The Connecticut courant, and the weekly intelligencer — Hartford [Conn.], 1781-12-11 00:00:00, page 1

LONDO N.
HOUSE of COMMONS, November % 1780.
A motion was made by Daniel Parker Cooke, Esquire,
member for Nottingham, seconded by Lord Lewisham,
member for the county of Stafford, and after various
amendments put by the speaker in the following words,
“ That the thanks ofthis house be given to Sir Henry Clin
ton, Knight of the most Honorable order of the Bath, and
Commander inChief of his Majesty's forces in North-A
merica; and to Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, Commander in
Chief of his Majesty's fleet in North-America; and to the
Right Honorable Lieut. General Charles Earl Cornwallis;
for the eminent and very important services performed
by them to his Majesty and this country, particularly by
the reduction of Charleftown by the army and navy under
the command of Sir Henry Clinton and Vice-Admiral Ar
buthnot, and by the late most glorious vi&ory obtained by
Lord Cornwallis at Camden."
Very early in the debate Mr. Wilkes said,
Mr. Speaker,
I Rife to express my hope, that the Honorable gentleman,
who made this motion, will confine to its being with
drawn, because I think it is impoGible that the united effort
of the noble Lord in the blue ribband (Lord North) and the
several gentlemen who have attempted it, should succeed to
render it palatable to both tides of the house, and he has de
clared, that he had rather it should be withdrawn than meet
a Single negative. I think it, Sir, my duty to oppose this mo
ch the notice was given,
nd all the fnbfeqnenc a
^ fry part of it conveys an
a war unfounded in prin
to this countiy. 1 con
ave regularly opposed its
lout of Parliament. The
eminent and very important services to his Majesty and this
country, mentioned in the motion,! entirely disapprove, and
consequently shall withhold the poor pittance of my thanks
and gratitude, where I do not think them merited, in a war
of glaring injustice and wretched policy. I do not mean,
Sir, to derogate from the high heroic courage, and Superior
military virtues, of Lord Cornwallis, I admire the Splendor
and brilliancy of those qualities, which dazzle in my coun-'
tryman as they didin Julias C^far, and I equally lament that
they arc called forth to a&ion in the fame bad and mifehiev
eus cause, the attempt to overturn the liberties ofbis countiy.
The Roman too possessed, as the Hon. gentleman fays of
Lord Cornwallis, nice and delicate sentiments of honour.
He was certainly an accomplished gentleman, perhaps the
most accomplished of any in the history of mankind ; but
he carried on a wicked war against the constitution of the
free country in which he was born, and therefore under the
Strongest obligation to Support. In the fame light! confi
der the war now carrying on against our brethren in North-
America; and if an arbitrary, but implacable, administrati
on had Succeeded in a plan of dragooning the colonists into
unconditional submission, I believe that the libertiesof Eng
land would not long have Survived those of America, and the
vital principle of freedom, whichnow pervades and animates
this Island, except perhaps a few clans very far north, must
have been extinguished. Every flfiend of the constitution,
saw early in the Support of the American cause, a vindicati
on of the rights of Englishmen, against an old exploded ufur
ration of the Stuarts, revived under the third prince of the
house of Brunswick.
Sir, I hope to be forgiven, isl repeat to this new parlia
ment, the Sentiments which I more than once Submitted to
ihelaft, and even in the firft session of 1774. lam hill con
vinced that the war in America originated in tyranny and
usurpation, in the unjust attempt of taking money from the
fubjea in the colonies without his concurrence, in levying
taxes on the people there against theirconfenq.'
This has ever been the favorite maxim of despotism. In
opposition to this illegal claim the immortal Hampden shed
bis blood. Such an attempt against the fundamental right#
of the people fully warranted ourvirtuous and free ancestors
to begin the civil war, which brought the tyrant Charles to
the Scaffold. The American cause, therefore, I mean the
primary cause ofthis deftrvdive civil war, is the cause of eve
ry Englishman, who values our excellent constitution; a
constitution for Several years in a decline, which has of late
received many stabs in its vital parts. This right ofthe peo
ple to withhold, or grant, their own money, this power of
the purse, which includes that of the sword, alone Secures the
:toftance of parliament, our annual meeting within these
walls. This marks the difference between the limited mo
narch of our island, in a mixed government, and the eaft
grn despot, or the arbitrary Sovereigns of France and Spain.
We then in a particular manner, with a Singular propriety,
ought to stand forth th# guardians of this right to all the
fubje&s ofthis fta%
^_ ^^fy^- S^ k*^fy^^
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER.
HARTFORD : Printed by H UDSON and GOODWIN, near the Great Bridge.
T U E S D A IY, December ii, 1781.
Englishmen.
nius and courage
but infinite mifchief. I will new.
concern and anguish, when I fee great military
triumph over the Superior civil virtues ofthe citizen, when I
observe meiclawlefs force and violence receive the aid ofva
lour and distinguished ability to overturn a fabrick of free
dom and justice, cemented by the blood of our antefters.
Such military glory is purehafed too'dear. It is a kind of
wretched anti-civic crown, which must disgrace the Sangui
nary brow of every unfeeling, unprincipaled conqueror. A
good man will indigoantturn hiseyes from laurels and palms
of victory stained with the blood of deferring fellow-fubje&s
Sacrificed to the sordid views, co the lust of power, to the
rage of a tyrannical administration. The palm ofconfiften
cy at least, the honorable gentlemen who made the motion
will at all events Scarcely think of offering to Lord Cornwal
lis. That will be worn, and I hope long with the applause
of his grateful country, by another noble earl, (the earl of
Effingham) who rose Superior to the falfe glory to be acqui
red from his profeflion, when called upon in an unjuftifiable
cause ; and honorably preferred define of duty to his coun
try andhts constitution, to the fa mF and renown of brilliant
atchicvements which his natural ardor panted after. Lord
Cornwallis, Sir Henry Clinton, and Admiral Arbuthnot, I
will not consent to thank, for I confider them as having
drawn their swords against their innocent American fellow
fubjeds, and without provocation bathed them intheirblood.
The noble (Lord Beauchamp) who spoke last, faysthat ort
thanks would come with great propriety co Lord Cornwallis,
and the other two officers, because the thanks ofthis house
were voted on the taking of Quebec, and the late fuceefs of
the gallant Rodney. Does not the noble Locd obfeive a (hik
ing difference in the three calcs : The Surrender of Quebec
was, perhaps, the moftimportanc and brilliant triumph over
France of all the Splendid victories of the last gibrious
war. It was the conqeuft ofthe capital of the perfidious Gaul
dn the new world. Sir George Rodney's late defeat and cap
ture of the Spanish'men of war at this critical moment me
rited the warmest thanks, and molt esteemed rewards of his
country. In both cases we were deftreying the overgrown
power of the house of Bourbon, the inveterate, avowed ene
my of this nation. I think with Hannibal, hoftem qui feriet
mihi ent Carthaginienfo. I hold that man to be the best Eng
lishman whose efforts shall be the bolded, the most Spirited
and fuccefsful against France and Spain, especially against
their naval power, which by the criminal negligence of our
ministers, has risen to such an alarming greacnefs. I will
The Sentiments, Sir, on the rights of our brethren in the
colonies, which! have now the honour ofdeliverihg here,
I imbibed from Lord Cornwallis, who enforced them with
great energy a few years ago in another house of parliament.
His Lordship in a Solemn argument in the house of peers, in
conjunction with four other refpeCable chara&ers,* ftrenu^
oufly denied any right we had to tax the Americans, while
they continue unrtprefenied in the British Senate. Ie was in
the debate on the motion for the commitment of the Decla
ratory AC. His Lordships opinion likewise ofthe wisdom
of the mealuie, after condemning the theory, may be gather
from his words in the examination before this hoMe in May
„7^ " I never saw a Wronger country, or one better calcu
lated for the defensive,” Mr. Pitt in this house with a bold*
nets of imagery, and glow ofcolouring, which his eloquence
always gave, did jultice to the distinguished patriotism of
the band of the five illustrious heroes, as he named the Small
number of peers, who on occasion ofthe opposition to the
Declaratory Act approved themfclfa the friends of freedom,
He did not forefee the Daughter of our fellow-fubjcCs in the
fame cause by one of that band of iiluftrious heroes at the
glorious victory ar Camden. If there is any change of sen
timent on this important queAionin his Lordships mind, we
have no parliamentary evidence, on which it can be found
ed. It can only be surmised from his Lordship's eagerly So
liciting a command against the Americans at the firfl break
ing our of the war, which originated from the unworthy
purposes, of padfon and party, and flrite endeavouring by fire
and Sword to enforce a taxation ofthe colonies, although as
a member of the legislative body, he formerly did nor he
sitate to pronounce it equally impede and iniquitous. If
arguments of great and irrefutable weight have been firmed
for so totaland wonderful a change, they arc carefully con
cealed. The motives of conviction, or rather of this mira
culous conversion, are easier guessed than with delicacy ex
plained. As a peer, his Lordship Supports American free
dom, and vote! '" — ^nominious badge of bondage
on the colonist ' r -tWr< a com
mandin Amer ;
plains, and is
born inhabits
* The Earls Poulet, Cornwallis, and Shelburne, Vifeount
Toningron, and Lord Camden.
from my heart thank thatman. I will vote to decree him
every honor es the Senate and people. On the house of
Bourbon should we call down all the thunder of war. We
ought, Sir, to blush at the cruel, ravaging and desolation of
the country,,nd the merciless Daughter of the inhabitants
of our colonies, in a foolish, angry quarrel, carefully fo
mented at last to a bloody war% raffed on a baseless fabrick,
which perhaps in the end may Scarcely leave a wreck be
hind. Our Generals and Admirals have already totally ruin
ed tome ofthe most flourishing parts of this convulsed em
pire, and destroyed numberless industrious, brave fellow
fubje&s, equahy entitled with themfelvcs to the protediou
of the laws and executive power. Are these, Sir, the emi
nent and very important services to his majesty and this
country, for which the honorable gentleman flattered him
felf with obtaining for our commanders the unanimous
thanks of this house, of the representatives of the people o£
England.
Ithas been said, Sir, by the honorable gentleman who
made this motion, that the Americans are now adualljE
leagued with France and Spain against this country. I do
not doubt the exigence of a triple league between America,
Spain and France; but I know the provocation, and I have
good reason to believe the alliance is only defensive and
temporary. I do not allude to commercial treaties. France
and Spain now appear to the World as auxiliaries to the
United States of North-America. The firft alliance with
France was made with great re!u&ance bf America on the
spur ofthe present necessity. It was not thought of, until
in our domestic quarrel we called in foreign Forces to cut
their throats, until the mercenary German, or rather Cap
padocian princes, fold their fubjeds, like cattle, to an ad
ministration expeitin every fyecies of bribery and ruinous
contrast, until long after our negociation for Ruffian troop,
to be sent to North-America had been receded in terms of
contempt and horror. The fare union between Americaand
France is so unnatural, that I am Satisfied whenever you
offer, with fincericy and cordiality, honorable terms, ac
nanied with the Security America will exped, it will be
^"^ hitherto has drawn closer every
'"e most glorious
Ju, & „
tra& a dedtrudive war. ...
transitory, delusive gleams of facets in
videntially unfortunate American cunteff, this bellum ft
hefte, as Such a state of arms was defined by the ancients.
Not a single Frenchman or Spaniard in arms against us fell
at this glorious vidor, at Camden, but Pmani mift CT -°
It is probable that this most glorious vi&ory will lead to .
honorable peace ? If it does not, but is the cause of continu
ing the war, I shall deemit a public calamity. Peace, -
with America can only five this finking Bate, and g.
perminent prosperity. We are already nearly ^>-
yet continue bleeding at every vein. Pea r Q
had on almost any terms ; for from the estimates on our
table, the expence ofthis war continued a few years longer
will bankrupt the nation, the population, commerce and na
vigation of which arc visibly declining. Iconfider peace
as of absolute neceffty for ourfclves, For rhe internal flare
and independence of our island, in the present crisis of hor
ror and almost despair, I would fubferibe toalmoft any
conditions to obtain it, because I believe the North-Ameri
cans would then readily quit an unnatural alliance, in©
which the, have been driven, by our more unnatural con
dud. Necessity brought forward, the new idea, formed
Signed, and has hitherto observed that strange treaty."
America, detached from her present conne&ions, and in
a real union ofinterefts and Strength with Great-Britain is
more than a match for rhe confederate House of Bourbon.
In such a situation the family compad would not dare tobe
avowed. The last war gives us the proof in point. We
had then an able and enterprising Mimftcr, in full possession
of die most adive genius and vigour of mind, seconded by
the whole Strength ofthe British nation and America. What
is our present profpea? America is at this moment thrown
into the scale of the House of Bourbon. Must it not then
weigh us down ? It fully, sir, becomes Ministers to lay
aside all paffons ar;d prejudices, and endeavour to heal this
unhappy breach between two powerful friends, when ever,,
concession to America, either asa fubjed, or an ally, ma,
win her to us, restore the balance of power in cur favowr
and compensate the loss of all our other allies.
The independence, Sir, of the colonies has bee, ofret
mentioned ia this debate, but with a positive declarations
that it is a point never to be conceded. Whether it is grant
ed; or not, by a British parliament de jure, feemsto me of
little moment and avail. Ir is merely an amusing, cwiMF
(Nx 881.)