The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1778-03-16 00:00:00, page 2

Zaft Saturday Aftec^^n :^ : dot Packet, Capt.
Spargo, arri ^d be? ^ Imouth, in jeven
Weeks, b,w' ^w # ^e^ Allowing Advices,
viz. _
From the 1 ON^ GAZETTE
EXT? >RY.,.
A. ^ 1 , January 8, 1778.
The following s an of /Letter received
last night by t. E "a., et, from the Vice Ad
miral Lord V "Oil'Commander in Chief
of his Majesty fair nd vessels in North-Ame
, rica, to Mr. 8. phett dated on board h's Ma
jesty's ship the riagie, s the I daware, the 23d of
November, 1777.
Eagle, Uekw^e, ov. 23, 1777.
Sir,
THE General advifn- nr of his intention to
fend a packet immeE w, to England, I avail
myfelf of the opportuney 10 ^wamt, you, for the
information of the Lords Commrtinners of the Ad
miralty, refpe'&ing the progress of the military ser
vices in which the fops c r war have her 1 concerned,
since the date of my 3. er of <ne zgtxof O&ober.
I mentioned in !^ icutr die preparations making
for the attack meditated on the works the rebels had
conftrußed on citi &" e > '"' preventing an open
communicator^ater, with the army at Philadel
phia, co which mas obvious to them that the far
ther oc^or of the campaign would greatly de-
P^‘
The wind ftdicontinuing to prevent the Vigilant
'rem r c°;t< the rear of the enemy's works on
h't I'U., ' the only channel practicable for that
p^rr.. opportunity was taken by the King's
forces' and by the enemy with equal assiduity, to
Lengthen the preparations judged expedient on either
part for the proposed attack.
The officers and seamen of the grips of war and
transports were employed in the mean time, with un
remitting fatigue and perseverance, to convey pro
visions, artillery and stores to the Schuylkill, between
Fort Island and* the Penfylvania Thore; fix twenty
four pounders from the Eagle, and four thirty two
plunders from the Somerset, transported in the fame
manner, with the requisite proportions of ammuni
tion, were mounted in the batteries creeled by the
General'^ appointment on Province-Island.
The wind becoming favourable the 15th instant,
that firft occasion was taken for ordering the ships
upon the intended' service.
The Somerset and Isis were appointed to proceed
up the Eastern channel of the river, to a& against the
fort.irfthe front. The Roebuck, Pearl, and Liver
pool, with the Cornwallis galley, and some smaller
armed vessels, against a battery with heavy artillery
which the rebels had lately opened on a point above,
and near to Manto-Creek, in a situation to rake the
ships anchored to fire upon the forf, and more ad
yantageoufly chosen, as'the fhoalnefs of the water did
not admit ships to approach within a desirable dis
tance of the work.
The Vigilant, with a hulk mounting 3 eighteen
pounders,commanded by Lieutenant Botham of the
Eagle, proceeded at the fame time through the chan
nel round Hog-Island, and anchored on that fide the
fort, according do the intention pointed out for co
ct: iting with t e batteries on the Penfylvania shore.
Tie Isis, bein^ as well placed in the Eastern chan
nel s ,the circu iftances of the navigation would
r it, rendered very essential service against the
fen nd gallies, miich to the personal honour of Cap-
Jornwallis, and credit of the discipline in his
The Roebuck and other frigates stationed
ift the battery, were equally well conducted.
Greater caution being necessary in placing the So
znerfet, that ship could not be carried as far up the
channel as the Isis «/as advanced.
The impression made by the batteries on Province
Idand (before very considerable) being united with
the well-directed efforts from the Vigilant and Hulk,
soon silenced the artillery of the fort; and farther
preparations being in progress for opening the efto,
cade, and forcing the works next morning, the ene
my set fire to and evacuated the fort during the night.
The number of the enemy killed and wounded
appeared to have been very considerable. Those in~
the different ihipsj as fated in the annexed return,
were much less than could be supposed, particularly
of the Isis and Roebnek , which were itruck many
times from the gallies and works.
As a farther evidence to their Lordships of the
meritorious conduct of the several officers therein
named, I have added the General's concurring senti
ments lignified to me on the occasion. Capt. Dun
can remained several weeks with the army, to super
intend the different nautic services and preparations
before mentioned.
A detachment from the army under the command
of Lord Cornwallis, having been landed the 18th at
Billingport (where a pest had been some time before
titablifhed) for attacking the redoubt at Red-Bank,
the enemy abandoned and blew up the work. They
tad raffed several of their gallies unperceived above
he town of Philadelphia, in the night of the 19th,
which proved very favourable for the purpbfe ; and
ittempted to do the fame with the rest of the gallies,
nd other water force, the following night : but be
ng seasonably difeovered, they were opposed with so
mich effe&, by Lieutenant Watt, of the Roebuck
ordered by Captain Hammond, before my arrival,
j take his Ration in the Delaware prize, near the
awn) that not more than three or four of the former
appeared to have escaped; and being otherwise un
ble to prevent the capture of the rest of their arm'd
craft (consisting of two zebecques, the two floating
batteries, and several /hips, besides fire vessels, a
maunting to about seventeen in number) they were
quitted and burnt. Lieutenant Watt having teftifie<f
great propriety and spirit on this occasion, I have
continued him in the command of the Delaware, re
tained a$ an arm'd ship in the service, to remain near|
the town of Philadelphia, where such additional na-|
val force is particularly requisite.
A more accurate infpe&ion of the obftru&ions to
the navigation of the river adjacent to Fort-Ifland,i
becoming practicable under the circumstances before- )
mentioned, two channels were difeovered thro' which
the transports, containing the provifi@ns, stores, and
other neceffiries for the army, might proceed to Phi-.
idelphia. They were ordered up the river accord
ingly, to be afterwards secured at the wharfs of the
own, for the approaching winter months.
The unfortunate event of Lieutenant-General
Burgoyne's operations with the northern army ter
ninating, as I am advised by the Commander in
-hies, with the surrender of those troops agreeable 1
0 the tenor of a convention executed the 16th of last
Tclober, has rendered a suitable provision necessary
.o M made for their conveyance to Europe. A pro
nr num" er °f transports has been appropriated for
oat occasion. But as it would be scarcely pra&ica
de at this Lase,? of the year for light transports to
gain the port of Boston, where the embarkation is
conditioned to take plaC% the transports have been
ordered under convoy of tEC Raifonable to Rhode-
Imd; that if the proposed altef£t@ is adopted, and
My Lord, Philadelphia, Nov. 2^ 1777. r
FROM a variety of difficulties attending the con
ftru&ion of additional batteries, in a morass,
against the fort upon Mud-Eland, and in the trans
portation of the guns and stores, they were not open
ed against the enemy's defences until the 10th inftant^
On the 15th, the wind proving fair, the Vigilant
armed ship, carrying 16 twenty-four pounders, and
a hulk, with 3 twenty-four pounders, got up to the
fort through the channel between Province and Hog
iffands ; these, assisted by several ships of war in the
Eastern channel, as well as by the batteries on shore,
did such execution upon the fort and collaterial
block-houses, that the enemy, dreading an impend
ing assault, evacuated the island in the night between
the 1 sth and 16th, and it was possessed on the 16th,
at day-break, by the grenadiers of the guards.
Much commendation is due to Brigadier General
Cleaveland, to the officers and men of the corps of
artillery, and to the troops in general employed upon
this service, attended with great fatigue.
The enemy's fire upon the ships of war, the Vi
gilant, and Hulk, from two floating batteries, se
venteen gallies and armed vessels, and from a bat
tery on the Jersey shore, was exceedingly heavy ; but
the gallantry difplayedby the naval commanders,
their officers and seamen, on this occasion, fruftrated
all their efforts, and contributed principally to the
reduaion of the enemy's works. Permit me, at the
fame time, to report to your Lordship, that the per
severance of the officers and seamen employed in
bringing up stores from the fleet, under the condu&
of Capt. Duncan of the Eagle, dema- d my higheit
acknowledgements; and that the fer.ices they ren
dered were most essential, and borne with the utmost
chearfulnefs.
I have the honour to inclofe a return, No. 1, of
the cannon and stores found in the fort. The ene
my's loss during the siege is computed to have been
400 killed and wounded. The loss to the King's
troops was only seven killed and five wounded.
On the 18th at night Lord Cornwallis marched
with a corps from camp, and passed the Delaware on
the 19th from Chester to Billingsfort, where he was
joined by Major General Sir Thomas Wilson, with
a corps that arrived a few days before from New-
York under his command, having with him Briga
dier Generals Leslie and Pattifon.
As soon as the necessary preparations were made,
his Lordship pursued his march to attack the enemy
entrenched at Red Bank. Upon his approach, the
rebels evacuated the post, and retired to Mount-
Holly, where they joined a corps of observation, de
tached from the main army of the rebels, encamped
at White Marsh. His Lordship found in the ene
my's works cannon, ammunition, and stores as per
return, No. 2. The entrenchment being demolish
ed, his corps returned by Gloucester on the 27th,
and joined the army in this camp.
The enemy's Whipping having no longer any pro
te&ion, and not finding it advifeable to attempt the
passage of the river, the channel being commanded
by the batteries of the town, and the Delaware fri
gate, they were quitted, without being dismantled,
and burnt on the night between the 20th and 21st:
but the gallies of a smaller draught of water, by
keeping close along the Jersey shore, escaped from the
great breadth of the river.
A forward movement against the enemy will im
mediately take place, and I hope will be attended
with the success that is due to the spirit and a&ivity
of his Majesty's troops.
The passage of the river, by the reduction of the
two places aforementioned, has been Efficiently
opened to bring up frigates and transports; hut the
removal of the cheveaux de frize is postponed to a
more favourable season.
Major General Sir Thomas Spencer Wilson, hav
ing represented the very critical situation of his pri
vate concerns in England, has my leave to return,
and has taken charge of my dispatches to your Lord
ship, by the Eagle packet.
With the most perfect refpe&,
I have the honour to be, &c.
W. HOWE.
Return of Ordnance and Stores found in Mud-Island
Fort, taken from the Rebels by the King's Troops,
the 16th of November, 1777.
IRON ORDNANCE.
On travelling carriages. 1 thirty-two pounder, 1
twenty-four pounder,. 7 eighteen pounders, 2 un
ferviceable, 1 twelve pounder,' 2 four pounders.
On garrison carriages. 14 eight pounders, x un &
Gracie; fug with a scow, es forts, jq.
*5
Philadelphia, November 17, 1777.
My Lord,
I Cannot toe highly acknowledge the signal services
the army has received from the perseverance and
a&ivity of the officers and seamen under your Lord
ship's command, since the King's troops entered Phi
ladelphia : and I shall be happy, by your Lordship's
a fliftance, to have my sentiments of them made as
acceptable, and generally known as poflible.
But my thanks are more particularly due to Cap
tain Duncan for his unwearied attention and judg
ment on all occasions ; and to Captain Henry and
Lieutenant Botham for the gallantry they displayed
on the 15th instant, in the reduction of the enemy's
works on Mud-Eland ; which I request your Lord
ship will be pleafeti to communicate to those gentle
men in the most distinguished manner.
In these acknowledgments I beg to include the
Captains and crews of the ships in the eastern chan
nel, contributing to the success of the attack, more
immediately assisted by the well-directed fire of the
Isis. I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed) W. HOWE.
To Viscount Howe, &c. &c. &c.
Whitehall, Jan. 8, 1778.
The following is copy and extract of two letters from
the Hon. Gen. Sir William Howe, to Lord George
Germaine
the troops can be embarked at that port, they may
be sooner released.
The following are Copies of the Papers referred to
in the aforementioned Extract.
Return of the number of men killed and wounded
on board the different ships employed in the attack
of the works of the enemy on Fort-Eland, their
armed craft, and other defences ere&ed to obftru&
the passage of the river Delaware, on the 15th day
of November, 1777.
Somerset. 5 seamen wounded.
Isis. 3 seamen wounded.
Roebuck. 3 seamen killed, 7 ditto wounded.
Liverpoole. None.
Pearl. 1 matter killed, 3 seamen wounded.
Vigilant. 1 midshipman, 1 seaman, killed;
lent from the Eagle.
Cornwallis Galley. 1 second matter and pilot
wounded.
Sloop commanded by Lieut. Botham. None.
Total killed, 6
wounded, 19
“ Gentlemen, the late accounts from Ame
rica, of the unfortunate event of war which
has attended one part of his Majesty's arms
there, call upon me as chief magistrate of this
town, and every loyal fubfed, to contribute
our endeavours to the support of our beloved
Sovereign, our happy constitution, the ho
nour ofhis Majesty's arms, the trade and wel
fare of these kingdoms in general, and of this
town and neighbourhood in particular.
“ And as his Majesty's good friends, in
and about the neighbouring town, have set
us a most laudable example, by carrying on a
subscription for raising a regiment for his
Majesty's service, in hopes that this loyal
and great commercial place and its neighbour
hood will keep pace with them in duty to the
King, in efforts for the security and prosperi
ty of these realms, and for the preservation
of our commerce, I beg your attendance in
the hall within the exchange of this town to
morrow, at 12 o'clock at noon, to consult
upon the mode of best teftifying how much we
have these most important considerations at
heart. I am, gentlemen, your most humble
servant.
Dec. 18. Yesterday the Marquis of Car
marthen kissed the King's hand on being ap
pointed Lord Chamberlain of her Majesty's
Houfhold, in the room of the late Earl
Delaware.
The fame day Capt. Foy, who arrived
yesterday with dispatches from Sir Guy Carle
ton, was introduced to his Majesty at St.
James's, by the Earl ofDunmore. They both
had along Conference with the King.
The Kite letter of marque has taken a brig
privateer off Guernsey, and carried her into
that place.
Extraß of a letter from Gofport, Dec. 15.
“ The Romulus, a fine new ship of 44
guns, is commissioned, and the command
given to Capt. George Gayton.
The Rising States privateer is fitted out,
and ready for going to Spithead ; she is taken
into government employ as a tender. She
mounts 10 guns, besides swivels, and has a
good appearance."
The Russia Company have opened a subscription
for raising men for his Majesty's Service in Ame
rica.
Round. 506 twenty-four pounders; SlB eighteen
pounders; 156 twelve pounders; 51 nine pounders;
23 fix pounders; 1301 four pounders; 173 three
pounders; 20 one pounders; 32 half pcundeis.
Bar. 7 twenty-four pounders; 25 twelve poun
ders ; 50 nine pounders; 65 three pounders.
Grapequilted. 14 twelve pounders; 54 fix poun
ders; 28 four popnders.
Grape in bags, 24.
Box of different nature, 1.
Round /hot fixed to wood bottoms. 5 twelve
pounders; 6 fix pounders; 6 four pounders; 16
three pounders.
Hand grenades, Is.
Wadhooks. 1 thirty-two pounder, 1 ;fix poun
der.
Sponges. I fix pounder ; 2 four plunders.
Aprons of lead, 4.
Drag ropes, 3.
Traversing handspike, 1.
Pikes, 93.1
Intrenching tools, 30.
Boxes with ball cartridges, 9.
Calk with musket balls, 1.
Camp at Wood- James Pattifon, Brig. Gen.
bury, Nov. 23, Commander of the Royal
1777. Artillery in N. America.
Extract of a letter from General Sir William Howe,
to Lord George Gefmaine, dated Philadelphia the
29th of November, 1777.
CT HE last accounts I have received from Rhode-
JL Eland mention a descent which the enemy
threatened upon that place about the 30th of Octo
ber, and of considerable preparations they had made
with that defigri ; but the disposition of the Admiral,
and Major General Pigot, to oppose them, together
with the spirited behaviour of the inhabitants, who
associated for the defence of Newport, induced them
to desist and separate.
Dec. 16, On Wednesday last the following
hand-bill was distributed through the town of
Liverpool, by order of the Mayor; in con
sequence of which many of the Merchants,
&c. assembled in the Exchange, and after the
preamble and conditions were agreed upon,
they fubferibed most liberally.
6 eighteen pounders, 1 unferviceahle ; 3 eighteen
plunders mounted on truck carriages, 2 unfervicea
ble ; 2 fix pounders mounted on ditto, spiked and
unferviceahle; 1 four pounder mounted on ditto,
unferviceahle ; 1 four pounder mounted on ditto, with
elevated screw, spiked; 3 four pounders mounted on
ditto, spiked; 1 three pounder mounted on ditto,
spiked and unferviceahle ; 8 howitzer swivels ; 4how
itzer ditto, carried off by a naval captain ; 3 swivels;
I travelling carriage for eighteen pounders ; 5 truck
carriages for ditto; 1 travelling carriage for nine
pounders; 4 ditto for fix pounders; 3 limbers for
ditto.
Sir fofeph York has made arequiftion from the
King of Great-Britain to the States General, for
the to oftk Scotch Troops in fa Q@ ^rvito
SHO T.
Round loose. 14.75 twenty-four pounders, 843
eighteen pounders, 165 twelve pounders, 1100 eight
pounders, 16 four pounders.
Barr. 6 thirty-two pounders, 4 twenty-four
pounders, 169 eighteen pounders.
' Grape quilted. 12 thirty-two pounders; 84 eigh
teen pounders, 20 twelve pounders, 116 eight pound
ers, 8 four pounders.
Fixed with powder for twelve pounders. 11 case,
9 grape.
Small iron for case. 4 C wt.
Cartridges paper filled, 65'eight pounders.
Sponges of forts, 36..---Ladles ditto, 9.---Wad
hooks, 15. ---Aprons of lead, §;---Linftocks, 6.---
Budge barrels, 2,
Philadelphia, SAMUEL CLEAVELAND.
Nov. 18, 1777. Brigadier General commanding
the Royal Artillery.
Return of the artillery and military stores found in
the fort of Red Bank, the 22d of Nov, 1777.
LONDO N,
S H O T.
A Letter from Glasgow, dated the 6th, fays,
The fubfeription of this city for raifng a regiment,
to be employed against the rebellious coloniesfills ve
ry faf. In less than 3 days we raised 5000 l. the
sum at prefnt is near 7000/. so that in a few days
more I hope we fall have a fund Efficient for the
purpose intended.
A Xebeck from South-Carolina with Rice and
Indigo, is taken by a Jersey Letter of Marque, but
brought in by the Asa.
The Hancock and Adams, a Ship of 300 Tons,
from Nantz for America is carried into Falmouth
by the Swallow Privateer.
Edinburgh, fan. 7. This Day the Speculative
Society fubferibed JOO Guineas towards raifng the
Edinburgh Regiment.
Jan. 15. A letter from Liverpool fays, that up
wards of 8000/. is fubferibed to that town for rai
fag men to be sent to America. A fubfeription is
opened at Halifax for the fame purpose. The ifand
of ferfey" raifng a Regt, to be sent to America for
bis Majefly's service. The remains of the Irifa
regt, of artillery, now in Dublin, conffling of 160,
have petitioned the Lord Lieutenant to be sent to
America. Several independent Companies are to bb
raised in Wales. The Shaftfury, Slann, from
Oporto, which was taken by an American Priva
teer and carried into a Spanish Port, is released by
the Representations of the Englijh Ambassador.
The Nancy and Hannah, from Virginia, with
Tobacco, is taken by the Bedford. The Proteous's
Prize is arrived at Falmouth : She is the Young
Rose, McTaggart, from Virginia, with Tobacco.
Tuesday 1000 men were drafted from the foot
guards to he Jent to America. Thirteen Jhips and
I ^frigates were put into commiffon on tuefday, and
a general rendezvous, will take place at Portsmouth
next March. Birmingham and Sheffield are raifng
troopsto be sent to America. And Dublin and many
othir Cities and towns in Ireland are forming afo
ciations for raifng a body of men for his Majeffs
fcrvice.
On purpose to raise the new regiments in Scotland
with all expedition, the Capts. Lieuts. and Ensigns,
who frf complete their quotas, are to rank in seni
ority and the regiments that Jirft compleat their met:
a re to be the eldef.
John Nangreave, of the 4th regiment of Dra
goons, is appointed Captain ; and Robert Tipping,
of the ioth regiment of Dragoon, Captain-lieute
nant in the yzd regiment of foot, or Royal Man
cheder Volunteers.
Extra& of a letter from Portfmcuth, Jan. 1.
" Yefterdry arrived at Spithead several ships from
the Downs, and four more transports with Hefliari
troops on board, and remain at St. Helen's with his
Majesty's ships as before."
The Brig Savannah, from Georgia for Nantz, is
taken by the Hon. Capt. Barrington and sent into
Plymouth ; Lords Peterfham and Clinton waited on
his Majesty, and had a long Conference; the Duke
of Northumberland has opened a Subfetiption in the
City of Westminster, for his Majesty's Service ; the
new Regiments raising in Ireland and Scotland, have
Orders to embark by theist of April. A new Re
giment of Light Horse is to be raffed, called, " The
Westminster Light Horse." A Regiment is to be
raised in Scotland by the Duke of Athol.
A Brig from Virginia for St. Sabaftians, is taken
by the Biddeford : She is called the Nancy and Han
nah. The Noftra Signora de St. Antonio, from Rio
de Janiero to Fyal, is taken by an American Priva
teer.
Extract of a letter from Plymouth, Jan. 6.
" Arrived the Minerva and Thetis frigates, with
the Clarendon, Capt. Cowel, and the Hanover Plan
ter, Captain Luney, from Jamaica, but last from
Nantz, haying been taken and carried in there, but
delivered up by order of the Court of France."
Dec. 25. Lieut. Boucher, who commanded rhe
Druid after the Capt. was killed, is appointed to the
command of the said sloop.
Dec. 27. The Dukes of Athol and Hamilton
have each agreed to raise a regiment on their own
estates for bis Majesty's service in America; the in
habitants of Norfolk have agreed to do the fame.
Dec. 30. Three regiments of Highlanders are to be
raised forthwith, to be commanded by the Colonels
Gordon, Campbell, and Mackenzie.
Jan. 3. Orders were yesterday issued from the war
office for calling in all the recruiting parties through
out England, Scotland, &c. it being judged unne
cetfavy to maintain recruiting parties when troops
are raising in different cities and counties by volun
tary fubferi^ ion, as it cannot be expefted that both
parties can and recruits at one time, and as one only
can answer the purpose of serving government.
Extra& of a letter from M^nchefter, Dec. 28.
" His Majesty's having honoured the loyal inha
bitants of Manchester with his acceptance of a regi
ment of 1000 men, to rank as the yzd regiment of
foot, and to be called the Royal Manchester Volun
teers, the gentlemen who have undertaken to raise the
regiment, with the assistance of Major Horsfall,
Capt. Aytoun, and several other gentlemen, appro
ved of to serve in that corps, paraded the Greets on
Wednesday last with drums and fifes, the regimental
band of music, and a handsome blue silk flag.
"Jan. 10. The American privateer Pennfyha
nia, of 10 guns, was a few days ago (handed on.
the rocks of Magilligan, on the northern coast of
Ireland, and all the crew but the Mate and a boy,
confining of 40, were drowned.
The answer given by Government to Mr. Hartley
refpeEting the treatment of the American prisoners,
is, that ever, care shall be taken of their accommo
dation that the nature of their situation will admit
of; that upon an, complaint being .made it shall be
immediatel, redressed; that the, shall be at liberty
to receive an, charitable donations ; and that Go
vernment is well disposed to exchange them.
Jan. 13. There are now 12 fabjeriptions on.
foot in England and Scotland, for raifng of 100 Q
men each.
Munich, Dec. 30. His Serene Highness Max
imilian Joseph, Elector of Bavaria, who had been ill
of the small pox about three weeks, died at a quar
ter past one o'clock this afternoon, in the 51st year of
his age, greatly lamented by all ranks of people.
cooo -0000 c 000 0000000000000000ooooc000 cooo 0000 0000 coco 0000 coco 0000 oooe - cow
To be fold at public audion,
This DAY about I o'clock.
At the Merchant's Coffee-Houfe,
(If the weather is fair, otherwise To-morrow)
r 5 hogsheads TOBACCO
WM. TONGUE, Broker.