The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-03-11 00:00:00, page 2

the men who endeavoured to embroil their country
in a French war at this crisis, could not be said to be
friends and well-withers to their country.
The nob'e Earl had said, he wished to fee the man
who dated to stand forward and tell his Majesty that
his affairs were in a hopeful condition. He could, he
declared, shew his forehead on that score ; and with
an unembarrafled countenance, tell him that his af
fairs were in a hopeful condition. News, he presumed,
would soon arrive from Sir William Howe, which
would not only effectually disprove the calamitous and
distressed relation given by the noble Earl as diferip-'
tive of the present situation of affairs, but would ope
rate to the fatisfa&ion of every member of that House,
and to the fatisfaftion of the whole nation.
lord Abingdon followed Lord Sandwich, and was
for a cessation of hostilities.
Lord Shelburne would not credit the accounts of the
'navy Rated by the Earl of Sandifich, and allied why
official papers were notlaid before the Houfein a pro
per parliairicritary manner. He attacked the Miiiiilry,
and took up an hour in arranging their measures, ana
f giving 'his reafohs 'for coinciding with the Earl of
'Chatham in support of the amendment.
Lord Suffolk replied to various parts of Lord Chat
ham'sfpecch, and gave his negative to the amendment
as impoliticly and ill-timed.
The Duke of Grafton complained of the mode of
' inanagirigthe debates ; he was exceedingly feyere on
Administration, on account of the whole of their
'conduct, and Supported the amendment.
' Lord Carnarvon followed the Duke of Grafton.
Lord Camden,too\ pains to shew that France had,
in the inoft open manner, countenanced and affixed
'the Americans. His Lordship returned to the old ar
gument updn the score of Great-Britain's expecting
unconditional submission, and the Americans having
no ' intention to declare themselves independent till
dur conduct reduced them to the necessity of making
'fuch a' declaration. His Lordihip ended his speech
with asserting, that "he had rather fee America inde
pendent, than America enslaved.”
Lord Weymouth attacked Lord Camden on the
change of his language from last sessions, respecting
the conduct of France.
The Bifoop of Peterborough, in a short speech, ar
raigned the conduct of Great-Britain,] lamented the
ill consequences already felt from the present ,var
havihgteeh carried on so long, prophesied that the
mifchief would increase in proportion to itscontinu
ance, and advised that this country should make the
firft overture towards an accommodation, as a proof
-that the had forgot her paflion and resentment.
The Duke of Richmond went over the old ground of
the origin ofthe war, recapitulated its various events,
and endeavoured to fliew, that tin.three years we had
Qnl, gained two towns, and that th&ableft arithme
tician could not poffrbly calculate the time when we
Should be able to conquer all American
Lord ' Effingham pointed out feme contradictions
which had fallen from 'the mouths of the Ministry and
the Lord's in office, in the course of the debate, and
tookpains to juftify the amendment, and.the advice
given by the noble Earl who proposed it.
Lord Suffolk rose agrin .to obviate- the objections
made against Government, for employing the Indians,
and Shewed, that if we had not embodied them to as
sist usin repulsing the' rebels, they would have 'got
them to attack us; that our motive was the great
and universal principle of felf-prefervation; and that
when an unnatural rebellion was begun, it fiirely was
not only justifiable, but ftriCtly politick, to exert every
instrument in quelling it, which God and nature had
put into our hands.
Lord Chatham rose in vehement warmth, and de
clared that he was exceedingly (hocked at what the
Secretary of State had avowed ; (hocked as a prefef
for of religion ; Locked as a Christian senator ; fhoc(-
ed as a Lord of Parliament ; andfhocked as a man of
humanity! His Lordlhip, with great Joudnefs of
tone, reprobated the idea of turning the savages loose
upon the Americans with their tomahawks and fcalp
ing'knives; he said it was setting a pack of hell
hounds to hunt them, and, in the literal sense ofthe
words, to eat them up, and that to use the ternis
God and nature, in defence and avowal of the cir
cumftfnce, was in his eye a most horrid and daring
preemption.
Lord Suffolk repelled this attack, and juftified the
expression.
The Lord Prefdent (Lord Gower) declared, that
Lord Chatham was Minister during the late war, when
the Indians'were employed by the English in the fame
manner as they now were.
Lord Chatham endeavoured to throw the blame on
the officers, and said that ho authority for so employ
ing them wasgiveh by Government, or sent from the
office to the commanders.
Lord Gower then charged the Earl with having had
the conduct ofthe war, Ind confeffing his ignorance of
the manner in whichit was conducted, iriftancing that
presents had been sent to the Indians, and treaties
made with them, which no officer, could have dared
to have made, without authority from Government.
Lord Amherf was called on to prove that, the Indi
ans were employed,—vvhich he acknowledged.
Lord Townshend also proved thatthey were, but said
they were chiefly as Kalmucks and Pandours..,
Lord Chatham again rose, and.put the belt face he
could on his assertion.
Lord Shelburne and the. Duke of Grafton Supported
him. The Duke said, letting 16ofe the Savages 'was as
bad as poisoning rivers, and yet the latter might be
deemed an instrument which God and nature had
put into our hands.
At length " The Question, The Question," being
called for from all parts of the House, it was put,
when the House divided, and the numbers were,
Non-Contents, 84
Proxies, 13
Contents, 24
Proxies, 0
So that Lord Chatham's motion was rejected on a
division 97 against 24.
Lord Perc, afterwards reported an Address to the
House, which was read and agreed to, and the Lords
with white (laves ordered to wait on his Majesty, to
know when he would plcafe to be attended therewith.
At the conclusion of the debate on the motion for
the Acldrefs, and after the division thereon, Lord
Winchelfea moved, after a short introductory speech,
for^f congratulatory Address to the Queen, on the
birth of a Princess ; which motion was (bounded by
Loid Powis.'
The House broke tip at half past ten o'clock.
To the Printer of the New-Jersey Gazette.
Str,^' ^ ',--..
HAVING been informed that a new bill is under
confidefation fora general limitation of prices,
I would, with all due deference, suggest a few hints
on the fubjeft. That trade can bed regulate it's own
prices, is a maxim so uuiverfally fubferibedfo, that
the wrfeft legislators have Seldom ventured to inter
fere with or cphtroul it in this refpeCt. Extitfordi
nary conjunctures may, however, happen in which
the interference of the legislature .may be proper:
But whenever such a conjuncture does happen, it is
an infallible Symptom that there is some. radical dis
order in the police ,of the State, or that it js'yiblent
ly acted upon by external circumstances., The dis
ease, whether arising from one or the other, or a
complication of both of these, may have nearly the
fame appearances and effects, but may require yery
different remedies. We Ihould therefore, with great
care and attention, enquire. into the causes and feat
of the disease, in order to know and apply the pro
per remedy. The limitation of prices by law, may
be likened to an outward application in a'fever; it is
a temporary expedient that may give some check to
the disorder, till the more (lowly-operating internal
applications can have their proper effect. At the
fame time it is an expedient fraught with so many
dangers, that few fituatipns will juftify the use of it ;
and when it is used, it (hould be so tempered and
modified that every order or clais of men in the com
munity may partake of the advantages and disadvan
tages arising from it aS equally as,poffible. What
ever differences arc made, —and it is impossible to
avoid making some be in favour of the pro
duction of such articles as are of absolute neceflity,
filch ' as provifibns, eloathing, iron, &c. and against
those of mere conveniency and luxury, such as rum,
lufar, tea, fpiecs, &c. And in order to find out how
to proportion.the limitations duly, it may be neces
sary to have rccourfe to ' calculation.
By the law lately palled for regulating prices, the
legislature seem to have aimed at fixing moft,of the
articles of internal produce at double the former
prices. This may perhaps be a proper ftandard.for
some articles ; but when the matter is fairly consider
ed, it will be found that the fame reasons which re
quire the prices of some things to be doubled, will
call for a finaller advance oh some others, and on
others again a much greater: Ofthe latter kind are
such articles as derive their value chiefly from labour,
and require the use of some commodity cither im
ported from abroad, or which ? 'from it's scarcity,
cannot be obtained but at a very high price. To
explain my meaning I fliall subjoin a few calculations.
I. As to farmers. Let us suppose a farm, the an
nual produce of which for sale, exclusive of what
was necessary for the consumption of such parts of
the family as do not labour, would fell in former
times for - - - £. 300 0 0
It is said to be a large allowance, to ad
mit that one half of this value is paid for
labour, fuppoling the whole to be done on
hire, 150 0 0
Annual profit remaining, - - 150 0 0
Supposing the price of labour to be doubled, the
labour on the fame farm will be worth 300 0 0
The consumption of the family will be
the fame, and allow the fame annual pro
fit as formerly, - - . _ 150 0 0
The extraordinary price of salt may be 15 0 0
Allow, moreover, the use of as much rum,
tea, sugar, and other luxuries as will cost,
extra,' - - - _ 35 0 0
500 0 0
The farmer ought therefore to have for his pro
duce on an average now, §f. for what he would for
merly have fold for 3/: or 1/8 now for if formerly,
11. As to labourers., Let us suppose a
labourer, finding his own provisions and
eloathing, formerly earned per annum, 45 0 0
That his provisions cost him 20 0 0
And his eloathing 10 0 0
Profit towards the maintenance of
a family, - - - , 15 0 0
• • 45 0 0
Provisions at double price will be 40 0 o
Cloathing willcoftat least three times the
old price - - _ woo
His . profit for the use of his family ought
to be 'at lead doubled as they muftpur^hafe ' •
all they conlumc, - - - - 30 0 •
r , ; ', , ;
ICO 0 0
r"' ^ cs therefore ought to be increased to its
for every 4,6 he would formerly have received; or
i/^ now for gd. formerly.
The fame proportion will be requisite for mechan
nicks, handicraftmen, lawyers, clerks, &c. so far as
their fevei-a! productions derive their value from la
bour ; .mating the proper addition or dedu&ion for
what the prices of their refpedtive materials may
exceed or fall short of that proportion.
It will be obfcryed that I have Bated the price of
labour at double the former prices to the farmer,
though I have .ihewn ft must cost more to others ;
and that I have,'fQted)provifions. at double to
kibouieis, &c..though I have said the- farmer
ought to -fell them at.a lower rate. A little reflecti
on ,vill juftify these diversities. As to the firft, the
farmer having the .advantage of feeding; and, in a
^'''t measure, clothing and paying his labourers fr@m
liis own produce without purchase, (to fay nothing
of the advantage he may.derive from the labour of
his children and servants) can always procure labour
at a much cheaper .rate than a peffon of any other
class. And as to the fecond,—Suppofe the prices of
the common articles of provisions th'ould' be fixed at
the rate of ts now, for 3/: formerly; as abpve stated,
it We make but a small allowance for the extraqrdi-.
liary prices of salt ? sugar, tea, rum, &c.—and some
of theft they mult and will use as well as their heigh
boui:, -we Ihall find the average price of provisions
to labourers, mechanicks, &c. will not be less than
doubled. I have heard it remarked that a great ma
jority of the membeiwof the legiflatUie being-farm
ers, their limitations are calculated greatly in favour
of that class pt men. If there is arty truth in the re
mark, I am persuaded it mull arise from their want
of proper information, as I cannot suppose they
would deiignedly oppress others for their own emo
lument. As faithful reprefentativc's of the people, I
should suppose they would be particularly watchful
that no just ground should be given for a suspicion
of this kind.
HI. As to the importation of goods from Europe.
Some of this business is yet necessary, and therefore
good policy requires that we fhotild encourage it.
A perfen acquainted with trade has fiirnifhed me
with the following estimate on that head:
Suppose goods purchased in Europe to the amount
of, firft cost, - . . 1000.0
' rc: dht and dipping charges, fay - • 10 oo
Premium at 50 per cent, and insurance
made so as to be made whole in case of
loss, there must be 2201. insured, which
will ecit, - - - lio 0 0
Sterling 220 0 0
Exchange 300 per cent. .- - 66000
The goods delivered here will cost the
importer - - 880 0 0
Allow as a profit to encourage trade 15
.per cent. •• - - 132 0 0
£. 10.12 0 .0
They must therefore be fold at the rate of more
than iof. here for every if sterling of the prime cost
in Europe; and if the goods are coarse and bulky,
the freight alone will be worth more than 10 per
cent, on the firft cost.
IV. As to iron and steel: I know so little of the
expeuces and difficulties attending the production of
these articles, that I am not pollened of fufficieut
data to make a proper estimate. But they are already
become scarce, notwithstanding the high prices they
have borne for some time past ; and I conceive them
to be so absolutely necelfary, as well for the use of
the army as for the purposes of hufbandr^ and other
domeftick business, that I wish to fee this branch of
business so far encouraged as to ensure a competent
supply. I would therefore, if I may be permitted
without being charged with prefiimption, recom
mend it to the legiilature, before they fix a limita
tion to the prices of these articles, to consult with
some honest men (killed in the production of them, —
and surely some such may be found notvithftahding
the hint in a late publication,—and if they ihould
think proper to fix any limitation at all, to make it
such as will not defeat its own purpofc.
RATIONALIS.
FIS H-KI L L, February 19.
We have undoubted intelligence, that there are
lately arrived in Martinico and Guadeloupe, 22,628
French troops; part of them failed the 6th of Oc
tober from Bourdeaux, and part of them the 9th
October from St. Maloes. They arrived at Marti
nico the ud and 27th November. 11,836 of the
above-mentioned troops failed from Martinico the
id December for St. Domingo. They expected
every day a third division of troops from Brest. We
also learn, that the coast of France, from Dunkirk
to L'Orient, was lined with 60,00 c troops.
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman erf Old Milford,
to his friend in this place, dated Feb. 11, 1778.
'' Last Friday night fix of the enemy's vessels were
drove ashore on Long-Island by the snow-storm, viz.