The New York packet, and the American advertiser — New York [N.Y.], 1776-01-18 00:00:00, page 2

" The Honourable Gentleman, who mo
ved the address, fays, "the Americans havebeen
treated with lenity." Was yourßofton Port-Bill a
ineafure of lenity ? Was your Fishery bill a
measure of lenity? Was your bill for taking
away the charter of the Massachusetts-Bay, a
measure of lenity, or even justice? I omit your
jr.uv other gofs provocations and insults, by
'which the brave Americans teve been driven
into their pefent date/ He asserts that they
avow a difpAition to be independent. On the
contrary, Sir, all the declarations both of the
late and the prefont Congress, uniformly tend
to this one obje&, of being put on the fame
footing they were in the yehr 1763. Thi has
been their only demand, from which they have
never varied. Their daily prayers are for liber
ty, pace and fafety. 1 use the words of the
Congress of the lad year. They justly expert
to be put on an equal footing with the other
A'^ffi-^rn^ThFAd^ If you confine all our
trade to yourselves, fay they, if you make a mo
nopoly of our comme ce, if you shut all other
ports of the world against us, tax us not too ;
if you do, then give us a tree trade, such as
you enjoy yourselves; Ictus have equal ad
vantages of commerce, ad other ports open
to us ; then we can and will cheerfully pay taxes.
" It mutt give, Sir, every man who loves
.this country, the deeped concern at the naming,
in the Address, foreign troops, Hanoverians
'and Hessians, who arc now called to interfere
in our domestic quarrels, not to dwell this day
on the illegality of the measure. The militia
indeed are now employed, and that noble insti
tution is at present complimented by miniders,
who hate the very name of a militia, because
the embodying of thole forces, enables admini
rtation to butcher more of our fellow-Subjects
in America.
“ England was never engaged in a contest
ct such importance to our molt valuable con
ce ns and poffedions. We are fighting tor the
fubjedtion of a country infinitely more extended
than our own, of which every day iracreafeth
the wealth, natural drength and population.
Should we not succeed, it will be a bosom
friendship loured to hate and resentment.
We shall be considered as their moll implacable
enemies, an eternal reparation will succeed, and
the grandeur of the British empire pals away.
Succcfsteems to me not equivocal, but impof
dide. However we may differ among ourselves
they are perfectly united. On this fide the
Atlantic party-rage unhappily divides us, but
one foul animates the vail northern continent
of America, the General Congress and each
'Provincial adembly. An appeal has been
made to the sword, and at the elofe of the
but campaign, what have we conquered ? Bun
ker's-Hill, with the lot's of 1200 men. Are
ire to pay as dearly for the red of America ?
The ' idea of conquest is as romantic as unjust.
' I freak, Sir,TC a friends England and
America, but dill more to univetfal liberty, and
-nd the rights of all mankind. I trust no part
of the subjects of this vafiempire will ever sub
mit to be'ihtes. lam sure the Americans are
too high Spirited to brook the idea. Your
whole .power, and that ofyour allies, if you
have ^ny, and of all the German troops you
cm hire, cannot effect so wicked a purpose.
The conduct of the present administration has
already wrested the feeptre of America out of
tiie hands of our Sovereign, and you have now
Scarcely a pod-mailer left in the whole nor
thern continent. More than half the empire
'is & already 1011, and almost all the rest in condition
and anarchy. The>minitlry have brought our
Sovereign into a more disgraceful situation than
any crowned head now living. He alone has
already loft by their fatal counsels, more terri
tory than the three great united powers of Ruf
lia, Austria and Pruliia have together robbed
Toland of, and by equal adts of violence from
administration.
“ Sir, I disapprove not only the evil spirit
of the whole Address, but likewise the wretch
ed adulation of almoll every part of it. My
wifli and hope therefore is, that it will be re-,
jefled by the House, and that another dutiful,
vet decent, manly Addrefswill be preferred
to the King, praying his Majesty that he would
fieath the sword and prevent the farther etiu
fion of the blood of our fellow-fubjed% adopt
some mode of negociation with the General
Congress, in compliance with their repeated
petition, and thereby restore peace and harmo
ny to this diffracted empire."
•G.--- -= ===>
DUBLI N, Oaober 14.
Parliamentary Intelligence.
Tuesday, October 10.
^h : s dav the Parliament of Ireland met, and bis
Excellency the Lord Lieutenant came in fate,
and opened th: Sgffions with the following Speech.
His Excellency SIMON Earl HARCOURT,
Lord Lieutenant General, and General Go
vernor of Ireland, his Speech to both Houses
of Parliament, at Dublin, on Tuesday the
10th day of October, 1775.
" Mv Lords and Gentlemen,
'•'YOUR diftinguilhed loyalty to the King;
your just attention to the honour and dignity of
his Government ; „and your well regulated zeal
for the peace and happiness of your country,
have made so fenlible an impression on my mind,
during a three years residence amongst you,
that, encouraged by the experience of what I
'have seen, it is with the most sincere fatisfadion
I meetvou again in Parliament.
•• I am persuaded that you entertain a grate
ful fenie of the blessings you enjoy under the
mild and firm government of the best of Sove
reigns ; and his Majesty relies on the known
zeal and loyalty of his fubjeds of Ireland, that
uhilft his government is disturbed by a rebelli
on exiting in a part of his American domini
" The Protestant charter schools, an institu
tion established on principles of wisdom and hu
manity, and so peculiarly adapted to the present
date of circumdances of this kingdom, are emi
nently entitled to your consideration and care.
" On my part, you may be allured, that I
shall continue faithfully to represent your loyal
ty and zeal to his Majesty ; and that I shall
chearfully co-operate with you in whatever may
"tend to advance the prosperity and happiness of
this kingdom."
Sir Charles Bingham enlarged on his Maje
fly's goodness to Ireland, and the grateful sense
his fubje&s ought to entertain of the fame,which
demanded a Wronger expression of zeal and du
ty than ordinarily ; adding, that these a&s had
been principally obtained by the attention of
Lord Harcourt, and the assiduity of Sir John
Blaquiere He thought if the House were cold
on the affair of America, it would make the A
mericans persist longer in their rebellion ; but if
unanimous in their loyalty, it would bring it
soon to an end, and prevent other nations from
abiding them. He then moved for an address
to his Majefly, which he read; and it was, as
usual, a repetition of the speech in every point,
with thanks for' continuing Lord Harcourt as
Lord Lieutenant.
The address was seconded by Mr. Townley
Baltour.
Mr. Ponfonby rose, to oppose agreeing to
that part of the address relative to the Ameri
cans, which he was sorry was brought into
question /.ere, as it was highly imprudent to
do, lince the House could not decide upon it,
as no man there was matter of the fubjed for
want of proper materials and proper evidence ;
nay, even if they had both, it was a subject too
nice, too delicate, and too high for the Com
mons of Ireland, nay it was also premature, as
the British Parliament would meet in a few days,
and they ought t® wait for their determination.
Bolides, they might by intermeddling make
themselves fubje& to requisitions for assistance
not in their power to give. That taking notice
of American affairs was like embarking on the
wide Atlantic ocean, without a compass to fleer
by, or provisions for the voyage. He instanced
the social war of the Romans, which was forced
to be compromised to avoid deftru&ion to the
empire. He then moved, as an amendment,
in lieu of the paragraph in the address, to fay,
The Commons now concerned to fee differences
arise between his Majesty's Parliament of Great
Britain and his colonies. That they relied on
his paternal care to heal this breach, and tho'
they had hitherto been lilent on this affair, they
should now be wanting in their duty, ifthey did
not express their hopes of a reconciliation, and
if, after the offer of conciliatory meafurcs, the
Americans should still fland out, his faithful
fubjeßs of Ireland would do their utmost to
support him.
Mr. Conelly seconded this amendment, and
said he had in the British Parliament opposed
every ad against the Americans ; that they
ought not to promise any thing on that head, as
it would tend to a demand for a supply to enable
Britain to subdue the Colonies, and the next
step would be to tax Ireland in the British Par
liament ; for it had been already asserted there,
that they had an absolute right to do so, with
out their consent.
Mr. George Ogle urged, it was wrong to
bring even the idea of America into the House;
for if you take the part of the Americans you
irritate England, and if you assist Britain, you
thereby vote away your own liberties. That
they ought not too haflily to fix the Anin of re
bellion on two millions of fellow fubjeas. That
the English longed for the risk-lands; and if
you vote the Americans to be rebels, for refut
ing a taxation where they are not represented,
what can you fay when the English will tax
you.
Sir Edward Mewenham fyeke on the fame
•ns, you will b? ready to iiew your inviolable
attachment to his person and government, in
'the affection ofhis just rights, and in support of
•his legal authority.
" I ^n happy to inform.you, that, lince your
lad meeting, his Majedy's. tender concern tor
the welfare of this kingdom, hath induced him
to pass several laws in the British Parliament
highly beneficial to your Commerce, your manu
tadtures and your agriculture.
" By the A which extends the great advan
tages of British fisheries tolreland,'a source of in
dufty and wealth is opened to you, which has
made other nations great and flourifhing: Let
me, therefore, recommend to your earned at
tention, the improvement of advantages, tend
ing so obviously to promote your navigationand
trade; in the pursuit of which, you may depend
upon my warmed abidance and support.
“ Thea& which allows the eloathing and
accoutrements necessary for his Majedy's forces,
paid from the revenues of this kingdom, to be
exported from Ireland, is a particular mark of
the royal favour ; and even that which allows
the importation of rape feed into Great Britain
from this kingdom, under certain regulations,
connected with those salutary laws palled in your
lad session, form such a fydem of agriculture and
improvement, as will, I trust, secure riches and
plenty to the people of Ireland.
" A bounty granted by Great-Britain upon
the importation of flax-feed, is so marked a re
commendation of the linen manufacture, that it
becomes needless for me to urge the mod perse
vering application to that daple ofyourcouatry.
" Gentlemen ofthe House ofCommons,
" I have ordered the proper accounts and e
stimates to be laid before you, that you may be
enabled to judge of the provision necessary to be
made for the ordinary expences of his Majesty's
edablilhments, and for difeharging an Arrear
which has been unavoidably incurred.
" My Lords and Gentlemen,
Mr. Yelverton said, he expected a different
motion from the gentleman who made it; that
he could not call the Americans rebels, without
at the lame time allowing the right and authori
ty of the British Parliament to tax them; and
no ilavery can be more perfect, than to be taxed
where men are not represented. He dwelt on
the fame arguments with Mr. Ponfonby and
Mr. Ogle, and said he would agree to the a
mendment rather than the original address; but
' had rather every thing relative to America should
be totally omitted.
Mr. Dennis Daly observed, that the idea of
taxing Ireland was to be found in the King's
speech, at the opening of the last session of Par
liament ; but, indeed, they might permit Ire
land to have one, whilst the members would be
tools to fleece the public.'
Mr. Huffey Burgh said, the motion was too
sudden, and they had not time to determine.
No money could be voted, without palling thro'
a phalanx of committees; but here a vote of the
utmost consequence to their liberties was urged
in a moment. It might be a feather in the cap
of the Minister, but it had a poisoned dart to
the interests of Ireland joined to it. Gentlemen
might argue on declarations against taxing Ire
land ; but should thirty thousand English swords
enforce that doctrine, the eloquence of Gentle
men would be but a weak defence against them.
On what authority could they vote the Ameri
cans rebels? On none but news-papers; and
he hoped the Right Honourable Gentlemen
would move, that the proper officers, (Printers
Devils) should lay them, before the House.
Mr. Bufoy said, such an address would most
infallibly produce a requisition for a supply to
enforce the war against America ; and if we a
gree to it, the next step will be to tax Ireland in
the British Commons.
Mr. Huffey Burgh agreed it would be best to
leave out the entire mention of America.
Mr. James Brown spoke against the amend
ments. The question was put, and the House
divided. Ayes for the amendment, 49 ; Noes
against it, 99.
Mr. Gardiner then moved, that the whole
clause relative to the Americans, should be ex
punged.
Colonel Brown opposed it, and said thewhole
troubles there arose from a speech of Lord Cha
tham's, which was as unintelligible as St. Atha
nafius's Creed.---The House divided: Ayes for
keeping the clause, 90 ; Noes for expunging
it? 59- ...
Captain Wilson just before the question was
put, said, no reward the King could give could
fatisfy his confcicnce, if he voted for the clause.
Mr. Huffey Burgh then opposed the promise
of granting for arrears, and moved the question
for adjournment, on which the House divided :
Ayes for adjournment, 39; Noes against it, 82.
Ms. Charles Bingham agreed to add the
word unavoidable before arrears, and then the
House agreed to the address, and a Committee
was appointed to draw it up.
Colonel Ross moved an address to the Lord
Lieutenant, which was carried, and the House
adjourned, as it was near twelve o'clock.
PHILADELPHIA, fa. 4.
Extract of a letter from an officer under Col. Ar
nold, dated at Point aux Tremble, (in Canada)
November 21, 177 g.
/" THE last letter I wrote you was from the
'Dead River, 0a.24, which 'tis probable you
have never received. At that time ourdifficul
ties seemed to encreafe---We had a very rapid
river to encounter with our boats, and a thick
wilderness for those that marched by land; ma
ny places, some miles in length, of cedar
swamps, hills, &c. but all these were tolerable
while our provisions were plenty. At the head
of Claudiere Lake, which is an hundred and
some few miles from the Canadian settlements,
every man received his allowance of flour, and
there was exactly four pints to each. Meat
there was none. Upon this final! supply we were
obliged to push as we valued our lives, and did
not know but we should have a powerful army
to encounter.---Then I firft experienced thereal
advantages of health being able to keep pace
with the'foremoft, and reached the inhabitants,
though in a very weak halt starved condition.
Some dogs that had followed us were killed
and eat, even the intestines, skin, &c. Many
eat their flioes, shot pouches, &c. and some
never reached the settlements---! believe no
men ever went through more or greater hard
ships. Col. Enos who commanded the fourth
or last division of our little army, called a cot n
cil of war at his entrance into the Dead Ri\er,
and he with his whole p^rty, confiding of three
or expected on their account; and that on the
Scottish rebellion, and all other wars, the Com
mons always addressed, to declare their loyalty.
He added, that any mention in the English
House of a right to tax Ireland, was only the
rafli opinion of some individuals, not that of Go
vernment, and was wrong founded; and that
this address would be of great effect to end the
quarrel, when the rebels found they could have
no countenance from hence.
Mr. Conolly spoke again, adding that the
promise made at the augmentation of leaving
12,000 men always here for our defence was
now broken.'
Sir John Blaquiere replied, that the address
was only to teftify our loyalty, and nothing far
ther ; that the original dispute was now loft in
the consequences; that he was not empowered
to call the Americans by any other name than
that of rebels ; that no supply would be asked
fide of the queffion, and observed, if they voted
agaitift America, whenever matters are decided
the Americans would remember it, and not take
a yard of our linen, nor fend us any of their
Hour in any extremity.
companies, returned back t—This fiftCanTd
our dif!refs, as chief of our provision was in
the rear under Eiscare. From the lafl English
inhabitants in the province of Maine, to the
Canadian settlements, we were thirty two days
marching, and never saw any human beiny,
but thole of our party, neither do I think,
it was ever puffed, except by Indians and
wild beads. We were at lead one month to®
late for this 'northern climate, as we buffered
much from rains, cold, snow, &:c, but our jov
upon our arrival among the Canadians is inex
pressible, and their kindness and hospitality soon
made amends tor all our fatigue, though I am
sensible it never will be forgotten. From
the firft inhabitants up Claudiere River, to
Quebec, is called ninety mile?.-—We were not
permitted to tarry at any place, but matched on
as faft as our strength would permit to I’dint-
Levi, which is on the river St. Lawrence di
rectly opposite to Quebec, where we found a
number of armed velfels, from whom we were
frequently complimented with salutes of their
cannon.
" The country we left passed through was
veryjhick fettled, though every where you fee
marks of oppression.---The people are poor and
illiterate, and appear to have no other end in
view, than keeping their fouls and bodies toge
ther, and preparing for the next world, being
exceedingly devout. We tarried at Point Levi
near a week, during which time we were busy
in preparing to cross the river, being obliged to
purchase birch canoes twenty railes distant and
carry them by land, the regulars at Quebec hav
ing burnt all near them, as soon as they heard
of our coming: The men of war lay in such a
manner as they supposed would prevent our at
tempt, but on Monday the 13th instant, every
thing was ready for our embarkation, and at 9
o'clock in the evening, being very dark, the firtt
division let off, and we passed between the Hun
ter of fourteen guns and Quebec, and landed
fafely at Point de Pezo.---The boats were im
mediately sent back, and continued passing till
near day break, while the men on this fide
marched up the hill, at the fame place the im
mortal Wolfe formerly did, and immediately
formed. The place we marched up is called
Wolfe's Cove, and were you to fee the hill, you
would think it morally impossible for any thing
mortal to get heavy artillery up it. I forgot to
inform you, that Wolfe had intrenched himfelf
very strongly at Point Leri, the remains of
which are very evident, though defaced and
much filled up. Near day break, the guard
boat belonging to the man of war was passing
from the Hunter to the Lizard, a frigate of 2$
guns, at the time some of our boats were erod
ing, which made us uneasy ; and as the guard
boat came near the shore we hailed her, and then
fired upon her, and could hear diftin&ly them
cry out they were wounded; they puihed off,
and the whole garrison was immediately alarm
ed. After waiting some little time till all our
men were over, (except a guard Rationed at
Point-Levi) we marched across the Plains of
Abraham, at day break took poffeffibn of some
houses, one mile and a half from Quebec; after
fixing a strong guard we retired, but were a
larmed by their seizing one of our centinelf,
whom they carried off; Our army was immedi
ately marched off towards the walls : They fired
some heavy Ihot at us, but without any execu
tion ; and our men as usual at Cambridge, pick
ed up a number of them, gave them tbire
cheers and retired to their quarters. On Tues
day they made an attempt for a second centinel,
but were unfuccefsful.
Our little army immediately turned out. and
we took possession of a nunnery in the suburbs
within point blank foot, fixed a Prong guard
there; they kept a pretty heavy fire, but for
tunately no person received the least injury.
We had now in a great measure cut off al! com
munication between the city and country, and
I believe they began to feel we wire not the
mod agreeable neighbours. On Wednesday we
had two alarms, and expected they would have
turned out and ventured a battle ; but it vanifh
cd with the roaring of their cannon. On Thurs
day evening as a party weie crossing St. Charles
(for Quebec Hands on a point between St. Law
rence and St. Charles) one of our men, a Penn
sylvanian, and a noble soldier, was wounded by
a cannon ball in the'leg, which was cut off as
food as possible, but he had loft id much blood
beforethe Doctor could fee him, that he expired
the next morning. We buried him on the Plains
of Abraham—a noble grave for a soldier, and
which his past condu&, since he has been in this
department, really merited. Little or nothing
material happened on Saturday, On Sunday
evening about seven o'clock, every man received
orders to parade at head-quarters at three o'-
clock in the morning with his pack on his back.
The boats were dispatched across the river, and
our guard brought from Point Levi. At the
appointed hour we aflcmblcd and received orders
to retreat. We set off, and in our march palled
three different armed vessels, and as the road
is on the ffiore, we expected at least a bread-fide,
but they palled us in peace, and upon their ar
rival at Quebec, we heard the diicharge of a
number of cannon, from which we concluded
Carleton was ®n board one of them, or that it
was for joy of our railing the siege. We marcl«
ed eight leagues that day, and the Colonel
found it absolutely necefary to halt here, till
he could provide the men with Aces or meque
fons, many of them being almost barefoot; it
was the hrft time I ever wore moquefons on a
march, and I aflure you, from the roughness of
the road (it being very hard froze) I fullered
more than I ever did before, and could not, in
my opinion, if my life had depended upon it,
have marched ten miles next day. It has ever
been our to:tune from our firft marching fr>m
Cambridge, whenever we were much depressed,