The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1783-04-17 00:00:00, page 2

Foreign Intelligence.
HOUSE OF COMMONS,
LONDO N, Wednesday, January 22.
Irish Affairs.
p^f R. 'ec^tary Townfhend rose, he said, in-order
to mention tc) ti^e house that it was his intention
on a future ocrafion to mitigate, and entirely do away,
any caufrW jealousy at prefect fubfifiirg between Ire
land andthis kingdom, concerning the rights and pri
vileges of the former. He said that it was the opini
on of the cabinet, that the frith Ihould have all manner
of freedom v hatever in their legislative and judicial
capacity ; that their friendship and loyalty deferred
the created indulgence; that they had already receiv
ed the hronged marks of Britifo benevolence and Bri
tish amity ; and that as lie heard'that the people of Ire
land, were Hill very doubtful with refpeft to their inde
pendence and privileges, the ministry were fefolvtd to
fare them the fapngeft and meft ample proofs of a to
tal rlmquilhment of all legislative and judicial autho
rity ov-r that kingdom]. For that purpose, he made
a m turn to the following purport ; " i hat leave be
" given to bring in a bill to satisfy, in every refpe£t,
" the doubtin' Ireland, relative to her exclusive rights
" and privileged, either in the legislatives judicial
" authority."
He would, he fa id, nr ke no remarksat present about
this bufimfs, as it was altogether unnectffary. Were he
to fay any thing, perhaps it might be mifeonfirued, as
a Speech of I is had been in a former debate ; and if any
mifeonflruaion was per upon his wo-ds, or the least
pervurfi^n given to his meaning, it might be attended
with tue most dangerous consequences to both nations,
and make the frith, perhaps, believe, that the British
cabinet were not inclined to grant them the most un
equivocal, fati^aflory, and uncontrouled right, in the
exercise of their legislative and judicial authority- It
was hisopinion, and that of the other members of the
miniflry, that Ireland should have no reafoA of com
plaint, no cause of jealousy, nor any grounds of con
tention with Great-Eritaio.
He wished that the utmost happiness and concord
might subsist between this country and Ireland. He
flattered himfelf that the present bill would answer this
desired end, carry with it the most salutary meafnres,
and give the fuileft fatisfaQion to all parties. The
late decifionof the court of King's Bench, he believed,
was theoccafion of the murmurs and difeontents of the
peopte of Ireland. The bill now agitated, he hoped,
would establish that friendfhip and tranquility between
the two kingdoms, so much desired by all good and
wife men. It was to prevent writsof error, or appeals
of any kind, from Ireland to Great-Britain. He would
not now enlarge upon the matter, for the reasons al
ready mentioned ; and as he presumed it unnecessary
till the business came before the house, he hoped gentle
men, would make no observations but what were abfo
luteiy necessary, nor enter into any debate, as it would
on y be anticipating the business; —and he answered
them, and all the world, that it would give him, and
ail his majefly's ministers, inexpressible pleasure to u
oite the two kingdoms in the strongest bonds of friend
ftp, and to fee the independence of Ireland, both in the
bgillative and judicial, fixed on the most permanent
balls. He concluded with faying, that the repeal of
tfoe 6th of George the firfl, had not fatisfrd the people
of Ireland, therefore he wiflied to fee all cause of jea
lousy banished, and unanimity take place between the
two kingdoms.
Mr. Grenville seconded the motion. He said, what
had been done la flyear by the British parliament was
gratefully received by the people of Ireland. As a
friend to Ireland, as a friend to Britain, he mould like to
he the present diffentions subside, and harmony take
place between this and the filler - kingdom. He heartily
concurred with the Sentiments of the right honorable
mover, and fpeken early to the fame purpose.
Mr. Eden made a few remarks, and expressed his
approbation of the motion, declaring that the cause
of complaint Should be removed, and difeord Sleep for
ever.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said he should not have troubled the
houf^ with his Sentiments on the Subject, after the with
tue right honourable secretary had expresse d, that the
house would not now enter into any diScuffion of the
business, were it not for the reasons he had given for
the bringing in the bill. He tells us there are jeaioufies
and difeontent^ in Ireland, and that they are not per
fedly Satisfied wish the repeal of the 6th of George the
firfl. After such a declaration it would ill become
him to fit lilent. He would therefore ask the minifler,
how did this universal jealousy and difeontent appear ?
Were we to form a judgment of it from mere news-pa
per reports? If we did, we should be induced to form
a very wrong opinion of the Sentiments of the nation,
for he would be bold to fay, that the people in general
were perfectly fatisfied of the faith and sincerity of this
country, and that in the repeal of the 6th of George
the firft, England had relinquished all legislative au
thority whatever over Ireland; and as to the decision of
the court of King's Bench here, it could not cause the
smallest uneasiness to the sensible part of the nation,
for the power of appealing to that court was as old as
the conllitution of Ireland, and had been exercised for
centuries, without the right being once called in ques
tion. Therefore, in order to prevent the use of that
right, an ad of parliament is necessary ; nor had he
the least objection to one being brought in for the pur
pose, in the preamble of which might be repeated what
had been done last year in regard to that country, but to
introduce any new matter where there were no Sufficient
grounds for it, was, in his mind, wrong, and would be an
insult to the Irish parliament, who had in the fuileft man
ner' xpreffed their entire approbation of the establishment
of their rights in the repeal of the 6th of George the
firfl, by a resolution, which may be called unanimous,
for there were not but two dissenting voices. He said,
however, though he thought the bill unnecessary, yet it
^ou'd m^t bis warmest Support.
Mr. Fitzpatrick rose again ; he expressed hi^afloniSh
ment that the noble lord should be so warm in favour
of the bill, as to think that the liberties of Ireland would
not be firmly eflablifhed without it. A member of that
house (meaning lord Beauchamp) had written a pamph
let, the language of which coveyed the cleared and
undeniable contradiction to the sentiments adopted by
the noble lord. It was written with ability, ard he
had read it with pleasure; but the sentiments of the
author now amazed him, and would equally astonish
every person that had perused this work. In the latter
part of it he fays, that if the Irish parliament were con
tented with the indulgence granted Ireland, he would
Shut his lips for ever on the Subject. The parliament
were to all appearance contented with the repeal of the
6th of George the firft, and the other indulgences grant
ed to Ireland, and yet the noble lord had not Shut his
lips, but appeared as their champion, ready to fight
their battles ; for the ministry and he were contending
againfl one another, who Should open their lips firft on
the fubjeft. For his part he was indifferent whether
the ministry or the noble lord were the firft projectors
of the intended removal of grievances, if Ireland was
jealous of her legislative or judicial authority, he hoped
the British parliament would remove all causes of com
plaint, and grant her the enjoyment of her freedom in
every refpe&, as he was a well-wisher to the happiness
and prosperity of both countries.
Mr. Grenville again rose. He said, that as there
was a probability of a peace, it could not be alledged
that Ireland had taken an ungenerous advantage of the
weakness of England. The latter was willing to make
concessions worthy the acceptance of Ireland. But
She granted her these indulgences not from any symp
toms of timidity, but from the laudable motives of
benevolence and justice. She hears with regret her
complaints, and wiShes to give her every redress in her
power. It Can never be said, that England has recent
ly usurped this authority over Ireland. She has held
it for ages; but since the Irish find themselves aggriev
ed by the exercise of such authority, and want the en
tire power in their own hands, and the British parlia
ment are willing to renounce all such authority, and,
with a charaHeriflical magnanimity, offer them the
free and uncontrouled exercise of such authority.
Mr. Fox rose. He said he had no intention of fay
ing any thing on the fubjed; but he could fit no
longer and hear gentlemen advance arguments which
were entirely foreign to the business; such vagaries
might please the multitude, but would be despised by
the man of difeernment ; they were the reveries of fie
tion, and not the dodrine of a found understanding.
He was surprised that any gentleman should even hint
that the people of Ireland were diffatisfied with the re
peal of the 6th of George the firft. What could be
meant by the unanimous thanks of the Irish parlia
ment? surely this was no time for difeord, no time
for id'e controversy. The thanks of such a refpeda
ble body could never be meant for the delusive vaga
ries of the mind, and were never intended for playing
on the credulity of the British nation. These thanks
were the unfeigned testimonies of gratitude; they
were the warm congratulations of a people exulting
in their freedom, and anxious for the rights and liber
ties of mankind. Let gentlemen fay woat they pleas
ed, he would always confider the approbation of the
Irish parliament in a more refpedable light. They
were certainly the fenfeof the nation, and a far bet
ter authority than any partial accounts inferred in
newspapers. The addresses sent over in May or June
last were undoubtedly the sentiments of the people ;
they approved in the highest terms of the repeal of the
6th of George the firft ; they were expressive of the
gratitude of the Irish. and full of the strongest and
most sincere encomiums on the liberality of the English
nation. What greater proofs could we have of their
sincerity? 'Tis in vain that gentlemen endeavour to
throw an odium on the proceedings of the parliament
at that time. The heart-felt applause of a faithful
people are fufficient proofs of the contrary, and over
turn all such mean attempts to afperfe the illufirious
characters concerned, i can hardly assent to forae
gentlemen, who insist that England never had any right
to the government of Ireland, either in the legislative
or judicial, and that this was an arrogant usurpation
on the part of England. Such a renunciation of the
legislation of England would certainly be degrading
her dignity as a great empire. But although we have
held this authority for ages, yet, if Ireland find her
fetf aggrieved, we should undoubtedly aft with candour,
and relieve herfrom those distresses of which she com
plains. We should do ft as soon as possible, and not
put it off from time to time. My sentiments with re
gard to America and Ireland have,always been the
fame. The time will come when there will be an end
to such grievances. Ministers cannot longer protract
the removal of those grievances, or form excuses for
delay. I heartily coincide with the honorable mover,
"Lcrd Eeauch.mp declared he should not have risen;
had he not on a farmer day given notice of his bring
ing on the Irish affairs under the consideration of the
house ; he thought it his duty, therefore, to fay feme
thing on the present occasion. He said, as far as he
had heard, he liked the bill exceedingly—he thought
it a prudent and a wife meafuie —it was doing no more
than eating for ever the fears of Ireland, on a point
which England declared last year it intended Fully to
rerinquifu, by the repeal of the 6th of George firif. In
doing that, this nation gave up a I power, legislative
or judicial over Ireland, at least it meant to do so, and,
therefore, as this bill was calculated to prevent the re
vival of that power, at a future period, and to fatisfy
the doubts and fears of the Irish, he saw the manner of
objection which could lie againf tit. He said, he was
surprised to hear the last honourable speaker exc aim
against parliament attending to the opinion or resolu
tions of the people, conveyed through news-papers, or
any ether channel, than that of their representatives.
This was a language he did not expert would be uSed
by that honourable gentleman, who had never expressed
the Stalled dislike or disapprobation of various meet
ings and assemblies which are frequently held in this
city in taverns, and elfewheie. There appeared to him
some incopfiflence in it.
1(1 general terms, And hope that his bill will entirely
fatisfy Ireland, and remove all causes of jealousy,
either in her legislative or judicial authority.
Mr. Grenville, Mr. Eden, Mr. Percival, and Mr.
Pitt, made a few observations.
Saturday lad captain Waistcoat, a miffing vessel, ar
rived at Providence after a passage of 160 days from
Amfterdam—lnfurance had been paid upon her.
April 3. Tuesday arrived at Salem, a ship d/redly
from London, loaded with dry goods, captured by the
Grand Turk, on 12th ult. She had papers on board,
it is said, containing the articles compleat on which a
a general peace between the several powers at war are
founded, but they were taken out at the time of cap
ture, and are new on board the privateer, which has
not arrived.
N E W-YO R K, April 10.
Yesterday all the prisoners of war in this city and
on board the prison Ihip s were released.
This Gazette contains also a proclamation of the
lord-lieutenant and council of Ireland, proroguing the
parliament of that kingdom till the 25th of March.
BOSTO N, March 31.
Last Saturday an express arrived with an account
that a flag had arrived at Dartmouth from New-York,
with the noted colonel Thomas Gilbert's and sundry o
ther refugee families on board : on which his excellen
cy immediately summoned his council, who, we hear,
without hesitation, indulged them to depart the firft
wind.
In CONGRESS, June I'4, 1777.
Refolded, That the flag of the thirteen united slates,
be thirteen Gripes, alternate red and white: That the
union be thirteen flars, white in a blue field, represent
ing a new conftellat on.
CHARLES THOMSON, Sec'ry.
The printers in the several Rates, are requested to
insert the above resolution in their refpeHive newspa
pers, in order that the fame may be generally known.
The Judges of the Supreme Court, have appointed
the following times and places for holding their courts,
in the Spring circuits :
28th April, at Newtown, for Bucks county,
sth May, at Chester,
12th May, at Lancafler,
79th May, at York,
26th May, at Carlifle, for Cumberland county,
3d June, at Reading, for Berks county,
loth June, at Eafton, for Northampton ounty.
Yesterday morning the Sheriff, accompanied by the
magistrates of this city, made proclamation, at the
Court-house, of the cessation of hnflilities, amidst a vast
concouTfe, of people who expr,effed their Satisfaction on
the happy occasion by repeated Shouts. At the fame
time the state flag was hoisted on Market-street wharff,
the bubs were rang, and a general joy diffufed itfelf
throughout the city.
Mr. Macdonald, desired that the house might clear
ly underhand, what was the general tendency of tie
bill, for leave to bring in which, the motion prayed.
Hitherto he had not been able to collect it either from
the right honorable gentleman who made the motion,
or the right honorable gentleman who seconded it;
and as he considered the general tendency of the bill
as a theme for the members to Hudy between that day,
and the day when the bill should be brought in, he
begged to put a quedion to the right honorable secre
tary, and that was: Whether in no fuppofeable case
whatever an appeal would lie from Ireland to the
Courts of England?
Mr. secretary Towfhend said, the aim andn idea of
the intended bill, was to transfer from this country to
Ireland the foie and exclusive right of legislation and
judicature in Ireland.
The motion beieg then put by the speaker.
Ordered, nem. con. and the right honorable T,
Townshend, Mr. Grenville, the chancellor of the ex
chequer, Mr. Conway, Mr. attorney-general, and
the lord advocate, were direfled to prepare and bring
in the fame.
PAR I S, ]an>2t.
Tt is with equal pleasure and zeal that we haflen to
communicate to you the happy event of peace, which
is now rendered certain by an extraordinary proclama
tion.
On Sunday the 19th, in the evening, a grand coun
cil was held, at the conclusion of which his raajefty
declared, that acourier extraordinary was expected
from London, who was to bring with him the treaty of
peace, signed George the third. • On the 20th, at three
in the morning, this courier arrived at the house of
of monsieur de Vergennes, at Versailles. At fevea
o'clock he waited upon the king, when an extraordi
nary council was held, at which his majesty was pre
sent, and which concluded with the signature of Lonis
the sixteenth, being placed by the fide of that of the
king of Great-Britain Immediately after, Mr. Le Noir,
lieutenant of the police, sent the proclamation to all
the chief orders ofthe state, and this pleasing intelligence
was in a few minutes spread throughout Paris.
From the LONDON GAZETTE.
Whitehall, January 28, 1783.
THE king has been pleased to cofiftitute and ap
point lord Howe, admiral Pigot, Charles Brett, Rich
ard Hopkins, honorable John Jeffries Pratt, John Au
brey and the honorable John Jeffries Gower, to be
conimiffioners to execute the office of lord high admi
ral of Great-Eritain, Ireland, and the dominions
thereupon depending.
War-Office, January 28, 1783.
It is his majefly's pleasure, that all recruiting for
the regiments of infantry, be suspended till further or
ders. By his majefly's command,
GEORGE YOUNG.
Philadelphia^ April 17.