The Pennsylvania gazette — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-05-29 00:00:00, page 2

AVIGNO N, February 11.
UTTERS from Provence and Languedoc reform
jLi us, that the officers in those parts have received
orders, to complete their regiments without delay, and
even tv raise recruits beyond the number fixed by the
brdon'h'ance.
Government is come to a resolution of deepening and
enlarging the port of Cologne, in order to render it ca
pable of receiving large veffels,and to serve, in case of
need, infteavi of the port of Dunkirk.
L O N D O N.
March 1%. Lord Sandwich, during the course of Tues
day's debate in the House of Lords, declared, " That
the officers in the army were not averse to the American
- War." —The-Buke : of -Richmond, at the ednehifion of
the debate, affirmed it as a fad, “ That seventeen officers
had resigned or fold out, since the guards deceived.or
ders to embark for America."—To which of these illu
strious Peers.will the public give, credit? , .
Tris 're,orient hit Lord Hocue s going to America is not
yet fettled, end there is great reason to believe be will not
go. Several ob/lacles lie in his way, amo gflwhich are
these: That he flattered himfelf he Jhould have had full
power to treat with the Americans, by which he would have
become the haffy means of reconciling'the Colonies to the
Mother Country, of which he now does not fee the leaf
pofpeß. He finds by the returns made by Admiral Graves,
that the fleet in America are not jit for service, And that it
will be imfofftble to afl with it, without loss of character,
and, rifque of every hind of reputation ; a rifque much too
great for Lord Howe to run, who so jufllvflands high in the
estimation of his counts, as a great sea officer, of unblemished
honour and probity.
The lots of a ship taken by the Provincials is like to
make work for the lawyers; the under-writers declaring
they are not pirates, and the policy not providing agaihft
rebels,
. It is reported that bis Majesty will go to Portsmouth
to take a survey of the fleet before they fail for America.
March 13. The Bth instant came into Milford his Ma
jesty's Doop Wolfe, which in' a gale of Wind, for the
preservation of their lives, was obliged to throw over
hoard all her guns and boats,
Monday the House of Commons, in a committee of
supply, came to the two following resolutions, which
.; were yesterday reported to the House :
: . Rcfolved, That a fam not exceeding 137,4481. 7s. be
granted for the pay and clothing of fix regiments of foot
on the Irish establishment, and of several augmentations
to the forces from this commencement to the 24th of De
cember, 1776.
. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding 845,1651 . 14s. 8„
be granted towards defraying the extraordinary expences
of the land forces, ahd other services, incurred be
-tween the 9th of March 17,5, and 31st of January 1776.
A very warm debate commenced on the latter reso
lution, which continued till nine o'clock, when the
question being put, the house divided, ayes 180, noes 57.
It Was strongly urged on the part of opposition, that
the annals of this country did not furnifh another in
stance in which a nominal body of 11,000 men (never
amounting at any time within the period mentioned in
the resolution to above 8500 effective men) had cost the
nation so much money. The campaign of Bnnker's-hill
and Lexington were ludicrously compared with the glo
rious campaigns of the immortal John Duke of Marlbo
rough ; and the forcing the lines thrown up by a mob in
the course of a summer's night, opposed to the victories
of Blenheim, Schelienbourgh, the conquest of Gibraltar
.and Minorca, the traversing the vast circuit of the king
dom of Spain by Lord Peterborough, and the renowned
impressions made by the Duke of Ormond at Vigo and
Port St. Mary's. Mystic river was compared to the Da
nube; and the operations of a wiir that pervaded half
Europe, and in which a British army, and foreigners in
British pay, amounting to 70,000 men, had rendered the
power and glory of the British arms immortal, was ba
lanced against those carried on within a circuit of little
more extent than what is taken up by the feite of this
metropolis. The expence of the former was (hewn to
amount to a sum of not more than two millions, while
the other, including the expences of the fleet, cost near
ly three millions, the very extraordinanies and ordinance
Service alone amounting to one million three hundred
thousand pounds.
Several comparisons were drawn likewise between the
victories of Pitt, and the noble Lord who now direds
the affairs of this country. And it was asserted, in the
course of this debate, that the campaign which secured
'the whole continent of America to Great Britain, though
the force consisted of nearly 40,000 land forces, fell con
siderably short, in point of expence, of maintaining 8000
wretched men, Carved, disgraced, and cooped up with
in the town of Boston.
Administration had little to oppose to those fadts,
further than the wonders which were meant to be enact
ed in the course of the erifiling campaign They plead
ed deceit on the part of America, and contended, that
nothing but the most base and insidious designs of our
rebellious fubjeds, in that country-©mid have possibly
prevented us from carrying our schemes into execution.
The principal fpvakers on the part of administration
were, Lords North, Barrington, and Germaine, Mr.
Cornwall, Sir Grey Cooper, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. Stanley.
On that gs opposition, Col. Barre, Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox,
Mr. Hartley, and Governor Johnftone.
March 14, On Monday were presented to the Lower
Assembly, pursuant to their order, copies of the follow
ing requisitions made by Generals Gage and Howe, from
America :
Copy of Lieutenant-General Gage's requisition, for
21,500!. dated Feb. 7, 1775, Ditto for 20,00 cl. dated
April 17, 1775. Ditto for 100,000!. dated May 23, 1775.
Ditto for 20,c00 l. dated June 1, 1775. Ditto for zo,oool.
dated July 22, 1775, Ditto for 40,0001. dated August
7, 1775. Ditto for 100,0001. dated Sept. 30, 1775.
Copy of Major Gen. Howe's requisition, for ioo,oool.
dated Nov. 1, 1775. Ditto for 100,000!. dated January
1, 17,6.
Advices from France fay, " That large bodies of
French troops are ordered down to the sea coast of that
kingdom on the Mediterranean," which occasions variety
of Speculations.
However the Minißry may attempt to conceal it, there
is certainly a treaty totally inimical to the honour and
interest of England, now carrying on between the courts
of Verfiitles and Madrid; in consequence of which, the
French and Spanish navies are increasing at their different
ports, and manning with the utmost expedition ; their
land forces are likewise considerably augmented, and
have orders for embarkation early in May.—Mr. St.
Paul, our charge des affaires at Paris, came over the
latter end of last week with this alarming intelligence for
administration.
The French force will consist of eleven fail of line of
battle mips, ahd four frigates, with three bomb vefrels,
and several tenders, Which will be commanded by Mons.
D'Ache, who hoists his flag in the Languedoc, a fine ship
of eighty grins; an army under the command of Mons.
de Marbeuf is likewise to be ready at the fame time,
which is fixed for the 3d of April.
The Spanish fleet are to rendezvous at Carthagena the
20th of March, and will conftit of 14 fail of the line,
io frigates, and several bomb veffcls and fire ships; the
grand army is to.be composed of Spanish, French, Nea
politan and Parma troops, which will make altogether a
body of 40,c00 men. This formidable armament w ; ll be
equal to any enterprise that may be thought most con
ducive to the interests of the family compact; but its
ostensible destination is Algiers.
March 16. A messenger arrived yefterdky morning at
St. James's from France brought advice that a fquadton
of men of war and frigates are failed from Brest, with a
fair wind, for the Weft-Indies.
Yesterday a court of common council was held at
Guildhall, when a motion was made that an humble ad
dress and petition might be drawn up, and presented to
his Majesty, relative to the war in America, to beseech
his Majesty that a fpecification of the terms which his
Majesty, with the two houses of Parliament, means to
grant to the colonies, may precede the dreadful opera
tions of his armament. This motion was agreed to
without a debate; a petition was read and approved of
unanimotidy; and the fheriffs were ordered to go t, St.
James's this day, to know when his Majesty would be
pleased to permit the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, &c. to
wait on him with the said address and petition, when
his Majesty was pleased to order Friday next, two o'clock.
It was agreed in Monday's debate, that government
would, in the course of two months, want 130,000 tons
of transports: suppose them on an average of 280 tons
each, this is near 500 fail, which is certainly more than
can be procured in that time. This confirms the opinion
very generally embraced among military perfens, that
the German troops will not at all be in America before
the end of August.
This day arrived a mail from Flanders, by which a
confirmation is received from the Hague, dated March
3, that the States General have just granted their per
mission to the three Scotch regiments which are in their
pay to go over to England, and serve there as long as
there may be occasion for them, on condition that they
shall not be sent out of the three kingdoms.
House 0, Lords, Thursday, March 14.
The Duke of Grafton having apprized the house of
his intention to introduce a motion, the Lords yefterda,
attended in consequence of summonses issued for the pur
pose. The order of the day being read, the Duke of
Grafton firft intreated the permission of the house to re
capitulate the part he had taken in the cabinet relative to
the repeal of the tea aft. Since the last debate he had
possessed himfelf of the minutes of the cabinet debates
which passed on that fubje&, and from them he defied
any Lord to controvert the fad, or to fay that, after re
peated struggles to obtain a repeal of the tea aft, his
Grace had not been overpowered by the weight of num
bers.—Having advanced this pofitioß as a neeeffary ex
culpation of himfelf, he then proceeded to deduce, from
the present unhappy fituatipn of this country, the abso
lute necessity there was for the adoption of some expe
dient which might stay the sword of daughter, restore
the commerce, and re-establish the peace of an empire,
rent asunder by the conflicts of civil discord. He sug
gested, that a motion, calculated to such a purpose,
could never be proposed at so opportune a season as the
present, when, added to the other' dangers which en
vironed us, France and Spain were watchful only of the
critical moment for attack. That they would assist the
Americans was more than probable; that they would
take advantage of the contention was certain. He de
clared, that to his certain knowledge two French gen
tlemen of condition had, some little time since, landed
in America, had visited General Washington at the pro
vincial camp, and from him they had repaired to the
Congress, a Committee of whom had been nominated
to treat with those foreigners. The fubjed of their ne
gociation his Grace left to the conjectures of his illustri
ous auditors. His Grace then dated the motion he
meant to propose to the House, which was substantially
as follows: " That an humble address be presented to his
Majesty, imploring him, out of a tender concern for the
lives of his people, and to stop the farther effufion of
blood, that ne would be graciously pleased to issue his
Royal proclamation, to empower the commander in chief
of his forces in America, or the commissioners or com
missioner (if any such should be sent) to receive, within a
reasonable time, either before or after the arrival of the
troops now about to embark, any petition presented in
behalf of the colonies, Rating their just rights and griev
ances. and to assure them, that such petition fhal lbe con
sidered and answered."
Lord Shelburne seconded the motion.
Lord Dartmouth totally objeaed to the motion, as
highly improper, and tending to interrupt the only mea
sures that could be taken to reduce A merica to obedience.
His Lordfllip observed, that it was no longer a time to
treat with.a country in open rebellion, where the govern
ment by the authority of this kingdom was subverted,
and every aft of cruel usurpation exercised. He thought
this motion so highly prejudicial to Great-Britain, that
he moved the previous question, whether this question be
now put; widiing to get rid of the motion this way,
rather than to give it an absolute negative, because he
was not willing that a motion should go forth, as if the
Ministry were absolutely averse to all terms of accom
modation : But he thought the meaning of the mo
tion fully answered in the last clause of the aft of Parlia
ment appointing Commissioners to receive the submission
of any of the colonies, whenever they should be disposed
to return to due obedience to the mother country.
The Duke of Manchester rose next, and strongly sup
ported the motion. He complained of our inability to
carry on the war, from the heavy expences already incur
red. He said the furos voted by the Commons this session
amounted to fix millions, and probably the whole ex
pence, if fairly Rated, would appear to be ten millions.
He took the liberty to contradict, from information he had
received, what had been asserted in a former debate, con
cerning the alacrity of the seamen to enter into the ser
vice: He said that the ships already fitted out had been
manned by borrowing men from the guardfhips, which
were not properly manned so as to be ready to defend us
against a foreign enemy. He mentioned large armaments
fitted out by France and Spain, to unite and rendezvous
at Carthagena, the pretended object being a war with the
Algerines, but the real one, he believed, was Portugal,
in which case we muR be involved in a war.
Lord Shelburne made a very long speech on the whole
American fubje&, and on the impropriety and danger of
granting a separate military establishment to Ireland.
WILLIAMSBURG, May 18.
Twelve hundred men from this colony are ordered for
North-Carolina, to reinforce the troops collected at Cape-
Fear to oppose General Clinton. It is not certain what
number of ministerial troops are arrived ; report fays 5000.
We have within our Capes the Fowey man of war of
24 guns, the Nautilus of 16 guns, and the Otter of 1®
guns."
In CONVENTION. ,
Present One Hundred and Twelve Members.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1776.
FORASMUCH as all the endeavours of the United
Colonies, by the most decent re presentations and
petitions to the King and Parliament of Great Britain,
to restore peace and security to America under the Bri
tish government, and a re-union with that people upon
just and liberal terms, instead of a redress of grievances,
have produced, from an imperious and vindictive admi
nistration, inc'reafed insult, oppression, and a vigorous
attempt to effect our total deftrudtion. By a late act,
all these colonies are declared to be in rebellion, and out
of the protection of the British Crown, our properties
fubjeded to contifeation, our people, when captivated,
compelled to join in the murder and plunder of their re
lations and countrymen, and all former rapine and op
pression of Americans declared legal and just. Fleets
and armies are raised, and the aid of foreign troops en^
gaged to assist these deftrudive purposes: The King's re=
prefentative in this colony hath not only withheld all the
powers of government from operating for our fafety,
but, having retired on board an armed ship, is carrying
on a piratical and savage war against us, tempting our
slaves, by every artifice, to resort to him, and training
and employing them against their masters. In this Rate
of extreme danger, we have no alternative left but an
abjeC t submission to the will of those over-bearing tyrants,
or a total separation from the crown and government of
Great-Britain, uniting and exerting the Rrength of all
America for defence, and forming alliances with foreign
powers for commerce and aid in war: Wherefore, ap
pealing to the SEARCHER OF HEARTS for the
Sincerity of former declarations, exprefiing our desire to
preferye the connexion with that nation, and that we
are driven from that inclination by their wicked coun
cils, and the eternal laws of felf-prefervation,
Resolved unanimously, That the Delegates appointed to
represent this colony in General Congress be inftru&ed
to propose to that refpe&able body to decla re the United
Colonies free and independent Races, absolved from all
allegiance to, or dependence upon, the Crown or Pajia
ment of Great-Britain; and that they give the assent of
this colony to such declaration, and to whatever m^a
fures may be thought proper and neeeffary by the Con
gress for forming foreign alliances, and a confederation
of the colonies, at such time, and in the manner, as to
them Rail seem best: Provided, that the power of form
ing government for, and the regulations of the internal
concerns of each colony, be left to the refpedive colonial
legislatures.. >
Refolded unammoifly, That a committee be appointed
to prepare a DECLARATI ON of RIGHTS, and
such a plan of government as will be mpft likely to main
tain peace and order in this colony, and secure substan
tial and equal liberty to the people.
EDMUND PENDLETON, Prefdent.
John Tazewell, Clerk of the Convention.
Extracts from the Proceedings of the Convention of
Maryland, held at the Cit, of Annapolis, May 15, 1776.
WHEREAS it is neceflary that the peace and good
order of this province should be maintained a$
much as possible, and it appearing to this Convention that
sundry officers appointed for that purpose have refufed to
take upon them the refpe&ive trusts to which they have
been appointed, alledging scruples to take the usual oaths
to government, during the unhappy differences with
Great-Britain. .
Resolved, That the said oaths be dispensed with during
the said differences, and that the perfpps already appoint
ed, or who may hereafter be appointed, do qualify them
selves for their trusts, by taking the refpe&ive oaths of
office to which they are or may be appointed. And all
persons concerned, either in administering or taking the
said oaths of office, independent of the said oaths tothe
government, may rest assured, that proper care ffiall be
taken, upon the settlement of those differences (an event
we most ardently wish for) to indemnify them against any
penalties, directed by any laws to be inflided on persons
ading as aforefaid, without having firft taken the' laid
oaths.,
Lord Lyttleton followed Lord Hil'fborough's line ®f
argument, and was vehement against all motions of
treating with rebels; he also expatiated on the danger of
letting the Americans alone another year without exert
ing our full power against them.
The Bishop of Peterborough advised reconciliation;
declared, on his conscience, that he did not think the
Americans even now aimed at independency; the foyrce
of all their discontent was the ftarhp a& ; 'he would not
enter into a dfcuffion how far the supreme legislative
authority of the Parliament of England extended, but
he could never be brought to think that power and right
were synonymous terms. All governments were found
ed, in a great measure, on public opinion; and when
once the bulk of the people conceived that their rights
were invaded, it became the wisdom of government to
recover the public opinion of its condud; by applying a
remedy to the oppression complained of.
Lord Gower followed the Bishop, but in favour of ad
miniftratiom; his Lordship read a letter sent from a cabi
net minister to the governor of a refractory colony in
1761, proving, by the effect that letter produced, that it
was probable coercive measures were more likely to
bring about a proper termination of the quarrel, than any
system founded on falfe lenity.
Lord Camden rose next, and entered into a legal dis
cussion of the capture a&, denying the power of the
crown to delegate unlimited, difcretional power to any
one commissioner or more to pardon a wdole body of
people. His Lordihip begged to know the meaning and
extent pf the words “ well disposed" in the last clause
of that aft, and laughed at the terms accommodation
and conciliation as used by the Lords in office, declaring
that Shakespeare's Bardolph treated the w ord accommo
dation. as fignifigantly as it appeared to be treated now.
His Lordfllip drew a pathetic pidure of the probable
fatal consequences if commissioners were sent out to
treat with America, or any part of it, under the present
ad of parliament, lamenting the fate of that commander
in chief who would venture to a& under it, as it would
certainly be at the hazard of his neck.
The debate continued till half after 10 o'clock, when
there appeared for the motion, Contents 28, Proxies 3,--
31. Non Contents 71, Proxies 20, —91.