Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-02-26 00:00:00, page 4

Mr. Huffey Burgh then rose, and introduced bis
opinion relative to the question, with observing that al
though be bad generally voted on that fide of the House,
which is called bppoftion, yet be bad set it down as a
maxim never to give bis fapport to a motion which was
calculated to barrafs the Minifer, and not to serve tbe
people : Ibat when there was a considerable majority
e-viaent on tbe part of'government, be thought it beJi
not to itezarda question, which there was a certainty
of leafing; that be made, for this reason, fewer moti
ons than any man in tbe House ; that be bad no enemies
to persecute, no partisans to serve; and that this might
account for bis Ji ence during tbe present feffmn ; but be
fail the , efeot qarfiou was of tbe greatef importance,
a question arJing from a mefage Jint by tbe King to bis
Parliament, to which an answer muji be given : That,
without paJon, without prejudice, and without fear,
he would deliver bis opinion; andthat the man d?d not
live, who knew on which fide oj the question that opi
nion would turn. He then entered largely into tbe con
feqcences which might attend tbe putting this meafare
into execution ; took a fort view of tbe American war,
which he termed unjaf, as it not only militated againf
tbe law of nations, tbe law of tbe land, the law of
human?), hue against tbe law of nature. —He menti
oned the imbruing car bands in the blood oj car kinsmen
and near relations ; and that tbe saving, which was
mentioned as a motive to induce our supporting tbe Mi
nifry, was no mo r e than a bribe to purchase our af
fflance to cut tbe throats of the Americans ; that if the
war was just, there was no neceffit, to bribe our con
currence ; that ibe right of taxation demanded by
Croat-Britain was unjufi, for that it was contrary to
all reason that a people, who were tbe fuhjeas of
Great-Britain, foould, in refpeH to their property, be
at tie mercy of two powers,, and acknowledge a right
of taxation, both in their own Afrmblies and in (be
British Senate; that ij this was tbe case, they could
not boas any property, for every filling they enjoyed
might, by one all oj a Parliament, in which Hy were
not represented, be taken from them for ever : Bhat
iifleadofafaving, this measure would, in all broba
kdiy, become a bu then, and observed our civil eftab
liibment would always increase whenever tbe military
decreased; and that the prejent fating would be only
A temporary relief, which would bring on a future
evil; for that when oar own troops returned, then
cur mi far, wouldJa'l back into tbe cri, dad expence,
with tbe ad&tiond. burthen of what tbe civil efablifo
raent may have encreafed. He then mentioned our de
fencHeJsf&te, end infilled that we bad not more than
, >OO fighting met ; men who marched on their legs,
and not ou paper; men who couldfundfire, and not
calculation. He disposed very judicious, ibe arrange
ment ofour troops, and cleariy pro ved that are maji be
•pen to the infu ^ Mions of tbe Write Boys in the South,
^mdthe Steel Boys in tbe N<vtb ; and that then tbe
s^rderi^g and the maiming of our wives and children
wMJ Vid 0.. cur own beads. That France looked on
this quarrel wdb a peculiar / I afare, and that we bad
s. focurity in their pro/aijks no longer than tbe c< cs of
?HIL^DE LPHIA: Printed by JOHN DUNLAP, at the Ne^eft Printing-Office in xhW ( 7-$//r/7, wh< re
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Mr ri'* .aid the only po : nr tribe ronfidi red
V-.& woe^ this mealbrc would bring on a recon
&.nation, r.iji he thought it would. It was clear
trat the wfh of America was a total independence;
and if we reiufe to fend these tioOps, we prevent a
reconciliation, by hindering Gr<.at-B ? itain from
entoicing lemnable terms, which, if properly en
fu-td, the Americans might agree to. But, Awe
tven ?rree to lend these troops, we do not thereby
eon lernn die Americans, we only ailiit Great-Bit
tain in her line of need. In regard to the fup;lies,
though t^ey are voted, the money bills are not pal
led, and gentlemen may make such retrenchments
in them, as they think receßary.
Mr. Cha,max said that he did net expert re hear
inch a mefiage after the many afTurances of the mi
nuter, that the iz,ooo men v<re compleatly in this
kingdom, and should remain so inviolably ; and,
after the promises of adminiltraiion, that nothing
should be expected from this country to America,
but the address to the throne. That notwithstand
ing the Committee of Supply had relieved 11,060
men weie necessary for cur defence, and had pro
vided for then accordingly; yet while these affu
raoces, the very founds yet tingled in their ears,
the minuter forgot himfelf in the mefTenger of the
grown,—not to t ring to their lon^in^ eyes the
Olive branch, the emblem of much wished for peace;
but he layshis hand on his fwo<d and becomes the
harbinger of war.—That be congratulated admi
nittration on at length finding out that hitherto
inedible deity of then's, but on elofer infpedtion,
he was ferry to discover that deity, like the God of
the Egyptians, plainly and limply —a BULL. 7 hit
it the miniltr was icrious when he promised ceco
nomy, he ought to l:ffcn tlie (apply in proportion
to that autonomy ; to content himfelf with fewer
taxes, and to diminish his demands. That he
called on him to do so, but he found him blent on
that point ;' and therefore muff conclude no real
economy was in his contemplation. That one
year's laving was the utmoit that was mentioned.
That such reduffion was paltry indeed, contrafbd
with the probable bus of 4000 gallant countrymen,
devoted Sacrifices to appeaie the fury of an incensed,
a despairing perph, in defence of their rights, con
fident against the world in arms : That the tears
of the forlorn widow, the cries of the helpless or
phan, could not be weighed in the money scale of
a minister. That this kingdom would be left ex
posed to every enemy, allured by such prolpe&s.
That the asking the consent of parliament was a
farce in politics, and an undermining of a positive
aft of parliament. That it was well known that
the crown always desired the confect of a dean and
chapter to the appointment of an intended Bifnop;
but it was never yet known th^t the perlon nomi
nated did not succeed to the episcopal dignity.
Mr, Solicitor General laid, as the exper.ee to be
incurred was the chief argument used again!! the
augmentation, so no gentleman, who voted then
a^aUR it, can confidently oppose the measure by
which the expence is taken away. He begged the
frit resolution might be disposed of, before they
entered into the consideration of the second; ad
cin r, that if we refuted the req rest of the crown,
^eihoub! hurt the Americans, by misleading them
to their ruin.
Mr, James Brown spoke in defence of the mea
sure.
Mr. ConoUy urged his fears for Ireland from eftab
hlbing a precedent, and mentioned that the King's
foeech, at opening the Bitißi parliament, declared
the supremacy over all his dominions. He repeat
ed and enforced whit had been said about a land
tax laid on by England, and enforced by foreign
mercenaries. He took notice of the intelligence an
honourable gentleman (Mr. Gardiner) had deriv
ed of the hottile intentions of foreign powers, from
the Cabinets of foreign courts. Here Mr. Gardi
ner said the Hight Hen. gentleman had miftakan
him; he had only laid Courts, not Cabinets, Mr.
Conolly replied he had indeed mistaken, but the
mistake was cafily made, as he knew no gentle
man more fit for a lady's or a Privy Counfellor's
cabinet than the honourable gentleman.
~ •ftramaal:&::ncitk the Colon : es exifcd : ,for wherever
they difap,eared, and that by this war «c mere
weakened, then it mas / ofiibde and probable, with a
very jmill force, they no rid dofetch a Jignal mifehiej
to this kingdom as might be irreparable. He took a menu
of the commercial interest of France with America, and
mentioned bom probable it was they mould facrifee
their frandjkip to England for a lucrative connexion
with Amt?ica, a^d pictured the consequences infirik ng
figures of reufenin, He mentioned the disturbances
cubicb might arifefrom the importation of these foreign
t?oo A s, and fifed by wkht lams they mere to be hied
For (fences io this kinr,d mr whether they mere to be
fed,ect to a jury of this country, or to a court martial'
among tbtmfelves ? and if the latter, what dreadful
cortfcqarnos miritfollow. lie then returned to the
iflice on anhick this reque, waffoumhd, and faidfuch
mas bis opinion oj it, ke mon 'd not vo'e a jingleJword
agarif Amers a, without an address to accompany it,
recommencing conciliatory measures: That be jorefaw
the confluences of this mar ; and that if the Minifry
mere victorious, it motfd only be eflablijbirg a right
to the barvejl, nvken they bad burned the grain; it
mould he only efabiifbing a right to the flream, when
they had cut off the fountain.
Sir John B aquiere fa d be mas totally ignorant of
this meafare'wben the fefoon evened. That it mould
have been wrong to have deducted thefa ring from the
votes of fugplies, before it mas known whether the
troops would be feat or not. Tfat if the supplies are
rapid, and there is a redundancy, on account oj this
measure, it would be liable to the difpojal of Parlia
ment next feffons.
The quefion was then put on the firfl reflation, and
the Lemmittee divided, dyes 12: —— Noes 76 ?Ma
joriy ^S:
It being then near midnight, the consideration of the
second resolution was adjourned till Monday.
Monday, November 27.
The Committee of the whole House fat till half
pad eleven, on the quefibn of admitting 4000 Hefoan
and Brunswick troo/s, when at length the Committee
divided, Ayes for admitting the troops 68 ; Noes 106.
Majority against the foreign troops 38.
Q Besides those 20,000, who had voluntarily en
rolled themselves to att as exigencies might require,
what other forces had the Provincials of Pennsyl
vania raised?
A. Four thousand minute-men, whose duty was
pointed out by their designation. They were to be
ready for service at a minute's warning.
Q^ Did the Province of Pennsylvania grow corn
fuffinent for the supply efits inhabitants ?
A. Much mo;e than fufficient, there was a sur
plus for exportation, if required.
Q. Weie they capable of making gunpowder in
Pennsylvania ?
A. They pufedly well understood the art, and
had effe&ed it.
Q^Could fait petre be made in the province ?
A. It could ; mills and other instruments fur ef
feQing such an undertaking had been erected with
success.
Q Could cannon be cast in Pennsylvania ?
A. The art of calling cannon had been carried
to great perfection; tuey were amply furnished
with iron for the purpo;e.
(Q Could Small aims be made to any degree of
pel Section ?
A. To as great a degree of perfeaion as could
be imagined; The workmanflbp employed in fi
nifhing the Small arms was universally admired for
its excellence.
Q Were the Americans expert in Ship-building ?
A. Moie lb than the Europeans.
Q_ To what extent of tonnage did the largest cf
their flapping amount r
A. A Ship of about three hundred tons was the
largelt they were known to build.
Q_ Circumstanced as things at present were, did
the witness think, that the language of the Con
gress expressed the sense of the people of America
in general ?
A. Aster as the question applied to Pennsylva
nia, he was sure tins was the cate; for the other
provinces, lie replied in the affirmative from infor
mation only.
(Q Did be fappofe that the Congress contained
Delegates family nominated by the choice of tie
people ?
A. He had no doubt but that the Congress did
contain Delegates choien under tins description.
Q ByAbut mode weie the Delegates in Con
trols appointed ?
A. By the votes of Affemblie&ia fume places, by
ballot others.
The Duke of Richmond having finished his pre
liminary remarks, Mr. Penn was called to the bar,
and interrogated nearly to the following purport :
Q_ How long had he resided in America ?
A. Four Years. Two of those years in the capa
city of Governor of Permfylvania.
Q. Was he acquainted with any of the members
of the Continental Congress ?
A. He was personally acquainted with all the
members of that Congress.
Q In what estimation was the Congress held ?
A. In the highest veneration imaginable by all
ranks and orders of men.
LONDO N.
HOUSE of LORD S,
Saturday, November 11.
CT II E Lords were yesterday assembled for the.
X purposes of examining Governor Penn, and
of difciTing a motion which the Duke of Rich
mond proposed to ground on such information as
that gentleman should afford the House.
Previous to the calling of Mr. Penn to the bar,
the Duke of Richmond announced the mode he had
adopted Preparatory to the Governors examinati
on. His Grace conceded, "that he had apprized
" Mr. Penn of the questions which would be pro
" pounded to him, but the noble Dake disclaimed
" having entered into any fort of conversation with
" the Governor, left such converfatien should be
" malevolently construed into a design of anticipa
" ting the answers Mr. Penn might think proper
" to return.''/
IWas an implicit obedience paid to the resolu
tions of that Congress throughout all the provinces ?
A. He believed this to be the case.
Q How many men bd been tailed throughout
the province of Pennsylvania ?
A. Twenty thuufand effective men had volunta
rily enrolled theinfelves to enter into actual Service
if neccßity required.
Q. Of what rank, quality, and condition were
these persons?
A. Men of the most refpe&able characters in the
province.
Q_ Were not a considerable number of them en
tirely destitute of pioperty?
A. It was presumed that, Subtracted from so
large a number as 20,000, there were tome necessi
tous, but the major part were in flourishing Situa
tions.
Q Were the people of Pennsylvania content with
their charter ? A. Perfedly content.
QThen did they not acquiesce in the right of
the British Parliament to enforce taxation ?
A. They acquiesced in a declaration of the right
so long as they experienced no inconvenience from
the declaration.
Queries from Lord Sandwich.
Had the witness ever heard of an ad entitled,
" 'The Declaratory AN ?"
A. He had heard of such an ad.
Q^Did be ever peruse, and was he Sufficiently
acquainted with the contents of that aft?
A. He never had perused it, It never had been
much difeuffed whilst he resided in America.
Q. Did the witness apprehend that the Congress
acquiesced in an ad which maintained the authori
ty of the British parliament in all cases whatsoever?
Objected to, and the witness was desired to with
draw ; but being called in again, the quejiion was
put, and he replied,
That except in the case of TAXATION, he appre
hended, the Americans would have no objedion to
acknowledge the Sovereignty of Great-Britain.
Q. Had the witness any knowledge of certain re
solutions passed by the county of Suffolk ?
A. He had not attended to them.
Q Had the witness any knowledge of an answer
given by the Continental Congress to what bad been
commonly called Lord North's conciliatory motion?
A. The witness knew nothing of the proceedings
of the Congress; they were generally tranfa&ed
under the leal of Secrecy.
(Q Was the witness personally acquainted with
Mr. Harrison, a member of the Congress ?
A. The witness knew him well.
Q What charader did he bear?
A. A very refpe&able one.
Q. Had the witness ever heard of any persons who
had Buffered persecutions, for declaring Sentiments
favorable to the supremacy of the British parliament?
A. He had heard of such oppreflions in other pro
vinces, but never met with them during his itfi.
dence in Pennsylvania.
Q_ln the opinion of the witness, were the Ame
ricans new free ?
A. They imagined themselves to be So.
Q^ln case a formidable force should be Sent to
America, in Support of government, did the wit
ness imagine there were many who would openly
profefs submission to the authority of Parliament ?
A. The witness apprehended the few who would
join on such an occaficn would be too trivial a num
ber to be of any consequence.
Mr. Pern was then ordered to withdraw, and the
Duke of Richmond, after defeating with Singular
propriety on the necessity of immediate conciliation,
propoled the lift petition from the Continental
Congitfs to the King, as a basis for a plan of accom
modation. His Grace of Richmond moved, " That
the pre ceding paper fuririflied grounds of concilia
tion of the unhappy differences at present subsisting
between Gieat-Britain and America, and that some
mode should be immediately adopted for the effec
tuating so desirable a purpose."
This produced a debate, Supported on both sides
with infinite ingenuity. The numbers were, for
the motion 33, against it 86.
Nov. 13. It is strongly reported that the Court of
Fiance has presented a flinging memorial to our
Secretary of State, upon the taking Ruffian troops
into British pay. This memorial is conceived in
terms that have struck our administration with
aftoniflunent, as they confider it as a prelude to a
war with the House of Bourbon.
Nov.zo. On Wednesday the House agreed that
an addrtfs ffiould be presented to his Majetty, that
he will bepleafed to give directions that the petiti
on prefenced to him from the General Congress in
America by Governor Penn and Arthur Lee, Efqrs.
should be laid before them.
Wednesday the Houle of Commons resolved, that
die sum of 47,4,00!. 12s. be granted for defraying
the charge of raising and paying one regiment of
Scotch Highlanders, to contirt of two battalions of
loco men each, for the Service of the year 1776.
This relolutjon caused a Ihort debate, but there
was no question for division.
Nov. 22. Piuftia as wen as France, has remon
ftrateu agaiuU kufrian troops being sent to Ame
rica.
Dec. 6. Ytfterday eleven transports arrived in the
river from the Downs, parr to be Rationed at Wool
wich and the red at the Tower, to take in ordi
nance, powder, ball, Ihot, provisions and eloathing,
to furnish the troops in America during the fuiu
mei campaign.
QTn what light Lad the' „,tition, which the
win els had presented to the King, been considered
by the Americans?
A. The petition had been c<nfidered as an olive
branch, and the witness had been complimented by
his friends, as the meitenger of peace.
Q On the fuppofirion that the prayer of this pe
tition ffiould be rejected, what did the witneis ima
gine would be the consequence?
A. That the Americans, who placed much re
liance on the petition, would be driven to defpeia
tion by its non-success.
Q Did the witneli imagine, that Sooner than
yield to what were Supposed to be the unjust claims
of Great- Britain, the Americans would take the
desperate resolution of calling in the aid of foreign
afliftance?
A. The witness was apprehensive that this would
be the case.
Q. What did the witness recollect of the Stamp-
A&T
A. That it caused great uneasiness throughout
America.
Q What did the witness recalled, concerning
the repeal of that ad?
A. The anniversary of that memorable day is
kept throughout America, by every testimony of
public rejoicing, such as bonfires, illuminations,
and other exhibitions of gladness.
Q Would not the negled with which the last pe
tition was treated induce the Americans to resign
all hopes of pacific negociations?
A. In the opinion of the witness it would.
Q When the witness presented the petition to
the Secretary of State, was he asked any queltiens
relative to the state of America ?
A. Not a single question.
Cross examined by the LorbsDENBiGH and Sandwich.
Queries from Lord Denbigh.
As the witness had acted in the capacity.of Go
vernor, was he well acquainted with the charter of
Pennsylvania?
A. He had read the charter, and was well ac
quainted with its contents.
Q. Did be know that there was a clause which
Specifically fubjeded the colony to taxation by the
British Legislature ?
A. He was well apprized that there was such a
clause.
Never can true reconcilement grow
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierc'd so deep.
The troops are now Rationed at Kemp's landing,
the Great Bridge, and in and about Suffolk.
The cannonading heard last Thursday fe'nnight
at Norfo k, was occasioned by a detachment of cur
troops, under Major Eppes, attacking a number
of black-and-white people from the men of
war, who bad been landed to steal tobacco.
Major Eppes drove them back, after killing
four negroes, and two white men, upon which
the fliips began to fire,—We hear Lord Dun
more and his friends are exceedingly uneasy, and a
good deal frightened, upon hearing that the conti
nental fleet is designed against them; and indeed
' they have very good reason, for, as sure as a rifle
(and that, they will know, is pretty true) Commo
core Hopkins, will pay them a visit so soon as he is
joined by the Maryland squadron.
Feb. 10. Col. Henry received the following letter
last night, by express, from Col. Grayson at Hampton :
" Deferday evening the Kingffar" went down to
wards the capes, and this morning fe returned, iz
company with a fijty gun fbip and fame tenders. They
are all now at anchor, just below the light-bcufe."
Last Thursday night a great light was seen towards
Fortfmouth, which was fahpojed to be that town in
flames.
A schooner from Salem, and another from Ips
wich, both in ballafl, the latter with 200/. on board,
in Continental dollars, were taken last Tuesday by two
tenders, and carried into the harbour of Norfolk. They
were bound in here for corn.
, A brig, laden with linens, this week luckily escaped
the vigilance of the tenders (with which it is said the
bay swarms) and fell into the hands of our people.
One Mr. Ker, a prisoner on bis parole in Northamp
ton County, went off !ajl week, and carried with him
fives :Negroes. Afew days after fen^n Negro,s broke
out of Northampton gaol and went off in a pettiauger.
It is imagined they are all gone on board the men of
war.•
'lbe prisoners of the 14th regiment, andotbers, in
all twenty-five, were this week removed to Richmond
Town.
Some of the tenders went up to Nanfemond a few
days ago, and took a vessel with about 200 barrel, oy
pork f% board. Our people at that place bad afmali
fkirmijb with them, but we cannot learn that any lives
were 10l on either five. Before their departure they
burnt down a house belonging to Mr. Brills Cowper,
in which was defrayed about 100 barrels of corn.
PHILADELPHIA.
Extract of a letter from Dublin, Nov. I©.
" 'lke Minifry will scarcely be able to fend out 1,
America 10,000 men additional, two thirds of these
must be new levies. The two regiments which jailed
from Cork about the middle of laji month for Quebec,
were by hard weather forced into Milford, except
those in one tranftort which is miffing. There they
flay as it is too late to proceed. It is the general idea,
that Canada muflfall into the hands of the Provincials,
which is imputed to the aifafaNion of the Canadians.
All forts oj grain, in Britain and here, are more pie,-
tifal thanjor many years past ; inasmuch that the Weft-
India Islands will be fuppkedfrom these kingdoms.—
Five regiments are under orders to be at Co?k by the
firfl of December, to proceed in December to Virginia,
we are pretty fare."
Extract of a letter from a Captain of a veffcl, arrived
at St. Kitts in 35 days horn London, to a Gen
tlemen in this city, dated Jan. i 3.
" No vefel was permitted to fail for America id
"'') departure, but what was employed b, gove'n
ment, for which reason many vefjels were la d up in
Greenland dock. The bill for jeix'ng all American
property, had paffedtke House or Lorf."
Sunday fdeanight arrived here Cal te Souder, from
Grenada. On bis faffage he spoke a veffelfrom I ork,
the wafer of which informed him, that 25 tranfarts,
with 4000 troops on board, had failedjrent Cork jar
America.
By Major Ogden, from Quebec, we learn, that all
things were quiet there lie 27th ult. that cur people
fill kept up tbe.bloekudc, ana ladnot met vi/b ihe
leaf interruption from Carleton. Wejurib c r learn,
that grout numbers cj troops are on their wayjerbty
bec, feme oj dsshicb were at Montreal bpfoe, tbe y:tb
cj January.— 1 bat three companies oj the hactahoa
raised in this provt/a r were arrived at Albany in „^4
spirits, on thiir •veay t v tfcLc.
WILLIAMSBUR G, (in Virginia) Feb. g.
By advices from the army under Col. Howe,
we learn that they abandoned Norfolk last Tuesday,
after removing the poor inhabitants, with whet
efte&s they could carry along with them, and de
molishing the intrenchments which Lord Dunmore
threw up a little before be fled on board the fleet
now lying before that place. What few houses re
mained after the late bombardment were likewise
destroyed, 'after being valued, to prevent our ene
mies taking flielter in them. Thus in the course
of five weeks, has a town which contained upwards
cf 6000 inhabitants, many of them in affluent cir
cumstances, a place that carried on an extensive
trade and commerce, consequently affording bread
to many thousands, been reduced to ashes, and be
come desolate, through the wicked and cruel ma
chinations of Lord North and the junto, aided by
their faithfulfervants, my Lord Dunmore with his
motley army, and the renowned Capt. Bellew,
commodore of his Britannick Majesty's fleet in Vir
ginia, and his generous and valiant crew. Truly
may it now be said,
Most o'UeAmeticab ^o; r r , ; ,,,p- :? ,
ed comndfliencre; and the leafon of feed m
ny commiffoners (36) to America, b, m
each province Separately, at out ?n ^cumn^, tier
and so dispatch the bufireL : —. jl ev are net now
to treat with the Congress, zs fi ; ft reported.
Extract of a letter from Gofport, Dc. r .
" Since my lafltie Pearl and Lefordfrites came
out oj Dock, and are none rifting for /ea.
" Capt. Halfcad of this /own, is appointed to tkt
command of thejerfe,, of 50 guns, and is to <c ,t o Bed
ton, there to tie as an kffitatjkfjor the use fthe fa r.
" It is said hers that Gen. Gage is to return t o B^f.
ton ; tbejbip he came home in is come into the harbour."
Twelve transports bound io America, are waiting
in the Downs for a favourble <u ind.
ST. J O H N's, (in Antigua) Jan. 17;
This morning early four companies of his Ma.
fifty's 55th regiment, who were drove off the Ame
rican coast, and put into this island in great distress,
marched through the town of St. John's from Eng
lifh-harbour to Rat-lfland barracks, where they are
to rest and refre fn themselves till a vessel is get rea
dy to carry them to Boston.
T The (flips of war on their different Rations round
this and the neighbouring islands are daily distres
sing the Americans, by making captures cf their
vessels employed in their proscribed trade with the
French islands, &c.