Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1777-03-11 00:00:00, page 2

LONDON, November g.
ExtraNsjrom the SPEECH of the,Duke of Manchester,
on the motion for an Addrtf, in answer to bis Majefjs
Speech from the throne.
TH E Duke of Manchester opened his speech with a
comparison of the present state of the British empire
with that of ancient Rome in its decline. He observed,
in one, as the other, the mere forms of the Constitution
were preserved, while every effort of despotism and ar
bitrary power were felt in their fulleft extent. Imperial
Rome oppressed her provinces and dependencies, likeßri
tain; her fubjeds bowed under the yoke of the molt in
supportable oppression, like that endeavored to be inflic
ted on our Colonists ; and he did not hetitate to foretell,
that as in one instance the distant fubje&s of that proud,
overbearing mistress of the universe, by the injustice and
severity of her government, forced her provinces to resist
her lawless power ; so, in the other, this country had ali
enated the obedience and afte&ion of her American fub
je&s, which would bring on a dismemberment of the em
pire, and would probably terminate in a total dissolution
of this government..
His Grace remarked on that passage in the speech (the
whole of which he imputed to the Minister) relating to
the assurances of amity, laid to be received from the se
veral Courts of Europe, in a very printed manner. He
said it contained the most improbable information that
could be well conceived; unless we supposed, that the
framers of the speech, and those who advised the present
naval armaments, thought differently on the fame day;
or were not the fame perlons ; for if assurances were given,
that they were to be depended on, Why have recourse to
that mode of manning our navy, a press ; which was
known to be fraught with so many hardships and incon
veniences, and which Should never be resorted to but in
seasons of difficulty and danger ? If, on the other hand,
those assurances of amity were not to be relied on, Why
deceive the public and Parliament in so gross and flagrant
a manner? Why delude them into a dangerous repose ?
Why tell them on the eve of a rupture, that we are in a
state of perfect tranquility ? But his Grace infixed, that
we ought not, in the present situation of affairs, to trust
to assurances, however strong, or reasons, however plau
fable, when fa&s were so evidently against them. He had,
he said, the most undoubted information, that whatever
those assurances might be, they ought not to be relied on :
A matte- having come to bis own knowledge, or at least
it came so well authenticated, that he was perfectly latif
fied of its being indisputably true. He should just men
tion it for the present, presuming if it were falfe it would
be contradicted, in which case he should quote his au
thority ; if it were not, then it would remain at least a
strong circumstantial contradiction to that part of the ad
dress. The fi& was, that a gentleman, on whose vera
city he could depend, affired him, that he had been at
Havre de Grace, some short time since, where he saw a
veflel publicly loading with fire arms and other military
ffores, for the use of the Provincials. If, in the language
of the speech, the Americans were to be esteemed rebels ;
and if rebels in arms were to be locked upon asopen ene
mies, the fa& now alluded to, was an irrefragable proof,
that France, at least at present, was in the firft Stage of
open enmity with Great-B itan.
„ His Grace then contradicted the fuGftantial informa
tion of the speech on another ground. He said that it
was now no secret, thata fleet had lately failed from Ca
diz, with a considerable body of land forces on bo^rd.—
This armament must be defined to carry on hostilities
against us in some part of the Western World; or for
South-America, to be employed against the Portuguese.
Supping the former to be the case, no doubt could be
entertained of the latter, which came exactly to the fame
point; because if Portugal were attacked, Britain must
consequently be involved in a war, unless we broke our
engagements to Portugal and facrificed our dearest in
terests to the blind rage of making a conquest of our fel
low fabje&s in America. We were bound by treaty, he
insisted, to support and defend Portugal ; our interests,
^s^eil as 'oemn engagements, compelled us to it. The
difference w^ therefore very little, whether France or
Spam broke with us openly, or in this r-und-a cut, in
dr^t manner, the con sequence would be the fame ; we
w^ld in the eno fi d curfelves engaged in a war with the
united force of the House of Bourbon. Portugal had al
ready given us the highest instance in their power of their
frien (hip ; they had forbid the Provincials from Altering
their ports. Has France or Spain done so ? the contrary
was notorious. If, then, taking the question in either
light, as an attack of Spain on our ally, or the open en
couragement given to our fubjt&s now in arms against
us, he wished to know from Administration what requi
sitions had been made on our part, to bring the Courts of
Versailles and Madrid to an explanation on those very
important points; what was the effe& of those lequifitions,
and what had we now finally, at so critical a period, to
depend on ? His Grace concluded by observing, that no
reliance was to be had at any time on the pacific assur
ances of those Courts, much lets when their conduct di
re&.ly contrad.&cd them; that therefore a tame acquies
cence in whatever measures they may think proper to
adopt, or an immediate war with those powers, was in
evitable, which, corfideting the present diftraded and al
most €xh*ufted state of this country, threatened no less
than its total ruin. He had forefeen this from the begin
ning; he had often foretold it. He ivas in future deter
mined to lament it in flence, as all future efforts, he per.
ceived, qvould be in vain; however, as the last attempt,
he very readily joined in the amendment, moved by his'
noble friend [Lord Rockingham.] The speech was no
more than a recommendation of the fame ruinous fyfem of
measures which had brought us into our present perilous
and tremendous situation ; if the amendment was agreed to
it would give the Houle time to confider and devise some
means of averting the innumerable dangers with
which we were now surrounded; the fi<ft salutary acd ef
fe&ual step to which would, in his opinion, be the ap
pointing a Committee to enquire into the STATE OF THE
nation, in order to discover the Source of our present
calamities, and to devise remedies the best Suited to
their cure and removal.
HOUSE of COMMONS, November s.
COLONEL BARRE rose, and said that he had
a question to put of the firft consequence, of the most
famus importance, to which the Minister (Lord North)
had wholly negle&ed to speak. In order to give him an
opportunity of speaking to it, he would therefore put it,
and fit down without proceeding farther, that the Mini
ster might give the House that Satisfaction which he doubt
ed not, many of them wished to receive. The queftibn
was, " What powers were General and Lord Howe in
verted with, as his Majesty's Commissioners, to treat with
America."
Lord North immediately said, th ir commissions
had lately been published in the Gazette, and that no
thing relative to the hufinefs had been concealed. His
Lord Ship read part of the commiflion, and said he knew
of nothing more, unleis indeed some directions relative
to prifpners.
Colonel Barre, pulling a paper out of his pocket, de
clared, he had in his hank an account of what parted at
the conference between General Washington and Lieu
tenant Colonel Patterson, when Col. Patterson was dis
patched with General and Lord Howe's letter ; that the
account was printed in America, but that it bore evident
marks of authenticity, altho' indeed it did not come di
reaiy to his hand ; for be could positively fay, that no
letter directed to him, and sent from America, ever
reached him. He then proceeded to comment on the
account in his hand, declaring his high esteem for CoL
Patterson, with whom he hid the happiness to be ac
quainted, and asserting; that he was a man of the firft
honour in the service.- He said, the account he was go
ing to read did Col. Patterson infinite credit. The ac
count was extracted from an American paper, printed
at Pennsylvania on the 27th of July last, and Stated, that
Col. Patterson was received by General Washington, on
the 20th of the fame month, with the greatest politeness.
— That the Colonel addressed Mr. Washington with
the title of Excellency.—That he expressed General and
Lord Howe's concern, that there should have been any
deficiency in point of refpeCt and punctilio; that no af
front was intended by the General ; who begged his Ex
cellency to recollect, that he had received a letter from
his Excellency about the treatment of the prisoners in
Boston, superscribed, " To the honorable William Howe,
Esq;" and that the General then took no offence; that
both General and Lord Howe, had the highest personal
regard for Mr. Washington ; that they had now sent
a letter directed for " George Washington, Esq;
&c. &c. &c." and that they hoped all difficulties were re
moved, as the three et ceteeras might he understood to
comprehend all his Excellency's titles ; and that he beg
ged leave to inform his Excellency, that the letter he
now brought was the fame as his Majefty'sCommiffioners
had sent before, but which had been returned, on ac
count of the deficiency of the superscription, refpeding
his Excellency's titles.
It appeared further, from the account the Colonel read,
that Col. Patterson laid down the letter on a table ; that
Mr. Washington declined to accept it, diking what
powers General and Lord Howe were inverted with, de
claring that he had read the iali aft of Parli ment, rela
tive to America, and found by that, that they were
merelyempowered to grantpardons ; that he then said,
“ the Americans had done no wrong, and therefore
wanted no pardens;" that General Washington declared,
he had reported to the Cengrefs, his return of the letter
as firft sent, with his reasons for to doing ; that the Con
grels had approved of his condu&, be could not therefore
enter into a freffi treaty ri/hput frelh authority ; besides,
though it was true that th# three et ceteras new added to
to the superscription of the letter, might mean every
thing, it was allo true that they might mean any thing.
After more conversation, in which CoL Patterson excul
pated General Howe worn the charge of having treated
the pritneis he had taken with inhumanity ; and Gene
ral Washington alfcaeclared, that he had used such as
fell under his cognizance with ?very poffiole indulgence,
the account Stated that the conference ended ; that Ge
neral W Ihington invited the Colonel to partake of a
collation, which he had provided ; that the Coicnel de
clined it, urging his having but lately breakfafted, and
the impatience ot General and Lord Howe, to receive an
answer to their letter.
The Colonel then pounced like an eagle on the tremen
dous part ofhis fubje&, the appearance of a war in Eu
rope, and told the House that a war of the most ferinus
kind threatened this country, a war from tire united pow
ers of France arid Spain. That the attack would Short
ly be made, and made within the hearing of those who
fat within the walls thatthen encircled the House [this
created a general laugh, which seemed to hurt the Colo
nel much, and heinftantly laid] " Gentlemen may laugh,
but I dare aver, that those who laugh now, will, in the
moment of dange, be lying in tears on their backs, like
cowards." He then declared, that France was full two
months before hand with us in preparation ; that we were
in ta& defencelels, unable to make any resistance should
Ihe soon begin ; that Lord North Shifted his ground so
often, that there was no dependance on his information ;
that even now he had said, he relied on the present assu
rances of the pacific intentions of France, but that he
did not know how soon She might alter her intention.
This called up Lord North, who repeated what he had
said in this part of the luhjea of his peace, and again de
clared, that he firmly believed the assurances of the
Court of Versailles, but as he was no prophet, he would
not fay positively that France might not hereafter change
her intentions. Lord North complained of having his
words watched, and thrown perpetually in his teeth.
Colonel Barre, seemed not to like a refutation of the
matter of fa& of his assertion, and declared he ever would
watch the Minister ; that it was extraordinary indeed if
the noble Lord high in office, and the ostensible Minister,
expelled his words would not be watched ; he pretefted'
he would continue to watch him, and report his words
on every fit occasion; but he promised to do it always
like a gentleman and a man of honour, with truth and
accuracy; that the day was not yet come,
when AN ENQUIRY MUST BE MADE INTO THE CAU£
OFTHE AMERICAN WAR; that, he was lor
ry to tell the noble Lord, if matters did not then appear
fatisraftory, his head would be laid on tby eblock. That
the situation of affairs were tremendous; that his coun
try leemed 10 be near the crisis of her fate ; he advised
the treasury bench therefore to look about them, and as
there was one queltion which demanded an immediate
answer, he would then put it:
"Had the King's Mihifters information of a particular
species of armament preparing by the French in those
parts of France whiefc were immediately opposite, a^d
nearest to this kingdoms
LONDO N.
Nov. 15. The Empress of Russia has consented to
lend his Majesty 24,000 of her best troops for the ser
vice of the next campaign in America, ail of which are
to be embarked by the 3d of April 1777.
The Munificent, Elding, from New York, brought
advice, that Lord Howe and his brother the General,
have bad an interview with tome of the Congrets, but
nothing was done, as they would treat with them on
no other terms than a Free State.
Extract of a letter from Derby, Nov. 9.
“ On Wedoelday morning Jaft, after the arrival of
the Gazette Extraordinary, with an account of New-
York being taken by his Majefty' sforces, the bells
were rang in the several panlh churches in this town ;
at night many bonfires were made, and particularly a
very large one before the new assembly room in the
market place, where many reipedable gentlemen and
tradesmen assembled, and drank fuccofs to his Majes
ty's arms. They then paraded the town, precedea by
torches, flags, drums, and a band ofmufic; and were
followed by a numerous and orderly populace, who ex
pressed their joy on the occasion by repeated shouts of
applause for the late victory."
In one of the letters received from Long-Island, is
the following poftfeript; “ We are all rmpatient to at
tack New York: Ihe rebels are ine rc &bfy ft^ung ; but
we don't mind that. The firft fix men that enter the
post called Hell Gate are to be rewarded by our Ge
neral ; so that many look with a jealous eye towards
Hell, and itis expelled there will be a great struggle
to get into it."
Ihofe who pretend to have the best information with
refped to our operations in America, assert, that the
Howes have no authority to fettle any thing with the
Provincials, but a temporary cessation of hostilities,
that their charters being now become legally forfeited,'
will hereafter be modelled as shall appear most commo
dious to the mother country.
Nov. 22. The advocates of America incessantly declare,
that if we even conquer the revolted Colonies, we can
not keep them in fubjedion without a very large stand
ing army : There is certainly much justice in this re
mark. Butthen a queltion will arife,by whom this large
fl r ig armyis to be paid? To this, common sense
replies, that it must be undoubtedly paid for by the
Americans. As their rebellion has created the necessi
ty of such a military establishment, it is surely reasona
ble that the weight of it should fail upon their own shoul
ders; they now beast of being able to pay 200,000 men
for the maintenance of civil war, and of consequence
they may well support a fourth part of that number for
the preservation of general tranquility.
A letter from St. Euftatia, Sept. 22, fays, "The
Commander of a Dptch flbop, arrived at this place
from Porto Bello, brings the following intelligence.
A powerful fguadron is arrived at Porto Bello, from
Cadiz, as are also a large body of land forces ; every
thing there wears the appearance of a war, and every
preparation for the above purpose, is carrying on by
the Spaniards in all their ports in the Weft-Indies."
It is now very confidently talked among the friends
of government, at the Court end of the town, and in
the city, that by Christmas they exped the ports to
be open to New-York, if not to Philadelphia and Ma
ryland.
Bya poftfeript of a letter from New-York, dated
Sept. 28, we are informed, that an orderly book of
the Provincials had been picked up by one of our offi
cers on the field of battle, in which directions were mi
nuted to spare neither man, woman or child. When
General Howe was shewed this, instead of issuing out
orders of reprisals as was expected, he gave a particu
lar charge to the whole army to exert their benevolence
and humanity the more, as there was a possibility, he
said, of such orders being given under an idea of their
being treated so themselves.
The question he trusted w^s clear and comprehenffve.
If it was not answered, the silence of the Muuflry would
operate in his mind as fully as any answer they could give;
if tney had aot the neceffiry information, they were not
fit r their ports, and ought to hold them no longer.
Upon the whole the Colonel made it ou', tht we were
by no means a match for the united force of France and
Spain; he therefore desired the Ministry would, at any
rate, make up matters with America. '' Recal, therefore
(fays he) your fleets and armies from America, and leave
the brave Colonies to the enjoyment of their liberty."
[This created a second laugh, which the Colonel took
werfe than the firft, and was by it roused to freffi warmth ]
He arraigned the want of manners of the Treasury
Bench, and declared he thought profeffed courtiers bad
been better bred ; he then again denounced vengeme,
and bid the Ministry appoint proper officers; the fleet,
belaid, ought to be commanded by a brave man then in
toe house, an Admiral who had once already saved his
country ; the Admiral he meant was his honorable friend
near him, Admiral K^eppel; he said he knew he was cat.
of order in naming 2 number, but on such an occasion
he thought himfelt justified in mentioning so brave an
officer.
At length, having held up a most tremendous picture
of impending mifehief to his country, he recreated his
question to the Treasury Bench, and fat down, deplor
ing the infatuation of government, and asserting, that a
majority of votes in that House would never conquer
France and Spain, however they might procure the Mi
nister a momentary triumph, and m^ke him a welcome
gueftat St. James's.
Admiral Keppel merely shewed the defencelefs state of
the kingdom irom her unprepared navy.