West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-07-05
THE FIRST FOURTH.
How the Declaration was Received
in London.
Newspapers Of that Date Declared that
Tie Leaders OF the Revolution We're
Thieves-Called Hancock SmuggIer
and Adams n Pettifogger.

Turning to the files of the London news
papers for the summer of I776- files that
are not the least valuable Of the stores Of the
British museum--we find that the Dsciara-
ton of Independence was not altogether un-
expected, says the Louisville Courier-Jour.
nal. A heated discussion of the rights aud
wrongs Of the colonies was carried on for
some months prior to August, when the first
news Of the Declaration reached London.
On August Il the news was received that
Independence had been declared by the
united colonies. All the newspapers Of that
date published an idcnticaly worded para
graph which read, 'Advice is received that
the congress resolved upon independence
the 4th Of July and, it is said, have declared
war against Grea, Britain in form"
The next day, August -, Th. Gazetteer
published this information
"By private letter received from The Mer-
curry packet we are informed when congress
resolved on independence there we're present
several foreigners Of different nations.
among whom were some persons Of distinc-
ton froA the courts Of Versailles and
Madrid
"a correspondence, we are assured, has
been carried on between the delegates Of the
American congress and our natural enemies,
the French and Spaniards, and that it was
in consequence Of the latter promising 10
give the former every assistance in their
power that the Americans declared for
independence.
'As soon as the colonies declared them
selves independent states two fore en- vessels
which we're at Philadelphia slipped their
cables and sailed with the intelligence to the
above courts
by private letter from Philadelphia we
have advice that the congress had made
great naval pfomotion--viz, two admirals.
two commodores and several captains"
The Morning Chronicle and London Ad.
geriiser Of August ~ ITO, announced
that.
COPIES Of the declaration Of war by the
provincials arc now in town and arc said 90
be couchcd in the strongest terms-that,
having now drawn the sword IN defense Of
all that is dear to them, they arc determined
never to sheathe It $50 full compensation
is made for the cruel expressions they have
sustsincd
81 is said the American provinces have
not only declared themselves independent.
but they have sent memorials thereof and
Of their proceedings 60 most Of the courts
Of Europe"
The British Chronicle Of August 10.
printed the Declaration Of Independence Iu
full. and the other papers struggled along.
printing the document in iustalimcnis. The
British we're Of course ignorn, Of what was
transpiring 10 America, and in licu Of news
they turned their attention Co personalities.
Thc morning Post Of August IS laid b.fo C.
ils readers This scrccd
"Arnold The commander in chief Of che
rebels in Canada. once kept the Intelligence
Office 30 che archway leading from So Pams
chuicbyard Co Doctors Commons and. nav.
ing 10 an intrigue with certain citizens
wife expended more than bis influence would
admit. was tempted TO Try bis fortune on the
highway. This step obliged him 10 dccamp
and Co take up his residence among the
saints, race of men among whom such
conduct can hardly De held disgracefal, as
they derive their origin principally from
pickpockcis and rcpficeed fclons Accord
inglys as no better man could De found IN
this land Of heroes, he was opposed Co Carrie
ton. Plumber being The object Of ilic con-
grcss 10 the expedition 90 Canada. they
chose, with great proprie,y. chief and a