The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-30 00:00:00, page 2

against America, before those meafares wer^ proposed in Par
liament. '
Brief abflraft of the debate on the Duke of Grafton's third
. motion yesterday in the House of Lords.
The Duke of Grafton urged the necellity of this resolution
being complied with, that Parliament might know how far
the army intended to be sent to America was able to cope
with the Provincials. ' .'', i ''h 1
Lord Townshend, from a variety of causes, shewed the im
probability of coming at a just account, and the folly, if it was
practicable, of giving such an account to the house.
Lord Dartmouth said the motion apparently inferred, that
the King's ministers were in the secrets of the Congress, and
declared it would be highly improper, even were adminiftra
etibn in possession of the knowledge required, tofhffer the re
bels to learn that they had a full account of their plan, bet
that so far he could inform the noble Duke, the Congress had
refolded to have a fthndfag army of 27,000 men in pay.
The Duke of Manchester renewed the argument of the ille
gality and tyranny of taking fubjefts money without their
consent, and mentioned the old ftory'of the flattering courtier
who told Francis the firft that the lives and fortunes of all his
fubjeds were at his disposal ; when a prelate, who was present,
feyerely rebuked him for daring to advise a King, whose con
duft was governed by known laws, to do an a& founded oh
the grossest violence and injustice.
Lord Dartmouth, in a reply, remarked that the present
motion looked like an insult to the House ; for that the infor
mation required might be found every day at Almon's shop,
and had been repeatedly published in many different news
papers.
This called up the Duke of Grafton, who juftified it, de
claring that it was founded in reason, justice, and in ne
cessity; and that the refufal to comply with it, and referring
Lords to Mr. Almon's shop and the news-papers for intelli
gence, shewed that Adminifration were most fhamefully in
attentive, that they had not the proper information, and
that they did not know what force they were to oppose, con
sequently had no authority to promise success the next cam
paign.
Lord Effingham observed, that the King's ministers seemed
afraid the gentlemen of the other house, by a comparison of
the American forces, and the number that must necessarily be
raised to conquer them, should be reminded of the supplies that
yet remained to be asked for. His Lordship added it was
with him a matter of no doubt, much larger supplies were yet
to be asked for than had been voted, and he endeavoured to
prove this remark by going into an arithmetical calculation of
the number of men in America capable of bearing arms, tak
ing into his calculation 450,000 persons from the age of eigh
teen to forty-five, and dating that after making every allow
ance for those who must be otherwise employed, the smallest
number of soldiery must be 100,000 ; it therefore was in some
degree reasonable to assert, that 60,000 men were nothing
when considered as a force to fight with those who fought on
their own ground, and under many very great and peculiar
advantages.
The new matter that arose in the debate fell from Lord
Mansfield, who, though he declared that he was so ill that
he was apprehensive his voice could not be heard, yet made
a very audible and able speech, greatly to the disadvantage
of the Americans. His Lordship ihewed, from history, that
almolt from their firft settlement, and at different periods
ince, particularly in the reigns of King William and Queen
Anne, the New-Englanders had made faint attempts to
hrow off their dependency on the Parliament. They arc
52
a lamentable picture es tyranny Ar.d o,preffien ex^rcifed ty
the prefect leaders of.the rebellion in America ; faidit was
beyond any thing ever heard of before. He observed that all
the colonies now aimed at independency, either with the name
of the King or without it.; that only one noble Lord in that
House (Lord Coventry), and one great writer out of it (Dr.-
Tucker, Dean of Gloucester) seem to have hit on the true
alternative in the dispute /either to make the colonies sub
mit to the supreme legrftative authority of Grear-Britain, -or
totally to abandon them, and then treat with them for peace
as anindependant country.
Yeflerday the indemnity bill was read a fecund time, and
committed f : r Tuesday next. And theHoufewas again put into
a committee on the petition from N >va-S~otia ; in which they
made tome progress, and'are to rep>rt their resolution (of ac
cept ng eight per cent on all goods imported into that colony,
in the lieu of other taxes) tomorrow.
Lord North g^ve notice he had matter of great confegaence
to impart to the House towards the latter end of the week.
WILLIAMSBURG, January 19.
Some time this week two tenders fcized, and. carried into
Norfolk harbour, a topsail vessel belonging to Mr. Richie of
Hobb's hole, laden witir fait.
We are informed that fix hundred Georgian troops had
marched for St. Auguftiue, to reduce that important place to
the obedience of the United Colonies.
Copy of a letter from Capt, Bellew to Col. Howe, dated Li
verpool, off Norfolk, December 30, 1775, before the de
deftruction of that place.
-L "SIR, >
'' As 1 hold it incompatible with the honor of my com
mission to fufFer men in arms agninft their Sovereign and the
laws to appear before his Majeity's Grips, I desire you will
cause your sentinels in the town of Norfolk to avoid being
seen, that women and children may not feel the effects of
their audacity ; and it would not be imprudent if both were
to leave the town. Jam, Sir, your most humble Servant,
HENRY BELLE W."
Norfolk, Dec. 30, 1775.
" I am too much of an officer to wish you to do any thing
incompatible with the honor of your commission, or to re
cede myfelf from any point which I conceive to be my duty.
Under the influence of reciprocal feelings, consequences may
ensue which either perhaps would choose to avoid. Our sen
tinels have received orders not to fire at your boats, or any
other, unless approaching the shore in a hostile manner. If
they exceed this order, we would punish them ourselves, or
if you do it, we shall thank you for it. If, however, your
referitment extends farther than merely to them, I sh uld
wish the inhabitants of the town, who have nothing to do in
this matter, may have time to remove with their effects, and
as to the rest, 1 Ihould be unworthy of the refpedt of a man
of your character if 1 consulted any thing but my duty. I
am, Sir, your most obedient fenant,
ROBERT HOWE."
To Henry Bellew, Esq;
DR. GEORGE WEED is removed into Front-street, a
few doors above M irket-ftreet, on the Bank fide, a
small distance from where he lived before, where he continues
to tell a variety of MEDICINES as uiual.
To Robert Howe, Esq;
Col. H O W E's Anfiver.