The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-06-29 00:00:00, page 2

crown in order to makeit law. I hope, after this Rate
of matters, no one will throw in any delays. May
Heaven preserve the two kingdoms! After this firft step
Ihall have calmed the peoples minds, you must expeA
to fee Ireland fully emancipated, proceeding with ac
tivity to perfeft her legislature ; but it m,y be expect
ed, that her fitft aA, the declaratory aft of her rights,
should be accompanied with certain others, refpe&ing
both kingdoms. Indeed, 1 think it is most fuitabb, and
for the common good, that these Conventions should
be made between the legislative bodies of both iflandi.
I have nothing more to add now, except to move,
'' that leave be given to bring in a bill to repeal the aft
" of 6th, George ift, entituled, &c. to far as it declares
" that the king, lords and commons of Great-Britain,
“ assembled in parliament, had, have and ought to
".have, full power to pass ads of fufficient force to
(( bind Ireland, &c."
LORD NEWHAVEN Seconded the motion, ob.
serving that he could have wished that this business had
risen from the new adminifiration, and that time had
been given the new cabinet to concert measures to G
cure the affections of this part, of what yet remained,
of the vast dominions of England. He was feasible of
the necessity of the motion, and the danger of the lea,ft
delay, &c. as Ireland had been very ill treated.
The secretary of Rate, Mr. FOX, who has among
other business, the care of manageing the house of
Commons, answered Mr. Eden nearly as follows:
trough the majority were retrained by this considera
tion, yet these last were no lets ardent 'or the indepen
dency of the Irish legislature than the opposition. In
the mean time these temporizers, by the people at large,
were considered ashaving betrayed the interests of
their country.
" In the mean while, however, to obviate the main
inconvenience, ewhich was objected to the declaration of
rights, a bill was contrived to acknowledge as, laws of
Ireland, ali laws of England which effect the lands or
" The house may recoiled, that colonel Lu tterell
Rated this Subject for a debate, of which it is not yet
susceptible, in alluding to feme words which he drop
ped before the easter hollidays, relative to Ireland,
and by requeuing Mr. Eden to lay before the house,
the fixation of that kingdom. Upon this invitation,
Mr. Eden, without any previous consultation, with
out having said one syllable to the minifiry concerning
the affairs of Ireland, after giving a decisive narration
of fads known to all the world, has finished his ha
rangue, by a motion which tends to no less than the re
peal of the ad 6th, of George the firft; a repeal
which would amount to an express renunciation on
the part of Britain, of her supremacy over Ireland,
and to a compleat disunion of both nations. The mo
lion of the honourable member is, in short, an un
conditional submission on the file of Great Britain ;
accompanied with a formal renunciation of her most
valuable and dearefl rights, ,I have so lately come in
to office, that I look for ao refyefl to myfelf, but I
am sure, that as to the rest of his majesty's miniflers,
it would have been but decent to consult them before
any hep was taken in parliament. If Mr. Eden had
Ten fit to do what the least attention to decency re
quired, he would have learned, that notwithstanding
the short (pace which has elapsed since the present mi
nifiry have been called to their offices, they had be
fiowed the most serious attention to the alarming cir
cumstances of Ireland; and that, if on this day, when
they firft came into the house, in their new characters,
they had no digested measures to propose, it was not
because they were not perfectly and unanimously dis
posed to do justice to Ireland: it was because that
they disdained to walk in the Reps of their predeces
sors, who, touching the helm, from day to day, on the
paltry ground of expediency, had not looked forward
to consequences. It was to. Shun such an example,
and to form a plan equally fatisfadory to both king
doms, that the king's servants have taken time to de
liberate. Mr. Eden might have learned at the fame
time, that many days would not have passed ; and
now I fay, that many hours (hall not pass, before
means be prop®fed to reconcile Britain to the affection
of Ireland. I Shall not Say further what I think of
the motion now under debate. lam fully perf aded,
that Ireland has been injuriously treated, and has a
lull right to the redress of her grievances. That all
his majesty's servants are of this opinion, I take upon
me to declare. But they would be Strange ministers
indeed, if, on a sudden, without examination, with
out reflection, they should advifehis majesty to agree
to the measure aimed at by the motion. It is very
extraordinary, that this fame Mr. Eden, just come
post from Ireland, to make this happy proposal, should
speak with confidence of his fortunate administration !
I cannot fay, that I should confide, mine as very for
tunate, if I Should go out of it through so mournful a
door as he does. If pirodox has some Share in this
manner of (peaking, Mr. E. loves parodox. He uses
one, when (peaking of the Irish volunteers, he fays,
that in the Summer of 1780, they amvfed themfelvea
trade of Ireland. The preamble of thi bill is indeed
eloquent: “ we adopt," fay the Irish " by this aa,
all laws which England has made for us in the times of
trouble and rebellion, but we give notice, that hence
forth we mean to be our own legislators." Accounts
of these proceedings were instantly given to the miniflry
here, so as to make them apprehend the importance
and inftantanious necessity of this bill. Circumstances
have not admitted that an answer could be received
before I arrived. They were informed, that I should
take the liberty of laying before this house, that the
right to which England pretended to make laws for
Ireland, considered, perhaps, as acquired by prescrip
tion, whether jufily or not, could no longer be exer
cised; that since the parliament of Britain had wifely
set the trade of Ireland free, it did not appear that this
claim could be of any use were it even juflifiable ; that
it has always been remarked, that enlightened people
cannot be better governed than by laws of their own
making ; that if the pride of England only were hurt
on this occasion, we rauft admit also, that England
has forfeited all pretensions to pride. In short, the bill,
the preamble of which I have recited, was brought' in
by Mr Yelverton, and wants only the fanßiom of the
" GEORGE REX. His majefly, diftreffd to find
that uneafiueffes and discontents have arifea among his
loyal Subjects in Ireland, upon matters of great weight
and high importance; recommends to this house, imme
diately to take this object into their fooft serious consi
deration, and to conduct them to such conclusion as
may give mutual fatisfaaiooto both kingdoms.
with military ex^rcifes: a most delightful amusement
indeed, to which we are indebted for the coming of
Mr. E. post haste, and quite out of breath from Dub
lin, in order to make the amusing motion before us.
The conduct of the minifler of Ireland, in other re
fpeCls is quite as extraordinary as his speech. He
was sent over, exprefly, with the resignation of lord
Carlifle, and to explain to the ministry the real state
of Ireland. On reaching London, and finding a change
of the king's servants, he writes to lord Shelburne,
that he will neither give him, nor any of his colleagues
the least information concerning, Ireland; he threatens
them with his going into parliament this day, to open
what we have just heard I dare fay, his account of
faffs is very near the truth, and that public affairs
in Ireland are in the greatest confufion ; but who is
to blame for this ? certainly, a fortnight since when I
fufpeded and accused the late ministers of the most
culpable negligence in every refpefl, f was very far
from thinking affairs were so bad as they appear to
be. Yes, lam sorry to fay, that all is worse, infi
nitely worse, than could have been imagined, after
this is fail, it is the indifpenfible duty of the present
adminifiration to make proper enquiries.
" As to the course I Shall take with the motion of
the honourable member, I flatter myfelf, that I fhali
not be represented to Ireland, as indisposed to do her
justice. I know that She has rights; that her grievan
ces are but too real, and call for immediate redress. I
repeat it, that all his majesty's miniflers are cordial
ly and sincerely determined to fatisfy the Irish nation,
and that in a few hours, they will lay before the house
feme proportions relative thereto. It is not, therefore,
because the motion is improper, that I oppose it, for
I look upon it, as the most suitable that can or ought
to be made; I do not therefore reject it; but I elude
the opening of it now, by calling for the previous
question. 1 might call for the order of the day, but
I prefer the firft, that we may take up Mr. Crew's
motion, to difqualify custom-house officers from voting.
at the elections of members of parliament. It is of
great importance that the present ministry should con
vince the people by the strongest proofs that the pro
mises which they made before they were in office, were
Sincere; that they would reform all abuses, and close
every avenue of corruption.''
Mr. Burke, took this opportunity to declare,
that he on his part, was ready to offer bis economi
cal Hill, rejefted last year.
The conversation lasted some time longer, when
Mr. Eden, yeilding to the -advice of divers of the
members withdrew his motion; after which Mr. Crew
closed the business of the day, with the proportion
mentioned above.
The message being read, Mr. Fox proposed an ad-'
dress of thanks as usual in such cases. This was Se
conded by Mr. Montague, and passed nemine contra
dicente. Then colonel Fitzpatrick, secretary of-ftate
to the duke of Portland, appointed lord lieutenant of
Ireland, informed t ehufe, that he was going over
to give an account to Jr land o' what was doing. It
appeared, from what Mr. Fox said-on this eccafion, -
that we are to expert a fort of preliminaries,ewhich
the duke of Portland is to adjwft on the spot, to be
communicated to parliament, from which definitive ar^
rangem^ts may be made between the two kingdoms.
The lords met on the 10th, when lord Shelburne de
livered the fame message from the king, as had been
presented to the commons. As Soon as it was read,
this lord (who is the other Secretary of date) Spoke so
as to calm the uneasiness which the Irish commotion
had given rife to, by faying, it could only prove dan
gerous in case we should neglea, refufe, or even defer
the just demands of the Irish, whole loyalty and bro
therly affeßion, in other reSpeds, he painted in the
most striking colours. His iordfhip concluded his dis
course, as diftinft as it was inftruAive, with these re
markable words; 'J venture to assure you, that with
refpea to Ireland the crown is perfe&ly easy ; because
the people will ever be Sufficiently enlightened to their
own interests, as to flick faft by a form of govern
ment, wherein the constitutional balance of three estates
Secures real liberty. This alone is a sure pledge of
their moderation ; and it is in a reliance on this mode
ration, as well as the public confidence, that his ma
jesty's ministers, in explaining their endeavours for
success, in refloring the public quiet, dare look for ,
success. On this ground I have taken a Share in the
adminifiration ; and I think that I fee through the
gloomy clouds which overshadow us, a ray of hope
Springing up. I slitter myfelf, that however painful
the talk of the new ministry may be ; however numer
ous the difficulties which croud around them, encour
aged by the protection and favour of the king, Second
ed by the zeal, talents and wisdom of the lords and
commons, and blefled with the confidence of the peo
ple, they will not only establish this kingdom and Ire
land in perfeft interior harmony, but even give to
public affairs abroad a quite different afpeft than they
wear at present, throughout all parts of the world."
Our public pa pers : comment on this part of lord Shel
burne's speech, and give us the following picture of
the late change in the ministry, and its effeds:
Fifteen days only have passed since it happened,
and the new ministers have been in office, and we have
already the fatisfaßion to fee the great fubjeds of na
tional business hereinafter named, marked out, and en
tered upon with so much indufiry, that it is not possi
ble to doubt of their final success.
April 9. Mr. Secretary Fox delivered a meffrge
from the king in the following words; lord Shelburne
delivered a similar one to the lords':
“ They have opened a negociation for a Separate
treaty with North-America, in order to put an end to
the unhappy quarrel with our fellow citizens there.
G. R.
' They have entered into negociations to procure
allies to Britain, upon the continent of Europe, among
the old friends of this country.
“ They have brought the king and people together;
and in opening up a public system, have brought the
faithful fubjeas to the foot of the throne, with testi
monies of gratitude and approbation.
“ Im fine, they have planned an aftive and offen
five campaign, whereby all the Strength of this coun
try will be drawn forth and employed upon the proper
element; and not againftour friends or fellow Subjects,
but against the old and natural enemies of England.''
The papers of this day also fay, that the council in
tend to reduce the land forces, so as that the marine be
strengthened • in manners following:
^They will begin by dilmiffing all the common sol
diers in the 3 divisions of the marines; as they are
raoftly good seamen, such as are qualified as such to be
turned over to the mips as sailors; by which 20,000
marines will be-added-to the royal navy.
They will, in like manner, dismiss 30 new regiments
of infantry, the privates to be employed to' fill up old
corps, and to serve as marines, infiead ofthole convert
ed into marines.
April 9. Mr. Stephens continues secretary of the
admiralty , and yesterday notified the absent officers of
the navy to repair immediately to their ships.
Weare affureo', that inflead of the new taxes so much
reprobated, there will be a tax on dogs, of a guinea
every year, in London; two Shillings and fix-pence in
the country ; a further duty on playing cards, of four
shillings the pack, and upon dice, three pounds addition
al duty ; so that there will be levied upon dice three
pounds eighteen Killings the pair.
It is given out, that divers merchants of this city in
tend to propose to the next common council, that as
a mark of the approbation of the city to the late con
defeenfion of the king in changing his ministers, that
the city vote a present to hs majefly of one ship of too
guns, compleatly fitted; or 3 of seventy-sour guns each;
an offer which, fay these persons, will certainly be im
mitated by several counties and larger cities of this
kingdom, and will intimidate our enemies more than
any other effort which this country can make.
Admiral Kempenfelt, it is said, set out for Ports
mouth a few days since, to replace fir Richard Bicker
ton, who has lately gone for India with the company's
ships. The admiral goes in the Arethufa.
Friday last the board of admiralty resolved to fend
it (hips of the fine to the Weft-Indies, under admiral'
Harland. But bow does this agree wi'h the pretend
ed departure of admiral Barrington. We speak gene
rally ; at prefect, news are less certain than ever, and'
we fhali be careful of the manner in which we publish
them, so that those which require confirmation may be
distinguished.
From Orkney we learn, that a Dutch frigate had land
ed on one of the inlands, and after carrying off the cat
tle, pillaged the inhabitants, who for want of arms
could not resist.
Letters from Madeira bring an account,hat lhefcruif
ers of admiral Rodney had taken after a chafe of 8 hours
and sent in there, the Proteaor, an American privateer
of 28 guns and a sloop cf war her prize. The Protestor
had force time before taken a ship, sugar laden, from
the Weft-Indies and sent her for Salem.
“ They haye opened a third to remove the uneasi
ness of Ireland, and to fettle finally the constitution of
that kingdom.
" They have formed a plan to reflore peace to the
East-Indies, and to Secure the vast territorial possessi
ons which we possess in Asia, by renewing our connec
tions with the native powers of that country, and efla
blifhing a just and honourable sy stem.
“ Something has already been done in the conffituti
onal design of diminishing the influence of the crown, by
bringing in a bill to deprive cu ftom-houfe officers from
voting for members of parliament, and for reducing
the exorbitant salaries of divers officers, in not filling
up the boards of trade, of green cloth, of works, of
the coinage, of the police of Scotland; and others,
at once, useless, expensive and burthenfome to the
public.
“ They have restored to their country the ferviceof
divers great and deserving officers, who enjoy the con
fidence of our fleets and armies, and the love and re
fpeft of the nation.
St. James's, April 13, Advices received from Baf
fora.
" They have began a Second for a Separate peace
with Holland.
Sir James Douglas, K. the right honour ble lord
Edgecombe, Samuel Graves, esquire, honourable Au
gustus Kepple, his royal highness the duke of Cumber
land, admirals of the blue, were nominated admirals
of the white: Clark Gayton, esquire, John Montague,
esquire, fir Robert Harland, baronet; and lord vis
count Howe, admirals of the red, were declared ad,,
mirals of the blue.
The convoy for the Weft-Indies will fail, in all like
lihood, with the firft fair wind after the 25th current -
it will be convoyed by 12 fail of the lint, besides the
ships firft appointed.
Stocks have risen 3 per cent: the late unforefeen
change, whereby an adminifiration, universally con
fided in, is brought in, is the cause of this rite.
Admiralty Office April 8.
This day, by his majefiy's command, the following
promotions of admirals were made:
The governor of 7 ombay, by letter of October 28
last, confirms the vißory gained by general Coote over
Hyder Ally, the Ift of July before. At this date ge
neral Coote's army did not exceed 1500 Europeans and
7000 Sea poys : but he was afterwards joined by 5000
men from Bengal, and was to march for Arcatt the
14th of August.
The Dutch factories of Sadr's, Fulicat, Biralipatarn,
with force other places northward of Madras,and Chin
pern, in Bengal, were in the hands of the English. The
Holland property had been divided among the captors,
but that of private persons preserved to the owners.
February 2. By letters from Bombay qf 25 Novem
ber, it appears, th^t general Qoo:e had'a^n defeated