The New-York gazette, and the weekly Mercury — New-York [N.Y.], 1775-02-06 00:00:00, page 1

Monday, February 6, 1775. THE[^O.l2l7,
N E -7° O R K^y^^@^G AZET TE:
THE
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Published Sth December, 1774.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
IT gives me much concern, that I am obliged, at
the opening of this Parliament, to inform you,
that a most daring spirit of refinance and disobe
dience to the law still unhappily prevails in the
province of the Massachusetts Bay, and has, in
divers parts of it, broke forth in trefh violences
of a very criminal nature. These proceedings
have been countenanced and encouraged io other
of my colonies, and unwarrantable Attempts
have been made to obltruff the commerce of this
kingdom, by unlawful combinations. I have
taken such measures, and given such orders, as I
judged most proper and effectual for carrying
into execution the laws which were passed in the
last Session of the late Parliament, for the pro
tection and security of the commerce of my
fubjeds, and for the restoring and preserving
peace, order, and good government in the pro
vince of the Massachusetts Bay; and you may
depend upon my firm and ftedfalt resolution to
withstand every attempt to weaken or impair the
supreme authority of this Legislature over all the
dominions of my crown ; the maintenance of
which I confider as essential to the dignity, the
fafety, and the welfare of the British empire ;
assuring myfelf, that, while I a& upon these prin
ciples, I shall never fail to receive your abidance
and support.
I have the greatest fatisfa^ion in being able to
inform you, That a treaty of peace is concluded
On Tuesday last arrived here, in 6 Weeks and 3
Days from Falmouth, the Lord Hyde Packet
Boat, Capt. Jefferies, by whom we have the
London Papers to the 13th of December,
containing the following Advices, viz.
YEfterday his Majesty went in state to the
House of Peers, attended by the Duke of
Ancafter, and Lord Bruce; and the
House of Commons being sent for, they
presented Sir Fletcher Norton for their Speaker, of
whom his Majesty approved ; after which his Ma
jesty made the following most gracious Speech from
the Throne.
Between Kurna erne: —me rorte. +u: ? happy
event, the troubles which have so long prevailed
in one part of Europe are composed, and the ge
neral tranquillity rendered complete. It shall be
my constant aim and endeavour to prevent the
breaking out of frefh Disturbances ; and I cannot
but flatter myfelf I fliall succeed, as I continue
to receive the strongest assurances from other
powers of their being equally disposed to preserve
the peace.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I have ordered the proper estimates tor the fer
vice of the ensuing year to be laid before you ;
and I doubt not but that, in this Boufe of Com
mons, I dial! meet with the fame affectionate
confidence, and the fame proofs of zeal and at
tachment to my person and government, which I
have always, during the course of my reign, re
ceived from my faithful Commons.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Let me particularly recommend to you, at this
time, to proceed with temper in your delibera
tions, and with unanimity in your resolutions.
Let my people, in every part of my dominions,
be taught by your example, to have a due reve
rence for the laws, and a just sense of the blessings
of our excellent constitution. They may be
assured that, on my part, I have nothing so much
at heart as the real prosperity and lading happi
ness of all my fubje&s.
Proceedings of the
LORDS AND COMMONS.
Die Mercurii, 308 Novembri, 1774.
The Lord Chancellor reported his Majesty's speech,
and the fame being read by the Clerk,
Moved, that an humble address be presented to his
Majesty, to return his Majesty the thanks of this
House for his most gracious speech from the Throne.
To declare our abhorrence and detestation of the
daring spirit of refinance and disobedience to the
laws, which so strongly prevail in the province of the
Massachusetts-Bay, and of the unwarrantable attempts
in that and other provinces of America, to obftru&
by unlawful combinations, the trade of this kingdom.
To return his Majesty our humble thanks, for
having been pleased to communicate to us, that he
has taken such measures, and given such orders as
his Majesty hath judged most proper and effectual for
the protection and security of the commerce of his
Majesty's fubje&s, and for carrying into execution
the laws, which were passed in the last session of the
late parliament, relative to the province of the Massa
chusetts-Bay.
To express our entire fatisfa&ion in his Majesty's
firm and fteadfaft resolution to continue to support the
supreme authority of the legislature over all the
dominions of his crown, and to give his Majesty the
strongest assurances, that we will cheerfully co-operate
in all such measures, as shall be necessary to maintain
the dignity, fafety, and welfare of the British empire.
That as this nation cannot be unconcerned in the
common interest of Europe, we have the greatest
fatisfa&ion in being acquainted with the conclusion of
the peace between Russia and the Porte, that we
confide in his Majesty's endeavours to prevent, as
far as possible, the breaking out of frefh disturbances ;
and from the assurances given to his Majesty by other
powers, we have the pleating expectation, that nothing
is likely to intervene, that may interrupt the present
happy tranquility in Europe.
LONDON, December i.
That it is no less our duty than our inclination to
proceed with temper and unanimity in our delibera
tions and refoliations, and to inculcate, by our example,
a due reverence for the laws, and a just sense of the
excellency of our constitution ; and impressed, with
the deepest gratitude for the many blessings we have
enjoyed during the course of his Majesty's reign,
to teftify with unaffeaed zeal at this conjuncture,
our inviolable fidelity to his Majesty, and our serious
attachment to the public welfare.
Then an amendment was proposed to be made to
the said motion, by inserting, after the word Throne,
at the end of the firft paragraph, these words :
To desire his Majesty would be graciously pleased
to give direction for an early communication of the
accounts which have been received, concerning the
state of the colonies, that we may not proceed to the
consideration of this most critical and important
matter, but upon the fulleft information : and when
we are thus informed, we shall, without delay, apply
ourselves with the most earnest and serious zeal, to
such measures as shall tend to secure the honour of
his Majesty's crown, the true dignity of the mother
country, and the harmony and happiness of all his
Majesty's dominions.
Which being objected to,
After long debate,
The question was put, Whether these words shall
be inserted in the said motion ?
It was resolved in the negative.
Contents 13
Non Contents 63
Difentient,
• BECAUSE we cannot agree to commit ourselves
with the careless facility of a common address of com
pliment, in expressions, which may lead to measures,
in the event, fatal to the lives, properties, and liberties
of a very great part of our fellow fubje&s.
We conceive that an address upon such obje&s as
are before us, and at such a time as this, must neces
sarily have a considerable influence upon our future
proceedings, and must impress the public with an
idea, of the general spirit of the measures which we
mean to support.
Whatever methods we fliall think it advifeable t,
pursue, either in support of the mere authority of
parliament, which seems to be the sole consideration
Wilh fyluv, vi fvx rnuiTClkn^ Jiuvauibvt.ij- with the
peace and fatisfa&ion of the whole empire, which has
ever been our constant and invariable object, it will
certainly add to the weight and efficacy of our pro
ceedings, if they appear the result of full information,
mature deliberation, and temperate enquiry.
No materials for such an enquiry have been laid
before us ; nor have any such been so muchas pro
mised in the speech from the throne, or even in any
verbal affiirance from ministers.
2. Because this address does, in efte&, imply an appro
bation of the system adopted with regard to the colonies
in the last parliament. This unfortuate system, contrived
with so little prudence, and pursued with so little tem
per, consistency, or forefight, we were in hopes, would
be at length abandoned, from am experience of the mif
chiefs which it has produced, in proportion to the time
in which it was continued, and the diligence with which
it was pursued ; a system which has created the utmost
confufion in the colonies, without any rational hope of
advantage to the revenue, and with certain detriment to
the commerce of the mother country. And it affords
us a melancholy profpe& of the disposition of Lords in
the present parliament, <wben <we fee the House, under the
preflure of so severe and uniform an experience, again ready,
voitbeut an enquiry, to countenance, if not to adopt, the
spirit of the former fatal proceedings.
But whatever may be the mifehievous designs, or the
inconsiderate temerity, which leads others to the desperate
course, we wish to be known as persons who have ever
disapproved of measures so pernicious in their past effects,
and their future tendency, and who are not in haste,
without enquiry or information, to commit ourselves in
declarations which may precipitate our country into all
the calamities of a civil war.
RICHMOND, PORTLAND,
ROCKINGHAM, STAMFORD,
STANHOPE, TORRINGTON,
PONSONBY,'WYCOMBE,
CAMDEN.
The following Address of Thanks to bis Majesty, for
bis most gracious Speech from the Throne, novas presen
ted on Wednesday by the Speaker of the House of Com
mons :
" Most gracious Sovereign,
" We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects,
the Commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled,
return, our Majesty our humble Thanks for your most
graciousfpeech from the Throne.
" Permit us to assure your Majef, that we receive
with the bigheft sense of your Majesty's Goodness the
early Information which you have been pleased to give
us, of the fate of the province of Mafaebufetts Bay.
" Wefeel the mofl fmcere Concern, that a Spirit of
Disobedience and refinance to the law Jhould fill unhap
pily prevail in that province, and that it has broke
forth mfrejb violences of a most criminal Nature: And
we cannot but lament that such Proceedings fbould have
been countenanced and encouraged in an, other of your
Majefly's colonies, and that an, of your fobjeXs fbould
have been so far deluded and misted, as to make rafb
and unwarrantable Attempts to obfruX the Commerce
of ,our Majesty's Kingdoms by unlawful Combinations.
" We beg leave to present our mos dutiful Thanks to
your Majeftyjor having taken such Measures as your
In this situation we are called upon to make an
address, arbitrarily impofmg qualities and descriptions
upon a&s done in the colonies, of the true nature and
just extent of which we are as yet in a great measure
unapprized ; a procedure which appears to us by no
means consonant to that purity which we ought ever
to preserve in our judicial, and to that caution which
ought to guide us in our deliberate capacity.
Monday, 15 Min. after 2
Tuesday, 59 Min. after 2
Wednesday, 40 Min. after 3
Thursday, 33 Min. after 4
HIGH-WATER at NEW-YORK, this Week.
Friday, 15 Min. after 5
Saturday, 1 Min. after 6
Sunday, 48 Min. after 6
First Quarter the 7th.
Majesty judged most proper and effectual, for carrying
into Execution the Laius, which were passed in toe
last session of the late Parliament, for the Proteflion and
security of the Commerce of your Majefy's Subjects,
andfor restoring and preferring Peace, Order, and
good government, in the province oj Massachusetts Bay.
" Yourfaithful Commons, animated by your Majej
tfs gracious Assurances, vsill use every means in their
Power to affifi your Majesty in maintaining entire and
inviolate the Supreme Authority of this Legislature over
all the Dominions of your Crown ; being truly fenjible
that wefall betray the Trust reposed in us, and be
wanting to every Duty which we owe to your Majes
ty, and to our Fellow Subjects, ij we failed to give
our most zealous Support to tbofe great conflitutional
Principles which govern your Majeffs Conduct in this
important bufnefs, and which are so essential to the
Dignity, Safety, and Welfare of the Britifo Empire.
" We learn, with great Satisfaction, that a Treaty
of Peace is concluded between Rifia anaOe Porte, and
that, by this happy Event, the general tranquillity is
rendered complete: And we entertain a well grounded
Hope that your Majesty's constant Endeavours to fore
event the breaking out of frefh Diflurbances npilt be
attended to with Success, as your Majesty continues to
receive the flrongcf Afurances prom other Powers of
their being differed to preserve the Peace.
“ We affureyour Majesty, that we will, with the
utmof Cbeerfulnefs, grant to, our Majesty Every necet
fdr, Supply ; and that we confider ourselves bound by
Gratitude, as well as Duty, to give ever, Proof of
the most affefiionate Attachment to a Prince, who,
during the whole Course of bis Reign, has made the
Happiness of bis People the Objed oj bis Liews, and
the Rule of all bis Actions.”
His Majeftys most gracious Answer.
cc Gentlemen,
" I return you my particular Thanks for this very
" loyal and dutiful Address. I receive with the bigbeft
" Satisfaction and Approbation your Assurances of
“ Assistance and Support, in maintaining the supreme
" Authority of the Legislature over all the Dominions
" of my Crown. It shall be my Care to juflify by my
" Conduct the Confidence you so affectionately express,
" and to flew that I have no Interejis separate from
" tbofe of my People."
Dec. 6. Yetterday in the House of Commons as
soon as the ftandm^ orders of the House, as is
customary at the beginning of every feflions of
Parliament, were read and agreed to, the gallery
doors, which had hitherto been kept shut, were
opened, by the Speaker's orders; but those who
had waited for upwards of two hours, with great
inipatience, suddenly ruling in, created a noise
and confufion which gave great offence to the
House.
He was seconded by Mr. Montague. This
brought up Lord North, who touched slightly up
on American affairs; said it was not the time to
enter fully into the matter, and hoped the Hon,
Member would withdraw his motion; this brought
on a general debate; Gov. Johnftone, the Hon.
Charles Fox, Col. Barre, Mr. Burke, and many
of the principal speakers on behalf of adminiftra
tion were called up. The debates continued till
a quarter past ten last night ; when the House
divided ; the numbers were, against the amend
ment 264, for it 73.
Dec. 8. The following is a circumstantial ac
count of the proceedings on Monday last Dec. 5,
Upon the order of the day being read in the
House of Commons on Monday last, for taking
into consideration his Majesty's most gracious
speech, Lord Beachamp rose and moved for an
address to his Majesty, to return his Majesty the
thanks of this House for his Majelty'smolt gra
cious speech from the throne. Besides the usual
form of addressing, his Lordship introduced several
pertinent observations on the present spirit of the
Colonists, their resolves, meetings, and in parti
cular their intended non-importation agreement.
His speech was in general well received and much
approved of.
His Lordfllip was seconded by Mr. De Grey,
jun. Lord John Cavendish now rose, and having
previously condemned the conduct of administra
tion, and the turbulent spirit of the colonies,
moved an amendment, in calling for such papers
relative to America, as had been received since
the last sessions, without which, his Lordship re
marked, it would be impossible for the House to
determine with propriety or certainty, whether it
might or might not be necessary to adopt other
measures.
Lord North answered Lord John Cavendish in
a Aiofttygeh^and said he ihould give himfelf or
At about a quarter past four o'clock in the
afternoon, Lord Beauchamp, in a fliort, but sen
sible speech, moved for an humble Address to his
Majesty's most gracious Speech on Wednesday last :
he was seconded in his motion by the Hon. Mr.
De Grey, who likewise spoke in a very able man
ner. Lord John Cavendish got up next, and in
a spirited speech (letting forth the impropriety of
addrtffing till they were better informed from
papers and accounts which should firlt be hid
before the House) proposed an amendment to the
motion.
The Speaker at length desired the Deputy Ser
jeant to clear the gallery of all strangers what
ever ; but before his commands could be execut
ed, a Member rose in his place, and moved, that
the House should be cleared. Mr. Burke observed
that no one had been made freer with in the pub
lic prints than himfelf, but that as the noise had
now subsided, he. thought the gallery might be
permitted to remain as it was. However, the
handing order was adhered to, and the gallery
was accordingly cleared ; though in a short time
after a few Irish Members were let in.
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Beef per Barrel, 455. od.
Pork, 655. od.
Mr. T. Townfhend was for the amendment,
and was very levere on the general conduct of
Administration.
Mr. Burke put the Honfe into great good
humour, but seemed willing to avoid the real
merits. He was for the amendment.
Mr. Van spoke strongly tor the most firm and
decisive measures.
Mr. Solicitor General spoke very fully and
ably, and endeavoured to answer every thing
that had been offered on the other fide. Besides
the above, Mr. Drake, and one or two other
Gentlemen spoke in the debate.
The question being put, at about half after
ten, the House divided. For the amendment 73,
against it 264 ; and the question for the Address
being then put, it pa ffed of course in the affirmative-
Dec, to. Mr. E. Burke, in his speech on Monday
last, an the amendment of the address, though he was
not logjfticall, argumentative, was very humouroujl,
and pointedly so. Amongst other humourous reflexions
which he made on Adminifration's buoying up the new
Members, by telling them the address was nothing but
a vote of compliment, he compared fuels a conduX to a
defining, diflipated love", who, under the foew of the
mofi honourable felicitations, firft fqueues bis miffrefs's
hand, then aJks her to take a turn in the park, next
to an excurfan in the country, and son on, step byflep,
till be d'fbonours her, and brings her in the end to that
infamy and disgrace, that what was originally her
misfortune, becomes berfoame and disgrace.
Mr. Burke, in the fame speech, mentioning the pre
fentfituation of America, drew a fine allegorical picture
of that country, which be compared to a funeral.
Trade and commerce, be said, were the pall bearers ;
the principal merchants and traders were chief-mour
ners ; the Weft-Indian and African merchants 'elofed
the proceffon ; wbilf the army and navy, at a distance,
looked on in gloomy Jilence at so melancholy a fight.
-—^^^^ :&^&^&&^^
Nov. 19. It is said that a General, one of the King
of Prussia's favourites, and another of that Monarch's
Ministers, are now here on fomefecret negotiations.
This day General Murray set out for Minorca, being
appointed Governor of that place in the room of Geu.
Johnson resigned.
Nov. 22. A certain Royal Duke is, we bear, deter
mined to take a. very spirited and decisive part in
public affairs in the ensuing session of parliament.
JoJiab G^uincy, Esq; who arrived on Frida, from
Boston, bad the next da, a ^ng conference with the
Secretaries of State.
the House very little trouble, as be imagined when
be came in that there was not a member present
who would not perceive the necessity for acting in
the manner proposed by the speech. His Lordship
owned himfelf to be the fabricator of it, and said
that it was drawn up faortly purely to avoid all
cavil, and to promote an unanimity of opinion at
this important crisis.
He was answered by Mr. F. Montagu, who in
general disapproved of the address, and who
seconded the motion for the amendment very
Itrenuoufly.
Governor Johnftone spoke very fully on the
fame fide, and was heard with a good deal of ?,-
tention. He contended very ably that America
was not worth keeping on the terms and principles
contained in the address.
He was followed by Mr. Fox, who was very
pointed in his observations on the manner the
gallery was cleared. He laid it was a mere Mini
sterial trick to ftifle enquiry and shorten debate ;
tor if the gallery had been open, Administration
must have been obliged to break that silence and
unconcern they now affected to hold. It was ex
tremely unfair, he laid, that perlons should be
shut out from being present at the difeuffion of a
question, in the event of which they were so highly
interested ; and concluded by a succession of very
pointed and severe animadveifions.
Mr. Hartley (a new Member) spoke next, and
entered pretty fully into the contents of the speech
and address, and urged strongly the necessity of
Lord John Cavendish's proposed amendment.
Col. Barre was very able on the fame fide. He
was of the fame opinion with Governor Johnftone.
He said the scheme of reducing the colonies by
force was wild, incoherent, and impracticable ;
and though it were not, that a dominion sup
ported by force would answer no end whatever.
He said, a report prevailed, that General Gage
was shortly to be recalled, but that would fignify
nothing ; for fend whom you may, fend a second,
recall him, and fend a third, fays he, it will be
all to no effectual or substantial purpose.
Sir George Macartney answered the Colonel,
and spoke with facility and precision. He was
against the amendment, and in general for spirited
measures.
Lord Carmarthen entered fully into the con
tents of the proposed amendment, and dw§lt
much on the spirit of sedition, turbulence and
rebellion, which had manifefted itfelf from one
end to the other of the American continent.
Sir William Mayne declared himfelf uncon
nected with either fide of the House ; said, his
mind was unbiased, and his conduct should be un
fettered ; that on the prelent occauon he was a
gainst the amendment, but reserved his opinion
rill the question, and the information necessary to
difeufs and determine on it, came properly before
the House. He was heard with great attention,
and general approbation.
General Smith was of the fame opinion, observ
ing, that the present was no proper time to take
so great and important a question into considera
tion ; and that his being now against the amend
ment, would not hereafter preclude him from
givihg his thoughts freely, when the mattercame
before the Houle in another form.
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