The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1780-02-14 00:00:00, page 2

STATIC of MASSACUU^TTSR^Y.
^ 1 'HE committee of bb'h \aufes, appointed to in
'quiet into rhe.reafru.s of the failure of the late
Fenefcot eKteditioro have, a^er giving due notice
t> the commanders by land and sea, and cuing Inch
perform as the committee juried most likely to give
the bid account of the reasons ofthe failure aforefaid,
proceeded' to enquire into the cause of said failure.
General Lovell's narrative of his procedure with
the councils of war by land and La, and the dufoch
tions of the several witnefles, delivered io on this en
quiry, accompanying this report—-ard'the opinion of
youe corn uirtee upon the aforefaid fubjeQ, will ap
pear as follows:,
id Q leftion. Is it the opinion of tbiscommre%
that thev have m^e Efficient epquuv into the cat les
of the failure of die late expedition to Pcnobfrui ?
Answer, unanimouCy, Ye-.
ad Qleftion. ? W'nat appeals to be the ptincipl
reason es the failure?
Aoityr, unahhnoufly, Want of proper Spirit and
energy on the pert o' the qomumdore,
fl^mlij>. WA Geoeml Lor*li culpable in not
Harming the enemy's principal fert, according to the
acquirement of the Commodore a^d naval Council,
who irffted upon the: as the condition es the Hops
attacking the enemy, ihlps, when at the fame time
the Commodore infoimed him that in case cf such an
attack,be must c ll,the maiihes on boatd their (hips:
the last was net made a part of the condition by the
naval council.
Anf^er, unauimoufly, He,
4th Qarihon. What, in ths opinion of this com
mttee, was the occasion of the, total delhu&ion of
vur fleet r
Answer, Principally the Co nmodore's not exeit
ing liimfelf at all at the time of the retreat in oppoft
log the enemy's fotemoft (hips in pursuit.
§th Question. Does it appear that General Lo
vell, throughout the expedition and retreat, a&ed
wkh proper courage and spirit ?
Answer, unammcvfly, Yes : and it is the opinion
of the committee had he been tmnifhed with all the
men ordered for the service, or been properly fop
ported by the Commodore, he would probably have
reduced the enemy.
6th Q^eftion. Does it appear that the Commodore
discouraged any enterprizes or offensive measures on
the part of our fleet ?
Answer, unanimously, Yes; and though he had
always a majority of the naval council against offen
sive operations, which majority was mostly made up
of the commanders of private armed vefftl% yet he
repeatedly said, it was matter cf favour thathe called
any councils, and when be had taken their advice, he
ffionld follow his own opinion.
As the naval commanders in the service of the
date are particularly amenable to the government,
I link in their duty to fay, that each and every of
them behaved like brave experienced good officers,
throughout the whole expedition.
7th Question. What was the condu& of Brigadier
Widfworth during his command?
Answer. Brigadier Wadsworth (the second in
command) throughout the whole expedition, during
the retreat, and after, till ordered to return to Boftoa'
condu&ed with gdeat activity, Courage, coolness and
prudence.
The committee find the number of men ordered to
be detached for this service, were deficient nearly
one third. Whether the fhameful neglea is charge
ibte upon the Brigadiers, Colonels, <r other officers,
whole particular duty it might have been to have
faithfully executed the orders of the General Assem
bly, they cannot ascertain.
ARTEM AS WARD, per order.
PRESEN T,
Gen. WARD, Gen. TITCOMB,
Mr. D NA, Gen. FARLEY,
Gen. DANIELSON, Major OSGOOD.
Published by order of the General Court.
Attest. JOHN AVERY, Dtp. Sec.
^.t ^^wMSGoe,^^ 'exocom^oro,„u tyfoooo 0 o ^^ *OO a ^
From the Connecticut Courant, dated
January 2;.
BOSTON, December 30.
Tuesday afternoon arrived here Capt. Claghan
in 42 days from Gottenburgh, by whom we
have London Papers to the 13th ofOdober,
from which we have extracted the following
frelh intelligence.
ROTTER D AM, October 6.
RY accounts, dated Nantz, September 28,
I we hear a fleet of§7 failof French vessels
from Cape Francois arc arrived at Brest, and
that the combined fleets are ready to fail with
the firft favourable wind.
L O N DON, September 27.
No advices from Gibraltar, it is said, have
b^en received by government later than the
18th of August, when the blockade was conti
nued as from the beginning; nor had the
Spanrih army or navy been reinforced with a
ny troops or whipping, as has been reported
here.
Sep. 29. A gentleman who came from
Portsmouth yesterday, fays, that lad Sunday
be pasted thro' the grand fleet at Spithead, that
he told 50 fril of the line, besides go gun
Ihips: he also fays, that most of the frigates
were sent out on a few days cruize, some to
lie off Brest harbour, to watch the motions of
the French.
It is said, that the failing again of the fleet
at Spithead depended entirely on the operati
ons ofthe combined fleets of France and Spain.
•. A)e ^ er from Hull fays, “ Most ofthe Bal
tic Beet cleaned ; many of them are got in
here and others are hourly coining in ;Ao that
it is hoped that Paul Jones has not taken ma
ny ; but we are just now informed that he is
gone for Norway with hjs prizes,
',' ", According to a private letter from
norland by^tne lall mail, we are affiired that
the States General are in the utmoff perplexi
" how to act in this critical conjuncture. Sir
Joseph Yorke bad infilled upon a categorical
'";', to, bis lad memorial, which was very
Ipiriied, in four cays. 1 be States required a
month, which was refufed, and were debating
when this poll came away, upon the fleps pro
per to be taken.
tetrad of a letter from Brest, Sept. 2-.
" Yelterday afternoon 25 shi ps of tbe'l'ine
and frigates, both French and Spanish, ap
prared m the road. The orders from Court
are for the fleet to put to sea as soon as possible.
Lord Sandwich has assured a Great Perfo-
We are assured from good authority, that
Mons. Necker has informed the French King
that he has expended within these twelve
months upwards of thirteen millions Herring
on the navy of France.
BRISTOL, ON. i.
In addition to the fortunate arrivals ofthe se
veral fleets this year, we have now the pleasure
of announcing that of the Jamaica fret, an event
that cannot fail of giving real pleasure, when its
immense value is confdered. The cargoes of the 23
vessels already arrived h-re amount to 7599 »%-
Jheads, 913 threes, 34 barrels of fug©-, 1685
puncheons, four kogfeeads of rum, besides other
articles. Three vessels are also arrived here from
Barbados, with 900 hogjbeads, and 129 tierces
offugar.
Extraa of a letter from Brefl, Sept. Is.
" The dife^per on board mA Jhips of the grand
fleet, proved of an epidemical nature, and have
been particularly fatal to the land forces. Five
hundred matrafis have been burnt, being account
ed contagious, especially those on board the Aftive,
where the difemper rages most violently.
The Betsey, Fisher from Liverpool to New
lork, was taken by Paul Jones's squadron, three
days after fafailed from Liverpool.
_Tie Ship Terrible, 0, 32 guns, belonging to
' a "' 3 ta "" "^ s ent int ° Antigua
the Minerva of 20 guns, the Marlborough of 18,
^ the Cadwallader of 16 guns, formerly the
Weymouth packet. They were all from BoJlon
r^gp, Within these few days, that he may rest
easy refpe&ing the home defence, for that he
will eng. e to have 6.4 Blips of the line ready
to proceed to sea by the igth of April next.
fee 10l letters from Gibraltar, by way Lis
bon, mention, that the blockade of that place
was not completely formed by sea, and that
they had a communication still with the Bar
bary coast.
0/2.6. This day a commission was signed by
•As Maj Aly in touted for the prorogation of
Parliament to thurfday the 18th day oFNovem
oer; also a Proclamation for their meeting
far the dispatch of bu'finefs.,
o^/11, Phis morning a messenger arrived
at the Admiralty from Falmouth, soon after
which another was dispatched to portfinouth,
firce which it is reported that the combined
fleets were a few leagues oft the firft mentio
ned place.
A ceirition of arms has again been proposed
on the part of France and the rebel Colonies,
through the mediation ofthe King of Sardinia,
which the British cabinet have refufed to listen
to, unless the dependence of America on the
parent date, be made the ground work of such
ctNation.'
Extract of a letter from Fortfmouth,.Oa.l,
" This morning arrived his Majesty's fri
gate Mridflone, from the Well-Indies. Ad
miral Byron is come in her ; but nothing new
has transpired.
Extras of a letter from Amsterdam, Oft. 7.
“ The French frigate called the Pallas, has
just entered the Texel, in company with the
English flEpof war the Seraphis, lately taken
by Paul Jones, of which he has taken the
command, his own ship having funk soon after
the action. Captain Ricot, commander of
the Vengeance, from iVOrient and an Ameri
can privateer named the Alliance, Captain
Landas, part ofJones's squadron, are also ar
rived,' and have brought in with them the
Countsfs of Scarborough armed Trip.
Excrad of a letter from Brett, Sept.' 2,5.
'' Mr. de la Touchee Travilli's squadron
will be ready for failing in three or f ur days,
and it is thought will as soon as the provisions
can be got on board. The grand fleet will be
able to depart by the 6th or 7th of next month.
It appears decided, that the campaign is fi
nished, and that the Spanish ships will winter
at this port and at Rochfort, in order to be
ready in good time the next spring.
Extract of a letter from Bergen, Sept. 14.
" Ihe Alliance American privateer of 36
guns, Captain Landas, has sent in here, two
days ago two prizes viz. the Betsey, Filher,
from Liverpool, to New-York; and the Uni
on, johnfon, from London to Quebeck; the
has also taken three others, which foe sent for
France. She only failed from L'Orient the
14th of August."
A gentleman who came over in the packet
boat with the Dutch mail, fays, they paifed
through 11 failof men of war in full chace,
and that he,uppofed they were in purfait of
Paul Jones; this was last Wednesday.
Yesterday in the afternoon, dispatches were
sent from the Secretary of Stated office to Sir
Joseph York at the Hague ; audit is report
ed, that they contain a requell to the States
General, to flop Paul Jones the pirate, and
his ships, and to deliver him up that he may
be brought to England, and punished accord
ing to law.
A negotiation is now enfoot 'with the Court of
Ruflia, to build fixfoips of 74 guns each, at their
ports in the Baltic so vice of Great-Britain,
whicfj are to be cornpleate. a linritted time.
Orders are given from the Admiralty for ten
men of war to be viriualled, and to fail for the
It est-Indies next monto, tojoin Admiral Parker's
fleet.
Orders are sent to Woolwich for a quantity of
naval and military fores to be got in readings to be
flipped for 'Jamaica.
A reinforcement of seven men of war, line
of Battle fifes, are ordered to be ready to fail
from Plymouth, for the Jamaica fiation.
General Sir Henry Clinton, we hear, is to
be exchanged, at his own desire, for Lord
Cornwallis next year, to take the command
in chief of the forces at New-York, and a
frefh number of Hefbans and Hanoverians are
to be sent to America.
" And be ittuo ther enafledby the authori
ty aforefaid, Th ^lland every the quit-rents
which at any time, or times have been refer
red in and by any warrant, patent, or other
conveyance, or binds or other hereditaments
from by or uu^rhe fa.d Proprietaries their
officers, or others, by them commissioned,
and appointed and all, and every of the
dues, arrears e~ > of quit-rents, (and arrear
ages cf purcuafe vuney, tor lands not with
in the tenths, or manure aforefa^ )
On the Opr.ban, Shall the amendment Hand
as partof the 8.11 ? viz.-
YE, S. YEAS. YEAS.
Mr, Schreiner M Smilie Mr. Orr
Mr. Peale M^Sdehrift M% Kennedy
Mr. M'Clene • Mr. Rucker Ivfo.Smith
M% Heston Mr. Cunningham Mr.Culbertfcn
Mr. Savage Mr. Porter Mr. F. Watts
M<. Thomas Mx. Dale Mr. Levan
Mr, Boyd Mr, Jacks Mr. Eckart
Mr. P. Anderson Mr. Brown, jun. Mr. Lower
Mr. Parke Mr. Whitehill Mr. Burd
Mi. Harris Mr. Dixon Mr. Povtel
Mr. J.Anderfon Mr. Dill Mr. Marrin
NAYS. NAYS. NAYS. .
Mr. Bryan Mr. Heefter Mr. Hoge
Mr. Hollingfhead Mr. Wynkoop Mr. Jones
Mr. Shubert Mr. Scott Mr. Kalfton
Mr. Knox Mr. Watts Mr. Van Campen
The House proceeded io their debates on
the said Bill, and having finished the fame,
it was ordered to be eng/offed, in order to be
passed into a Law:
On the question, Whether the said Bill
should be engroAfed? The Yeas and Nays,
being taken, are as follows, viz.
YEAS. YEAS. YEAS.
+ Mr. Bryan Mr. Curinirgham Mr,&ge
Mr. Holiingfhead Mr. Porter MA^mith
Mr. Schreiner Mr. Jacks Mr. Culbertfcn
Mr. Shubert M% Brown r jun. Mr. Wair^
Mn Paale Mr. Whitehill Mr, Lt,van
Mr. Tbpmas Mr. Dixon Mi,Eckart
Mr. Boyd Mr. Knox Mr. Lower
Mr, P. AnderfonMr. M'Clane Mr. Ruldon
Mr. £nrke Mr. Heston Mr. Burd
Mr.Arrris Mr. Coats M'. Po vej
Mi. P. Anderson Mr. Savage Mr. Martin
Mr. Smihe .Mr. Dili Mr. D&r.
Mr.Gilchrift Mr. Orr
Mr. Kicker Mr. Kennedy
NAYS. NAYS. NAYS
Mr. D. Heefter Mr. A. Watts Mr. Vancampen
Mg Wynkoop Mr. Hayes
Mr. Scott Mr. Jones
DISSENTIENT.
Firstly. Because we think the Bill if enact
ed as it now stands, determines on land titles
from the day of the declaration of Indepen
dence, whereby it has a retrofpedive view,
the dangerous effects of which kinds of laws,
have been cautiously barred by the Bills of
Rights, of several States in the Union ; and
we think ought to be carefully guarded against
by the Legislatures of every Free State, as we
conceive in that case principally consist the
security a man has, or ought to have, for his
life, liberty, f ghtful ellate ami property.
Secondly :aufe many inhabitants of
this State han taken up lands and paid for
them, finer the said declaration of Indepen
dence, who will now, in our opinion, be
fubjeded to the loss of their money, which
then seemed lawfully paid by the purchafere,
and lawfully received by the Proprietaries, as
well as to the loss of their l^nds, all through a
negled of the then Ruling Power, which
might at that time have shut the Land-Office,
secured the public papers, and prevented all
troublesome consequences.
Thirdly. Because we think the Bill makes
a material diftindion between the Proprieta
ries in their proprietary capacity, refpeding
CnnfiJerable damage, bets been done to the sip
ping Left, in three (try Severe jrtoo perms the
weekpaftSeveral Wefels bavg been drove a-
Jbore, and much dam i^ed
Sun.fi, morning Lyi about day break, a fire
brokeou.t at the lower [lore on General Hancock's
wharf, which entirety confuted tbe,arte, together
<oith 'he jails and 'ig%ing cd a feip belonging to
Mefrs^ Thomas Rufel and Stephen Higgifm, of
this town merchants, and feme provifons. The
,Lipping at the w'oarf were greatly endangered,
in particular tkfnew/bip Protector, which caught
fire jevera! times bat by the alterne,s of the peo
ple, notwitbflanding the inclemency ofthe weather,
fee and the other vessels received brt little damage.
Some of the ProicCor's lofferinging was also con
futed, The accident happened by means of feme
fire being left there the night before.
d3^@@& ^ %^WO^ ^
TOTES and PROCEEDINGS es ebe General
diffembly ofthe Province of Pennsylvania.
WEDNESDA'Y, fr. 24.
The House met pursuant to adjournment,
A letter from John Penn, Esq; objecting
against the bill now depending, entitled, "An
ad fr vetting the estate of the late Proprie
taries of Pennsylvania, in this Common
wealth." was read and ordered to lie on the
table.
b^^dfo c ^ifpawiola, th^ two ^rfl ovas taken loge
ther, in lat. 32, Ofcopfrom pi^ ataqua, and a
febooner from Abzu London, M.w^nicb, are al
fofexi to Antfua, by a njtfA jrcm Glafe^ &
ajbi, fr\rt Liverpool.
Her Majefy is reported to be pregnant for the
14th time.
BOSI ON, fan. 6.
By a per fan from Ipj which, vce learn, that a
Jbip,brig and Rbooner,were cafi away in the terri
ble form at Sfeam. rear Cape Ann, and entire
ly loft ; A is said all the people perilbid. It is Uncer
taw whether they where inward or outward
bound.
The Hoafe resumed the consideration of
the aforefirid bill. On reading the following
clause, the amendment inclofed within the
following parenthesis, was proposed ; 'and the
Yeas and Nays being taken thereon, it passed
in the affirmative.
their taking up manors, perchafes and otei
rights, and the titles of other crozes of .he
State, whereby, we humbly conceive, th •e
---qual rights of all menp ^jn point of prope ty,
are not duly observed./
Fourthly. Because we think the arrearages
of purchase money ought to ^ paid to the
Proprietaries, since it will, if veiled in the
State, appear to the world, as if they were
nbw to be paid their compensation or gratu
ity, out of money ever heretofore (md even
by the publication of the Bill) deemed indif.
putably t^eir own : Nor can we think we do
our Confticuents an acceptable service, in any
act, of thejustice of which they may have the
smallest doubts,
Daniel Hefste^, jun.
Gerardus Wynkoop,
William Scott,
Arthur Watts,
Henry Hayes,
Jona. Jones,
John Van Campen.*
NEW-YORK,, February 9.
The Commandant impressed with a just sense
of the 'meritorious coriduft of the citizens of
NeW-York, who have in compliance with his
Proclamation, put themfejves in military ar
ray, with ,so much readiness and alacrity,
takes this occasion of publickly returning them
his thanks.
So very numerous and refpe&able a body
of Militia being enrolled and assembled un
der arms, in the thort space of seven days af
ter issuing the Proclamation, muff refleft a
lading credit upon them, and deserves the
highest commendation.
That this noble spirit and order is now dif
'"™ , mon gH all orders of men, the many
Altociated Companies lately formed by the
several public departments of the Navy and
Army incontestably prove: these testimonies
ofloyalty and zeal cannot fail to convey the
truett pleasure to all hi^ Majesty's good fub
jeds, and be productive of the bed effi^s.
Major General Fattifon desires further to
declare the fatisfaaion he received from the
good order in which these companies appear
ed under arms at the review on Saturday, as
ado how much his expectations were exceed
ed by the very military diefs and appearance
of the Independant and Volunteer City
Companies, to whom the merit of firft set
ting this laudable example, has been long
due. °
Strengthof the Militia, and the old and
new Associated Companies, formed for the
protection and defence of the City of New-
York, Feb; 7, 1780.
Old COMPANIES.
„ „ „ N °- Cum P- ^a. Men.
New-York Rangers, L TO ,
New-York. Highlanders, 1 10 7
New-York Volunteers, 7
New Companies ' "
Loyal Ordnance Vvlunieere, / zu
Engineer Volunteers, j
"^L M. G. Volunteers, x g
Loyal Commifikriat, do. 2 112
Barrack Office, do. , ^
Kmg^ Dock Yard, do. 3
New-York Marine Artillery, 1 pg
City Militia, 40 26^
Officers and Seamen of the Royal Navy '"
a&ingon more,
Ditto from the ' Franfports, Navy Vi&ual
ers, Small Craft, and New- York Pilots, 827
Total 5416
^^ ^f^4k^^ 4^'^^^^ "tf^&r
To be Sold,
A Ve'ygood house in Chapd-tf .9, adjoining
z a the E^are of ML. Tooen, now hi the Tenure
of Mr. Thumbs Knox; the 'houfe has five Square
rooms, arid five fire places, acet a good cel ar, the
lott is twenty-five feet widefloo deep, a good well
and pump in the yard, a new brick smoke houfe.See.
the wholf in good lenev and good repair.' Enquue
of the Printer.
'X GOOD Wench to be fold, for want of
J. I employ. Enquire of jofeph' Totten,
No. ,69, Queen-street.
T~O B-O'U L D,
, Thirty H 0 GSHE A DSof choice
Windward Island R U M.
Enquire at No. 46, Wall-Street.
Gault and Shaw,
No. 29, Qjeen-Street, corner of Burling's Slip,
HAVE for sale, wholesale and retail,
MADE Flirts, coarse Coatings andcoarfe cloth,
and fine, ' Jeans, tuttiaus and co.-
liifnlinnen, 3.4 wd. 7-8 du[oy„
wds. and yard wides, ,Silk, thread, cotton, and
Co ton checks, I worked hri?,
Calicoes and chintzes. 'Men's blue fiik' gloves,
Printed, linen# and cot- Ditto Doe skin arid Lamb
tons, I ikin, do.
Lungee, new silk and.Ozoaburgs,
cotton rentals, ißibbons,
Flowered and (potted'check shirts,
bandanoes, Suit'd druggets,
Black Barcelona hand- jackets aiid.mowfers,
kerchiefs, Hyl'oo,
Linen and cotton, do. Green, '
Russia Sheeting, white and Sufhong, >TEAj,
brown, And bohea j
Russia toweling, ,; n ~i e refined fug+r,
Drdiingsand dowkf; Caltile an d turpentine
Table cloths, of differ- , < ,'
„soap, in boxes,
ent sizes,
Nankeens, yellow and
white,
N. B- A neat affortmentof hardware, London
claret in cates, do. porteri: botths, old Welt-India
Spirits, &c. &c.