The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1780-07-17 00:00:00, page 2

Ry the Shi, John, Captain Lffiomb, in 3 !feeks
from briftoi; and the Ship Jamaica, Captain
Caidwell, in 7 Weeks form Portsmouth, tie
force the /• having Advices, viz.
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
Frankfort, April 20.
The Emperor of Germany hath just given
a frefh pro^f of his liberal manner of think
ing. feperi „ to the prejudices which degrade
humanity : The place of Commissary Censor
of Books, in the Empire being vacant by the
death of be Suffragan of Mayence, the Em
peror hath nominated Mr. de Deinet, Ablick
Councilor of the Prince of Waldeck, to suc
ceed him ; and on the representations made
to him by the Chancery of the Empire, On
account of Mr. Deinet being a Proteflant,
recommending, on the contrary, the Suffra
gan of Worms, his Imperial Majesty anfwer
cd, " That the three religions admitted in
the Empire, enjoyed the fame rights and Pre
vileges, by virtue of the peace of Westpha
lia."
Cadiz, Mirch 13. The Captain of his Ma
jelly's packet boat le Quiros, of 16 guns,
which failed from the Havanna on the zzd of
January, is arrived here this day cn board a
Portuguese brigantine, and gives an account
that in lat. ;8, and long. 558, the above
packet was taken by an English privateer of
32 guns, fix mortars, feme patteraroes, and
150 men, after an engagement of four hours.
Paris, April?:. Letters from Brest of the
17th intt. advise, that the Chevalier Ternay's
squadron was ready to fail on the 14th inst.
all the crew being on board, and the troops
were entirely embarked on the loth, but that a
southwest wind, which is quite contrary to
their departure from the road, has blown
with violence ever fit ce, and still continues.
Madrid, April 13. Mr. Jay formerly Presi
dent of the American Congress, and at pre
sent Plenipotentiary from that body to this
court, is arrived here.
LON D~O N,Aprii 27.
Monday orders were sent from the Ordnance
Office for a large train of battering cannon,
tumbrels, &c. compleat to be got in readi
ness for embarkation on secret service, with
a large detachment of artillery, by the loth
of next month.
On Sunday evening orders were sent ex
press to Commodore Walfingham at Torbay,
to put to sea the firft fair wind.
An officer arrived in town yesterday morn
ing from Portsmouth fays, " that orders are
given out, that no Captain, or other officer
Or seaman, shall presume to ileep on Shore, or
remain on shore after sunset, without special
leave in writing from the Admiral command
ing there, or the division to which they may
belong, upon pain of the severest penalties na
val discipline can impose; and for all Cap
tains to keep their ships clear and ready to
put to sea at a moment's warning. Cutters
are out to give early information of the ap
pearance of the enemy, if they are failed from
breft and come that way."
There are several letters in town from Hol
land and France, which confirm the report of
the great wantof seamen to man the French
navy, and that M. Du Chaffault has wrote,
in the most pressing manner, to M. De Sartinc,
requesting him to fulfil the promise he made to
his Sovereign and himfelf, of supplying the
navy with a large body of seamen, at a very
short notice, whenever they Should be want
ed. •
Government have received information that
ten large transports, with 1000 troops on
board, under convoy of a King's frigate of 32
guns, were laying at Granville, ready to fail
for Breit, have dispatched from Spithead the
Emerald, Champion, Wasp, and Lightning,
to intercept them.
ExtraEl of a letter from Whitby, April 23.
'' This afternoon a large ship, supposed to
be a French privateer, appeared about two
leagues off this port; she had taken a three
mailed vessel and a brig, with which she was
going to the eastward."
The Emerald man of war has taken and
brought into Portsmouth, the Dunkerquoife,
French privateer of 22 guns, and 150 men.
The Maria, from Tinmouth, arrived at
Waterford, was taken by the Dunkerquoife
French privateer of the Lands-End, and ran
f med for 250 guineas.
MAY 9.
Extradi of * letter from Gibraltar, April 29.
" The Spanilh fleet unmoored this morn
ing, and flood to sea ; at noon they were out
of fight to the northward. The Porcupine
frigate is gone to watch their motions, though
we imagine they are gone for Cadiz to join
their grand fleet."
By the Admiralty lift it appears there were
in commission in April last, 98 fail of the line ;
eighteen 50 gun ships, 108 frigates from 24.
to 40 guns, 14 ships of 2* guns, 74 flrops,
1.1 fire ships, 6 bombs, three bomb tenders,
5 yachts, 34 armed cutters, and 74 hired
armed ships.
Extract of a letter from the Hague, May 1,
" Sir Joseph Yorke and the Ruffian Am
b^ffador at this court are upon a very friendly
footing, visit each other frequently, and are
eftener at the Sradtholder's than any other
Minitier's resident here."
LONDO N, May 13.
ANSWER from the Court ofGR eat-Britaix
to the Declaration of the Empress of
Russia ; Jem to the Britijb Envoy at Peter,
burgh, April T 3, 1780.
DURING the course of the war, wherein
his Britannic Majesty finds himfelf en
gaged through the unprovoked aggression of
franco and Spain, he hath constantly raani
fefted Iris sentiments of justice, equity anti [
moderation, in every part of his conduct.
His Majesty hath aded towards friendly and
neutral powers according to their own proce
dure refpeding Great-Britain, and con ferma
ble to the clcareft principles generally acknow
ledged as the laws of nations, being the only
law between powers where no treaties subsist,
and agreeable to the tenor of his different en
gagements with other powers; those engage
ments have altered this primitive law, by mu
tual stipulations, proportioned to the will and
convenience of the contrasting parties.
Strongly attached to her Majesty of all the
Ruffias, by the tie of reciprocal friendship
and common interest, the King, from the com
mencement of those troubles, gave the moll
precise orders refpeding the flag of her Impe
rial Majesty, and the commerce of her sub
jects, agreeable to the laws of nations, and
the tenor of the engagements stipulated by
his treaty of commerce with her, and to
which he shall adhere with the molt scrupulous
exadnefs.
The orders to this intent have been renewed
and the utmolt care will be taken for their
itrifteft execution.
It may be presumed not the lead irregularity
will happen; but in case any infringement
contrary to these repeated orders take place,
the Courts of Admiralty, which in this, like
all other countries, are established to take cog
nizance of such matters, and in all cases to
judge solely by the laws of nations, and by
the fpecific stipulations of different treaties,
will redress every hardship in so equitable a
manner, that her Imperial Majesty shall be
perfectly fatisfied, and acknowledge a like
spirit of justice which she herfelf possesses.
Yesterday Gen. Williams kissed the King's
hand at St. James's, on his promotion in the
train of artillery, in the room of Gen. Defa
guliers, deceased.
As did Col. Belford, in the train, in the
room of Gen. Williams.
And Col. Tovey, in the room of Colonel
Belford.
The Alligator privateer, of London, Capt.
Coaik, has sent into Portsmouth, the Anna
Louisa Kongfbergh, Poppem, a ship from
Bourdeaux to Morlaix, laden with 800 hogs
heads of claret, and some calles of brandy.
We have advices from Cadiz, which con
firm in the most positive manner, that there
are not naval Stores fu fficient there to equip
the men of war ordered for foreign service,
and until some arrive, they cannot proceed to
sea ; the squadron intended to act with that of
France is in the fame predicament, but will
be supplied at Brett.
Extract of a letter from Weymouth, May 8.
" This morning, the wind blowing a hard
gale, a French privateer, which had been
cruising some time off here, and greatly an
noyed our trade, was driven ashore within
two miles of this port, and entirely loft, and
all the crew, except ten men, were drowned.
By the prisoners we learn, that she belonged
to Cherburgh, and had taken several coallers,
and sent them thither.
A Danish ship from Tranquebar is arrived,
which left St. Helena the 27th of February,'
and brings an account that the following
French ships, from Mauritus, were in False
Day the 20th of February, 1780, viz. La Bril
liante, of 64 guns; L'Orient, 74.; La Serene,
64; Le Florimond, 50; Le Confolant, 40;
Le Subtil, 20; and L'Hercule, 20.
Extracts from Rebel Papers.
CHATHAM, July 12.
Congress resolved, on the 28th ult. That
the principal of all loans, that have been made
to these United States, shall finally be discharg
ed, by paying the full current value of the
bills when loaned, which payments shall be
made in Spanilh milled dollars, or the current
exchange thereof in other money, at the time
of payment:
That the value of the bills when loaned,
shall be afeertained for the purpose abovemen
tioned, by computing thereon a progressive
rate of depreciation, commencing with the
firft day of September, 1777, and continuing
to the eighteenth day of March, 1780, in ge
ometrical proportion to the time, from period
to period, as hereafter llated, assuming the
depreciation at the several periods to be as
follows, viz.
On the firft day of March. 1778, one dollar
and three quarters of a dollar of the said bills,
for one Spanilh milled dollar; on the firft of
September, 1778, as four the former for one
of the latter; on the firft of March, 1779, as
ten of the former for one of the latter ; on the
firft day of September, 1779, as eighteen of
the former for one of the latter; and on the
eighteenth day of March, 1780, as forty of
the former for one of the latter :
That the principal of all certificates that
shall hereafter be taken out, until the further
order of Congress, be discharged at the fame
rate and in the fame manner as those that
have been taken out since the eighteenth day
of March last. ,
That the interest of all loan office certificates
at the rate of fix per cent, per annum, com
puted on the principal afeertained as aforefaid,
shall be difeharged annually, in like manner
as the principal, until the principal shall be
paid: Provided nevertheless, that the fame
interest and mode of payment on certificates
taken out before the firft day of March, 1778,
flail be continued as at present, until the
principal afeertained as aforefaid, shall be
ready to be difeharged.
They also ordered, That the board of trea
sury prepare the proper tables for direction of
the commissioners of the continental loan
offices in the fevqal fates, in paying off the
principal and interest of loans, agreeably t>
the foregoing resolutions.
BALTI MOR E, June 20.
At a special court, held in Burlington last
week:, Robert Pomeroy was tried for the mur
der of David Hurly, and convided on very
full evidence. He is sentenced to be hanged
the 7th day of July next.—At the fame court
Joseph Burns, gaoler of Burlington, was in
dided for aiding and affixing one Thomas
Burney, (who was cnaiged with felony) to
escape from said goal, of which said Burns
was convicted, and is sentenced to eighteen
mouths imprisonment.
On Friday the 16th inst. a little after sunset,
fix armed villains came to the house of John
Chamb rlain, Efu; in Windsor. Middlesex
County ; three of them entered the house,
the other three flood as guards: Putting
their bayonets to his bread, they demanded
his money ; and after much abuse, and many
threatenings they went eff, taking with
them about £.65 in hard, and about £,. 1000
in continental money, three pair of silver
Ihoe buckles, three silver do. three pair of sil
ver buttons, half a dozen silver tea spoons,
and a variety of the family's wearing apparel.
BOSTON, June 15.
Lal lMonday arrived at Salem a ship and
a brig, in 48 days from Cadiz. They left
that port in company with a Spanilh fleet of
12 fail of the line, and a number of frigates,
bound to the Well-Indies, from whence (it
was whispered) they were defined for Jamaica.
The public fatisfaftion rises high from the
account that a large naval and land armament
may every moment be expelled from Fiance
on these coasts, to co-operate with the force
of the United States. So seasonable and im
portant aid at the fame time that it greatly
endears our generous ally to us animates peo
ple of every rank to the most vigorous efforts
in the preparations we are called to make, to
ad in the most efficacious manner, in con
jundion with this powerful aid.
On Friday lall the Convention for framing
a new constitution of civil government for
this date was dissolved, having compleated
that important business—The form of govern
ment sent out to the people in March last,
having met with tli approbation of more than
two-thirds of the pei son, voting thereon, was
declared to be the cntlitution of the com
monwealth of Massachusetts ; and the last
Wednesday in Odober next assigned for the
farae to take place and be in force.
June 22. By a schooner which arrived at
Portsmouth since our last from Cape Perfu,
we have a report that the French fleet have
been seen off Louilburgh.
A vessel is arrived from Bilboa, in a short
poffage, who brought Letters, which mention,
that the French fleet, bound to America, with
12,000 troops, failed from Brest the 23d of
April. Also, that a large Spanilh fleet with
10 or 12,000 troops failed from Cadiz the
27th of the fame month, but the dellination
of the latter was not known.
An express from Weft-Point to his Excel
lency Governor Trumbull, arrived at Hart
ford last Monday, foiiciting immediate affiil
ance, as the enemy were proceeding in great
force, both by land and water, on the North
river; their object is supposed to be the re
duction of our important post in that quarter.
Two vessels laden with salt ; prizes, arrived
since our last at Beverly.
CHARLES-TOWN, June 26.
Last evening arrived the brigantine Kilty, Captain H.
Lufk, in fourteen days from St. Chriftophers, by
whom we have obtained a Gazette of the 2th instant,
from which the following is extracted:
BRIDGE-TOWN, (Barbadoes) May 27,
Being favoured with the copy of the following rxtrafts
and minutes of a gentleman on board one of the ships
of war in the late a&ions, we have taken the eariieft
opportunity of laying them before the public.
rtrtHE body of the fleet lying in Sh^re-Bav, taking
in water, store% and provisions, and icfiiting the
damage received in the late a&ion, iu ordar to renew
the battle the firft opportunity, and the Admiral having
information the sth ot thi: month, from one of the
frigates cruising fog hblervation, that the French fleet
was seen about 10 leagues to windwa-d of Point Sarinc,
he made the fipnal for failing, when the fleet immediately
got under way, having orders to hold themfelvcs in con
stant readiness for failing at the fonteft notice. The
afternoon of the g'h, the enemy's fleet appeared bearing
E. S. E. of our fleet, fix or seven leagues distant, hand
ing to the southward, with the wind at E. Point Saline
then bore due north of our floret, 5 leagues distant, upon
which the Admiral made the signal to prepare for battle,
and when we hai lgot considerably nearer the enemy,
formed the line, still beating to windward, and endea
vouring to get near enough to the enemy to force them
to a&ion, which they prevented by keeping close haul'd
to the wind, endeavouring to avoid an engagement by
all means, and it is very unfortunate, that their su
periority of failing in general, in a line, gave them too
much the option of distance. About fix in the evening
of the 15th, the van of our fleet then upon the larboard
racks, having got pretty close to the enemy, the Admi
ral made the signal to prepare for battle.
Captain Boyer in the Albion, very gallantly led the
van to a&ion in a manner that docs him muth honour
and credit, and about 50 minutes past 6, fetched the
center of the enemy'# line, and engaged each of their
rear ships as they passed on the other tack, keeping up
a very heavy and uninterrupted fire all the time. By
reason of a violent squall, with a fuiden fhift of wind,
but eight of our head-most ships, Admiral Rowley's di
vision could fetch any parr of the enemy's line ; the very
heavy and conft?nt fire the Albion as well as the other
ships that got into a&ion, kept up on the ships that pas
sed them, deserves great applause, and they must have
done the enemy considerable damage. At 37 minutes
after 7, the enemy's rear passed cur ships, when the ac
tion ceased, and soon after the ships that had engaged
Joined the fleet, when we tack'd and flood the fame way
with the enemy. The Albion and Magnificent appeared
to have fuffcred most at this time, as being firft up, and
passed a greater number of the French ships very near,
the other ships also fuffered; but it is to be hoped, from
the very good fire they continually kept, they have hurt
the encray considerably more.
Nothing material happened from that time till the
19th, about I in the afternoon, in Lat. 14 d. 18 m. N.
to windward of Martinico, when we, still in a line of
battle, endeavouring to get near enough to engagethe ene
my, and Handing N. E. which was the point they bore
from us, with the wina at E. S. E. saw them cac* co the
fouthwarc, avd pe ceiving they cou d not weather the
van of our fleet, then on the larboard rack, the Admiral
made the signal to prepare for battle about 15 min. pare
2, and a quarter of an hour afterwards, the signal for the
rear to close; 25 min. after 3, the enemy began to fire or
our vara, which was led by Commodore Hotham in the
Vengeance, whose conduft and bravery on this, as well as
on all former occasions, deserve the utmott credit. In a
few minutes afterwards the Admiral threw out the gene-,
ral signal for battle, and our van and centre ships very
smartly engaged the whole of their line as they passed on
the opposite tack, successively hauling their wind as they
came abreast of the Sandwich in the centre, and thereby
avoid? g the fire of our rear division ; 50 min. past 4 the
Admiral made the signal for the Admiral in the third
post (Rawley)juft then rut of action with the van divi
sion to tack ^nd endeavour togain the wind of rhe ene
my ; a^cut 15 min after 5. their rea > having paired our
fllips, th: firing cca'rl, when the Admiral made the
signal for the hcadmoft and weatber-moft ships to tack
firft, and engage fucceffirely as they came up with
the enemy, at the fame time hauling down the signal
for the line. But finding it impracticable to renew
the action upon that plan, as the enemy kept well to
wind ward, under a press of fail, and the wind ver,
unfavourable for our purpose, the Admiral, about half
past 5, threw out the signal for a close line a-head again,
when the fleet tacked together, Handing on the fame tack
with the enemy, and kept in fight of them all night.
They certainly must have fuffered very coufiderab!, this
time, as our ships kept up a very heavy and constant fire
upon them as they passed, and several of their ships ap
peared greatly disabled, three of them being observed
not able to keep the line. Next morning the Admiral
made the signal for weekly accounts, with the Hate and
condition of the ships; at noon, Lat. 14 d. 58 m. N.
formed the line north and faath, the French fleet then
bearing N. E. by E. of us, a great way off, and that eve
ning got quite out of fight, when the signal for the line
was hauled down, and all cruizers called in. Sunday
raorn ng the Conqueror, Boyne, and Cornwall, being
very leaky and much disabled in a&ion, left the fleet,
with the Fortune and Greyhound frigates, fleering for
St. Lucia, and the rest of the fleet anchored ia Carlifle-
Bay, about two o'clock on Monday morning.
Naval hiftor, does not afford an instance of two such.
fleets manoeuvring for so long a time; and so near each
other, nor perhaps of such great and capital strokes of
profeffional /kill and abilities as were exhibited on both
sides upon this occasion. The masterly and very officer
like manner in which Sir George brought the fleet to a
general a&ion on the 17th of last month, in spite of the
cautious and very artful manoeuvres of the French Ad
miral, surpasses all firmer instances of good condi&
and very judicious management, and must gain him im
mortal honour, or rather greatly add to that high pro
feffional reputation he has already established, and there
is no doubt but such another opportunity would have en
abled him to have given 0 very fatisfadbry account of the
enemy.
Indeed his uniform condu&, during the whole of this
expedition , defcrvedly claims all the credit and applause
that a graceful nation can bellow on so great and good an
officer, who has been so anxiously and iodefatigably
attentive to the service he is engaged in, and it is most
ardently to be hoped that an adequate reinforcement will
soon enable him totally to defeat the enemy's fleet, and
establish an indifouted Sovereignty in these seas, and the
fe.ming harmony at present subsisting between the differ
ent Commanders, promises the most unanimous exertion
of every effort.
Thursday evening arrived General Vaughan from Sts
Lucia.
Naval-Yard, New-York, 12th July, 1780.
NOTICE is hereby given, that on Wed
nesday the 19th Inst. between the Hours
of 12 and 1 o'Clock, will be offered for Sale
at the Store keeper's Office, the Hull of his
Majesty's Sloop RAVEN,
As she now lies near Brafher's Wharff.
At the fame Time, the Hull & Materials of the
Yard Sloop INDUSTRY.
Burthen 24 Tons, with Stores as mentioned im
the Inventory lodged in the said Office.
Also the Hull of the
Watering Sloop CHANCE,
Both laying at the Naval Yard.
FOUND, a few Days since, a HOG. The
Owner may have it again, proving his
Property, and paying Charges, by applying
to Hugh Gaine. 1
An excellent Herb against
FEV ER S,
PROVED by many: The Virtue and Blessing
thereof makes it very valuable. Apply to
James Der Kindrrex,' Ferry.street.
N. B. It has cured several Persons when the
Do&ors had given them over; therefore recom
mended t the Public by
J. D. KINDEREN.
Public Au&ion.
TO-MORROW,
Below the Coffee-Houfe, at 10 o'Clock,
Will be fold by
Templeton and Stewart,
A Few valuable Books on different SubjeSs, a'
Parcel of Houfhold and Kitchen Furniture,
confining of Mahogany Chairs and Tables, Bed-
Heads and Feather Beds, Looking Glasses, &c. &c.
On WEDNESDAY,
A Quantity of excellent Cordage, amongst which
is a 9 Inch Cable of the very belt Quality, with 16
Water Calks,
Just imported in the Ship ]o@n, John LujcGn&s
Mu,er, from Brifo^, and so be fid by
PRICE and SALMON,
Corner of Smith and Duke-Streets,
VERY belt fupetfine kiln dry'd flour, best
double Glocelter cheese, Taunton and Briltol
beer, belt Herefordfhire cyder, porter in barrels,
vinegar in kegs, mullard, bacon and hams, tur
pentine soap, mould and dipt candles, ftgar candy,
pipes, glass ware assorted, window glass, oil and
painters colours, brulhes of all forts, best Englilh
mess pork in barrels.
^ 'HE Copartnership between Jane De Foreeit, and
'Jahn Rote, of this City, Sailmakers, in now
dissolved ; it is now defined that all Persons who
stand indebted to the said Copartnership, not to pay
any Accounts to any of the Copartners, but to e
Person who will bring a Power of Attorney to^
ceive the famc s