The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-01-17 00:00:00, page 2

3 D'L I N, Offier w
..LAVrxTARY INTEI LIGEIiC^.
Wednj'day, October 11.
r rtE rJoIuLa.., tor the ad^reh,, read' last night,
b ring leen trmmitted, Sir Charles Bingham re
%j.^cd from the committee the addr< Is pursuant thereto,
CT hw^ read, firft entire, then paragraph by paragraph.
''..en hat chufe relative to the Americans, which had
3'o , Rerday the chief bone of contention, wafr read
a,, e 3, Mr. John Hatch vropofed to leave it entirely oct;
Art bice the great Majority en the former question lor
t.at orpofe fufficiently fliewed him that it was necessary
to take lonic notice of the American troubles, and to
testify to the King ; lie loyalty of the Commons, he wished
^ehtkthHi would agree to another elaufe which he had
framed, and hoped would fatisfy every Member. This
clan. imported, "to assure his Majesty of the zeal and
fovahy of his Iriih fuhje&s, who would be ready to teft'fy
their hearty attachment to his person and government, in
ail b.A just rights, and the support of his legal authority,
whensoever his government ihah be diftnrbed in any,
even the most distant part of his'dotinnions."
^Though this elaufe seemed to mdwer every intention,
yet many gentlemen adhered firmly to the words of the
address, which were a transcript cf thole in the fpetch
from the throne; and a debate ensued, which was carried
on with great eloquence The arguments of the, pre
ceding day were recapitulated, with very ft w additional
r afons; for indeed the subject had been then fufficiently
eanvaifed, end need net be repeated here; —such as were
either new or let La a different light, were to the follow
ing purport:
The eagerness with which gentlemen who supported the
original address infixed on the very words, and so ftre
' -acidly opposed any alteration, tho’ they carry the terne
meaning, feetris to evince that feme particular design was
c niched' under them —that it was intended, doubdefe, to
convey an approbation of those rrii sifters, whose councils
had caused and inercafed the troubles in America, and
now breathe nothing but terror to its people. These
councils might be fated, and to approve them indiferimi
nateiy, without fufficient grounds (and no evidence was
before the house) would only affid the British Ministry to
deceive the people, and blind the King. It was said this
address was intended only to demonstrate the loyalty of
the Commons; and a Bigot Hon. Gentleman (Sir John
Blaquiere) had declared there was no supply to be alked
now, in corfequence of this testimony. Perhaps none
might be afkeci now , but, in all probability, it soon may
—and then they might be told; they had pledged them
feives to the King, to assist him against the rebels. But it
seemed evident this elaufe was inserted for another parti
cular purpose. Lord Chatham had laid in the British Par
liament, that Ireland, to a man, was in favour of the
Americans ; and this address was intended as a reply to
that fpecch, and to inlinuate that it was the general
ftnfe of the Irish nation, exprefled by their reprefenta
tires, that the Americans were in adual rebellion: But it
was web known many gentlemen in the house were of a
contrary .pinion, as well as the generality of the people
Without doors. An Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Solicitor
General) had yeßerday mentioned the proclamation, and
mentioned pains and penalties hanging over those who
ihouid aft ci ntrary thereto ; but Members of Parliament
were not to be intimidated by such words, from a free
dom of fpcech, and a freedom of difeuffion ; for pi?cla
inmions arc of no avail, unkh Sanctified by law;—their
intent r not to make law, butt > declare and promulgate
What the law ti. T c prelent dilute is not between.ire
land and the Colonie: , with whom ihe hath no connec
tion, but between Grcat-Ihh.hu and her Colonies; and
it would be as atfare to take a part, as it would be if
they were told a rebellion was broke out in the East-
Indies. It was, indeed, an imp riant fubjert, as great
as ever came before any Senate; . ut it wouid be highly
imprudent to interfere. It is clear they would deprive
them of their chartered rights ; and if refinance against
tnofe who would tear their liberties from them is deemed
rebellion, all honed men would be rebels. That those
who fay this elaufe is only to ihew loyalty and zed, de
ceive the house—it is more —it is to decide that the
Americans are rebels, without any means of judging
clearly they are so. It is evident they had a tax imposed
on them without their consent, which tax was to be paid
into die British treasury, and not to center in the colonies
fhemfrives: The reliftance against such taxation ought no
mere to be Riled rebellion than that at the time of the re
volution, which was brought about by resisting against
oppredions. These arguments were principally used
by Mr. Hatch, Mr. Chapman, Mr. French, Mr. George
Montgomery, Mr. Barry Barry, Mr. Ogle, &c. &c.
On the other fide, it was urged by Mr. Hellen, Capt.
Jephfon, Col. Burton, and Mr. Carlton, that the words
in the address were proper. HisMajedy had acquainted the
house with the mod material and important occurrence
that had happened since the last frffion of Parliament;
^nd hoped, that while his American fubterts had depart
ed from their duty,, his subjects of Ireland would lay their
hearts at the foot of the Throne, and te ify their loyalty,
and their intention to support his just rights and legal au
thority. Could they rtfufe to do that : This was all that
was exported, and less they could not do with any degree
of du y and consistency. The amendment implied a
doubt that the Americans were in rebellion; but can
there be a doubt ? Is not America in open war against the
King's forces? Is n it all civil ether difiolved? Is not the
administration of the colonies in the hands of usurpers ?
In this case, our fileoce would be deemed an approbation
of their meafurcs. A neutrality is impossible, as it would
be impolitic to be maintained, as it would affront both.
1 be Irak must declare, and for whom is it mon just, most
pm lent, to deciare ? For Britain, who was breaking
down the barriers against our trade, encouraging our ma
nufactures, and extending our commerce; er America,
who had refufed to trade with us? The proclamation
was not without Sufficient authority; it was legalized by
the refutations of both the Lords and Commons: And
the Earl A Chatham's speech was not held of that con
fcquenge, to be contradirted exprefly by an address of
that Louie, for many of his fpceches were more famous
for their boldness than their veracity.
dlr. Huffey Burgh had hitherto been silent, and bad been
employed in framing a freih elaufe, as he thought that
proposed by Mr. Hatch went too far: It prohnfed affirm
ance against any disturbances which this country was not
able to afford. He communicated his amendment to that
gentleman; who contented to withdraw that which he
had made. Mr. Huffey Burgh then moved for the adop
tion of his elaufe, which was, “ To ahure his Majesty of
" their concern to hear that his government had been
" disturbed-by any dilTentionsin America; but they had
" a firm reliance on the wifuom, justice, and mercy of
' his Majesty's councils co terminate them in the man
" nyr that would be a.oft advantageous to the whole of
" his dominions."
" Enclosed you have the copy of a letter from Col.
Woodford to me, dated 3 o'clock yesterday, since which
a snow and two small vcliels have gone up to Norfolk.
She appeared to have a great many men on board, but
was not a vtfkl of war. There are three ethers (one a
brig) in the bay, this morning coming up, which Capt.
Barron has just ^onc to look after. Some little time after
my express left Norfolk, with the tnclofed, a very heavy
firing began, and continued chief part of the night; and
a considerable fire w. discovered there about dark,
which continued burning many hours."
Sir John Blaquiere replied, and repeated, that no sup
ply was wanted in consequence of this address ; he urged,
that the ads in favour o Ireland were revoked on before
the war broke out in America, and therefore not held cut
as any inducement to this expression of loyaty. That it
would shortly appear, that „,qpcl. per annum had been
saved on the military establishment, and near 30,000!. on
contingences, therefore die King well deserved any dutiful
expressions,
Mr. Canoß, and Mr. Tcherton replied in behalf of the
amendment. The latter said a proffer of loyal hearts
would soon bring on a supply for the American war, as it
was well known the Irish never gave their hearts without
t. h eir hands; that the MirAry were acting the wiih of Ca
b ula: Thc,hrd cut of the rights<tthirteen or fourteen
Colonies at once ; Irelruawould be next, and then, when
liberty had but one nek ,Lit Ko wertd be' ~ ~d off .:
one stroke.
Mr. Prime Serjeant and Mr.,Solicitor General dwelt on
the impropriety of the adfrefs, and t>e question being
put on agreeir g to the at endment, the House divided,---
Ayes, 54; Noes, ,z; Majority against the amendment, 40.
When the question was put on the original elaufe,
Mr. Dillon opposed it, and the House divided a second
time,---Ayes, 90; Noes, 54; Majority for the elaufe 36.
Thus the Address was agreed to, as was that 'to the
Lord Lieutenant, reported by Cel. Refs.
W ILLIAMSBU RG, 'January 5.
/A Letter from Colonels Hoiue and Woodford to the Hon. the
Prudent of the Convention, dated Norfolk, 10 o'clock at
r "gbt, 'January 1, 1776.
“ Between 3 and 4 o'clock a severe cannonade began
from all the flapping, under cover of which they landed
finali parties, and set fire to the houses on the wharves.
The wind favoured their deligu, and we believe the
flames will become general. In the confufion which they
supposed would ensue, they frequently attempted to
land; but this, by the bravery of our officers and men,
we have hitherto prevented, with only a few men wound
ed on our fide, and we persuade ourselves with a good
deal of loss on theirs. Their efforts, and our opposition,
Bill continue. We have Rationed ourselves in such a
manner as will, we believe, render every thing but burn
ing the houses ineffe&ual. We wait with impatience
your farther orders, and are refpeclfully, &c."
Extract of a Letter from Col. Hovue, to the Prefdent of
the Convention, January 2.
“ The burning of the town has made several avenues,
which yefterd^y they had not, so that they may now fire
with greater effect. The tice is now riling, and we ex
pert at high water another cannonade. I have only to
wiih it may be # as ineffectual as the last ; for we have not
one man killed, and but a few wounded. I cannot enter
into the melancholy confederation of the women and
children running through a crowd of shot to get out of
the town, feme of them with children at their bread.
A few have, I hear, been killed. Does it not call for
vengeance, both from God and man ! It is but justice to
inform you, that I had the pleasure to find every officer
ready to execute orders at a moment's warning, and that
the men behaved with steadiness and spirit. Col. Stevens
went down at my command, and beaded some men near
the water, where he engaged a party who had landed,
with the spirit and conduct of a good officer. Of my
friend Col. Woodford it is almost needless to speak ; but
I cannot avoid exprefiing, that I received from him every
assistance which conduct and spirit could give me."
Extract of a Letter from Col. Elliot, to Col. Patrick Henry,
dated Hampton, January 5, 1776.
This motion railed" a frefh debate, in which most of the
former ground was trod over again.- Colonel Brown
urged the neccriity of contradicting the aflertion of Lord
Chathari.
Mr. Gardiner fid the British Ministry were anting like
those rAh practitioners who prescribe immediate amputa
tion, when any inflammation er gangrene comes on,
which might be cured by rentier means ; and that agree
ing with the words of the original elaufe would carry us
farther than we were aware.
Captain Hamilton gave a long detail of the proceedings
of the different adminif rations from Mr. Grenville to
Lord North : Said the last war was merely an American
war, as it was undertaken fok y on their account; in
veighed strongly against their ingratitude, and their be
haviour in regard to the tea, and concluded they were ab
foltitely rebels.
Mr. Holmes spoke in favour of the address; and Mr.
Dillon declared he should be against the amendment, as
he was against making any mention at all of the Ameri
cans.
Bar. Huge, Burgh expressed his terror of the confluen
ces that would result from joining in an address, which
supported fnguinary measures and urged a vindictive ad
ministration to proceed to the last extremities. If the
Americans were brought on their knees to the Minister,
as had been the favourite expression, they could expert
nothing but slavery. A conqueror, when he held his
sword over the head of the vanquished, has, indeed,
been known to spare his life, but never to give him liberty.
To keep the subdued colonies in a state of fubjeCtion
would require a large handing army, and these troops
would be ready, whenever required, to come over and
destroy the liberties of the other subjects. I Hand would
then be endaved, since those who are slaved themselves
are the fitteft to enslave others, and Great-Britain itfelf
wouid then become only the feat of a wide extended
despotism. It is evident Britain has not relinquished her
difign of destroying the rights of this kingdom; she has
torn off already one of the valuable privileges of a free
nation, an appeal to the House of Lords ; and the book
written hy Molynex, in defence of Irish rights, was burnt
by the hands of the common Hangman. They only wait
an opportunity, and it would be wrong to give them the
least handle for one. An Hon. Gendeman (Capt. Jeph
fon) has called the Americans the Offspring of Convicts,
the Outcasts of this Country: Many of them are so;
but why this cruel intuit on persons guilty of no crimer
The law spared the lives of the forefathers who were
criminals, but it is tenfold cruelty to aeftroy their guilt
lets children. Many gentlemen nave deubtiefs under
taken to do, as it is called, the King's business in the
House, and are to be property considered for it ; but this
is the Minister's budhefs, and ought to have an extra
charge.
At the fame time arrived seven transports we hear with
out any troops.
WORCESTER, January 5.
Extract of a letter f om an officer at Roxbury to bis friend ins
this tocun, dated December £9.
“ General P was over here yesterday, informs us
that some of our privateers have taken another prize, and
were towing her into Beverly, said to be one that .came
out with that which brought the Congress; She has at
the cannon belonging to the carriages that were takenm
the last Ship."
N E W-Y O R K, January n.
Montreal, Dec. 2. “ Laft.night General Wooster re
ceived information by letters fre.m Boccharvidc, th,t a plan
was laid for cutting off the communication between Ge
neral Montgomery s army and our garrison, and at oed
stroke, to deftruy all the friends of the United Colonie;
that a magazine of arms, &c. was deposited with a Cap
tain of the Militia, that the scheme was concerted, and
to be conducted by St. Luc Lacorne, who had a strong
party in readings to put it ni execution.
^ On thisinteitigence, Colonel Ritzma, with 2 detach
ment of ico men, among whom waspart of my company,
was ordered in quest of the principal persons mentioned
in the information. —About ten o'clock at night, em
barked in three batteaus, crossed the river, and marched
about 12 miles to Boucharville, wl^re we surprised and
took St Luc Lacorne, Lis son in law, Major Campbell,
and several others, whom we brought to General Woufter,
who ordered them to La Praiie, in order to be font duw#
to one of the United Colonies.
" 1 do not think the information was supported hy fufi
ficient evidence, but it was such as made it ibdifoenfib.^,
for the General to art as he did; and St. Luc Lacorne was
known to be a very dangerous person in Canada. —Our
garrison is weak, but General Wooster is taking the most
prudent and spirited meafurcs to put it in the best order o'
defence possible. —I hope a full conviction of the very'
great importance of this place, and the necessity of a
powerful army, to defend the poffefnon, in obtaining
which. Providence has favoured us in so remarkable a
manner, will Simulate the United Colonies to fend speedy
and ample supplies of men, well fitted with every article
necessary to that end ; 10,000 men will secure the country
against all attempts that may be made to retake it fro: 1
them."
PHILADELPHI A, fanuaty 17.
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in the Continent !
Service, dated, Before Quebec, December 16, 1775.
" General Carleton escaped from Montreal by pad
dling with his hands by our men in the night, and grt
fafe to Quebec, where he gave immediate orders for. 1
that would not take up arias to leave the city.
CAMBRID G E, January 4.
On Wednesday, the week before last, Major General
Lee set out for Rhode-Bland: He was att'eu<i< u from
hence by hi. gu rd and a party f rifle-men; and hum
Providence, by the cadet comp ay of that dl.cc, arc a
number of minute-men. He enttred the town of New
port the Monday following, prece led by the cases, his
guard, and the rifle-men. While there, he called before
him a number of obnoxious perlons to whom he tendered
an oath of fidelity to the country, which was taken by
all of them, excepting Col. JofiphW.nton, jun. Nicnc
las Lechmeh, and Richard heme, two custom-house < fi
cers, who refufed taking it; upm which they wHe m:
under guard, and brought to Providence. The Genk a,
after having viewed the island, aid given directions for
erecting some fortifications, set ott for Providence on
Wednesday, from whence lie came 10 town last Saturday.
A gentleman who came pahengerin a tranfoort, wh ch
arrived at Bolton last week from Lindon, Uniforms, rart
26 fail of veficls, laden with stores mdprordions, w:m,
when he left England, failed or ntriv cut fji£cion, for
the support of die garrison the prefix v/n^r; but that
no troops may be expected before the faring: And teat
110 line large flieep were brought out n the vulie. Ci
which he came puffenger, but Un.l.w) rws of them were
carried into Bolton alive.
" <^^-11% abort i2o more of the inhat;t©K of
Bodox arrived at Cnufca.
We are credibly informed, that the Ministerial true $
in Boften art dying faft with the tuny; that it is judged
their stores cannot lad them many we^ks longer' and
that their fuel cannot last them but about fix Cays.
It is confidently reported that G meral Ho AC is come to
the determination of fending out cf Lofton all those wka
rtfufe to take up arms in the service cf the Ministry.
It is said Admiral Shuldham is arrived at Bolton to fu
percede Admiral Graves.
This morning Lieut. Batut, ar.d 5 grenadiers of the
14th reghnent, who were wounded at the Great ^rir ge,
with 17 Tories, and ii Negroes, arrived in town, under
a strong guard, from Norfolk. The wounded fom rs
are sent to the hofptal, mon of the Tories and N groes
lodged in the public goal, and Licut. Batut, with 2 few
others, admitted on their parole.
Yesterday afternoon an express arrived from York,
with intelligence that two topsail vessels, and one of a
smaller size, had hove in tight, which were fufperteu to
be two men of war and a tender, coming up to cannon
ade that town; upon which Capt. Gibson, with his V/eft
Augusta boys, were immediately ordered to reinforce the
troops Rationed there, and prevent any of Duniporc's
hell-hounds from landing to set foe to the houses. M.ny
gentlemen volunteers liktwife went from this city, to ai
fift their brethren of York; red cur worthy Delegates,
then fitting in Convention, formed themfeives urn art at
old intrepid warrior Col. Andrew Lewis, for the protec
tion of the city. Capt. Gisfon lad marched mu" a little
didance from town, when he vas met by Col. Henry,
from York, with .he agreeable intelligence, that the two
large vessels were one a prevision veficl from Cork, de p
laden with beef, butter, potatoes, &c. the other fr^a
the Grenades, leaded with rum, sugar, and federal other
necessaries, mm the small vulcl the brave Capt. Barron,
carrying them up the river, out cf the reach of the men
of war.
Lorfak, January 4, „ 7 6, , / £ fy , %
"About a quarter past 3 on Monday afternoons 3
whole fleet began a heavy cannonade, which lafte.l^
hours, without any ipterm ; lßon, and indeed Cortina
off and on, till last night, lince which we have been'
l^rabiy quiet. Under the fire of their ships, they landed,
in many places, and set fire jo the houses on the wharves.
In thele attempts, many or them, we are certain, wer^
killed, and uevr failed bring repulsed by our people.
IVe ha<! not a man ktiied, and only § or 6 wounded, one
supposed mo;tally; and two or three women and children
are laid to be killed. Pro 1 idence certainly interfered A
our favour, or more lives must have been loft. They
once landed and got into the Greets with field pieces, but
were beat back with loss, and no execution done by tl
fire.. Nine tenths cf the town are dekroyeu, but she
lire is now out."