The Pennsylvania journal, or, Weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-08 00:00:00, page 2

given up to the resentment of their enemies when by timely
aid th,t province might have been Secured to the intcrefts of
covertnt, and the chain of American union broken. [ls
it thus trailer, thou frevifl thy regard fa th, native country;
had it net been for /ueb ingrates, Anterica and ft:lt been happy.]
Colonel Barre was extremely severe on a law officer, (Mr.
W dderburne) whom he compared to Abbe Polignac, and de
failed him as a little, pert, affected, political prater; the
comparison was frit, and caufcd a laugh; he laid, that it was
difficult to express the feelings and indignation of a man of
honor, Gung and imitated by the gnats and infers of court
corruption. He affirmed, that the troops, from a fr^daver
fion io the service, gtofsly misbehaved at Bunkcrs-hiil on the
17h of June. , , ,
Gen Burgoyne, in crntradi&ion, allowed that the troops
gave wav a little as one time, because they were flanked by
j, fire out of the houhs &c. at Cha:les-Town, but that they
toon rallied and advanced; and no men on earth ever behav
ed with more spirit. firmnus and perfevciance, til! they for
ced the enemy out of their entrenchments. He said, he was
an eyewitoefs of thc„hole affair, and consequently, as he
fooke from his own knowledge, and not by hcaifay, he ven
tured to (peak with the greatest confidence.
A letter from the Hague, dated Feb. i 6, fays, " It is said
that the Arnfterdamers have not only conferred to cede the
Scotch brigade in the Dutch service to Great-Britain; but have
proposed to the States of Holland that it should never return
to this country.any more." .
The value of goods entered for exportation to the Britain
Weft-India irtands the lad month at the coftom-houle, ex
ceeds the sum of 62,000.:. which is more than have been en
tered for some time pah.
The King has given orders to put a flop to any of theofficers
belonging to the three regiments of guards filing out, so that
those who diflikethe bufincß of going to America, th,/ they
have purchased their commitlions at high premiums, can only
JCfign. . , . ril
The companies belonging to the regiments of guards lay
ing in the Savoy barracks, had yesterday 15men drafted from
each for the American service; arid every man who offered
himfelf as a volunteer was to be allowed whatever is paid to
recruits on their firft entitling.
Government have been so distressed for troops (foreigners)
that they have a&uaily taken a single battalion of 500 men,
in pay from the Prince of Waldeck, and another of the lame
complement from the Duke of Mecklenbur^h.
Extrafl of a letter from Portfmouib, February 23.
“ Arrived the Carcass bomb, which failed from Cork the
ivh inst with Sir Peter Parker, and 42 fail of men of war
and transports , with whom he parted company on the 18th
in a hard gale of wind, when Sir Peter had but 25 fail left
with him. The Carcass has loft her mizen-faaft, and thrown
m ny of her Bores over board"
Extras of a letter from Edinburgh, Feb. 17.
" Seventeen thousand German troops are expected here in
a few days on their way to Greenock, where they are to em
bark for America. They are to come in transports up the
Firth of Forth and to land in Leith.
'Extras of a letter from Corke.
" The following occurr? nee must give fatisfa&ion to the
friends of ftiffering America: When Colonel Ethan Alien,
with about fifty other prisoners arrived in the Solebay, two
gei tiemen went on board to enquire into their situation, and
to assure them of the disposition of several gentlemen in this
city to alleviate their distresses. Col. Allen was so affected
with this instance of unexpected generosity, that the expres
sion of his gratitude could hardly find utterance.
“ His treatment on board the Solebay, is far different
from the barbarous and cruel usage he experienced in his pas
sive from Quebec, being then handcuffed and ironed in the
mod dreary part of the vessel. and basely insulted with cruel
and unmanly refleaions by some officers of the ship, whom
he challenged in Cornwall, without receiving fatisfa&ion.
“ A subscription was begun this morning among some
friends of the cause, and near fifty guineas collected to buy
cloaths for his men. and neeyffaries for bimfelf; and if liber
ty can be got of Capt. Williams to put live dock on board, I
can assure you, Colonel Allen will be exceedingly well pro
vided. We this day sent a hamper of wine, sugar, fruit,
chocolate, &c. on board for his immediate use, and to-mor
row intend to prepare the sundry articles of which he sent a
lift I inclofe you a rough copy of his answer to our letter.
Should he have permission to come on shore, he will be en
tertained by some of the firft gentlemen of this city. I have
not been refund by a single person on the fubfeription.
“ Copy of Colonel Allen's note.
“ Gentlemen,
" I received your generous present this day with a joyful
heart. Thanks to God, there are Gill the feelings of hu
manity in the worthy citizens of Cork towards those of your
bone and flefh, who, through misfortune from the present
broils in he empire, are needy prisoners.
“ Dated Cove, Jan 24, 1776.
HOUSE of COMMONS, Tuesday, Feb. 20.
At about half part three o'clock the Hon. Mr. Charles Fox
arofc and having spoke with much warmth and great abili
ties for upwards of an hour, in which he gave a very full and
pointed recapitulation of the mistakes and errors of adminis
tration from the resolutions proposed to the House by Lord
North in Feb. 1774, to that day, he concluded by moving,
that a committee should be appointed to enquire into the
cause of our present misfortunes, and unhappy situation, re
lative to the late deputes with America; he was seconded by
Lord Offorv, in a short, bur sensible speech. He was follow
ed by Lnd Mulgrave, who answered Mr. Fox pretty fully,
and was replied to by the Hon. Mr. Fitzpatrick in an able
and well digested speech; after which a very interesting de
bate was carried on for several hours. The division was at
two this morning, when the numbers were in fup,ort of Mr.
Fox's motion, 104 ; against it, 2,4o.——The principal speak
ers in the debate, which was ably handled on both sides,
were, (betides the above-mentioned) Lord North, Sir Gilbert
Elliot, Lord Howe, Mr. Stanley, Sir Edward Derling, Mr.
Hav. the Lord Advocate of Scotland, the Solicitor General;
Colonel Barre, the Lord Mayor, Governor Johnftone, Mr.
Adams Mr. Cruger, and Mr T. Townfhend.
The following is extracted from a pamphlet lately published,
entituled, " A Second Appeal to the Jufice and Interests
of the People on the measures refpe&ing America."
r THE conclusion from the foregoing considerations, duly
I weighed, will, I conceive, be found and decisive,
whether it be for war or for peace and reconcilement The
quertion is great. A greater never before called for our at
tention. The G'e of empires hang upon it. The Protestant
religion, the British confutation, the prosperity, the opu
lence. the eminence of Great-Britain, depend upon the issue.
Let us then give it that attention, which its high importance
merits.
The armament of last year against America, was 10,000
soldiers And gone seamen. It was then supposed, the Ameri
cans would not resist. The event has proved they will. That
armament ; s half eonfumed, without effecting a single thing
of any <oufcqucp.ee. I have edaverfed with no officer on the
fubjea, who thinks a main army of less than 30,000 men,
with an adequate train of artillery, 10 003 men for the fouth
crn part of the Continent, and 10 000 seamen, including
marines, can open the campaign with possibility of success.
This estimate I purposely Bate as low as possible. ?
Forty thousand land forces will be £.1,000,000
Ordnance service goo,poo
Transport service — 600,000
Ten 'houfond seamen, including marines 600,000
Staff and hospital — 70,000
Building and repairs of Grips - 100,coo
Forage, bread, &c. for the fleet and army, - 1,000,000
Extra expence 600 000
Total for the American war 4,470,000
It must be remembered, that the peace establishment, to
gether with the intcreft of the national debt, entirely exhausts
the present fnpplies; that the finking fund is almost emptied;
that the debt already incurred for the war we have carried on
with America, cannot be less than 2,000,000!. and that the
necessities of the civil lift will call this year for 5.000.000!.
At the Inweft computation then, if we are to continue this
war, the additional expence of the ensuing year will be
7.000,000!, w'rich must be provided for, by additional taxes.
Let us th< n confider, what we (hall lufe in revenue and com
merce, during the continuance of an increate of taxes to
furnifh the extraordinary supplies for this unnatural war Mr.
Glover, whole knowledge and accuracy is undoubted esti
mates the revenue arising from North-America, actually re
ceived. at 300,000!. per ann. Betides tins, tlie taxes, which
are involved in rhe price of the manufactures we furnifh
them, and which must fail with the failure of our exports,
cannot be estimated at less than one million. Tire neat re
venue arising from duties and excise ob Wed-India produc
tions, is seven hundred thousand pounds, half of which can
not but fall tn confluence of this dispute. Your exports to
North America were three millions per annum, which were
paid for in raw materials that trebled their value upon being
manufactured, and entered deeply into the whole system of
your manufactures and commerce
Upon this estimate then, observe what must be your over
taxed and ruined situation.
Additional supplies for the year 1776 £.6 47^,000
Deficiencies in the revenue r. 650,000
Total equivalent to an actual incre ^fe in taxes of 8120,000
If we add to this the supplies for the current service
of the year which amount to ir 000,000
The sum total will be 1^120,000
This sum far exceeds the burthen of any year during the
last war. The ruinous consequences of it are plain and in
evitable. There is no man in his senses, who can fit feri
ohfly down and (hew bv what resources we can fupoly such
an enormous demand. It is an abfolnte infinity to suppose
our funds and our credit will survive the shock. Nor is it
more rational to funpofe, that a less fofee will fuffice; or
that such force can be supported at less expence. Indeed the
ministers have already thrown out in Parliament, that 40,000
men will be requisite. A less number would be an army of
inability and irritation. Nor have I indeed an idea that such
a force, though formidable, will be effectual. It may check,
but it cannot conquer America A war at more than 3000
miles distance, against an enemy we now find united, active,
able and resolute : Where every foot of ground is to be won
by inches, and at the fame fatal expence with Bunker's-Hill;
in a country where faftnefs grows upon faftnefs, and laby
rinth on labyrinth ; where a check is a defeat, and a defeat is
ru in It is a war of absurdity and madness. We shall sooner
pluck the moon from her sphere, than conquer such a coun
try. But when we confider all its eircumfiances, that such a
war is to be waged by a nation so exhausted of men that we
are obliged to hire foreigners, so overburthened with debt,
that we are finking under its weight; divided and diQraacd
among ourselves, while they are knit together, like a strong
man, with one spirit of enthusiastic liberty, one f.nfe of
grievance and universal desperation; I know not with what
name of folly and infatuation to brand the attemnt It is
agreed that the grand American army amount to go eoe cho
sen men, led by experienced Generals, animated by every
motive that can inspire undaunted and heroic valour, difei
plined to all the advantages of the country, comforted and
confirmed by every assistance which the attachment, 'he inte
rest, the zeal of the inhabitants, can minister, and capable
of being recruited, or reinforced with the utmost facility.
Against this army are we to contend, under every possible
disadvantage. Our Generals unacquainted with the parti
cular country, our soldiers unanimated, I will not fay dis
gusted, by the nature of the service, embarrassed by the na
tural obstacles of an impracticable country, harraffed and dis
tressed by an irritated, hostile peasantry, recruiting difficult,
reinforcement impossible. Under these insuperable obstacles,
what can ensue from the attempt but rout and ruin ? will the
ministry date to ns a plan? I do not require it should be
practicable, let it only be plausible. Till that is done, we
shall be warranted to retort upon admi liftration, General
Gage's charge against the Provincials and call the attempt
an a& of phr-nzy.
Kilkenny, Feb. 24. Yesterday the firft division, confiding
of five companies of the 9th regiment of foot, commanded
by Major General Lord Viscount Ligonier, and this day the
second division arrived here from Dublin, on their march to
Cork, in order to embark for America.
DUBLI N, March %.
A letter from an officer at New-York, dated the 29th of
December, fays, “ We are here in the land of plenty, among
many faithful fubje&s, who dare not declare their sentiments
for want of a few regiments to funport them; Long Island
are our friends almost to a man, and the New Jersey delegates
have refufed to attend the General Congress; I hope we dial!
soon have the pleasing news of the New Englanders being
left to fliift for themselves."
CHARLESTOWN, (South-Carolina,) March 27.
The detachment that went from this town to Savannah, is
returned.
It is said, that Capt. Barclay, of the Scarborough, has ta
ken all the rice (about 1600 barrels) out of the merchantmen,
carried down to Cockfpur, and put it on board two transports,
with which he is immediately to proceed to Borton.
WI LLI AMSBUR GH, (Virginia,) April 26.
Last Monday evening 13 runaway Negroes, and a couple
of tories, were brought up from Suffolk, and lodged in the
public jail; and there is advice that Lieutenant Colonel
Eppes has taken 14 soldiers of the Black Fufikers, and killed
two grenadiers of the 14th regiment
Last Saturday his Excellency the General, with his two
Aids-de-Camp and Secretary, Col. Bullitt, &c. set out for
Suffolk; since which, we learn, that his Excellency has
marched from that place, at the head of a large body of
troops, upon some secret expedition.
By an express just arrived from South-Carolina, we have au
thentic information,that the General Affemb'y of that province
have reiolved not to enter into any treaty or correspondence
with the Court of Great-Iritaio, or any persons under their
authority, but through the medium of the Hon. Continent
Congress.
Apr.l 27. Captain John Dixon, in a vessel from Gloucester
bound to the Welt Indies, who was lately taken by a man 0
war, and carried into Antigua, has returned from St. Euftatia
and landed a cargo in this colony coofiftipg of four thoufan:
pounds sterling worth of linens, fail duck, &% The Captat
informs, that the Argo flonp of war had chafed a veffel'amon
the islands, but was prevented from making her by a Frenc
frigate, who exchanged a few ihot with the Argo, took th
velTel under convoy, and carried her fate into a French iflap._
Thirty eight fail of the men of war and transports deftinet
for North-Carolina, from England, are said to be arrived
Ctpe-Fr , and that they tock on the passage a large Frenc
fliip wi arms arid ammunition.
B O S T O N, April 25
We have advice from Halifax hat the ministerial and to-,
fleet, which lately fl d from this harbour, is arrived at tha
place; and that great numbers of the tori s are periling so
want of shelter from the inclemency of the weather, and th
common neceffaris of life.
And last Friday a vessel arrived off Marfhficld, from Hah
fax, with Dr. Stockbridge, and a number of other reform
tories The information from f>me of them is, That tl
had their choice of inlifting as soldiers, and as such to be pre
vided for; or to starve or to eturn to this colpny. The
chose the latter, and are now supplicating their country so
mercy; How thev have been disposed of, ^ have no' he? rd
N E W P O R T, ^RhAe-IfoM) April a$
Last Wednesday a ship fopDofGEr % be7h ScarborothE
Cerberus, and a black big, were (landing off and on, a 'fir
without the entrance of this harbour great part of the
they were twice close-in with the light-house; two Arne ^l.
brigs, and three (loops, he fame day, were chaced bv th
above black brig, but got clear and went in the cart file u
this i.fland
Last Thurfd^v night, the Continental fliips Alfred am
Columbus, and the brig , arrived in our b;v arc
anchored near Hope; a Nation occupied by British pirates
considerable part of the winter.
NEW - LOND O N, April 26.
During the last and beginning of this week, several men 0
war have been seen eroding in the Offing.
Yesterday week, he b ig Cabot, Ca t. Elisha Hinman, on
of the Continental (let from this port, was chafed in,o New
port bv a man of war of 28 guns, commanded by John Sim
mons: Th said fh ; o fadl from Halifax 14 days before, i
company with a brig<fro guns:—Thee watered at Bloc!
Island last Saturday, when several people from that rihn
were on board the fliip nod learned the above particular:
and were further ^formed, that the ministerial fleet from lo
ton lay at Halifax when they came out, waiting orders fro:
home.
N E W-Y O R K, May 6.
Extract of a letter from an officer in the Cotirental army, dat
Freis Riviers March 24, 1776
"My buficfs at this pftLto fn ^ifh horfs carrbu
&c. for the raffing army, and fee t ra fuoplbd with ptv^
ons, which busiest takes up aim ft my who! 'me. The
it also in my orders to call in rhe old com riflrns gv. n
the officers of militia in the seventeen narifhes in rhe diftrh
of Three Rivers, by the late Governor Car eton, and t ha
new officers ele&ed; some of which seem fir of rece virtg :
port, being afraid either that the min fte^a' 'tocos will dr
us out of the province, or that we a'ter carv' n our p it
with Great-Britain will leave them to i'll a facrifice; but
general, thev seem to be food ci holding eommiffions tt dr
the Congress ; in some pa ifhes terr have been three nr ^
candidates for the Captaincy, and I receive information, th
bribery and corruption is already beginning 0 cr ep 0
their ekaious; a* some 'he dis ues runs so high that Tar
obliged to inte.fi re ; at one I was under the nec ffr - ^=
ing about twenty seven miles to fuin r t'nd th pop,
was oblig'd to give tin m a new election, wih which -h
---were fatistied, I have f nt up ah ut thity names w he 6
neral, in order to get eommiffions under the Right Hono
ble the Continental Congress which have been ew ciectw
and expea soon to fend m ?re. I have ben extremely sos
that our forces do not come forw vd farter, of la fm
have come up, but upon he whale, I mud fay I 'lrak th:
department has been neGtaed I have troubled you wit
aa account of all rhe fr (h forces which have part his poo
exclufivc of those who were °n Montreal, who have bet
nearer the feene of aaion, officers ar included io the at
count.
Jan 31. Capt Seaban from the Bay gove nm nt, the fi
hero hat came to our assistance %§. „.Capt. Smith, wth ~
Feb. 9. Lieut Munson and Petib n with pate of wo car::>
panics, 25. 21 Li ut. Walker, 17. Capt. Wetherby 3-
22 Lieut. Meacham, 12. 24 Capt Hinman. 23. Cai
Picree, 25. Uzziah Wright, a ge^leman v hinteer,3
26. Lieut. Sunderland, 32. Sejant Clark, 20 March r
Lieut ^Loomis, §B. Lieut. Talbot, with rhe firft P nnfyva
nia company, 60. Lieut. Deane, fronuhe Bay government, 4:
4. Serjeant St. John, 15. Serjeant Gideon B en'on, 7. 5. Cap.
Goodrige, 3g. Lieut. Frifby, 31. Lieut. Walbridge, 2
6. Capt. Gideon Doud, 48. Capt. Wright, 63. 10. Lieu
Hughes, from Philadelphia, 60. Lieut. Grant, from New
England, 30. Major Safford, of Cal. Warner's regiment, 6c.
Cap'. Grofyenor, 42. 12. Capt. Jenkins, fr.m Philadelphia
his company chiefly parted by before, 8. Capt. Cooley, fr<v
New-England, 40. 16 Lieut. Yard, the firft of the J©E
so aes, with an escort with provisions, 34. 17. Major Ray, 0
the Jersey battalion, 17,, 20. Capt. Carlifle. 29, Lien:
Grant, 14. 22. Lieut. Stone, 34. Capt. Wait, 47. Lieut
Stainer, 81. Gone from Montreal gairifon, 300. Remains
a : ter the defeat, 600. By recruiting among the Canadian
5 00. Total, 2762.
" General Wooster's baggage parted through here yeOc :
day, and I expect to receive his Excellency at this garrifr
to morrow. Faffed by this post alfn, Colonels Warner, Wb
liams, Ervin, Maxwell, Wait, and Major Morris."
Friday last failed from Sandy-Hook, aad supposed for Ha
lifax, his Majesty's sloop of war, tiie Nautilus, with the fhii
Lady Gage, four brigs, and two (loops. The Phoenix am
Dutchefs of Gordon, arc at the Hook, and the Asia lies be
tween the Banks, about eight miles from the Narrows.
Extrafl of a letter from camp before Quebec, dated March 2'.
" We have great hopes of taking the town foen, the trom
arriving so fart, and two batteries being almost ready to pi?>
upon the town, and they begin to be in want of provifion r
their allowances being only 4 ounces per day, and they one
receive two.
Extrafl of a letter, dated in the camp before ^ebec, dated
April 6, 1776.
“ Our battery at Point Levy, has been firing fame dayr
(the mortar battery on the heights, is not quite finifhed) ao
in two days they will have another battery at Little River.-
We have had a prodigious quantities of snow this winter
the tops of the fences just begin to appear.—We were muc
discouraged at General Lee's not coming; however Gener
Wooster is now come down.—ln this province, which is tl
,kcy of America, we ought to have at least 10,000 men, ,