The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-09-28 00:00:00, page 1

From the London PUBLIC ADVERTISER.
HOUSE of COMMONS. November 26, 1778.
" A MOTION was made by the Honorable
" fl Charles Francis Greville, one of the Commission
" ers of Trade and Plantations, Member for Warwick,
" and fecohded by Price Campbell Esq; Member for
" Nairn and Cromartyfhires, " that an bumble Ad
«' dress be presented to his Majesty, to return his Ma
" jefty the thanks of this House, for his most gracious
" speech from the Throne; to acknowledge his Majesty's
'' paternal regard for the happiness of his people, in his
" earnest and uniform endeavours to preserve the public
" tranquility that we cannot but feel concern and re
<' gret, that the measures taken by his Majesty, for dis
" appointing these bofble and malignant designs have not
" been attended with all thefuccefs, which the justice of the
" cause, and the vigour of the exertions, seemed to pro
" mife that it would have given his faithful Commons
" the trued happiness to have received the communication
" from his Majesty, that the just and humane purpohs
'' of his Majesty and his Parliament, for quieting the minds
" of bis revolted fubje£ts, had taken the desired effed,
" and had brought the troubles in North America to a
'' happy conclusion —— to af[ure his Majesty, that his
*' Majesty may rely on the hearty and zealous concur
-6< rence and assistance of his faithful Commons, in ena
" bling his Majesty to make the most active and vigorous
" exertions by sea and land, &c. &c. &c."
An amendment was moved by the Right Honorable
Thomas Townsend, member for Whitchurch, and secon
ded by the Honorable Charles James Fox, member for
Malmelbury, " to allure his Majesty, that with the truest
< • zeal for the honor of the Crown, and the warmest af
<c feftion for his Majesty's Person and Family, we are
s' ready to give the most ample Support to such measures
<' as may be thought necessary for the defence of these
t' kingdoms, or for fruftrating the designs of that restless
<'power, which has so often disturbed the peace of Eu
<' rope, but that we think it one of our most important
<< duties in the present melancholy poflure of affairs to
<' enquire by what fata! Counsels or unhappy fyflems of ,0-
<' licy this Country bat been reduced from that splendid Jitu
<' ation, which in the ealy part of bis Majesty's Reign
«' made her the envy of all Europe, to such a dangerous
+ fate, as that, which bas of late called forth our utmost
<' exertions without any adequate benefit."
Mr. WILKES said,
Mr. Speaker,
IH AVE given all the attention, of which lam capable,
to the speech delivered from the throne, and since, ac
cording to our forms, twice read by you, S r, to this H@ufe.
I am unhappy that I find myfelf obliged to remark, that
there are scarcely more then two particulars in the whole
speech, from which lam not forced to withhold, my assent,
they are, that we are called together in a conjuncture,
which demands owr most serious attention, 'and, that a
reiteration of the blefhngs f peace ought to be our firft
wish, and the great object of our endeavours. The Con
juncture, Sir, must indeed be allowed to be most critical,
and peace is not only desirable now, as at all times, but at
the present period appears of absolute necessity to save this
convoked State from impending ruin. Thus far I believe
a real unanimity prevails; but let me proceed. It is asked
by several Gentlemen, how is peace now to be obtained ?
Can any man point out a mode of refloring to us that
blessing ? I will hazard, Sir, an opinion, of which my own
mind is fully convinced. The measure appears to me the
only ooffible way of salvation to this country in the pre
sent dreadful dilemma; a dilemma into which we have
been precipitated by Ministers, whole condud calls for
the ftrißeil enquiry, and the forfeit of whole heads, if the
guilt lies at their door, can be but a poor amends to a ru
ined nation. The proposition is indeed most humiliating,
but, if founded in necessity, the consequent national dis
grace is solely to be attributed to those, who created that
necessity. I believe the acknowledgment of the Indepen
dence of the revolted Colonies is the only measure which
can re-eflablifh the public tranquility. I sincerely think
it would both with America and France, and probably
prevent a future Spanish war. It would at this moment
perhaps ffiut the temple of Janus. From the tyranny and
mad conduft of an incapable and wicked Administration
it is become the measure of a fatal necessity, if we are in
eartieft to preserve in any degree of prosperity what re
mains, if we would save our country from the brink of
ruin, if we seek to avoid absolute beggary and bankruptcy.
An universal difeontent now prevails. The people have
no confidence in Administration. •They are detested by
the nation, and therefore continued in power. We sigh over
American affairs, and al! parties agree in lamenting that so
little has been done by our fleets against France, after such
an amazing expenditure of the public money on the navy.
The Honorable Gentleman, Sir, who moved the Ad
dress, told us, that the Americans were determined to sepa
rate their rights from ours, to difolve all connexions be
tween us. The fall is truly stated. They no longer con
sider themselves as embarked with us on board the finking
vessel of this State. They avoid us, as a tyrannical, un~
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principled, rapacious, and ruined nation. Their only fear
is, that the luxury and profligacy of this country Should
gain their people. It was a long patience and forbearance
they pradifed before the idea of being dissevered from the
mother country gained ground among the Americans.
They were driven into it by our injustice and violence.
Repeated violations of their rights, accumulated injuries,
wanton insults, and cruelties fllocking to human nature,
have brought about this wonderful revolution. Now it
appears to me an impossibility to bring back the Ameri
cans to any dependance on this kingdom. Their firft
steps were marked by temper and moderation. They
made the most humble and dutiful supplications to the
throne, but at last were told, that no anjw er would be gi
ven. From, that moment their minds were totally alien
ated. At the beginning 'of their juftifiable resi stance,
they were not in the least terrified feevi formidine martis,
when only peaceful inhabitants of the country, or of open
towns and villages. Since the declaration of independence,
hrmnefs and vigor have governed all the counsels of the
Congress. That declaration was made at a moment,
which proved them strangers to fear, and in their idea su
perior to all the efforts of which we were capable. It was
in July 1776, immediately after the fafe arrival of the whole
fleet of transports, victuallers, and store foips, without any
left or federation, and after His Majesty's troops under the
command of General Howe bad been landed on Staten-
Island, without any cppofition or interruption, as we were
informed by our own Gazette. From that fatal aera has
the Congress, or any one of the Thirteen United States
difeevered the fainteft wish of returning to the obedience
of our Soveteign ? No man will be bold enough to assert
it. On the contrary, the Americans have encreafed in
their hatred of us, and aversion from the yoke of bondage,
which we were preparing for them since we have brought
into the quarrel the mercenaries of Germany, and the sa
vages of America, since plunder and cruelty have marked
the progress of the Royal army and its allies.
I will slate our present situation with refpe€t to North-
America. Torrents of noble blood have already flowed
in this quarrel, yet the few conquests we have made, we
were obliged to abandon. Towards the close of the last
year, we congratulated ourselves on the taking of Phila
delphia, which was then called the most important city of
North - America, the feat of the vagrant Congress, in the
insulting language of Administration. Before the present
year is half expired, pursuant to His Majesty's infractions,
Sir Henry Clinton evacuated Philadelphia at three o'clock in
the morning, and efraped thro' infinite difficulties to New
York, very judiciously avoiding the direct road, where he
knew the enemy was in force. The Congress returned in
triumph to Philadelphia, and congratulated the inhabi
tants of North-America on the importaut viflory of Mon
mouth over the Britifo grand army, and the evacuation of
Philadelphia, as they had before done on the evacuation of
Boston by General Howe. They have bravely flood all
the storms of adverse fortune, and are now almost sure of
out-riding the tempest. Sir, the Americans have fuffered
greatly, but their fufferings were supported with temper
and courage, for they were in the cause of public virtue.
They bore adversity like men of fixed principle and honor,
engaged in a righteous cause, and determined never to
crouch to oppression. The war on their fide was founded
in the primary ideas of felf-defence and justice. It is truly
said by the great Roman historian, jo,um bellum, quibus
neceffarium, & pia arma nufa, mi, in armis, re
linquitur Jpes
What is their present situation ? A powerful ally has de
clared in their favour. The French declaration goes much
beyond what Gentlemen seem to apprehend. It is menti
oned here only as acknowledging their Independence, where
as the preliminaries announced at Paris on the 16th day
of December to the American Commissioners by Monsieur
Gerard, in the name of his Most Christian Majesty, as
serted, that be would support their Independence by every
means in bis power. After this are we in earnest when we
affirm, that there is any probability of their returning to
our obedience, to unconditional submission, or to any fub
miffi@n? It is an object of belief too gross for the fondeft
credulity, for Ignorance made drunk. If before the capi
tulation at Saratoga, they rejeded all bur specious offers,
are any offers new likely to be accepted ? Or can they be
compelled ? Will another British army ever attempt to
march from Montreal to Albany ? Will the batteries on
Sullivan's IJland be again attacked? Will Sir Peter Parker
ever again judge it advisable to make an attempt upon
Charlcs-Town, South Carolina * Will he promise that if
the troops can co operate in the attack, bis Majefly will
again be in poftfan of Sullivan's I,and ? Will any Eng
lish General command in A merica an army better disciplin
ed, better appointed, than Sir William Howe's? A series of
four years disgraces and defeats are surely fufficient to con
vince ns of the absolute impossibility of conquering America
by force, and I fear the gentle means of persuasion have
equally failed. We have therefore only the dernier resort
of parting with our old friends, who can no longar be com
pelled, or persuaded, to flay. Policy surely warns us not
todo it in a manner to force them into the schemes of our
ancient enemies to weaken, perhaps ruin, the Mother
Country, To me it appears equally unavailing and inde-
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ADVERTISER
SEPTEMBER 2% 177%
cent to bring a railing accusation against the old foe of this
kingdom, to talk of the malignant designs of France.
No plan of negociation, Sir, has been left untried, but
nothing has succeeded, for we find by the Commissioners
manifeflo of October the third, that they resolved on the
deciJiveflep of returning to England in a few weeks.
After the sword and bayonet of honourable warfare
had been lifted up, after the scalping knife and toma
hawk of our assassin-allies had been sharpened against our
fellow-fubjeas, peace at last was preached by our'mi
nifters, and a commission for restoring the harmony and
union between the two countries was determined upon.
To add weight and dignity to the measure, the two Hou
ses of Parliament were to give up to tl.i^ important
service three of their own Members, as heralds of
peace, that the fandion of a part of the Legisla
tive Body might create an additional awe arid reve
rence. To grace the commission, to captivate the rude
members of the Congress, and civilize the wild inhabi
tants of an unpolished country, a noble peer was very
properly appointed chief of the honourable embassy to
the Congress. (a) His LordffFp, to the surprise and ad
miration of that part of the new world, carried with him a
green ribband, the gentle manners, winning behaviour,
and foft insinuating address of a modern man of quality,
and a profeffed courtier. The muses and graces, with
a group of little, laughing loves, were in his train, and
for the firft time crossed the Atlantick. The next in
the commission was only di ftingufhed by a set of prin
ciples wonderfully adapted to the spirit of Coercion and
Gruelty hitherto prevailing, the Principles of Penal Law.
(b) I have only heard of one other principle belonging
to this gentleman, the principle, as well as practice, of
passive obedience in the northern department. But, Sir,
this gentleman carried with him the real secret of the
negociation, and perhaps more extensive powers than,
were given to his colleagues, He knew of the order to
evacuate Philadelphia, an order so difgraceful to our
arms, so contrary to found policy, long before it was
fufpefted by either of the other c6mmiLoners, but he
would not truftthem. The other (c) commiflioner, who
went from among us, peffeffed a superior understanding,
an happy temper, and a thorough knowledge of busi
ness. Iffuccefs had been attainable, lam persuaded to
his wisdom, prudence, and temperate conduct, England
had been indebted for the restoration of the bleffng of
peace. But alas! Sir, all the fplended and unauthoriz
ed offers of the commissioners were, without hesita
tion, rejected. The happy moment was passed. The
honourable gentleman knows the real friendship I bear
him, and the esteem I have of his rare and amiable qua
lities. In public life I have always found him manly,
firm, and consistent; in private engaging, facial, and
friendly. Through the whole of this business he has
followed the strait path of duty, and held one uniform
language to us and to the Americans. I have been fa
used to fee him in the minority here, that he will excuse
me, if I figure to myfelf that in America likewise he
continued in a minority with the commissioners, and
that many things were tranfaded which he disapproved,
but to which he was obliged to submit. He might think
himfelf precluded, as we are here by many ft range a&s
of the present majority of this house. On that suppo
sition I shall not scruple to treat the proceedings of the
commissioners with freedom, and hold myfelf secure of
his indulgence.
I mentioned, Sir, the unauthorized oarers made to
Congress. The commissioners went exceedingly beyond
the powers given them by the aft of parliament, the on
ly source of their power. Did they, Sir, dare to accept
secret powers from the crown more ample than those
granted by the legislature ? their conduA is very suspi
cious. I well remember fix propositions were held out
to Congress by the commissioners letter of the 9th of June-
The three firft, to consent to a cessation of H^flilities
by sea and land, to restore free intercourse as well as
to revive mutual affection, and to extend every freedom
to trade that our refpe&ive interefis can require, were
founded in the authority of the act of parliament, which
created the commission. The three last were a direct
usurpation on the rights of the legislative body.
An offer was made by the commissioners to concur
in measures calculated to difeharge the debts of America
and to raise the credit and value of the paper circula
tion. It was artfully worded, but prefedly under
flood, Sir, both in America and at home, that we were
to take on our shoulders, already bowed down to the
earth, the burthen of the American debts, of the mighty
sums raised by Congress to fight their battles against us.
(a) Frederick Howard Earl of Carlifle, Treasurer of
his Majesty's Household, Knight of the Thistle.
(b) The Principles of Penal Law, a large octavo, pub
lished by White, in Fleet-street, was written by William
Eden, Esq; Member for Woodcock, a Lord of Trade
one of the Under Secretaries of State for the Northern
Department, and Auditor, and one of the Direfto^
Grenwich Hospital.
(c) Governor Johnftone.
( For the remainder fee the Fourth page, J
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