The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1778-08-10 00:00:00, page 4

ON Thurflay the commons read a second time
and corpmitted the bill, to remove certain diffi
culties relating to voters voting at elections.
Col. B ore moved for an adjournment till Tues
day nex:: Mr. Tenlple Luttrell opposed him, as he
wished to bring on some business relative to the navy
01 Monday. However, on a division, the motion
was carried 71 to 42.
A motion was then made by Mr. Hartley to the
following purport : " That an humble address be
Iprefented to his Majesty, requeuing that he will be
gracioudy plea'fed to give orders that the parliament
be not prorogued, but that they be kept fitting, that
they may lend their affidance if the occasions of the
nation should require it." Mr. Hartley's firft argu
ment in defence of the motion, was deduced tom
tl e danger that might arile to the nation in confi ling
their affairs solely to ministers, of whose abilities aad
a tention they had had such melancholy proofs. This
mod material circumstance, however, which he had
to urge in behalf of his motion arose from the ne
cessity of parliament being in readiness to compleat
the negociations now pending by their commissioners
in America. Whatever might be concluded upon
would require the ultimate ratification of parliament,
and their convention on that account appeared to him
indifenfibly necessary. Mr. Hartley now made a
transition to the affairs of General Burgoyne. He
said that General had been cruelly tiered in his ab
sence; no direct imputations hadindeed been charged
againfthim, but mmy very intelligible insinuations
had been hinted to his disadvantage. He thought this
also an additional argument for the question, that
the case <f a ref;>e&abie member, whofechara&er re
mained undecided th mid be taken into consideration,
and he, in consequence receive justice from his coun
try. General Burgoyne followed him--*he said, it
was a very difrgreeable theme, to speak on the fub
je& of himfelf. Whenever America, however, in
general, or his own condn& there in particular, be
came the fubje& of the debate, he could n>t resist
the strong impulse which he felt, to throw out some
sentiments upon it. He Aid, he had indeed been
cruelly used. The orders he had received in the un-,
fortunate expedition he conduced were precise and
positive ; he had often sent letters to a part of the
ministry, explaining his opinions and the motives by
which he would have been influenced. These were
detained from parliament. All of them that had ever
been expos d were partial extracts, containing nothing
lending to his exculpation. He wished to be tied;
justice was all he wanted; he came in hopes of it.
Among the arguments, tie laid, which the honoura
ble member had produced in defence of hs motion,
he had omitted on p in ids opinion very material. The
spirit of the kingdom was fir k to the lowed degree
of dej.eaion and depression: dTpondency prevailed
every where If there was one circumitance that
could operate for the removal of this, it would con
lift in keeping parliament fitting; the people would
have hope from their deliberations and wisdom. This
appeared to him fa irrefutable an argument, that it
was his opinion that perlons who should oppose this
measure, would constitute an opposition of the wot ft
knd, fr they would be oppofers ts the national
honour, of the national fpuir, and of the national
virtue. He looked upon himfelf as a pe-fecuted
man, but ne humbly hoped that ministerial machina
tions would not be able to affeft his reputation ;
mote ftiongly so, that they would not ft.& him with
his constituents, and was fore they would never era
dicate the confeioufnefs of his having performed his
duty.
Mr. Rigby replied with great warmth.---He said
the hon. gentleman had devoted every man who
Should dare to hold a d fferent opinion from his, to
the molt abje& predicament possible. Because he was
not willing in the present inita c to resign his own
opinion to that of the hon gentleman, he was there
fore to be called an opposer of vi tue, an opposer of
every thing valuable to his country :---This was a
bold, and a novel method of reasoning. The only
argument that hal been produced in support of the
motion, which carried with it any degree of validity,
confided in what had been ftiggeftrd by the hon.
member who proposed it, namely, m the confideia
tion of the news that might be expected from the
commissioners :---but the effi& of this was entirely
Subverted by this circumstance, that the King pos
sessed a power iu any extraordinary emergency, of
convening the parliament within fourteen days. This
was a much better expedient, for, if the pa liiment
did not prorogue, it would indeed be necessary that
the speaker, preceded by his two cleiks, should
make their solemn and solitary entry into that house,
but other gentlemen would go about their pleafuies
2nd t ! /ii business ;if they did prorogue, all the ad
vantages of continuing fitting might be erj>yed by
the exercise of that toyal privilege, without infring
ing an ancient custom. The hon. gentleman had
said, he wished to be tried ; he could not be tiled ;
he had come over on his parole of honour ; he was a
prisoner, and in such a filiation his condod, so far
from being cognizable by ptyliament, before whom
filth an enquiry did not property come, was not even
capable of receiving the d cifion of a court-martial.
When such a trial is possible, he would be the firft to
move for it; he would even move for an ad kefs to
Iris Majeftv fir that purpose, but in the present cir
cuodfance it was needless to wish for what could not
p^ffibly be carried into execution.
Mr. T. Tqwnfhend reprehended the severity fliewn
by the preceding f/eaker to the general; said he was
averse to any kind of examination of private cha
ra&ers til the proper period; the member accused
hd certainly a&ed valiantly, though he had not been
fuccefsfol, and the circumstances of his misfortune
gave him the greatest p'retenficns to lenity.
The solicitor general spoke next. He said he could
not confider the present motion in any other light, but
in that in which a motion for candles is usually held ;
ramelv, the means of introducing other collateral
matter, which the mover did not care to make the
fiihje& of adiftind qu ftion. If the present motion
was carried, it would defeat the end of the mover;
furif the house, finding they had no business on their
hands, should adjourn for fix weeks, as this was an
aft of their own, they could not assemble within
that time, however intervening circumstances might
require; whereas, if they were prorogued, his Ma
jesty, in consequence of the power he possesses, could
convene them always in 14 days; moreover, if they
were not prorogued, they could not make any alterati
ons or ataendment* in any thing they had done during
the cotirfe of this session, as it was an invariable rule,
that the tranATions of one session could not be cor
re&ed during the fame session. The learned mem
ber now begged leave to indurate a doubt which had
hung upon his mind, and which he would not have
mentioned, if he had not been confeious that the
hon. general, to whom it was addressed, would be as
much convinced as himfelf of the propriety of car
rying it into execution, The hen. general, he said,
£n Account of the important PROCEEDINGS
on Thursday the 23th of May, in the HOUSE
of COMMONS.
had come over to England on his parole of honour;
he received therefore a certain permission from persons
^ffuming the right, and having the right, if the
congress declared the terms pf the convention invalid,
to enforce certain restraints on his liberty, he Was in
effj& a prisoner of war, and was therefore, properly
speaking, no fubje& of England'; he could exercise
none of the lesser offices of the state---as for example,
he could not be fheriff ;---nor could he, though very
able, and no doubt, very willing to fight for his
country, even do that ;---he belonged to another
people---he was their property, they might recall
him when they chose.---Is he was incapacitated from
the unfortunate situation in which he flood from ex
ercising any of these privileges, he could not help
entertaining a doubt that the fame incapacity extend
ed for the present to his pailiamentary feat. Mr.
solicitor-general was now called to order by Mess.
Townsend and Mr. Fox, who said no one member
had a right to fix such an accusation on another,
otherwise than by the mode of a regular accusation,
introduced by a motion. The speaker however said,
that one man had a right to exprels his doubts, and
as the hon. member had done no more, he thought
him perfeaiy excuftble, and desired him therefore to
proceed. Mr. solicitor-general then went on, and
maintained his opinion by several applicable exam
ples ; among the mod illustrious of which was that
of the celebrated ancient patriot Regulus. He said
there could be no doctrine plainer than this, that a
person being under the power of another could have
no tight to do any thing beyond what was permitted
him by this superior. The hon. gentleman Handing
precisely in that predicament, it was his opinion, that
as he could enjoy no delegated authority fiom the
congref§ of America to aft as an English senator,
that therefore he and the house woul^l coincide in the
justice of suspending his attendance there for the pre
sent, a circumstance of which there had been several
examples.
Gen. Burgoyne replied, that the learned member's
apprehensions were grounded on a total mistake of
falls. In the firft place, he was not a prisoner of war,
for the congress had never declared that the terms
of the Saratoga convention were invalid, they had'
only expressed their feais that they would be declared
so in England ; entertaining that doubt, they re
quired him to engage himfelf to return, but it was
only in the fuppofirion of this country's refuting to
ratify the treaty. He therefore had a right to the
terms of that agreement, and was of consequence as
free a man as any in the King's dominions,---as fit
for any office, and particularly as fr for any milita
ry office, where America was not concerned. But
besides this, he had told some of the members of the
congress, whom he solicited permission to come to
England for his own jollification, that he would
rather (by and die there, than to return to Englar d
under any other restraints, but what that treaty na
turally empowered ; they had imposed no extraordi
nary restraints. He was therefore in every iefpe&,
as if the convention had been rigidly aduertd to.
This doubt that the hon. gentleman had suggested,
was a strong argument for the question, as it proved
the unavoidable justice---the neuffity of fitting till
his conduit had undergone a minute examination.
Sir H. Houghton now moved, that the business of
the day should be suspended, till the difficulty should
be fettled, which the solicitor-general had suggested.
The speaker, however, interposed again, and said,
that it was now no longer a matter of d üb', for the
honouiable and learned member argued upon the
supposition, that the hon. gentleman had not received
so extensive a permission, as he, Handing in his place,
had affirmed he p< ff.ffed. As this affcrtion could
not be disputed, there could not remain a doubt, but
that the honourable gentleman's right to his feat was
perfeaiy valid.
Mr. Fox infilled on the necessity of keeping parlia
ment fitting at the present junaure, when there was e
very reason to apprehend an invasion ; when American
xaffirs requited their piefence, as well as the voting
supplies for contingent armaments. It was not a
moment to want their advice and affiltance, and he
lamented that they were not fitting when the fatal
treaty had been signed between France and America.
The timely efforts of parliament might then have
awed France by a Mediterranean fleer, and saved
America from that desperate Hep of throwing herlelf
into the aims of the Fierich. He then went deeply
into the conduct of the war with our colonies, and
the treatment received by our commanders from ad
ministration.
Loid North got up, and gave the preference to a
prorogation over an adjournment, for this reason;
that if the house should adjourn for fix weeks, it
could not resume its fitting till that period should
have elapsed, let the business that required their at
tendance be never so important. He wished to ex
culpate himfelf from the charge brought against him
of being a persecutor. If the honourable officer,
than whom his k>rdfh p declared he did not know
one more gallant, more brave, more fkiiful, or more
amiable, had not been admitted into the piefence of
his sovereign, it was not a peculiar hardship upon
him ; it was a misfortune which he fuff red in com
mon with all other officers whose condu& required a
fe utiny. If to have received the most diftiriguifhed
honours; if to have been raised to the highest ranks
in military command; if to have been diltinguifhed
in preference to senior officers, for conducting a great
and important expedition, might be called persecu
tion, the honouiable officer was, indeed the most
perf-cuted man of his profeffion; and he did not
wonder that having found such persecution so vei y
sweet, he had a very great longing for a continuation
cf it. As to the officers who had served in Ameri
ca, he saw no ground f>r their diffa:isfa&ion ; every
thing that had been prom ; fed them had been perform
ed ; ministers sure could do no more. No:withftand
in the many assertions thrown out that minifteis had
employed persons to abuse their officers abroad, he
would call upon the memory of the house to do
them the justice to fay, that upon all occasions they
had flood between the characters of their command
ers and those who wished to injure them. Hs noble
colleague in office had, and he appealed to the house
for the tru r h of what he was about to advance ; his
noble colleague had flood forth on the ni lit that the
house was informed of Gen. Burgoyne's disaster, and
declared that if there was any blame to be found,
he would not wish to screen himfelf from censure;
his orders he would avow; if the measure was
wrong, he wished it might be condemned, but he en
treated gentlemen to spare the general, for he was
sure he would be found to have done his duty. The
gallantry, the profeffional merit, and above all, the
misfortune of the brave general, had always locked
up the tongue of censure; and made him appear
rather more venerable than before. When ministers
were at length called upon, repeatedly called to do it,
but he himfelf had at the time begged the house to
bear witness for him hereafter, that he went into the
enquiry with regret, and that he had been far from
being a&ive in bringing it forward. As for the loss
of America, he would aflert, that if the Americans
had been as desirous of peace as he had been when
he lent out the firft om^iffi^m, the eonteft would
have been long fettled. If administration had been
so desirous for peace, as to facrafice every consider
ation for which they had so long contended, finely
gentlemen would not imagine that they would be
backward in calling the parliament, if a prosy ft of
peace, such as should require their interposition,
should be held out to them by the returns from their
commissioners.
Mr. Burke got up after Lord North, and spoke
for near an hour. He told the Solicitor-general that
his quotations from ancierft Authors weremot in point;
and that no comparison ought to be drawn from the
modes of carrying on wars twenty centuries ago to
those pr^aifed in these days. Formerly, if the learn
ed gentleman had been a loldier, and taken prisoner
in war, he would have been fold in the public mar
ket-place, like a beast. No such custom prevailed in
these days.
Mr. Charles Turner argued for the neceffiry of
keeping the parliament aflfembled ; for he was Tarif
fed that transports had been contrail d for at Dun
kirk for 20,000 men ; marshal Broglio was on the
coast ;an invasion therefore m : ght happen ; and that
if it did, and a panic should seize the metropolis,
the people would run to the houses of the ministers
who had plunged them into distress, and tear them
to pieces.
Several members, who are known by the people to
be truly independent, and ttuly patriotic, who from
that circumitance would naturally have a weight witli
the people, would, if they were to be in town to
attend parliament, go forth to meet the people, and
at the hazard of their own lives preserve those of the
ministers. He did not depend much upon the mi
litia, as that body was competed of men so very op
polite to each other ; the very highift, and the very
lowed in the nation.
General Burgoyne acknowledged the favours which
he was modest enough to fay he had received without
deferring them. During the administration of the
late Lord Chatham, he had been promoted by the
late King ; and he received additional promotions in
the present reign, some at the felicitation of the late
King of Portugal : but though for 33 \ears he had
balked in the funlhine of court favour, surely he
might be permitted to complain, 'f in the 34th year
of his military services, he found himfelf perfecu+ed,
and banished from the presence of his sovereign ; a
punishment the more intoler ble to him, as he had
received so many favours from him.
M r . Hartley just said a few words ; and then the
house divided on the motion, againlt it 105, for it
51, majority 52. The house adjourned to Tuelday.
JUST OPENING,
And to be fold on the most moderate terms, by
MILLER and ASBRIDGE,
At No. 73, Queen-Street,
Between Peck's Slip and Cherry-street,
AN assortment of goods suiting
the season, also an assortment of canvas, faddlery,
mens and womens shoes, hats, great coats, foldicis fhtrts,
a quantity of London made mahogany can^ Bools,
trunks, &c.
Good PASTURING
FGR horses at Gre nwich, near New-York. En
quire of Prter ' IT dv, on the premies.
WANTE D,
A SOBER, honest, and discreet Person, to serve in
thecapacity of a Steward to one of the command
ers of his Majesty's fhip=. — Such a one properly recom
mended. by applying to the Printer, or at No. I, Mill
ftreet, will meet with every encouragement.
For S AL E,
THE brig LAURENCE, n°w laying at the com
miffary's-wharff, betwixt Burling and Beekman's
flip, burthen one hundred and twenty tons, betwixtthree
and four years old, has been lately Cheated, ard is well
fou^d : For terms apply to Thomas Place, at Mr. Stew
art's, in Water-street, opposite Burling flip, or to the
master on board fa ; d bi,.
WANTE D,
A Servant to wait on a gentleman, a finale man, that
that is well qualified, and can procure recommen
dation for hunefty. fobriety,and diligence, may hear of a
grod place by enquiring of Hugh Gaine.^
J O SEPHT()-LLIN s;
TArL O R,
TAKES this method to acquaint the gen
tlemen of the Navy and Army, that he
lately moved to No 22. Fly-Market, where he
carries on his trade in all its branches, in the
most fafhionable and speedy manner.
N. B. Good encouragement will be given
to Journeymen.
Just imported in the brig William, from Liverpool, and
to be fld by,
WILLIAM KENYON,
At No. 180, Queen-street opposite Beekman's flip, the
following articles, by the package, viz.
SHIP bread, rose butter, cheese, tingle refined sugar,
4d. 6d Bd. icd, nails, mens felt hats, baize fringe
of various colours, men's and women's thread stockings,
fhalloons, printed Jenne's, corderoy, drawboys, German
cord, penniftons, rose blankets, broad and narrow cloths
of different colours, ironmongery, and a few chaldron of
rm>l ,
TAKEN up a few nights since, a
barrel contai in. .f m h ing very weighty, the
contents unknown. Whoever it may belong to, may have
it ^gain by applying to J ?h 1 Noblet, opposite the New
Brick meeting, proving their property, and paying char
ges.
Miffed several weeks ago,
A Remarkable small sized gold REPEATING
WAT CH, maker's name Berthoud a Pa
ris. Whoever b ings it to the printer of this paper, or
to Thomas Gordon, watch-maker, in Hanover Square,
shall receive Ten Pounds reward, and no questions asked.
If the above wetch has been fold, the price given by the
puch ler shall b- made good to him
ONE GUINEA Reward.
LOST last Saturday night between Smith-ftroet and
the Albany Pier, an old ted morocco pocket book,
with a silver clasp, containing (hip and other papers, of
no value to any but the owner. Any one that hasfound
it, and will bring it to the printer hereof, shall receive
th? above t ward, and no questions asked.
To be SOLD by
WINTHROP and KEMBLE,
No. 11, Water-Street,
JAMAICA spirits,
St Ki;t«rurn,
Mufeovado sugar in hhds.
tierces and barrels,
Madeira wtte in pipes,
Nails,
orks,
ailad oil,
I Teasin boxes,
ufhong J
• GEORGE WEBSTER,
GROCE R,
At the Sign of the TEA-CA NISTER,
In Water Street, No. 1077,
A few doors to the Eaftwud al Mr. Richard Saufe's,
Cutler,
Has for SALE the following Articles:
FINE hyfon tea in 3 ant
6 pound canisters,
Br=akfaft tea in ditto,
Excellent double refined fu
gar pack'd up in calk
containing fiom 100 to
150 wt.
Single refined in calks, pu
up in the fame manner,
Brown sugar of an excellent
quality,
Raisins of the fun in fma
kegs,
Black pepper whole and
ground,
Coffee and chocolate,
Starch,
Powder and fig blue,
Cinnamon and mace,
Cloves and nutmegs,
Caftiie soap,
To be fold cheap, for CAS H, or bills of
exchange, by
GILMOUR and WALSH,
No. 34, Wall-Street,
Or No. 853, H anover-Square,
The following assortment of goods, by the bort,
bale, or package, viz.
SUPERFINE and second
scarlet, htff,green,white
dark blue; and a variety of
the most faffiionablq co
loured broad cloths,
Narrow cloths,
Manebefter fluffs with
trimmings,
Dark brown, claretand olive
coloured hunters cloths,
White and scarlet flannels,
Bearskins, duffles,
Beaver coating,
Coarse broad cloths,
White plaiding,
Duffie blanketing,
Rose ditto, coverlids,
A variety of womens fluff,
Womens quil ed tammy,
durant, and callima.coe
petticoats,
Perfitns and marfeilles do.
Calamancoes,
Mens plain and ribb'd white
silk ft ckings,
Ditto colon ed ditto,
Mens fine and coarse thread
ditto,
Mens and womens fine and
coaift worsted ditto,
Military stockings,
Black and buff breeches bat
terns with trimmings,
Womens (hoes, fhalloons,
Gilt and star gimp buttons,
London twist,
Sewing fi.ks,
Colour'd ozenbrig and nuns
thread,
Mens fine fafhionable hats,
Dto felt ditto,
Youths ditto ditto,
Mens coarse and fine leather
Ihors,
Womens leather and calli
mancoe ditto,
Boys and frh ditto,
And four three pound
0 Many of the above articles are put up in
small packages fit for the gentlemen of the navy and
army.
Madeira, Tenerife, Lifb?n, and ffierry WINES
by the calk or dozen, pack'd up in calks not exceed
ing three dozen ; sweet MALAGA WINE by the
dozen or fi gle bottle ; Marshall's and Ram
say's best RED PORT, in. calks containing 6
dozen ; Shone's LONDON PORTER, in small
calks containing four dozen, light and handy for
carriage; Cunningham's SCOTCH ALE, by
the calk or dozen, so much approved of for its par
ticular quality ; best FRENCH BRANDY in ten
gallon kegs ; OLD SPIRITS in ditto, WEST
INDIA RUM in ditto.
N. B. zoo pair of excellent WOOL CARDS,
to be disposed at the moderate price of 3s. per pair,
amongst which ate a few hatters cards.— Also, a few
neat FUSEES, at One Guinea each.
Cases of London Pickles,
Containing three quart and four pint bottle,
of French or Spanijh Olives.
I Bottle of anchovies,
I Ditto of wallnuts,
I Ditto of French beans,
I Ditto of mangoes,
I Ditto of gurkins,
I Ditto of caper<,
^1 For GLASGO W,
(With the firfi Convoy)
The BRIGANTINE
& William,
HUGH WALKER, Master,
(Nov) lying at Cruger's Wharff)
FOR freight or passage, apply to the Master on
board, or to Proudfoot and Bryden, at
their (tore oppolite Mr. Hugh Gaine's ; where they
have for sale, an assortment cf DRY GOODS,
suitable for the season : Also, a few puncheons of
SHRUB, and a small quantity of best hard SOAP,
in boxes.
To be SOLD, by
W. BACKHOUSE, and Co.
78 hogsheads flout Virginia TOBACCO,
4.1 hogsheads of fine bright Maryland, do.
At private Sale, also,
The Brigantine DIANNA,
About 80 TONS burthen, now laying al
Cruger's-whaiff.
All compleat and fit for SE A.
Liquors.
I Ditto or onions,
I Ditto of fallad oil,
I Ditto of white wine sfo
negar,
I Ditto of f:dia soy,
I Ditto o' ketchup.
Best London rn.de soap by
the box, wash hand balls,
Pomatum and hair powder,
Black ball aad Shoe brushes,
Stoughton's bitte s,
Turlington's balfim,
Fine balket fait,
helhire and Block Island
cheese,
Hardon's rappee fnuff in
pound cant fters,
scotch fnuff in bottles,
Chambers's best fmoaking
tobacco,
Ink powder, quills,
dealing wax, playing cards,
Shot of different sizes,
Best English split peafe,
Fine pearl barley in three
pound canisters,
Durham mustard in bottles
Hogfkin and plain leather
laddies, in ass rted casks,
fafhionable bridles and fid
dle cloths,
Plain and silver capt twig
and switch whips,
Surfingles and girths,
Leather portmantua trunks,
with straps and locks
compleat,
British brown linen,
7 8 and 4-4 Irish linens
well ass rted,
3-4 and 7-8 bed tick,
Brown mating,
7-8 and 10-8 white Iriffi
fh-eting,
An assortment of printed
linen well chose,
Printed handkerchiefs,
Plain, sported, and needle
fprigg'd gauze,
In assortment of lawns,
Plain and striped white and
coloured silk gauze,
'argut, lawn handkerchiefs,
Cambricks, long lawns,
Ribbons, neweftfafhion'd,
Black, white and colour'd
fi k handkerchiefs,
Cutlery in assorted Qks,
Ivory and horn- combs,
White-chapel and common
needles,
Writing paper, blank books.
Nails, ax-.s, hoes and saws.
Paints assorted,
Durham mustard,
Jesuit's baric in small bottles
Single refined loaf sugar,
Almonds in the shell,
A few cases excellent claret,
Ramsay and Marshall's red
port wine in calks of fix
dozen each,
Rest Landon porter in calks
o'6 and 8 d zen.
guns with furniture.