Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-07-02

J
accounts transmitted 10 Government o.
Lord Cornwais's embarrassment, aug
meDted the anxiety Of the Cabinet. Lore
George Germaine, in particular, conscious
that on the prosperous or adverse result OIL
that expedition hinged the result Of the
American contest and his own fate as wei
as, probably, the duration of the ministry
itself, expressed to his friends the strong
est uneasness on the subject. The meet
ing Of Parliament stood fixed for the 9Th
Of the month. On the 25th, about noon
the official intelligence of the surrender Of
the British forces at Yorktown, arrived al
Lord Germane's house. Lord Walsing-
ham, who previous TO his father, Sir vii
liam de Grey's elevation to the peerage,
had been under secretary Of state in that
| department, and who was TO second the
acdres. in the House of Lords, happened
TO be there when the messenger brought
tie news. Without communicating il TO
any person, Lord George for the purpose
of despatch, Immediately got with him in,
to hackney coach, anu drove to Lord
Stormout's residence in Portland Place
Having impaired the disastrous lniorma-
ton to him, and taken him into the CART
age, they instantly proceeded to the cha2-
celors house in Great Russell ST., Blooms
bury, whom they found at home /; when
after short consultation, they determin
ed to lay it themselves in person before
Lord North. He had not received any
iniimation Of the event when they arrived
at his door in Downing street, between l
and O'Clock. The first minister's firm
ness. and even his presence OF mind gave
way for short time under this disaster
asked Lord George afterwards how he
took the communication AS he would
have taken a ball in his breast, replied
Lord George. He opened his arms, ex.
claiming wildly as he paced the apartment
during a few minutes, Oh, God il is all
over > words, which he repeated many
times, under emotions Of deepest agitation
and distress.
Military affairs, have since, displayed
themselves on a broader scale, and we can
scarcely conceive that such notions Of ma
tional calamity could be appended to the
the capture OF force which however brave
scarcely amounted to the vanguard of a
modern army, certainly not to the f,oentieh
OF the army, with which Wellington APP
Pc AIRED On The frontier oi France. The
misfortune of the troops under Cornwallis
was questionable, but their character
was unslaiuod; they bad been brought by
their commander into a cut de sac, where,
it is true they might have held out forev-
er, if they could have received supplies by
sea. But that contingency was too deli
cate 10 have been relied on by an officer
of any intelligence. The result proved the
fact. The French fleet took up the posi-
ton which Lord Cornwa.is's imaginary
plan had marked out for the British The
army within Yorktown found that though
to Americans they were impregnable, they
had more formidable enemy, famine, TO
deal with and. finally TO that enemy, and
that enemy alone, they surrendered.
1--WE next have picture OF Cabinet
Council in terror. When the first ag,ta-
ton had snbsided, the four ministers dis
cussed the question, whether it might not
be expedient 10 prorogue the meeting of
Parliament for few days but as scarce
ly an interval of forty eight hours remain
ed before The appointed time oil meeting,
and as many members OF both Houses had
arrived in London, or were on their way,
the proposition was abandoned. 1t became,
however, indispensable to alter, and almost
remodel the Kings speech. This was done
without delay, and at the same time Lord
George, as secretary Of the American de-
partment, sent off despatch to the King,
then at Kew, acqnainting him with the
fate of Lord Corwallis's expedition.
The narrative proceeds 8 dined that
day al Lord Georges, and although the
information which had reached London IN
the course of the morning from France as
well as from the official report, was oil
nature not TO admit Of long concealment,
vet il had not been communicated to me
or any other individual Of the company
when got 10 Pail Mall, between five and
six o'clock. Lord Walsingham who also
dined there, was the only person, except
Lord George, acquainted with the fact
The party, nine in number, sat down to the
table. Thought the master Of the house
appeared serious, though he manifested no
dIscomposure. Before dinner was over,
letter was brought back by the messenger
who had been despatched TO the hing
Lord George opened and rerused II; then
looking at Lord Walsingham, TO whom
he exclusively directed the observation
the King writes said he, just as he al
WAYS does. except that observe, he has
neglected to mark the hour and minute oil
hi wiring with his usual precision This
remark, though calculated to awaken
some interest, excited no comment, anu
while the ladies', Lord Georges three
daughters. remained in the room we re-
pressed our curiosity. But they had no
sooner withdrawn, than Lord George ha,
wing acquainted us that information had
;uss arrived from Paris OF the old Count
Maurepas, FIST minister, lying at the po'a y.
Of death! 'Itwould griese me-, sad l. %
finish my career, however far advanced IN
wears. were first minister of France, be-
fore | had witnessed the termnatin oil TINS
, great contest between England and Anne
! Iica., sHe has survived to see that event
replied Lord George Germa'ne, with som'