Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-08-15 00:00:00, page 5

L 0 N D O N, May 27.
demount of the Debates in the House of Commons yesterday,
&n Sir james Lowthers Motion that the Bill for the
better regulating the government of Quebec might be
read a fecund time.
I™ *a,*<f#'"h R° T. Townsend stated many objec
&• tions to the bill, said it was meant to
^'A overturn the present form of govern
ment at Quebec, and establish the
fy ^SQ ^ Roman Catholic religion and French
laws, and repeatedly desired to know
ty ho were the authors of the bill.—
Lord North observed that the government of Quebec,
bad long been in a disordered state, and it was high time
that something was thought of for their benefit; that
as to the author of the bill, it was fufficient to fay it
came from the House of Lords, and if the Commons
and King assented to it, it would be a bill of Parliament
—Mr. Dunning, in a very long speech, went through
the whole of the bill, stated the numerous objections to
it, said it was the most pernicious bill ever offered to
Parliament, and would give such encouragement to the
French, that in case of a future war they would be
inafters of all the land at the back of our colonies, and
thereby annoy us as they pleased; and observed, that
veiling a power in the Governor to appoint 17 or 23
Council, which ever number he should chufe to be a
legislative body, was a mere farce, for the Governor
had not only the power of appointing, but fulpending
and difmifing, and therefore would have the Council
entirely under his command: And as the Minister here
would take care to have a creature of his the Governor,
the people could exped no good. He spoke much like
wise of the pernicious tendency ofencouraging theßoman
Catholic religion there, almost in preference to the Pro
leftant.—The Attorney General gave the House a
chronological history of Canada, the different govern
ments it had, and how dangerous, cruel, and unprece
dented it was to establish new laws in a conquered
country: he was therefore much for the bill, as it would
]et them enjoy all the fame privileges as when taken.—
Serjeant Glynn answered all his objections; as a prece
dent, where new laws had been given to a conquered
country, he mentioned Ireland and Wales, and said
that the present bill would alfed the King's proclamation
in 1763, when he promised that all perlons who would
go over to Quebec should be entitled to the fame laws
and protections as they had here; he said this was di
reftly contrary, for it was meant to have French laws
and the Roman Catholic religion. The Solicitor Ge
neral denied that either Ireland or Wales were similar
cases.—Col. Barre gave the House much information
refpeding the situation of the land, and the dangerous
tendency that would ensue was the present bill to pass.
—Mr. C. Fox objected much to a clause refpeding
tythes being allowed to be collected by the Roman Ca
tholic Priests, which he said was making it a money bill,
and therefore it was highly improper for such a bill to
originate in the Lords: His speech was short, but to
the purpose.—Mr. Dempfter said, the impropriety of
the bill struck him, for it certainly was a bill either to
take away or impose a tax, and therefore should have
originated in the Commons, but he should be glad of
the Speaker's opinion.—Mr. Sawbridge said, as he
found the Speaker was unwilling to rife, he should not
ask his opinion as a favour, but as a part of his duty,
and said, if the Hon. gentleman (Mr. Dempfter) was
willing, he would make it a question, Whether the
Speaker would give his opinion or not ?—The Speaker
said, he was not used to be called on in that manner,
and that he did not think it his business to give any opi
nion on the affair.—A strong but short debate ensued,
in which Mr. C. Fox, Mr. Dempfter, Mr. T. Town
fhend, Mr. Dunning, Serjeant Glynn, and Sir George
Saville, strongly contended that the bill was, to all in
tents and purposes, either a bill to impose a tax, or to
repeal a part of a tax, and therefore was against a
Landing order,' concerning the privilege of all money
bills originating in that House—Lord North, and the
Attorney and Solicitor Generals, defended the bill.
At half past nine the question was put, that this bill
be read a second time, when the House divided, Ayes
105, Noes 29.
Ma, 30. Lord Howe strongly objected to a clause
Which extends port-duties and fees of office to the island
of Newfoundland. He was seconded by Lord Clare.
Lord North answered, that it was only putting the set
tlers there on a footing with the rest of North -America;
that the description in the law alluded to, did not ex
tend to Newfoundland, it being an island; but that by
the next year, if there should be any inconvenience
found to arise from the present clause, the parties ag
grieved might state its nature and extent, and he should
be very ready to join in giving any reasonable relief.
Nr. Mauger observed, that this was notthe only griev
ance and difeouragement the persons who traded to
that island had to complain of; that at present they
brought home great quantities of oil and seal ficins, for
which they were obliged to pay a duty; whereas those
concerned in the Greenland fifhery not only were free
from any charge of that kind, but had likewise a bounty,
of 40s. per ton for every vessel employed in that trade:
He added, that our navy being the bulwark of this
country, and that depending on sailors, he thought the
Newfoundland fifhery much more deferring of en
couragement than the Greenland, the former making
tailors, and the latter only employing them.
POSTSCRIPT to the Pennsylvania Packet. No. 14^
The House then went into a Committee of ways and
means, on which Lord North informed the Committee,
that several port-duties having existed at Quebec at the
time of the conquest, which on account of their suppo
sed illegality had never been collected, and that for ma
ny reasons it was become necessary the people there
should contribute to the support of the civil government,
he would call a witness to the bar to confirm this as
sertion, and move for laying on certain duties upon a
few articles of import into that province.
" Sir Thomas Miles, Receiver-General, was accord
ingly examined. He said, that the duties were en
deavoured to be collected; that the right of levying
them was denied ; that there had been two trials at law
on the supposed right, but that the juries in both cases
found generally against the crown, on the idea that the
duties were not claimed on the fpecific articles on which
they were levied by the French King ; and that the most
proper article of consumption to tax, would be rums
and brandies, which amounted on an average of about
300,000 gallons per annum. As soon as the evidence
went from the bar, Lord North, after fpccifying his
reasons for giving the preference to the produce of the
"est-India islands to that of North-Anierica, proposed
the following duties:-—On all rums from those islands
3d. per gallon from ditto: From North-Amerfca 6d.
on rums from any of the islands not belonging to the
crown of Great-Britain, 6d. on every gallonofmolaffes,
or syrup, from the sugar islands, 3d. and on the fame
from North-America, 6d. on Britilh brandies, &c. 3d.
on foreign brandies, is. and on every licence for felling
wine, ale, &c. il. 16s. per annum.'
That all the above duties be collected towards railing
a revenue for paying the civil government, and for the
better administration of justice in Canada.
That all the above duties should be collected over and
above any duties now in being there.
Mr. I ulteney desired to know what the former duties
were.
Lord North and Mr. Grey Cooper answered, the
fame as was paid in all the other colonies.
He then arose and said, probably some objections
might arise to having a diftiliery in Quebec, as it was
a corn country, and that the Canadians, rather than pay
the taxes proposed, would diftil all their own liquors,
and thereby baulk government from receiving any re
venue from the duties now mentioned; that in such a
case, he said, he had another scheme to propose, that
if government found the Canadians really did diftil all
their own corn, which he believed would be impossible,
then he would,move for Excise Officers to be appointed,
in order to colled the inland duties, which would an
swer equally the fame purpose.
During the late debates on American measures in the
Upper Assembly, a Noble Duke, remarkably diftin
guilhed for his popularity, in the course of his speech,
laid," 1 hat if the Americans were thus to be treated,
he could not help wishing them success in their relift
aoce.' Upon which Lord Mansfield got up, and after
apologizing for expreflions spoken in heat of argument,
said, " he was very lure the Noble Duke would corred
himfelf." His Grace Toon after rose, but instead of
correcting himfelf, re-worded his expreflion, and for
mally appealed to the Bench ofßifhops, whether it did
not well become a chriftian to with relief to all those
who were heavy laden ?— [The above is supposed to be the
Duke of Richmond.]
Extract of a letter from Elfineur.
" The King of Denmark has made some material
alterations in the affairs of this kingdom. The Duke
of Holstein, his Majesty's uncle, is made Commander
in Chief of the army, Admiral Rayter presides over the
naval affairs. Ihe Queen Dowager is seldom seen at
court, and Prince h rederick is entirely excluded in state
affairs. However, there is not the least profped of an
accommodation taking place with the Queen Matilda."
Yesterday arrived a mail from New-lork.
The troops that are embarked for America
are provided with ammunition equal to 64 rounds per
man.
June I. By a letter from Constantinople we are in
formed, that a congress is actually held at the army of
the Grand Vizir to negociate a peace, and that some
Ruffian officers of rank arrived at Constantinople, and
were presented to the Caimacan, after which they re
turned to the Turkish grand army; so that the intelli
gence from every quarter agrees, that the peace is ve
ry near at hand.
A number of Weavers, for want of employment here,
have within these few weeks engaged themselves for
Boston, New-York, and Philadelphia.
Monday letters were received in town, from Fal
mouth, which mention the arrival of the Hon. William
Tryon, Esq ; Governor of New-York, in the Mercury
packet-boat. He has obtained leave of his Majesty to
come over, on his own private affairs.
The report that the Parliament will be di/Tolved
soon after the adjournment is not true; Lord North
having informed the House, when they went into a
committee on the state of the gold coin, on May 9, that
he should propose several resolutions, feme of which
he should move to have palled into laws, others to lay
on the table for the diicuflion of members for some
time, and others to lay for next session, which he ima
gined would commence about Odober. And on being
asked by some members, why the House was to meet so
soon again, he answered, that, as the next session would
be the last of the present Parliament, it would be pro
per to meet early, to finifh their business, that a new
Parliament might be chosen the'Spring following.
In the House of Commons yesterday Mr. Baker
presented a petition from Thomas and John Penn,
owners of great part of the province of Pennsylvania,
setting forth, that by a bill depending in that House,
for the better securing the civil government of Quebec,
they were apprehensive their property in the province
cf Pennsylvania would be greatly injured, and there
fore praying that the said bill might not pass into a
law, until they had been heard by themselves, er coun
cil, against the bill. Mr. Mackworth, aftera long
speech against the bill, moved for leave to prefect a
petition from several merchants in London, trading to
•Canada, setting forth, that several clauses in the bill, if
carried into execution, would materially injure their
property, and desired to be heard by themselves, or
council, against the bill. Capt. Phipps condemned the
bill in the most severe terms; as did Mr. E Burke,
Mr. T. Townihend, Mr. Mackworth, Mr. Pulteney,
&c. all agreeing that fufficient evidence was not before
the Houle to enable them to go into a committee
Mr. Mackworth proposed to have the papers of the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Justice, and
Advocate, of Quebec, likewise the opinions of the At
torney and Solicitor General here, laid before the
House, that the House might have some information
what those learned persons opinions were refpeding
the government of Quebec.—-An address to his Majes
ty, to lay the above papers before the House, was ac
cordingly drawn up. Lord North objeded to it, and
said, that as most of the persons who lent over those
papers, were now in England, we had better have them
examined at the bar, which would be much more ex
peditious, as the papers were long, and would take up
much time in copying — A strong debate then ensued,
in which Mr. E. Burke, Col. Barre, Mr. Mackworth,
Mr. Dempfter, (apt. Phipps, &c. were for the papers
being produced, as by having them it would enable
them to aft the Gentlemen who should attend at the
bar, such questions as were proper, which they could
not well do without the papers.—But, on the question
being put, that the said papers be laid before the Houle,
it was carried in the negative by at least two to one.—
T he House then went into a committee on the bill, and
Mr. Mansfield, council for the merchants of London,
petitioners against the bill, was then called in, who, af
ter a very long and sensible speech, letting forth the
dangerous tendency of the bill, defied leave to call in
Edward atfon. He being accordingly called in, was
asked a considerable number of questions by Lord Bur
lington, Lord North, Lord Clare, Lord Carmarthen,
Col. Barre, Capt. Phipps, Mr. W. Burke, Mr. Mack
worth, Gov. Johnston, Sir John Molyneux, Mr. Hop
kins, &c. as to the French and Englilh laws in Canada,
and to which the inhabitants gave the preference? He
answered, the Englilh laws; and gave the House much
information.— Ihe Solicitor General desired to know if
the Canadians did not at firft object to the Court of
King s Bench being efHblifhed in Canada, and for what
reason? He answered, on account of the exorbitant
fees paid to counfellors and attornies; [the answer being
so well pointed towards the author of the question, the
House was in alaugh fort full ten minutes.] —-After he
withdrew, Mr. Samuel Moretin was called in, who
likewise spoke greatly in favourof the Englilh laws be
ing exerciied in Canada, they both mentioned that the
Canadians, as well as English resident there, highly ap
proved of trials by Jury, and leemed to think that an
annihilation of that right (which this bill is meant 10
take away) would greatly hurt thecolony. [The for
mer of the witnesses had been nine years resident in Ca
nada, the latter eleven.] — After the witnesses and coun
cil had withdrawn, Lord North moved, that the Chair
man would leave the Chair, report a progress, and ask
leave to fit again on Thursday, winch was agreed to,
and William Hay, Esq; Mr. Mazzeur, &c. &c. who
have been in office in Canada, are ordered to attend
the House of Commons on that day.
June 3. A bill was brought in, pursuant to the reso
lutions or the committee of ways and means of Friday,
which were agreed to by the House on Tuesday last,
for levying duties on certain articles of import into the
province of Quebec. It was read a firfttfme, and or
dered to be read a second time.
Yesterday, by virtue of a commission from his Ma
jesty, the royal alleut was given to the following bills,
viz.
The bill for railing a certain sum by loans on Ex
chequer bills.
The bill to provide commodious quarters for the offi
cers and soldiers in America.
The bill for continuing an a& for allowing the ex
portation of rice from Carolina and Georgia to the
Southward of Cape Finiftere.
The fol.roing are the heads of Lord Chatham's speech in
the House of Lords on Friday lad, on the third reading
of the Bid for the quartering of the soldiers in North-
America.
He began by taking a very extensive and philo
sophical view of the firft fettl^ments in America, which,
he said, had they been planted by any other kingdom
than ours, the inhabitants would have probably carried
with them the chains of slavery, and a spirit of defpo
tilm; but as they were, they ought to be remembered
as great instances to inftrud the world to what a stretch
of liberty mankind will naturally attain when they are
left to the free exueife of themUßes. ILtaco coi-