The Columbian informer, or, Cheshire journal — Keene, N.H., 1795-03-31 00:00:00, page 1

ance, affignats, bore at this moment a cif
. count of 75 per cent. A nation making
fach preternatural efforts, must, and at no
very distant period, be destroyed by those
exertions.—if peace were proposed, that
haughty and insolent people,deeming that
our late partial ill fueceflfes had either dis
heartened us, or reduced us to so low an
ebb, as to oblige us to crouch to them,
would rife in their demands and exactions
to such a degree, as would not only be in
admiffiole, but would render us def,icable
in the eyes of all Europe. A Peace so
patched up, even on the best terms France
would allow us, would be found only an
armed truce ; and a relapse of hostilities
would, in a short time, ensue, arid which
would render it necessary to renew the war,
but on much worse terms than those which
we were originally engaged in. ,
It had been observed, and much stress
he thought would be laid on it, that the
War, however popular it might have been
at its outfef, had recently become very
much the reverse—these assertions he beg
ged leave to deny. He was decidedly of
opinion,that all ranks of people were now
as fully determined to fopport the govern
ment, and to repel the enemy, at any for
• mer period, but were the people at large,
impressed with different sentiments; they
would come with their united complaints
to the Legislature; which meafurethe ex
perience of hiftory convinced them would
have the desired effect; for it was well
not obtrude himftlf on the at
tention of the House, were it not at a pe
riod so momentous and critical, a# to call
upon every public man freely and candid
ly to state his sentiments on the National
Affairs. In his mind, their situation was
such as to require tire utmost vigor and
adivity from all its members in defence of
the Rate; and in this view, these exer
tions could not be di<c&cd with better ef
fed, than in Supporting the just and neces
sary war the nation was engaged in, and
which was very properly recommended in
the speech from the throne. Before he pro
ceeded further on this head, his Lordihip
adverted to that part of the Speech waich
intimated the approaching nuptials of the
France of Wales.
Recurring again to the situation of the
country, his Lordihip avowed.himfelf de
cidedly of opinion, that the war ihould be
prosecuted with unremitting vigor, and
that, far from being disheartened at the
late ill successes, (which he hoped would
prove only temporary,) they. Should be a
four and an incentive to us :o carry on the
contest against the common enemy,with re
doubled energy; and in,^ris view, when
the relative titraupiL^fihe two countries
was /impartially cobfidered, he said it
.WJldbe found s hat Great Britain d^d+
decided advantage; her resources were nu
merous and flourishing,and her credit per
haps greater than at any former period ;
!c~ proof of this he had only to mention
the circumstances of the late loans. Our
War- establishments were beyond compari
son greater than at any former period, and
at this moment we had at command an im
mense body of land forces, ready for the
execution of any enterprise that may be
determined on. Compare this with the
situation of the enemy, diftraded by ex
tern—fenvulfions, and rifting every thing
on external exertions far beyond its
strength, and which therefore necessarily
cannot continue long, and its resources at
a very low ebb. Its great engine of fin-
HOUSE of LORDS, dec. go.
EARL of Cambden rofc and moved
the Address. His Lordfliip pre
faced his motion on this occa
sion by obferving,that he would
[No. I. ofVoL. III.]
«&™#r^ &^fc> ugh
^oru^n J^t//^ Tice.
BRITISH PARLIAMENT.
- T HE -
Columbian Informer ;
Or, C HESHIRE JOURNA L.
All this calamity was solely to be attri
buted to plunging the nation in war; a
war which was productive of no one hon
orable advantage, but was one tissue of
defeat, difgraee and disappointment'; nor
were the objects aimed at by this ruinous
system less unjuftifiable or impracticable—
To attempt to impose a government on
France was not less wicked than absurd ;
the idea was now scouted even by the
meanest individual in the country ; and
the idea of its being more improper now to
offer or demand a peace, when we were
He then moved an Address, which was
a faithful and affe&io^ate echo of the
Speech, and fraught with assurance of the
most decided support of the measures adop
ted by Government.
Lord Ponfonby seconded the address.
The Earl of Guildford Bated his disap
probation of the conduct of Government
with refped to the present war. He obser
ved, with refpea to that part of the ad
diefs which relates to the approaching nup
tials of his roval highness, the Prince of
Wales, no person could more cordially a
gree to it than he did, not only regarding
it as a national benefit, but on account of
the advantage and the increafeof hap
piness, it must confer on his Royal High
ness himfelf, on whole private character,
the noble Earl took an opportunity to
dwell in drains ofthe warmest eulogium.
At this point his Lordlhip was lorry to
fay, that his support of the propeled ad
diefs must end; he expefted, after the
system of defeat, disappointment and mor
tification which Ministers had experience
-ver since the fufyh so Lu agtraced,
mong their LordShipa, would induce them
to bring forward,uch an address as might
be unanimously adopted ; but by the pre
sent he law that the fame ruinous and de
itruaive fi stem was meant to be perseve
red in, and if possible with increased ener
gy ; to such measures he must offer his
protest. He had no objection, for the
fake of argument, to difeufs the question,
even on the date and principles laid down
by the noble Earl, and he doubted not but
he could fairly adduce inference decidedly
opposite to the fatisfaftion of their Lord-
Ships; but his Statements refpeding
the relative situation of the countries were
not founded in faffs ; but suggested to the
noble Earl, either by ignorance or misre
presentation. As to the situation of the
enemy, it was plainly enough told, he
thought by its effects, and as for the pom
pous description of the affairs of this coun
try brought forward by himjt would have
applied to a picture which he heard given
about three years face in another house,
with a coloring of eloquence which per
haps was never exceeded, alluding to Mr.
Pitt's celebrated speech on opening the
Budget of 1792. Our situation then he
said, might have corresponded with the
noble Earl's eulogium—but by the disas
trous events which had since been brought
about by the mifeondua or wickedness of
ministers, he was fotry to be obliged to
predia that the flattering description at the
period he alluded to, was the funeral knell
of British commerce and credit, and the
acme of her financial property. We were
never again to look for such another state
ment.
known that the withes of the great body
of the people, when conveyed in a proper
channel, was always attended to by the
Legislature. , „
Impressed with theft ideas, and cor.fid
ering the great important issues which were
at stake, involving no less than every thing
dear to man in ci.ilized fociety,he deemed
it his duty, as far as his influence would,
extend, to aid and support Pejgft and ne
cefl'afy contest we were involved in, and
in such a manner as was best suggested in
his Majesty's speech, as should be the most
likely to secure a lasting and an honorable
peace.
PRINTED and PUBLISHED in KEENE, New-Hampshire.
TUESDAr, March „, 179 f.
iMfai^ftMfa Mfrwfav^fi^^7% 14ftu
The Duke of Leeds could not vote for
the Addrefr, because in his judgment, it
Lord Grenville stated the war expen
diture es the French to be not less than
160 millions a year, and expressed his
confidence that they could not continue the
war another year, if we Ihould perfeyere
in the contest.
Lord Mulgrave said, in many former
wars between this country and France, the
French had been equally fuccefsful at firft,
but had at left been driven back into their
own territory, and their country, in its
turn invaded. He did not despair in fee
ing another Blenheim. His Lordship
concluded by opposing the amendment.
Earl Stanhope faid,l do net rife for the
purpose of debating, for that is no more.
Events speak for themselves, and disasters
of this accursed war are the best answers
to those who dare defend it.
ssarl Spencer vindicated the conduct of
Ministers, and contended, that a success
ful protection of the war was to be look
ed for. Our naval resources, he observ
ed were great, if we called them into ex
ecution. What we were principally defi
cient in, was men ; and it was intended to
make some extraordinary exertions to
man the navy, and from which he doubted
not that every desired good would follow.
He looked upon Corsica as a valuable ac
quisition, particularly in a naval point of
view; nor did he think it would be ex.
pensive to this country.
The Marquis' of Towafhend said a few
words against the amendment.
The Marquis of Landfdowne,in a speech
of considerable length, fopported the a
mendment.
brought to the verge of ruin, was noclefs
ridiculous. With what profpc& of success
could the war now be prosecuted, when
in a former campaign, with every advan
tage on our fide, with our people united
at home in support ofthe war, when Tou
lon and the Wedindia colonies of the ene
my were in our poAtffion ; when the Roy
,fts, numerous and in force, were in La
Vendee ; when Lyons was in the hands of
Irfurgents, and Marseilles in a state of
Giurre&ion ; when with all these advanta-
B% together with their Flemish and Ger
man frontier fortreffes being pofleffed by
our allies, we were not able not only to
deprefi,but to do any thing against France
—what more could be expected, when the
situation of the two countries was com
pletely reversed I He turned from the con
.quences with dread and horror ; but
.hen he heard it contended for, that such
was not a desirable situation for peace, he
could not avoid indulging a degree of rid
ku!e at such absurdity.
Drawing towards a conclufion,his Lord
ship took occasion to allude to the condud
rs Ministers, in endeavoring to have it
imagined that fericus plots had been in
agitation against the Constitution and efta-
Stifaed form of Government of the Coun
try,and had even gone lo far as to render
both Houles of Parliament a fort of vehi
cle for proclaiming such ideas to the Pub
lic : But he and the Noble Lords who at
tend him, had repeatedly, asserted the fu
tiljty of such notions; and the recent ver
hia# of English juries, and conduct of
Government in enlarging the majority of
these alledged criminals without prosecu
tion had verified their predictions. His
B^^Q&id ^ tb,tfa,hUteca¥^
ring as much unanimity as possible, he
would make his present amendment similar
to that offered last year—The Earl of
Guildford, moved an amendment, the sub
stance of which was, a promise of support
to his Majesty in prosecuting of the war,
in such a manner as may be conducive to a
speedy and honorable peace, and praying
that the internal concerns of France may
be no objedion to such a pacification.
The Earl of Morton and Lord Hay,
spoke against the amendment proposed by
the Noble Earl.
In the Lengftrant all the ports were at
tacked at the fame time and from thenc*
theenemy proceeded t, he posts cf Cap
ellen and Wefpick, which after an obsti
nate resistance were obliged to retreat to
wards Gertruydenburg.
At ten in the morning the enemy also
attacked the right wing of the line of de
fence, stationed in the wood between
Gertruydenberg and Breda: They turned
the lunette conftruded there, and at the
departure of the Courier, were employed
in attacking the forts of Steelhoven.
The posts of the pass of Swortenberg
and Lomfgat, having been both forced by
a great superiority, the troops at Zever
bergen, to prevent their being cut off,
retreated to Witliamftadt.
The only account we have received
refpeaing the post of Jer Hyde, slates that
the Dragoon guards belonging to that
In this way the enemy became mafte"
of the Canton Bommel ; and as they had
crossed the Waal, a part of the troops Ra
tioned in the aforefaid Canton, near Bra
dau, retreated during the night, to the vi
cinity of the Dyke of Daiem, to prevent
their being cut off on either fide of Gorin
chem, which would otherwise have been
the case. The other troops in the Canton
of Bommel, who had repaired to the sec
ond pofition,retreated towards Gorinchem,
leaving behind them several hundreds of
men.
Progress of the French in Hol
land, since our last accounts.
haoue, dec. 28.
At a very early hour this morning, a
Courier arrived here with the following
intelligence.
On the 27th, (yesterday) the French
made a general attack on all the points of
the frontier of the State : They were the
more fuccefsful because the ice in the riv
ers and inundations had been rendered so
strong by the severe and continued froft,
as to enable them to cross without diffi
culty, and to attack our pore front and
rear. They thus forced the troops of the
state to retreat to prevent their being en
tirely cut off.
LONDON, JAN. 6.
The mail brings little frefo intelligence
from the Rhine. Out letters frem Min
heim, of the 22d of December, inform us,
that on the night of the 15th, the Imperial
garrifon,Rationed in the fleches on the left
bank of the Rhine, mane a fertie with
several guns,and 200 prifoners,to destroy a
new redoubt the French had begun to con
ftru& on the highway leading to Munden
heim. This attempt focceeded, with the
loss of only nine men wounded,on the part
of the Austrians. We are ignorant of the
French loss, who, however, resumed their
employment in the morning. On the
morning of the 17th, a new sortie was
made from the fleches, against the besieg
ers Rationed on the road leading to Mun-
The amendment was loft by 9^ majori
ty against it. The address was carried.
The Duke of Bedford said, the House
had been told, left session, that the resour
ces of the French were exhausted. Did
this appear from their exertions by land,
or from their naval equipments. They pad
now, if report spoke truly, a fleet superi
or to our own. His Grace after several
other observations, gave his decided sup
port to the amendment.
meant to pledge the House never to he in
amity with France whilst the Nation con
tinued a Republic.
The Marquis of Abercorn was for with
drawing our troops from the Continent
and anting only by fca, or on such occa
sions as our troops could be decidedly use
ful to the Allies.
Latest from the Rhine.
[Whole No. loy.j
iv^n yft?&fra&gh