Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1775-03-06 00:00:00, page 6

prosecuted for it in this country —they fought a
fcnßuary in thr unexplored regions of that; there
they peacefully cleared the?r inheritable wilds—
cultivate I their lands—and chearfully poured the
firli fruits rd their indoftry inrothe bosom oftheir
nrttr country. You protested them in their
t^m Rate, a-d they reru ned it by confining 'Q
you rhe fde Benefits of th ir trade: whatever
wealth they derived 4 on agriculture' and com
merce —all centered with you. You regulated
their commerce 'or the advantage of this country;
and they never difeov^ed an opposition either to
the anti ority or evreife of it. Are these evi
dences o' a spirit of di'aTeclion to Great Brit; in,
or iegratude for its protection? Are they not
rat' er proofs, that if the fame l : ne of mild and
In ent government had been pinfeed, the fame
cotddty and luomiHion would have been ccn
fnned?
Every A merican that loves America, fhuft wish
the prosperity of England; and that their union
mayever subsist uninterrupted. If the parental
trunk is injured, thebranches must fuffer with it.
A fuhordination on the part of the Colonies is
r^cefiary to this union. I acknowledge, Sir,
there must exist a pcwer somewhere to superin
tend and regulate tie movements of the whole,
Lr the attainment and preservation of our cor
rion h/ppi' cfs: this flip-erne power can be jufly
and adequately exercised ordy by the legiflarure
of Great Britain. In this doctrine the Colonies
tacitly acqnielced and were happy. England en
joyed by it ail the advantages of an exclusive trade
with them; <w„ then flrain this authorityfo much,
as to render a submission to it impodible, without
a surrender cf all those liberties which are most
Tillable in civil society, and were ever acknow
ledged the inestimable birth-right of Englishmen?
When Great Britain derives from her colonists
the most ample Puppies of wealth by her com
merce, it is not abiurd to clole up these channels
for the fake of a paltry inexpedient claim of im
posing taxes? which, though a young member, I
will be bold to aver, never have, and probably
never will defray the expence of collecting them.
The expediency of coerfive measures is much
infilled on by £me, who, I am sorry to fay, seem
to corfider more, the diftrefa into which they
will involve the Americans, than the benefits they
can procure to this country from such vindictive
conduct, —humanity; however, will prompt the
gent r us mind to weep over severities though they
may be even necessary. — And a prudent ftdtefman
will reflect, that the Colonies cannot possibly
fuffer without injury to Great-Britain. The
Americans are your customers, they consume your
manufactures; by diftreffirg them, if you do not
drive them to other markets, you will must assu
redly disable them from taking your commodities,
and from making proper returns for what they
have taken.
Let us suppose for a moment, that coerfive
measures Should reduce them to a recognition of
the equity of Parliamentary taxation: what are
the advantages which will result from it? Can it
le thought that the Americans can be dragooned
Tito a convict on of what is right? Will severities
increase their affe&ion, and make them more de
frors cf a connexion vi h, and dependence on
the mother country? Is it not on the contrary
teafonable to conclude, that the effect will be an
inere.ife of jealousy and difeontent, that they
will seek all occasions of evading laws imposed on
them by \i6lence, that they will be RESTLESS
under the yoke, and think themselves happy in
an opp >rtunity of flying to the protection of any
ether power, from the Subjection of a mother
whom they consider cruel and oppressive.
Sir, I would not be underfood to deny the
good intentions cf administration. The abilities
of the Minister are, it seems, universally acknow
ledged ; but 1 must add, Humanum est errarg.
'I hough an American, Sir, I applaud his jealousy
for the dignity and authority of Parliament; and
think the impolicy and inexpediency of the late
measures may be rc.Jonably imputed to the diffi
culty of the occafroF, and the unfe tied and unde
fined nature of the dependance erf the colonies on
the mother country: but Since by fad expe
rience they have been found totally inadequate
Puce they have widened the breach instead of
closing it; diminished the fubjedion and obe
dience ot the Colonies instead of confirming
them; increased the turbulence and oppofiticn
instead of allaying them: it may be hoped that a
different plan of conduct will be purlued; and
that feme constitution, some firm and liberal con
ftitutien will be adopted by the wisdom of this
l^oufe, which may Secure the Colonists in their
ITunes, whilst it maintains the just Supremacy of
, u foment.
Governor Johnftone in his speech on Friday hft
in the House of Commons, fays, " It has been
asserted that legislation existing in the Parliament
of Great Britain, taxation, which is a part of
legislation, must necessarily be included*. The
various privileges, which subsist in every free
fla-e, are hardly to be determined by any rea
ioniog a priore. It is true, that legislation may
exist without the power of taxation. The king
dom of Ireland, within our own dominion, is a
proof ofwhat those learned gentlemen assert to be
impossible. For my part, Ido not fee what dif
ficulty can occur in leaving the different Co
lonies on the fame footing of railing money
by requisition as from the people offreland. If
it is thought this manner of railing Supplies might
throw too much power into the hands of the
cr >wn, that power might be limitted, so as not
to be exerted except upon the addrels of both
House-s of Parliament, such as has been lately
adopted receding the prerogative in regulating
the coin. I think, I perceive the tone of the
noble Lord (Lord North) is not Co loud or so
lofty as onfome former debates on this fubjeß. I
hope it does hot proceed from wa it of health, in
which case no man could feel more Sorrow for his
Lord Ship than myfelf; but I hope it arises from a
more serious and deep reflexion on the fubjeft,
where his own good sense has had room to qpe-
Tff^^rHrirflwirvLo.cnt aifeciates who seem
to hare precipitated his Lordflip into such rash
and cruel measures, contrary to his own natural
good temper. Here then I Shall conclude, as I
let out, hoping, that generous, just, pacific mea
lurcs will be adapted.
December 22.
HOUSE OF CO MMO NS, Defender ?o.
The report from the Committee of ways and
means being made, on putting the question fora
greeingto theland-a< ofthiee Shillings in thepou d
Mr. Hartley, Member for Kingston, arose, and
after remarking upon the alarming accounts from
the Congress in America, wished that the deter
mination of the question might be postponed till
after the holidays, as it was impossible to deter
mine what measures were meant to be pursued
with refped to America, and till it was known
what part administration meant to take; no
one could fay whether the peace edablifhment,
now ptopofed, and in part agreed to, was a pro
per one or not. This introduced a ipitited de
bate, in which Mr. T.Townfhend, Mr. Rigby,
Sir William Meredith, and Mr. Cornwal, had a
considerable Share; but Mr. Burke Spoke much
longer than the rest, and most pathetically lament
ed the fi nation of America, highly ridiculed the
c^duft of Administration, and placed the Situati
on of General Gage in a clear point of view. He
observed, that he knew not for what purpose Ad
ministration had Sent an army there; but that ifit
was judged expedient at all, it Should have been
an army of execution, not an army of obfervat•
on.. That the General in his last letters had re
presented himfelf as being at once belieged and
Besieging; that he complained his cannon had been
stolen, and otherinfults offered to his troops, but
that he had the happ nefs to command a patient
army; on the idea of a patriot army the honour
able Member expatiated with great freedom, and
kept to his point, that if an army was at all neces
sary, it fhoujd be executive, bur that he knew no
buGnefs General Gage had there, in so lamenta
be a Situation : that if he Shed a drop of the blood
of his fellow fubjeAs, he would open the sluices
for a torrent on both Sides, and God knows whee
it might end ; while on the other, if he did, he
must be exposed with his army to such tameness
and patience as no army ever Shewed before. He
observed that they had had a speech breathing
nothing but war with America, for which thanks
had been voted, and now they had supplies breath
ing nothing but peace, for which he supposed
thanks were likewise to be given. On the whole,
the'Gentlemen on this Side the question, appre
hensive that a vote of credit mig it be moved for
at the close of the session, were willing to post
pone the resolution concerning the land-tax till
after the holidays, when being better informed
cl the state of our own country, they might be
enabled to judge of the prudence of having re
duced the navy establishment, and of the Suffici
ency or infufficiency of the proposed land-tax aid
On the other hand, Sir William Mcr dith com
plained of the impropriety of the present conver
fatirn tending to inflame the minds of the people,
by furnishing matter for th^ news-paper's; wished
it had been avoided, as the gentleman had no pro
position to offer, and then justifying the measures
already taken by Administration. He observed
in reply to Mr. Burke, that Gen. Gage had been
sent to Boson for three very good purposes ; firft,
to prote& the magistrates ; secondly, to protect
the property of the merchants, which had been
grofly violated ; thirdly, to enforce the execution
of the act; of the British Parliament, which points
he had in a great measure accomplished; and he
added, that such steps would net have been neces
sary if the declaratory bill repealing the fiamp aft
had never been brought into that ~Houfe. Mr.
Burke retorted, that if the declaratory a& was the
accursed thing that had caused all the mifehief,
they had nothing to do but to to's it overboard.'
For his part, he was ready to Sacrifice every
thing for peace with America ; but he still was of
opinion Gen. Gage and his troops had no business
at Boften : # That the magistrates of Boston were
said to be in an asylum ; he had heard of asylums
for thieves; but never of asylums for magi
strates ; nor could he conceive how they could be
said to be protected, while they could not offici
ate, but were only in an asylum : That the troops
had been sent to protest the commerce after all
trade was at an end; and that as to the execution
of the ads of Parliament, Gen. Gage could not be
said to have enforced them, Since the Americans
had not yet submitted to them. And as to the
blocking up an harbour, it might be very true, but
to him this mode of blockade seemed rather no
vel. Such an expression, it is certain, fays he,
might come with great propriety from me ; but I
must confefs I never heard such a bull in my own
country. At the entrance of Dublin harbour
there is a North and South Bull, but even there
or elsewhere, such abull as this I never heard.
His Severe sarcasms on the Ministry were more
proper for the ears of the members than the pub
lic.—A very candid, Short speech from Mr.
Cornwall elofed the conversation, and the House
agreed with the Committee.
Dec. 24. On Thursday last a copy of the petition
from the American Congress to the King was deli
vered to Lord Dartmouth for the purpose of (hew
ing it to his M t jedy before it is presented to him
by the Agents. It contains a Rate of grievances,
a felicitation for the removal of evil co n^lors,
and a claim that the Colonies are exempt from tax
ation by the Britifii Parliament.
A plain Speaking man told a minister that the
French had better intelligence about American af
fairs than the King's Servants. How can that be
replied the Minister? Because, Said the other, they
hear every one, ano are in Search of the truth.
Dec. 26. It is fail that a plm is now agitating
in the Cabinet to conciliate matters between the
mother country and the Americans, by repealing
the disagreeable a&s, and admitting them to be re
presented by Eighty Members in the House of Com
mons.
Dec. 29. It is whispered at the Weft end of the
town that the troops will Shortly be recalled from
Boston.
Dec. 31. The Petition from the American Con
grels to the King has been presented to his Majesty
by Lord Dartmouth.
The above petition is to be laid before the two
Homes of Parliament at their next meeting.
^ Lord Chatham is with Ear! Temple
at his feat at Stow, where, it is reported, those
two patriotic Noblemen are preparing the plan of
a reconciliation with America.
It is very currently reported, that several mem
bers of adminiftratien have publicly declared they
will not any farther accede to violent measures
with the Americans.
Jan. 13. The gr^ateft part of the military, we
are t Id, will focm be removed from th: province
of Matfachufetts-Bay, and the blockade by sea is
to be continued, with the 'addition of more ship-
P in ^
January 14.
^Circumstantial Account of the PRO
CEEDINGS of He NORTH-AME
RICAN MERCHANTS beldlaft Wed
neflay at the Kings Nrms tavern, Cor/drill.
COHERE was a very numerous and refpeda-
I able meeting of the Merchants, &c. tra
ding to North-America (consisting of between
four and five hundred) for the purpose ofthe Com
mittee (appointed at the last meeting) reporting
the particulars of a petition to be presented to Par
liament in the present alarming situation of Ame
rican affairs.
The business of the meeting was opened about
eleven o'clock, by the reading of the petition, the
substance of which was as follows:
“ First Bating to the House the fevera 1 parti
" cularsof the ex/enfive trade carried on between
“ this country and America, as it receded the
'• barter of commodities—the balance of cash, as
“ well as the negociarion of exchange in fevetal
" parts cf Europe ; —lt next Bated how this ve
" ry extensive trade was hurt by thefeveral reve
- " nue bills affecting North-America, pafled since
" the repeal of the Bans? a& to th e year 1773.
" It then concluded by praying redress in these
“ particulars, as well as in the operation of all
“ other ads which may afleft the general trade
" carried on between this country and North
' America." The whole was couched indecent,
manly terms; and in point of style, good sense,
and precision, shewed the Committee appointed
for drawing it up, every way equal to the great
trust delegated to them.
Asfoon as the petition was read, Mr. Hayley
made the following motion : “ 1 bat the petition
entitled, &c. &c. now read, be approved of."
This opened a very long, yet an able and candid
debate.
Mr. Watson said he had no objection to the
petition then as it went ; on the contrary hehigh
ly approved of it, yet he was for adding a clause
wbeie the Kt^ Quebec Bill should be particularly
exprefled, and where the very great constitutional,
' as well as comercial evils resulting from that bill
should be marked out; that he saw no reason why
fe extensive a province as Canada, the trade
whereof was so very material to the interest of
this count! y, should be left out of so great a ques
tion as the present; hetherefore proposed a clause
a ter “ the operation of all other ads," “ particu
larly fpecifying the late Quebec bill."
Mr. Faker answered Mr. Watson, by “ firft
calling the recollection of the Gentlemen preftnt
t) the general wish thrown out last meeting, of
the Committee's avoiding every thing that was po
litical in the petition ; he said that they had, in
consequence, been very guarded in this particu
lar; but however, be as extensive as they could
with prudence, 'they had still left an 'open by the
words, “ the opera ion of all other ads" for Coun
sel at the bar of the House to plead any 'inconve
niencies arming from the Quebec, or other ads ;
the Boston Port and Maffachufett's-Bay bills were
omitted for the fame purpose, yet were by no means
precluded (if the Committee should afterwards
think proper to inftrudtheir Counsel so) from be
ing remonstrated against, either in part, or in
the whole.
Mr. Sargent supported Mr. Baker in a very
eloquent and forcible manner, and shewed, by
frefh implications, that the words in the petition,
“ as in the operation of all other ads" were fully
competent to any clauses that could be added, ei
ther in favour of Quebec or Boston.
Mr. Nutt acquainted the meeting, that “ pro
bably he could reconcile this difference of opini
on, by informing them, on afmoft positive grounds,
that the King, by a clause in the Quebec Bill,
empowering him to allow, at his pleasure, of the
trial by juries, and the use of the Habeas Corpus
ad, had either sent out, or was preparing to fend
out, an order for their continuing in full force,
and that as the Quebecbill was not to take place
till the firft of May next, the ill eßed of that bill,
in these two particulars, would never operate.
This being the case heirragmed it would be found
less necessary to insist on adding the clause refped
ing Quebec." Several other Gentlemen, for these
and other reasons, were for having no additions
made to the petition.
Mr. Watson replied tofhem, and urged with
greater confidence, the necessity of pirticularifing
Quebec. He said, “ though our present gracious
Sovereign might feel for his Canadian fubjeds in
allowing them the use of Juries, and the Habeas
Corpus ad, this nation might one day or other
have a Sovereign of a different way of thinking ;
he was, therefore, nor for leaving things on such
an uncertain ground as the will of a Prince, but
for having them established with more certainty
and precision."
Mr. Sharp, and some others, agreed with Mr.
Watson, particularly the former, who said, among
other things, “ That Canada was universally
looked upon as a cudgel, in the hand of govern
ment, against the rest of the Americans."
Mr. Creighton more than once attempted to
meet the differences' of the assembly, by compli
menting, in very high terms, the draught, -^rr:,
and extent of the petition; and then exprening
bis wish, that three Canadian merchants should be
added to the Committee, for the purpose of ia
ftruding counsel touching those points, which Mr.
Watson and his friends so much infilled on, by
which they might bring about, equally as well,
the effects they so much desired.
This debate continued several hours, in which
Mr. Watson and Mr. Baker were principals on
different tides. At the close of it Mr. Watson
wanted to put IBs question; but Hr. Baker set
the company right in-point of onfei, by reminc
ing them there was an original queflion before
them, which must firft be disposed of, either by
entirely getting rid ofit—by negation—by amend
ment —or by putting the previous question. The
latter was the one, however, adopted, which was
carried in the affirmative by a great majority. The
main question, “ That this petition, entitled, &c.
&c. now read, be approved of," was then put,
and carried unaniwoudy.
After this a motion was made by Mr. Watson,
for entering into a resolution, independent of the
petition, “ expressing the assent of the assembly
to the evil consequences of the Quebec bill"
This, though in fad agreed to by almost every
body, yet as they thought proper, for reasons al
ready given, not to insert them in the petition -
it was urged by the majority present, that such a
resolution would rather be out of place. Mr.
Watson, after a while, feeing the sense of the
company lean this way, vihdrew his motion.
e A reflation was then agreed to, “ that the pe
tition be forthwith engrossed, that the Committee
do attend for that purpose, and that three Cana
dian merchants, Mr. Watson, Mr. Strette), and
Mr. Hunter, be added to the Committee already
appointed for the purpose of intruding Counsel,
and preparing such evidences and allegations as
the petition warranted them to support." This
resolution was followed by another, “ That the
petition, after being engrossed, fliould lie at that
House for figni-g; and that the Committee should
afterwards adverrife the meeting at large, of the
day they intended ^ presenting it." A motion of
thanks to the Chairman bei^g then unanirnoufly
agreed to, the aT.mbly adjourned.
Kings Arms Tavern, Cmdil, Jan.„.
At a very numerous meeting of the merchants,
traders, and others concerned in the American
Commerce, agreeable to adjournment.
Tho. Lane, Esq; in the Chair.
The Committee informed the meeting, that
they had prepared the petition proposed at their
last meeting.
Moved that the said petition be read. It was
read accordingly.
Resolved unanimously, That the petition new
presented and read, is approved of by this meeting,
Resolved unanimously, That the above menti
oned petition be fairly engrossed, under the in
fedion of the fame Committee that pre pared^it,
with the addition of Mr. Strettell, Mr. Watfon,'
Mr. Hunter, for the province of Quebec; and
that the said Committee be desired to attend the
fading an d presenting of the fame to the House
of Commons, and to prepare and digest such evi
dence as may be necessary for proving the allega
tions of the said petition, and for Supporting the
fame.
Resolved unanimously, That the Committee
be defined to call another meeting ofthe merchants,
traders, and others concerned in the American
commerce (as soon as they know the fate of the
petition in the House of Commons) in order that
the public may be properly informed thereof.
Refolded unanimously, That the minutes of
this meeting be fairly tranferibed and inserted in
the Public Morning and Evening Papers, figoed
by the Chairman.
(Copy) Thomas Lane, Chairman.
Extract of an aut/ent;c let't • from Cartbrgena, dated
Dec. Ifo
" by letters from Meli'le, of the pth instant,
we learn, that the King of Morocco appeared in
person at the head of his army before that place
on the Bth in the morning; that he immediately
occupied the eminences, and the day following
began to throw some bombs into the town, but
at so great a distance as to be cf no effe&."
I he substance of the petition transmitted from
the American Congress to a great Peifcnage is,
iff, acknowledging in the most dutiful and ref
peflful terms their allegiance, &c. 2d, that they
might be left to the entire provision o f their in
ternal policy, such as the appointment of their
officers, the making their own laws, and imposing
their own duties, &c. 3d, that in lieu of this they
are willing, in time of war, to supply his Majesty
with men, money, and what other ass ffments a
British Parliament might thick necessary fur rhe
general defence of the empire. There are said
to be a few other conciliating articles of less con -
Sequence.
It was stated at the body of the petition to be
presented to the Hon. the House of Commons by
the merchants, &c. trading to North-America,
as read at the King's Arms on Wednesday last,
that the balance due from America at present to
this kingdom was little short of 200,000!.
Extras of a letter from Briflol, Jan. it.
“ This day the society of merchant adventu
rers held a hall, to confider of a petition to Par
liament receding American affairs; the heads of
a very unexceptior able commercial petition were
read; and another hall is to be held on Monday,
to determine on the question-"
A letter from Capr. Boyd, of the Swift, arri
ved at Lisbon, Dec. 27, fays,“ I take the op
portunity of a vessel passing for London, to ad
vise you of my fafe arrival from Terceira< being
the only vessel that efcap^d out of five fail, all
loaded."
Lieut. Col. Prefcot of the 7th ^regiment cf
foot, is arrived in twenty-five days from General
Gage.
The troops under the command of General Gage
were reinforced by the arrival ofthe 52d regiment
at Boston, on the flh of December.
Some frefh inftruftions have been lately sent to
the Governors cf Gibraltar and Nirorca. and
tie fleet on the Meditt rranean (Trion will be re
inforced with ferercl Lips c r Tvin the faring.
PHIL A DELPHI A, Mar^
Extract cf a Letter fr(m a Cent eman in England,
Kaed an. 1, rr^c.
'•1 have had the honour of being sent for by
some of the firft people in administration, who
to do them justice, seem now disposed rather to
heal the wound than keep it open. They cn!v
wish some line could be drawn, to iatisfy he
minds of the people of this country, win seem
indisposed to ^ke too ^ //;& ,%t h Co #
lonifts, whom .they confder as their, cljid^can