The New York packet, and the American advertiser — New York [N.Y.], 1776-02-08 00:00:00, page 2

prime judicature of the kingdom. The Gentle
loan ~Ulher of the Black Rod came repeatedly
with his alGHnts here to seize a citizen, but
notwithstanding the express afttrtian in his or
der, that he Should find it a Efficient warrant tor
the attachment of the body or a freeman, Mr.
Randall remained fafe in his own house under '
the protectiomot the laws and your phief magi
firatc. The officer of the House of Lords pre
ferred tin ignominious retreat to Weftmiafler, to
the certainty of his own commitment in the
city by a really J@icient warrant, which 1 would
hare issued, if he had persevered. He made re
port or -what be bad not done, and that disgrace
ful entry in the journals of the House of Leras
gives,us another demonftratioh, th^t in this free
country alLufurped authority must in the end
yield to law and the constitution, for Mr. Ran
(la'd hath ever since remained among us in per
fe& security, as unm defied from the illegal at
tacks of the Lords, as Mr. Miller has been from
the late limilar outrages of the Commons.
An attack of a different nature, geri tiemen,
has tincc been made by the minitters^on the
rights of the livery in common-hall, ^4 it
no iight of the fubjeH was to remain unvibpated.
They adviledihe King not to receive your peti
tions and remoeihimccs on the throne. That
important privilege you have, vindicated with
I)ih,wnl, if you persevere, a favourable mo
ment will certainly arrive to recover what 'ah
arbitrary administration have at present im
pended.
Wbilft with a jealous eye Dwatched over the
great franchises of the city, I held the Scales of
justice with a heady and equal band., ffhe ju
dicial duties of my office were filled With 'a drift
attendance, and my bell abilities called forth to
Support the dignity of the character, which your
fulfragcs bud bestowed upon me. Justice has
been rcgulady^nd impartially admimhred, and
I may boldly challenge, the mod envenomed and.
prejudiced, enemy.to support an accusation of
milcondua in my judicial capacity. { reflect
with the warmest gratitude orryour honourable
approbation of my services, by returning me
this year also to the Court of Aldermen.
From the pre-eminence, gentlemen, to which
your favour railed vie, I now return with plea
fare to my former date of one of your magi-.
Urates, and to mingle with the mafsof my fel
low-citizens. After so long a period of inces
sant labour and fatigue, it is ulual to have the
ensuing year As a time of repose and relaxation
from all public bufmefs add attendance^ d do
not mean to claim that indulgence, I will fol
low the example of my excellent friend, and
immediate predeedtor," Mr. Alderman Bull.
While God continues me health and strength, I
will be unwearied in ' your service, and readily
take my Gare in the public business of this great
city, frill following the line of my duty to you,'
r, nV & s ^ private eale, peape or Fife ty.
I Odd^ 28. A bill for preventing emigrations
to America will meet the early detention of Par
liament.
During our mefent conted with America, the
Lords or the Admiralty, we are informed, in
tend keeping two squadrons of Asps of war
cemricadv manned ; which are to keep fix
months prorimms on board ; one fquadr&i is
to lie at t'ivmouth Sound, and the othe: at Spit
head.
Nov. 2. It is notorious, and 'cannot be too
often repeated, that the men who here been,
and are frill, mod blood-thirsty and violent a-\
gainft America, arc the "Bedford, Party. They
Lave no principle. An excehive and insatiable
lull of office, for the emoluments, is their only'
python. To gratify this iud, though frequent
experience has convinced all sides it is impotable, •
they attached themfclves to Jenkinfoh, Bute,
and,Mansfield. Of this closet fadion is Martin
of North Carolina. America cannot, will not,
treat with the secret, confidential instrument of
these men. If pefee is really meant, tbefe men
mult be removed. Until that is done, neither
America nafEngland will believe the court lin
cere in any propositions they, may offer. An
hundred thousand court writers cannot deny or
explain away this truth. It is a contest upon
which the King alone muff decide. His mini
fiers have reduced him to this alternative; he
mull part with them, est his colonies.
This day the Lord Mayor eledLAldprmen,
Sheriffs, and city officers, went to the Lord
Chancellor's, in Great Ruffcl-drept, Bloom (bury,
when the Lord Mayor cleft was presented to
his Lordflrip for his approbation by Alderman
Croiby, who was the fepior Alderman there;
when the Lord Chancellor informed them, his
Majefly had been pic,del to approve of the
cboCe t'c. Li cry had made.
Nov. S. do the honour oCtheJhitifu nation,
there is still feme little degree of virtue eliding.
Th? unwearied endeavours of the Worthy bro
teftiny Lords, the spirit of the Freeholders of
Middlesex, and the almost general patriotic! of
the Livery of London, joined with the earned:
efforts of that pure society, the London Af'oci
ation, may yet, by their perfererance, in time,
open the eyes of their fellow fubjeSts, and work
a material change in the wretched situation of
our affairs..
No-render 10.
At the Court of St. James's, Nov. 10, 1775.
Present, the King's Most Excellent Majeity in
Council.
His.Majefty having been pleased to deliver
the cufody of the Privy Seal to the.Right Hon.
William Earl of Dartmouth, the oath of Keep
er of the Privy Seal was this day adminiftred to
him, and his Lordship took his feat at the Board
accordingly.
His Majefy having been pleased to appoint
the Right Hon. Thomas Vitcount Weymouth
to be one of his Majefly's Principal Secretaries
of State, his Lordship was, this day, by his
Mafefly's command, faorn one, of his Majesty's
principal Secretaries of State accordingly.
His Majedy having been pleated to appoint
the Right Hon. Lord George Germaine tube
one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State, his Lordlhip was, this day, by his Ma
jedy's command, iworn one of his Majeity's
principal Secretaries' of State accordingly.
The following is an authentic abflradt of the
armv estimates presented on Wednesday, by
Lord Barrington, to the House of Commons.
Resolved, That 20,7^2 men be employed
for the land service for the year 1776, anti that
'659,2001, as. io y-Bd. be allowed tor maintain
ing them for 365 days, from the 25th of Dec.-
1775, to the 25th of Dec. 1776.
Resolved, Thaf 723,432!. its. .7 j-qd be
go rued for maintaining the forces in the Plan
tations in Africa, for the year 1776.
That 11, go ;1. 7s. 3d. he granted for the pay
0! General and. Staff officers for the service of
the current year.
That 104,1361. 6s. be granted for levy mo
ney, for the augmentation of the Britiih and
Iriih forces for 1776.
That 15,0721.' 12s. be granted out of fir
ings of grants of last sessions tor the charge of °
an augmentation to the forces, and for levy
money for Major-Genetal Predion's regiment
of light dragoons, towards defraying the charge
of levy money tor the magmenta rion of the
BritiGand Iriih forces for the year 1776.
That 26,7831. 1 ss. 2 i-zd. be granted for
defraying the charge of five Hanoverian batta
lions of foot at Gibraltar and Minorca, from
the fribol September, 1775, to the 24th of Dec.
following.
That 46,8381. is. gd. be granted for defray
ing the charge of five Hanoverian battalions,
Giving as above, for the service of the year
G/6.
That 259,5561. ,Bs. 6d. be granted for the
office of ordnance, land service for the year
%7/6. And,
, That 223,171!. iis. iid. be granted for de
fraying the expence of services performed by the
office iot ordnance for land service, and not pro
vided for by Parliament in 17,5.
Friday last, a petition from Halifax, in
Yorkshire, ligned by 1848 persons, many of
whom are as refpe&able characters, a^any that
country can boatt, was presented to his Majefly,
by Sir George Saville.
A bill is to be brought into Parliament this
week for the purpose of empowering Governors
Pynn, Franklin, and the rest of the Governors
of the American Provinces to grant indemnities
for pad offences, and receive the fubmiffibn of
all such as are willing to submit to the ufarpa
tions of Great Britain.
Lord Rochford retires upon a petition of three
thousand pounds per annum. A pretty mo
derate slice off the national plumb'pudding of
Old England.
Seven regiments of fix hundred and fifty
men each, two bombs, and four frigates, are to
fail for Carolina on the firft of December, it
being determined to attack the southern provin
ces, while the American army is in the north.
It is said this expedition is undertaken at the
requeffof Governor Martin, of North-Carolina,
(brother to Target Mat tin, whofhot Mr. Wilkes)
who has profiled government great things,
great flipport and success, if they fend him a
proper force. Among other things, it is laid,
he has promised to raise two thousand men
lor the Service of the ministry in Carolina. If
he has so much interest and influence in the
province, why did he run away from it ?
Sir Jeffery Amherst's peerage is at present
suspended. The ministry are aiming by every
means, to' bring that General to take the com
-11 and in A ntrixi, but he will not do it, not
1 oni scruples ofconfcience, but frJm repeatedly
On Friday in the upper Assembly Governor
Penh, of Pennsylvania, was examined, and gave
very Gtisfadory answers to the questions put to
him; after Which he was ordered to withdraw;
when £ number, alter descanting on the neces
sity of an immediate conciliation, propofedthe
lad petition, from the Continental Congress to
theKing,as c bans for a plan of accommodation,
and moved, " That the said petition furniGed
grounds for the conciliation of the unhappy dif
ferences at present fubliding'betwcen Great-
Britain and America, and thatfome mode Gould
be immediately adopted for the effectuating f;
desirable a^purpofe.
It is said that the examination of the great
Quaker (Gov. Penn) has had a wonderful eifeff
upon the minds of the majority in a certain
house: many of whom were ebfeived to turn
pale at the account he gave how well the Ame
ricans were provided for a long and tedious war
with England; and when he declared how ca
pable they were ot making faltpetre, gunpowder,
&c. calling cannon and making final! arms ;
the whole ahembly became Quakers. It is be
lieved he will be equally fuccefsful in the Low
er House, when he is called to his examination
there, and convert at least the Bedford party
among the niiniftry; and if he cannot make
the King's friends, friends of Great-Britain
and her colonies, he will at leaf! vike them
Quakers.
The fit transports, that failed from the
Downs last Thursday, are put into Plymouth
by contrary winds, and we are well allured,
that the cattle on board die very sass, owing
to the different changes of weather.
One of the transports with the Hanoverian
troops on board is on (bore on the, Flemish
Banks, and from her situation it is thought fne
cannot be got off.
Last night General Gage, and some other
officers, Whose names are not mentioned, arri
ved in town from Boston. They bring ipoft
terrible accounts of the situation of pur army
there.'
declaring, and sincerely too, that the force to,
act; is not considerable enough to etket what is|
expected. Sir Jeffery is not let' into the bereti
of the intended demands to Parliament, beyondl
the twenty-five thousand already voted ; thel
rewards to be given him hereafter, will not,
it is laid, take placets! the whole arrangement
is fettled, and Sir Jeffery approves and ac
cepts.
The Ministry have been mod severely treat
ed, upon their imagining twenty-five rhoufaad
men Efficient for the reduction of America.
This they readily fQmit to, rather than open
the rest of their plan looner than it can be pol
fcfv helped. This is their usual spirit of keeping
Parliament as ignorant as possible of their de
ligns.; .and reducing their buiinefs to the nicer
matter of their votes.
Fraser's regiment of Highlanders is to have
one Colonel Commandant, two Lieutenant
Colonels, four Majors, and two thousand pri
vates. The several officers are to raise their,
own men.
An old master of a ship out of employ ob
serves, that the cuftorn-houfe quays are now
quite neat ^nd clean, no way incumbered with
paval stores, tobacco, oil, timber, pot-ash, pel
try, whalebone, rice, indigo, and other gross
materials troth Nortli-America,; nor are they
cumbered up, as they tiled to be, with number
less bales, trunks, calks, cases, and every other
fortofpackage of all kinds of English manufac
tures for that country; no, it is now quite other
wise ; the quays are 'now as neat and clean as
the parade, and the waiters and other officers
(having leisure time on their hands) stand ready,
and obligingly run to deliver you a penny poll
letter, call you an hackney coach, or any other
errand by which they have a profped of get
ting a penny or two.
James Harris, Esq; his Majesty's miniver at
the court of Berlin, arrived in London on Mon
day last. He had but four days notice to fet
tle his affairs and leave that kingdom ; the rea
lon is not yet known, but it is conjectured his
Prufhun Majefty' intends making some incurfi
cns into our German dominions.
Yesterday the Right Hon. John Sawbridge,
Lord Maydr of this city, went in the city barge,
accompanied by the late Lord Mayor, and the
different companies in their, barges, by water
to Wedminfter, where he was sworn in at the
Exchequer "bar, before the Curfitor Barons,
and then returned to Guildhall, where a very
sumptuous entertainment was provided.
The Duke of Gloucester is certainly dead ;
the news is not declared, that the ministry may
have time to fettle the disposal of his places.
Now. 17. Orders were Tuesday night lent to
Portfmctuth, for the Greyhound sloop of war,
now in dock, and fitting for America, to be got
' ready with all possible dispatch. It is reported
some persons are to go with ibis flip with pow
ers to propose terms of reconciliation, the event'
of which may be known time enough to prevent
the fending more forges in the spring.
Before General Gage left Boston, it was de
termined that the troops Gould winter there,
inffead of going to Halifax; in confequepcemf
which the provincial army had thatched their
tents (or hutted, as they term it) to guard against
the inclemency of the weather, by which mea
sure they intended to keep the king's troops
within their lines, and prevent their foraging in
the neighbouring country.
A letter from Lancalhire'mentions the great
damage done in these parts bv the late form.
" I have been (fays the writer) a fpe&ator of
dreadful bavock among the Gipping. Of fix
Gips returning from Chester fair, not one Leap
ed, and a vessel worth 40,0001. with f&eral
refpettable passengers on board, funk before
my eyes."
The Charming Sally, Wilson, a transport,
from London to Boston, is loft in the Goodwin
Sands, and all the people periihed.
Captain Nicholson, of the Juno,was in com
pany with the Annapolis, Captain Hanfick, on
the 13th infant, in Mount's Bay, both close to
the rocks, which Captain Nicholfhn cleared
with the greatest difficulty; and he supposes
that the Annapolis struck and went immediately
to pieces, as he saw nothing of, her afterwards.
He fays that there was no chance of any of the
people being saved, as it blew very hard from
the S. W. Captain Nicholson was obliged to
throw 100 hogsheads l of tobacco and a great
quantity of haves overboard.'l
A genuine Copy of a PROTEST, from which
the Public wilj learn the funtiments of the
greatest and most reflected names in this
country, on our present contest with Ame
rica. 0,
HOUSE of LORDS.
Die Jovis, O^obr:3 26, 177S'.
Diffe^tient,
i ft. BECAUSE we cannot, as Englishmen,
as Christians, or as men of common humanity,
'confect to the prosecution of a cruel civil ity,
so little supported by justice, and so very fatal
in its necessary consequences; as that which is
now waging against our brethren and fellow
fubje&s in America. We have beheld with sorrow
and indignation, session after session, and not
withstanding repeated warnings of the danger,
attempts made to deprive many millions ofßri
tifh fubjeds of their trade, their laws, theif can
flitution, their mutual intercourse, and of the
very food which God has given them for their
fubtiftance. We have beheld endeavours used to
enforce these impolitic severities at the point of
the bayonet. We have, on the other hand, be
held so large a part of the empire, united in one
common cause, really facrificing with chearful
nefs their lives and fortunes, and preferring al!
the horrors of war, raging in the very heart of /
their country, to ignominious case. We have
beheld this p irt of his Majesty's fibjfAf, fl^s
irritated to ^eiiitanccq and tho'&cea tul in it rd
making profcilions (m which we think it nuKlrr
wife nor decent to aheft a diLLier , of the u.-
moit loyalty to his Majetty, and unwearied w/lli
continued reputes,repratediy portion ing tor con
ciliation, upon such terms only as toad he &u
---lilleht with the dignity and welfare 0; the mo
ther country. When we conlider thc.e inh .1%
we cannotriuok upon our tchow fub,ec& in a
merica in any other light, than that or Freeman
,driven to rehGance by acts or opprefien anj vi
olence.
adly. Because this unnatural war, thus com
menced in oppression, and in the molt erroneous
policy, must, if persevered in, be hnadv ruinous
an its effects. The commerce of Grtm-I/mam
with America was great and including ; the
profits immense; the advantages, as a nuricry
of Teamen, and as an ihcxhautiible ^u gazine of
naval llorcs, infinite; and the continuance of
. that commerce, particularly in times 01 war,
1 when "mod wanted to fuppott our"'ets and ic
venues, not prec.rious, as all foreign trado most
be, but depending Iblely on ourfclves. Them
'valuable resources, which.enabled us to face the
united efforts of the house ofßourbora, are ac
tually loft to Great-Britain, and bi^rieiaGy
1011, unleft redeemed by immediate and cftclual
pacification.
jdly. Because Great-Britain, deprived of f?
valuable a part of us refourc^s, aty not animat
ed, Either with motives of felf-defcnce, or with
thole profpo&s of, advantage and glory, which
have hitherto supported this nation in ml its fo
reign wars, may poGbly iind itfelf unable to
fuppors the means of carrying on a civil war, at
such a vast diftande, in a country so peculiarly
circumfianced, and under the complicated di<h
culties, which necHfirily attend it. Still less
fnohld we be able to preserve by mere force,
that vast continent, and that growing multitude
of resolute Freemen, who inhabit it; even if
that, or any other Country was.worth governing
against the inclination of all its inhabitants. Eni
w fear, that while we are making these fruitless
efforts, refufing to give credit to the declarations
of our fellow fubjeds, and blindly confling in
the insidious proteffions of the natural energies
of this country, we are preparing an easy prey
for'thofe who prudently tit quiet, Ix:hcldi% dri
British forces, which, if united, might be in a
condition, tromtheir valour, numbers and dis
cipline, to carry terror into the very heart of
their kingdoms, defraying each other. Every
event, which ever way it turns, is a victory to
them. Our very hospitals furnifh them with
daily triumphs, the greater as they are certain
without any rifque to them of men or money.'
I^thly. Because we conceive the cal ¥ j j A
foreign forces to decide domestic quarrels, to
be a measure both disgraceful and dangerous ;
and thatthe advice which minilfcrs have dared
to give to his Majesty, which they have avowed
and carried into execution, of fending to the
garrisons of Gibraltar" and Port Mahon, the do
minions of the Crown of Great-Britain, a part
orhis eleHoral troops, without any previous
consent, recommendation or authority cfp2rli.fr
;ment, is unconflitmional. That Honovcr.au
I troops Gould at the meer ; leisure of the Mini
sters, be considered as a pan of the BritiE mili
tary eftablifliment, and take a rotation of garri
fen duties through these dominions, is, in prac
tice and precedent, of the highest danger to the
-fafety and liberties of this kingdom, and rends
wholly to invalidate tlx wife and faluthy decla
rations of the grand limb.mental law rlf our
glorious deliverer, King William, wh : ch has
bound together the rights of the fubjeds, and
the succession of the Crown.
gthly. Because the Ministers, who are to be
intruftd With the management of this war, have
proved themselves unequal to the talk, and in
every degree unworthy of public trust. Parlia
ment has.given them every advance they afted;
no unforeseen accidents have flood in their way;
no fforms have dilabled, or delayed their opera
tions; no foreign power hath, as yet, interfer
ed; but notwithlfanding these advantryes, bv
their ignorance, negligence, and want of con
duct, our arms have been disgraced ; upwards of
ten thousand of the flower of our army, with an
immense artillery,under four Generals of refuta
tion, and backed with a great.naval force, have
been mitembly blockaded in one sea port town,
and after repeated and obflinate battles, in which
filch numbers of our bravest men have fallen,
the Eritifh forces have not been able to pene
trate one mile into the country, which they
' Were dent to subdue; important fortreffes at^
seized, the Governors are driven from their pry
evinces, and it is doubtful, whether we are at this
moment in pofleffion of q tingle town in all
# North-America. Whether we confider its ex
tent or its commerce England, has loft halhis
empire in one c,m aign. Nor can we impute
the innconduct of Mmiffers to meet inability,
nor to their ignorance of the date of Amt rich,
upon which they attempt to juftify themfclves,
for w Me fame members of adinir.iftrati.pn con
fefs they were deceived, as to the strength and
condition of the provinces, we have from others
received official information, that the infuflici
ency of the navy was concealed from 'parlia
ment, and part ot administration, from a rear of
not receiving support, from its members : We
cannot therefore consent to an address, which
may deceive his Majesty, hud the public, into
a belief of the confidence of this house in the
present , Emitters, who have deceived parlia
ment, disgraced the nation, loft the colonies,
and involved us in a.civil war againfteur clear
ed interefls ; and upon the mod utijudifable
grounds, wantonly spilling the blood of thou
lands of our fellow fubjedte.
Torrington; Manchester,
Fitzwilliam, Devonfirire,
Archer, Chedwonh,