The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-05-03 00:00:00, page 1

LONDO N.
HOUSE of COMMON S, Monday, February 17.
MR. Thomas Pitt opened the debate in declaring to the
House, that it was with a mixture cf pain and pleasure
that he at length saw the day arrive, so long wished for, which,
putting a period 10 a ruinous war, lettered to the British empire
the blessings of peace.—A mixture of pleasure and pain (conti
nued he)---Of pain, at the view of the facrifices it has been
found indifpenfibly necessary to make ;---but of pleasure, in an
ticipating the various felicity, with which peace was hastening
to compehfate to rhe nation for these very facrifices.
" Although this latter sentiment will not be so readily adopted
as the tormer; although it is unhappily too true, that mankind
are more inclined to manifeft their discontent, then their joy and
fatisfaftion ; although, of course, experience has constantly de
mon%ated, that peace, how ardently soever it may be desired, be
comes always unpopular as soon as it is made; it is, neverthe
less, apparent to every impartial mind, that however the loss and
gain may be balanced at the end of a war, peace is always a
bluffing. But two reasons concur, in the firft moments, to pre
sent it to us in another point of view. If the war has been glo
rious, our spirits, elevated, set no bounds to our pretensions,
nor to the supposed humiliation of the enemy; if, on the con
trary, it has been, like that from which this nation is just be
ginning to respire, only a series of disasters, our national pride
can barely stoop to exaft no concessions. But if we disdain even
moderation like this, ought such unseasonable arrogance to pro
long the war, till we are not only unable to support it, but even
to preserve our being as an independent people ? Too deeply im
pressed with this just refleaion, it is not without pain that I un
dertake the tefk which has this day fallen to my lot. How rea
sonably soever my humbie faculties may represent the matter, I
knew how ill what I have to propose will be received ; I already
anticipate the clamours of prejudice; but it is without these
walls; here 1 ex/e& to encounter no such enemies to reason and
common sense, and I submit myfelf to the candour which diftih
guifhes this Honorable Hcufe.
" When two nations enter into a war, neutral fpe&ators al
ways have some reasons to determine which of them will have
the advantage. The complication of events, the combination
of causes, which have successively declared against us, have too
well juffified the opinion of foreigners, and the fears of our own
people, that the confederation of our enemies would at length be
found too powerful for the naked, unsupported strength of this
nation. These fears have been realized; our enemies have de
termined their faperiority ; and by this inconteftible truth alone
we mult be governed in determining whether peace was, or was
not nectffarv.
" If Gentlemen will repeat here, what has beea said out of
doors, that we might have made a better peace, let them produce
the means, and let the most prejudiced minds pronounce on the
possibility or impossibility of putting them in execution. Alas,
this is a fubje& on which one cannot fix a moment's attention,
without uttering a painful sigh at those execrable firft causes,
which inevitably drew after them every succeeding calamity !
That invaluable branch of this empire, which, at the close of
last war, extended from Hudson's Bay to the Gulph of Mexico,
at the very beginning of this, was almost confined within the
narrow limits of the former French possessions in America.
Thus we were no longer that powerful nation, which 20 years
before could have defied a confederacy of all Europe. A de
cline of power announces a diminution of success :---It was im
possible to recover our loft fupeiiority, since the whole nation had
determined, that America was loft forever to the British crown.
It was in this wilderness of calamities, when we had nothing
but future misfortunes in perfpeAive, that our Ministers feizedfe
moment of viAory, the only moment, perhaps, in which the fafety
of the nation was practicable, to listen to those terms of peace,
which prejudice alone can confider as unfavourable.---What must
we have done? Answer me this single question ; whether it was
better to continue the war, than to accept a peace, of whith the
worst that can be said is, that it does not correspond to the wishes
of a people accustomed to conquer and elevated by previous suc
cesses. But before any gentlemen will answer in the affirmative,
let me call their attention to the following sketch of the state of
the nation at that time, when his Majesty's Ministers resolved
that peace was indifpenfible. The papers I ffiall lay before the
House cannot be fufpe&ed, since they contain the report of the
Committee appointed for this purpose, in order to prepare the
House for that difeuffion which must have taken place on this, or
some other day, and to convince them of the true date of the
public finances. As this inquiry was demanded by myfelf, my
conduct in this refpe{± has been plain and confident; I have
uniformly reprobated the American war; and I shall now de
monstrate, that the pursuit of that war alone has so fatally ex
hausted the finances of this country. For this purpose, I shall
lay before the House a comparative state of our ptefent situation,
and of that before the contest with America. In January,
1776, the amount of the national debt was 123 millions, the
annual interest of which was £ 4 4.11,826."
Mr. Pitt then proceeds to Ihew, that a war of five years cofl
5 millions more than all the wars of the last age, including the
splendid and important victories of the Duke of Marlborough ;
and concludes with demonflrating, that the present annual inte
rest of the national debt amounts to £ 9,393,137—The civil lift
expences, to £ 900,000 --The expences of government, in time
of peace, to £ 3,500,000--- Total of annual expence, £ 13,793,
137, without including the arrearage of the civil lift, amount
ing to £ 2,500,000, which, he fays, must be paid by some means
or other)---while the present taxes, all of which must be conti
nued, produce only 12,500 cool.
He proceeds---" These faffs, I think, are fufficient to con
vince this House, that a decree from Heaven, that should have
condemned this nation to another year's war, would have, in
^^^J^^^^^
SATURB A Y,
VOL. Xli.l Published every TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY.—Price SI X T EF C E .
GENERAL AD VERTISE R.
" I pass now to the only article that affli&ed, cruelly afflided
me, at the firft reading: that, I mean, which relates to the Loy
alists. There are, however, some observations to be made on
this matter. All the individuals, comprehended under the gene
ral term of Loyalists, are not equally interesting to us.-- I distin
guish them into twoclaffes ; one of which is composed of men whom
I honour and revere, with whom I would divide my only crown,
and my last mouthful of bread: but I detest and abhor the other;
I confier them as an impure, corrupted nest of wipers and traitors, as
the most abandoned and flagitious scoundrels in the Unive fe; who, by
treachery to America, and constant deceit to this nation, have
well nigh brought down deftru&ion on both countries. God, who
knows my heart, knows how sincerely I wish it were possible to
do something more for the firft class of them; and God only
knows whether such a possibility exists. But I alk, whether to
save a handful of deserving fubjedfs, Great-Britain ought to run
the hazard of her own ruin .'---Whether on their account alone,
it can be thought expedient to continue the war ? If any gentle
man fays yes, I would then make two other enquiries--! ft, Whe
ther the efforts, necessary to be made, could be proportionate to
the objeft in view ? And 2d, Whether, after the atmoft exer
tion, success would be certain or even probable? I do verity
think that, even for these unhappy men, matters have taken the
most favourable turn they could. Congress is solemnly bound to
recommend them to the several States; and we cannot doubt
they will do it with equal zeal and integrity. In fhorr, if Par
liament teftifies any aversion to the treaty with America, it may
be remembered, it is the work of Parliament itfclf. r --And with
refped to the preliminaries with France and Spain, it is not
long since Mr. Fox said, in a full house, and many gentlemen
repeated the cry, " That we must have peace, whatever jbeuld
be the price of it."
Mr. Pitt concluded by moving, " That an humble address be
presented to his Majesty, containing the thanks of this House
for his gracious condelcenfion in communicating the different
treaties which his Majesty has concluded ; and that we have
considered them with that attention which their importance de
mands For to express to his Majesty, in the mil grateful
terms, how much we are fatisfied, that, in confequmce of the
powers with which he has been veiled, his Majesty has, by the
provifiofial articles concluded with North-Ame.ica, laid the
foundation of a treaty of peace, which, as we have reason to
hope, will establish and feure between the two countries a re
conciliation and ported friendship That, in confidence of this
we dare expiefs to his Majesty our just expects ms, that the
several Stages of North-America will exeute, in the most effec
tual and fa.isfdftory manner, the measures which the Congress
is so solemnly engaged, by treaty, to recommend in fav ur of
the perform who have fuffhed for the part wirich they have taken
in the war; and that we shall confider these circumflances as
the surest indication of the return of Friendfhio." The re
mainder of the motion expteffes great fatirtahion with the
effect, condemned her to certain deftruAion: and if I am not
deceived in this belief, I think I may assume it as a principle,
and of course as a rule for the conduct of Parliament, that a
peace, such as the Ministers have concluded, is an object ex
tremely to be desired. I know that, unhappily, exceptions may
always be ma 'e to the most accurate general obfervatioms; I know
that certain partial considerations of commerce militate with my
general pri ciple ; but trade has infinite a d prompt resources,
which landed property has not; and this property, which consti
tutes the radical Strength of every country, was lessening its value
every day. lam not ignorant, that there is a certain description
of men, who, without any other motive than the malignant plea
sure or finding faul ; without any other view than to tease men
in office, fay among themselves—" Where was the mighty burry^
Why not take the chance of another campaign f" Mighty fine truly !
This is the precise language of a mad gamester, who crying out,
" One throw more, and the last, just completes his ruin.—ls these
confederations are just, I flatter myfelf, the House will turn a
dea ear to the clamours of two forts of men, equally to be fu
'Pf",d; I mean those who have been, and those who with to be,
Ministers. I confider thele persons as dealers in the fame market,
who depreciate the commodities of other people, in order to raile
the value of,their own. I coAfefs, I am always armed against
them noth ; and if they present themselves only to fay it is a cad
peace, I answer, their bare assertion is insignificant. If they of
fer to prove it, let me ask them, whether they could have made
a better? If they fay, ,es---come, then, fry I, tell us how --
Here they are at a dead nonplus, and can only return to the watch
word of their parties— lt is a bad peace! —We shall be able to
form an idea of the prejudices of men of this class, by a know
ledge of the following fad. I bve addressed myfelf, indireAly,
to Mr. Fox, and Lord North, to engage the firft not to interrupt
the quiet of his country, by examining, in detail, a negotiation,
which ought to, and can be judged only in the mass; and auvi
fing the second to seize this opportunity of making some repara
tion to this nation for the errors and calamities of his ill-starred
adminiftrarion, by juftifying a treaty, which the miseries of the
American war have forced upon her. If, before we proceed to
vote upon the question which I shall submit to the House, these
two honourable members will answer my firft question, and fay,
they could have made a more advantageous peace, let them do me
the favour to determine, whether the profpe& of advantage was
equal to the hazard of another campaign, and the certain expence
of twenty millions sterling,"
He goes on to observe, that the cessions made to France and
Spain were of no great importance, and then fays---" It is true,
that by the treaty with the United States of America, we acknow
ledge their independence; but all the world knows, that in so do
ing, we only seem to give them what God and nature have alrea
dy put into their hands: and in defining their limits, we frill
reserve Nova^Scotia and Canada, countries large enough for all
the speculations of commerce.
O R, TH E
THE
t"™° a " es ° f P eace concluded with France and Spain; an d
that eve f y attention will be given i n the extension of commerce
/k a °° ve m °"° n > after undergoing some amendments, was
paired by a majority of fixteen.'
(We can eaf) conceive, that by the " impure, corrupted of
J"'""^ Mr r Pi " """^ ^^ f°" 'f
we have denominated confpsrators agrirft tbe rights and liberties of
mankind ; and whom the town of Boston seem particularly to refer ta
tbetr late refolu ton.—Among these, are such of the late Colony
Governors as Bernard, Hutchinfun, Fra ridin and others—Man
damus Counsellors--^ mmifoers of the Cu,ms and their numerous
retinue-penned Judges--.Ato, nies and Solicitor General ana all
their abettors and fufeporters,'w% carious of tbe,r b rr d treafcn
the civil conditions of their country, f.d so pro^n to the
troops, though they did not afluaHy take up arms tyainf us.
are tbe mert ^^ ^ P 1" tenders as " the most abandoned
andfit ionsfaun drels in the universe " car. be think that we, who
cave long entertained the fame opinion of them; and who have a
bund^nt, more,reafon than be o- any Britfh fubjed can have ti " de
left and abhor" them, can ever cordially receive th en so cur bofm;
or that we can admit into the number of our ciri^ns those very men
^bo, as he declares bimfelf, bad not only by their " corfot deceit to
Great -Britain," but by their " treachery to America," " well
n,gb brought down dfaffion on both countries" ! Surely be cannot.
Congress may indeed bo d ^felf “ solemnly bouni" , recommend them
to tbe Jeveral States ; but can it be expelled, that the States v ill for
the fake of forb an impure, corrupted nefl o f v ip ers „ d traitors,
run the hazard of their own ruin." A .foe which Mr. Pitt
things Great Britain ought not to have run for the feke of fawn?
even that class of loyalifs whom he calls “ deserving übjAs" wfo
be " honors and reveres," and with whom be " would divide bis
only crown and bis last mouthful of brea "
We wife Mr. Pitt bad been more explicit, and bad said who
b e meant to include under the defc^ipt on of deserving f u bje<fr
Is sere not refon to think that there are many in this class, wb^
America bast ago execrated, as the cor federates of those whom
'"^ abandoned and flagitious faundrel, j,, the uni
vefe ! Men, though left capable than some others of effeAirg the ru
inous plan of a most unprincipled court, yet not le, criminal in their
manff defgns, u% have done all they could; and enough to re
commend taem, if ever they jbould obtain a refdence among us as ve
ry ft mfouments, under rhe direffm of anh r unprincipled Britifo
adminfration, in attempting to f, uJb ate all our hopes from our vir
tuous fruggle- -to break our connexions (if it we^e poffible)with our
allies— to recover (wefay again, if it were possible) our unfufpeX
mg confidence in Britain, and from that moment to bring us again to
the brink of deftruXion. 5 6
Mr. Pitt must pardon us, if we are jealous of bis countrymen. We
can never trust that nation, which has been Jo wantonly and so long
employing its whole force to enslave and ruin us. We cannot ibink it
befafe for us to have veteran British emiffiries diferfe 1 thr^Ao
our fates, and praffifng the arts of f duXion am o ,g the citizens.
we fear will he found among Mr. Pitt's defervi..g fubjeds.
We candidly believe he is altogether unacquainted witr the cbaraX^s
'L™^ ° f tb ""° °'°"" ™ b °' e ^^^ and p r dices we some
Mr. Pitt cordially reprobates, have experienced the iffuhefs of'tbefe
men and if we are not now upon our guard, they may at another time
make use of them with success.
There are indeed a few among the many refugees who perb %
be difinguiJbed f-om the rest ---a mere handful of those Mr. Pitt calls
deserving fubjeXs—We call them very harmless folks and therefore
it is of little or no importance where they refde.—We mean those who
have neveri aken a fide against us in word or deed but bad n t for
titude to join with their countrymen tn defending their invaded rights.
If their fears impelled them to leave their country at a time wbe„ ho
nor, virtue, and every principle which binds human felty warmly
remonstrated against it, we blame them fill for quieting their feirs
in the beJom of cur enemies. Should these men befcrmbted to return,
w:uld it not be just and teafennble, t ba # so much oftbei, fates at ma,
be equal to their proportion of the expense of the war, Jb^ld be fold
and appropriated towards finking the public debt,J-.B^r. Journal.
Horses and Stables for Sale,
ON TUESDAY the 29th instant, will Cm uence
the SALE of the H )kSES lately belonging to the
Le^on of the Duke de Lauzu, now q,:t?r
ed in W<1 o:ngton ; among them are a Number of
Elegant HORSES ; and the most inferior of th,m are
writable for every common purpose, being strong and
in good order.
At the fame Time and Pbc? will berin the Sale, in
Pieces or as Lumber, the STABLES in which 'the
said horses now are ; composed of a latpe Quantity of
BOARDS, SCANTLING and PLANK. Any fc r .
son inclining to puicha/e said Horirs or Stabler ei
ther in fmali Quantities or altogether, may appri, in
Philadelphia, to DAVID S. FRANKS, at the house
of Mrs. Owens, in Walnut-firta, or to the fu: lcri
ber in Wilmington. JACOB BROOM April 28.
Office of the Conlul General of Prance
THE Conlul General having fetrid ri; m, ac
counts with Mr. CHAUVEAU, lately his
agent at this plac#, the pedons who have fut
nilhed any thing on ace uit of t> m Navy in this de
partment, or performed any service ^h^tioever, ae
informed, that according to former public*,u&, ro
application for pavme&r will be recti ^d hf<e ,hg gd
of n<xt month. By diction of the C nul General,
F.uk<l. Aprils, v^ OSTER, V.^-Comu,.
MA Y % 1783,
[NUMB. 1036.