The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1775-03-13 00:00:00, page 2

Bthe Dukeof Cumberland Packet, Capt. Marfan,
arrived here on Friday las, in 7 Weeks from
Falmouth ; and the Ship Cbaukley, Capt. Spain,
arrived at Philadelphia, in a Jhort Paffagefrom
dirfol, vse have the following Advices, viz.
LONDON, December 21.
THE report from the Committee of ways and
means beingmade yesterday in the House of
Commons, on putting the question for; agreeing to
the Land-Tax of three (hillings in the pound, Mr.
Hartley, Member for Kingston, arose, and after re
marking upon the alarming accounts from the Con
gress in America, wished that the determination of that
Question might be postponed till after the Holidays,
as it was impossible to determine what measures
were meant to be pursued with refpett to America,
and till it was known what part administration
meant to take, no one could fay whether the Peace
establishment, now proposed, and in part agreed to,
was a proper one or not. This-introduced a Spirited
debate, in which Mr. T. Townsend, Mr. Rigby,
Sir William Meredith and Mr. Cornwall, had a con
siderable ffiare ; but Mr. Burke spoke much longer
than the rest, and most pathetically lamented the
situation of America, highly ridiculed the conduct
of Administration, and placed the situation of Ge
neral Gage in a clear point of view. He observed,
that he knew not for what purpose Administration
had sent an army there ; but that if it was judged
expedient at all, it should have been an Army of ^ex
ecution, not an army of observation. That the
General in his last letters had represented himfelf as
being at once besieged and befiegingq that he com
plained his cannon had been stolen, and other insults
offered to his Troops ; but that he had the happiness
to command a patient Army ; on the idea of a pa
tient army, the honourable Member expatiated with
great Freedom, and kept to his point, that if an
army was at all necessary, it Ihould be executive;
but that he knew no business General Gage had
there, in so lamentable a situation ; that if he fired
a drop of the blood of his Fellow-fubje&s, he would
open the sluices for a torrent on both sides, and God
knows where it might end; while en the other, if
he did not, he mult be exposed with his Army to
such tameness and patience as no army ever Shewed
before. He observed that they had had a Speech
breathing nothing but War with America, for which
thanks had been voted, and now they had supplies
breathing nothing but Peace, for which he supposed
Thanks were likewise to be given. On the whole,
the Gentlemen on this fide the Question, apprehensive
that a Vote of credit might be moved for at the elofe
of the Seffior, were willing to postpone the Refold -
tion concerning the Land-Tax till after the Holidays,
when being better informed of the date of our own
Country, they might be enabled to judge of the
prudence of having reduced the Navy Establishment,
and of the fufficiency or infutiiciency of the proposed
Land-Tax Aid of 3s.
On the other hand, Sir William Meredith com
plained of the impropriety of the present converlation
tending to inflame the minds of the people, by fur
nifhing matter for the news-papers ; wished it had
been avoided, as the Gentleman had no proportion
to offer, and then juftified the measures already ta
ken by Administration. He observed in reply to
Mr. Burke, that General Gage had been sent to
Boston for three very good purposes ; firft, to pro
tea the Magistrates; secondly, to prote& the pro
perty of the Merchants, which had been grofly
violated ; thirdly, to enforce the execution of the
a&s of the British Parliament, which points he had
in a great measure accomplished ; and he added, that
such heps would not have ten necessary if the De
claratory Bill, repealing the Stamp A&, had never
been brought into that House. Mr. Burke retorted,
that if the Declaratory Ad was the accuifed thing
that had caused all the mifehief, they had nothing to
do but to toss it overboard. For his part, he was
ready to facrifice every thing for peace with America ;
but he still was of opinion that General Gage and
his troops had no business at Boston : That the Ma
gistrates of Boston were said to be in an asylum ; he
had heard of asylums for thieves, but never of asy
lums for Magistrates ; nor could he conceive how
they could be said to be protected, while they could
not officiate, but were only in an asylum : That the
troops had been lent to protect the commerce of the
Merchants after all trade was at an end; and that as
to the execution of the A&s of Parliament, General
Gage could not be said to have enforced them, since
the Americans had not yet submitted to them. His
severe sarcasms on the Ministry were more proper for
the ears of the Members than the public. A very
candid, short speech from Mr. Cornwall closed the
conversation, and the House agreed with the Com
mittee.
Orders are given for money to be issued from the
Treasury, for payment of the Government account on
the American Civil Lift.
Dec. 22. Three expresses have arrived within tbefe
few days from the continent, and our Ambassador at
the Court of France ; their contents have engaged the
utmofi attention of the Premier.
We are informed that the principal trading and
manufacturing tovuns in England intend jborlly to
petition Parliament to repeal the late Laws againfl the
Americans, as the only means they think of conciliating
their affections and reforing their trade and Manufac
tures, which have been on the declension for some time
pas.
Two large foips laden with arms, &c. are said to
have failed from France for America, in consequence of
which orders are said to have been given for two Jloops
of war to go in quest of them.
Dec. 24. Government received some important
dispatches from Bolton on Sunday night lalf, which
are kept secret.
The unanimity of the American Congress, the
moderation of their demands, and the firmnefs of
their resolves, have confounded the Ministry, and
struck their advocates dumb. The Bernard's, Hut
chinson's, Knox's, Manduit's, who have been con
stantly representing the opposition in America as a
contemptible fa&ion, aiming at a dissolution of all
dependence on this country, and the deftruCtion of
the ads of trade and navigation, are now discovered
to be falfe and malicious incendiaries.
It seems to be the opinion of all true loversof their
country, that nothing will heal the unhappy divisions
between this country and America, but calling forth
Lord Chatham and his friends, who having equally
the confidence of both countries, are molt likely to
reconcile them.
Dec. 26. The resolution of the Americans, rela
tive to their exporting nothing from thence to England,
will affeft government more than may be generally
imagined. Even in the article of tobacco they will
sustain vast loss ; for the duty on that commodity
only for the present year, it seems, amounts to
upwards of 220,0001.
It is said that a plan is now agitating in the cabinet,
to conciliate matters between the mother country and
the Americans, by repealing the disagreeable a&s,
It continues to be rumoured, that a change in the
Ministry will take place in a short time, but that it
will only be a change of some few men.
Dec. 30. There have been several conferences lately
among the leading men in the law department, which
is supposed to have given rife to the report of the
Chancellor retiring, which is totally void of foun
dation.
Dec. 31. The petition from the American Congress
to the King, has been presented to his Majesty by
Lord Dartmouth.
The above petition is to be laid before the two
Houses of Parliament at their next meeting.
A correfponde-nt observes, that upon the whole
question of taxation, it seems most manifest, that it
is the antient, undoubted right of English fubje&s,
being freemen or freeholders, to give their property
by their own consent only, fignified by themselves or
their representatives ; that the mere right of giving
money, the right of making laws, are, and ever were
Separate and dissing; the one reading in the repre
sentative, the other in the legislative body; that the
Houfeof Commons claim and exercise the sole and
incommunicable right of granting the money of the
.people, because their House only represents the people;
that the House of Commons ought not to claim or
^exercife such a right over the people of America,
because their House does not represent them ; that to
levy taxes on the people of America, by the Autho
rity of the British Parliament, in ' which they are not
represented, is unconstitutional, deprives them of the
rights of Englishmen, and reduces them to a date of
absolute Slavery.
Certain advice is received, that the French King,
since the beginning of lad month, has railed twenty
millions of livres, at eight per cent,
fan. 4. It has been intimated to some considerable
Merchants, that the Ministry will be ready to meet
any conciliatory measures that may be proposed with
refpe& to America; and it is wished by many that
the meeting of the American merchants this day
may be productive of some scheme that may bring
about matters before they are carried to too great
lengths.
The conversation of the Merchants on 'Change on
Wednesday last, was fitch as contradicted the news
lately received from America, of affairs being despe
rate; for private letters were produced, which affirmed
that every thing was in a proper channel to bring
about an accommodation, which was soon expedited.
It has been calculated that Great-Britain iuftains a
loss of upwards of one thousand pounds per day,
exclusive of government duties, while this nation
continues at variance with her American Colonies.
Jan. 5. Yesterday, in pursuance of an advertise
ment for a meeting of the Merchants and others,
concerned in the North-American trade, there was a
very numerous and refpe&able meeting at the King's'
arms tavern in Cornhiil, of the inoft eminent Mer
chants and Traders of the city, to confider of a
petition to Parliament on the present alarming situation
of affairs with refpe& to America, the total hoppage
of all commerce to those parts; and the present
decline of the trade and manufactures in the kingdom:
A motion was made by Mr. Alderman Hayley, and
seconded, that Thomas Lane, Efy an eminent North-
American Merchant, be placed in the chair ; which
was carried unanimously. After the Chairman had
informed the company of the intent of the meeting,
Mr. Barclay moved, that an address be prepared and
presented immediately to Parliament, and a Com
mittee appointed to draw up the fame. A more
refpe&able meeting was scarcely ever known in the
city of London,and every motion carried unanimously,
except one gentleman well known in the room, who
observed that there was no need of petitioning at
present till they had information what the Parliament
would do after they had taken into confederation the
petition from the Congress of America to hiaMajefty;
which petition his Majesty had promised to lay before
the House the earliest opportunity, and that it would
then be a proper time for the Merchants to meet and
to take the matter into consideration ; but this appear
ing as a Ministerial manoeuvre, it was absolutely and
unanimously rejected.
Lieutenant Dundas is arrived express from Gene
ral Gage, on board the St. Lawrence armed schooner.
They write from Gibraltar, that a Spanish frigate
had been taken in the Mediterranean by four Moorish
cruizers, who butchered two thirds of the crew in
cold blood.
it is said that orders are given for several frigates
to be fitted out immediately to fail for America, to be
Rationed there, in order to cruize along the coatts, to
prevent any ammunition or arms being sent to the
Americans by any foreign power.
fan. 3. Orders are sent to Ireland to take up 2000
tons of (hipping in government feryice.
Extra& of a private letter from the Hague, Dec. 27.
" A war en the continent is, according to the
present circumstances, almost unavoidable ; to which
end the continental Princes actually have 1,625,000
of the best disciplined troops in readiness; but it is
certain that Great-Britain will not be in the lead
concerned in it' ;for we are informed from undoubted
authority, that a new alliance has been treated ' on
between Great-Britain, France and Spain, and which
was the real cause of Lord M--——-'s trip to Paris,
Of this treaty the French boast, and fay it was bought
at a p'ixd' or ; the reason of which they pretend is
the affairs of America, which never could have come
to a serious confederation of the Court of G---B--—,
without previously obtaining the pacific determinations
of France and Spain. It is further said, that the
said treaty was finifhed under the guarantee wf Pruflia
and Sardinia, and which was the cause of changing
Ambassadors between the two latter courts."
Her Majesty has ordered 5001. to be distributed
among poor obie&s, in the cities of London and
Weftmirdter.
*nd admitting them so be represented by eighty
members in the House of Commons.
Dec. 28. A Privy Council is summoned to meet this
day at St..James's, said to be on American affairs.
Some business of great consequence is on the carpet,
as not an evening passes, but a Cabinet Council is
held at the house of some of the members of the
Cabinet.
We are informed that circular letters have been
sent to all the Members now at their refpe&ive coun
try-feats, to require their early attendance in Parlia
ment on the meeting after the recess, for the further
dispatch of business, as some affairs of importance
are to be taken into immediate consideration.
We have the pleasure to hear, that repealing the
American a&s is a measure determined on in the
Cabinet.
Yesterday morning several chests of ordnance stores
were shipped in the river for North-America.
A Great Personage is said to have infpe&ed all
the papers which have been received relating to the
unhappy tranfa&ions at Bolton, and that he has been
pleased to make memorandums on the most remark
able passages they contain.
Advice is received from the Hague that the States
have ordered a powerful fleet of men of war to be
fitted out immediately to fail for the Mediterranean,
Where they are to be Rationed, in order to prote&
their trading fllips from being plundered by the
Moors ; andit is strongly fufpe&ed that they are to
assist the Spaniards in subduing the Barbarians, and
driving them out of those seas.
fan. 9. Lord North has publicly declared, that
so far from the meetings of American and Weft-
India Merchants being disagreeable to him, he, on
the contrary, withes for nothing more than as much
information as poflib'le on the American business to
be laid before Parliament as speedily as pbffible.
A report prevails at the Hague, that the misun
derstanding between Great-Britain and the States-
General is likely td become more serious than at
fir'd fufpe&ed. On the part of England, Sir Joseph
Yorke has presented a Memorial, relative to the part
some Dutch Merchants have adopted, in furnifhing
the Americans with several articles of Commerce;
and Count Welderen is said to have lately received
new inftfu&ions, relative to the representation of the
affair on behalf of the States-Geheral.
It is reported that two Noblemen of distinguished
abilities will speedily embark for America, by com
miffibn, ih order t 6 enquire into the grievances com
plained of, and on other matters of conference.
They write frorh Stockholm, that the King has
lately concluded a treaty, offensive and defenfive,
with the Ruffian Court, by virtue of which all the
old treaties which formerly subsisted between the two
powers are confirmed.
By a private letter from Senegal we are informed,
that the French have at present five meh of war cruiz
ing on the coast of Guinea, and that several of their
merchant (hips are fitted up more like privateers than
ordinary traders.
An Evening paper fays, that an e^prefs arrived
yesterday from Spain,,with an account that the King
of Spain had retired from the Sovereignty, and that
the Prince of Aultuiias has assumed the reins of
government.
It was also Resolved, " That the Committee con
fid of the following Gentlemen ;
For New-England, lvfr. Lane, Mr. Champion,
Mr. Bromfield. For New-Tork, Mr. Pigou, Mr.
Blackburn, Mr. Sargent. For Pennsylvania, Mr.
Barclay, Mr. Mildred, Mr. Neate. For Maryland,
Mr. Hanbury, Mr. Mollefon, Mr. Campbell. For
Virginia, Mr. Norton, Mr. Gilt, Mr. Athawes.
For North-Carolina, Mr. Bridgen, Mr. Clark, Mr.
Wooldridge. For South-Carolina, Mr. Greenwood,
Mr. Nutt, and Mr. Rollefton.
To the above Gentlemen were added, Mr. Lee,
Mr. Baker.
It was unanimoudy Resolved, " That it is the
opinion of this meeting, that the alarming state of
the trade to North-America makes it expedient to
petition Parliament for redress,"
" A Petition of the Merchants, Traders, and
others, concerned in the North-American Commerce."
It was also Resolved, " That the Minutes of this
Meeting be inserted in the public Morning and Even
ing Papers, signed by the Chairman."
.It was also Resolved, " That this Meeting be ad
journed to Wednesday next, at Ten o'clock in the
Forenoon, at this house, then to receive the Report
of the Committee."
London Tavern, Bifoopfgate-freet, Jan, 3, 1775.
At a general meeting of the Wett-Iridia Merchants,
the Chairman produced a letter which he received,
signed by several Gentlemen of the Wed-India
Illands, of which the following is a copy:
SIR, London, Jan. 1, 1775.
" The very alarming situation in which the Welt-
India Blands are placed by the late American Pro
ceedings, induces us to apply to you, as Chairman
of the Society of Welt-India Merchants, to request
that they will not come to any Resolution, as a lepa
raie body, at their next Meeting, but that they will
join with us in calling a General Meeting of the
whole Body of Planters, and Welt-India Merchants,
ib deliberate on the steps necessary to be taken by
us jointly on the present important Crisis."
Signed, John Pennant, Charles Spooner, Thomas
Storer, Pedke Fuller, Samuel Vaughan, George
Chandler, Michael M'Nemau, John I'rent, B. Ed
wards, Montague James, Samuel Torr, James,
Nath. Phillips, John Davis, Charles Fuller, Rose
Fuller, Flo. Vaflel, John Ellis, J. Kennion, Neill
Malcolm, Philip Gibbes, Thomas Walker, William
Gunthorpe.
To Beefton Long, Esq; Chairman of the Society
of Welt-India Merchants, at the London
Tavern,.
In conlequence of which, it was resolved, That
this Society do very chearfully concur in opinion
with the Gentlemen Planters, that we ought not to
come to any Resolution as a separate Body at this
Meeting ; and do also readily join in calling a Ge
neral Meeting of the whole Body of Planters and
Welt-India Merchants.
And having been informed that the 18th of the
present month is a day recommended by the fubferi
bers to the above letter, as proper for such a meeting,
it is further resolved, That immediate notice be gi
ven in. the public papers, that such general meeting
be called and held on the day aforefaid, at the hour
of twelve, at the London Tavern, in Bifhopfgate
ftreet, then and there to deliberate on the measures
necessary to be taken for the preservation of the gene
ral interest of the Welt-India illands, in the present
important crisis.
James Allen, Secretary.
Jan. 14. The substance of the Petition transmitted
from the American Congress to a Great Personage
is, Ift, acknowledging in the most dutiful and ref
pe&ful terms their allegiance, &c. 2d, that they
might be left to the entire provision of their internal
policy, such as the appointment of their officers, the
making their own laws, and imposing their own
duties, &c. 3d, that in lieu of this they are willing,
in time of war, to supply his Majesty with men,
money, and what other assessments a British Parlia
ment might think necessary for the general defence
of the empire. There are said to be a few other
conciliating articles of less consequence.
It was stated in the body of the petition to be pre
sented to the Honourable the House of Commons by
the Merchants, &c. trading to North-America, as
read at the King's Arms on Wednesday last, that
the balance due from America at present to this
kingdom wa§ little short of 200,000 k
At a meeting of the Merchants and others con
cerned in the American Commerce, held here this
day,
Thomas Lane, Esq; was called to the Chair,
It was also Resolved, " That a Committee be ap
pointed to prepare a Petition to the House of Com
mons, and lay the fame before a general meeting, to
be held at this place this day fe'ennight.”
It was also Resolved," That the Committee be
desired to entitle the Petition,
King's Arms Tavern, Cornhill, fan. 4, 177 b
THOMAS LANE, Chairman.
Refolded unanimously, That the petition now pre
sented and read is approved of by this meeting.
Refolded unanimously, That the above-mentioned
petition be fairly engrossed, under the infpe&ion of
the fame Committee that reported it, with the addi
tion of Mr. Strettell, Mr. Watson, Mr. Hunter, for
the province of Quebec : And that the said Commit
tee be desired to attend the signing and presenting of
the fame to the House of Commons; and to prepare
and digest such evidence aS may be necessary for
proving the allegations of the said petition; and for
filpporting the fame.
Refolded unanimoufy, That the Committee be de
fined to call another meeting of the Merchants,
Traders, and others concerned in the American
commerce (as soon as they know the fate of the
petition in the House of Commbns) in ordbf that the
public may be properly informed thereof.
Resolved unanimously, That the minutes of this
meeting be fairly tranferibed and inserted in the pub
lic morning and evening papers, signed by the Chair
man.
('°Py) THOMAS Lane, Chairman.
Extrafl of a Letter from Erifol, fan. 11.
" This day the Society of Merchant Adventurers
held a hall, to confide? of a petition to Parliament
refpe&ing American affairs; the heads of a very
unexceptional commercial petition were read; and
another hail is to be held on Monday to determine
bn the question. " A meeting of the Merchants,
Manufacturers, and Tradesmen, is to be held at
Guild-Hall on Friday next; at eleven o'clock, on
the fame business."
At a meeting of the North-American merchants,
bn Wednesday tail at the King's Arms Tavern, the
business of the meeting was opened about eleven
o'clock, by reading the petition, the substance of
which was as follows:
" firft dating to the House the several particulars
of the extensive trade carried on between this country
and America; as it refpe&ed the barter of commo
dities---the balance of cash, as well as the negotiation
of exchange in several parts of Europe ;---it next
dated how this very extensive trade was hurt by the
several revenue bill's affe&ing North-America, passed
since the repeal of the ftamp-afl to the year 1773.
It then concluded, praying redress in these particu
lars, as well as in the operation of all other a&s
which may aflea the general trade carried on between
this country and North-America."* The whole was
couched in decent, manly terms ; and in point of
fty' e , g o °d feufe and precision, diewed the Commit
tee appointed for drawing it up, every way equal to
the great trust delegated to them.
In the Houle of Commons, Dec. 16, Mr. Cru
ger gave his opinion on the state of the colonies as.
follows :---Mr. Speaker, I rife to deliver my senti
ments on this importantfubjc&, with all the diffidence
and awe which must strike the mind on the firft at
tempt to speak before so august an assembly. Had I
remained silent on this occalion, I must have con
deivned myfelf fo^deferting a cause, which it is my
duty to espouse. I cannot but be heard with candour
by Englishmen, when whatl offer is dictated by a
love to my country.
I am far from approving all the proceedings in
America ; many of their measures have been a dif
honour to their cause. Their rights might have been
affected without violence, and their claims stated with
temper, as well as firmnefs. But permit me to fay,
Sir, that if they have erred, it may be coniidered as
a failing of human nature :—A people animated
with a love of liberty, and alarmed with apprehensi
ons of its being in danger, will unavoidably run into
excefles.
The history of mankind declares it in every page,
and Britons ought to view with an eye of tender
ness such a&s of imprudence, to which their fellow
fubjefts in America may have been hurried, not (as
has been unkindly said) by a rebellious spirit, but
by that generous spirit of freedom, which has often
led their own anceltors into indiferetions.
Ads of severity are far from having a tendency to
eradicate jealouhes ; on the contrary tliey mult pro
duce new tears, and weaken that attachment, which
kindnels might have insured. No country, Sir, has
been more happy in her colonies than Great-Britain ;
cemented by mutual interests (till the sera of the
fatal stamp-a&) they flourished in an intercourse of
amity, protection, and obedience, supporting and
supported by each other. Before that period we
meet with no disobedience to your laws—no denial
of the jurisdiction of Parliament---no marks of
jealousy and uQjntent ; but they ever loved liberty ;
that pallion is coeval with their firft emigration to
America ; they were persecuted for it in this coun
try—they fought a lan&uary in the unexplored regi
ons of that j there they peacefully cleared their
inheritable wilds cultivated their lands---and
chearfully poured the firft fruits of their industry
into the bolom of their mother country. You pro
tested them in their infant state, and they returned it
by confining to you the foie benefits of their trade ;
whatever wealth they derived from agriculture and
commerce, all centered with you. You regulated
their commerce, for the advantage of tins country,
and they never discovered an opposition either to the
authority or the exercise of it. Are these evidences
of a spirit of difaffedion to Great-Britain, or in
gratitude for its protection ? Are they not rather
proofs, that, if the lame line of mild and lenient
government had been pursued, the fame cordiality
and submission would have been continued.
Every American, who loves America, must wi/h
the prolperity of England, that their union may ever
subsist uninterrupted. If the parental trunk is in
jured, the branches must fuffer with it. A subordi
nation on the part of the colonies is necessary to this
union. I acknowledge, Sir, there must exist a
power somewhere, to Superintend and regulate the
movements of the whole, for the attainment and
preservation of our common happiness : This su
preme power can be justly and adequately exercised
only by the legislature of Great-Britain. In this
doCtrine the colonies tacitly acquiesced, and were
happy. England enjoyed by it all the advantages
of an exclulive trade with them. Why then strain
this authority so much, as to render a submission to
it impossible, which are most valuableto civil society,
and were ever acknowledged the inestimable birth
right of Englishmen ? When Great-Britain derives
from her colonies the most ample supplies of wealth
by her commerce, is it not absurd to close up these
channels for the fake of a paltry inexpedient claim
of imposing taxes ? which, though a young mem
ber, I will be bold to aver, never have, and probably
never will, defray the expence of collecting them.
King's Arms Tavern, Cornbill, %n. | r ;
At a very numerous meeting of the Merchants;
Traders, and others concerned in the American
Commerce, agreeable to adjournment.
Tho. Lane, Elq; in the Chair.
The Committee informed the meeting, that they
had prepared the petition propoled at their last meet
ing-
Moved that the said petition be read. It was reap
accordingly.