The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1782-10-22 00:00:00, page 2

but the event I presume will soon fhew,thofe du
ties never will be collected more than to support.
with proper dignity a numerous trainof cujtonboujei
officers who may keep this whole continent in one
continued ferment by theirfearcb 'warrants, with
which no doubt they will be plentifully furnifhed
and thereby multiply causes for admiralty courts,
andfatten their attendants at the bar, and final- .
ly our public debt will remain to be paid, by a
tax on our real and personal estates.
A CONNECTICUT LAND-HOLDER,
but NO MERCHANT.
_ RICHMOND, September 28.
Extra& of a letter from an officer in the southern
army to his friend in this State, dated the
beginning of September.
" Some time ago Gen. Leslie requeued of
our General, to permit the inhabitants to bring
in some rice, for which he would fuffer such
things to ^0 out as Gen. Greene should desire;
this requeit not being complied with, he threaten
ed to forage, and accordingly a detachment of
the British army,about 600 in number, marched
out on the,z&h ult. Gen. Gift, with a small
part of our light troops advanced and attacked
them, although much inferior in number. Col.
Laurens who had a command in the light troops,
though confined to his bed, ordered his horses
andjoined his command. Drop a tear! Our
gallant friend fell! Lieut. Ballard Smith of the
Virginia line, and Lieut. Smith of the Pennsyl
vania artillery were wounded ; besides these, our
loss is about 2$ killed, wounded and miffing. We
are ordered to march, and I expert will fend the
plunderers in em,ty as they came. Our horse
could not engage.
PHILADELPHIA, October §.
Extract of a letter from Major General Greene,
dated Aihley-Hill, S. C. August 28.
The inclofed copy of a letter from Lieutenant
General Leslie, contains an extraordinary requi
firion for 4 fupplyofprovision,which was refufed.
I cannot but confider it as an evidence of the
intention of the enemy to seduce and lull the
people of this country, whilst they operate with
vigour against its allies, and until they can seize
a more favourable occasion of gaining poffeilion
of the country. They were too fuccefsful in
their attempt to colleft rice on Santee, having
carried off near 600 barrels, and without anylofs.
Alecond detachment is now out, and endeavour
in < to ravage the banks of the Combakee river.
Gen. Gill, with the light troops, is ordered to
oppose them, and I hope will in some measure
render their attempt unfaccefsful.
(COPY)
^Head-Quarters, August 13, 1782.
THE measure ..which I lately adopted of fend
ing a force to collect provisions on the Lower-
Santee, for the use of this garrison, was a neces
sary consequence of the conduct your party had
thought proper to observe, in the prohibitions
which prevented our receiving supplies of that
kind from the country.
From the refpeal bear to the sentiments which
appear to govern the present conduct of Great-
Britain towards America, I Ihould have given a
willing preferrence to any means, less diftrefsful
to the country, by which this necessary purpose
might have been attained : I am equally desirous
to forbear the further prosecution of these mea
sures ; and am ready to enter with you into any
composition to that effeeft, which may, I think,
be edibli%ed on terms to the mutual advantage
of either party, affording to uk the supply to our
future pecediries, and to you security from fur
ther depredations, and a voluntary compensation
'° r ,^t the force of arms has already given us in
poheffipn; the success which has attended this
enterprise, mud convince you, that principles of
benevolence and humanity are the true motives
of a conduct, the moderation of which mult ap
pear striking to you,
I hope these considerations will induce you to
accept a proposal so evidently advantageous to
the interests of your own party, and that you
will in consequence, order rice and other provi
sions to be sent into town, in quantities propor
tionate to our demands, which will be considera
ble, from the necessity of supplying the King's
fubjeas who may think proper to remove hence
to the province of East-Florida.
If, notwithstanding these offers, you think
proper to adhere to your former line of conduct,
the necessity which constrains will juftify the
measures which I (hall be forced to take.
I have the honor to he, Sir,
Yourmoft obedient, and most
humble servant,
ALEXANDER LESLIE.
To Major General Greene, &c. &c.
Head-Quarters, South-Carolina, Ashley Hill,
Auguff 19, 1782.
I HAVE the honor to transmit your Excel
lency the report of Brigadier-General Gift, re
lative to the operations of the troops under his
command., The object of his detachment was
mentioned in my dispatch of yesterday ; and I
am happy to find he was so fuccefsful as to ren
der ineffectual the attempt of the enemy to col
led provision.
It is very unfortunate that we hare to lament
the loss of io valuable and diftihguilhed an officer
as Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, who was killed
in the skirmish on the 27th instant: his conduct
both as a citizen and as an officer, will forever
secure hira the grateful remembrance of his
countrymen.
lam, &c.
_ N. GREENE
His Excellency J. Hanson, Esq;
Light Camp, Chehaw Neck, Aug. 27, 1782.
Dear General,
THE enemy's fleet arrived and took poffeilion
of Combakee ferry, on the morning of the 25th
inst: and the troops under my command took post
on the north fide of the river in the evening of
the lame day. No authentic intelligence could
be obtained of the force or movements of their
troops, till early the next morning, when I re
ceived information that they had landed ,00
men at Mr. Middleton's farm, on the opposite
fide of the river, and that they had divided and
cantoned them at two different plantations.
A number of militia having joined a former
detachment of light troops on that fide,l thought
it a favourable opportunity to strike at one of
their parties, and accordingly detached Major
Call with the 3d regiment of dragoons, with or
ders to cross at the Salt-Ketchees, join the infan
try and attack them at day-break. Enclosed is
his report on that fubje&, to which I beg leave
to refer you. Previous to my orders to Major
Call, I had directed a work to be thrown up to
annoy their Whipping on their return, at Chehaw
Neck, about twelve miles from the ferry; and
Lieut. Col. Laurens arrived in the intermediate
time and solicited the direction and command
of that post : A detachment of 50 infantry, with
some matrofles and a howitz were ordered down
to him in the evening. The enemy disappoint
ed principally in the object of their expedition)
re-embarked their troops about two o'clock this
morning, and dropped silently down the river
with the tide, undiscovered by our patroles till
four o'clock, when the troops were put in moti
on to prevent their landing and support Colonel
Laurens, but before t my arrival they effected a
landing and brought him to action in the field,
in which that brave and gallant officer fell much
regretted and lamented. The enemy took ,of
feffion of the howitz, and I arrived with the ca
valry just in time to cover the retreat of the in
fantry who formed immediately within a quar
terofamile of the field ofattion. Findingthepofi
tion ofthe enemy very unfavourable to the opera
tions of cavalry, and the infantry being much fa
tigued, I thought it improper to press them to
action, and they proceeded to their boats, em
barked and failed immediately.
Captain Gun, with a party prefled upon their
rear, and retook the artillery horses.
Inclofed is a lift of the killed and wounded.
I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
_,M. GIST, Brigadier General.
1 he Hen. Major General Greene.
(COPY)
Dear SIR,
T AM just honored with your's oflaft evening's
date, and have the mortification to inform you
the design was fruftrated by the enemy 1 decamp
ing last evening before fun set. I arrived at Mr.
Blakes plantation, within one mile of Mr. Mid
dleton's, this morning at two o'clock, where I
was informed of their movement.
I have the honor to be, Dear Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
n RICHARD CALL.
August 2% 1782, i o'clock.
General Gift.
A LIST of the killed and wounded the 27th of
August, 1782.
One Lieutenant Colonel and one corporal killed,
, two Captains, one Lieutenant, two ferjeant£
one corporal and thirteen privates wounded.
NAMES of the officers killed and wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, killed/
Captain Smith, of the artillery, Captain Fields,
°. th e militia, and Lieutenant Smith, of the
Virginia troops, wounded.
Three privates miffing..
„ .W. Z. BEALE, M. B.
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Copy of a letter from Brigadier General Marion
to his Excellency Governor Mathews.
Watboo, St. John's, 30th of August, 1782.
SIR,
MY last acquainted you that I wopld return
to this place : I got here the Bth instant: Yes
terday I had notice the enemy was cruising about
Biggin-bridge, at Fardo's plantation; I immedi
ately formed,and sent to Major Conyers to come
on with the date cavalry; my guard l at Straw
bury was ordered in ; before they arrived Major
I rater, with a hundred horse and some coloured
dragoons, came on in full charge :.I let them
come within thirty yards, and threw in a fire from
my left, which was advanced under cover of three
small houses; the fire was so-well directed that
the enemy immediately broke and retreated in
confufion, leavinga Captain Robert Gillis and
three men dead,, five horses killed ; one prisoner,
three horses and a mule taken. Our loss was my
ammunition waggon with my baggage; the driv
er got in a fright and drove off contrary to orders-
A few militia, mounted, charged the party with'
the waggon and retook it, but were obliged to d
leave it, as they were within one hundred yards
of the main body, and we could not remove from
our position without giving the enemy the greats
est advantage in an open field,, which is what
they endeavoured to do : They made several at
tempts to come round me, but my men were so
alert in changing positions, and keeping to .the
pines, that they dared nqt come one They took
the road to Huger's bridge ; Major Conyers is
gone after them. They mutt have several
wounded, a good deal of blood was seen in the
way they retreated. My guard on Wand's riven
took a schooner with wood and provisions, with
a parcel of negroes going to town; Ihall be glad
to know if this may be made prize of agreeable
to your proclamation.
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's
Most obedient servant,
Signed. FRANCIS MARION.
His Excellency Gov. Matthews.
Extract of a letter from Brussels, dated July
29, 1782.
'' I cannot think that Lord Shelburne can con
tinue in place, there is certainly a general dif
truftof him. 1
" The English affairs in India are in the utmost:
confufion, in consequence of which frocks fall.''
By the UNITED STATES in CONGRESS
Aflembled, October 4, 1782.
WHEREAS by the articles of confederation
and perpetual union, the sole and exelu
five right of making peace is vested in the Unit
ed States in Congress assembled; and by the
treaty of alliance between His Most Chriftiare
Majesty and these United States, it is declared
that neither of the contrasting parties ffiall con
clude peace or truce with Great-Britain without
the consent ofthe other; and the Ministers Ple
nipotentiary of these United States in Europe
are vested with full power and authority, in their
behalf, and in concert with their allies, to nego
ciate and conclude a general peace: Nevertheless
it appears that the Britiffi court still flatters itfelf
with the vain hope of prevailing on the United
States to agree to some terms of dependence up
°n Great-Britain, or at least to a separate peace :
And there is reason to believe that Commission
ers may be sent to America to offer propositions
of that nature to the United States; or that secret
emiflarics may be employed to delude and, de
ceive. In order to extinguish ill founded hopes,
to fruftrate infiduous attempts, and to manifeft
to the whole world the purity of the intentions,
arid the fixed and unalterable determination of
the United States:
Resolved unanimously, That Congress are fin«
cerely desirous of an honourable and permanent