The American gazette, or, the Constitutional journal — Salem, Mass., 1776-07-02 00:00:00, page 2

HELVETSLU Y S, March 27.
THIS day four transport ships came into
out roads from Williamlladt, having
on board the regiment of Hanau, confining of
600 men, defined for America.
Liverpool, March 29. A man in Weft
snoreland has invented a machine in gunnery that
keeps a perpetual fire ; by the motion of one
hand only it charges and difeharges itfelf 120
times in a minute, and is as portable for either
horse or foot as the ioftruments now in use.
LOND O N, April 1
The following is said to be a genuine Extract
of a Letter from the Earl of C —, dated
Hays, March 9, 1776.
" Confined to a lick bed, and racked with ex
cruciating pain, I have little hope of raising
any weak voice, and of declaring my poor opi
nion in parliament : However, in answer tb your
very earned request, I am to inform you, that my
sentiments, receding the prefect state of Ame
rica, happily coincide with those delivered by
my brother T--p-e.
" Whiltt America retained her allegiance, I
was the friend of America ; Whilst there was
room for an accommodation, I was happy to
propose terms. That 7Era is pad. It is now
too late to negociate ; You cannot treat with re
bels whilst arms are in their hands ; Your honor,
your dignity, your authority, your interest all
forbid it. The present state of things do not ad
mit of a relaxation ot concession : All concilia
tory proportions are futile, nugatory, and de
ceitful ; they originate in folly, and muff termi
nate in disgrace. The Colonies have levied open
war against the Parent State ; that war must be
prosecuted with vigor, with effeft ; every sinew,
every nerve cught to be exerted. The idea of
expence is a rheer bugbear, a phantom ! grant,
that it may cost the nation sixty millions; nation
al honor is above all estimate ; America must
be brought back to her duty ; your national
ch^ader demands it ; th&,nk you hold in the
scale of Europe demands it; America rauft sub
mit to the constitutional authority of Grext-Bri
tain ; and her fabmiffion must be absolute, un
limited, and unconditional. . Then will be the
time to temper justice with humanity ; 66 par
c^re Subjeais, et Debellarg Superbos.
“ God forbid 1 flnuld defend all the mez
fures of administration ! You know 1 have often
famented thei' want of wisdom and v : gor ; but 1
I will maintain it, the employing German pro
\cftant troops at this critical conjecture is a mea
your ability, prudence or integrity, but from an
earnest desire to serve the good people cf Penn
fyivania with fidelity in times so full of alarming
dangers and perplexing difficulties.
The filiation of public affairs is since so greats
ly altered, that we now think ourselves justifiable
in removing the reftriaions laid upon you by these
inftru&ions.,
Tne contempt with which the last petition of
the lion. Congress has been treated ; the late aft
of parliament declaring the just refinance of the
Colonies against violence aflually offered, to be
rebellion, excluding them from the protection of
the Crown, and even compelling some of them to
bear arms against their countrymen ; the treaties
of the King of Great-Britain with other Princes
for engaging foreign mercenaries,' to aid the for
ces of that kindom, in their hostile enterprizes a
gainst America, and his answer to the petition of
the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Commons of the
city of London, manifeft such a determined and
Implacable refclution to effeft the utter deftrudion
of these Colonie, that all hopes of a reconciliation,
on reasonable terms, are extinguished. Neverthe
less, it is our ardent desire that a civil war with
all its attending miseries, should be ended a secure
and honorable peace.
We therefore hereby authorize you to con
cur with the other Delegates in Congress, in form
ing such farther compacts between the United Co
lonies, concluding such treaties with foreign king
doms and dates, and in adopting such other mea
sures as shall be judged necessary for promoting the
liberty, fa'fety, and interest of America; referring
to the people of this colony the folc end exclusive
right of regulating the internal government and
police of the fame.
The happinefc of these colonies has, during the
whole course of this fua! controversy, been our
frit wish. Their reconciliation with Great-Bri
tain our next. Ardently have we prayed for the
accomplishment of both. But if we mull renounce
the one or the other, we humbly trust in th# mer
cies of the Supreme Governor of ths Universe,
that we shall not ftaud condemned before his
throne, if our choice is determined by that over
ruling law of felf-prefervation, which his divine
wisdom has thought fit to implant in the hearts
ofhis creatures.
12
The AMERICAN GAZE T TE, &c. for 1776.
sure full of true wisdom and found policy. Tb r
deluded Cclonifts running wildly after the fh^
dow of liberty have loft the fubllance. 1 lay,
the present armament teill restore the Americans
to freedom ; to that freedom which is enjoyed
under a British constitution ; it will relieve them
from the most degrading species of tyranny, re
publics! tyranny. E^ery Briton mult defyife the
notion of republicanism. The experiment has
been already made, and fatal experience has
Viewed it to be totally incompatible with rhe
magnitude and the majesty of a great empire :
It is a little pitiful idea, fit only for the citizen of
a petty state. I hold, that monarchy, I would
be Understood limitted rtionarchy, can alone pre
serve liberty to the fubjeft, and give energy to
government."
Though no frefh advices have lately been re
ceived from America, or none at least have been
made public, it is to be supposed that the Ame
ricans have continued inactive. Convinced that
they have noty nothing to trust to but implicit
submission; or efttbal refinance, they have doubt
less before tnis time determined which to adopt ;
but in a crisis so delicate 2nd so important, we
will not hazard a conjecture which of the two
they have made their choice. If refinance, the
contest will be bloody ; if submission, the contelt
is at an end; And, by the present temper of ad
rainiltration, there are are no real grievances of
witch tne Colonies have just reason to complain,
but what Government are ready to redraft.
The Islands of St. John's and Anticolla in
tie Gulf of St. Lawie^ce, are to be erected into
f-pe ae, reguar governments.
We are informed that previous to the opera
tions cf the army,, on their arrival in America,
a proclamation will be rTued, offering a free par
don to all th«t fcll lay down their arms, and
fpdcifying the terms that will be ex;_aed of
§ach provi ce. , ,
Yesterday morning, about seven o'clock, up
wards of a thousand faijors went on board seve
ral lighters, in order to be conveyed on board se
veral of the transports that lie io the Nore, to
'carry them to America.
The navy cf England we are assured, was ne
ver upon 3 m6te refpe&able footing than at pre
sent, not in so thorough a repair, for as fall as
one fliip comes out of dock ficin refitting ano
ther fates in.
Letters from the Hague, d^ted the 10th irr
itant, advise, that the Marattas continue to dis
turb (he trade of the Dutch in the Eift-Indics, as
well as that of other nations ; among others they
lately attacked a Ship named the Lady Gertrude,
near the Port of Japare ; but though the numbers
of the Marattas were very considerable, and ma
ny were killed in the engagement, the Dutch
had only one man killed, and twelve wounded.
Letters from Aleppo, mention a great popular
tumult at that place, occasioned by the cruelty
of their Governor ; at length the Governor's head
was struck off, when the tumults subsided.
These letters add, that the Persians had made
themfelres makers of" "^a.
Ext-^ ts, L:m ft ' - ...b; March 2g.
'.'This day failed from this port, his Majrily's
^ r P ^^ger, with five cf Sir Peter Parker's fleet,
who filled in company with Sir Peter Parker, from
Cork, and meeting with bad weather, were obli
ged to put into this port, where they have had a
thorough repair. We have no transports here,
but expea several from ihe downs hourly."
ApLl 16. Some rev regulation, are to be
made in tie rr^ fra tments ; for which or
ders are sent to the Commissioners of the several
dock-yards to attend the admiralty -boa d the se
cond of next month.
Letters from Cadiz, by the Myrtilla, Calon, ar
rived at Falmouth, bring advice that three Ame
rican vessels were put in there, loaded wiih the
produce of their country, which the Spaniards
took eff their hands, and paid them in dollars.
From the London Evening-Post, March 5.
Mr. Alderman BULL': SPEEC H, to refer to
a Committee of the Heufe the Confderation of the
Treaties for taking into British pay 17 000 foreign
troops, to be sent to Amirtca.
1C ANNOT, Sir, at this time, forbear to
express my aftonilhmret and concern, that ear
ly in the prefect feflion fc many gentlemen Ihnuld
have been prevailed upon, by any consideration,
to stand forth in the most serious and folcmn man
ner, to approve and fan, .;(y these cruel and arbi
traiy me#.,^^ vyfh were recommended, and
have been fatally carried into execution, by an
unfeeling and unrelenting adaiiniltration, who
have dared to abuse the throne by their wicked
and sanguinary councils, and whose whole con
cur has proved them entirely deftituie of every
principle of justice, humanity, and the religion
of their country. Their insatiable thirst for Pro
testant bleed ho been long evident ; and it cries
^loud to Heaven for vengeance ! as well as for
•he jufindignation of a long abused, insulted, op
reffed people. To txultin the defruthen of our
left valuable commercial friends, and Proliant
'Jlo^fubjids ; to pray that the fame borridfcenes
may be , repea eJ; that war, defotation, and blood
fh d, may pervade the whole Continent of Ame
rica, unhfs ft fliali bow its devoted head to pover
ty, to the moll abjetl and i,cmihiou!:. slavery,
were not thefts, on record, would be thought
incredible ! That record, Sir, to a nation profef
fi "g a regard to liberty, and the rights of humani
ty, will remain an eternal monument ofrepreach.
Sir, is it certain, is it probable, that the ex
ertions of ministerial tyranny and revenge will be
much longer permitted ? That there will be „ afr
peal to itop thefir/^r effufion of Protestant blood ?
Or can it be expelled that the people of this coun
try, reducing by thousands to beggary and want,
will remain idle Speßators until the sword is at their
breasts, or dragoons at their doors ? God forbids
. I am not infer,fible how much profeflions of patriot
tifm are become a fubjetl of ridicule. To the a
stonishment of the world, the love of our country
has been ridiculed within these walls. And yer.
Sir, this will not feftraia me. While I will uni
formly withhold the offer of my life and fortune Ih
support of ministerial despotism, I wilh it to be
understood, that whenever an occasion may call
it, I will chearfully facrifice both in defence of th#
liberties of the people.
The war that you are now waging, is an unjust
ent; it is founded in oppression, and its end will
be distress and disgrace. Let not the hidorian be
obliged to lay that the Ruffian and German save
was hired to subdue the sons of Englishmen and
of freedom; 2nd that in the reign of a Prince of
the House of Brunswick every infamous attempt
was made to extinguish that spirit which brought
his ancefiors to the throne, and in fpight of trea
chery and rebellion seated them firmly upon it.
I shall not now trouble the house any further
than 10 declare my abhorrence of all the meafare#
which have been adopted against America ; mea
sures equally inimical to the principles of com
merce, to the spirit of the conllitution, and to the
honor, to the faith, and the true dignity of the
Britilh nation.
NEW-Y O R K, June 20.
In PROVINCIAL CONG^E^ 1
New-York, June 8, ! f /\
Rfobved,
'T'H A T the thanks of this Congrtfs be prefexttA
to his Excellency General Wajhington, for the
important ferroices he has rendered to the United Co
lonies, and for the attention he has paid to the inter-est
and cinril authority of this Colon, ; and that he be as
. fared of the readiness of this Congrefs<o afford him
all tie aid in their poicer, to enable bten to execute
the important trust reposed in him.
Ordered, That the President wait upon General
PHILADELPHIA, June 19.
Monday last the grand question of 1N DE
PENDENCY was proposed to the firft, se
cond, fourth, and fifth battalions of Associators of
the city and suburbs, confiding of about two thou
sand officers and men. Against it, in the fifft bat
talion, four officers and twenty-three privates—fe
cood, two privates—fourth and fifth, unanimous
for Independency.
The Lieutenant Colonel of the third battalion
refufing te put the question, gave great umbrage
to the men, one of whom replied to him in a gen?
teel, spirited manner : " How our Delegates in
Congress may ad we know not, though we have
a right to know, and intend to promote an en
quiry for the purpose. The Counties, such as we
have heard from, are for a Convention. The
Committee of Backs county have appointed de
puties to the conference to be held in this city on
the 18th infant." -Take heed Tories, you
are at your last gasp! You have had many warn
ings, and many kind invitations !
In CONGRESS, June Is.
Resolved, That no man in these colonies
charged with being a Tory, or unfriend!, to the
cause of American Liberty, De injured in his per
son or property, or in any manner whatever dis
turbed, unless the proceeding against him be
founded on an order of thia Congress, or the As
sembly, Convention, Council, or Committee of
Safety of the Colony, or Committee of Infeedi.,
on of the diftri& wherein he resides. Provided,
that this Resolution shall not prevent the appre
hending any person found in commission of some
aft dellruaive of American Liberty or justly fuf
peded of a design to commit such ad, and intends
ing to escape, and bringing such person before
proper authority, for examination and trial.
Ertraa from the Minutes,
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
Juli 2.