of 316.c001, might reason
ably be expeHed to be produced.
Extras of a letter from Chatham, March ICR
" The fltips building in this yard sue the
Atlas, of 90 guns, the Leviathan, of 74. guns,
and the Diadem, of 64
" The Ships under repair are the Blenheim,
of 70 guns, the Arrogant, of 74, and apolio
frigate."
March 16. On Wednesday in the House of Commons,
Lord North opened the bufnefs of the taxes, by observ
ing bow disagreeable it was to him to be compelled to
do that branch of hit duty ; it was one oj the most pain
ful parts of bis office, but he mus endeavour to go thro'
with it as well and as fuccinai, as be could He oh
ferved that the jum of iz millions, which the loan con
fjls of, required a sum o,fix hundred and fat, tboufand
pounds to be provided for, and for that purjofe it
would be net effary to intpofe upon the Excise a tax of
five per cent, not to be a dot, upon the commodities,
but upon the duties collected under that name ; from this
duty he excepted the brewer,, hides, soap and candles;
and be gave as a reafonfor /paring the brewery, that
beJides that it was a necefor, of life, there was al
read, paid on that account a five per cent, on the malt,
a five per cent, on the heps, and a five /hillings on
eight fallings in the beer. As therefore the brevier
mus raise the price, or make the porter of an inferior
quality, and as it wasfo very nectfar, to the people
in general, be would decline it.
He fated that the above tax would amount to
1 30,0001. He then followed b, faying that it bad long
been a definable objea to alter the mode of colleaing
the revenue of the customs 3 that the different fraaional
dwfons into which the, are divided, a twentieth, a
third of a twentieth, a fourth of a third of a twentieth,
and this kind of divifon and fubdivijion, required more
time andfudy, and caused more blunders and mistakes
than was well to be conceived, but b, men conversant
with the business. The merchant, wbofe ver, trade
and profit was concerned, was obliged to confide in the
accuracy of the officer ; and that numerous delays as
well as mifakes were occafoned by it. It had there
fore been long wifoed to endeavour to consolidate the
duties,fo as to make it more fraaicable to adjuf, and
more agreeable to fettle, both for the merchant and the
Colledors. He enumerated the different duties, which
hadfrom time to time taken place, and fated the con
fufen which mgfl betreated by them.
He said that one of the great causes of confafon bad
been the dfounts which bad been allowed to merchants
on various accounts ; these difeounts. therefore, be fata,
it was intended to withdraw. These would, on an
average, amoun to sevenf even per cent, on the whole of the
cufoms, which be fated to produce 2,390,' col. and
that therefore by the withdrawing of this difaunt,
be efimated that tbere,would be produced 16'7,e001.
this, be said, be believed would be found a juf calcula
tion.
After feme further observations on the intended sugar
tax, his Lordjhip presented in one point of view the
several parts oj his budget, and their re/peaive total
produces as jotlows :
Five per cent, on all excifeable commodities, breweries,
leather, sap, and candles exempted, , 1 <0,0,0 1.
Supprefion of cufom boufe dif^nts 1 <7,000
Additional duty oj 11. 3-,per Ib.on tobacco 6i, : .00
Additional duty of one halfpenny a pound,
to the dealers, on Jugars, 326,000
We have endeavoured to execute the laws
you have enabled,to fdrnifh the supplies requi
red, to recruit the Pennsylvania line, and to
support the frontiers, by such means as you
have put into our hands, for these important
purposes. But after devoting our bell abilities
and utmost attention, we find so much in the
former to be amended and altered, and so much
in the latter to be fupplicd, that a farther pro
gref, without the aid of the legislature, would
have involved the date in difficulties, which
prudenc wisdom, and firmneD may now re- [
move, but which time and inattention may 4
ripen into incurable evils. That of a deprecia-|
tion of our fate currency is the mos alarming. Ha-|
ving seen and felt its ruinous conferences onfhe
'continental money, in the less of publick confidence,;
the violation of private bonefly, and the distresses it 4
has, brought on the most virtuous part of the com- |
munity, and which an unconquerable love of;
their country, could alone enable them to sup-?
port, we could not fee this fatal malady again
sapping the vital: of publick credit and future 1
refou ces, without giving the alarm, and cal-}
ling upon you, who alone possess the conilitu-<
tional powers of prevention and relief. It can- §
not be denied by the Jelff), fabliaus, or diffaffiEted, /
that the exportation of the produce of the country is
great, the returns ,d.i gndptJiable; that Pro
vidence has blelf^d us w^n plentiful crops,
and that prefect 'prefects are unusually rich,
and it mujl eq^af, be admititd # ,that the army, the
government and public arbiters, fed blithe efr&s
The Lord Caffe'ls, Capt. Kennedy, a tranf
.port from New-York to London, is taken off
Beachy-head, by a French frigate.
March 23. , Yesterday morning some dis
patches were received from Lisbon, which
bring an account of a Spanish fleet, confiding
of about 26 fail, passing by that place the 6th
infant, and it is imagined they are gone for
Gibraltar.
Government are buying up all the large
ships, those built at whitby and Hull in par
ticular, they can get at, to convert into arm
ed transports, to be employed in America.
They write from Hanover that a Camp is
soon to be for: ed on the Borders of that Elec
torate, which is to cohfift of Hanoverians,
Hessians, and the Troops of other Sta.es, to
be in Readiness to aft on any Emergency.
Extra& of a Letter from Hythe, March 20.
" This Day was sent in here a French Pri
vateer, mounting 28 Guns and 150 Men, taken
by a Frigate belonging to the grand Fleet.—
She was drove in here by contrary Winds, but
as the Wind is coming about Ihe is preparing
to fail for Portsmouth. She is a new Ship,
built upon a new Conftru&ion, and seems to
be a fine failing vessel"
The lands of jersey and Guernsey, were
reinforced lalt week with 3000 troops, besides
artificers and engineers.
t-H-¥4--++ -++-++-* +-++++++--**--++
Extracts from Rebel Papers.
BALTIMORE, May 29.
A letter just received from the Marquis de
la Fayette, advises, that Earl Cornwallis, and
his troops, from Halifax, on Roanoke, had
joined the British forces at, or near, Petorfburg.
PHILADELPHIA, June 2.
Message from the Preiident and the Supreme
Executive Council, to the Representatives
of the Freemen of Pennsylvania, in General
Assembly met.
Gentlemen,
THE exigencies of the state, the regulati
ons of congress, and the representation
cf the commander in chief, of the federal ar
my, have made it indispensably necessary to
convene you, before the time of your adjourn
ment.
St. Euftatia, to take upon him de govern
ment of that island.
The Felton, Capt. Maxlong, from London
to New York, is taken by the Manta French
privateer, and sent into St. Maloes. §
Extract of a letter from ferjey, March 14.1
" We have for some time kept a Sharp|
look-out for fear the French Should come a-,
gain by Surprize, but a cartel ship is arrived ;
here from St; Maloes, which has relieved us {
from these fears, for we have learnt that moftj
of the men of war and transports received foj
much damage in the late blowing weather,l
that they cannot bf repaired, and fit to put to ]
sea for some weeks ; that such vessels as were §
not damaged were gone rou^d to Brett, andj
that the troops which were encamped near the|
sea Shore, ready to embark, ' are marched /
back to their old quarters; however, if they
had come, we were prepared to give them a
warm reception."
Ext' .d of aletter from Lifan, Feb, 20.
" The Ruffian fleet of three Ships of the
line and a frigate have received orders to fail
the beginning of next month, and to take an-|
der convoy the Danilh and Sweedilh veffelsl
that are at this port,"'|
Orders have been issued from the War-Of-1
fice, for camp equipage to be sent to Jerfey,>
for 1200 men, and for icco to the island of
Guernsey.
Extract of a letter from Penzance, Ma, Is.
Arrived the Mary, the Liberty, and the >
Holy Ghost, from Bourdeaux for Brell, laden
with wine, wheat, tak'en+y the Sprightly and
fierce Privateers of Guernsey. Also arrived
the Endraght Galliot, with tobacco, fiom
L'Orient for Bourdeaux, taken by the Speed
well privateer of Dublin.
March 21. ' By the packet arrived over land ;
a few, days ago to the Eatt India Company, {
they had advice from Sir Robert Ansley, our
Ambassador at Conftantigople, that a meffen-j
ger from Holland having arrived at that place 4
on his was to Ipdia, Sir Robert immediately §
diipatched advice to all our fettierneuts of the§
Dutch war, and had the fatisfa&ion to gain :
two days Hart of the Dutchman.
I. HAT a subscription be opened for
£ four hundred rhoufand dollars, in
Shares of four hundred dol- s each, to be paid
in gold or Silver.-
11. That the fubfeription be paid into the
hands of George Clymer, and John Nixon,
Efqrs. or their agents.
HI. That every fubferiber, of less than five
Shares, pay the whole sum on the day of his
fubfeription.
IV. That every fubferiber of five Shares or
upwards, pay one half the sum on the day of
his fubfeription, and the other half within
three months of that day. 1
V. That every holder of a Share Shall be
entitled to vote by himfelf, his agent, or proxy
properly appointed, at all elections of direc
tors, and that he have as many votes as he
holds Shares, and that every fubferiber may
fell or transfer his ffiare or Shares, at his plea,
sure, the transfer being made in the bank
books, in presence and with the approbation
of the proprietor, er his lawful attorney, the
purchaser then to become entitled to the right
of voting, &c.
VIII. That the board of direction deteimin<
the manner of doing business, and the rules ant
forms to be pursued ; appoint the various offi
cers which they may find necessary, and difpofi
of the money and credit of the bank, for thi
interest and benefit of the proprie.crs, ant
make from time to time such dividends out 0
the profits as they may think proper.
IX.That the board be empowered from tint
to time to open new fu bferiptions for the pur
pose of encreafing the capital of the bank, 0
such terms and conditions as they shall thin,
proper.
X. That the board shall, at every quarter!
meeting, choose two diredors to iafpea an
controul the business of the bank for the enfu
jng three months.
XI. That the infpe&ors so chosen shall, 0
the evening of every day, Sundays excepte<
deliver to the fuperintendant of the finance
of America, a state of the cash account, an
of the notes issued and received.
b, real, uttdifoneicd poverty. Thtt ttefemfe es
individual's, (if we may judge by their con
duct) and tbe sense of the legislature, 1 ma
terially differ, with ref/cd to paper money,
that it mutt be wholly laid aside, or Supported
by more general approbation and concurrence.
And that some meafirres must be immediately
adopted, to relieve the present neceflitics, ~re
adequate to the end, than thole which have
been lately attempted ; or the confequencei
are too obvious, and too alarming, to need
enumeration or defcriptibn.
We have the Satisfaction to acquaint you,
that the line is again formed into refpeclable
strength, and that a detachment under general
Wayne, - has marched to the relief of our Of
fering brethren, in the Southern dates, in ap
pointments aad equipments we can justly fay,
our troops have never taken the field in a mor e
refpe&able condition, and we have no doubt
they will prove a most valuable, as well ?$.
considerable reinforcement to the Southern
army.
Xll.That the bank notes payable on demar
shall by law be made,reccived in the duties ar
taxes of every Bate in the union, and from tl
refpedive Bates, by the ireafurer of the unite
States, as Specie.
We muff beg leave to remind you, that by
a law of the state, the assembly should at every
session fix the pay of the militia; but it has
been omitted for two feffion,< While so great a
part of the community, and those of most pro
perty and consideration, exempt themselves
from this duty, it cannot be expelled that the
poor and middling class of people, will cheer
fully perform it for the trifling fems they re
ceive, or be Satisfied with the Small compo
sition made by the delinquents.
Theie are considerable numbers of prisoners
drawn into the state by the orders of congress,
which require constant guard-; there are also
occasional Services to be rendered, and the dis
tance of our line adds a new and forcible con
sideration, to keep themilitia on a refpedable
footing, as cur principal dependence, in case
of invaficn or orher public necessity.
It weald exceed the limits of an address, to
enter into a farther detail. The Secretary will
lay before you Sundry important papers, and
this board will chearfully make such farther
Communications as may be necessary.
And we most earreftly entreat you, gentle
men, in this session, to lay aside all other con
siderations, which do not tend to the establish
ment of public credit, the Supply of the army,
the relief of the frontiers, and the maintenance
of civil government, all which now depend
upon the issue of your deliberations. The
eyes of the people of this flare, and of all
America, are upon you, and we traft they will
not be disappointed, in the hopes they have
formed of the wisdom, firmnefs, and integrity
of you# meafuns.
JOSEPH REED, President.
Council Chamber, Phila-)
dclphia May 31, 1781. )
On the 17th day of May, 1781, the following
plan was fubmiited to the consideration of
the United States in Congress assembled:
Plan for establishing a National BANK for
the United States of North America.
VI. That there Be twelve Dire&ors chosen
from among those entitled to vote, who al
their firft meeting shall choose one as President
VII. That there be a meeting of the direc
tors quarterly, for the purpose of regulating
the affairs of the baqk ; any fever of the di
rectors to make a board, and that the boarc
have power to adjourn from time to time.
From the Pennsylvania Packet.
To the P ÜBLI C.