The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-05-07 00:00:00, page 2

[Continuation from the FirflPage.]
mobility of it, but bad couverfed with Several gene
rals, al of whom coincided in opinion : he particular
ly 'mentioned the opinion of lord Cornwallis, which was
oecifive to him on thefame ground. He did not mean
'however, to fay, that did the motion go to withdraw
iug the troops from America, and entirely abandoning
tha country, that he would agree to it; on the con
trary he should giveit hi^ ciire& negative; but it meant
no such tiling: it meant to do only that which pru
dence, and the necessity ofthe times demanded ; and
they ^ere bound, both by the duty tiiey owed their
conltituents, and the general intertills of this country
to eive their cenfenttodt.,
Captain J. Lettered! attempted t' speak af^er fir Ho
race Minn, but was-scarcely on iris legs half a minute,
and had only uttered one sentence, (which as far as we
could hear, led to a diffeut frc*n the motion) when he
was obliged, through sudden illness, to fit down.
Alderman Newnhamrofe next, and said, after what
'load been so ably dated by the honourable general who
opened the debate, and by other honourable members,
lit should scarcely have ventured to detain the house,
could he let to important a quefbon pass unnoticed.
He should only therefore fay, that as far as he could
judge from all ranks of people, they ware lirenuoufly
firabandoning the American war; that his conflitu
ents in particular (the citizens of London) were deci
ded in that opinion, and had given on that day the
most recent proof of it, by an unanimous vote to the
petition which was presented to the house. To the
petition of the city ofiondon he begged the house to
confider that Brifidl had added a Similar opinion, and
that the treated reaped should be had to the sense of
two such important corporations.
When a similar motion to that before the house had
been agitated last Friday, it had been reported that he
had deserted his duty without waiting for a divifioß;
but he took that opportunity to fay, he had previously
provided against his countsy losing the benefit of his vote
on thatoccafion. Had he been guilty of such a charge,
he should not expect to be forgiven by his constituents,
and, what would be worse, he should never be able to
forgive himfelf.
Here theory of the queflioii ringing from all sides of
the minority bench, for the space of about half a minute,
and no reply on the pirt of admi-niftratio n,, the gal ery
was ordered to be cleared, and the speaker was prepa
ring to put the queflion ; when up rose
Lord North, who said he was rather furprized to
bear the cry of the question so early in the debate ; it
did not ufualy come from that fide of the house, nor
yet in so loud and general a manner; he however
would trefoafs on their patience a li.'.le longer, in or
der to lay before them his sentiments on the motion.
He said he was free to agree with tire warmest of the ho
nourable gentlemen who had spoken, in thinking that
peace with America was a'moftdefirabte thing ; it was
hn object he sincerely wiihed for ;\but he apprehended
the motion before them was not in all iefpe£ls compe
tent to produce so faiutary a measure.
His lordfnip lamented the miseries and calamities of
the present war, and the g eat pressure it lajd upon all
ranksand descriptions ofpeople, he said he, and others
of his majesty's ministers, should be unfeeling and in
competent to their offices, could they look upon those
diftfeffes without every attention to foften and relieve
them; but he apprehended,as he said before, the motion
before the house would not he found adequate to that
jpurpofe. Here he fpeke more particularly to thequef
tion, and afad, admitting it was carried, what con
fequecces might be expeHed? we could not be fore
of making peace by r, as no certain line had been
prescribed by it; besides, it would be giving parlia
ment a precedent to follow up this motion, with such
others they might think proper to adopt, as to con;
found the legislative with the executive powers. As
to the power of parliament interfering, he did not
depute it, it was inherent in that great branch of le
gislation, and they had, as was observed by the ho
nourable general, often in former reignsufed this pow
er —but then ne begged leave to observe, that it was
ever upon great,prefixing and trying occasions they used
it, and when they were fully competent in all points
of knowledge to that advice; but here he would ask
gentlemen, did they collectively think themselves com
petent on this occasion ? did they confider, how nectf
fary it was to know the fiate of private negotiations
and informations, the eventual Rate that many politi
cal objects lay in, and the whole detail of political cor
respondence, so necessary to guide the ministers of the
cabinet, but which the house could not be, fur many
reasons informed of? these with a number of other
I reafons which his lordship Rated, weighed with him
very much, in not agreeing to the motion ; because it
fell short of that knowledge so absolutely necessary to
carry it into execution.
Another matter he would acquaint the house of was,
that perhaps the motion contained no other advice but
that which was previously refoived upon by the cabinet.
So far be thought he might fafely acquaint them of,
that the mode of the war was entirely changed—that
no more troops were to be sent to America, but to
fill up the regiments there on duty ; and that in other
refpe&s it was his with, as ne believed the general
wishes of the other miniflers, to avail themselves of
every opportunity to make peace upon the belt terms
they could ; and he was of opinion that peace, which
would be made for the honour of his country, must be
made through that medium.
In refpe& to what had been Rated by the honourable
general in the opening of the debate, that some gen
tlemen talked one language out of the house, and vo
ted in opposition tc it in the house ; he for his part
reprobated that kind of conduct, and if there were
any who did so, dey deserved censure. For his part,
his tongue and heart should be uniform on this as well
as upon all other fubjefts; it was a duty tie owed him
felf to aft so, and it was a duty his country demanded
of him.
Philadelphia; Printed and Sold by DAVID C. CLAYPOOLE, in Market-Street.
Sir G. Yonge objected to so important a matter be
ing brought forward in so thin a house, as io the fra
ming of this bill; he conceived there must be many
circumflances attended to, which would require much
advice and deliberation, such as referring to former
ads of parliament, not only made since the beginning
of the American war, but for a considerable time be
fore. He threw out tiiis observation lie said, not to
objed to the bill, but to the too precipitate manuerit
was brought in.
The Speaker said, he believed the parliamentary form
would be to refer the motion firft to a committee of the
whole house. He was seconded by fir Grey Cooper,
who quoted a precedent in the commissioners bill for
offering terms of conciliation with America.
The attorney-general said, he did not mean to press
his motion then ; if it was the sense of the house, he
would withdraw it for the present, and bring it before
a committee to- morrow.
SOON after the house met this day, the attorney
general said he should move for leave to bring in a bill
to enable his majefly to make peace with America ; be
believed there would be little necessity of enforcing ei
ther the reasons or the principles of the bill, after
what had happened the night before; he should there
fore hope the motion only required to be read, to
meet with the approbation of the house. The motion
was accordingly read, and was as follows:
" That leave be given to bring in a bill to empower
his majesty to make peace, or conclude a truce with
the revolted colonies of America."
Mr. T. Townfhend thought there was a necessity
for the learned gentleman going into the principles of
the bill then.
Majority against the adjournment, 19
The house then immediately resumed the debate,
when the ministry finding so great a majority against
them at nineteen, gave up the main question without
a division ; and at two o'clock the house adjourned.
Mr. Fox said, he hoped the late resolution of the
house would be fufficient grounds for either the present
ministers, or those who should succeed them, to nter
into a treaty with America without a fpecific ad of
Parliament for that purpose; he hoped likewffe, that a
greater dependence might be placed on ministers after
what happened the night before ; that they would now
a& in a different manner, and have the real interests of
their country more at heart. That for his part he wish
ed for a speedy and substantial connexion with Ame
rica, which may be effected or at least put in train,
without precipitately coming to this bill ; not, howe
ver, that he should object to it, if it was the sense of
the house when it came before a committee.
Mr. Rigby 9vas for agreeing with the bill when it
His lordship was above an hour and a h,.lf on his
legs, and spoke with ^reat feeling, and at times under
visible emotion. Before he fat down, he hoped the
house would do nothing' precipitately"; for if in a lit
tle time ministers were found not to be trusted in the
management of the war (after it had been so recently
declared, tnat the mode of it had been altered, and
that peace was their objed) the house would then have
it in their power to renew the fubje& matter of this
question, and take upon themselves that executive
part of legislation, which had been so improperly con
duded by his majefly's ministers.
At about half an hour after one o'clock, the attor
ney general moved the question of adjournment, on
which the house divided.
Ayes, - - - 215
Noes, - - - 234
As to his general condua as one of the minivers of
this country, he would submit it to that house; he ow
ed much to it for their support and countenance, and
he ihould at all times be free to acknowledge it ; but if
the maj mty of that house felt, any fufoicion of his con
dud ; that he did not do the belt according to his abi
lities; forthe good of his country, he no longer desired
their fupportj and in that situation he would carry
the seals to his majefly, and tell him, " Sire, I here
return you the seals of office you have entrusted me
with ; I have served you according to the best of my
abilities, but those abilities have been hitherto unfuc
cefsful, and are thought by the public not to be ade
quate to such confidence."
This declaration lie thought it his duty to make in
such a fi nation, and he could not help agreeing with
his honourable friend (the secretary for the American
department) that in preference to bringing such a mo
tion before the house, it would be more advifeable to
move for a removal of his majesty's ministers, as the
queflion very c early implied they were not competent
to produce what was in the power of parliament to do.
His lordship begged the house to confider, that tho'
he would negative this motion , he had most of the pur
poses of it highly in contemplation, and it should be his
earned desire, and he was sure it was the earned desire
of the cabinet, to accomplish them as soon as an op
portunity should offer; but he hoped they would con
fider that great circumfpeaion and care were necessary
to bring about this purpose ; he supposed, for instance,
that the motion was carried, and the house had bound
themselves no longer to aft on the offonfive war against
America ; what may be the language of France on that
occasion? Why, fays his lordship, they would natu
rally fay, " now the government of England have so
far done with you ; that they will no longer carry on
the war against you ; they have made a declaration
that they can no longer, confident with the exigence
of ther country, act on the offenfive. This, there
fore, is no time for you to make peace, where you
have nothing to fear; ad with us a little longer with
vigour, Qd we shall obtain for you a full reparation
for all your wrongs." This, he said, was natural to
suppose would be the language of France on that occa
sion, and the dilemma this country would be in during
that .period, and the consequences which might happen,
he left for the house to reflect on.
Thursday, February 28,
cew^ra^x^M^a^&te
Extra& of a letter from Constantinople, dated Jan. 30.
“ The Porte are recruiting the army and navy with
as much eagerness as if they were at the eve of a rup
ture ; all firangers are narrowly watched, and the
merchants have received notice to be very circumfpeft
in the advices they fend to their correspondents con
cerning public affairs; the grand fignior has been shut
up in the divan several days together; as.we do not
hear of any disagreement with any of the surrounding
powers, these matters are the more my fterious."
WANTED IMMEDIATELY,
A servant Woman, who can cook,
and do the other necessary business of a family, and is
willing to go with said family to South-Carolina. En
quire of the Printer.
Art. 5. A fufficient number of transports fhali be
provided for carrying the general officers, soldiers, and
their families, who fhali proceed without delay when
embarked. The general to be allowed to fend notice to
general Elliot, governor of Gibraltar, of his surren
der, &c.—Agreed.
Of Net York, TAYLO R,
At his Shop, at the old Poft-office, in Market-street,
at the Sign of the Blue BHI,
MAK B S, in tire Hteft and neatest fafliior, Regi
nientd and pla : n Cioaths of every fort; also
makes Ladies Riding Habits, in that neat genteel frfhi
on which it so mucn admired by the most celebrated
bunireffes in Europe ; likewise, makes Long Cloaks for
Laci its, furnifhes all manner of Trimmings, and has a
variety of the neatest patterns of Cloth in the city;
Where Ginthmtn m*y suit themselves without trou
ble. At by the attention of bis friends and the fatis
faaion he his given to those of their recommendation,
he find: himfeif under the necessity of increasing hi.
Journeymen, will therefore give the best Wages to ap
proved and neat Workmen ; as he is determined that
no bad work fhali go out of his hands. May 3.
The other five articles contain dispositions for sick
and wounded, the inhabitants, and other customary
matters.
By a letter from Vienna, dated the 7th of February
we learn the following very important information :
That on the morning of the 2d ult. at ten o'clock,
war had been declared in that capital against the Turks
and that every thing was in motion. These advices
further add, that Russia was expected to proclaim hos
tilities agiinft the Ottomans soon after the arrival of a
courier, who had set out in the afternoon of the 3d.
from Vienna to the court of Peterfburgh.
Several single ships have failed from Rochfort, Brest
and Toulon, besides the squadron under Guichen, the
greatest part of whole convoy is designed for North-
America.
March 7. The following is reported to be the sub
stance of the ten articles of capitulation on the surren
der of the garrison of St. Philip, in Minorca, on the sth
of February, viz.
Art. I. All aQs of boflilities to cease till the articles
are agreed on, which fhali be compleated in 48 hours.
The Spanish commander altered it to 12 —Agreed.
Art. 11. The garrison fhali have all the ulual ho
nours of war due to a noble and spirited defence, and
fhali march out with their arms, co ours flying, &c
Agreed
Art. 111. All the garrison fhali have their effeas se
cured, to remove them or fell them as they chufe, and
that all the debts of the garrison to the ifl 9 nder„ now
considered as fubje&s of Spain, be j aid.—Agreed, -
Art. IV. The garrison fhali be sent at the expence
of the catholic king to the 6rfi port in England by the
most short and speedy conveyance; to be provided
with provisions during their flay 011 the island, and
for the voyage from their own fiores, or if in want of
more, from those of the catholic king, and at his ex
pence. In the general's propofa) it was that the gar
rison might be sent to Gibraltar, but the due de Cril
lon altered it.—Agreed.
LONDO N, March 5.
The troops which were drafted offlaft week from the
three regiments of guards, in order to be sent to Ameri
ca. are ordered into the barracks.
This day the house met for the purpose of carrying
up the address to his majesty voted on VVednefday lafl,
when about half an hour after two, the proceffiot )fet
forward, consisting of near two hundred coaches, pre
ceded by the (peaker : on their return, the house ad
journed to Monda y next.
Lord Hinchinbrook, acquainted the house; that his
majefly had been pleased toappoint to-morrow, (Friday)
at two o'clock, to receive the humble address of that
house agreed to on Wednesday last.
FRIDA Y, March 1.
Mr. Fox answered by those words he meant no aft of
sovereignty to be exercised by this country over Ame
rica, but such substantial conneaions as should derive
from mutual interest, like that fu bfi fiing between Por
tugal and this country.
Mr. Huffey, Mr. Baker, Mr. Powis, and fir Edward
Afiley joined in this conversation, when the motion
was at length agreed to be referred to a committee of t lie
whole house.
came before the committee, he said it wa^ as idle to talk
of the sovereignty of this country over America at pre
sent, as it was to add the title of king of France to that
of his majefly's other titles. He held other dodrines,
he said, at another time, and his principles were still
the fame, but time and accident bad altered the fyf
tern of things. He called on Mr. Fox to know what
he meant by the words substantial connections with A
merica.
Philip Thompson,