The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1781-12-24 00:00:00, page 2

Frankfort on the Main, (Germany) %< 21.
The King of Prussia has lately granted the
Roman Catholies, in the county of Marek, the
freexercifecftheir religion ; they have already
celebrated mass, at Hottengen, and are going
to build a church there.
Amfler^m, (Holland) o^7 2. A passenger
arrived here from CurMfoa, has brought several
letters from thatWurch colony, among others,
one of June 21, mentioning that all was well
there at tbat time; that the port, which had
been blocked up by the English for some time,
was oncn again ; but the fleet of merenant
ffiips could not come out, because the Dutch
men of war lying there, were not strong enough
to escort it. They began to be in want of
several neceffarres of life.
%% Oft. 3. The States of Holland and
Weft'Friefelard meet next Wednesday, the
10th inst. for which purpose letters of convo
cation have been expedited to the several
cities in this province.
We are assured that the deputies of the East
and Weft India Companies gave notice last
week, that their armed veflels were ready, in
confeouence of which they falicited a convoy
to escort them to a certain latitude, after
which they would go on to their refyedive
destinations.
The late government dispatches from the
Weft Indies bring advice that the Spanish re
giller (hips were arrived at Cape Francois,
under the convoy of seven fail of the line, but
nil in a very Mattered and foul condition.
Advice is received by the way of France,
that the Emperor of Morocco has augmented
his array very confidcrably ; the men are well
dikiplined, and ready to take the field at a
very (hort notice, which has greatly alarmed
the Court of Spain ; it being generally be
lieved tlrt be intended to match into some
parts of the Spanish territories.
Advice is received that ten fail of transports
vho troops on board, bound from Cadiz to
Mahon to reinforce the army there, are taken
by some Barbary Corsairs, and carried into
Algiers ; that Don Louis Cordova had difpatch
<d a squadron of men of war to demand their
regalement, and if refufed, to bombard the
-city.
Advice is received from Oporto, that a
French privateer cruizing off there, in chacing
the William and Mary, Captain Le Grand, be
longing to Guernsey, was loft on the Bar of
Oporto, and all the crew were drowned.
A private letter from Faris mentions, that
Cr unt de Guichen has resigned the command
cf the fleet.
When the last letters came from Leghorn,
the RuGikh Admiral had failed with his whole
fiu iUron no a cruize, and was not expected to
return in lets than three weeks or a month.
Advce is received from Cadiz, by the way
<f France, that a Spanish frigate called the
N. S. Prince Mailerano, of 30 guns, was funk
in an erg" gement with two Barbary corsairs
2a the .Mediterranean, and p!l the crew were
Jersey, with advice, that the Heffor privateer
belonging to Liverpool, had taken and fentin
there a French ship of 4CO toes, bound from
Martinico to Bourdcaux, leaded with sugar,
coffre, cotton, indigo, &c. She is one of the
homeward bound fleet, but separated fiom the
rest n a hard gale cf wind.
They write f:om Scilly, that two men of
war and two frigates are fitting out at Porto
Ferajo, to cruize against the Algerines, who
have for feme time pad infefied that coast, and
taken several valuable ships belonging to dif
ferent nations.
Extras of a letter from Weymouth, Ofkber 2.
“ This morning a cartel ship arrived here
from Cherburg, by which we learn, that the
owners of privateers have ordered all their
veflbls in, as the prizes they have taken do not
rear answer the expence, which has ruined se
veral cf the merchants there; that seven pri
vateers were put up for sale when he left that
place, and the rest, as soon as they arrive home,
will be laid up ; so that our coast will no longer
be infefted with privateers from those parts.
We are also informed that most of the Ship
wrights and caulkers employed at that port
were ft:iped off for Amsterdam, but on their
^affage refe upon the crew, tock puffeffion of
the ship, and obliged them to Iheer away for
Offend, where they landed."
Extras of a letter from Dover, Of?ober 4,.
This morning a Gentleman landed here
fr°m Oftend; he gives an account that the
vessel he came in was chafed for three hours by
a French privateer, but as soon as they came
ir. fight of our Cattle, they gave over the chace.
He gives an account cf advice being received
at Gftend from Flufliing, that two men of war,
one of 60 guns, and the ether of 70, which
had been out cn a cruize in the No:th Seas,
were just returned into that port in so leaky a
condition, that two days after their arrival in
the harbour they funk: He also fays that the
buildings at Offend go cn very faft, and that
the houses are all taken before they are roofed
in, at high rents."
Yesterday General Mathews was at the levee
at St. James's, and, as is reported, has ob
tained permission from his Majesty to remain
in England to fettle his affairs, till the failing
of the firft fleet in the spring.
October 9. Yesterday advices were received
from Commodore Stewart; they contain no
thing more than an account of the whole
squadron being in perfe& good condition, and
the officers and men anxiously waiting for the
Dutch fleet which was hourly expected to fail
from the Texel.
ORobcr 6. Yesterday an express arrived from
—Foreign Intelligence.—
LONDON,
“ She took eight cf the Alexander's crew
on board, and put 26 French soldiers, with an
lofficer,Iofficer, an American prize master, and mate,
I on board her; but happily, on the 14th, the
I Alexander fell in with the Heart of Oak,Capt.
Ash, who re-took her, and brought her into
Liverpool."
Exiraft of a letter from Peterflurgh, "July 6.
" A man of war which was on the point of
Ifailing from Cronftadt, having some time
, since taken fire, the police, in order to put a
Iflop to the alarm occasioned thereby, pub-
I lilhed the following caution:
§“ Some time during the last month, a very
Ithick smoke was observed to issue from one of
f the men of war lying at Cronftadt, on board
I cf which no fire had been made for five days.
, The room in which the smoke firft appeared,
[ had been carefully locked up only four hours
§ before, and several articles had been placed
lin it which were fit for fca use. On breaking
! open the door, the assistants found a piece of
/fail cloth on fire, and upon closer examination
they difeovered a vessel filled with foot dis
solved in hempfeed oil, from which sparks
of fire were continually rising. These cir
;cumftances being communicated to the Admi
j ral Commandant at Cronftadt, he ordered the
§ following experiment to be made:—Forty
pounds of foot being fleeped in thirty five
'pounds of hempfeed oil, for the space of an
' hour, the oil was then drawn off, and the
:foot which remained at bottom was exposed to
i the air for four hours. The tub containing
it was chen carefully tied over with a ham
mock, and placed in a very close room. Here
it remained for thirteen hours, when a thick
drowned. One of the Corsairs was so much
damaged, that the other was obliged to take
her in tow, when they soon fell in with a Spa
nilh man of war, who took them both, and
carried them into Cadiz.
Advice is received from Crookhaven, that a
large Dutch ship called the Vrow Byendeho
ven, loaded with masts, pitch, tar, &c. bound
from Norway to Amsterdam, is taken by the
I'yger privateer, Capt. M'Donald, and is
brought into that port; the Dutch Captain
wanted to ransom the ship, &c.
Yesterday morning Lieutenant M'Acam ar
rived at the Admiralty with dispatches from
Commodore Keith Stewart, containing ad
vice of a large fleet of Dutch Weft Indiamen
being daily expeded to arrive from Curacoa;
on which account the States General had given
orders for their whole force to put to sea im
meciately, and fail north about for the pro
teffion of the above fleet. Lieutenant M'Adam
came from the Tcxel in a custom-house cutter,
which was chaced into Yarmouth Roads by a
French lugger.
Oao. 11- Capt. Patton late of the Belle
Poule, has been fuperceded in the command
of that ship, for the purpose of being present
to give evidence against Luke Ryan, Captain,
and Thomas Coppinge, firft Lieutenant of the
Cologne, refpeaing their being taken in arms
against their Sovereign, and fighting under the
commission of the French King. 1 heir trial
is ordered to come on the ensuing session at
the old Bailey. }
A cutter from Dunkirk, mounting 18 nine
pounders, and commanded by Robert Burnet,
formerly commander of a smuggling vessel, was
tak^n last week by two cuftem house cutters,
and carried into Poole. The officers of the
English cutters finding the enemy, on her firft
appearance, a very fail sailer, and superior to
them singly, fixed upon the following stratagem
to take her. The smallest of the revenue
vessels was to stand towards the flrange fail,
and theother to give chace, firing at intervals,
her bow chafes charged only with powder.
Burnet observing the largest cutter had a Union
flag flying, flood in to give protection to the
one she chafed; when to his attonifhment, the
broadside of one cutter was brought to bear
upon his bow, and that ofthe other on his
quarter: thus, finding all refinance ineffectual,
he ordered bis colours to be struck.
The Marshal of the Admiralty has received
a warrant to take into custody the abm e men
tioned freebooters, from the charge of the
governor of Edinburgh Castle, and bring them
to London under a strong military guard,
which has been ordered on that service by the
Secretary of State, in consequence of Luke
Ryan having attempted to bribe the centinel
who was placed over him, with a purse con
taining two hundred and sixty guineas. The
fedudion was withstood, arid the money deli
vered to the officer of the guard, who returned
it to Ryan, His arrival in London is expected
in a few days.
Extract of a Letter from Liverpool, Oa. 6:
" The accounts which appeared in the pub
lip prints, relating that the South-Carolina, an
American ship of war, had been in the en
gageraent between Admiral Parker and Zut
man, off the Dogger Bar k, and had not since
been heard of, is erroneous ; for on die 6th of
September she took the Alexander privateer.
“ The South-Carolina carries 40 guns, 20
which are French 36 poupders, equal to Eng
lifh 42 pounders, and her quarter guns are
French 12's.
“ She carries „6 men on board, is laden
with a large quantity of plate, clothing, arms,
and military accoutrements for 30,000 land
forces.
“ There are also on board, as passengers,
26 Gentlemen, some of them of the Congress,
among them are a son to Mr. Adams, who has
been at Bristol ; and the celebrated Mr. Trum
bull, who was taken up in London last No
vember, on suspicion of being a spy, but after
wards difeharged for want of evidence.
“ The South-Carolina failed from theTexel,
on the 13th cf August, and had taken and
burnt a cutter from Berwick a few days before
she tock the Alexander.^
smoke filled the room : upon opening the
deor, the foot in the tub instantly burst into a
flame.
" Several other experiments were made by
the admiralty college, the result of which has
been, that foot, mixed with hempfeed oil,
that ofßuffia in particular, and placed in any
close. apartment, will, after some hours, on
the introduction of the frefh air, immediately
take fire.
“ The police have thought proper to make
this account public, that every one may be
guarded against a neglect, with the fatal con
sequences of which they may be unacquaint
ed."
St. John's, (ANTIGUA) Odo. 30, 1781.
Nothing remarkable has occurred here in the
political line since our last publication. It is
certain indeed, that there are some advices in
town, which come immediately from a French
colony, mentioning that the strength of the
enemy was very formidable, and that an at
tack upon this place was undoubtedly deter
mined on. But in the firft place, we have
too high an opinion of French policy to be
lieve that they communicate any of their se
crets of state to private individuals ; and se
condly, we think that, unless their boasted
information has failed them, they muff know
that Antigua is at present too strongly garri
soned by veteran troops, and too warily de
fended in every other refpe&, to afford prof
ped of success, in such an enterprize. As
abundance of caution, however, can scarcely
do any harm, it is with infinite fatisfadion
we observe, that the vigilance of the spirited
and gallant officer who at present commands
the military here, is so constant and unremit
ted, that we are in no danger at least of be
ing taken by furprize. The utmost gratitude
is due also from the public at large to our
captain-general, and the two other branches
of the legislature, for their attention to the
fafety of the country.
Just as this paper was going to press, ar
rived the drip Beatty, Captain Oyen, from
London and Madeira, eight weeks from the
former. We do not find that she brings any
Iremarkable intelligence, nor any public
prints later than about the 19th of August ;
but time will not permit us to ascertain this.
Nov. 13. On Sunday last arrived here the
prize ship called the Columbia, lately com
manded by William Hill Serjeant, bound
from the Havannah to Philadelphia, with a
cargo confiding of a large quantity of salt,
200 chests of fagar, some hides, &c. and
about 33,000 dollars in specie. She was ta
ken the :Bth ultimo by his Majesty's ship
Fortunee.
Wilmington, 29th Se^t. 1781. I
SIR,
IAM favoured with your letter of the zzd inst. re-j
quiring that Mr. Burke, whom you stile Governor, [
may be permitted to return home on parole, agreeable to|
a cartel eftablilhed between Lieutenant-General Cornwal-1
lis, and Major General Green. I beg you to be allured, |
Sir, that my own inclination would, on every occasion 1
lead me to pay the most scrupulous attention to every a-1
greement whatever, but particularly when I am fenlible [
they are founded on motives of humanity and mutual con-|
veniency In the instance which has procured me the 1
favour of your correfpond^nce, I can only at prefect fay,l
that as I have not received any official copy of the cartel
in question, I cannot take on me to determine on the pro
priety cf admitting Mr. Burke to his parole, as required
on the grounds of that treaty. I am, in faft, ignorant of
the articles of it, but shall immediately refer the case for
decision to my superiors. In the mean time, Sir, I must
be frank enough to fay, that to me it appears that the
cartel which has been eftablilhed, is a mere military con
vention for the mutual relief of officers of the army, whe?
thcr regulars or militia, who restrained from a&ing in
that character, may remain at home with convenience to
their private affairs, and without prejudice to the party
which is master of their persons, and this without refpea
to the particular relation in which the contending parties
ft^nd with regard to each other ; but I cannot suppose that
the conclusion of that cartel could ever be meant to in
volve in it the fame indulgence to state prisoners —lt is
under that denomination that I have committed Mr.
Buikt who is no military man, to close confinement,
though with every attention to his conveniency, that our
present situation will admit of; and I cannot prevail on
myfelf to alter this opinion, or the conduit to Mr.
Burke which takes its rife frera if, until I find from pro
per authority, that I have been mistaken in it.
Notwithstanding my being unacquainted with the terms
of the cartel, I Should not hesitate to fend the continent
al officers who were taken at the fame time with Mr.
Burke to their refoe&ive homes, on their paroles, were
it not for a threat which has been held out in South Ca
Wilmington, (North Carolina) Oft. 18.
' SIR,
TO prevent, if possible, misrepresentation cn the fob
jr& of the following letters, I am to desire you will in
sert them both in your newspaper next Thursday.
Your humble Servant,
The Printer of the J. H. CRAIG.
Cape Fear Journal.
Camp, Little River, Pee Dee, Sept, zed, 1781.
SIR,
GOVERNOR BURKE bating fallen into your
hands, I as his successor in the government of
this State, have to require that you admit him on parole
to his home, agreeable to the ten r r and purport of the car
tel, lately made end concluded between Lieut. Colopel
Carrington, and Capt. Cornwallis, until an officer of yours
rs equal rank fall into our hands, or an exchange be other
wise negotiated for him.
This, I flutter mrftlf you will readily comply with as
soon as the Governor arrives in Wilmingpon, otherwise
it will be deemed n infraction of the treaty mutually
and solemnly concluded as aforefaid.
I am firry to inform you, mat the Governor has met
with many petfonal infultson his capture, being of in
firm and weak constitution, such as being drovr through
water up to his neck, to be compelled to walk on foot
when horses could easily have been procured:--- this
serves only, Sir, to rouse and irritate the good people of
this State against the authors, who conceive themselves
greatly hurt in such wanton and cruel treatment of their
firft magiffrate, when there was no necessity, and which
your politeness and humanity, I think, would not have
fuffered to have been done had you been present,
I have the honour to be,
your most obedient,
humble fervapt,
ALEX. MARTIN.
Major Cra : g.
roluti, es retaliating on the perlons of the Brhnh office-?
the execution of a Mr. Hayne. This was likewise, Sir, a
mare military tranfadion, and abAraAed from every po
litical consideration, he merited death as a foidier; and
if the American Generals can so far forget the regard due
that character as to proceed to retaliation in the case of so
infamous a traitor, it behoves us so prepare for the event,
and to be able to carry it to the extent may suit our con
veniency, or be the means of flopping such practice;
However, Sir, I am so unwilling to think, that foldiera
of any station or state can ever seriously thick of a pro
ceeding so repugnant to that chara&er, that I /hall efternt
myfelf happy when proper affuran&s on this fubjekt may
enable me to comply with my inclination, and the case
of those Gentlemen.
With regard to the treatment Mr. Burks met with in
his march, and which you complain of, 1 must beg you.
Sir, to recall to your mind by whom he was made pri
soner, and then, instead of complaints cn the harlhnefs
of his treatment, I am sure you must acknowledge that
it is a matter cf furprize and admiration, that a sense cf
humanity and attention to my inftruftions, should have
had weight enough with the loyal milita to prevent them
from seizing so perfectly complete an opportunity cf
avenging and retaliating the injuries, the oppressions,
and the thousands of inftaneps of wanton barbarity which
have been infßiaed on them for these five yeare past.
Had not these confederations, Sir, and a conviction that
they were acting for a cause, and in behalf of a mailer,
to whom such conduA would be their best recommenda
tion, overbalanced their resentments for a series of thn
most unmerited cruelties, they had not fuffered the in#
tonveniencies under which they laboured from the guard
of so many ptifoners, and General Butler's corps would
have been the next day a more complete facrifice to the
further pursuit of their vengeance; but, Sir, I have the
authority of Mr. Burke himfelf to fay, that your inform
ation in this refpeft is wrong, as he was treated, by his
own account, with every consideration and attention that:
their situation, and his refufal to give them his parole,
which was offered, would admit of. This, Sir, I inform
you from his own words; at the fame time, I must ac
knowledge, he underwent great fatigue and hardship, bub
they are to be attributed to the nature of their march,
his refufing to give his parole; and it must be remember
ed, that he underwent none but what his captors ihared
with him. &
Having thus answered your letter, you must allow me
now, Sir, in my turn, to addrefsyou with a wellground
ed complaint with regard to the exchange which took
place in consequence of the cartel, in virtue of which you
require Mr. Burke to be admitted to his parole. By an
advertisement from the Commissaries, 'appointed bv the
refpeaive Generals, it appeared that all the militia an
both sides, taken previous to the 15th of June last, were
exchanged, and to^be immediately liberated; in conse
quence cf which, I did difeharge, with proper p#ff?% and
even fufficient provisions to carry them home, upwards
of 60 who were in confinement, besides publicly releas
ing from their paroles, all those who were cut on that
indulgence. Now, Sir, I have to complain, that the
fame condoA has not been observed on yqur part. Pri
soner, ftridlly under that denomination are, I am writ
informed, still in confinement, and many were liberated
from Hirihorough jail, on the 12th inst. realigning their
places to those made by Colonels M'Niel and Fanning.
A cartel, Sir, should be as ftri&ly observed in favour of
the meaurft to whom it relates, as of a Governor or firft
Magistrate of any state.
While on this fubjc&, I muff further complaih, Sir,
that you put it out of our power to shew the indulgence
and humanity to the people who fall into our hands that
we could wilh, and oblige us to keep them in ptifo.,
ships and jails, which inevitaby proves fatal to many of
them, whose fate we ourselves deplore; though you alone
are answerable for it. We can no longer admit them, as
has been hitherto pr ^fed, to return to their plantations
on their paroles, because one of the a&s of your state
m kes it penal to adhere to them, nor will my own fafety
allow me to ffiew that indulgence, whilst I every day
meet the most flagrant instances of the abuse of it, in some
of which the unhappy people are compelled to act in that
manner; and in those where their conduct arises from a
voluntary deviation from the principles of honour, they
meet with every encouragement, even to being appoint <
to offices of trust about your General officers,
I am, Sir, &e,
J. H. CRATG.
—Extra's from Rebel Papers.—•
B O S T O N,' November 26.
Since our last arrived in a fafe port, the
prize (hip St. Mary's Packet, near 400 tons -
burthen, with a cargo confining of 491 hogs
heads of sugar, ,0 hogsheads of rum, and 600
bags of ginger. She was bound from Jamaica
to London, and was taken by the privateer
brig Cato, Captain Briggs, of Salem.
PHILADELPHIA, December iz.
We are informed from the Marine Office,
that on the 29th of November last, the court
appointed to enquire into the cause of the loss
of the Trumbull frigate, by capture, made
their report, " That the loss of the said fri
gate did not proceed from negled of duty or
cowardice of Captain Nicholson, or any of his
commiflioned officers ;" with their opinion,
“ That every thing possible was done for the
honour of the Hag cf the United States.
41A For L OND ON,
(With the firfl Convoy)
TheShi p
EARL CORNWALLIS,
ALEX ANDER FRASlEß,maffer;
" I?°R freight or passage apply to
f the master on board said (hip,
laying at Byvank's Wharf, near Burling's Slip.
A N T # E D,
A STEWARD for the Chatham's Ward-
Roo,i. Good Encouragement will be given
to a person qualified for such a place. For particu
lars apply to the Printer hereof.
'PUTITc NOTICE,
THE Creditors cf Thomas Duncan, deceased,
and James Duncan, his Son, Shoemakers,
Broadway, are desired to ledge copies of their ac
counts properly attested, before the firft day of Ja
nuary, 1782, with William and James Douglas,
No. 239, Qupn-ftreet, or James Dole, Broadway,
who me appointed by the creditors here, to receive
the fame.
Those creditors who negle& to lodge their ac
counts, previous to that date, will only have them
selves to blame, if, by such negle&, they are deprived
of a proper (hare of the division of said Duncan's
estate,
And all those indebted to them are r^quefled to
make immediate payment to the said James Duncan,
who is authorized to receive and difeharge the fame.
It is also expected that no debtor will neglea this
public notice ; otherwise their accounts will be put
into the hands of an Attorney, in order to pocure
payment.