the roth of February to North Edifto, the place of debarkation previously agreed upon. Our paffage thither was favourable and fpeedy; and although it required time to have the bar explored, and the channel marked, the transports all entered the harbour the next day; and the army took poffeffion of John's Island without oppofi tion. The General having made a requifition for heavy cannon, and a detachment of feamen from the fleet, the latter were under the command of Captain Elphinstone and Captain Evans, and the guns forward ed to the army as foon as they could be collected from the line-of-battle fhips, which the bad weather had forced from their anchors. Preparations were next made for paffing the fquadron over Charles-Town Bar, where, at high water fpring tide, there is only nineteen feet water. The guns, provifion, and water, were taken out of the Renown, Roebuck, and Romulus, to lighten them; and we lay in that fituation on the open coaft in the winter feason of the year, expofed to the infults of the enemy, for fixteen days, before an opportunity offered of going into the harbour, which was effected without any accident on the 20th of March, notwithstanding the enemy's gallies continually attempted to prevent our boats from founding the channel. I enclose a lift of the rebel naval force, which at this time made an appearance of difputing the paffage up the river, at the narrow pass, between Sullivan's-Inland and the middle ground, having moored their fhips and galleys in a pofition to make a raking fire as we approached Fort Moultrie; but on the fquadron arriving near the Bar, and anchoring on the infide, they abandoned that idea, retired to the town, and changed their plan of defence. The Bricole, Notre Dame, Queen of France, Truite, and General Moultrie, frigates, with feveral merchant-fhips, fitted with chevaux de frize on their decks, were funk in the channel between the town and Shute's Folly; a boom was extended across, compofed of cables, chains, and spars, fecured by the fhips mafts, and defended from the town by trong batteries of pimento logs, in which were mounted upwards of forty pieces of heavy cannon. Every thing being in readiness for croff ing the army over the Afhley-river, the boats of the fleet, with the flat boats, under the command of Capt. Elphinstone and Capt. Evans of the Raisonable, the whole arty, with the artillery and stores necef fary for the fiege, were landed under cover As foon as the army began to erect their Having ftationed ships and armed vessels off the different inlets upon the coaft, and the town being now nearly invested, attempts were made to pafs a naval force into the Cooper-river by Hog's-Inland, (the main channel being rendered impracticable) and fmall veffels to carry heavy guns were fitted for that fervice; but on being found the enemy had also funk vessels in that channel, and its entrance was defended by the works on Sullivan's-Island and Mount-Pleafant, it was refolved to dif poffefs them of the latter by the feamen of the fleet; and in the mean time, to arm the fmall veffels that had been taken by Lord Cornwallis in the Wandoo-river. For this purpofe a brigade of five hundred feamen and marines was formed from the fquadron, and under the command of the Captains Hudson, Orde, and Gambier, landed at day-break on the 29th at MountPleafant; where, receiving information that the rebels were abandoning their redoubts at Lempries Point, (an advantageous post on Cooper-river) they marched with a view of cutting off their rear, but, on a near approach, found the garrifon had efcaped in veffels to Charles-Town; but their fudden appearance prevented the rebels from carrying off their cannon and ftores, or from deftroying their works. About the fame time a Major, a Captain, and fome other commiffioned and noncommiffioned Officers, with eighty privates, were made prifoners by the guards-boats of the fleet in retiring to the town. Captain Hudfon, being relieved in his poft poft by Colonel Ferguson, returned to the fort at Mount-Pleafant, which, being in the neighbourhood of Fort-Sullivan, brought us in deferters daily, from whom I learnt very favourable accounts of its garrifon; I therefore formed a plan to attack it which should not interfere with the important operations the army were carrying on, and which now became every day more and more critical. The attention of the rebels I found had been chiefly directed to the South and Ealt fides of the fort, which were most open to attack; but the Weft Face and Northwett Baftion, I difcovered, had been neglected. I therefore determined to attempt to carry the fort by ftorm, under cover of the fire from the fhips of the fquadron. The Captains Hudson and Gambier, and Capt. Knowles, Agents for transports, with two hundred feamen and marines, embarked in the boats of the fquadron in the night of the 4th inftant, and, paffing by the fort unobferved, landed before daylight, and took poffeffion of a redoubt on the east-end of the ifland; whilft other boats were preparing to carry over the fame number of feamen and marines from Mount-Pleasant, under the command of Captain Ord. On the whole being ready, and the hips only waiting for the tide to begin the attack, the fort was fummoned by Captain Hudfon, when, after a little confideration, the garrifon furrendered themselves prifoners of war. A copy of the capitulation and the return of prifoners and ftores accompany this letter. The reduction of the city followed four days after; for the preparations to ftorm it in every part being in great forwardness, and the thips ready to move to the affault, the town was fummoned on the 9th, by his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, to furrender; terms were in confequence propofed, and the inclofed capitulation figned by the General and myself the 10th inft. I have commiffioned the rebel and -French frigates in the King's fervice, and have given the command of them to Officers of long fervice, and acknowledged merit. The conduct of Sir Andrew Hammond of the Roebuck, who bears this dispatch to you, deferves particular mention: whether in the great line of fervice, or in the detail of duty, he has been ever ready, forward, and animated. The Captains Hudfon, Orde, Gambier, Elphinstone, and Evans, have diftinguished themselves particularly on fhore; and the Officers and feamen, who have ferved with them on this occafion, have obferved the most perfect difcipline. Our whole lofs in the ships and gallies, and in the batteries on fhore, is 23 feamen killed, and 28 wounded; among the latter is Lieutenant Bowers of the Europe, but in a fair way of recovery. The fleet has endeavoured most heartily and effectually to co-operate with the army in every poffible inftance; and the most perfect harmony has fubfifted between us. I just add, that rebel privateering has recently received a fevere check; the Iris and Galatea having lately, in the space of ten days, taken nine privateers (two of which were fhips of twenty guns, and none lefs than fixteen) and eight hundred seaI have the honour to be, men. SIR, Your most humble Servant, M. ARBUTHNOT. A Lift of Rebel Ships of War taken or deftroyed in the Harbour of CharlesTown. The Bricole, pierced for 60, mounting 44 guns, twenty-four and eighteen pounders, funk, her Captain, Officers, and Company Prifoners. The Truite, 26 twelve pounders, funk, her Captain, &c. Prisoners. Queen of France, 28 nine pounders, funk, ditto Gen. Moultrie, 20 fix pounders, funk, ditto. Notre Dame (Brig) 16 ditto, funk, ditto. Providence, 32 guns, eighteen and twelve pounders, taken Captain, Officers, and Company Prifoners. Botton of the fame force, taken, ditto. Ranger, 20 fix pounders, taken, ditto. FRENCH SHIPS. L'Avanture, 26 nine and fix pounders, commanded by the Sieur de Brulot, Lieutenant de Vaiffeaux, taken, ditto. Polacre, 16 fix pounders, taken. Some empty Brigs, lying at the wharfs, with other fmall Veffels, were alfo taken, with four armed Gallies. M. ARBUTHNOT. Fort-Moultrie on Sullivan's-Island, May, 7, 1780. A Return of the Garrison of Fort-Moultrie, made Prisoners of War by a Brigade of Seamen and Marines, commanded by Captains Hudson, Gambier, and Knowles, of the Royal Navy Continental Commiffioned Officers. Lieutenant-colonel 1. Captain -3, Lieutenants 4, Non-Commiffioned Officers and privates 110. Militia Captains 2, Lieutenants 7, Non-Commiffioned and pri Copy of Summons fent to Major-general Camp before Charles-Town, SIR HENRY CLINTON, K. B. General and Commander in Chief of his Majetty's Forces in the Colonies lying on the Atlantic from Nova Scotia, &c. &c. and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot, Commander in Chief of his Majefty's fhips, &c. in NorthAmerica, &c. &c. regretting the effufion of blood, and the distresses which must now commence, deem it confonant to humanity to warn the town and garrison of Charles Town of the havoc and defolation with which they are threatened from the formidable force furrounding them by land and fea. An alternative is offered at this hour to the inhabitants of saving their lives and property (contained in the town) or of abiding by the fatal confequences of a cannonade and ftorm. Should the place in a fallacious fecurity, or its Commander in a wanton indifference to the fate of its inhabitants, delay the furrender, or should public ftores or fhipping be destroyed, the refentment of an exafperated foldiery may intervene ; but the fame mild and compaffionate offer can never be renewed. The refpective Commanders, who hereby fummon the town, do not apprehend fo rafh a part as further refiftance will be taken; but rather that the gates will be opened, and themselves received with a degree of confidence which will forebode further reconciliation. (Signed) H. CLINTON. M. ARBUTHNOT. Copy of a Letter from Major-general Lincoln to General Sir Henry Clinton and Vice - admiral Arbuthnot, dated Charles- Town, April 10, 1780. Gentlemen, I HAVE received your fummons of this. date. Sixty days have paffed fince it has been known that your intentions against this town were hoftile, in which time has been afforded to abandon it; but duty and inclination point to the propriety of fupporting it to the last extremity. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) B. LINCOLN, Commanding in the South Department. Copy of a Letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Major-general Lincoln, dated Camp before Charles-Town, May 8, 1780. SIR, CIRCUMSTANCED as I now am, with refpect to the place invested, humanity only can induce me to lay within your reach the terms I had determined fhould not again be proffered. The fall of Fort Sullivan, the deftruction on the 6th inftant of what remained of your cavalry, the critical period to which our approaches against the town have brought us, mark this as the term of your hopes of fuccour (could you ever have framed any) and as an hour beyond which resistance is temerity. By this laft fummons, therefore, `I throw to 'your charge whatever vindictive feverity exafperated foldiers may inflict on the unhappy people whom you devote, by perfevering in a fruitless defence. I fhall expect your answer until eight o'clock, when hostilities will commence again, unless the town be furrendered. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) H. CLINTON. In confequence of this letter, articles of capitulation were propofed by Major-ge neral Lincoln, and anfwered by their Excellencies General Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath, and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot; which answers being deemed by Mr. Lincoln to be inadmiffible, he propofed that other articles, which he then fent, might be acceded to. Those articles were rejected by Sir Henry Clinton and Vice-admiral Arbuthnot; and on the 11th of May Major-general Lincoln wrote the following letter: Copy of a Letter from Major-general Lincoln to General Sir Henry Clinton, dated Charles-Town, May 11, 1780. SIR, THE fame motives of humanity which inclined you to propofe articles of capitu lation to this garrifon, induced me to offer thole I had the honour of fending you on the 8th inftant.-They then appeared to me fuch as I might proffer and you receive with honour to both parties. Your exceptions to them, as they principally concerned the militia and citizens, I then conceived were fuch as could not be concurred with; but a recent application from those people, wherein they exprefs a willingness to comply with them, and a with on my part to leffen as much as may be the dif treffes of war to individuals, lead me now to offer you my acceptance of them. I have the honour to be, &c. Copy Copy of a Letter from Sir Henry Clin SIR, WHEN you rejected the favourable terms which were dictated by an earnest defire to prevent the effufion of blood, and interpofed articles that were wholly inadmiffible, both the Admiral and myself were of opinion that the furrender of the town at difcretion was the only condition that fhould afterwards be attended to; but as the motives which then induced them are ftill prevalent, I now inform you that the terms then offered will still be granted. A copy of the articles fhall be fent for your ratification as foon as they can be prepared; and, immediately after they are exchanged, a detachment of Grenadiers will be fent to take poffeffion of the Horn Work oppofite your main gate. Every arrangement which may conduce to good order in occupying the town fhall be fettled before noon to-morrow, and at that time your garrifon will march out. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) H. CLINTON, Major-general Lincoln. SOUTH CAROLINA. ARTICLES of capitulation between their Excellencies Sir Henry Clinton, Knt. of the Bath, General and Commander in Chief of his Majefty's forces in the feveral provinces and colonies on the Atlantic, from Nova Scotia to West-Florida inclufive, Mariot Arbuthnot Efq; Vice-admiral of the Blue and Commander in Chief of all his Majefty's fhips and veffels in NorthAmerica, and Major-general Benjamin Lincoln, commanding in Chief in the town and harbour of Charles-Town. Article I. That all acts of hottility and work fhall ceafe between the befiegers and besieged, until the articles of capitulation fhall be agreed on, figned and executed, or collectively rejected. Answer. All acts of hoftility and work fhall ceafe, until the articles of capiInlation are finally agreed to or rejected. Art. II. The town and fortifications shall be furrendered to the Commander in Chief of the British forces, such as they now ftand. Anfwer. The town and fortifications, with the shipping at the wharfs, artillery, and all public flores whatsoever, shall be furrendered in their prefent ftate to the Commanders of the investing forces; proper Officers shall attend from the respective departments to receive them. Art. III. The continental troops and failors, with their baggage, shall be conducted to a place to be agreed on, where they will remain prifoners of war until fupplied with good and wholefome proexchanged. While prifoners they fhall be vilions in fuch quantity as is served out to the troops of his Britannic Majesty. Anfwer. Granted. Art. IV. The militia now in garrison hall be permitted to return to their respective homes, and be secured in their perions and property. Anfwer, The militia now in garrifon fhall be permitted to return to their refpec parole, as long as they obferve, fhall fetive homes, as prisoners on parole; which cure them from being molested in their property by the British troops. Art. V. The fick and wounded fall be continued under the care of their own furgeons, and be fupplied with medicines, and fuch neceffaries as are allowed to the British hospitals. Anfwer. Granted. Art. VI. The Officers of the Army and Navy fhall keep their horfes, fwords, piftols, and baggage, which shall not be fearched, and retain their fervants. Answer. Granted, except with refpect to the horses, which will not be allowed to go out of town, but may be disposed of by a perfon left from each corps for that purpose. Art. VII. The garrifon fhall, at an hour appointed, march out with fhouldered arms, drums beating, and colours flying, to a place to be agreed on, where they will pile their arms. Answer. The whole garrifon fhall, at an hour to be appointed, march out of the town to the ground between the works of the place and the canal, where they will depofit their arms. The drums are not to beat a British march, or colours to be uncased. Art. VIII. That the French Conful, his houfe, papers, and other moveable property, shall be protected and untouched, and a proper time granted to him for retiring to any place that may afterwards be agreed upon between him and the Commander in Chief of the British forces. that he is to confider himself as a prifoner Anfwer. Agreed, with this reftriction, on parole. Art. IX. That the Citizens fhall be protected in their perfous and properties. Anfwer. All civil Officers, and the Citizens who have borne arms during the Gege, must be prifoners on parole: and, with refpect to their property in the City, fhall have the fame terms as are granted to the Militia; and all other perfons now in the town, not defcribed in this or other articles, are notwithstanding underflood to be prifoners on parole., Art. X. That a twelve-month's time be allowed all fuch as do not chufe to continue under the British Government to difpofe of their effects, real and perfonal, in the ftate, without any moleftation whatever, or to remove fuch part thereof as they chufe, as well as themselves and families; and that, during that time, they or any of them may have it at their option to refide occafionally in town or country. Answer. The difcuffion of this article of courfe cannot poffibly be entered into at prefent. Art. XI. That the fame protection to their perfons and properties, and the fame time for the removal of their effects, be given to the subjects of France and Spain as are required for the Citizens in the preceding article. Answer. The fubjects of France and Spain fhall have the fame terms as are granted to the French Conful. Art. XII. That a veffel be permitted to go to Philadelphia with the General's difpatches, which are not to be opened. Anfwer. Granted; and a proper veffel with a flag will be provided for that purpose. ABSTRACT of the ACT paffed in Favour of the ROMAN CATHOLICS, intitled, An Act for relieving his Majesty's Subjects profeffing the Popish Religion, from certain Penalties and Difabilities impofed on them by an Act made in the Eleventh and Twelfth Years of the Reign of King William the Third, intituled, An Act for the further preventing the Growth of Popery, including an Account of the late TUMULTS in the Cities of LONDON and WESTMINSTER. HE preamble recites, that it is ex in the act of King William; and the claufes repealed are as follow: 'THAT so much of the faid act as relates to the apprehending, taking, or profecuting of Popish Bishops, Priefts, or Jefuits; and alfo fo much of the faid act as fubjects Popish Bishops, Priefts or Jefuits, and Papifts, or perfons profeffing the Popish religion, and keeping school, or taking upon themselves the education or government or boarding of youth, within this realm, or the dominions thereto belonging, to perpetual imprisonment; and allo fo much of the faid act as difables perfons educated in the Popish religion, or pro therein mentioned, to inherit or take by descent, devife, or limitation, in poffeffion, reverfion, or remainder, any lands, tene ments, or hereditaments, within the kingdom of England, dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, and gives to the next of kin, being a Proteftant, a right to have and enjoy fuch lands, tenements, and hereditaments; and alfo fo much of the faid act as difables Papifts, or perfons profeffing the Popish religion, to purchase any manors, lands, profits out of lands, tenements, rents, terms, or hereditaments, within the kingdom of Eng Rr land, |