luable fupport of the liberties of Europe. Twice have they been on the very verge of falling a facrifice to France in this caufe; and we can never believe, that their old affection to Great Britain can have been alienated, much lefs that a direct rupture with them can have become neceffary on our part, without grofs mifmanagement in our councils. We cannot but form the most serious apprehenfions at feeing the three great Proteftant and free countries, of Great Britain, North America, and Holland, fo weak. ening each other by war, as to become an easy prey to the ancient enemy of them all whenever the fhall please to turn her arms against them. We are not infenfible of the diftrefsful fituation with respect to the armed neutral powers into which we have been led, step by step, by the unfortunate American war; but as we are convinced, that wicked and weak councils have been the fole caufe of that unhappy conteft, fo we are perfuaded, that honeft and able minifters might have prevented this, amongft fome of its wretched conféquences.

But whilst the fame measures which have caufed our unexampled calamities, continue to be purfued and cherished; whilft a fyftem of corruption prevails, which muft exclude both ability and integrity from our councils; whilft every intereft of the ftate is facrificed to its fupport, and every attempt at reforma. tion rejected, our condition can change but from bad to worse.

It is not for us to pretend to foretel events which are in the hand of Providence; but if caufes are fuffered to produce their natural confequences, we cannot but apprehend, from the prefent conduct of our affairs, every danger to this country, both foreign and domeftic, to which a nation can be exposed.

clinations in many refpectable members of the Dutch government, we thought we faw (and we faw it with pleasure) a fufficient indication to encourage us to hope, that it is not yet too late to open a negotiation, by which (if conducted with the temper and in the language of conciliation) we may avert the evils which the continuance of this unnatural war cannot fail to produce.

With this view, it was recommended in the debate, with the earnestness and seriousness suitable to the occafion, not to lofe an hour in propofing a ceffation of hoftilities with Holland, for the purpose of meeting, and cultivating a friendly difpofition, of reconciling commercial differences, and reftoring that union of political interefts which has hitherto been thought fundamentally neceffary to the prefervation of the Proteftant religion, and of the liberties of Europe. The inattention of his Majefty's minifters to fuch a propofition in the actual circumftances of this country; their difinclination to the objects of it, fo plainly manifefted by the unprecedented confifcations intended by their proclamation of the 20th of December laft; the lofs of fo valuable an ally, the acceffion of so confiderable a force to the formidable powers antecedently combined against us, and the juft grounds it affords to apprehend the acceffion of other powers to that combination, leave us no other part to take as members of this Houfe, after having ftated our ideas of the extent of the danger, and fuggefted what we conceive to be the beft and only remedy, than to enter our folemn proteft to exculpate ourselves from being acceffory to that accumulation of evils which we forefee, and think might be, but will not be prevented. Wycombe. Camden. Richmond.

Ferrers. Portland. Rockingham.

Fitzwilliam. Pembroke.

AMERICA.

OUR laft volume contained accounts of the furrender of Charlestown, with all its dependencies, and an American army of near 6000 men, to the King's forces; of a French army having taken poft in Rhode island, — of Arnold, a major-general in the fervice of the revolted colonies, having quitted that fervice, and joined the King's standard; - of Gen. Leflie's being fent by Gen. Clinton from New York, on an expedition to the Chesapeak; - of Sir Henry Clinton's continuing to command in chief the King's forces in North America; of the Earl Cornwallis's being commander in chief, under Gen. Clinton, in South Carolina; of Adm. Arbuthnot's being naval commander in chief in North America, and Adm. Rodney in the Weft Indies; and of the Weft Indies being vifited with a terrible storm in October, in which the iland of Jamaica fuffered greatly, and

that of Barbadoes still more.

"New York, Dec. 20. Brig. Gen. Arnold [42. 596.], with upwards of 2000 men, all embarked on board tranfports, and ready to fail (only waiting for a fair wind), were lying in Sandy-hook at the date of this letter. The corps that compofe this army, confift of the Scotch regiment the 80th, or Edinburgh Royal volunteers, of two battalions, making 900 men; the Queen's rangers, mounting 500 men; Arnold's regiment, and two Provincial battalions. 400 bridles and faddles, and other accoutrements, were put on board the tranfports belonging to the fleet, as it is intended, when they arrive at their deftination, to raise four troops of horse, each to confift of ico men. A number of large cannon for battering is on board the storeships. Portfmouth, and the province of Virginia, are the places the above expedition is intended for."

len is a principal mover, have drawn the lines of this flate, established laws and re

gulations, exprefsly contrary to the will or wishes of Congrefs, and have gone so far as to defend the appointment of their own governor and civil officers, against the militia of the High and Mighty Congrefs, fent there to suppress all civil or military regulations made by these new people.

"New York, Dec. 10. The late accounts received from Albany inform us, that Colonel Ethan Allen, with upwards of 600 effective men, had joined the royal garrifon at Ticonderoga. The inhabitants of the district of Vermont had taken arms to defend themselves against a defcent expected upon their country from the rebels, preparations for which were making at Albany; where the enemy prefumed to threaten an attack in the win

ter feafon upon Fort St John, to destroy the British thipping laid up at that place. This intelligence perfectly agrees with accounts which we have received from different parts in the courfe of the last fortnight; and as it is derived from very credible perfons, we hope foon to find it realised by fome happy events that may refult from Col. Allen's acceding to the intereft of government, and taking an active part against Congress; who, with their accustomed chicane and perfidy, have attempted to deceive all the inhabitapts of Vermont."

"New York, Dec. 28. The Board of Directors of Affociated Loyalifts have published, with the approbation of Sir Henry Clinton, a declaration, containing the following benefits and rewards, as an encouragement to all those who are inclined to affociate under their direction, for the purpose of annoying the revolted provinces, and diftreffing their trade.

2. That the Affociators are to be furnifhed with fuch ordnance and ftores, fmall arms and ammunition, as may be judged proper for the fervice.

3. That they will be fupplied with rations of provifions when they are going

upon

upon fervice, and during their continuance thereon.

4. That all captures made by the Affociators, when not acting in conjunction with any of his Majefty's land and fea forces, will be their entire property, and diftributed among them in fuch fhares as fhall be fettled by the Board, and fpecified in the articles of affociation.

5. That they are to be furnished by the Commander in Chief of his Majefty's ships on the North - American ftation with fuch fhipping, to be manned by themselves, as may be thought neceffary for the fervice, from among the tranfports or other veffels in his Majefty's pay, and not commanded by the King's officers.

6. That their mariners will not be impreffed into any other service during their continuance in the Directors employment.

7. That the prifoners they take, will be exchanged only for fuch Affociated Loyalifts as the Board may name for that purpose.

8. That the fick and wounded of the Loyalifts fo affociated, will have the help and benefit of the King's hofpitals.

9. That fuch as may at any time be called to ferve the royal army as guides, will be allowed wages during their fer

vice.

10. That every Affociator who fhall continue to act under the Directors or ders during the rebellion, will receive a gratuitous grant of two hundred acres of land in North America.

Added to thefe advantages, the Directors have also authority to declare, that the Commander in Chief has affured them, that if experience fhould point out the utility of any new powers, the Board may firmly rely on his readinefs to encourage the zeal of the Affociated Loyalifts, and on his beft endeavours to fulfil the expectations the King is pleafed to entertain of their abilities and intentions; and that, being defirous to give them every aid and fupport in his power, he will be ready to liften to any propofals the Board may judge of advantage to the business his Majefty has been graciously pleased to commit to their direction.

Gen. Clinton and Adm. Arbuthnot, Commiffioners for reftoring peace in America, &c. [42. 49.], published a declaration at New York, dated Jan. 3. offering a pardon to all the deluded fub

jects of the colonies who shall furrender themselves to commanders of forces or governors, named in the declaration, any time before the 1ft of Auguft next, excepting fuch perfons as have been inftrue mental, under the ufurped forms of trial, in executing and putting to death any of his Majefty's loyal fubjects.

The American governor of New York, having ordered a court-martial on Jacob Shell and John M'Muller, charged with fecretly lurking in their ftate, they were found guilty, and hanged, on the 27th of October, at Albany.

"Charlestown, Nov. 26. On the 14th of September laft, a party of Americans, under the command of Lt-Col. Clarke, of the militia of Georgia, croffed the river Savannah, about fixty miles above Augufta, made a rapid march down to that town, and attacked the detachment of the British army ftationed there, under the command of Lt-Col. Brown, killed and wounded a great many of the regular troops, and about feventy of the Indians. The whole of the British troops muft inevitably have fallen into the hands of the Americans, had not a reinforcement arrived from Ninety-fix, a ftation in South Carolina, about fifty miles diftant from Augufta, which obliged Col. Clarke to retreat; which he did with the lofs of about twenty-three men killed and wounded; but not without carrying off a great fupply of ammunition, and the greateft part of the goods depofited there as prefents for the Indians. After Clarke's retreat, fome few prifoners were taken; eleven of whom were hanged on the fpot, without even the formality of a trial; fome were given up to the favage barbarity of the Indians; who were firft fcalped, and afterwards put to death. Shuddering humanity recoils on itfelf, and the cheek of honour reddeneth with indignation at the recital. While this tragedy was acting, I kept clofe at home; not thinking it prudent even to be a fpectator on the occafion."

"Savannah, in Georgia, Od. 5. We hear from Augufta, that thirteen men have been lately hanged there, for having joined Clarke in his attack upon Col. Brown, after taking the oaths of allegiance to the British government."

"New York, Nov. 29. The enterprise of the rebels against Augufta miscarried, through the firmness of Col. Brown, fupported by the opportune arrival of

Col.

Col. Cruger, on which occafion the rebels ran away. Col. Cruger found a rafcal amongst the rebel prifoners, one Dukes, who after having fubmitted to government, and taken the oaths, was found in arms at Augufta, whom he ordered to be hanged.'

"Charlestown, Nov. 8. In confequence of the powers in me vefted by the Rt Hon. Earl Cornwallis [42.643.], and warrants received from his Lordship and the Commandant of Charlestown, I do hereby make public to all whom it may concern, That I have given the neceffary orders for the feizure of the eftates, both real and perfonal, of thofe perfons whofe names are under-mentioned, excepting fuch property in Charleftown as is fecured to thofe who were in the town at the time of capitulation. And I do hereby ftrictly prohibit all and every per fun or perfons from attempting to conceal, remove, or in any way injure the faid property, on pain of being punished, as aiding and abetting rebellion.

JOHN CRUDEN.

John Rutledge
Henry Laurens
Thomas Ferguson
Chriftopher Gadsden
William Moultrie
Pierce Butler
Ralph Izard
Arthur Middleton
Charles Cotefworth
Pinckney
Francis Marion

By the Antelope packet, which failed from Charlestown on the 18th of January, dispatches were received from the Earl Cornwallis, Maj.-Gen. Leslie, and LtCol. Balfour, addreffed to Lord George Germain ;-of which the following three extracts and letter have appeared in the London gazette.

From the Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, dated, Camp, at Wynnefborough, Dec. 3. 1780.

"I had the honour to inform your Excellency, that Major Ferguson had taken infinite pains with fome of the militia of Ninety-fix. He obtained my permiffion to make an incurfion into Tryon county, whilft the fickness of my army prevented my moving. As he had only militia and the small remains of his own corps, without baggage or artillery, and as he promised to come back if he heard of any fuperior force, I thought he could do no harm, and might help to keep alive the fpirits of our friends in North Carolina, which might be damped by the flowness of our motions. The event proved unfortunate without any fault of Major Ferguson's. A numerous and unexpected enemy came from the mountains: as they had good horfes their movements were rapid. Major Ferguson was tempted to ftay near the mountains longer than he intended, in hopes of cutting off Col. Clarke on his return from Georgia. He was not aware that the enemy was fo near him; and in endeavouring to execute my orders of paffing the Catawba, and joining me at Charlotte-town, he was attacked by a very fuperior force, and totally defeated on King's Mountain. [42.688.]

Wynnefborough, my prefent pofition, is an healthy fpot, well fituated to protect the greatest part of the northern frontier, and to aflift Camden and Ninety-fix.

Sumpter having paffed the Broad river, and joined Branan, Clarke, &c. I detached Major M'Arthur with the rft battalion of the 71ft, and the 63d regiment, after having fent my aid-de-camp, Lieut. Money, to take the command of it, to Brierly's ferry on Broad river, in order to cover our mills, and to give fome check

"As your Lordship will doubtless be glad to hear, by every fafe opportunity, the ftate of affairs in the fouthern diftrict, I have the honour of transmitting to you copy of my letter to the commander in chief on the 3d of this month. As this letter explains fully our paft operations, and prefent fituation, I have only to add, that Maj. Gen. Leflie is fafely arrived, with his whole fleet, at Charlestown."

the fame time I recalled Lt-Col. Tarleton from the low country. Tarleton was fo fortunate as to pafs not only the Wateree, but the Broad river, without Gen. Sumpter's being apprised of it; who having increafed his corps to one thousand, had paffed the Ennoree, and was on the point of attacking our hundred militia at Williams's houfe, fifteen miles from Ninety-fix, and where I believe he would not have met with much refiftance. Lt