Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-05-23 00:00:00, page 2

Sea, and that its dedication Was believed to be for
the Archipelago, to join the Turks against the
Ruffians.
Through the fame channel we learn, that a
camp is marked out near Metz, in Lorraine, for
40,000 men, and two more near Rochfort and
Quefnoy, near Valenciennes, of 2'0,000 each.
A correspondent, on whole authority we can
depend, informs us, that the French Minidry
have discovered that Admiral Greig (who lately
failed for the Mediterranean with a squadron to
reinforce the Ruffian fleet) has positive orders to
force the passage of the Dardanelles, and to lay
Conftantinoplein allies. In consequence ol which
orders have been received at Toulon to equip with
the utmost expedition 18 ships of the line, with
a proportionable number of frigates and bomb
ketches, in order to join the Turkish fleet, and
to defend Conftantihbple. This in all probability
will bring on a war between Great-Britain and
France, as we are bound in honour to allift the
Ruffians in case they ihould be attacked by the
French. In the mean time it is not to be wondered
at if the French nation looks with an evil eye on
a Ruffian squadron riding triumphant in the Me
diterranean, as it has greatly interrupted, nay, al
nioft destroyed their Turkey trade, and occasioned
all the bankruptcies which have lately happened in
Marseilles, and other ports of the Mediterranean.
Yesterday evening the charter of incorporation
ofthe Haft India Judges passed the Great-Seal.
It may be depended on, that a sloop of war
filled from Plymouth fourteen days since for Boston,
With orders to bring to England in irons Messrs.
Hancock, Row, Adams, and M'lntofh. M'lotofh
has been very adive Among the lower order of
people, the others the higher.
March ho. Weare allured, from undoubted au
thority, that the French King has actually raised the
sum of twenty-four millions of livres, solely upon
his own credit, and that the general opinion at Pa
ris is, that this sum has been railed in so private a
manner, in order that it might not alarm the Bri
tilh Ministry in the present intricate situation ofcur
American affairs.
There is not a maxim of religion, morals, or
' politics, more evident than this ; that America is
a hen that lays her golden eggs for Britain; and
that she must be cherished and supported as part of
the great family of Britain.
March 31. The further consideration of his
Majesty's meffage'of the 7th inflant, together with
the American papers, which were presented to
the House by Lord North, upon the 7th and 1 ith
inst. by his Majesty's command, is postponed to
the I 3th of April.
Yesterday his Majesty conferred the honour of
Knighthood on Impey, Esq; who is appoint
ed to go over one of the Judges to India.
Extract of a letter from Berlin, March 20.
“ Our Monarch is highly exasperated at the
behaviour of the Dantzic Magistrates, who have
refufed to own his sovereignty over that city, or
to deliver up to him ail the inhabitants there of
whar is called New Prussia. The King has there
fore dispatched his ultimatum to M. Reichard his
Agent there, whom he has ordered to inform the
Magistrates, that they shall immediately submit in
every reflect to his authority, or ihould they make
any refinance the city shall be treated as a Con
quered one in the time of war. This ultimatum
his Majesty has taken proper means to enforce,
by ordering several detachments oftroops to block
up the city."
April 2. We learn from Carthagena, that all
the men of war of 60 and 70 guns at that port,
are fitting out with the utmost expedition."
A gcntlememan who has made Paris his way in
his return to England from Genoa aiTures us, that
as he passed through France the towns and villages
were full of recruiting parties, and that troops
Were filing off in large bodies towards the Rhine,
the Moselle, and southern parts of that kingdom.
April 4. The East-India Company, 'tis said,
were ordered last week to give in an account of
the loss they sustained on account of the behaviour
of the Americans.
Thomas Hutchinson, Esq; Governor of the
province of Massachusetts Bay in North-America,
having humbly requested his Majesty's leave to
come to England, the King has been graciously
pleased to comply therewith.
April 5. The French affirm, that they are in
possession of an island in the Indian sea, of equal
value with any ever yet difeovered, for the pro
dudion of spices.
Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, April 4.
“ The East-India Judges, and other paflengers,
embarked on Saturday on board the India ships,
but they cannot proceed on their voyaged as the
wind is changed to the westward."
April 6. A constant reader fays, that all per
sons who favour the dragooning the Bostonians,
indicate as little found policy as they do of hu
manity ; what a savage disposition must these be
tray, who can be gratified with nothing less than
the unnatural butchery of their fellow fubjeds, by
recommending the horrors of the sword; such
would, no doubt, have been joyful fpedators of
the French and Irish massacres, and have chuckled
at the carnage.
The effrontery of gentlemen in office is such as
will render ministerial audacity proverbial. There
was a time when administration, whatever might
have been their private inclinations, would yet
not have dared publicly to talk of annihilating the
political constitution of either the mother country
or her colonies; designs black as Hell would have
been kept secret as the grave. The times, how
ever, are altered, and every mifereant Treasury
runner, every Coffee-Houfe spy in the pay of the
Minister can now harangue upon “ the absolute
necessity of new-modelling (as it is called) the
American charters." Lord North is an excellent
hand at this work; he hath new-modelled the
Charter of the East-India Company, that is, he
hath eventually destroyed it. An experiment with
America is wanting, and if the Minister succeeds
in his plan of overturning the political constitution
of the colonies, there remains but one glorious ef
fort to new-model, alias annihilate the English
constitution, to compleat the happiuefs ofthe best
ofKing' sand the views of the best of poppy
headed Ministers.
Of the five flaming patriots that figured away in
the year 1770, Cornwall and Meredith have fal
len, Germaine and Barre are tottering, and Burke
alone keeps his former position.
Order's are every day expected to be iffwed for
the railing of five thousand seamen ; but it is said no
press warrants will be made use of tc raise the
complement of men required.
America, at the lowest computation, is supposed
to contain three millions of fouls, which, at an
average tax of 6s. arid Bd. for each person, would
produce a revenue of one million sterling.
By lifts formed by the orders of the Abbe de
Terray, it appears, that there are no less than
68,000 persons employed in the collection of the
customs, excises, and royal duties, in the kingdom
of France.
April 7. Itis said, there is advice received from
Boston, from some of the principal inhabitants,
expressing their abhorrence of the late proceedings
there relative to the destroying of the Tea, which
they fay, was only the aft of a mob, headed by
a few desperate enthusiasts, promising to make
restitution to the proprietors for the injuries they
have fuffered.
General Gage, 'tis said, has the most extensive
commission that ever any Governor or commander
was invfefted with; but from the known humanity
of that gentleman, there is no reason to fear that
he will make any farther use of it than what duty
and justice prompts him to.
A great quantity of tents and camp equipage
are ordered to be embarked fob North-America.
Extract of a letter from Wigton, in Galway.
" The spirit of emigration has also become epi
demical in this country. Betwixt 20© and 300
people are to embark at Whitehorn, in a few
weeks for America. The country will luffer not
only from the loss of its inhabitants, but also from
the loss of its wealth. Some of these emigrants
being people of property, it is supposed they will
carry some thousand pounds in cash along with
them."
We hear from Stocktori, that preparations are
making there by many refpedable families, in or
der to emigrate to America.
General Paoli, and James Harris, Esq ; lately
arrived from Berlin, had a long conference with
his Majcfty yesterday at St. James's, on affairs
relative to that Court.
The following is the lift ofmen of war launched,
or which will be ready to launch, before the end
ofthe present year, in the several royal docks in
France, firice the convention with Spain in the
beginning of the year 1771: one of 84, four of
80, nine of 74, and four of 60 guns, besides 11
frigates from 32 to 16 guns each; making in all
eighteen men of war of the line, and eleven
frigates.
It is said the embarkation of troops for North
America is countermanded.
April 8. General Paoli, it is reported, has late
ly refufed the offer of an employment in America.
Governor Hutchinson, as soon as he arrives
here, report fays, will be knighted, and also pro
moted to a considerable post in Administration.
April 9. Many people wish to insinuate, that
the conduct of the people of Boston is not approv
ed of by the other colonists; be that repeated to
them again, with the firm assurance of truth, that
the sense of the people of America goes with the
people of Boston.
The Empress of Ruflia has lately transmitted
feme convincing proofs to some people in the
neighbourhood of St James's of the perfidious in
tentions of the court of France against her, and
which in many refpeds will affcA England, if we
do not exert a timely spirit.
The French are so tender of their colonies,
that they not only exempt them from taxes, but
permit them to import their sugars, and other
commodities in France, free from all tribute to
the crown.
Belfafi, Aprilifr The Betty of Belfaft, Michael
Russel master, from Philadelphia, home, with
Ilaxfeed, flour, and bifeuit, was wrecked the 6th
inst. and is entirely gone to pieces, near Wexford.
One of the hands, awomar, and a c: ild are drown
ed; thirty-five hogsheads of flaxfeed are saved.
The language the French Ministry holds to the
several Ambassadors at the Court of Versailles, is,
that the King, his master, has not the least in
tention of taking a decisive part between Ruflia
and the Porte, but only means to put his naval
force in a condition of being able to protect his
merchant ships in their commerce to and from the
Levant and Archipelago,
When the infamous Buckingham prevailed on
his master, Charles the firft, to lend a ship of
war, and seven armed merchant men, then in the
employ of the Crown, to the French King, to be
used at the siege of Rochelle, the honest tars, ac
tuated with a true British spirit, and love of reli
gion, all mutinied, rather than serve against the
Rochellers, who were contending for their liberty
and religion. The commanders also of the mer
chant ships refufed to engage in an adion so re
pugnant to honour and conscience. And though
Vice Admiral Pennington, who commanded the
King's ship, fired upon them to bring him to, yet
the brave Sir Ferdinand Georges resolutely broke
through, and returned with his ship to England :
The remaining ships were delivered to the French;
but all the officers and sailors, notwithstanding
great offers made, immediately deserted. Not an
individual amongst a crew of that honed hearted
though licentious elafs of men, one gunner except
ed, was then found dissolute enough to serve against
their distressed brethren the French Hugonots.
The mifereant gunner was afterwards killed in
charging a cannon before Rochelle, and his death
which was deemed a judgement, gave pleasure
and fatisfa&ion to the whole English nation.
Dublin, April 12. To so great a pitch have dis
sipation and the spirit of gaming arrived in London,
that one night last week, a noble Duke, lately
came to an immense real and personal estate, loft
at one fitting to a foreign Ambassador, at a noted
hotel in St. James-street, the enormous sum of
60,c001.
LONDO N, March 3 &
ON Friday last Mr. Edmund Burke Ipoke as
if he had been inspired, against the bill
for prohibiting commerce in the town of Boston.
The sublimity and force of his argument never was
exceeded in the House of Commons. It is difficult
to catch the words of this great orator, his man
ner is so various and rapid; but we are endeavour
ing to g et some chasms into the materials we have
cohered accurately filled up, and hope to be able
to give the whole to the public, for the Honour
of this Nation. In the mean while we give
the substance of what was said by another Mem
ber on the fame fide.
Governor JOHNSTONE's SPEECH
on the BILL for Blockading the TOWN
of BOSTON.
Mr. Speaker,
I FIN Dfo much difficulty in pronouncing my
fentirnetits at any time, that unless the House
is kindly disposed to hear me at this late hour, I
shall patiently fit down, because I am confeious it
will require their greatest indulgence to enable me
to express myfelf in a manner worthy of their at
tention. A modesty, becoming my fixation, pre
vented me from offering my opinion before, when
I saw men of so much superior ability rising from
the beginning of the debate.
It may appear arrogant in a Member so inferior
as I confefs myfelf to be to offer objections to a
bill, fb extensive in its consequences under every
consideration, especially after it must have been so
maturely considered, in every article, by men so
distinguished by their talents and high fituationsin
office, besides the general applause which has fol
lowed the bill in its rapid progress through this
House. Nevertheless, though naturally diffident
of my opinion, when I had the good or bad for
tune (I don't know which to term it) ofprognofti
cating to the Chairman of the East-India Compa
ny the consequences of fending this Tea, on their
own account, to America, and that the event has
literally fulfilled my words, as it is well known to
some Members now in my eye, it makes me more
confident in warning the House of what I appre
hend will be the consequences of this bill.
I told the Chairman of the East-India Compa
ny, firft in conversation, on asking my opinion,
and afterwards by letter, that the evidence might
appear in the progress of things, that I conceived
the East-India Company exporting Tea on their
own account was, under every consideration of
their situation and institution, wrong, but, un
der the present difeontents and disputed matters of
government in America, CRIMINALLY absurd,
because they were presenting themselves as the butt
in the controversy, where they would probably
come off with the loss ofthe whole. The event
has juftified my prediction; for whatever re-pay
ment the Company may obtain from the town of
Boston, under those cruel coercive measures now
proposed (the effect of which I still doubt) yet the
Company must remain great losers, even if the
other provinces, equally culpable, are made to re
fund the loss arising from their conduct; because
it was not supplies of cash at a distant period the
Company wanted, but an immediate supply,
to answer a temporary exigency, which a combi
nation of the enemies of the Company had produ
ced.
I now venture to predict to this House, that
the effect ofthe present bill must be productive of
a general confederacy, to refill the power of this
country. It is irritating, tempting, nay inviting
men to those deeds, by ineffectual expedients,
the abortions of an undecefive mind, incapable of
comprehending the chain of consequences which
must result from such a law.—l am not one of
those who believe, that distant provinces can be
retained in their duty by preaching or enchant
ments; I believe that force or power, conduct
ed with wisdom, are the means of securing re
gular obedience under every establishment, but
that such force Ihould never be applied to any
degree of rigour, unless it shall carry the general
approbation of mankind in the execution. How
ever much such approbation may prevail at the
particular moment in this House, it is impossible
to believe the sense of Great-Britain, or the sense
of America, can go to the punishing a particu
lar town, for refilling the payment of the Tea
tax, which is universally odious throughout
America, and is held in ridicule and contempt by
every thinking man in this country. —The question
of taxing America is fufficien'tly nice to paliate re
sistance, if the fubjed had never been litigated in
this country; but, after the highest characters in
the state had declared agaioft the right of this coun
try to impose taxes on America, for the purposes
of revenue ; after the general voice of the Senate
had concurred in repealing the Stamp Act,
upon that principle ; after those men, who had
maintained these doctrines, had been promoted by
his Majcfty to the firft ftatiohs in the Administra
tion of civil and judicial affairs, there is so much
mitigation to be pleaded in favour of the Ameri
cans, from those circumstances (allowing them in
an error at present) that every man must feel the
height of cruelty, by enforcing contrary maxims,
with any degree of severity at firft, before due warn
ing js given.
It is in vain to fay that Boston is more culpable
than the other colonies; fending the ships from
thence, and obliging them to return to England,
is a more solemn and deliberate ad of refinance,
than the outrage committed by persons in disguise
in the night, when the ship refufed to depart.
That the blocking up of the harbour of Boston to
prevent the importation of British manufactures,
or the exportation of goods which are to pay for
them, is a measure equally absurd as if the Parli
ament here, upon the refinance which was made
t® their resolution, by the riots of Brentford, and
other disturbances in the county of Middlcfex, had
decreed, by way of punishment, that the freehold
ers Ihould have been prohibited from sowing wheat.
For whole benefit do the inhabitants of Boston
toil and labour? The Springs in the circle of
commerce bear so nitely on each other, that few
men can tell by interrupting one, tie degree and
extent to which the felt may be exposed. By ex
cluding the importation of molasses, and the ex
portation of that spirit which is distilled at Boston,
the whole Guinea trade will be affected, and in
consequence the sugar trade that depends upon it.
In extending this kind of punishment to the othef
colonies, every one must fee the danger ; and yet,
if it can be approved tor one, the fame arguments
will hold good to approve or reject it refpe&ing
the other. But let any man figure to himfelf the
consequences to this country, if a similar pnnifh
ment was applied to the colony of Virginia;
300,0001 . a year diminution in revenue, besides
the loss of all the foreign centrads, and perhaps
of that beneficial trade for ever. Notwithstand
ing the general approbation which has been given
to this bill, and the loud applauses which have
been re-echoed to every word of the noble Lord
in explaining it, yet no man will be bold enough
to fay, that this partial punishment is a re
medy for the general difeafe,and yet without know
ing what is to follow, no man can be vindicated
(even supposing the bill right in part) for giving
bis assent to it. Those gentlemen who are in the
secrets of the cabinet, and know how assuredly
every proposition from them is adopted by this
House, may be excused for their sanguine accla
mations in favour ofthe measure. But the gene
ral mass, who must be equally ignorant with my
felf of what is to follow, can have no excuse for
giving their assent so readily for punishing their
fellow-fubjeds in so unprecedented a manner, and
their eager zeal serves only to shew how ready
they are to obey the will of another, without ex
ercising their own judgment in the case. If the
government of this country is refilled in America,
my opinion is, instead of removing the feat of go
vernment in the colony, and forcing the elements
to bend to our will, which is impossible, that an
effectual force Ihould be carried to the heart ofthe
colony refilling, to cruffi rebellion in the bud, be
fore a general confederacy can be formed. In
the present case we abandon the government, apd
drive the inhabitants to despair, leaving the multi
tude a prey to any ambitious spirit that may arise.
For my own part I am convinced, from experience
in the colonies, that good government may ba
concluded there upon rational grounds, as well
as in this country; but the power and means of
governing, rewards and punishments, are taken
from your supreme executive Magistrate in every
sense, and then you are furprized that all order
and obedience Ihould cease. The colonies can on
ly be governed by their afTemblies, as England by
the House of Commons; the patent offices, as
well as those in the Customs, which were former
ly given at the recommendation of the Governors,
to men supporting government, and residing in the
provinces, are new given in reversion three or
four lives deep, to men living in this country.
The command of the military, which was another
great source of refpe& and obedience, is likewise
taken from the Governor ; so that in truth he
remains an insignificant pageant of state, fit only
to transmit tedious accounts of his own ridiculous
situation: or, like a Doctor of the Sorbonne, to
debate with his assembly about abftra& dodrines
in government.
I am far from wilhing to throw any blame upon
Governor Hutchinson, or to condemn him, like
the town of Boston, unheard. The absence of
the man, and the general clamour agaioft him,
will restrain me from faying many things refpeding
his conduct, which appear reprehensible. But I
cannot admit a passage in the speech of a noble
Lord to pass unnoticed. His Lordihip alledges,
“ that the Governor could not apply to the Ad
“ miral in the harbour, or to the Commanding
“ Officer of the troops in the castle, for the pro
" tedion of the Custom-House officers, as well
“ as teas in question, without the advice of his
“ Council." But I beg leave to inform the no
ble Lord, as I served in that station myfelf, that
there is a volume of inftrudions to every Gover
nor on this fubjed, whereby he is commanded,
under the severest penalties " to give all kind of
“ protection to trade and commerce, as well as
“ to the officers of his Majesty's Customs, by his
“ own authority, without the necessity of ading
“ through his Council." Nor can I conceive a
possible excuse for the deftrudion of those teas,
while two men of war lay in the harbour, without
the least application having been made to the Ad
miral for protedioa, during so long a tranfadion.
The firft eflential point in those disputes which
are now likely to become so serious by the weak
ness of Administration in this country in following
no connected plan, either of force or favour, but
constantly vibrating between the two, is to put
ourselves in the right, and for this purpose l would
recommend the immediate repeal of the Tea
Duty, which can be vindicated upon no princi
ples, either of commerce or policy. Men may al
ledge this would be giving up the point. But if we
have no better points to dispute upon, I am ready
to yield the argument. Railing taxes in America,
for the purposes of revenue, I maintain ro beun
neceffary and dangerous. A ft^mp-ad, as a mea
sure of police, varied for the Different govern
ments, and leaving the revenue raised thereby to
be appropriated by the refpeftive legislatures, I
hold to be a measure of the higlieft efficacy, for
maintaining a due obedience to the authority of
this country, and prolonging that dependance for
ages to come. How far it can be executed after
what has already passed, I am rather diffident, but
of this I am certain, that in case Great Britain is
deprived of executing a measure of that nature,
which by pervading every tranfadion secures the
execution in itftlf, fhehas loft one of the greatest
engines for supporting her influence throughout the
empire without oppression. Some men, who are
for simplifying government to their own comnre
henfions, will not allow they can conceive that the
supreme legislative authority shall not be paramount
in all things, and taxation being fully comprehend
ed in legislation, they argue, that the power ofthe
one must necessarily follow that of the other: and
yet we find mankind poffaffed of privileges, which
are not to be violated in the most arbitrary coun
tries. The province of Languedoc is a striking
example in refutation of the do&rines refpe&ng
taxation, which an held by such narrow observers.