New-Hampshire gazette, or, State journal and general advertiser (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1781-04-09 00:00:00

THE New - Hampshire Gazette OR, State Journal, and General Advertiser.
[ Vol. XXV. ]
MONDAY, April 9, 1781.
[ No. 1275. ]
RELATION of the going out, and sea engagement between the French fleet commanded by the Chevalier Destouches, and the British commanded by Admiral Arbuthnot, on the 16th March, 1781.
THE gale of wind on the 21st Jan. having had consequences, which put some equality in the naval forces of France and Great Britain, in North America, the Chevalier Destouches took advantage of this circumstance to stop the depredations and plunders of the enemy on the coast of Virginia; for that purpose he sent, with the greatest speed, a 64 gun ship and two frigates, under orders of Monsieur de Tilly, Captain of the navy: His orders were to go to Chesepik bay, & to endeavour to destroy the little British fleet there, and the frigates which protected it. The enemy having taken the precaution to put their vessels out of danger in the little river of Elizabeth, Monsieur de Tilly could not compleatly fill the object of his mission; his expedition however was not fruitless, he took or destroyed 10 ships belonging to the enemy, and brought to Newport the Romulus of 44 guns, which he had taken at the entry of the bay. The success of this first undertaking, and the great desire of the Chevalier Destouches to give an efficacious succour to the State of Virginia, made him take the resolution to undertake it again with greater means. He fitted out his squadron, armed the Romulus, and to assure as much as it was possible, the success of the expedition, the Count de Rochambeau sent aboard his men of war and the Farsque a pink, a detachment of his army, under the orders of the Baron de Viomenil.
On the 8th of March, in the evening, the fleet got under way.—The contrary winds drove them the following days to the south east; however, they took advantage of the variety of winds, approached the coast, and on the 14th in the morning discovered Cape Charles in Chesepik bay. The south winds which blew very hard did not allow them to rise in the wind to go to Cape Henry, on the contrary they were drove northward, and tacked about two whole days. On the 16th at day break, the winds blowing always from the same quarter, but with less force, and the weather foggy, the fleet having their larboard tacks aboard, a frigate was discovered two gun shot to the windward. The Admiral made signal for chasing, but after a short time many large ships appearing thro' the fogg, he did not in the least doubt but the British fleet had got intelligence, by some enemy to America, of his going out, and that the west and north west winds having made her run more large than the French fleet, she was arrived almost as soon as they on the coast of Virginia. In consequence of that reflection, he called back the chase, and the winds shifting to the north east, in the same instant, he made signal to form in the line with the larboard tack aboard. The British fleet was then two leagues off to the southward, & ran the same way. At 9 o'clock the French fleet were round, wind ahead, by the counter march, half an hour after the British did the same; at half after ten, the Admiral seeing that the wind grew fresher, and that he was approaching too much the shallows on the north coast of Virginia, made signal to take larboard tacks aboard, and to wear round before the wind by the counter march. The Chevalier Destouches was conscious, that not having got into Chesepik
before the enemy, his expedition could no more take place, he knew it was impossible to land his troops, even from the men of war under the fire of a superior fleet; his only care was for the glory of the arms of his king, without compromising his fleet. The enemy taking advantage of their superiority in sailing and in forces, continued to rise in the wind, crouding a great deal of sail, and having starboard tacks aboard. At noon they wore in the French fleets wake; a little before one, their van approached within half a league of the rear of the French line, and they seemed to have a mind to attack to the leeward; 'till then, the Chevalier Destouches had wrought his ship so as neither to avoid nor seek the engagement, because he was conscious that even the happiest issue of it, would hinder him from fulfilling his principal object; but the honor of the king's arms, which he must sustain before America, would not let him give room to the British to brag that they had pursued him, (even with a superior force) he took the resolution of attacking himself, by falling on their van, wearing round by the counter march, and fighting them on opposite tacks to leeward; that his ships might with facility make use of their lower deck guns, at 1 o'clock the headmost ship of the French line was within gun shot of the headmost ship of the enemy's, and a few minutes after the engagement began. The van of the British fleet fell to leeward, and the van of the French fleet did the same, to keep up with the enemy, so that those two parts of the fleet sought for some time, running before the wind. A little before two o'clock, the Admiral seeing the manœuvre of the British van, did not allow it to run more to leeward, made his fleet haul in the wind, and larboard tacks aboard by a successive motion, which made his whole line file off upon the van of the enemy. This manœuvre had a compleat success; their foremost ship had scarce bore the fire of the fifth French ship, when he fell to leeward, took the wind on his starboard side and left the line, accompanied by a frigate which came to his relief; however, the rear of the British fleet had kept to the windward, and was near enough to fight the French rear, while it was making a motion to get in the wake of the head of the line. The attack of the enemy's van, did very little damage to the ships that sustained it; however the conqueror suffered a great deal, because after having fought with the British van, he sustained all the fire of their center. He especially fought with a three decker, the loss of his main top sail yard, and of a great part of his tacking, compensated the damage which he had done to the conqueror. A quarter before 3, the fire having ceased on both sides, and the French fleet being ahead and to leeward of the British, the Admiral made signal to form promiscuously the line, larboard tacks aboard, in a short time this was done, and the fleet ran under small sail, in expectation that the enemy would attack a second time; the Admiral then proposed to wear round upon them, and fall upon their van, but they had been so ill used in the first encounter, that they did not think it prudent to expose themselves to a second, and during the rest of the day, they kept to the windward and a stern, without taking advantage of their superiority in sailing to renew the fight. In the beginning of the night, the enemy's fleet fell to leeward, and the
French fleet continued to run to the south east, with very little sail, and all its lights hung out. The next day the enemy were not to be seen; and the Chevalier Destouches tho' the advantage was on his side, was obliged to renounce his hopes of succouring Virginia, and in consequence steered towards Newport, to repair his ships that had been damaged, and put them in a condition of undertaking new operations.
Too much praise cannot be given to the intrepid and firmness shewn by the Captains, officers, crews and troops.—Their courage has made a compensation for the number and superior strength of the enemy's ships, and the expedition would have been successful had it been depending on the superiority of courage.
The loss of the fleet amounts to 80 killed or dead of their wounds, and 120 wounded. Among the first, are sincerely lamented, Monsieur de Cheffontaine, Captain of the navy, and Monsieur de Kergu, Ensign.
French fleet in order of battle. English fleet in order of battle.
   The Conquerant, 74 London, 98   The Jason, 64 Royal Oak, 74   The Ardent, 64 Robust, 74   The Duc de Bedford, 74 Bedford, 74   Bourgogne, 80 Europe, 64   The Neptune, 74 America, 64   The Romulus frig. 44 Prudent, 64   The Eveille, 64 Adment, 50   The Provence, 64 Out of the line.   Out of the line. 1 frigate, suppos'd 44   The Hermoine, 32 1 frigate 28 or 32   The Farsque pink 22 1 frigate, 28 or 32  
BALTIMORE, March 14.
We have no material news from the southward since our last—The British forces, consisting of about 5000 men, under Earl Cornwallis, were, about a fortnight ago, at Hillsborough, in N. Carolina; and Gen. Green, having been considerably reinforced, had crossed the Dan River, about the same time, and was advancing towards his Lordship.
It is reported, that 2000 British troops have lately arrived at Wilmington, on Cape Fear River, North Carolina; and a body of Hessians at Charlestown.
PHILADELPHIA, March 21.
Extract of a letter from Williamsburgh, March 10.
"General Green goes on swimmingly. He begins to cramp his lordship amazingly. The last accounts were, he (Cornwallis) was entrenched himself at Hillsborough, Green's forces greatly superior to his. Marrian has taken Camden, with all the stores. Gen. Nash defeated Provost & his party at Wilmington. Lee has taken about 80 of their cavalry, and in short begins to prevent their foraging and getting provisions, being greatly superior in cavalry. We expect shortly to hear of a Cornwallisan."
A letter from Virginia, dated Feb. 24, says, "Our affairs to the southward now bears a more pleasing aspect. The Western inhabitants of Virginia, who so nobly distinguished themselves in their battle of King's Mountain and the Cowpens, have, to a man, turned out, bringing with them their fellow settlers. Those, 'tis said, joined Gen. Greene's army last Monday, to the amount of 2000; & the whole militia of Virginia, to the Westward of Petersburg and southward of James River are marched to reinforce the army. Cornwall-

Its perceiving the formidable force collecting against him from Virginia, 'tis said, has attempted to retreat in his turn, but found it impracticable, from a considerable body of the North Carolina militia collected in his rear, under the command of General Sumpter. In this situation the people here speak of the destruction of the British army under Lord Cornwallis as inevitable.
BOSTON, April 5.
Nothing can be more evident than the warm disposition of our Allies effectually to aid the cause of America. The late expedition from Rhode-Island are fresh and strong proofs of such a disposition. It discovered no small spirit in the French commander to make two enterprizes for the succour of Virginia, in the face of a superior British squadron. In the naval action which ensu'd upon the last, great honor was reflected upon the arms of France: Though the British squadron was superior by 88 guns, yet the advantage was clearly on the side of the French. And indeed the whole conduct of our Allies thro' the war, convinces us of the folly of our former prejudices respecting the vast superiority of the skill and prowess of the Britons in comparison with the French.
An officer of reputation in the American army, who was on board the French fleet in the late action, & an eye witness to the whole, speaks in the highest terms of the coolness, intrepidity and good conduct of the Chevalier Destouches and his whole squadron— Their superiority, he says, in the engagement was undeniably evident; and the conduct of the British squadron while in action, and when they retired, were but ill adapted to support the vaunts of that nation.
Last Tuesday arrived at Newport a ship from Bermuda, bound to New York, prize to the Hermoine frigate: The Surveillante frigate has also taken a large brig, which was afterwards sunk.
By advices received from Philadelphia, we learn, that General Greene, with near 6000 men, was encamped, the first ult. within five miles of Lord Cornwallis's army, which (having been joined with near 2000 Tories) consisted of about 4700 men; and that Gen. Greene had two detachments from his army in Cornwallis's front, which consisted of upwards of 1000 men.
A letter from the southward of the 24th ult. mentions, that the British fleet of transports which were lately chased into the Hook by the French fleet, sailed again on the 21st for Chesapeake Bay, having on board between two and 3000 troops; and that Gen. Clinton commanded in person.
Thursday last sailed from Salem the privateers Brutus and Neptune, in quest of a privateer sloop belonging to the enemy, which had been cruising off Cape Cod, and Sunday the Brutus returned into port with her. The Neptune being left to cruise for her consort, has since ran ashore near Barnstable, but 'tis said will be got off.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Nantz, dated November 25, 1780.
"The Dutch have at last signed the neutral treaty the 21st instant, to the great joy of all Europe.—This has been the only answer they have given Sir Joseph York, on the Address he had made for satisfaction for the papers found on Mr. Laurens, concerning a treaty between the United States and the State of Amsterdam."
Extract of a letter from New London, March 21.
"Capt. Peck is just arrived in a short passage from St. Croix, and informs, that Admiral Rodney took possession of St. Eustatia, St. Martins and Saba, on the 3d of February.
"Capt. Seymour is also just arrived from Esquebo, who informs, that that place and Demerara are both taken by the British, and the inhabitants plundered. It was also reported, that eight sail of the line and a number of troops were sailed from Curricoo."
It is said that 150 sail of shipping were lately cut out of the Texel (Amsterdam) by some British Ships.
By the latest accounts from Europe, thro' the channel of Jamaica and New York, there can be nothing in the report of the death of the Empress of Russia; and much less foundation can there be for an addition to this report, that Russia had united with Britain. It is known to all the world, that the court of Petersburg took the lead in the treaty of neutrality between the northern powers, and that it was greatly owing to the influence of that court, that Holland in November last, acceded completely to the neutral convention. This step of the Dutch was undoubtably at bottom, the chief ground of the resentment of the British court expressed at Statia and other places.
Extract of a Letter, dated head quarters, March 31, 1781.
"There has been an action on the 15 instant between Gen. Greene and Lord Cornwallis, near Guilford Court House, in North Carolina—No official account has arrived—few particulars are known—It is certain, the engagement has not been decisive, as Capt. Singleton, who was in the action, left the army the day after, one mile & an half from the enemy, & reports to Governor Jefferson, that General Greene would have offered battle the day he left camp, if it had not proved very rainy. Our loss was said to be between 3 & 400 killed & wounded, and the enemy much more: Killed, Major Anderson and Capt. Barerett; wounded, General Stevens and Capt. Fauntleroy."
PORTSMOUTH, April 7. 1781.
New-Market, April 3. 1781.
LAST Thursday died, and on Monday was decently interred, Col. JOSEPH SMITH of this Town, in the eightieth Year of his Age.—This Gentleman descended from ancient, respectable Families, in New-England; and was furnished with many amiable Qualifications, which never fail to command Respect.—Little emulous of external Appearances; he employed the usual Blessings of Providence to more benevolent Purposes—In him the Poor experienced a generous Patron, and the Stranger an hospitable, faithful Friend.—His Constitution being unusually delicate, he was subject to many Infirmites, which he ever endured with admirable Patience and Fortitude; and by Attention to Temperance and Prudence, with the divine Blessing, he retained his usual Saguacity to the last, with little sensible Diminution.—As an Husband, he was tender and affectionate; as a Father, kind and winning, and spent his Life in Wishes and Endeavours to render his numerous Family happy; who all revered and loved him.—As a Neighbour, he was kind and obliging, in every Character he sustained; and an hearty Friend to his Country.—He took peculiar Delight in the Society of pious Ministers, and Conversation on divine Subjects, and paid singular Respect to the publick Worship of GOD.—In his last Illness, which was short and severe, He expressed chearful Resignation to the sovereign Will of GOD, and Hopes of Salvation thro' the Righteousness of his Son.—He has left an aged, disconsolate Widow, to lament the Loss of the pleasant Husband of her Youth, and Support of her advanced Years, a numerous Offspring to recollect with pleasant Grief, the Absence of one who has given them much salutary Counsel.
ALL Persons that have any Demands on the Estate of Mr. John Foster, late of this Town, deceased, are desired to render their Accounts for Payment: And those who are Indebted to said Estate, are desired to make Payment to—
JOSHUA WENTWORTH, Executor.
Portsmouth, April 5th, 1781.
Any Person having Books on loan, belonging to said Estate, are desired to return them to the Executor.
Siberian Wheat,
Free from Adulteration, to be Sold by JOHN SPARHAWK, Portsmouth.
State of New Hampshire.
NOTICE is hereby given to the following delinquent Proprietors or owners of Land in the Township of Piermont, that unless they pay their Continental State & other Taxes, for the Year 1780, with incidental charges, to me the subscriber that so much of their Lands, will be sold at Public Vendue at the House of John Poor, Innholder in Greenland on Tuesday the 24th day of April next, at 3 o'Clock P. M.
   Names. No. of Acres. £. s.    Joseph Smith 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Samuel Wentworth 100 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Joseph Newmarch 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Wiseman Claget, undivided Land 35 5  Jonathan Moulton 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Benjamin Stevens 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  John Goffe 100 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Charles Paxton 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Ezekiel Werthen 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Robert Auchmudy 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Nathan Whittings, undivided Land 35 5  Jonathan Church 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  John Hale 100 35 5  House Lot 45 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Samuel Barr 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Christopher Tappin 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  George Frost 100 35 5  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Rob. Temple No. 11 4. R. 100 35 5  Joseph Blanchard 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  John M c Duffee 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Joseph Page 100 35 5  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  Undivided Land 35 5  Joseph Wright 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Samuel Greely 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Col. Joseph Smith 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  James Nevian 100 35 5  Undivided Land 35 5  Meadow Lot 7 17 13  House Lot 45 17 13  
Any of the foregoing Proprietors who are still delinquent for their Taxes for 1777, 1778, 1779, as formerly advertised for Sale, which were not then Sold; their Lands will be Sold at the same time.
Benjamin Patterson, Collector. Piermont, March 20th, 1781.
WANTED to Hire a good Hand, to work on a Farm, within a few miles of Portsmouth, for which a good prize will be given.
Enquire of the Printer, Portsmouth.