The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1779-08-09 00:00:00, page 2

From the Pennsylvania Packet, July 3!.
To the CITIZENS rs PHILADELPHIA.
Friends and Fellow Citizens,,
WHEN an attempt is marie to break down or
even to weaken one sale barrier o, our
liberty, it ought to be opposed -oath spirit b, every
boneft man. ',
At the /ate fon-Mceting, on the 27th tuftant,
I was presented by the riotous beha^r of a num
ber of men, armed with clubs, from faking my
foments upon a febjerii of ^ utmof Stance
to the peace and freedom of this city, an w^cv
may, eventually ^ the % of these
The liberty of the prejs has been attacked by the
fame violent faflion; but by the spirited exe^
the virtuous citizens, at a meeting at the Cofre
boufe. on the z6th infant, it is refined %dfrmy
eftablifced upon its ancient foundation. bro this
channel, therefore, 1 think it my duty to lay before
you, for your confderation, those fenttments 1 in
tended to h^e exprefid, if I had bem permitted
to speak at the late fowl-Meeting.
lam not, direaly or indirectly, engaged tn any
trade; I am a private citizen, and live upon the
income of my efate. The regulations proofed in
the Relation cannot area % I ^enteon theJe
circufoces to induce you to believe, taat I could
have no other motive in giving my opinion, than to
convince my fellow citizens, that the regulations
proofed, mus, inevitably, produce immediate ruin
to the merchants and mechanics ; and a /carcity, if
not a want of every necessary article of rife, to the
whole city. 1 have no doubt but many of the citi
zens who engaged in this scheme, with so much
zeal, were actuated by the puref motives, by a
fn%e desire of flooring the Jinking credit of our
currency—Whatever may have been the Jecret
views of feme of the leaders—An experiment has
already been made ? What was thy conference ?
Ibe tanners, carriers and cordwainers immediately
compla : n and declare they do not confider themselves
bound by the regulated prices, of their commodities.
If you proceeds further, the fchern^ does not an
fuer the great purposes intended — 1 hey willjuflly
complain to a partiality ; and an attempt to enforce
obedience will produce a civil war But the letter
from the city committee to the President of the com
mittee of tanners, curriers and corawatners, dated
the if infant, which was intended as an apology
for his conduti, hints, that the fixing the prices of
their commodities firfl, was, in a great meajui e, to
give them the preference of setting the frf exam
ple, as a rule to oiber tracts, for tho' only of was
mentioned, all were intentionally and incufvJy
regulated. What Jet of men are next to be regu
lated ? Perhaps the butchers and tallow chandlers.
These will immediately refufe obedience, and join
the committee of tanners, ^c. Next, perhaps,
comes the blackfaiths, boufe carpenters, flip-car
penters, Have not all these equal reason te com
plain ? Can the articles of their trades, and the
wages of journeymen reduced to fourteen prices, pay
twenty —at which the necessaries 0, life are ave
raged.—No certainly. What will be the conje
qu^nce? These bodies of men belonging to the several
Trades I have mentioned, and all the others in this
city, (which need not be mentioned) will incorpo
rate, bid defiance to the committee, and perhaps
prevent the execution of other plans for appreciating
our currency, which probably might anjwer valu
able pu : pojes. The regulation of imported articles
is equally impracticable ; but the refriction, begging
merchants to order all their vessels to some port of
this State, is the iveakef ana mos impolitic fcocme
that ever entered into the mind of man. The in
jufice to them is intolerable, the disadvantages to
the State are innumerable. It is more! It may
eventually be the foundation for the separation oj
this State from the grand confederation. Are we
not all united to effect the glorious revolution ? Some
States are, fometim's, so situated that they cannot
procure fuftcient (applies of the neceffuries op life,
from foreign countries. And jhall we refufe a part
of thyc articles we have procured by a more fortu
nate trade, to ouc Sifer States ? The ineajwe is
weak, impolitic, unjust and dangerous ! In their
own defence, other States mufl enter into like revo
lutions ; all intercourse will be flopped; diflruft
and jealosy will enfame one State againf its neigh
bour, and a total separation mg in confluence
take place. Remember, bow we wrote and spoke
a few months dgo, in favour of the advantages
of a free and open trade to all nations. On this
foundation we were to build the future wealth,
grandeur and power of the United States. The
regulation of trade and prices of commodities, in
order to produce any great eftfl, must, in my opi
on, be undertaken by the united Councils of these
States, upon a general and equitable plan of mutual
advantages and equal refritfions,
These, my fellow citizens, were arguments I
jbould have made life of, (bad I been permitted to
speak) to induce you to reconf der the association for
the regulation of the prices of my own commodity,
and to refeind that reflation, if those arguments
were, in. your judgement, founded in reason.
I intended likewise, to have moved, at the late
Town-meeting, for the publication of the minu.es
and proceedings of the Committee weekly.
Monopolizing among ourselves, abuses, bad ma
nagement in the sass department of the army,
appear to me to be the principal causes of the depre
ciation of the paper currency. I intended to have
moved, that the committee Jbould be infrußed to
petition Congress to endeavour, immediately, to
reform the abufa in the sass departments of the
arm;, and to take off the refriflions upon the expor
tation of wheat and flour, tie. A plentiful hqr
roeft has filed the country with an abundance of
these articles; and a market would bring fueb
quantifies to this city, that there would be no want
of these necessaries in future.
I am, Gentlemen, with the greatest regard
and esteem,
Your friend and fellow-citizen,
JOHN CADWALADER.
Philadelphia, July 30, 1797.
PHILADELPHIA, July 27.
Head-Quarters, New-Windsor, July 21, 1779.
SIR,
On the 16th instant I had the honour to in
form Congress of a fuccefsful attack upon the
enemy's post at Stoney-Point, on the pre
ceeding night, by Brigadier General Wayne,
and the troops of light infantry under his
command. The ulterior operations in which
we have been engaged, have hitherto put it
out of my power to transmit the particulars of
this interesting event. They will now be
found in the inclofed report, which I have
received from Gen. Wayne. To the encomi
ums he has deservedly bellowed on the officers
and men under his command, it gives me
pleasure to add, that his own conduct through
out the whole of this arduous enterprize merits
the warmest approbation. He improved upon
the plan recommended by me, and executed it
in a manner that does signal honour to his
judgement and to his bravery. In a critical
moment of the assault, he received a flefh
wound in the head with a mulket ball, but
continued leading on his men with unlhaken
firmnefs.'
I now beg leave for the private fatisfaaion
of Congress, to explain the motives which in
duced me to dired the attempt.
It has been the unanimous sentiment to eva
cuate the captured post at Stoney-Roint, re
move the cannon and stores, and destroy the
works, which was accomplished on the night
of the 18th, one piece of heavy cannon only
excepted. For want of proper tackling with
in reach to transport the cannon by land, we
were obliged to fend them to the fort by water.
The movements of the enemy 's vessels created
some uneasiness on their account, and induced
me to keep one of the pieces for their protec
tion, which finally could not be brought oft,
without rilking more for its preservation than
it was worth. We also loft a galley, which
was ordered down to cover the boats. She
got under way on her return the afternoon of
the iSth. The enemy began a severe and con
tinued cannonade upon her, from which hav
ing received some injury, which disabled her
from proceeding, she was run ashore. Not
being able to get her afloat, till Tate in the
flood tide, and one or two of the enemy's ves
sels under favour of the night, having passed
above her, die was set @n fire and blown up.
It is probable Congress will be pleased to
bestow some marks of consideration upon those
officers, who distinguished themselves upon
this occasion. Every officer and man of the
corps deserves great credit, but there were
particular ones whole situation placed them
foremoft in danger, and made their conduct
most conspicuous. Lieut. Col. Fleury and Ma
jor Steward commanded two attacks. Lieu
tenants Gibbons and Knox commanded the
advanced parties or forlorn hopes, and all ac
quitted themselves as well as it was possible.
These officers have a claim to be more particu
larly noticed.
Mr. Archer, who will have the honour of
delivering those dispatches, is a volunteer
Aide to Gen. Wayne, and a gentleman of
merit. His zeal, adivity and spirit are con
spicuous upon every occasion. I have the
honour to be,
With the greateil refped and esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
Humble servant,
G. WASHINGTON.
I forgot to mention, that two flags and two
flandards were taken, the former belonging to
the garrison, and the latter to the 17th regi
ment, these shall be sent to Congress by the
firft convenient opportunity.
Stoney-Point, July 17, 1779.
S I R,
I have the honour of giving you a full and
particular relation of the reduction of this
point, by the light infantry under my com
mand.
On the 15th instant at twelve o'clock we
took up our line of march, from Sandy Be ch,
distant 14 miles from this pl.ee ; du r>ads
being exceedingly bad and narrow, and hav
ing to pass over high mountains, through
deep morasses, and difficult defiles, we were
obliged to move in single files the greatest part
of the way. At eight o'clock in the evening,
the van arrived at Mr. Springfteel's, within
one and a half miles of the enemy, and form
ed into columns as faft as they came up, a
greeable to the order of battle annexed, viz.
Col. Febiger's and Meig's regiments, with
Major Hull's detachment, formed the right
column; Col. Butler's regiment and Major
Murfree's two companies, the left. The
troops remained in this position until several
of the principal officers, with myfelf had re
turned from reconnoitering the works. Half
after eleven o'clock, being the hour fixed upon
the whole moved forward, the van of the
right conrhed of one hundred and fifty vo
lunteers, properly officered, who advanced
with unloaded mufflers and fixed bayonets, un
der the command of Lieut. Col. Fleury ; these
were preceeded by twenty picked men and a
vigilant and brave officer to remove the abba
tis and other obftrudions. The van of the
left confiding of one hundred volunteers, un
der the command of Major Steward, with un
loaded muskets and fixed bayonets, also pre
ceeded by a brave and determined officer, with
twenty men, for the fame purpose as the
other.
At twelve o'clock the assault was to begin
on the right and left flanks of the enemy's
works, whilst Major Mulfree amused them in
front ; and at this time overflow ed by the tide,
together with other obftruftions, rendered the
approaches more difficult than were at firft ap
prehended, so that it was about twenty minutes
after twelve before the assault began, previous
to which I placed myfelf at the head of Febi
gers regiment, or right column, and gave the
troops the most pointed orders not to fire on
any account, but place their whole depend
ence on the bayonet, which order was literally
and faithfully obeyed. Neither the deep rao
raf; the formidable and double rows of abba
tis, or the ilrong works in front and flank,
could damp the ardour of the troops, who in
the face of a tremendous and incelfant fire of
musketry, and from cannon loaded with grape
shot, forced their way at the point of the bay
onet, through every obstacle, both columns
meeting in the center of the enemy's works,
nearly at the fame instant. Too much praise
cannot N given to Col. Fleury, who (truck
the enemy's standard with his own hand and
to Major Steward who commanded the ad
vanced parties, for their brave and prudent
conduct
Colonels Butler, Meigs, and Febiger con
ducted themselves with that coolness, bravery
and perseverance that will ever insure success.
Lieut. Col. Hay wa? wounded in the thigh,
bravely fighting at the head of his battalion.
I Ibould take up too much of your Excellency's
time, was 1 to particularize every individual
who deserves it, for his bravery on this occasi
on. I cannot however, omit Major Lee, to
whom I am indebted for fiequent and very
ufeful intelligence, which contributed much
to the success of the enterprize, and it is with
the greatest pleasure I acknowledge to you, I
I was supported in the attack by all the officers
and soldiers under my command, to the utmost
of my wishes. The officers and privates of
the artillery exerted themselves in turning the
cannon against verplank's point, and forced
them to cut the cables of their Ihipping, and
run down the river.
I should be wanting in gratitude was I to
omit mentioning Capt. Filhburn and Mr.
Archer, my two Aids de Camp, who on every
occasion fnewed the greatest intrepidity, and
supported me into the works after I received
my wound in passing the last abbatis.
Inclofed are the returns of the killed and
wounded of the light infantry, as also of the
enemy, together with the number of prisoners
taken, likewise of the ordnance and stores
found in the garrison.
I forgot to inform your Excellency that pre
vious to my marching, I had drawn General
Muhlenberg into my rear, who with 300 men
of his brigade took post on the opposite fide of
the marfb so as to be in readiness either to sup
port me or to cover a retreat in case of acci
dent, and! have no doubt of his faithfully
and effectually executing either had there been
any occasion for him.
The humanity of our brave soldiery, who
scorned to take the lives of the vanquished foe
calling for mercy, reflects the higeft honour
on them, and accounts for the few of the ene
my killed on the occasion.
lam not fatished with the manner in which
I have mentioned the conduct of the Lieuten
ants Gibbons and Knox, the two gentlemen
who led the advanced parties of 20 men each--
their distinguished bravery deserves the high
est commendation---the firft belongs to the 6th
Pennsylvania regiment, and loft 17 men killed
and wounded in the attack ; the last belongs
to the 9th ditto, who was more fortunate in
saving his men, though not less exposed.
I have the honour to be, with great iefpea,
Your Excellency's most obedient,
Humble Servant,
ANTHONY WAYNE.
General Washington.
A return of the killed and wounded of the
light infantry at the storm of Stoney-Point,
under the command of Brigadier General
Wayne, July 15, 1779.
Colonel Febiger's regiment, killed, 1 fer
jeant, 6 privates; wounded, 7 ferjeants, 1 cor
poral, 9 privates.
Colonel Butler's regiment, killed, 1 fcr
jeant, 2 privates; wounded, 1 Lieutenant-
Colonel, 2 ferjeants, 2 corporals, 25 privates.
Colonel Meig's regiment, killed, 3 privates,
wounded, 2 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, 1 fer
jeant, 6 privates.
Major Hull's detachment, killed, 2 privates ;
wounded, 1 Lieutenant, 4 privates.
Total killed, 2 ferjeants, 13 privates.
Total wounded, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 2
Captains, 3 Lieutenants, 10 ferjeants, 3 cor
porals, 64 privates.
By order of the General.
Benjamin Fishbourf, A. D. Camp.
Fort Montgomery, July 21, 1779.
(True Copy.)
General return of the prisoners taken at
Stoney point.
Officers sent to Eafton on parole, 1 Lieute
nant-Colonel,, 4 Captains, 12 Lieutenants, 4
Ensigns, 1 Conductor of Artillery, 1 ahiftant
Surgeon.
Officers and privates wounded and sent in,
2 Lieutenants, 1 Ensign, 1 Surgeon, 39 pri
vates.
Left at Kakeat, 9 privates, 2 attendants.
Sent to Eafton, 441 privates, 25 servants to
officers. Total, 543.
Abraham Skinner, D. C. prisoners.
Golhen, July 20, 1779.
Return of the enemy killed.
I Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 8 ferjeants, 3 cor
porals, 50 privates. Total, 63. (Copy.)
Publilhed by order of Congress.
Charles Thomson, Secretary.
In CONGRESS, July 26, 1779.
Refolded unanimouJly, That the thanks of Con
gress be given to his Excellency General
Washington, for the vigilance, w;fdom and
magnanimity, with which he hath tondu&ed
the military operations of these states, and
which are among many otherMgnal instances,
manifefted in his orders for the late glorious
enterprize and fuccefsful attacic on the enemy's
fortrefs on the banks of Huifon's river.
Refolded, That the thanks of Congtefs be
presented tofßrigadicr General Wayne, for his
brave, prudent ard soldierly conclude, in the
spirited and well conduced attack of Stoney-
Point.
Refolded, That congress entertain a proper
sense of the good conduct of the officers and
soldiers under the command of Brigadier-Ge
neral Wayne, in the assault of the enemy's
works at Stoney point, and highly commend
the coolness, discipline, and firm intrepidity
exhibited on the occasion.
Refolded, That Lieutenant Colonel Fleury
and Major Stewart, who by their situation,
in leading the two attacks, had a more imme
diate opportunity of dittinguifhing themselves,
have, by their personal atchievements exhi
bited a bright example to their brother sol
diers, and merit in a particular manner the
approbation of the united States.
Rejoined, That Congress warmly approve
and applaud the cool and determined spirit
with which Lieutenant Gibbons and Lieut.
Knox led on the forlorn hope, braving danger
and death in the cause of their country.
Rejoined, That a, medal emblematical of this
adion be struck. That one of gold be present
ed to Brigadier General Wayne, and a filter
one to Lieutenaut-Colonel Fluery and Major
Stewart.
Refo/ved, That a brevet of a Captain be
given to Lieutenant Gibbons and Lieutenant
Knox.
That a brevet of Captain b^ given to Mr.
Archer, the bearer of the General's letter, and
volunteer aid to Brigadier-General Wayne.
That Congress approve the promises of re
ward made by Brigadier-General Wayne, with
the concurrence of the Commander in Chief,
to the troops under bis command.
That the value of the military stores, taken
at Stoney Point, be ascertained and divided
among the gallant troops by whom it was re
duced, in such manner and proportions as the
Commander in Chief shall prescribe.
Extract from the minutes,
Charles Thomson, Secretary.
PHILADELPHIA, July 29.
On the 16th inst. Capt. Ingerfol, in the
Monmouth, retook the Sloop True Blue, of
Salem, a prize to the Galatea; and on the 19th
took the Schooner Bond, which was bound
from New-York to Euftatia, but taken by the
Maccaroni, retaken by the Greyhound Sloop
and sent for New-York, when she was taken
by Capt. Ingerfol, who the fame day took the
Columbia, of 10 guns, Capt. Hodfon, from
New-York for Malaga.
From the Pennflnania Packet, July 24.
Mr. Dunlap,
IT is certain that our currency has greatly
fuffered from the practices of (peculators,
and to me it is very doubtful whether we havn
as yet fallen upon a proper mode for putting
an end to the mifehief.
I would propose that the Legislature be peti
tioned for a law to prevent any merchandize
from passing through more than three hands;
—ift, the importer, manufacturer or planter;
—2d, the retailer, and 3d, the consumer.
To carry this into effect let every thing
offered to sale be forfeited to the use of the firft
informer, unless the person so offering it can
make it appear either that he imported, manu
factured or raised the articles, or brought it
from the importer, manufadurer or planter.
In this way the law might be executed, and
a very numerous band of people be dismissed
to their former trades and occupations, who
are now employed in doing mifehief.
ZEN O.
NEW-YORK, Au^uft
Last Sunday night arrived heie the Hoop Maria,
Captain Taylor, from the Weft-Indics; she failed
from St. Euftatia the i Btb ult. and brings intelligence
that Admirals Byron, Barringron, Rowley and Ho
tham, came down to Sr. Kitts on the sh of June
with the fleet bound to Britain, colUCteu from Gre
nada, St. Vincent and Barbados, under their convoy ;
mean time the French fleet at Martinko were rein
forced with seven fail of the line, eleven frigates, and
ninety-five transports. On the 15th they attacked
the Island of St. Vincent, which capitulated the 16th.
The 9th of July the Count D'Edaing, with his whole
fquadion appeared off G enada, landed a large body
of tioops, who mane a vigorous attack upon St.
George's and Hi fpital-Hill forts, at the latter of
which they were repulsed with the loss of upwards of
300 killed ; but their number far exceeding that of
the garrison, and their ships being in p ffeffion of the
bay, obliged the island to capitulate on the 12th. On
the 13th Admiral Byron, with nineteen fail of the
line, arrived in St. George's bat, and at half pad 7
in the morning engaged the French fleet, which con
filled of 27 fail of the line, and eleven frigates. The
action, which was maintained with great obstinacy
on both sides, continued two hours and an lialf,wlieii
the Count D'EHaing made a figuai for the fllips un
der his command to bear away before the wind, and
keep tip a running figlr. Count D'Eftaing in the
Languedoc of 90 guns, was three times bear out of
the line by Admiral Byron, in the Princess Royal,
and Admiral Barrington, who has received a wound
in one of his arms by a splinter, was, in the Prince
of Wales, some time engaged with 6 of the enemy's
line of battle ships. The Iphegma frigate of 36
guns struck to the Venns, Captain Ferguson, but
another frigate coming to her aififtance, she renewed
the a&ion, and escaped with rhe fugitive Gallic ^a\
Before Admiral Byron attacked the French fleet
in St. George's bay, he sent the transports with the
troops intended to reinforce the garrison to leeward
of the Island, under the protection of three ships of
the li e. He fell in with them in purfuirg the French,
but it being ight he lay by, in order to refit and re
new the action the next morning, imagining the
French wcu.d do the fame, but to his fuiprize he dis
covered them in the morning on the southwest quar
ter, at a great distance fleering ta the southward.