Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-09-16
From the National Intelligencer.
icao IndenentIence.

Tnmse of Lords when the independence of the Amer
Ian Colonies was formally acknowledged by George
.bo Third The following extract from MT. Vat
sons journal affords vivid picture OF that lnteres-
ting event: -oo
"Do LONDON Thursday, December 4, 1882
The great glorious day has arrived when our un-
..adti6naI indepen dence will be solemnly recogni-
"a bv George iii. in the presence of God and man.
such at last, the well earned fruits OF sangul-
~ and eventful contest of eight long, long years,
~ ybich period one hundred thousand brave Amer
;ns have cemented on the alter of their country,
9TH their precious blood, prize while h will bless
horn millions, and in its eventful effects produce
new era the entire surface OF this benighted
world. 80.
-,ngoments / had the honor to be conducted by the
E of Ferrers to the very entrance of the House of
lords At the small door he whispered softly into
NV ear: Get as the foot of the throne pos
;5Ie maintain your position fear not" | did 80
nth all the assurance of travelled Yankee, and
fonnd myself early in front of the throne, elbow to
bIbow with the celebrated Admiral Lord Howe, who
had inst returned from successful relief Of Gbral
tar.
m the woosack, so called as an emblem of the pow
or and wealth of old England, because it has been
mainly derived from wool The lords were standing
here and there promiscuOusly as entered.
1t was a dark and fogy day-a proper English
hanging day. To add to its gloomy effects, the old
contain the diamond cut panes of glass. the walls
also hung with dark tapestry, representing the de-
feat of the great Spanish Armada in 1888. | had
the pleasure of recognizing the celebrated Ameri-
can painters, West and Copley, and some American
ladies in the group all rebels at heart inermx-
ed with many American rOyalists, some of whom
we're my near relatives With long detected faces,
and rage and despair depicted in every lineament of
their features After standing for two hours in pain
full suspense, the approach of the king was an
nOunced by tremendous roar OF cannon. He en-
tered the small door or the left of the throne, and
Immediately seated himself in the chair of State,
decorated in his royal robes. in a graceful formal,
and majestic posture; with his right foot resting on
a stool. He evidently agitated and drew slow
" from his pocket scroll containing the humilia-
ting speech. was exactly in his front six or eight
feet Distant with my left foot braced upon the last
step of the throne to sustain my position from the
pressure in my rear, and critically watched with
the eye of a Layater in that moment. every motion
of his agitated countenance. He began My
Lords and gentlemen" and in direct reference to
our independence, said
3" lost no time in giving the necessary orders to
prohibit the further prosecution Of offensive war up
on the continent of North America.
Adopting, as my inclination will always lead me
to do, with decision and effect, whatever collect to
be the sense Ofmy Parliament and nv people, have
pointed all my views and measures in Europe, as in
North America, TO entire and cordial roconcila.
ton with the colonies Finding it indspensa
BILE to the attainment of this object did not hest
tate to 60 the full length of the power vested in me
and therefore now declare them. Here he paus
ed and hesltated for moment, and was in eyiden,
agitation The pill he had to swallow in the mex
breath was rePugnant to his digestive organs Ir
IT'S he repealed our humble petition with indigni
ty but in 1882 he found himself PROSTATE at ou1
feet. He recovered himself by a strong convulsiv
effort and proceeded TINS j declare then, free
ladep'ndent States. In thus admitting their sepa
ration from the Crown of their kingdom, have sac
rifced every consideration of my own to the wishes
and opinions of my people. | make it my humble
and ardent prayer to Almighty God that Great Br
tain may not feel the evils which might result from
so great ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the empire, and tina
America may be free from calamities which have
formerly proved in the mother country how essen
tial monarchy is to the enjoyment of constitutions
liberty Religion, language, interests and affection
may, and hope WILL prove A bond of permanen
union between the two countries"
Is impossible TO describe the sensations of my re
beEiOus mind at the moment when the King hesiiate
to pronounce the words free and independent and Il
notice with what a bad grace he had to swallow III
dose every artery in full play, and beat high il
unison with my proud American feelings 1t was i'm
possible not to revert my eyes the Atlantic an
review In rapid succession the miseres and wre:ched
ness had witnessed in the several stages of the wa
PRIOR to my leaving America the wide spread desola
uOh resulting from the ObSnacy of this very ma
turning deaf ear 10 our humble appeals TO his Iustic
and mercy, as if god but PROSTATE in his turf
In his speech he tells in one breath that he ha
Sachced every personal considerations in other words
not yet saliaed with innocent blood shed by his Ir
Gian ahes; and IN the next hypocriticaIIy invokin
nigh Heaven to guard us against caIamtes &c
The great drama is now closed The ball wa
opened at Lexington, where the British red-coats wei
taught TO dance down TO Charestown 10 the tune {
" Yankee Doodle B." On this occasion it fell also
my lot TO march from Providence, Rhode Island, wit
company Of twenty five well disciplined Young me
Onr to +
packs on our backs; but they had fled before W
could reach the scene of action
From the House of Lords proceeded 10 Mr.. c.
PIey's dwelling In Leicester square to dine an
through my ardent solicitations, he mounted II
American stripes on a large painting in the gallel
the same day-the first which ever waved in trump
in England.
In leaving the House of Lords iostled in side /
side with West and CopIey, enjoying the rich polite
Tepast OF the day. and noticing with silent grafcatic
the anguish and despair of the Tories
In the House of Commons the ensuing day the
was not much bitter debate, but good deal of acr
mony. Commodore johnson attacked Lord Howe
expedition to Gibraltar, because he had not gained
decisive victory over the combined fleet of fort
lVe sail of The line with thirty seven ships. BurI
'Heh rose, lndugIng IN vein of satire and ridcuI
severe attack on the Kings speech the day preyou
me subject OF American independence, saying it VIZ
d iarrago OF nonsense and hypocrisy. Young Pit
The newly created Chancellor of the Exchequer, the
rose and handled Burke with dignifed severity, char
ing HIM with bufoonery and levity.
Having received from Alderman Wood card of a
MISSION 10 The gallery of the House of Commons as Il
mouse was rising the Alderman (who is a membe
came came INTO the gall ry and invited me to descend Wi
"Im 10 The floor of the House. | met Mr.. Burke wi
"hom had breakfasted, who introduced me as
messenger OF peace TO Pitt, Conway, Fox Sherda
ana TWO or three other members grouped on the foe
never telt more elevated in my life. In decrbir
'IS scene TO friend in France, in a moment of e
uIatIOn. | snhinined