The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-02-29 00:00:00, page 2

I have ordered the public accounts to be laid before you,
with the other necessary papers. I doubt not but ypur
known loyalty to the King and attachment to your coun
try will animate you to go as far as the national abilities
will admit in making provision for the necessary Cervices
and honorable support of his Majesty's government.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
The united efforts and vast military preparations of the
House of Bourbon seem only to have re-animated the cou
rage and opened the resources of the brave and loyal fub
jet of his Majesty in this kingdom. My only concern
is, that the deficiency in the Treasury has prevented me
from giving that happy disposition its greatest and most
constitutional effect, by a vigorous execution of the mili
tia law.
lam assured, that whatever dangers may threaten
us from abroad, you will not fuffer them to divert
your attention from domestic regulations, and that among
the several (objects which deserve your consideration, the
protestant charter schools and manufactures of linen will
continue to be objeftsof your most serious attention. The
double tie of inclination and duty induces me to co-operate
with you in these measures, and in every other which may
tend to increase the prosperity of this kingdom, and serve
its true iaterefls. Nothing will ever give me so much real
fatisfadion as using my efforts to contribute to the welfare
of Ireland, nor can I rentier a more acceptable service to
my sovereign than that of contributing to trie happiness
of his people.
With infinite path I find myfelf necessitated to inform
you, that from the extraordinary deficiencies in the re
venue, the very liberal grants made in your last session
have not proved fufficient for the necessities of government,
so that, much against my inclinations and notwithstand
ing my utmost efforts, there are great arrearages for which
you must provide.
His Majesty's paternal attention to the interests of his
people, his solicitude to effeft whatever can possibly be
done to avoid the n-ceffity of increasing the public bur
dens, have engaged him to command me mos igraciously
to declare to you, that in every department the utmost
ceconomy shall be used that is confident with the honor of
his crown and the real interests of the nation.
The Commons having retired and the Speaker reported
the Speech, Sir Robert Dean moved for an address of
thanks. Richard H. Hutchinson seconded him, in a la
bored panegyric on the advantages and happiness of all
kinds which Ireland enjoyed under the best ofKings, and
under the best administration poffitole He enter'd into a
detail of the advantages derived and to be derived by Ire
land in greater abundance from Britain. He laid that the
King and Parliament at Weftminder were disposed to con
cur in any thing that might be advantageous to Ireland;
that the mterefl of the whole empire ought to be preferred
to partial views of state, &o &c. &c.
This is wonderful, said Mr Grattan ; let us recur to
faffs. The Speech we have just heard is the matter be
fore the boule: It contains nothing explicit, nothing fa
tisfa&ory : It appears calculated only to pacify the peo
ple, it leads to nothing which can effect it. His Majesty
has received from his rubjeds of Ireland address-s de
manding a tree exportation. Do not addresses on so im
portant a fubjed deserve some answer? Is the people of
Ireland unworthy ofthe noticeof British Ministers? Have
the servants of the crown, residing among us, no regard
for the inttrefts of this kingdom> Are not those servants
representatives of the people ? Why then do not they speak
out ? Are our calamities of so hidden a nature, that they
anight not to be spoken of ? (Here he gave the most pathe
tic and eloquent description of the unhappy state of Ire
land) It is clear we have nothing to expert, since no at
tention is paid to the addresses of the people, though back
ed with the felicitations of the crown-officers themselves.
Ireland must therefore rely only on its own courage ; from
th^ efforts of its inhabitants only can it exped redress of
its grievances, and extension of its commerce. I ask if
found policy can dictate an opposition to those efforts, ei
ther here or elfewbere, and if that opposition can be made
without danger? Why then do we not in our address
(peak, as the people have spoke in theirs? Have we less
resolution than the people have fnewn? Shall the Commons
of Ireland difeover less firmnefs than the populace have
(hewn > Are we become so degenerate, so contemptible,
as to fear the censure of England more than we do the cries
of our manufacturers ?
The distress of this kingdom is twofold. The people are
reduced to beggary, and the State to bankruptcy. The
Commissioners of the public revenues can prove the firff,
and I would wish them to declare on their oaths if the re
ftridionson our trade have not caused it; if this part of
our distress is not effected by the prohibition by England
of exporting woolens? If this kingdom can fupportits in
habitants, though it is not half peopled? If, when the
Continent of America shall be opened for their reception,
our people will not go there in crouds, rather than languish
My Lords and Gentlemen,
AT a time when the trade of this kingdom is become
in fame measure the particular object of public attention,
I could with that the general tranquility had been so efta
blilhed as that you might have leisure to deliberate on so
importanfa fubjeft. But I flatter myfelf, that at this ve
ry interesting crisis you will not fuller any considerations
of interest, however valuable, to abate your efforts or in
terrupt your unanimity. I have received his Mijefty's
express orders to assure you, that the cares and perplexities
inseparable from a state of war have not prevented his
royal attention from being extended to the interests and
distress of this kingdom. The money which has been re
mitted to this country for its defence while England had
every reason to apprehend a formidable and immediate
attack, is a convincing proof of his affectionate regard.
Full of solicitude for the felicity of his people, his Majesty
will readily concur with his Parliament in proper measures
to reconcile the common interests of all his fubjeds.
I have the pleasure to inform you, that since the last ses
sion of this Parliament his Majesty's family is increafd
by the birth of another Prince. May that Providence
which continues to add to his domestic felicity protest the
honor cf his crown and the happiness of his people.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
D U E L I N, Odober i^
TH E Parliament being met, his Excellency the Lord
Lieutenant made the following Speech to the two
Houses:
I we mean real service to this Kingdom, said Sir Ed
ward Newenham, this is not yet fufficient. Let us open
our hearts : Let us tell rhe King, that as long as his fub
jefts are miserable, op, refled, and deceived, his reign
can be neither fortunate nor glorious. Let our address be
adequate to the circumstances of the times, and the fix
ation of our country. I any person wit. in these walls,
able to juftify the condud of the British Minifiry to this
country.? Is there any one (who has not abjured the in
terests of Great- Britain as well as Ireland) who can put
his hand on his heart, and fry. that the Ministry have sup
ported the honor of the two Kingdoms, or provided for
their fafety ? Treating us with contempt, and adding in
sult to negled, they have filled up the measure of our mis
fortunes. They hope, but I trust in vain, to saddle us
with the deficiencies occasioned by the loss of America.
His name who originally fomented all onr troubles, is
written on the infamous lift of pensions paid by us. The
name of Francis Bernard ; a name fatal to the hodor of
Britain, to its glory and happiness. This man's tyranni
cal system, tending to fabjugate every thing, and there
fore agreeable to the Ministry, was fatally adopted. Be
ing absolutely absorbed in their horrible contest with A
merica, they have neglected every measure for the prefer -
vation of these Kingdoms.
Altho' I am thankful to our friends for what they have
done in England to procure an extension of our trade,
yet I don't approve of the means they have employed.
Wb are an Independant Nation. We have a
Parliament of our own; and our own Courts of Judica
ture; why then fliall we ask favors from any Parliament
whatever ? Let us ourselves pass ARs for the necessary ex
tension of our trade. We will try if a Minister can be
found so hardy as to prevent the effe& of those Ads.
We have attained the age es manhood, and need not the
tutelage of a cruel Step-mother, nor ought we to rely or
the infidous promises of a jealous sister Whatever obliga
tions we have heretofore been under to Britain, they are
more than doubly paid. Our brave soldiers and sailors have
enabled Britain to conquer the Bast and Weft- Indies. The
plains of America, and the fields of Germany, attest the
bravery of the Irish. Thousands of our brave country
men have left their lives there. What has Ireland obtain
ed in return? In the Bast wo are forbidden to trade. In
As for myfelf, said Mr. Flood, I approve of the enqui
ry moved for. I hope the day of relief is at hand. But
the speech before us is ambiguous, on this fubjed. It
promises every thing, yet it prorcifes nothing. Howdoes
it comport, for inflaace, with the King's promises, at
the close of the last session of the British Parliament? I
cannot also avoid observing, that though the King is held
forth as the best of Kings, yet this poor Kingdom has hi
therto experienced none of his kindness. After having
expatiated on the national diftriffes, he finished with nb
ferving, that notwithstanding all these things, as unani
mity was so eflentialiy necessary at present, he would vote
against the amendment.
Mr. Recorder, spoke little, but expressed himfelf with
much boldiiefs. Said that neither the Peers nor Commons
of England, had a right to restrain the commerce of Ire
land. " It is, said he, a usurpation in them. What did
I fay ? It is a tyranny, which ought immediately to be
suppressed. An honorable member hopes the day of re
lief is at hand. I doubt it : We are no longer to hop©
and exped, and wait; the properest time to go to the
King, is the hour of adversity Let us be firm in our lan
guage and in our refoluticns. Wemuft take our measures
against tee Ministers, who having loft America, involve
this Kingdom in the system of their infamous politics. I
will vote for the amendment."
in their native country, the victims of English tyranny,
or die by famine, in consequence of an Alt of the Eng
lish Parliament? I would wish them to fay, if one rich
merchant or trader is to be found in this kingdom? A
kingdom exhausted by a balance of trade for many years
against her, and by the continual absolution of revenue
by absentee landlords, and at this instant owing its exifl
ence only to the associations. But this expedient is only
momentary ; we must have something more affential done.
As to the state of bankruptcy to which the kingdom is
reduced, it is the effect of prodigality without bounds,
and licentiousness and violence unrestrained, which prevail.
Unbounded prodigality with limited means—Unbridled
licentiousness and violence unintermitted. I need mention
only one instance. We have seen the Attorney General
compel the merchants of Cork, to sign an illegal obliga
tion as a collateral security to an illegal oath !
The public charges in time for peace, of this impoverished
country, amount to one sixth part of what supports En
gland. What proportion is there between the abilities of
the two countries? What is the object of this expence?
Infamous pensions granted to the most infamous men!
Will those infamous men whom we support, vote againfi
an extention of our trade ? Will they vote againfi the
means of enriching thenfelves ? Alas! to what extremi
ties have these Ministers reduced the kingdom! Our po
verty insulted by the speech fr&in the throne! To be told,
in order to difeover more effectually to us our state of beg
gary, that the cfficers ©f the crown who reside here have
drawn upon England for 50,0001. sterling, without which,
the troops could not nave encamped; while it is well known
that the ill conduct of government alone, has enervated its
arm. and plucked from its hand the sword of defence.
Mr. Gratton then proposed the following amendment to
the address. " We paay your Majesty tu be assured, that
with the greatest rtludance we approach you on this occa
sion. But the coeftant bleeding of the revenues by absen
tees, and the unhappy prohibitions on our trade, have
produced so heavy calamities, that the natural support cf
our country has failed, and our manufacturers die in want;
and famine stalks in our streets. The only means of re
viving the expiring commerce of this miserable part of
your Majesty's dominions, is to open a free trade, and
fuffer your Iriih fubjeds to enjoy their natural and native
fights.'? Lord Westport seconded the amendment. Sir
Henry Cavendish recommending loyalty, could not but
grant, that the general pulse ofthe nation indicated the last
degree ot a consumption. He proposed a Committee of
the whole, to take into confederation the state of the nati
on. Mr. Ogle recapitulated the grievances of Ireland,
and emphatically observed, that the embargo was altoge
ther impolitic. The government, said he, on this occafi
-011, has ihewn such oppression and duplicity, that to save
my life, I Ihould not be tempted to rely on its promi.
fes.
the Weft we are retained. Germany and other parts of
the Continent would takeoff from ws large quantities of
woolens. But the curled British inquisition has hitherto
prevented it. What obligations have we then to Great-
Britain ? Will their affiflance in the glorious revolution
of 1688 be mentioned ? I fay glorious, tho' I well know it
is not so called in the Tory callender. But I call every re
volution glorious which compels a bad, a weak, and ob
stinate Prince, to abdicate a throne which he has disgra
ced, and restores to a people entire, the rights, liberties,
and importunes which it m;:y have loft a long time, in the
general political balance of Europe. Certainly such a
revolution is agreeable to the spirit of Conflitution; it is
founded on a right inherent in the people.
Before we engage to pass any grants, let usname a
Committee to take into consideration the state of the coun
try, and let the members be on oath, to report things as
they really are. As to the address, whatever else it con
tains, let it demand a change of Ministers and measures;
let it represent the truth before the throne ; if the English
Parliament refufe or negh& to repeal the A&s restraining
our trade, we will repeal them virtually ourselves, by not
obeying them. Other nations will readily open their
ports to us, and we can accommodate their vessels in our
harbours. In a few months this nation will be capable of
repelling the attacks of any foreign enemy; and by the
rotation of military diftipline, the whole nation will be
come one body of con flitutional soldiery. The charac
ters of land holder, citizen, farmer and soldier, will be u
nited in oFie and the fame perfoo.—" For my part, I will
give my negative to any address, which shall not expreflly
declare our right to a free and unrefiriQed trade, which
shall not disavow all usurped power, by any Parliament
whatever ; and shall nor eftablhh thatailegiance and pro
teftion being reciprocal, this reciprocity flr 11 take place;
for Ireland being an independent nation, will not longer
submit to the parti 1 infu ts of any or er country"
Many other Members spoke Son e objections occurred,
not against the fubdance or oojeft of the amendment, for
the House unanimously demanded a free exportation and
trade ; but some Members wished for more guarded ex
preffons. And the following amendment was proposed
in Read of the firft : " We hope your Majesty will be
assured, that in the p efent situation of affairs no tempori
zing expedients can possibly reconcile this nation to its
deftruftion : And that the only means of saving it is to
open in all its ports a free and unreftraiped trade." A ter
a few debates this last amendment puffed. The effects
may easily be forefeen. Such an attack wasnot expe&ed-
The fpeculatifis who had so fully arranged the union of
the three kingdoms, or in other words, the swallowing
up of Ireland in the all-devouring bofem of the mother
country, are altogether difeoncerted. The next day the
report of the address with the amendment was made
and approved both in House of Lords and in House of
Commons. Another was read, addressed to the Lord
Lieutenant. It was the most flattering to his Excellency,
and passed unanimously.
The 14th Mr. Flood went to England with the amend
ment. It will doubtless have its effect The present mi
litary associations by effeding this revolution have faced
Ireland. The House of Commons have formally voted
their thanks to them. They amount to 40,000 The
Duke of Leinfter and Lord Shannon are at their head, and
a& without reserve. The volunteers were called together
by a publication bearing the Duke's name, to escort the
Members of the Glorious Address when they passed from
the Parliament House to the Castle, to present to his Ex
cellency the Lord Lieutenant, which was done with mili
tary honors to the Members.
Mr. Flood was admitted to an audience of his Majesty,
and had the honor of kissing his M jefty's land, and
is returned with the King's answer to the address. Ie
is fad that before he left England, he resigned all the
employments he had in Ireland under the Crown.
I R E L AN D.
In the HOUSE of LORDS, Nov. 3.
The L t rd Chancellor reported the most gracious an
swer of the King to their address, in the following
words 1
" His Majesty thanks the House of Lords for the obe
dient and l yd address which they have made to him. The
'affurances which they give of their affection for his per
son and family, and zeal for his government, cannot but
be particularly agreeable to his Majesty in the present
critical situation of affairs.
" His Majesty receives with lively impreffiaps the re
presentation of their Lordships ofthe distresses of Ireland-
And as the interest of all his fubjeds at all times affed him,
he will heartily [concur in any measures which after ma
ture deliberation fliall appear most conducive to their hap
pinefsand general prosperity.
The attention which the Peers are determined to give
to such domestic regulations as are necessary for the well
being and happiness of his fubjeas of Ireland, gives the
greatest fatisfaftion to his Majesty, and they may at all
times rely on the favour, proteaion and support of his Ma
jesty."
An address of thanks was voted, and a Committee ap
pointed to prepare it.
In the COMMONS Nov. 1.
Sir Richard Heron by dire&ions of the Lord Lieutenant,
presented the following most gracious answer of his Ma
jesty to the address of the House .•
" His Majesty has received with the greatest fatisfadi
on the obedient and loyal address of the House of Com
mons, and the assurances they give of affedion to his per
son and government, and congratulations on the increase
of his family. His Majesty relies with confidence that
the House will provide for the liquidation of the national
debt, and for the honorable support ofhis government;
and that they will manifeft their zeal against the enemies
ofhis crown and the empire.(
“ Tie House of Commons may be assured of the tender
part his Majesty takes in the distresses ot his kingdom of
Ireland; of his affectionate attention to her interests, and
of his cenftant difpofitinn to concur in any measures
which upon mature deliberation shall appear to be
most conducive to the general advantage of all his fub
jefts"
Sir Henry Cavend th moved fi r an address of thanks,
and a Committee was appointed to prepare it.