The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1779-09-15 00:00:00, page 2

HOUSE or LORDS, June 18.
YESTERDAY, as soon as the House met, Lord
A Weymouth, one of his Majesty's principal Se
cretaries of State, laid before their Lordships a mes
sage from his Majesty, to the fame purport as that
brought to the Commons, and accompanied with a
translation of the MANIFESTO delivered on Wed
nesday from the court of Spain, by her Ambassador
here. After which the noble Lord, in a ihort speech,
moved the House for an humble addrels to his Ma
jesty, affixing hiv Majetty, that their Lordships were
willing to hazard their lives and fortunes in defence
of his person and government.
Lord Abingdon, with great spirit, opposed the mo
tion. No probability appeared, his Lordship laid,
of feeing ou^public-affairs put into a better fituhtion,
or our calamities removed or alleviated by those men
who had, by a series of the mod grot's, obstinate and
unexampled follies, plunged us into a thousand diffi
culties. Our present fituatibn, his Lordship contend
ed, was now become so critical as to require the ad
vice and content of our ablest Statesmen, and that it
would be highly absurd indeed, to entrust the conduct
of the war, when extended to the whole Houle ofßour
bon, to those very ministers who had woefully proved
themselves wholly incapable of defending us with any
kind of success or reputation against a part of it. His
Lordship brought into one point of view the whole
mifeondudt of administration, pointed out their ig
norance and inability in the most remarkable in
stances, with proper animadversions thereon, and
laid immediately at their doors the deaths of those
thousands of brave men who have been facrificed in
the course of the American war.
His Lordfliip remarked how entirely the miniltry
had loft all confidence of the people; that confidence,
he said, which it was so necessary for a miniltry to
enjoy, before they could aft with efficacy and suc
cess; finally maintaining, that the spirit of the pub
lic was so damped by the present men in power, that
they really could not find it in their hearts to with
for victory while they continued to guide the rein : of
government. His Lordship therefore moved, " for
" an humble address to his Majesty, praying, that
'' his Majesty would be graciously pleased to remove
" the present servants of the Crown from his confi
" dence, advice and councils."
The noble Lord's motion brought on a very warm
and general debate, after which there appeared, up
on its being put, Contents 22, Non Contents 60;
Majority 38.
Lord Abingdon's motion, which his Lordship had
moved by way of amendment to the motion for ad
dressing his Majesty, being got rid of, the DUKE of
RICHMOND proposed another amendment, by mo
ving, " That an humble addreL be presented to his
" Majesty, praying, that his Majesty would be gra
" cioufly pleased to change the present system of
" measures laid down in the cabinet, and pursued by
r Majeftys ministers.
His Grace represented, with his usual good sense
and force of argument, the very dangerous principle
of our politics for feme years back, pointed out the
many unhappy events that had ensued therefrom, to
gether with the calamitous Rate to which we were
now reduced, and was confident that nothing but an
entire alteration of our public measures could possibly
save the British empire from utter deftrufeon.
A second debate, equally warm and spirited with
the firft, now took place, after which his Grace's
motion was rejected by a majority of 34, there be
ing, Contents 32, Non Contents 66.
The two amendments being severally thrown out,
Lord Weymouth's motion, as originally Rated, was
put and carried without a division. After which the
House adjourned.
LONDON, June rB.
The ministry ought to be severely punished, was it
only for not fending out our fleet to block up the
Brest fleet, to prevent their joining the Spaniards, as
the miniftrv, according to Lord North's expression,
LONG LOOKED FOR THE SPANISH DECLA
RA IION..
Extract of a letter from Rouen, June 9.
" The created preparations are carried on in this
province (Normandy) and in Britanny. Our work
men here are employed in repairing the blips destined
to be used as transports, and this day they began to
build the boats rieceffary for the landing of troops;
there are non 50 of them on the flocks at St. Maloes,
where about 6c flops of 150 tons burthen, have been
taken up for the King's service ; there are 40 at Ha
vre, and 50 at Granville ; these 150 fail are now rea
dy, and will be fufficient to transport 25,000 men;
the regiment of Normandy is on the way to Breß,
with orders to embark immediately; all the Englifli,
redding in or near our ports, have orders to remove
at the distance of at least 60 leagues from their pre
sent settlements."
Yesterday morning some dispatches were received
at Lord Weymouth's office from the Engliih Ambas
sador at Madrid, who is hourly expected to arrive, as
he had taken his leave before the dispatches came
away.
Yesterday noon messengers were dispatched from
the Admiralty to the out-ports, for ail the men of
war, frigates and sloops of war, that are in condition,
to be fitted out for tea with all possible dispatch.
Thursday morning, at 28 minutes pad 3 o'clock,
the Spanish Ambaflador set off from his house in
Great-George-street, on his return to Madrid.
Our reparation, through the incorrigible cbftinacy
of Adminißration, is new critically distressing indeed!
Unnerved, as the arm of Great-Britain is, by an ab
surd and fruitlefs war with America; we have not
only this to Rrcggle against, the difficulties and cif
advantages of it, but have drawn, by our follies, the
whole house of Bourbon upon us; and while our
military and naval strength is mifcrably enervated,
and our resources in a manner exhausted, France and
Spain appear in the height of vigour, furnifhed with
the most ample means of a formidable and extensive
war, the former over-Rocked, as it is, with Ihips
and troops, while the treasures of the latter power
leaves the French cabinet under no fort of concern
for their finances.
Thejinited designs of the House of Bourbon is, to
fix the 'ifdependency Qf Am^fica on tlie'firmeft'bafis;
and fu>ep &fy, if possible, the whole of bur Weft-
India ill inds.
At the Court at St. fames's, the iZth offline, 1779.
# P RE s EN T,
The KING'S most excellent Majesty in Council.
WHEREAS the Ambassador of the King of Spain
has, by order of his Court, delivered to Lord
Viscount Weymouth a paper, in which it is declared,
that his Catholic Majesty intends to have recourse to
arms, under the groundless pretence of obtaining re
paration for injuries supposed to have been received ;
and whereas the said Ambassador has received orders
to retire from this kingdom without taking leave. His
Majesty, being determined to take such measures as
are necefl'ary for vindicating the honour of his crown,
is pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Coun
cil, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that general
reprisals be granted against the ships, goods and fub
jetts of the King of Spain, so that as well his Majesty's
fleet and ships, as also all other ships and vessels that
shall be commissioned by letters of marque or general
reprisals, or otherwise, by his Majesty's Commission
ers for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of
Great-Britain, shall and may lawfully seize all ships,
vessels and goods belonging to the King of Spain, or
his fubjeds, or others inhabitants within any the ter
ritories of the King of Spain, and bring the fame to
judgment in any of the Courts of Admiralty within
his Majesty's dominions; and, to that end, his Ma
jesty's Advocate-General, with the Advocate, of the
Admiralty, arc forthwith to prepare the draught of a
commission, and present the fame to his Majesty at
this Board, authorizing the Commissioners for exe
cuting. the office of Lord High Admiral, or any per
son or perlons by them empowered and appointed,
to issue forth and grant letters of marque and reprisal
to any of his Majesty's fubje&s, or others whom the
laid Commissioners shall deem fitly qualified in that
behalf, for the apprehending, seizing and taking the
flips, vessels and goods belonging to Spain, and the
vaflals and fubjedts of the King of Spain, or any in
habiting within his countries, territories or domini
ons; and that Inch power and elaufes be inserted in
the said commifiion as have been usual, and are ac
cording to former precedents:—And his Majesty's
said Advocate-General, with the Advocate of the
Admiralty, are also forthwith to prepare the draught
of a commission, and present the fame to his Majesty
at this Board, authorizing the said Commissioners for
executing the office ol Lord High Admiral, to will
and require the High Court or Admiralty of Great-
Britain, and the Lieutenant and Judge of the said
Court, his Surrogate or Surrogates, as alio the feve
rs! Courts of Admiralty within his Majesty's domini
ons, to take cognizance of and judiciously proceed
upon all and ail manner of captures, seizures, prizes
and reprisals of all ships and goods tl at are or shall
be taken, and to hear and determine the fame; and
according to the course of Admiralty, and the laws
of nations, to adjudge and condemn all such ships,
vessels and goods, as shall belong to Spain, or the
vaflals and fubjeds of the King of Spain, or to any
others inhabiting within any oi his countries, terri
tories and dominions; and that such powers and
elaufes be inserted in the said commission as have
been ulual and are according to former precedents;
and they are likewise to prepare and lay before his
Majesty at this Board, a draught of such iiittrutfions
as may be proper to be sent to the Courts of Admi
ralty in his Majesty's foreign governments and plan
tations, for their guidance herein; as also another
draught of inftrudtions for such ships as shall be com
miffionated for the purposes aforementioned.
CHARLESTOWN, in Soutb-Carolina, August 3.
By a person who left Savannah last week, we learn,
that the enemy are building a number of boats, which
no doubt are intended for some secret expedition.
BALTI M O R E, August 31.
Extrafl of a letter from an Officer on the Northern Ex
pedition, dated at Colas, sane 28, 1779.
" Col. Hazen with part of the regiment has ad
vanced as far as the river le Moile, distant from hence
about 40 miles, making a read Ind building block
houses; intelligence received from Canada by an of
ficer of — regiment, sent in as , is greatly
in our favour, the inhabitants of that country are al
most determined to a man to join us the moment we
enter their territories.—The fort at St. John's has a
guard of a sergeant and 15 men only, the cannon are
all dismounted and sent off, except one or two pieces
unfit for service. At Chamblee there is a fubaitern's
guard of 30 men: At the Three Rivers they have a
guard of 6co, and at Montreal ico men, which are
ail the men Rationed above Quebec; this my friend,
is rood news, and nothing inferior is it, that the ene
my have destroyed or carried away the whole of their
fleet on Lake Champlain, except two gallics, one of
which mounts one gun only.—This you may rely on."
BOSTON, August 30.
Last Friday arrived in this hai bour, a Cartel front
Gen. M'Lane at Penobfcot, with about 60 prisoners
who were taken in the ships Hunter and Hampden,
which fell into the enemy's hands at the river.
We are informed the Ramilles and Rainbow 40 gun
ships, and one frigate, together with the Hampden,
have quitted that Ration, and proceeded for York and
Halifax; the command of the latter drip being given
to a Lieutenant of the Navy, late a captive here, ta
ken in the brig Diligence, which was broughfinto
this port by Capti Hacker, in the flodp Ptotidenec.
A hoop with coal, fifh, &c. bound to Halifax, is
taken and sent into an Eastern port.
Our last accounts from the Weft-Indies are, that
the magnanimous Count d'Estaing, who has con
ducted the naval force of our allies in the Weft-Indies,
with so much success and glory ; after returning from
the conqueli of Grenada, and his victory over Byron,
failed with his fleet, and 5000 land forces, to St-
Chriftophers, and finding the British Admiral had
taken refuge in that island, landed his troops, and
taken every measure of defence ; the Count after fax
ing a challenge to Byron, which was not accepted,
took his course for Antigua, which important island,
% is believed, has before this time shared the fate of
Grenada. It is said a veffcl is arrived at New-London
in a ihort passage from the Weft-Indies, whicn met
the French fleet a few leagues to the windward of-
Antigua.
Extract of a letter from Gaudaloupe, dated July 25.
" You may red allured, that as Spam could Lave
no influence as a mediator in ending your disputes
with an obstinate lelf-willed Prince, lire ha. # now
thrown off the malk —and his Catholic Majesty has
fully acceded to your independency; tne above 1 have
been favoured with by a late letter from Madrid, 011
which I can place the utmolt confidence, injunction
of the French and Spaniln fleets is absolutely deter
mined on —and Mahon, Gibraltar or Ireland is the
hrlt object that may be called a grand one. The luc
ceis of Count d'Eltaing appears much more brilliant
than when I wrote you lalt. 1 hope the next news I
fend you will be a more agreeable one than the pre
sent. Mons. Lamottcßquet, with 8 fail of the line
and 3000 troops, will have a fe'parate command in
the hurricane months; and doubtiefs will pay you a
visit. You need not be under any great concern a
bout the filhery; for if Halifax or Newfoundland is
the object of Piquet, the Britilh forces muff be great
ly divided, and success will attend 111 tome quarter or
other —tlie evil Genii 01 Britain have at laic deceived
her; her expectations teem to be as great now, with
a weak Prince, defoiate miniltry, the loss of thirteen
Provinces and three Welt-India illands—as when
George the Second reigned, with the most uproot
miniltry, allifted by America and the united uffioiou
and good will of all bis Jubjecn. Alas! How is the
mighty fallen!"
On Tuesday last the Chevalier de la Luzerne, ac
companied with M. de Valnais, Coilful of France, M.
de Marbois, Councellor or Parliament, M. de Cha
vagnes, Captain 111 the royal navy of France, and a.
number of other gentlemen of diftindion, both French
and Americans, made a visit to Harvard College, at
the invitanon of the President and Corporation. The
Chevalier and company having alighted from their
carriages, palled through the College yard between
two lines of Students in their academical habits, their
head uncovered, to the dooi of Harvard-Hall, where
they were received by the Prehdent, Corporation
Profehors and Tutors, and conducted to the library.
Soon after they were fcated, the President role, and.
in the name of the Corporation, and the whole Uni
versity, addrelfed the Chevalier in the Latin Lan
guage, congratulating his fafe arrival, making the
most refpectful mention of our illuftriuus ally, His
Most Chriltian Majesty ; exprefling the warmest
wishes for the perpetuation of the alliance, and the
completion of its important and happy delign, and
for the prosperity of religion and learning throughout
the world.
The Chevalier replied in the mod polite manner
and in the fame language ; alluring his audience, that
his wilhes had been fortunately crowned by feeing a
country once indeed the region of ignorance and bar
barity, but now the feat of freedom, commerce, vir
tue and the liberal arts; and exprefling at the fame
time, the uncommon joy he should derive from find
ing the turbulent feenes of war, and the public nego
ciations ihgvhich he was engaged, preparing the way
for a closer alliance between the arts and Sciences in
diflant nations, to their mutual improvement, and
the common benefit of mankind.
After amufirg themselves among the rich variety
of books repofited in the Library, the company were
conduced into the large and elegant Philofophy
room, where a very decent entertainment was pro
vided :—After dinner they viewed the curiosities of
the mufzum, and the philosophical apparatus fabri
cated by some the best artists in Europe.
PROVIDENCE, September 2.
The Honourable General Affembiy of this State
stands adjourned to the second Monday in the pre
fect month, then to meet at Daft-Greenwich.