The New York packet, and the American advertiser — New York [N.Y.], 1776-05-30 00:00:00, page 1

LONDO N.
Speeches delivered in the House of Lords.
{Continued from our lag.)
Lord Shelburne.
^3^*4^,,^ N whatever view this bill,
.^"°°^°°°4'te both in principle and the
W^* 0030 *^ mode of enforcing that prin
^s y 1 I ciple, prefects itfelf, it ap
t I ^^^ 1& pears to me to be fraught
^feo^^o^T"with every accumulated fpe
*°>^#^#* cies of impolicy and injus
tice. I shall in the few observations I propose to
make on it, deliver my mind freely, on this
however, as on all former occasions, looking
upon myfelf at liberty to alter my opinion, and
to regulate my judgment merely on the merits
of the matter under debate, combined with its
own particular circumstances, not by any colla
teral motives, which do not properly relate to,
the question before me. The firft matter that
forces its Way to your Lordlhips confederation
on perufingthe bill is, the principle, which to
me appears no lets cruel than impolitic. It is,
as it has been well observed in the course of this
debate, and to which I have not yet heard a ra
tional anfiver, to the last degree cruel and unjust,
because it involves the innocent in one common
punishment with the guilty. It is im,litic, be
cause it will throw the people into a date of des
peration, and of necessity force them to take up
arms in their own defence, so that it will have
the double eifeff of transforming four friends,
such as have hitherto continued so, into the most
inveterate enemies, and 'infpiring both friends
and foes with the most enthusiastic and despe
rate resolutions, of refilling a coercion that
leaves them no other alternative but submission
to the most abject llate of slavery, or of ending
in their complete deftruftion, unless they should
prevail in the contefl. But, my Lords, I have
a Wronger objection to the principle of the bill,
than' that I have now dated. It proceeds on
the idea that America is in rebellion to the just
authority of this country.' I deny it. I con
tend they have been in part, if not entirely, for
ced to take up arms in defence of their proper
ty which has been attempted by the a€ts of this
legifiature, to be wreffed unjustly out of their
hands. They have been taxed by the Britilh
Parliament, for the purpose of railing a revenue.
They hate been thereby deprived of the inali
endble priviledge of a Britilh fubjed, that of
Voting away his own money, of judging the
quantum, and of the propriety of entirely with
holding it, should he not approve of the uses or
purposes to which it may be intended to be ap
plied. Besides thisgeneral unquestionable ground
I have now Rated, taxation has beeq attempted
to be carried into effect, contrary to the usual
mode, to the ancient ufuage of requisition. I
therefore contend that the principle of the bill
is ill founded, and unjust in the firft concoction ;
and therefore that the idea is falfe, on which it
proceeds, for the colonies are not in a Rate of
rebellion, but are armed in support of their just,
their inalienable and constitutional rights, thus
openly invaded and attacked. The noble Earl
in office has aligned every reason for inverting
the elaufe in this bill, which has been objected
to by the noble Duke, but what appears to me
to be at the firft blush the most obvious. His
Lordihip fays, that in a foreign war we fecufe
all prisoners which fall into our hands in pri^
son; but tljat we will not know how so dispose
of tnofe which may be taken on the present
case, as no provision has been made on the bill
for that purpose.---But if the noble Earl will
permit me, I will tell him, what appears the
true motive for inferring that elaufe, a mere wan
ton aa of feminine revenge,a mere love of cruelty
and oppression.---But let us pass over that conli
deration, and turn to the means proposed in the
bill itfelf, for ensuring its operation. This I take
to be framed too on other grounds than of merely
rewarding merit. On 1 former occasion the noble
Earl, though he did nut positively affiire us, gave
us the Rrongeß hopes'that we should be able
to man our navy without pressing; but finding
it impracticable, the noble Earl and his brethren
in office, have had r°courfe to this method of
dividing the prizes taken among the captors, in
order <o avoid the unpopular mode of pressing,
or of disclosing to the public,' that our seamen
VO L. L . - ',. NUMB
THE f
^^^2^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^A^"^?^^
A AI E R I C A N A DVERTI S E R.
THURSDA Y, M AY goth, 1776.
ASSIZE of BREAD. Flour at 17s per O,
A Wheaten Loaf of the fineft FLOUR, to
J ^..weigh ilb. 11 1-2 oz. lor ^Coppers.
Published March iB, 1)76. 1 -
Printed by SAMUEL LOUDON, in Water-Street, between the Coffee-House and the Old Slip.
Thursday, 3 Min. after 7
Friday, 49 M[n. after ^
Saturday, 58 Min. after 8
Sunday, 51 Mih. after 9
are as averse to this service as our landlmen have
already proved themselves. I believe the noble
Earl distinguished himfelf in a warm opposition,
during the Spanish war, 1741, and assisted in car
rying the measure against the minißer, for di
viding the captors taken, by the enemy, a
mong the captors. Lord Bath was at the bead
of that opposition ; and I believe the noble Earl
does not forget that the grpat argument then
used, in both Houses, wat, that such encou
ragement became absolutely necessary ; for as
the merchants wages were so much higher than
the pay allowed by government, such a stimu
lative to enter aboard the King's ships, would
be the only, best and most probable means of
speedily manning our navy, upon any sudden
emergency. This, my Lords, cannot be said to
be the case at present ; no such reason can now
be assigned; for I believe the merchants wages
are rather lower than usual ; at least I am well
informed they have not been raised some time
past. Ido not know that dividing the prizes,
in the manner usually adopted among the cap
tors, is perfedly right at any time ; but as it is,
the only reason that has ever been assigned, and
that it does not at present exist, I muff confefs,
that that, with the circumstances attending it,
is another reason why lam against this bill. I
Should think myfelf juftified in passing over the
matter I am now about mentioning to your
Lordflrips, as not directly applying to the fub
je& matter of this debate, if I did not thick it
of the most material eonfequence ; I mean, the
two resolutions agreed to in the other house, re
lative to the colony of Nova Scotia. As we can
not procure any information in this House, I
am under the necessity of Seeking it wherever I
can find it. In the votes of the House of Com
mons, I find that they have resolved, that no o
ther duties or customs shall be paid for any goods
or merchandize imported into the colony of
Nova-Scotia, but what it expressed in the second
resolution : and that in the second resolution,
that is resolved not to exceed 8 per cent, ad va
lorem, on all foreign commodities. Now, my
Lords, on those resolutions, two matters very
sensibly Strike me. First, the smallness of the
revenue, for which it seems we are contending;
and secondly, the direct invasion of the AC of
Navigation, exprefled in the second resolution,
which states the duty of 3 per cent, to be upon
foreign commodities imported from the place
of their growth. This last, in my opinion, is
directly cutting at that great palladium of our
commerce, that great source of all the advanta
ges we now happily enjoy, as the firft commer
cial and trading nation in Europe; for the Spi
rit and letter on which the whole of that law is
founded, are, that no article or commodity shall
be direffly imported into the colonies from the
place of their growth. Taking this in either
light, as a mark of indulgence and favour in
tended to this paltry colony, which has cost this
country more than the fee Simple of it is worth;
or taking it as a foundation for a treaty with the
other colonies, I think such an invasion of the
Navigation A& totally improper.
Farther Advices from,Europe, brought by George
Merchant, laze a ,rifever in London; the par
ticulars ofwhofe case ivere mentioned in our last.
HAGU E, Feb. rB.
We learn from Caffel, that the firft column of
Hessian troops which is taken into the pay of
Great Britain, was to set out on their march
from Bremen the 15th inst. at which place they
are to take the oath of fidelity to his Britannic
Majesty, after which they will embark on board
the English transports in the Wezer.
The affair refpe&ing the cession of the Scotch
brigade is at last decided ; the Rates of Holland,
after being aflembled fix weeks to deliberate a
bout it, gave their consent last Friday; theirs
being the only one wanted. It was carried the
fame day in the assembly of the States General,
who are now Separated ; but nothing transpires
with regard to the conditions upon which the
Republic cedes that brigade to Greatßritain, nor
for what time.
The States General having communicated to
the English Ambassador their resolution of ced
ing the Scotch brigade to his court, his Excel
lency immediately difpateked a courier to Len
HIGH WATER at NEW-YORK. #
Monday, 23. Min. after 10
Tuesday, ig Min. after 11
Wednesday, 13 Min. after 12
Full Moon ift of June.
Persons are going to Glasgow to contrast for
Shipping, bedding, &c. to carry over 3000 troops
to America, who are to embark at Port-Glaf
g%
To prevent the transports being taken by the
small provincial privateers, orders are given to
the surveyors of the navy, that none be taken
up under 300 tons, and these also to have fix
9 pounders upon deck for their defence.
Ext r aR of a letter from Cadiz, fan. 21.
" On the 7th of this instant, a vessel of about
400 tons burden, and mounting 10 guns, arriv
ed hre laden with corn, and it was soon after
underßood that she was an American vessel, and
was come purposely to endeavour to trade with
the Spaniards, at this port, but it was hindered
by the commissioners, who immediately sent for
the EngliSh Consul, and in two days after the
arrival of the veflel notice was given to the com
mander, Samuel Martin, that he could not be
permitted to trade there, nor in any other of
the Spanish ports, as orders had been sent from
Madrid to the contrary, and gave the captain
notice to depart accordingly, which he diredly
complied with."
March 2. Tuesday a messenger arrived at St.
James's charged with some very important dis
patches from the regency of Hanover; and last
night was sent off with Several packets for the
Lords of that Electorate.
,The Generals Gage and Burgoyne are both
to return to America to their refpe&ive com
mands, in a very Short time.
This week the following forces are said to be
agreed to in Council to be sent to America this
faring:
Hessians, 12000
B r unfwickers, 4000
Waldeckers, 2000
1 8000
British, 37070
55000
The treaty with^the Duke of Brunswick was
Signed by Colonel William Fawcitt, the 9th of
January, 1776. By this treaty 3,464 men are
taken into the pay of Great Britain; also 336
light cavalry, diimounted. Half to be ready to
march the 1 sth of February, and to arrive at
the place of embarkation the 25th; the other
halt to begin their march the I2R weekin March;
levy money to be paid to' the Duke 30 crowns
each, at 45. 9 3-^. The King to pay the Duke
a fubfiay of 64,500 German crowns a year,
while in pay ; and double that for two years af
ter the troops return.
The treaty with the Landgrave of Hesse, was
Signed at Caffel, by the fame gentleman, the
.15th of January. By it 12,000 Hessians are hir
ed; a part to begin their march the 27th of
February, and the remainder within four weeks
after: twenty crowns banco to be paid for levy
money for each man; the subsidy to be 45,000
crowns banco, per annum, at 4s. 9 3-4 CI. The
treaty to continue at least one year after the
troops arrive back to the dominions of Hesse.
That with the Count of Hanau was Signed
the fifth of February, for 668 infantry, to begin
to march the a©th of March. Levy money
don, from whence orders are expected on that
fubjet, particularly as this affair has been hither
to carried on privately, between the King of
Great Britain and the Stadtholder.'
LOND O N, fa.2o.
The Canadian merchants, now in London,
have applied to government, to know if they
mean to fend forces in the-fpringto drive the
Americans out of that province. They have
received for answer, that they may rest assured
an armament will be feat to Canada early in the
Jan. 2g, Lieutenant General Elliot, Colonel
of the I,h or King's light dragoons is appoint
ed Governor of Gibraltar, in the room of Gen.
Cornwallis, deceased.
Besides the men of war now fitting out at
Chatham for the North-American Ration, the
Repulse, Captain Davies, the Carrysfort, Fan
fhaw, and Flora, Brifben, all frigates of 32 guns,
are getting ready with the greatest dispatch.
Fob. 29. Yesterday officers under failing or
ders, were ordered to repair to their refpeaive
regiments, to be ready to embark on a day's no
tice.
'Wheat per Bushel, gs. 6d.
! Flour, - - -15 s. od.
I Brown Bread, -13 s. od.
IWeft-hdia Rum, 95. 6d.
I New-England do. ss. od.
PRICE-CURRENT, i o NEW-YORK.
Mufeovado Sugar, L. 7
Single refin'd do. as. 6d,
MolafTes, - - - ss. od.
Beef, per Barrel, 70s. od.
Pork, - - , 955. od.
30 crowds. The annual subsidy to be 35,000
crQrfhs.
HOUSE of COMMONS.
On Thursday Lord North mvved that the
above treaties should be referred to the Com
mittees of Supplies; on which an interesting
debate arefe, of which the following is the most
material part given by the London papers.
His Lordffiip explained the general plan of
the treaty, the necessity of the measure, and the
very salutary effects that might be expected from
it. He said no queßign could arise upon it but
three, all of which were too plain to require
much elucidation. Whether the troops to be
hired were wanted ? Whether the terms they
were procured on were advantageous? and
whether the force was such as might be deemed
fully adequate to effect the operations for which
they were intended? As to the firft point, he
said, that reducing America to a proper consti
tutional Rate of obedience, being the great ob
je& of Parliament, the best and most f,^dy
means of effeding so desirable a purpose; was
the motive which induced administration to
adopt the measure, because men could be readier
had, and upon much cheaper terms in this way
than we could possibly recruit them at home.
On the second point he observed, that not only
in the view cf comparative cheapness with home
levies, but as referring to farmer times, the pre
sent troops, will cost us less than, taking all
circumriauces together, we could have expe&
ed. And laftiy, that the force which this mea
sure would enable us to fend to America, would
be such as in all human probability must com
pel that country to Submit to reasonable terms
of submission, perhaps without the farther es.
fufion of blood.
Lord John Cavendif—reprobated the mea
sure in all its parts. He observed that the pre
sent was the firft alarming eonfequence of the
American war. Britain was to be disgraced in
the eyes of all Europe. She was to be impo
verished, nay, what was, if possible, worse, ite
was compelled to apply to two petty German
Rates, in the most mortifying and humiliating
manner, and submit to indignities never before
prescribed to a crowned head presiding over a
powerful and opulent-kingdom. First, the troops
were to enter into pay before they began to
march—a thing never known before. Secondly,
levy money was to be paid at the rate of nearly
71. 10s. per man. Thirdly, not fatisfied with
this, those petty Princes are to be subsidized.
Fourthly, they have had rhe modesty to ask a
double subsidy. Fifthly, the subsidy is to be
continued for two years, in one inftanee, and
one year in the other, after the troops have re
turned to their refpedive countries. And lastly,
a body of i2,cco foreigners are to be introduced
into the dominions of the British crown, under
no controul of the King or Parliament; for the
express words ofthe treaty are, “ that this body
of troops (Hessians) shall remain under the com
mand of the General, to whom his Most Serene
Highness has entrusted his command."
At half after one the House divided on the
question, when the numbers were, 242 for re
terring the treaties to a committee of supply,
88 against the motion.
March g. This day the Heufe went into a
committee of supply, and came to the follow
ing resolutions, which are to he reported on
Monday ; that 381,8871. 4s. 5 x-Bd. t? ranted
for the charge of 12,325 Hessians, together with
subsidy for the vear 1776.
That 121,4751. 12s. id. be granted for the
charge of 4,300 Brunfwickers, together with
the subsidy to the reigning Take. That 19,000!.
19s. 3 i-4d. be granted for the charge of a regi
ment of Hanau, together with the subsidy of
the hereditary Prince of Hesse Cafiel.
It is calculated, that the ensuing campaign
against the American colonies will cost Great
Britain, at least four millions.
Several of Sir Peter Parker's fleet, which fail
ed from Cork the 12th ult. we Iran, were fren
bearing away for Lifb&n, having lailtbair maih
top-masts, rails, &c. and it was imagined that
most of the men of war were got into the above
place.
March 12. Yt?erday Sir George Ofburte,
and several other otiicers ofibe guards, attend:
ed the levee at St. James's, and took leave of
- Fine Salt, - - - None.
, Coarse Salt, - - fc. od.
Indian Corn, per Bulk; 3s. 6d.
Chocolate, - - 2$ . 6d.