The Newport gazette (Newport [R.I.]), 1777-11-06 00:00:00

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1777.
Foreign Intelligence.
BELGRADE, June 30.
LETTERS from Constantinople mention, that the Captain Pacha being returned on the 10th Instant, from Bouchik-Tachi, where his Squadron is at Anchor, went incog. to the House of the English Ambassador, and the very next Day he sent a very fine Horse as a Present to his Excellency Mr. Ainsley, with whom the Admiral had previously had several private Conferences. It is supposed, that they relate to the Means of terminating the Differences between the Porte and the Court of Petersburg, because nothing is apparently more contrary to the interest of Great-Britain at present, than a Rupture between those two Powers.
Paris, July 25. The Government, convinced, by Experience, that the Commerce of the Indies cannot be advantageously carried on but by a Company, is now employing, it is said, on a new Plan, for the Restoration of an India Company. It is well known, that at the Exit of the last M r . Necker acquired great Applause, by his Endeavours to prevent it.
L O N D O N.
Extract of a letter from the Hague, Aug. 5.
"We have letters from Paris, which assert, that the disgrace of a certain Ambassador to the Court of Versailles, is on account of the Countess his lady, who is an English woman, having been found out carrying on a secret correspondence with Lord Stormont, the English Ambassador, and by means of the first Clerk of the department of foreign affairs at Turin, discovering to him that a private Treaty had been concluded between the Houses of Bourbon and Austria, and the Kings of Poland, Sweden, and Sardinia.
Aug. 23. A letter received on Thursday from Paris has the following paragraph: The Pallas Frigate has sailed from Brest for Philadelphia, commanded by M r . de Duviel, who has notice from the French King, which is to be delivered to the French officers in the service of the Congress, on pain of Death, immediately to return to France.
By a letter from Paris dated the 7th of August, we are assured, that the King has ordered a placard to be published at Brest, Rochelle, Nantz, and other sea ports, commanding, upon pain of death, all the Subjects of France in the service of the Congress or any other foreign state, to return to their native country. A Proclamation of which, it is asserted, was occasioned by the spirited remonstrance of Lord Stormont.
A Memorial, it is said is gone over to the Court of Madrid, on the Subject of the American Privateers carrying their Prizes into the Spanish Ports.
Extract of a letter from Dublin, Aug. 14. "We have just received Advice, that the Exeter man of war, of 64 guns, has taken and carried into Kinsale, an American privateer of 18 guns and 110 men, which she met with about 30 leagues from the westward of the Old Head of Kinsale."
The Edward, Capt. Lawrence; Hannah, Cap. Cooper; and Sally, Captain Watson, are lately arrived off the Isle of Wight from New York.
Extract of a Letter from Paris, Aug. 15.
"Two days ago an inhabitant of America was arrested and conducted to the Bastille; he was the proprietor of the privateer commanded by Capt. Cunningham, and which took the English packet-boat between Holland and England. It is said, that this step is taken at the request of the Court of London; and that on the complaints made by the Ambassador of Great-Britain, we could not refuse this satisfaction; especially as the said privateer had lately sailed from Dunkirk, in contempt of the promise given that it should not put to sea."
Letters from Paris, dated Aug. 16, mention, that the American deputies were preparing to return home, having found all their endeavours ineffectual with respect to establishing a union between France and America against Great-Britain.
The King of Denmark, out of compliment to our Court, has ordered all British seamen at present in the Danish service to be discharged, and sent home by the first ships; in consequence whereof a great number have already arrived, and have been put on board the men of war at Spithead.
The great Outline of the intended Operations is said to be this:—If France does not absolutely relinquish her present treacherous conduct, which gives her all the advantages of a war, without any of the dangers and losses, to declare war against her; to send fifty thousand foreign troops to America, which are actually agreed for; to call home the frigates, and let them loom upon the French commerce, and to form a grand expedition with General Howe's army against the French West-India Islands; to cede Gibraltar and a Sugar-Island to Russia, on condition of the Empress sending forty thousand men to North America.—What follows to confirm these circumstances, is a Commission going to Holland to engage transports.
The above paragraph appeared in the London papers, a few days before the Court of France had ordered the Rebel vessels out of their ports, and prohibited the sale of their prizes.
His Majesty has been pleased in a letter from Lord George Germain to Sir William Howe, to return his thanks to Lord Cornwallis, and the troops under his command, for their good behaviour on their march after the rebels through the Jerseys; to Col.
Harcourt for his spirited behaviour in taking General Lee; to our gallant Col. Mawhood, for his bravery and good conduct on the 3rd of January, and to all the regiments under his command, but in a particular manner to the 17th.
A letter from Dublin declares, that nothing can exceed the spirit of resentment which the Protestant inhabitants of Dublin (who are computed at near 50,000) shew at the insults they have lately experienced from the Americans. Several Bodies of volunteers have been lately formed; the gentlemen of the Boyne and Aughrim societies (so called from the two memorable battles fought at the glorious Revolution) are recruiting their corps with great assiduity, being determined to oppose the enemies of the present happy establishment, of what kind soever.
Orders were on Wednesday sent from the Admiralty to his Majesty's dock yards, for laying immediately the keels of three new 74 gun men of war, and two new 36 gun frigates.
August 30. Yesterday two gentlemen set off for France, in order to claim the three ships from Jamaica, that are supposed to be taken near Scilly by the American privateers and to have been sent to some of the French ports.
Yesterday arrived in the river the Pacifick, Dunn, from New-York, also the Farmer, Dennis, a prize from ditto.
A Schooner, laden with rice from Newbern, North-Carolina, to France, is taken by the Valiant man of war, and carried into Gibraltar.
We are assured from undoubted Authority that in consequence of Lord Stormont's spirited Remonstrance to the Court of France, all the Harbours of that Kingdom have been cleared of the American Privateers, and every Assurance given of the pacific Disposition of that Government.
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, Aug. 31.
"Yesterday arrived at Spithead his Majesty's ship Ramillies, Capt. Digby, from a cruise, and has brought in the sloop Catherine, Manchester, from Bourdeaux, with bale goods, for Boston."
The King has been pleased to appoint John Dalrymple, Esq; to be Captain-General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's Island of Jamaica, in the room of Sir Basil Keith, deceased.
The Victory, of 100 guns, was this day navigated to her moorings in Gillingham Roads. She has been lately painted, and looks very elegant.
The Albion, of 74 guns; the Exeter, of 64; and Ceres sloop of 18, are arrived on their stations on the Coast of Ireland; and the Arthurs, of 32, appointed also for the same service, is now going round thither from the Nore.
Capt. Gardiner, who brought the news from Gen. Burgoyne, is promoted to the rank of Major by brevet.

NEW-YORK, October 26.
Last Wednesday evening arrived the Hibernian tender, Lieut. Knight, commander, with dispatches from the Right Hon. Lord Howe, and the Hon. Sir William Howe, K.B. with a confirmation of the news of a glorious victory obtained over the rebels under Mr. Washington. The following are all the particulars that can be at present collected.
A Letter from an Officer of Rank in the Royal Army, dated from Logan's House, in German-Town, Oct. 9. 1777.
"Lord Cornwallis took possession of Philadelphia on the 26th of September. The Rebels inspecting General Howe had detached a considerable Part of his Army to his Lordship for the Defence of the City, were on that Account induced to attack us, which they did on the 4th Instant; but they were repulsed, and their Army defeated. General Agnew, and Lieut. Col. Bird of the 15th, are the principal Officers that we have lost. All the killed, wounded, and missing, of the Royal Army, does not exceed 800. The Rebels, and Others just come in to us, say they have lost 6000 in this Action and since their Defeat at Brandywine; for we have had several smaller Actions with them, in all of which we prevailed with every Advantage. Indeed this Attack of theirs has proved a much severer Chastisement than any they have yet met with from us. We pursued them many miles, and have taken 52 of their Officers. A great many of their Officers were killed in the Field, and after they were routed. There is gone to General Clinton, by the Sloop Hibernian, Lieut. Knight, a Detail of Particulars from the Commander in Chief, to which, as it probably will be made public, I must refer you; and as we are now preparing for another Field-Day with Mr. Washington, I must abruptly take Leave, assuring you, I will forward some Account of our further Operations, should I survive the next Battle."
The following, written by a Person present in the above-mentioned Engagement, was received last Wednesday Evening.
E. New Jersey, Oct. 14. 1777.
"Glorious News from the Southward: Washington knock'd up—the bloodiest Battle in America—6000 of his Men gone—100 Waggons to carry the wounded. Gen. Howe is at present at German Town—Washington on 30 Miles back, in a shattered Condition—their stoutest Frigate taken, and one destroyed. They are tired, and talk of finishing this Campaign. The Battle was on the 4th Instant."
"Since my last, we have got a Confirmation of the total Rout and Dispersion of the Rebel Army on the 4th Instant, and that their scattered Remains had been collected, as far as was practicable, at Perkins Creek, which they had passed, and taken Refuge on the Muddy-sides in its Vicinity; establishing a Post also at the Trap, on the Schuylkill. A Waggoner from their Camp, which he left on Monday Evening, says, they were then in the utmost Confusion, their Camp being abandoned with an Account of the Approach of the King's Troops; and the next Day he was informed a Body of British had attacked their Post at the Trap, killed thirty, and made about seventy Prisoners. He says, that on his Way hither from Sherrod's Ferry, where he crossed the Delaware, on Thursday Morning, he heard a very heavy Firing from Sun-rise till past Eight o'Clock, in Direction towards the Camp, which gives Room for Conjecture."
"By a Person who arrived here last Evening, from the Rebel Army, which he left on Tuesday the 7th Instant, we have the following Account:—That on Friday the third the Rebel Army received Orders to
draw one Days Provisions, and to march; which they did, within a small Distance of the Royal Army, in the Night, and lay upon their Arms until Day Break: That they attacked the Royal Army, and a general Engagement commenced: That both Armies fought (as he says) very obstinately: That the Hessians gave Way, but rallied; at the same Time, the Left Wing of the Rebel Army gave Way, and in an Instant the Whole was in the greatest Confusion, put to Flight, and ran (in his own Words) as if the Devil was after them, when they were pursued by the Light Horse, who made a great Havock among them: That there were a great Number missing, and that the Report in the Camp, after their Return, was three Thousand; but he verily believed there were double that Number. He does not know whether they lost any Cannon. He also says, they begin to be much tired of the War, and are determined to make an End of it this Campaign. He further says, that the Rebels had lost Numbers of their best Officers, who had the Day before received Orders not to run until the Word RETREAT was given, which the most courageous of them observed, and were left standing without Men, till they were either taken or shot. He further adds, that the Delaware Frigate was taken, and was fitting out; that Lord Howe had ordered several Floating Batteries to be made; that the Fort on the Jersey Shore, near the Chevaux de Frize, was taken, but he heard nothing of the Shipping. He also says, that there were upwards of a Hundred Waggons employed to carry the Wounded to East-Town; and when he left the Rebel Army, they were thirty Miles distant from Philadelphia. This Person has been an Eye-Witness of the last Engagement, and when he came away he heard considerable Firing, which he supposed to be from the Shipping."
Extract of a Letter from Fort Montgomery, October, 13.
"No Place on Earth bears more visible Marks of the Divine Vengeance than this; indeed it baffles Description, and fills the Mind with the most shocking Ideas. Were a Plan of the Forts here (one of which is nearly demolished) taken, it would hardly gain Credit in future Ages, that so small a Number of Men, with so little Loss, reduced them;—were you to see them, you would not think 20,000 Men adequate to the Task. The Humanity of Sir James Wallace, with the Officers and Men on the Expedition, does them infinite Honour; notwithstanding repeated Instances of Perfidy, a Friend never appeared by the Side of the River, but he was instantly protected, and brought on board, and many have availed themselves of the Opportunity."
A Rebel Paper of the 16th inst. mentions an Engagement with Gen. Burgoyne on the 7th, in which they say, "the gallant Gen. Arnold was so badly wounded, as to render the Amputation of the Leg necessary; and to aggravate the Misfortune, Gen. Lincoln received a Chance-Shot, which so fractured his Leg, as to deprive us of his important Services."
By a letter from Virginia, we have the following Particulars: The Inhabitants of Augusta County have taken up Arms in Favour of Government, and are grown formidable in their Numbers, as their Situation is such as has hitherto prevented any Attack from the Rebel Troops of that Province. In one of the Counties, where eleven Men were wanting to complete their Quota of Troops for the Continental Army, a Subscription of 1500l. was raised, and a Bounty of 350 Dollars was offered to any one disposed to enlist; but such was the dislike of the Service, that not a single Man could be found to Accept it.
The Militia of Virginia in general refused to be draughted, which occasioned the above-mentioned excessive high Bounty being offered for Enlistments. A test Oath, adjuring the King, &c. &c. has been offered in the Several Counties. One half at least of the inferior Class of People, and many Persons of Property, with almost every one of the Europeans, have refused to take it; in Consequence of which many Persons were imprisoned, and others sent off to the Frontiers of the Province.
From North Carolina we are informed, that near 3000 persons, Highlanders and Regulars, have absolutely refused to take the abjuration test administered to them agreeably to an act of the present government of that province.
The ship Catherine on her passage, five days from the coast of England, saw the fleet of store ships and victuallers, under convoy of the Venus frigate and Tortoise armed ship bound to New York.
Stephen Edwards, an inhabitant of Shrewsbury, well known for his steady and warm attachment to Government and his friends, was, in consequence of some private information, surprised and apprehended by a party of the rebel light horse at Shrewsbury, a few hours after he landed, going to visit his wife and children, and carrying some few articles as their necessities required. He was with great exultation and triumph hurried up to the rebel head quarters at Fitchfield where David Forman, by a kind of court martial, had him tried, condemned, and executed in two days. Mr. Edwards, conscious of never having done any thing to forfeit his life, was at first much shocked at the suddenness and severity of his sentence; but, after a little time, he recollected himself, and behaved to the last moment with a coolness and steadiness truly heroic. A few hours before his execution he earnestly requested to be permitted to take leave of his wife and children, and his aged parents, who all attended for that purpose. It will shock the reader, if not totally void of every feeling, to be told, that this request was most inhumanely refused him.
Since our last we have had no information that could be relied on from the army under the command of his Excellency General Sir William Howe; but it is reported, that since the taking of Red Bank, which was strongly fortified for the protection of the navigation of the river Delaware, the rebel fleet had shifted their station to some distance above the town, the ships of the royal navy had removed many of the formidable obstructions, and it is expected in a few days the channel would admit of a free passage. It is also added, that several of the rebel vessels had fallen into the hands of Admiral Lord Howe.
The passengers arrived in the ship Catherine, confirm the account given in our paper of the 11th inst. of the French ordering many American vessels out of their ports.
The within Notes Capt. Emmerick's Chasseur's intercepted on the Route to Peek's Kill to destroy the Stores and Barracks.
TEAMS cannot be sent to-day. You must remain and guard the stores to-day, and until you are driven off unless relieved. If the enemy oblige you to quit the post, set fire to the buildings in which the stores of bread and flour are, and retire to this post by the road eastward of the post road. No other buildings but those containing the bread and flour are to be destroyed.
By order of General Putnam,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS, B. G.
Fishkill, 9th October, 1777.

Kingston, 29th September, 1777.
FROM accounts received last evening from the H. M. Major General Putnam, I have the greatest reason to believe that the enemy (who are much more numerous at New-York and Kingston than we supposed them to be) intend very speedily to take a direction in favour of their northern army, and should they succeed, form a junction with them. To prevent their succeeding in a design, which if successful would be a conquest of the state, every nerve should be stretched. You are therefore on receiving this, immediately to order into Fort Montgomery the one half of your regiment completely armed, equipped, and accustomed to continue in service for one month from the time of their having actually marched (not before dismissed) and to be relieved by the remaining half at the end of that time, who are also to be put under marching order, to be ready in a moment's warning. The weak state of the army under General Putnam, occasioned by the late reinforcements ordered from hence for General Washington's army, renders this measure absolutely necessary.
I am your most obedient servant, GEORGE CLINTON. T. C. L. M'Gathy.
Oct. 31. The following is the best account we have been able to obtain of the damage done the Rebels in the late expedition up the North River, between Fort Vaucluse and Red Hook: Oct. 13th. Three sloops taken in attempting to escape from Fish-Kill, and two pettiaugers destroyed. The house, mill, out houses, and a shop belonging to Capt. Francis Soughtenburgh, at Cram Elbow, burnt: Two sloops on the east side, burnt that evening.
Oct. 16. Set fire to two brigs and a number of sloops in Esopus Creek, burnt the houses at the landing, the town of Kingston, consisting of between two hundred and three hundred houses, not one of which, except Mr. Lefferts's, escaped the flames.
Oct. 17. The house, store-house, barn, &c. of Mr. Peter T. Brock a Rebel Garrison; the house, barn, and out-houses, of Robert G. Livingston, Esq.; and a distillery and mill belonging to Rob. Livingston, on the east side of the river, burnt.
Oct. 19. Another house belonging to Rob. Livingston, Esq.; one to Mr. John Livingston, with three others, destroyed in like manner.
Oct. 22. Two houses, one the property of Mr. Smith, on the east side, a shop and barn, likewise two houses, with their appendages on the west side, were burnt; and on the 23d,
A sloop was burnt on the stocks. In the town of Kingston, a large quantity of powder, and a large number of fire-arms, together with many valuable stores, were destroyed.
On Saturday last the bridge laid over the Clove, between the forts Montgomery and Clinton, was destroyed; and the troops, after demolishing the latter, embarked on board the transports, and arrived here last Sunday evening.
The Heleen armed sloop, commanded by Capt. Christopher Heel, being stationed near Poppels Island, whilst the fleet were up the North River, to prevent the Rebels from having a number of cheveaux de frise, prepared to obstruct their return, on the 19th inst. observed two large boats, full of armed men, coming off with an intent to board the vessel. In order to give these fellows a warm reception, he masked the guns, and as soon as the vessel appeared in a distance of fire within his reach, when on a sudden discovering his guns, gave the enemy with such success, as made it difficult for them to reach the shore.
Early in the morning of the 24th, Capt. Heel sent his boats crew on shore a little below Tarry-Town, and destroyed two pettiaugers, which rowed ten oars each, and a boat of smaller size.
Another more accurate account from Esopus says, that on the landing of General Vaughan, with the troops under his command, the Rebels, without the least prospect of advantage to themselves, fired upon them from a breast-work just thrown up, and which they did not stay to defend. This, joined to an intent and provoking behaviour, occasioned the army to march up and set fire to the town, which was presently entirely consumed. There were destroyed 326 houses, with a barn to almost every one of them, filled with flour, besides grain of all kinds, much valuable furniture and effects, which the royal army disdained to take with them. Twelve thousand barrels of flour were burnt, and they took at the town four pieces of cannon, with ten more upon the river, and eleven hundred and fifty stands of arms, with a large quantity of powder, blown up. The whole service was effected and the troops re-embarked, in three hours.
Yesterday being the anniversary of his Majesty's Accession to the Throne, the same was observed here with the greatest demonstration of joy. At twelve o'clock a royal salute was fired from Fort George, and at one, from his Majesty's ships and transports in the harbour.
Nov. 1. As no accounts properly authenticated, of the situation of the Northern army have yet been brought to this city, the Printer intreats the Public to excuse his inserting any of the reports that have been circulated, until he may be warranted by intelligence derived immediately from Gen. Burgoyne.
By a South-Carolina newspaper, dated the 23d of September, we are informed, that from recent advices received in that place, they have reason to believe that the province of Georgia will be very much molested by some enterprizes projected against them from East Florida.
A brigantine from Halifax was last Monday, in a heavy gale of wind, forced over the bar into Shrewsbury Inlet; there were a number of loyal persons on board, who armed and distributed themselves into several houses on the shore, to prevent the inhabitants giving an account of their disaster, and enable them to seize on a Schooner, lying in a neighbouring creek, and bring off themselves, with a considerable part of their property. They arrived safe in this city on Thursday last, and inform us, that at Halifax the prizes taken from the Rebels are so very numerous, as to be sent thither in small Fleets; and just before the above brigantine's departure, there were no less than three Privatesers carried in. The Greyhound frigate, with her convoy from New-York, after stopping one day at Rhode-Island, arrived at Halifax in ten days.
We are informed, that the Rebel frigate Randolph, overset in Hawsaw harbour, South-Carolina; and that it was expected she would be lost.
Extract of a letter from on board one of his Majesty's ships, dated off Chester, on Delaware, October 9th, 1777.
"We are here in sight of the rebel fleet, five ships, rasis, &c. &c. These we shall be soon in possession of, if they do not burn them. The General (Sir William Howe) is in chase."
By accounts from the southward we are told, that the vessel called the Delaware frigate, of 32 guns, was taken possession of in that river by Lieut. Watts, of the Eagle man of war. This gallant officer shipped seventy volunteers on board a small vessel, by which he secured her, and it is said that Vice-Admiral Lord Howe has ordered her
to be fitted out for sea, and appointed Lieutenant Watts to the command of her.
Extract of another letter from the river Delaware.
"The principal part of his Majesty's ships of war, victuallers, &c. are about New-castle, on Delaware; seventeen sail of Rebel ships are now in sight, near their cheveaux de frise; depend on it, they will not be suffered to ride there long. Last Saturday Washington attacked our post at German Town, under favour of a thick fog; but paid very dear, indeed, for the enterprize. A great number of Rebels were killed. Our loss is inconsiderable. The return you will have by a vessel that will follow the Heleen in a few days. I cannot find we have more than eight officers killed, and five of them are subalterns. We have been in possession of Philadelphia since the 26th of September. The defeat at Brandywine was a very heavy affair to the Rebels. You may expect more news from me, as we are now preparing for another action very shortly. Washington has been just now reinforced by 1500 Virginia, Maryland, and other southern provinces, and some hundreds detached from Putnam."
NEWPORT, November 6.
On Tuesday last, several Victuallers arrived here from New-York.
By them we learn, that Sir William Howe, has defeated the Rebels in two or three successive Actions; and that M c Leand, has been taken by Storm: But that no Particulars had come to hand.
Sir Henry Clinton, with the Army under his Command, after destroying the Forts Clinton, Montgomery, &c. has returned again to New-York, and since fallen down to the Hook.
Since our last the Lark and Flora Frigates have arrived here from Halifax.
WANTED,
A SOBER, careful Person, who can be well recommended, to serve as STEWARD to a Gun-room Mess, on Board one of His Majesty's Frigates. Good Wages will be given. Enquire of the Printer.
To be SOLD,
By PUBLIC AUCTION, On FRIDAY next, A QUANTITY of Old Madeira Wine in Bottles.
On MONDAY next, 10th Inst.
Will be Sold,
At PUBLIC AUCTION On the Wharf of Mr. CALEB GARDNER, A QUANTITY of FLOUR and COD FISH. The SALE will begin at XI o'Clock.
Newport, 5th November, 1777.
CARPENTERS are wanted in the BARRACK Department. Any Carpenters by applying to Lieutenant COOK, Barrack Master, at the Barrack Office in Thames-Street, will be immediately employed, and paid at the same Rate per Day, as in the Engineers Department.
STEPHEN COOK, B. M. Newport.
LOST,
(About a FORTNIGHT since) A Silver-mounted PISTOL, Maker's Name GRIFFIN. Whoever has found the same, and will bring it to the Printer, shall receive a GUINEA Reward. —If offered to be pawned or sold, it is desired it may be stopped.