The Columbian informer, or, Cheshire journal — Keene, N.H., 1794-08-26 00:00:00, page 2

in a coorfe ofc„q^.^ it in to b # feared 1
thu tin lift of dmiaioa ma, k<d this
people, already the happiest nau)i on the
globe in geographical p fition, to grasp at
poffeflions, which, far from encreafing,
would eventually abridge both their hap
piness and their power.
The retention of Savoy I regard as irre
vocable, and unless negotiations for peace
are soon entered upon,! should consider the
annexation of Austrian Flanders to the re
public of Fiance as neither improbablenor
remote. This conquest, fhouid it be made,
ard that a ration of aS millions of people,
situated as France is, being compelled to
become a nation of soldiers, should within
a very Ciort period, atchieve whatever con
quefl. they attempt, is but too probable. —
This corqueft may be mere fuiceprible of
restitution in exchange for her islands —but
even that I think would be doubtful, as
with the extension cf her territory, hr
other means cf obtaining their reiteration
melt dangerously be increased.
This to a case for the consideration of
th f? whom 1 have neither the power ncr
the with to influence —but 1 am fatisfied
that more political rr fleaien Ihoald at
tach to it, than thev, to whom it is mart
interfiling, seem disposed to give " '"•
suspicious tc the happirefs cf France, and
the fu me peace of Europe, 1 can only
regret and deprecate the near possibility of
such an event.
But having gained very credible intel
ligence, cf rhe 21st of the fame month,
whereby I had reason to suppose the French
F fc et was then but a few leagues farther to
the Westward, the course before fleered
was altered accordingly.
On the morning of the 28th the enemy
were difeovered far to windward, and par
tial actions were engaged with them
mat evening, and'thc next day.
QUEEN CHARLOTTE AT SEA, JUNE
2, 1794, VSHANT, E. HALF N.
140 LEAGUES.
SIR,
J. HINKINGit m,y not be necessary
to make a more particular Report of my
proceedings with the Fleet for the present
information of th? Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, J confine my Communica
tions chiefly, in this, Dispatch, to the Oc
currencea when in Presence of the enemy
yelierday.
Finding on my Return off of Brest on
the t(„h Daft, that the French Fleet had a
few days before put to Sea ; ard recruiting
on the fom^ Evening, Advices from Rear-
Admiral Montagu, I deemed it requisite
to endeavour ,0 form a junction with the
Rear. Admiral as soon as possible and pro
ceeded immediately for the Station on
which he meant to wait for the Return of
the Venue.
The difficulty of organizing their go
vernment, after peace, would form a
darker Shade than it docs, if we did not
relief chat the Constitution is already pre
pared—that the nominations to office, a&d
the knowledge, which q^ahfi^s them to
feka chara&ers wculd be alrnoft exclu
lively in the possession of th^ Cemite de
Salut Pubic—and that a long continu
ance io office has already designated the
individuals for the Actions, which th:y
ought refpcai' ely to fill.
This is nevertheless a Source of Serious
apprekenfien, as it regards the internal
peace of France, and will be deferring of
all the attention, which phiiofcphy and
philanthropy can bellow upon it. To the
affuafive touch of time we must refer the
obliteration of th-fc remembrances, which
may nourish individual resentments for
years to come. They will not Survive the
prefect generator. —perhaps they mt, be
extinguished with the war, which occm
firned them. It is however to be cotfef
fed and lamented that they cloud the Scene.
Should this summary of the Situation of
a ccurtry which in every regard is highly
intereflir-g, be the means of ministering to
year amusement, I Shall be extremely
happy—Being with refpedful confidera
lion, Sir, &c.
SIR. Roger Curtis, First Captain to the
Admiral Earl Howe, arrived this evening
with a dispatch from his Lord Ship to Mr.
Stephens, of which the following is a Co-
Pv.
EngljCz Official Account of the late
ctoreyn, ^Ti^/ty/Ciice.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, JUNE IS.
Naval Combat.
The weather gage having been obtained,
in the progress of the last mentioned day,,
and the Fleet being in a situation for bring
ing the enemy to elofe adion, the ill|
initant, the fliips bore up together for that
purpose, between seven and eight o'clock
in the morning.
The French, their force consisting es
twenty-fix ships of the line, opposed to
his Majeßy's Fleet of twenty five (the au
dacious having parted company with the
fternmoft fhi;s of the enemy's lire, captur
ed in the Night of the z8 # h) waited for the
action, and fuftair,ed the attack with their
cufromary Refclution.
In less than an Hour after the close ac
tion commenced in the centre, the French
Admiral, engaged by the Queen Charlotte,
crowded off, and was fallowed by mjft cf
the ships of his Van in condition to carry
fail after him, leaving with us ten or
twelve of his crippled er totally difmafted
fhipsexclufire cf one funk in the engage
ment. The Queen Ch riotte had then loft
her fore tnpmalt, and the main topmall fell
over the Side very soon after.
The greater number of the other flips
of the British Fleet, were, at this time so
ranch diribeJ or widely separated, and un
der such circumflances with refect to those
fliips of the enemy in a Rate for action, and
with which the firing was fill continued,
that two or th< eleven of their ditmantled
ships attempting to get under a fpriifail fir
gly, or finallcr fail railed on the, Rump cl
the Foremall could not be detained.
Seven remained in our p: fieffior, one of
which however, funk before the adequate
Affirmance could be given to her crew, but
many were saved.
Lift °f French Ships captured on the if Day
of June, 1794.
La Jufte So Guns.
Sans Pareille 80
L'America 74
L'Achille 74
Northumberland 74
L'lmpetueux 74
Venguer 74, funk al.
P. S. The names and force of the cap
tured French Ships with the fleet is trans
mitted herewith.
Though I Shall have on the Sebjed of
these different actions with the enemy, dis
lioguithed examples hereafter to report, J
presume the determined bravery of the fe
veral Ranks of Officers and the Ships com
panics employed under my Authority, wil
have been already Sufficiently notified b,
the Eflfea cf their spirited Exertions ; and,
I trust I Shall be excused for postponing the
more detailed narrative of the other trani
adions of the Fleet thereon, for being com
municated at a future Opportunity ; more
Specially as my firft Capt. Sir Roger Cur
tis, who is charged with the dispatch, will
be able to give a farther Information th©
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
may at this time require. It is incumbent
on me, nevertheless, now to add, that I
am greatly indebted to him for his Coun
cils as well as Conduct in every branch of
my official duties : And I have Similar as
sistance, in the late occurrences, to acknow
ledge of my second Capt. Sir Andrew
Douglas.
lam with great consideration,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
HOWE.
The Brunswick having loft her Miter:
Mast in the action, and drifted to leeward
of the French retreating Ships, was obliged
to put away large to the Northward f@n
them. Not feeing her chafed by the ere
my, in that Predicament, 1 flatter myfell
Sho may arrive in fafety at Etymon h. All
the other 24 Ships of bis Majesty's fieet rc
affemblcd later in the day ; and 1 am ple
paring to return with them, as soon as She
captured Ships of the enemy are Secured,for
fpnhead.
The material injury to his Majefiv's
Ships, I underhand, is confined principally
to their masts and yards which I conclude
will be Speedily replaced.
I nave not been ,ct able to cof'e?. reg
ular accounts of the Killed and Wounded
in the different Ships. Capt. Montagu is
the only officer of his rank who fell in the
adion, The number of both descriptions 1
hope will prove small, the nature of the
service considered ; but 1 have the concern
of being to add, on the fame Subject, that
Admiral Graves had received a wound in
the arm, and that Rear Admirals Bowye.
and Baffey, and Capt. Hutt of the Qjeen,
have each had a log taken est; the, are,
however, (1 hare the fatisfa&ion to hear)
in a favourable flare under those mi-for
tunes. la the captured Ships the numbers
of killed and wounded appear to be very
cenfiderable.%
Head-Quarters at Tournay, May 31.
Early yeferdav morning the enemy attacked
the portion of Beitignies and Dougies with a
considerableforce, and with the greater wig
or. Ourfrf advanced pofs,attakcd by more
than two iboujand men, were obliged to fall
back ; they were immediately fapported, but
the light troops of the enemy having been at
tack'd by 12,000 infantry, and about 1,200
cavalry, our piquets, after an obstinate &&ien
l of two bears, were obliged tofall back to our
pf ion. Succours were immediately brevobt
up ; our troops broke through them with fix
ed bayonets, and the enemy, after a long and
spirited reliance, were obliged to abandon
the village of Dougies, and its entrenchments
Our brave troops returned to theirfrf posi
tion, and the enemy into Maubtuge
Four hundred remained dead upon th?feld,
and a great number were wounded. Our
loss. amounts to 140 men. The troops who
bad to contend with Jueb a fupertority,
fought with a bravery which furp/fes praije
On the 23d cf this month, M. Murjhat
MolLndorf attacked and completely defeated
the enemy near Kafriautern. That Gen at
the head of bis brave Prufan troops, killed
not Lfs than 1,000 men, tuck :,800 prifov
ers,. 18 pieces of cannon, a great number of
trumbrtls, and more than 60 waggons loaded
with baggage.
Twelve battalions and twenty twofyad
rons of Imperial troops, under the ortos cf the
General cf Infantry, Prince Hobenke, pass
ed the Rhine the 22. d of this month ; and af
ter feme hrft actions, took up a mos advant
ageous portion upon the left bank cf that riv
\er, from which the enemy were driven.
“ Tbelsttle of Tuefday Lift has net been
attended with all thefaccej's expected from if.
Having been an eye witness of the principal
attack, l canfteak with certainty to the m-.ft
important f edit.
" On Tuejda, morning, at two o'clock,
•be Emperor, attended by the Arch Duke
General Mack, Colonel Stiebebutx. a^d the
Englijb Lord, (pro,ably Lord Fannoi^h,)
arrived at Gemappe, and immediately rode to
the left wing of our army,which extend d along
the Sambre,from Namur to above Charleroi
The centre was nearly between Goffes ana
Fra nes. The main bed, of the French was
at Gofelies, and tn the ullages of Tcwnior.
and Vieux ville, a league diJlantJrom Gft
lies. At three o'clock the Emperor atta Ken
:hcm in these three points, and the Austrians
were twice repulsed. 9be fire of grape fat
and mutquetry then became dreadful, ana
continued Jo till baf an bcur puji n ne, when
the three ,rfs were carried by the bayonet
and a charge of the cavalry. The French
quitted Goffclies, crying out, " Weare fold
—save himfelf who can in the wood of
Lambu !" and retreated with cenfufen to
the wood, and towards Marbut, while thoj 6
who occupiedthe twovillages re,afro the Sam
kre The latter were vigorsso cannonades
by Gen. Beaulieu, who was peeled between
the Sambre to cut off the retreat of the fugi
tives ; but as they were reinforced by a con-
JiArable body of French from the other fide oJ
the Sambre, which bad been concerted in a
weed to watch BeaAi u's motions, be was
too weak to execute this part of the, lan.
<< While this was puffing in the centre,
our right wing, reinforced by the Dutch, at
tacked the enemy's left ; and the garrifa of
Charleroi, which bad been elofely bfoged,
falliedfortb at the fame time. The French
were repulfed,fome of them sassed the Sambre,
and Joint of them retreated to the wood FLu
rus above Charleroi.
mofi immediately upon being taken posses
sion of.
N. B. The (hip fated to have been cap
tured on the Evening of the z£:h of last
month, is said by the prisoners, to be the
Revolationaire of 120 Guns.
“ Charleroi was thus entirely difagaged.
At eleven o'clock, the Emperor, after taking
Come refreshment at Goffelies, acent thither,
and found the face fill on jire. The French
bombs have damaged all the up,er town, and
twenty three of the inhabitants periled in the
ruins of their houses. ;
<<Our 10, is not yet afeertained I eroded
the field of battle on Tuefda, afternoon, and
think there could net be less than five or fix
thousand of French and Adrians tying dead
upon it •,perhapsfour of the former for one
of the latter. Our right wing continued
fighting with the enemy for the greater
part of the night, and we do not know yet the
" The Prince of Saxe Coburg offered to
"fig"' '" ''' Emperor requested him to con
tinue in command. M- de Mark, aged
Battles in the Netherlands.
Brufftls, ,une 6
" The generalsfffended from command
are, Count Kaunitz, Count K:nzej, the
Prince de Reujs, and Bason de Sikioder.
Kaunitz and K'nzey are accused cf unpardon
able mistakes in the dijpoftion cj the tsccp^
intended to cover Buffis, which nothing bus
the ignorance cf the French prevented from
'once more falling into their bands. They al,o
'furredthe French to cross the Samire afecond
i time unmolefed, under an idea that they cielT
;drive them Lack whn theypßaJed, or perhaps
I cut off their retreat ; but before thy were a
\ware, the French bad pefed over 60 coe
'men, and have nowjueb a piffinn cf the
woods, that although we repute, we cannot
^fl-dge them. Bgairf Roufs and Schro
der,there are charges of a more heinous nature.
They are both under arrf and to be Jent to
Vienna.
leave to resign, and obtained it, cn pretext
that ill health will not allow him to remain
with the army. He goes to Vienna with the
Emperor.
loon regiments.•
" P. S. We arejuft informed that the
French again creffd the Sombre yefierda? af
ternoon, and tookpofffirn of Fontaine I'Eve
que, between Bimo ana Charleroi. Hc are,
however, under no alarm for the combined
troops in that quarter now amount to 70 CCO
men.
'' The day before yeferda, the fates cf
Brabant delivered to the Emperor a refclution,
by which they engage to saije 25,0:0 men
immediately, the flutes to nominate one half of
the Captains ana Lieutenants. Tbe/e troops
are to jerve during the war for the protection
of the Netherlands. —The fates of Brabant
and Fla dsrs have also engaged tq rath 10,
000 men within fa weeks,to recruit the Wal-
For the Columbian Informer, &c.
County of HidJbo r ough, State cf )
New Hampjhire, Aug. 1794 J
Messrs. Printers,
THE great attention cf people of late
to building bridges and firait
ning the roads f, r public travel, has pur
me upon rtp'pn^hat great advantage
can be expedeu 'tending so much to
this rasher —and this # a y be known by
obfervirg the qan^rity c ,f travelling, on
any given road.^ Suppose one n.ue cf
20 team# per day, pals on an average al
lowing 300 days in a year, at 12 cent#
per mile, per team, amounts to a faying
jf z dollars and 40 cents per day, for
every mile that is laved, and 720 dolls,
per ann. which call interest at 4 per cent,
requires a fund of 18 coo dollars, to raise
it —so that favwg one mile's travel, on
inch a road, is cqal to ePabliShing a fund
of iß,coo dollars for the Public ; and ever,
nd so feted, is worth 2^ dolls, per ann
a that rate, and is equal to eftabhlliing a.
fund of 56^ dollars.
Suppose a new * .d 18 miles is requir
ed, in order to save one mile ? it will af
ford icco dolls, per mile, to lay out and
rake it; 5 dolls 12^ cents per rod.—
And the making roads will not cofimore
than halfa collar per rod in this State,
exc aordinsries excepted—so that the read
fuppefed, will, when made, be worth mere
than fix times what it cost to make it :—
And in case it be laid cut and made so
esfy that zo hundred weight may be cart
ed at a load, with a team which can carry
only 18 hundred on the old read, this (ae
far as it refresh carting heavy loads) is
doub'e the advantage of the abovemcn
tinned Shortening, and on the whole, is
fappofed to be as great an improver ert.
So that where both these :'r; rovement©
happen together, the road pp'h ira
worth more than twelve tin v_: . ^ni
to make it. In this view it is that the
Public might be greatly served, by ta
king up the matter on a large scale, and
laying cut the public roads the nearest &
best way pcffible ; even if the expence of
opening them through fields, &c. Should
be great, and at prefeat intolerable—in
this case, a read might be very feviceable
for winter travel for a number of years,
before it could be fenced out and would
be better Lafore than after on account of
snow drifts, and might be used in summer
by gates, &c. until the owners of the
lands could conveniently fence it out.—^
By this means the road would be in view
of the Public, and plans would be laying
to forward it—people would know where
to work at the roads so as not to lose their
labour, and where to set their building,
fences, &c. and it would be obviously a
very great advantage to pefterity, and pos
terity would no doubt be sensible of it.
A New Flampfetre Farmer, re