The Pennsylvania ledger, or, The Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & New-Jersey weekly advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-13 00:00:00, page 2

The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor Spoke against
the address; called the war against the Americans
a dangerous war ; and said, that he Should confider
every fubjed who fell on either fide as assassinated
by the M r, and their blood to be laid to his
charge; he concluded with recommending ah ad
dress to the King, that he would be pleased to point
out some method of conciliating the affections of the
fubjeds of all parts of the empire.
Governor Johnson spoke on the insufficiency of
the present forces, to carry this favourite point of
Administration ! He avered, that a general difatis
faction prevailed among the King's troops, already
at Boston; and that three field-officers of the five
regiments, lately embarked at Cork, Solicited leave
to resign; of this he pledged himfelf to bring evi
dence to the bar, and dared them to call for it.
General Conway defended the Americans with
an unusual warmth of argument : He called for in
formation at the Treasury Bench, what part of
America we might deem our own: Alked whether
Canada, whether Halifax, nay, whether Boston it
felf, owned at this time the protection of the British
arms ?—He declared his conscience forbad his alEnt
to the b ry of the Provincials; and therefore
he firmly protested against the address.
Lord George Germaine replied to him in favour
of the address, and consequently Supported the mea
sure of government; but threw out nothing new,
except that he had received a letter from General
Burgoyne, who said, that notwithstanding the dif
treiTes and obstacles the King's troops met with,
they were zealous and determined in defence of
their country.
Col. Barre entered minutely into the consequen
ces of the Summer campaign, described the Situation
of the King's forces as on a wen, or little excres
cence of land, blocked up within the walk of Bolton,
and the fleet not even matter of the river in which
it lies; he drew a conclusion, that if an army of
22,000 of our forces, with 20,000 provincials and
a fleet of 22 fail of the line, with more than as
many frigates, were three years in subduing Canada,
though compleated every Spring —what little prof
peel could there be for 10,900 men to effect the con
quest of all America.—He told the minister, that as
he expeded but litttle information from him, he
would give him some ; —that he had received a let
ter from a Major Caldwell who was fettled on a
Jarge estate in Canada, who assured him that the
Canadians were not by any means to be driven into
ithe war; that he had tried the arts of persuasion in
vain ; that he aSTembled about 1300 of them toge
ther, who came with large Ricks, but had conceal
ed 400 firelocks in the woods, which they were de
termined to make use of against the Englilh, if they
forced them co take either Side: Col. Barre further
added, that General Carleton and Lord Pitt, were
within a quarter of an hour ot falling into the hands
of Johnny .Herbert, a barber, who was now a Ma
jor in the Provincial service; he observed; that he
and his friends were censured by the Minißry as the
leaders 'of the fa&ion ; that their conversation with
each other was, which of them Should go to the
m @Tor,^nd bad therefore failed of success. This
c< ocAon furnished matter of severe remark to the
fords of the Minority; the B of P pointed
out the falfe policy of continuing the dispute with
the Colonies, and urged -Administration to flop the
further ravages of fire and sword. The Duke of
R d followed the R---d P-—te's argument with
his usual inaccuracy and inelegance of manner, but
with inuch force of matter. Lord S ne, in a
mod warm and pi&urefque flow of words, painted
the present ill effeds of the coriteft, and Shewed how
much m%e fatal the confequ&^es might be if the
unnatural war was pursued. His Lordlhip was ex
tremely severe on Administration for the impotency
and inexpediency of their measures; and after inti
mating that the introduction of foreign troops with
out leave of Parliament, was high treason to the
ronfitution, hoped that the day would come, when
those that put that part the Speech into his M-^-y's
mouth, which mentions their being sent to Gibralter
and Minorca, would be called to'a'proper account,
and undergo exemplary punishment. Lord G r
Spoke to the fallacy of the addresses, and the unfair
nwans used to procure them, which he proved by
citing an inßance of' Shameful partiality and undue
influence, which fell within his own knowledge.
Lord F—rs opposed the address.
The buhnefs of Parliament was -opened in the
house of Commons by swearing in several members;
after which the Speaker read twice his Majesty's
mod gracious Speech from the Throne; whereupon
Mr. Ackland, son of Sir Thomas Ackland, moved
for a dutiful and loyal address to his Majesty in a
very elaborate speech, highly commending the leni
ty and forbearance of government with reipecf to
America, and enforcing the necessity of alluring his
Majehy of the approbation of the measures already
taken againß the Americans, and of him Support
from his faithful Commons in the prosecution of
the war.
The motion for an address was Seconded by Mr.
Lyttleton, late Governor of Jamaica, who likewise
expatiated on the necessity of Strengthening the
hands of government.
Lord John Cavendish moved for an amendment,
which occasioned a long and warm conversation, in
which the ministry were pretty roundly told of the
fatal effe&s of the measures of the last leflions.
tower firft ; but this they regarded not; oppose the
King they could not wish tb'do, tor their ancestors
seated his family on the throne, :but to carry their
point against the present unfeeling Administration,
he would readily go to the block.
'Lord Barrington answered Governor Johnffon
and Col. Barre, and denied the difaffedion of the
officers &c. assured the house that they would re
ceive fatisfadory accounts to the contrary in seven
or eight days.
The Solicitor General likewise replied to Colonel
Barre, accused him of drawing falfe inferrences from
his own premiEs, entered with great Spirit into the
merit of the prelent vigorous measures (admitting
we had loft all the places they would insinuate) in
older to put us upon a proper footing to enter even
upon a negociation with the Americans.
At ten o'clock Mr. Burke rose, and spoke for
near two hours. He railed the laugh of the house
at Lord N-—-'s expence, by repeating some vaunting
expressions (which he declared had fallen from his
Lordship in Parliament heretofore) and placing
them in a ridiculous contrast with the unfortunate
events which have of late taken place. Speaking
seriously of the present Situation of affairs, he com
pared America to a people who had emancipated
themselves, and described the mother country as a
piratical disturber of the ports and the naval trade
of the colon ; es. The dilgraceful blocking up of
our troops in Boston, he pourtrayed with his won
ted ability of description ; and after lamenting the
danger of ihis-country, if the dispute with America
continued, he advised Administration no Anger to
make England appear like a por armed at
all points With ads of parliament five to the
trade and freedom of America, b' > w a friend
lycountenance, and to : meet the ; with open
arms.
Mr, Charles Fox followed Mr. Burke, and with
his usual vehemence and alperity aimed his Satire
personally at Lord N , describing his Lordship
us the blundering pilot who had brought us into
our present difficulties. “ Administration (fays Mr.
Fox) exult at having brought us into such adilemma
as the ablest of men cannot extricate us from; they
have reason to cry aloud in triumph, Lord Chatham,
the King of Prussia, nay, Alexander the Great, ne
ver gained more in one campaign than the noble
Lord has loll—he has loft a whole continent—molt
able adviser, moR accomplished General !" Mr. Fox
mixed his raillery witli some very Serious observati
ons, on the condu& of the ministry, and took occa
sion to mention the old political distinction of Whig
and Tory, describing the present members of A---n
as enemies to freedom and rank Tories.
As Soon as he concluded Lord N--th rose, and
after entering into a long justification of himielf,
and the plan of conduct he had pursued while in
office (replying with considerable ipirit to the insi
nuations which had been thrown out againit him
by Lord John Cavendish Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox,
and other Speakers in opposition) his Lordship jus
tified the measures of Administration, Shewing by
strong arguments that they were Sounded a< much
in prudence and wisdom as the Situation of iffairs
would allow. His Lordship next entered , to a
disquisition of the terms Whig and Tory, and pro
ved that the present ministers adted on the true prin
ciples of whiggism, and that the measures Sketched
out in the Speech, and echoed back in the address,
as proper to be offered to America, were molt likely
to effe& an honourable reconciliation.
At 20 minutes after one Mr. Dunning rose, He
pointed out the illegality of introducing foreign
troops into any part of his Majesty's dominions,
without the content of Parliament, and Shewed the
bad tendency of inch a mealure, and of what evil
consequences it might hereafter be productive, were
it now Suffered to pass into a precedent. He was
replied to by the Attorney General.
The house did not rile till past four o'clock oh
Friday morning. Upon a division there appeared.
For the address without any amendment 278.
Against it 108. Majority 107.
The following is a Copy of the Petition of the Common
Council to the House 0/ Lords and Commonj, <which
mas presented to each Houje by the Sheriffs oh
Thurday last. Ihey are both in the fame 'words
mith only a variation of the address.
The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen,
and Commons of the City of London, in Common
Council assembled,
Sheweth,.
TH A T this Court having taken into its most
serious consideration the prelent diltreffed
fnuation of our fellow Subjects in America, are ex
ceedingly alarmed for the consequences of those
coercive measures which are pursued against them
meafures that mult notwithstanding the great
uncertainty of their iuccefs) eventually be produc
tive of new and more burthenlome taxes, the in
crease of an enormous national debt; and finally,
we fear the los of the molt valuable branch of our
commerce, on which the existence of an infinite
number of industrious manufacturers and mechanics
entirely depends.
That his Majesty having been graciously pleased,
in answer to a late humble and dutiful address and
petition to the throne, praying a celfation of hosti
lities with America lor the purpose of obtaining
time, and thereby giving an opportunity for a hap
py and lading reconciliation with his Majesty's
On Thursday a petition of Mr. Sayre to the
House ol Commons, complaining of an undue e
ledion for the borough of Seaford in Sussex, was
presented to the house by Mr. Sawbridge, Lord
Mayor eled, and seconded by Sir George Yonge.
An account of what paSTed yesterday on his Ma
jesty's going to the House of Peers. Mr. Sayre's
commitment to the tower having railed the curiosi
ty of the public to an extravagant pitch, the Streets
of Westminster were crouded by eleven in the morn
ing. On Tuesday a handbill Signed “ A pods Me
chanic' was distributed in great numbers, which
produced an answer on the following day, intimat
ing that the Magistrates had provided effi dual
means to apprehend, and bring to justice, perlons
attempting to violate the laws. 50,000 of these last
papers were distributed. Sir John Fielding's adver
tisement combined with the above circumstances, to
make people imagine Something very extraordinary
was to happen The Middlesex justices attended
at the house of the Guildhall, Westminster, at an
early hour, and about 50 of their constables were
Stationed in the Court room. Another large body
of constables placed themselves at the door of the
Swan tavern, Weßminßer-bridge. At a quarter
before one o'clock, a body of about 40 constables
paEed through the park to the palace; and by this
time the number of people in the park only, could
not be less than 25,000; but their looks spoke peace
and good humour: nothing like treason, or mif
prifibn of treason. His Majesty left the palace about
two; and the procession was in the following order;
two horse grenadiers, with swords drawn to clear
the way; three ftatekoaches and fix filled with no
blemen and gentlemen in waiting, a body of horse
guards, trumpets, a body of yeomen of the guards,
fourteen of his Majesty's footmen, two and two,
his Majesty's coach drawn by eight cream coloured
horses, with footmen on each fide, a party of horse
guards followed by the constables almost under the
horses heels. All was quiet in the park, save a
few faint hifles, and a few, Ril| fainter huzzas. At
the door of the parliament house a little hilling.
When the King arrived, the guns at Stangate were
fired, and again on his leaving the house, and dur
ing the p riod of his being there, two of tb^horfe
guards paraded the parliament-Street to fee that all
was quiet. His Majesty was in t I houfe just 20 mi
nutes, and he returned as pe c^bly as he went.
The whole number of the people aflembled on this
occasion were estimated at 60,000.-
Friday, October 27.
Resolved and read several petitions for bring
ing in appeals.
1 le Lord Chancellor acquainted the house that
his Majesty had been waited on pursuant to their
order, to know when he would be attended with*
their address of thanks; and that his Majesty had
appointed two o'clock. The Chancellor and feve,
ral of the members accordingly proceeded to St.
James's and presented the following,
Humble Address of the Right Honourable the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament affembled#
Moji gracious Sovereign.
" W E, your Majesty's mod dutiful and loyal
fubjeds, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Pa^
liament assembled, beg leave to return your Maje^
ty our humble thanks for your most gracious speech
from the throne.
“ With the utmost abhorrence and indignation
we fee the real design of thole desperate men, who
by the groffeiEmifreprefentations, have deluded and
precipitated our unhappy fellow iubje&s in America
into measures no less Subversive of their own hap
piness and trup interests, than dangerous to theprof,
perity and Safety of Great-Britain. The powers
they have assumed, and the arbitrary and oppres
sive ads which they have done, leave no doubt of
their traitehous purpose to induce the colonies to
Shake off;the comroul of the Supreme legislature,
,an,d to bury in an ungrateful oblivion, the remem
brance of the 'great industry with which they Awe
been planted;, the loitering care "with which tnejr
have been nursed; the many advantages which
they hive enjoyed, and the expence l of blood and
_treafure with which they have been, protested by
this nation..
“ We cannot avoid expre ting our concern, that
'the great tenderness with Rich your Majesty has
proceeded, and the conciliatory di;pofition which
appeared in the last session of Parliament, inßead
of having the defined effed of undeceiving the mil
led, and eflablifhhig a confidence in. the par.nt
Rate, have been turned to the 'advantage and
made inftrunimtal to the purpofesof this, dange
rous attemptEund whilst web acknowledge this' to
be the consequence of the differ nt intentions whicli
prevailed here and in America, we arc penetrated
with a juR sense, of the motives which hve regu
lated your Majesty's endeavours to prevent, if it
had been possible, the effufiop of.the blood, of our
fellow Subjects and the calamities which ar, inse
parable from a Rate of war; but Since the rebellion
American Colonies, to declare, that hefauld abide
by thefenfe op his parliament, this court conceive ft
to be their indilpenfible duty, thus early in the lef
fion, in the mod refpedful manner to apply to this
Right Hom. Houfe,'that it will be pleased to adopt
such measures for the healing of the present unhap
py disputes between the mother country and the
colonies, as may be speedy, permanent and honour
able.