Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-03
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

The late ELKANAH WATSON, for many years
resident of ALBANY, was present as a spectator in
the House of Lords when the Independence of the
American Colonies was formally acknowledged by
George the Third. The following extract from Mr.
WATsoNs journal affords vivid picture of that
interesting event
LONDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1892
The great glorious day has arrived when our
ditional independence will be solemny recognised by
George H. in the presence of God and Such, at
last are the welearned fruits Of sangunary and event
fu contest of eight long, long years. in which period
hundred thousand brave Americans have cemened the
altar OF their country with their precious blood prize
which VIII bless unborn Millions and in its eventul eff
tects produce the entire surface Of this be-
nghted world
AT an early hour in conformity to previous arrange
ments had the honor to be conducted by the Earl Of
Ferrers TO the very of the House of Lords
AT the small door he whispered softly into my
Get the foot osshe throne as possible maintain
your positions fear not" did with all the assurance
Of travelled Yankee and found myself exactly in front
of the throne elbow elbow with the celebrated Admiral
Lord Howe who had just returned from successful re-
lief of Gibraltar
The ladies of the nobility occupied the lords seat on
the woosack, called emblem of the power and
wealth of old England because it has been mainly de-
rived from WOOL The lords standing here and there
promiscuously as ! entered.
1t was dark fcggy day-a proper English hanging
day. To add to its gloomy effects, the old Saxon win
dows stand high up with eaen bars contain the da
mondcut panes of glass; the walls also hung with dark
tapestry representing the defeat the great Spanish
Armada in 1888 had the pleasure of recognising the
celebrated American painters West and Copley and
American ladies in the groupal rebels at hearnter
mixed with many American royasts, of whom
my relatives with long detected faces and rage and
despair depicted in every neament Of their features
After standing for two hours in painful suspense the a
proach of the King announced by tremendous
of cannon He entered the small door the left OF the
throne, and Immediately seated himself in the chair of
State decorated in his royal robes in graceful formal
and majestic posture with his right foot resting
stool. He was evidently agated, and drew slowly from
his pocket scroll containing the humiliang speech.
exactly in his 'front.' six eight feet distant with my
left foot braced upon the last step of the throne to
tain my position from the pressure in my rear and crt
cay watched with the eye of Layater in that moment
every motion Of his agitated countenance lie began
"My Lords and gentlemen and in direct reference to
our independence said:
81 lost no time in giving the necessary orders to pro-
hibt the further prosecution OF offensive war upon the
continent of North America
Adopting as my inclination will always lead me to
DO, with decision and effect, whatever collect TO be the
all my views and measures in Europe, as in North Anne
rca entire and cordial reconciliation with the
lonies Finding it indispensable to the attainment Of
this object did hesitate go the full length Of the
power vested in me- and therefore now declare them.
Here he paused, and hesitated for moment, and
in evident agitation; the pill he had to swallow in the
next breath was repugnant to his digestive organs In
1875 he repealed our humble petition with ind gnity but
in 1882 he found himself PROSTATE at our feet He
covered himself by strong convulsive effort and pro-
ceeded thus j" declare them free and INDEPENDENT States
.l,n.- of
their kingdom, have sacrificed every consideration Of
my own TO the wishes and opinions Of my people. make
il my humble and ardent prayer to Almighty God that
Great Britain may feel the evils which might result
from so great ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the empire and that
America may be free from calamtes which have former
ly proved in the mother country how essential monarchy
is the enjoyment of constitutional liberty Religion,
language interests, and affection MAY and hara will
prove bona OF permanent union between the two
countries"
1t is impossible to describe the sensations Of my rebel
lious mind the moment when the King hestated to
pronounce the words free and Independent, and to notice
with what bad grace he had to swallow the dose every
artery in full play and beat high in unison with my
proud American feelings TWAS impossible not to revert
my eyes across the Atlantic and review in rapid
sion the mseres and wretchedness had witnessed IN
the several stages Of the prior my leaving AmeE
ca the wide-s spread desOlaon resulting from the obs
macy of this very turning deaf 10 humble
appeals to his justice and mercy IL god but
PROSTATE in his turn. In his speech he tells US in
breath that he has sacrificed every personal consdera
ton in other words, not yet satiaed with innocent
blood shed by his Indian allies and in the next hypo
critically invoking high Heaven to guard US against Gala
mites, sc.
The great drama is now closed The ball was opened
at Lexington where the British redcoats taught
to dance down to Charlesown to the tune Of cyan
kee Doodle" On this occasion it fell also to my lot
to march from Providence, Rhode Island, withra
pany of twenty-five weldsciplned young men, all dress
ed in scarlet, way to Lexington, with packs
backs but they had fed before could reach the
scene Of action.
From the House Of Lords proceeded to Mr. Copley's
dwelling in Leicester square to dine; and, through my
ardent solicitations, lie mounted the American stripes
large painting in the gallery the same day-the first
which waved in triumph in England.
In leaving the House of Lords osted in side by side
with West and Copley, enjoying the rich political repast
Of the day, and noticing with silent qualification the
guish and despair Of the Tories.
In the House Of Commons the ensuing day there was
not much bitter debate but good deal Of acrimony
Commodore Johnson attacked Lord Howes expedition to
Gibraltar because he had not gained decisive victory
the combined feet Of fory-fvc sail Of the line with
thirtyseven ships. Burke then rose INDUCING in vein
Of satire and ridicule, attack on the Kings
speech the day previous the subject Of American nde
pendence saying it was farrago Of nonsense aud hypo
crisy Young Pitt the newly created Chancellor Of the
Exchequer then rose and handled burke with dignied
severity Charging him with buffoonery and leyity.