The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-06-10 00:00:00, page 2

We are told that the forces of your Majesty, both
by sea and land, have done all that was possible to ex-.
ped from the most perfect discipline, and the most
determined cv<-=g=9 —^^-^^hetei* the totaLxLl^^c^f
one part, and the ineffectual victories of the other,
have conspired almost equally to the destruction of
your power, and to the dismemberment of your
empirp
We Should negleft, in the most unpardonable man
ner, that which we owe to your Majesty, to ourselves,
and to our country, if we expressed not as we here do,
what we think of this terrible and decilive proof of the
frenzy that originally proceeded an enterprize, which
faithfully followed through all its progress, in each
measure relative to its execution proves, that by a
uniform mifcondud, all those evils have been com
pleated that absolute ignorance set on foot. We are
convinced that they are not the illusions propagated by
some interested and artful men, as their continuance,
like to every thing falfe, could not be lading : but that
it is the unanimous feritiment of every American who
rises invincible against all plans of coerfion civil and
military, such asbave been employed against them to
this hour. A people entirely united, are not a people
that can be subdued. If the force actually employed
for this conquest cannot effect it, it cannot be effected
by any.force that may be in Our power. The riches
of this country are considerable, and we Shall be dis
posed to use them most liberally, and with all our
hearts, if to support the honour and dignity of your
crown. But domestic peace, and domestic ceconomy,
are the only means of defraying the expence of a dis
tant war. By that which we now support our resour
ces are drained, whilst our rivals oeconomife theirs;
whilst each year that we continue the war, we make to
lean in their favour, the balance of our forces and
public riches.
We think ourselves obliged most refpeded Sove
reign, to express to your Majesty, the fears we expe
rience, when we confider the purport of your Majes
ty's most gracious Speech from the throne, and appre
hending more Strongly, as does all the world, by the
great preparations you are making, how critical our
Situation is, with the .neighbouring powers—we have
not the Satisfaction to learn by this speech, by any as
surance from the servants of your Majesty, or even
by any public report, if any alliance is formed,with
any of the powerful dates of Europe, that may serve
to protect us against the complicated dangers with
which this nation is, in a manner so manifeftiy threat
red—we have not even any reason to be certain, that
there isnot formed against us, an alliance of the most
dangerous nature. In this state of doubt, anxiety and
danger, we have recourse to the clemency and wisdom
of your Majesty, the tender father and watchful
guardian of his people, beseeching you gracefully to
adopt the proper measures for establishing internal
peace, and (as much as will permit, the unhappy
circumstances to which we arc reduced, by the de
Some detached islands of little conference, and on
the continent, a deserted town, where the combined
army of your Majesty is not in fafety, are all the fruits
that are produced by an expence exceeding twenty
millions.; ninety-three Ships of war, and sixty thou
sand of the belt soldiers that could be raised in our own
and foreign country, all employed in this lingular
service.
from one and another, the true nature of the affairs in
which we are engaged : there is no artifice that has
not been used to poison the minds of your fubjeds;
and we are persuaded that greater abilities have been
employed, in engaging in this war, than have been
discovered in order to conduct it to an honourable and
advantageous end, if, in such a war, any kind of con
duct could effectually procure honour or advantage.
They have used all possible industry to render sus
picious the declarations, and to make us despise the
refinance of our brothers, who English like us, gave
no room to doubt that they were endowed with that
sincerity and courage, that has ever diftinguilhed the
name and race : They have represented their in
clinations under falfe colours ; they have painted their
natural faculties as infinitely less than they really are ;
they have given us a falfe calculation of their refour
ges, they have insulted their opinions even to the last
moment, when despair has supplied what they failed
in force.—We have seen an entire army, the flower of
the British forces and of their allies, wafted by hunger
in the deserts of America, lay down their arms, and
their soldiers snatched from death by the very men
that the murder and rapine of Savages (unhappily em-
a p ed) made to quit the plough and become soldiers,
he very fame men who had been painted in colours
so contemptible ; that in our calamity we have had no
consolation.—We have seen another army, equally
brave, equally well commanded, pass two years in a
continual series of victories that have only served to
weaken them, without leffenihg the refitting force;
without obtaining any kind of fubmillion; without
being able to reduce to the obedience of your Majesty,
not even the smallest, not even the weakest of Thir
teen revolted Provinces. The union that reigns
among these Provinces ; their hatred, kindled by the
administration of your Majesty, have received a new
degree of force, by the injudicious means employed
to diffdive the one, and triumph over the other. We
Support fleets and armies, almqft equal in number,
and proportionally much more expensive, than all
these employed in the most glorious war that this
country has had to fuppqrt, against the united force
of monarchies, the most ancient and formidable of
Europe.
We have wished in vain to find such instances in
the ad 6 of the British government, for unhappily all
we have seen on this Subject is, the public declaration
of the Governor and General who was chosen to
commence this war, that the American officers and
soldiers Should be treated with equal indignity, and
all devoted, without distinction, to the most ignomi
nious fate, in terms too low for us to repeat. We
have never heard of this proceeding having been cen
sured by the government from which he derived his
authority. Neither has the invitation to the Indian
savages, at a public treaty, to drink the blood, and
feaft upon the body of those whom you called your
Subjects, been ever disavowed.
It is an universal complaint, that the practices of
those in authority under you, have been conformable
to the principles of these public acts.
Col. Parker, a gentleman of rank, was thrown in
to a common gaol in Boston, covered over with
wounds, where he periled unpitied, for want of the
common comforts which his Situation and humanity
required.
Col. Ethan Allen was dragged, in chains, from
Canada to England, from England to Ireland, from
Ireland to Carolina, and from thence to New-York ;
at a time when the officers taken from you, in the
fame expedition, were treated not only with lenity,
but every possible indulgence.
The barbarous treatment of Mr. Lovel, in Boston,
lias no parallel. Of the prisoners wade in Fort Walh
From toe London Evening Post of January 27.
The following is an authentic copy of the letter which
was sent to Lord North, by the Plenipotentiaries
—' "-, ,U^t G 4 Et.QtCg.of xvropr^r^o
To the Right Hon. LORD NORTH, Fir/l Lord of the
Treasury, Chancellor if the Exchequer, and Principal
Minister of the King f Great-Britain.
My Lord,
FROM motives of duty, and an earned desire of
mitigating the calamities of war, we proposed,
near a year Since, to the King of Great-Britain's Am
baflador here, an exchange of prisoners in Europe.
The answer we received must have been made known
to your Lord Ship, and the world will judge of its de
cency. It would have been honourable for that no
ble Lord, and happy for thousands, who have Since
fuffered unnecessarily, if he had considered that mo
deration is the mark of wisdom, and humanity an
ornament to the highest Ration. These are the Senti
ments at least which have governed the Congiefs
and people of the United States. They have wished
that this war, into which they entered with reluc
tance, might be distinguished by the humanity with
which it was conducted ; and that compassion might
heal the wounds that were inflicted. The records of
Congress, my Lord, are filled with proofs of tender
care and attention, not only to the wants, but to the
comfort and accommodation of their prisoners.
I Cannot think that the zeal of my fubjeds, the re
sources of my kingdoms, the bravery of my fleets
and armies have been unwisely and imprudently em
ployed, when the object of their efforts was to main
tain the constitutional Subordination that ought to
reign in the different parts of my dominions; and
which is so necessary to the prosperity of the whole.
I have always lamented the calamities inseparable
from war, and am ready to do all that depends on
me to forward the measures adopted by the legislative
body, in order to re-establish, by means of a happy
and honourable reconciliation, the treasures of peace,
commerce, affection and confidence, between the
mother country and the colonies.
ftruftive system hitherto followed) to reunite the Bri
tish nation by some happy, honourable and lading tie ;
fearing that the Americans driven to despair by the
rigours of a war, that we would continue to prosecute
against them, wean themfclves entirely from the mo
ther country, fearing that the lead spark of their af
fection tor us, be extinguished by habitual and reci
procal murders and rapine, fearing at last that in feme
fatal moment, the people who have hitherto formed
a considerable part of the force of Great-Britain, in
crease by an union in a formidable and lading manner,
the force of enemies, the mod constant power and
prosperity of your Majesty's kingdom.
We humbly, and with confidence hope, that your
Majesty will give all possible efficacy to the concessions
which have been proposed in parliament (we hope
they kray not have been made too late) and we rest
with so much assurance, upon the magnanimity of
your Maje Sty's loyal and generous intentions, that
'ye have not the smallest apprehensions, that his par
tiality for any class of men, will have the least influence
on his resolutions, when nothing less than the well
being and even existence of his people is called in
question. We implore and supplicate your Majesty,
with the most humble confidence to guard, that in
the councils and officers destined to the executive
power, not the smallest obstacle may appear, against
the immediate consummation of the great, happy and
necessary work of peace, to draw your affairs from
an administration of but little wisdom and little pru
dence, and to deserve to extend and confirm the re
viving confidence of all your people. In favour of
such measures, of such arrangements, and to such an
end, your citizens of London will never fail to give
your Majesty the most affectionate and the most con-■
ftant assistance.
The KIN G's Answer.
It is with the greatest regret we mention these
ciuelties. For tlie honour of humanity we hope they
will not be committed again. Your Lordihip mult
know, that it is in the power of those we have the
honour to represent, to make ample retaliation upon
the numerous prisoners of all ranks in their possessi
on; and we warn and beseech you not to render it
their indifpenfible duty. Upwards of five hundred
British seamen have been generously treated, set at
liberty by our cruizers in these seas, and sent at the
public expence to their country. We trust, you will
think yourselves bound to dismiss an equal number
of seamen, taken in the service of the United States.
We also delire, that a person appointed by us may
have permission to furnish the Subjects of the United
States, who are in your prisons, with the necessaries
they may want from time to time ; and that a ge-
neral cartel may be immediately fettled, by which the
unfortunate on both Sides may be relieved as soon as
possible from the miseries of imprisonment.
We must beg a speedy answer, that we may trans
mit, without delay, the determination of your Court
to opr Constituents. l
We have the honour to be, withthe highest refpeCQ
my Lord, your Lord Ship's most obedient, and most
humble servants, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE,
Commissioners Plenipotentiary from the Inde
pendent and United States of America.
Eaffi, near Paris, Dec. 12, 1777.
Ine answer received from government the 3d of
January, 1778, on the fubjeC tof the American pri
soners, is to the following effect:
" Hi^ Majesty's servants do not approve of the pro
posal of inspectors. They understand the establish
ment of the prisoners to be what is usual and proper
in such cases ; if there has been any neglect, they have
given Strict orders to have it rectified, and they will
always be ready to redress any complaints that Shall
be made. The prisoners Shall be permitted to re
ceive, under proper regulations, any charitable do
nations in their favour. Besides this, government
.^e aupoieg, jUULhive it in their intentions, as op-
America
against British prisoners there. If any complaints are
made through the hands of Mr. Hartley, or through
"yr'''". proper channel, they will be taken into
conndcration, according to the case, and redrefled."
' ° S T O N, May 21.
gINCE our last arrived in port a prize Ship letter of
^^ ° f ?° guns fr ° m Brift °b bound to the
° , ''"dies, with a valuable cargo ; She, in company
another letter of marque of 18 guns came across
me Oliver Cromwell, and Defence privateers, belong
ing ,to Connecticut, to which they both submitted
after a very obstinate engagement.
I he Address of the City of London, was brought
by Capt. Dorin, in 35 days from Rochfort.
Saturday last the Hazard, Capt. Sampson, arrived
here from Martinico ; on his passage thither he took
a Schooner and two brigs, one of which we hear ar
rived fafe there, the others were retaken. On his
return, he took a brig from France, bound directly
toLerd Howe, laden with wine, brandy, &c. which
he parted with about 20 days ago; also a Ship from
Biiftol for New-York, laden with fait, cordage, nails,
glass, &c. which is arrived fafe in port.
POUGHKEEPSIE, @ ir.
We hear from New-Windsor, that about ten days
ago, 500 Indian warriors, painted and well armed,
in alliance with the American States, accompanied
with Several officers of the Continental army, passed
through this place on their way to General Wash
ington's camp.
YORK-TOW N, May 3 0.
The Managers of the United States Lottery finish
ed the drawing of the firft class on Wednesday last,
and are now preparing the lift of prizes, which will
be published as loon as possible.
Extras of a letter from General WASHINGTON
to CONGRESS,
Head-barters, Halley Forge, Ma, 24, 1778.
" Or. the night of the 19th the enemy moved out
in force against the detachment under the Marquis
la Fayette, mentioned in my letter of the 18th,
which made a timely and handsome retreat, in great
order, over the Schuylkill, at Matfon's Ford. Our
loss was nine men in the whole—the enemy's sup
posed Something more. Their march was circuitous
and rapid, and I Should imagine that many of their
men fuffered from it. General Clinton, it is said,
commanded in person."
Publifoed by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secrc{arv
lugton, two thirds or them perished by the unexam<
pled cruelty and rigours of their captivity. Even in
England, the severities which the American prisoners
fuller, are, according to the testimony of esery one
we have seen, of the most grievous .kind. Stripes
have been inflicted on some, to make them commit
the deepest of all crimes, the fighting against the li
berties of their country. Numbers are now groan
ing in bondage in Africa and India, to which they
were compelled by menaces ot an immediate igno
minious death ; as contrary to every rule of war a
mong civilized nations, as' to every dictate of hu
manity.