The New York packet, and the American advertiser — New York [N.Y.], 1776-07-04 00:00:00, page 1

Governor JOHNSTON's Speech.
[Crowded.].
SL;O™$ L;O™%ET we are breaking thro'
j,4^s°°^ & [ all those sacred maxims of
I &^Q 1 § our forefathers aridgiving
';{: IY§ $" the alarm to every wife m n
(§- I {^^A § %) on the continent ot America,
'^^ooco^^co^ 0 !' that all his rights depend on
*'^ ^^ the will of men whole cor
ruption are notorious, who regard him as an ene
my, and who 1) * a no interest in his prosperity,
and feel no controul from him as a constituent.
The mod learned writer on government has de
fined civil and political liberty to coTift in a per
?eht f curity as to a man's rights ; alter the afb
of Parliament of lass year, can any man on the
great continent of America fay that he feels
that security? Couldany thing less than dread of
loling every efiential privilege, have united a
people so divided in cuitoms, manners, climate,
and communications? . Could any thing less
than an entire want of policy, a species of poli
tical frenzy here, have produced this wonderful
eheb ? You blame the Americans, but do not
consider the next step which your conduct drives
them to. You assert they aim at independency;
l afleft they wish for nothing more than a con
ftu itiohal* depends nee on Grfat Britain, accord
ing s h#y have fublifed from.their firft efta
bdihments, and according as . Irelu^l depends
hep TO '?ehb,nx ,: th ; . moment. Can
any uaai r.liaprnr• ttr for: ci uc
in. the legifbf e and execuhve parts of our co
l)uy government, wh) midertands the force of
the ieveral acts of navigation, v. ho knows the
incitements and attachments by tire education of
youth in this country, who Knoos what would
be die eftc&sof mixing the colonists in our fleets
and armies, and every other office in our govern
ment; who confiJers the effects of appeals in
the lafl resort to his Majeffy in Council, who
knows the power of his M^jefty in annulling
laws made in the colonies within three years ;
who perceives the advantages that evety part of
the empire derives from the prosperity of the
other: Who is there, I fay, capable of digesting
those thoughts, and can entertain the ignoble
jealousies, daily exprefled against the Americans,
or shew any motive why the people in America
fiould break the bond of union with this coun
try tor ages yet to come, unlcfe driven to thrt
extremity by following Mr. Ritchinfon's ad
vice in Abridging tbeir liberties, which is as m rich
a part of their birth-right, as of any man living
and born in England. The nature of govern
ment will not allow us to define what are the
precise points where refinance may be made to
the governing powers; but will any man con
chide from thence, that ads of King, Lords,
and Counions ought not to be refilled, if they
should sap the fundamental principles of the
conditution? Nothing but the general feeling
of the community can determine the point ; and
Was ever the Rnfe of a people so unanimous
on any fubjea? I declare upon my honour, I
htve not conversed with one man from America
(and Thavechiefly fought out friends of Ad
mhiiftrati m) who have not universally agreed,
tli.r. all A,.aciica is unanimous in rchfthig the
power of taxing them by the Brimh Parliament,
wherefhey have, no representatives; that they
will nyver yield this point; that in case they
were made easy on this point, and secure as to
their chasers, on which their property depends,
-they would immediately return to their du
tr and obedience. , .
This I aver to be th; un'verfil report and 0-
pinion of all.men with whom I have ponverfed
from America. If any one difyayes the truth
of my afiertions, I .now dety hiro to bring any
evidencejo contr^diß me, and 1 now Undermbe
to bring men of the bed characters toprove
what I gver. But refpe&ing general opinion, I
still go'arTer; I maintain that the letye. of the
best and wisest men of this country are on the
fide of the Americans ; that three tc one ii,lre
l^nd are on their tide; that the.foldiers and
sailors feel an unwillingness to the fervlee, that
you will never find the fame exertions in this as
in any other wars. I ;pegk it to the credit of
thejiect and.army; they do not like to but
ch r men whom the .greeted charters in this
country cc@i& as contending in the glorious
V OL. I. N U M~B 27.
THE
A M E R I C A N @&t^ft/ ^ ADVERTISE R.
T H U R S D A Y, ^^ T> —^^.^^^ j V L Y 4 , b , ^^
ASSIZEofBREAD. Flour at 17 s. per Ct.;
A Wh^aten Lo^t of thefneft FLOUR, to
weigh 1 lb. 11 1-2 oz. ter 4 Coppers.l
Published March 18, ,776.1
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h hurfday,' p- Mbw cf ^ut 1
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Saturday, 34 Min after 1
ISundry, 26 Min. after 2,
lony government is now reduced to mere force,
the baneful engine of deftrutfive despotism ;
nevertheleis it is with pleasure I perceive the
force of this country, when weilded in
v fuch a cause, is totally inadequate; yojr
own army is not fu'bcient ; your illegal appli
cation for foreign mercenaries at the beginning
of the contest, fufficiendy thews your weakness.
„ [Here the Governor ,'Jbews the impoffl/ility of
fofs a, near lying' in rivers, voithout a fefcrior
force on fore to proteui them. Ibis part of bis
Speccb ^e iferted in No. 20, to wbicb we refer
our readers.]
I come now to confide? the consequence of all
those measures, supposing we should succeed. If
national strength is to be calculated from the fit
nefs of every part to preserve and improve tf'%
tadvantages of their constitution, and to support
their country in pursuit of its objeHs. If inffi
tuticns that secure property add prevent opnrcf
fion, encourage the fettlembnt of families, and
facilitate the rearing of children, are the mrft
favourable to mankind; and therefore to be pro
tested and preferred; as the bed writer of go
vernment has -averted; furefy the establishments
of the English colonies, as excelling all others,
which have appeared in the hiftbry of the world,
deserve to be revered in this rcfpe&. But a
' fuccefs in the present war, after destroying all
the: principles which have produced those glo
rious effeds in ciyil society," muff leave the.
. country desolate, must fpre© through that wild
;dominion, forfeitures, executions, .change of
'property, ' military oppression, and every misery
that can engender Iritred and diffract mankind.
But these are but temporary evils in comparison
to'the iaft dreadful catuErdphe. We mhft esta
blish a military despotism in the colonies, which
tii@ revenues of an oppressed people never c.::
pay. An array, that the men of this cou l
never cab supply, which therefore foreign mer
ceTaiies must fill, and all this with 'additional
cause of preferring those institutions, which arc
neceff ry to the happiness, security, and eleva
tion of the human mind.
lain well informed that four field officers, in
the four regimen's now going from Ireland,
have desired leave to retire or fell cut. Ido
not mean to fay, that the foldicrs or sailors in
America have Leu n any tigns of cowardice, this
is below their spirit ; I only assert, they in ef
jcht proclaim it a disagreeable feivice; mod of
the army feel it as such ; that numbers have
not defeated, is owing to their situation. There
is a wide difference between the English officer
or soldier, who barely does his duty, and the
New-England army, where every man is think
ing what farther service he can perform ; where
every ioldier is a Scmvcla. To a mind who
loves to contemplate the glorious fpiritmf free
dom, no fpedticle can be more affeding than
the a&ion at Bunker'? Hilh To fee an irregu
lar peasantry commanded by a rbyfeian, infe
rior in number, opposed by every circumflance
of cannon and bombs, that could terrify timid
minds, calmly waiting the attack of the gallant
Howe, leading on the best troops in the world,
with an excellent train of artillery, and twice
repulsed those troops, who had often chuced the
choien battalions of France; and at last retiring
for want of ammunition, but in so refpr Ruble a
manner, that they were not even pursued. Who
c,n §tf^ 011 fuchricenes, and not adore the con
ihtution of government, which could breed fee '
r.:n 2 who w.l not pa. Id >0 /T.rmAw\, VT
he destroyed institutions that have reared Toch'
elevated. Spirits ! Who is there that can dismiss
ah doubts on the justice of a came which can
inspire such confeious rectitude! The conduct
of the people of New-England^ for wisdom,
courage, temperance, fortitude, and all -those
qualities that can command the admiration of
noble minds, is not surpassed in the hift&y ot
any nation under the fun. Instead of wrecking
our vengeance against that colony, their heroifin
alone should plead their forgiveness.
Wh^t my worthy friend (^lr. Burke) said
left year of their indufry, may now he applied
to mew warlike atchievemenrs. Confide? the
power of such materials in the hands of a mi
nidet : who-knew how to encourage their indus
try, and apply their courage to the purposes of
national detence; but all the secret of our co-
Morany, 1; : n. after ,
Tuelday, 2 iAifh L^m %
Wednesday, ft Min. alter {
Lad Quarter Bth.
ohthe people's rights and privileges/ daily fa- 1
crificing them to some interested motive.
Let any one consider all the national ad
vantages that can be drawn from colonies, and
' alk his own heart, if we have not hitherto
drawn, and may not in time to come; draw all
these from the ancient constitution. To wlidt
motive then ern these innovations be imputed r
I have ihewn you the bad confequen'ees in
proceeding, drew me the good you propose from
ilatighter and.devalhtion; that the paymaster
'of the forces should urge you to those measures,
that the treasurer of the navy should press fur
large equipments; the contractors, jobbers,
dealers in scrip, and all those who fatten on
public supplies, Should eagerly Concur, this I
can easily imagine; but that m landed gentler
man fliould give h^ bonfent to ruffi into a civil
war, that mud entail four shillings land tax on
• his eflate for ever, that muff drain him of men
and money, and all the refonrees of naval pow
er, to protest his country against those neigh
bouring powers who will in all humim proba
bility, attack him when defentelefs and exhauft
;ed; in a conred that mud end, on whatever al
ternative, in lowering the value of 'his cftate.
; All this exhibits a degree of infatuation beyond
. example, in my little reading, and can only be
accounted for from the revival of ignoble party
difthrtion, gratifying refentinents at the ex
pence of maintaining a waracrofs the Atlantic?
Have they considered the expence of their
country? Have the country gentlemen ever
considered the expences of a fleet? Have they
fiJeHated the expense of tranfpbrts? Have
Abty thought of feeding an army with porter,
Seepandfourcrouy across a tempestuous ocean ?
I tint told a curious fbectacle of such manage
, ment has lately b^en exhibited in the Downs,
; Where floating carcases of dead sheep have mark
ed to paring nation's the folly of such % attempts.
The project of four crour has indeed one cir
, cumftance attending it which gives me plea
sure, I underhand the contrast is given to one
lor the wofthieft men in the community ;at the
11fame time such magazines -are new in my no
tions of war; it may be a proper preparation
;for a Ruffian army, but 1 believe English soldiers
I will hardly be delighted with such griping food.
I The project of calcining ice into gun-powder is
I not more truly ridiculous! I shall suppose th n
I Nor a moment, that was with America is really
? neceffary; yet will any man alledge, after such
gross mifmanagercent in every pirt, that these
are the proper men to carry it. Has there been
conhftvncy in any part of their conduct? Has
one icheme they offered fucceecied? Has not
every one produced a contrary effect? Have they
not been told so at the time of puffing their v; -
,lions laws? Have they been checked in any
powers in the Crown, that muff end in the fub
vcYion of the constitution. I make no doubt
m@y men labour in the support of this business,
purposely to elfeA that end. The contentions
in 2 free government do, net accord with their
treble, corrupt, luxurious difyoiitions. That
the spirit of the peoplefhould so long lie deceived
by their arts and management, is to me astonish
ing. I shall wait patiently feme farther cala
mity, for no reasoning on the certain progress
of things in a growing empire can affect their
narrow minds. That this may soon happen in
a final! degree, as the only means of saving the
ditiblution of the whole, I sincerely wish, for-the
good of the public; misfortunes, if duly watch
ed, are oftentimes as profitable to an unfeeling
multitude, as they are ufeful to private individ
uT. But ler those who now encourage mea
!.res th .t must inevitably end in such dreadful
calamities, beware of the turn of the tide. Let
them look into hiltory, and remember the
fate of cruel, oppredive, and arrogant fhitcfmec.
Let even Kings attend to the examples which
hiltory presents on this fubjeft; but I blame
not them ; it is unnatural for beings, with hu
man padions, placed in such high htuations,
mixing little with men, and generally deceived,
to bear contradiction to their will, and opposition
even to their arms, with any degree of patience;
irritation and resentment must be the confe
perxes ; incroachinentsmh their part often pro*
end from a cenfeious rectitude of their own in-
FX-ux ;.Aw. the neotye I.do blame are the
member# of this Home, priced as the gmmti.ms
Wheat per BuLcl, gs. 6d.j
^r, - - - igs. odd
.Trpw^ Br^ad, -15 s. odd
Wed-iuuia txunt, q. .6<h;
[ New-England do. 5.. od.^
PRICE-CURRENT, in NEW-YORK.
jXufcovado Sugar, L. 61
' <Single refin'd do. :s. 6dl
dMoldfes, - - - p. od.l
Beef, oec 3 irrel, 70m of. ;
,I Fork, ^ - ^„, Gd fr |
I of theiy intentions ? Has any uncommon acci-
Ident of wind or weather been unfavourable ?
I Can our aamts poihbly be in a worie lunation ?
I Do they state any national plan of ways and
means, by u hich we ate to extricate omielves?
If alter aufwering all those questions, in the
I spirit of truth and justice, this House will fill
:perfift in supporting. such feeble ministers of so
mighty an empire, I must submit to a majority,
but with this melancholy ccnhlation, when the
day of tribulation Call come, that at least my
feeble endeavours were not warning to pievent
the impending mifchitfs ; nor has my voice
been lent on any occasion, in support of oppres
sion. Other gentlemen, of a contrary opinion
to me, have declared they give theiropinion fcr
more coercive measures, from motives the most
pure and disinterested. I declare, I give opini
on againi? them, from the lincerefl belief they'
are opprehive and unjust. lam now at an age
when my character must be fully known. A
concha in life that has not flattered the passions
of men mud have frequently called forth the
examination of many wffh keen resentments'
but I here defy any man to fay, I was ever adu
ted by interested motives during the course of
my life. NR conduct at present is influenced
from a corfeientious belief, that the greatest
good any man can perform, is to prefeneindi
tutions favourable to the freedom of mankind;
the gieatelf evil they cap commit, is to destroy
thenw In that belief, 1 heartily vote for the a
mendrnent, and to the utmost of my power op
' .po,c 'h:Aigwo.uyeddreb.
HOUSE of LORDS.
Tdefday, March 3, 1776.
On a Motion for “ An humble Ad.lrefs Ahis
Majclly, praying, that he would be gracious
ly pleafrd to countermand the march of the
tr °°P.s of Helle, Han^u, and Brimfwhk;
and li^ewiie give directions tor an immediate
suspension of hoftiliries in America, in order
to lay a foundation for a happy :,n.lperma
nent reconciliati in, between the divided pans
of this diffracted empire.
THIS was the object of the proposed ad
dress; but the prayer was introduced
v ith a feribs of fa&s, "relative to the treaties cn
te ed into with the Landgrave 01 Hefe, the
Duke of Erurifwick, and the Hereditary Prince
of Hesse, in which they were censured in very'
direct and pointed terms, as being contrary to
the general mtefefts, and derogatory to the ho
nour and dignity of this country.
Ihe J?nic o, Richmond having fi ft delve cd
in his liioti' nin writing, and the fame be,n<r
read by the Clerk, his Grace entered into a
view ot the several material points, on which
his motion and the general measures relpeftmg
America were connected, paitcuia ly relative to
the conduct ofthe war, and the objects pursued
by aaminift/Atibn,-as they role in luccethun since
its fifff commencement. We cannot avoid giv
ing this testimony in the noble Duke's favour,
. that we do not recoiled at any time to have
heard a motion of such extent and vHI i'npjr
tance indie ably supported, or more iubflanTiH
ly or judiciously enforced. His Grace opened
with an apology to the House, for the trouble
lie was g'ing to g?ve them ; and ex prefed 1
confc : .nufr 6fs. of h^s own inability, and a wish
that others more equal to the task had flood
forth, at so tremendous a crisis ; a ciifis uhicli
he feared would decide the fate of this great
empire for ever. He Imirnted in a very pa
thetic manner; the al fence cftwo not e Lcidq
whom he was lorry not to fee in their plates.
One cf them (Lord Chatham) a nebfe Ear),
who. when this nation was on the brink of de*
ftruaton/ reicued it from iropeiiding ruin, and
; not reding there, gave aluftre to our mms, and
' zr efhcacyand ik_'mefs to our councils, never
before known in the annals of this country.
The oTerof them, a no: ft MmqJs (Maraud
of Rockingham) who in a deafen of public dif
trAtfon presided at the betid of their national
councils^ with honour to himfelf and fathi.,ch
on to ther nation ; and though his adminitirati
@n was but 0f,% (hurt continuance, had the good
krtj.ne to quit his Nation with a conßioufi cfs
of having healed those unhappy d : putes, which
threatened the empire with th< most serious ^d
IFine Salt, - - - None.
ICoarfe Salt, - - Bs., 6d.
llndian Corn, per Buffi. 3s. od.
/Chocolate, - - 2 s, 6d.
1