thority. By this fatal omission, the commissioners nominated for the apparent purpose of making peace, were furnished with no legal power but those of giving or withholding pardons at their pleasure, and of relaxing the severities of a single penal act of parliament, leaving the whole foundation of this unhappy controversy just as it stood at the beginning.

"That we understand, that amidst the many disasters and disgraces which have attended on his Majesty's arms in many parts of America, an advantage has been gained by his Majesty's British and foreign mercenary forces in the province of New York. That if a wise, moderate, and provident use be made of this advantage, it is not improbable that happy effects may result from that use. And we assure his Majesty that nothing shall be wanting on our part to enable his Majesty to take full advantage of any dispositions to reconciliation, which may be the consequence of the miseries of war, by laying down, on our part, real permanent grounds of connection between Great Britain and the colonies, on principles of liberty, and terms of mutual advantage.

"That whilst we lament this effusion of

English blood, (which we hope has not been greater, or other than necessity required, and honour justified) we should most heartily congratulate his Majesty on any event leading to the great desirable end of settling a peace, which might promise to last, by the restoration of the an

"To represent to his Majesty, that in addition to this neglect, when, in the beginning of the last session, his Majesty, in his gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, had declared his resolution of sending out commissioners for the purposes therein expressed, as speedily as possible; no such commissioners were sent until near seven months afterwards, and until the nation was alarmed by the evacuation of the only town then held for his Majesty in the thirteen united colonies. By this delay, acts of the most critical nature, the effect of which must as much depend on the power of immediately relaxing them on submission, as in enforcing them upon disobedience, had only an operation to inflame and exasperate. But if any colony, town, or place, had been induced to sub-cient affection which has happily subsisted mit by the operation of the terrors of these acts, there were none in the place of power to restore the people so submitting to the common rights of subjection. The inhabitants of the colonies, apprized that they were put out of the protection of govern. ment, and seeing no means provided for their entering into it, were furnished with reasons, but too colourable, for breaking off their dependency on the crown of this kingdom.

"To assure his Majesty, that, removing our confidence from those who in so many instances have grossly abused it, we shall endeavour to restore to parliament the confidence of all his people.

"To this end it may be advisable to make a more minute enquiry into the grievances of the colonies, as well as into the conduct of ministers with regard to them. We may think it proper particularly to enquire, how it has happened, that the commerce of this kingdom has been left exposed to the reprisals of the colonies, at the very time, when their seamen and fishermen, being indiscriminately prohibited from the peaceable exercise of their occupations, and declared open enemies, must be expected, with a certain assurance, to betake themselves to plunder, and to wreak their revenge on the commerce of Great Britain.

[VOL. XVIII.]

in former times between this kingdom and its colonies; any other would necessarily require, even in case of a total conquest, an army to maintain, ruinous to the finances, and incompatible with the freedom of his Majesty's people. We should look with the utmost shame and horror on any events, of what nature soever, that should tend to break the spirit of any large part of the British nation, to bow them to an abject unconditional submission to any power whatsoever, to annihilate their liberties, and to subdue them to servile principles, and passive habits, by the mere force of foreign mercenary arms. Because, amidst the excesses and abuses which have happened, we must respect the spirit and principles operating in these commotions. Our wish is, to regulate, not to destroy them. For, though differing in some circumstances, those very principles evidently bear so exact an analogy with those which support the most valuable part of our own constitution, that it is impossible, with any appearance of justice, to think of wholly extirpating them by the sword in any part of his Majesty's dominions, without admitting consequences, and establishing precedents, the most dangerous to the liberties of this kingdom."

The question being put, it was resolved in the negative.

[4 U]

"Dissentient. "Manchester, Portland, Richmond, Scarborough, Devonshire, Rockingham, King, Craven, Fitzwilliam, Abingdon, De Ferrars, Effingham, Abergavenny, Ponsonby."

The Lords' Address of Thanks.] following Address was then agreed to:

The

"Most gracious Sovereign, "We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, beg leave to return your Majesty our humble thanks for your most gracious Speech from the throne.

"It is with the truest satisfaction we congratulate your Majesty on the success of your arms in the province of New York, the recovery of Canada, and the fair prospect of decisive good consequences, which, under the blessing of Divine Providence, is now opened by the firmness of your Majesty's councils, the valour and good conduct of your Majesty's officers and forces by sea and land, and by the zeal and bravery of the auxiliary troops in your Majesty's service.

states. We are fully aware of the mischief which would accrue from the success of this treason, to your Majesty's loyal colonies, to the commerce of this nation, and, more remotely indeed, but not less certainly, to the system of Europe, and to every state upon the continent of Europe possessed of distant colonies.

"We reflect with pleasure on the solid advantage which will be derived from the object of the rebels being openly avowed, and clearly understood; the unanimity which will prevail at home, founded in a conviction of the justice and necessity of your Majesty's measures. Inspired with the same zeal for the cause of our country which animates the kingdom at large, we will steadily support your Majesty in the vindication of the honour of your crown and the just rights of parliament; and will cheerfully concur in making the necessary provisions for those great purposes.

understandings will be removed, and Europe continue to enjoy the inestimable blessings of peace. Permit us, Sir, at the same time, to return your Majesty our da tiful thanks for your provident attention in guarding against any events which may arise out of the present situation of affairs, by keeping us in a respectable state of defence at home.

"The assurances of amity, which your Majesty continues to receive from the several courts of Europe, afford us great satisfaction; we entertain the most grateful sense of the endeavours which your Majesty is exerting to conciliate unhappy "We beg leave to assure your Majesty, differences between two neighbouring that nothing would have given us equal powers; and we trust that, by your Ma happiness to the having been informed byjesty's auspicious endeavours, these misyour Majesty, at the opening of this session, that the troubles, which have so long distracted North America, had been at an end; that your Majesty's unhappy people in those provinces had recovered from their delusion, and, awakened by a due sense of their misfortunes and misdoings, had delivered themselves from the oppression of their leaders, and were return. ed to their duty. While we lament that your Majesty's humane and merciful intentions have been frustrated by the neglect shewn to the means of conciliation, notified under the authority of your Majesty's royal commission, we feel the strongest indignation at the insolent manner in which they were rejected; and we want words to express our abhorrence of the desperate spirit of those overbearing men, who, with an insatiable thirst of power and dominion, which has uniformly actuated all their proceedings, have now renounced allegiance to the crown, and all political connection with Great Britain; and, with an arrogance equal to the enormity of the attempt, lest à doubt of their real designs should remain on the breast of any person whatever, have set up their rebellious confederacies for independent

"With hearts full of duty and gratitude, we acknowledge the happiness, which, under your Majesty's mild government, is extended to every part of the British empire; of which the late flourishing state of the revolted provinces, their numbers, their wealth, their strength by sea and land, which they think sufficient to enable them to make head against the whole. power of the mother country, shew that they have abundantly participated: and we earnestly hope, that your Majesty's paternal object of restoring your distracted colonies to the happy condition from which, by their own misconduct, they are wretchedly fallen, will be speedily attained."

The King's Answer.] His Majesty returned this Answer:

"My Lords;

operate, as it ought to do, in fixing-your Majesty still deeper, if possible, in the affections of a British House of Commons.

"With reverence and gratitude to Divine Providence, permit us to express our unfeigned joy, and to offer our sincere con

"I return you my thanks for this du. tiful and affectionate Address. It is with great pleasure I observe the satisfaction which the success of my arms against the rebels in North America has given to all my loving subjects; that which you ex-gratulations to your Majesty, on the sucpress is highly acceptable to me. The preservation of the public tranquillity, the happiness of all my people, and the maintenance of our most excellent constitution, are the invariable objects of my heart."

Debate in the Commons on the Address of Thanks.] The Commons being re

turned to their House,

Mr. Neville moved the following Address of Thanks:

"Most gracious Sovereign; "We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled, beg leave to return your Majesty the humble thanks of this House, for your most gracious Speech from the throne.

cess which has attended the good conduct and valour of your Majesty's officers and forces both by sea and land, and the zeal and bravery of the auxiliary troops in your service, in the recovery of Canada, and in the important operations in the province of New York, which give the strongest hopes of the most decisive good consequences.

"It is with much satisfaction we learn, that your Majesty continues to receive assurances of amity from the several courts of Europe: and we thankfully acknowledge your Majesty's goodness and paternal concern for the happiness of your people, in your constant attention to preserve the general tranquillity; and it is our most earnest wish that, by your Majesty's interposition, all misunderstandings and differences between two neighbouring powers may be happily reconciled, and Europe still enjoy the blessings of peace.

"While we lament the continuance of the troubles which have so long distracted your Majesty's colonies in North America, and of the calamities and oppressions which our unhappy fellow-subjects are "Your faithful Commons consider it as still suffering under the arbitrary tyranny a duty which they owe to your Majesty, of their leaders; we cannot forbear to ex- and to those they represent, to grant your press our detestation and abhorrence of Majesty such supplies as the weighty conthe audacious and desperate spirit of am- siderations, which your Majesty has been bition, which has at last carried those pleased to state to us, shall be found to leaders so far, as to make them openly re-require; and we have a well-grounded nounce all allegiance to the crown, and all political connexion with this country, and in direct terms to presume to set up their rebellious confederacies for independent states.

"We consider their rejection of the gracious and condescending means of reconciliation, held out to them, under the authority of your Majesty's commission, as a fresh and convincing proof that the object of these men has always been power and dominion; but we can impute the circumstances of indignity and insult accompanying this proceeding to no other motive, than a resentment of your Majesty's firm and constant adherence to the main tenance of the constitutional rights of parliament, divested of every possible view of any separate interests of the crown: and we beg leave to assure your Majesty, that the same attachment of your Majesty to the parliamentary authority of Great Britain, which hath provoked the insolence of the chiefs of this rebellion, cannot but

confidence, that, at this time, when the object of the rebels is openly avowed and clearly understood, the general conviction of the justice and necessity of your Majesty's measures must unite all ranks of your faithful subjects in supporting your Majesty with one mind and heart in the great national cause in which you are engaged."

Mr. Hutton seconded the motion.

Lord John Cavendish disapproved of the proposed Address, and moved an Amendment, by leaving out all after the first paragraph, in order to insert these words:

"Animated with the most earnest and sincere zeal for his true interest, and the real glory of his reign, we behold with inexpressible concern, the minds of a very large and lately loyal and affectionate part of his people, entirely alienated from his government; nor can we conceive that such an event, as the disaffection and revolt of a whole people, could have taken place without some considerable error in

in the thirteen united colonies: by this delay acts of the most critical nature, the effect of which must as much depend on the power of immediately relaxing them on submission, as in inforcing them upon disobedience, had only an operation to inflame and exasperate.

"But if any colony, town, or place, had been induced to submit by the operation of the terrors of these acts, there were

the conduct observed towards them; these erroneous measures, we conceive, are to be imputed to a want of sufficient information being laid before parliament, and to too large a degree of confidence being reposed in those ministers, who, from their duty were obliged, and from their official situation were best enabled, to know the temper and disposition of his Majesty's American subjects, and were therefore presumed most capable of point-none on the place of power to restore the ing out such measures as might pro- people so submitting to the common rights duce the most salutary effects; hence the of subjection.—The inhabitants of the coschemes which were formed for the re-lonies, apprized that they were put out of duction and chastisement of a supposed the protection of government, and seeing inconsiderable party of factious men, have no means provided for their entering into driven thirteen large provinces to despair: it, were furnished with reasons but too coevery act which has been proposed as a lourable for breaking off their dependency means of procuring peace and submission, on the crown of this kingdom. To assure has become a new cause of war and revolt; his Majesty, that removing our confidence and we now find ourselves almost inextri- from those who in so many instances have cably involved in a bloody and expensive grossly abused it, we shall endeavour to civil war, which, besides exhausting at restore to parliament the confidence of all present the strength of all his Majesty's his people; to this end it may be advisa dominions, exposing our allies to the de- ble to make a more minute enquiry into signs of their and our enemies, and leav- the grievances of the colonies, as well as ing this kingdom in a most perilous situa- into the conduct of ministers with regard tion, threatens in its issue the most de- to them. We may think it proper partiplorable calamities to the whole British cularly to enquire how it has happened, that the commerce of this kingdom has been left exposed to the reprisals of the colonies at the very time when their seamen and fishermen, being indiscriminately prohibited from the peaceable exercise of their occupation, and declared open enemies, must be expected with a certain as surance to betake themselves to plunder, and to wreak their revenge on the commerce of Great Britain.

race.

"We cannot avoid lamenting, that, in consequence of the credit given to the representations of ministers, no hearing has been given to the reiterated complaints and petitions of the colonies, neither has any ground been laid for removing the original cause of these unhappy differences, which took their rise from questions relative to parliamentary proceedings, and can be settled only by parliamentary authority: by this fatal omission, the commissioners nominated for the apparent purpose of making peace, were furnished with no legal powers, but that of giving or withholding pardons at their pleasure, and for relaxing the severities of a single act of parliament, leaving the whole foundation of this unhappy controversy just as it stood in the beginning.

"To represent to his Majesty, that, in addition to this neglect, when in the beginning of the last session his Majesty, in his gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, declared his resolution of sending out commissioners for the purposes therein expressed" as speedily as possible," no such commissioners were sent until near seven months afterwards; and until the nation was alarmed by the evacuation of the only town then held for his Majesty

"That we understand, that amidst the many disasters and disgraces which have attended on his Majesty's arms in many parts of America, advantage has been gained by his Majesty's British and foreign mercenary forces in the province of New York; that if a wise, moderate, and provi dent use be made of this advantage, it is not improbable that happy effects may result from that use; and we assure his Majesty, that nothing shall be wanting on our part to enable his Majesty to take full advantage of any dispositions to reconciliation, which may be the consequence of the miseries of war, by laying down, on our part, real permanent grounds of con nection between Great Britain and the colonies, on principles of liberty, and terms of mutual advantage.

"That whilst we lament this effusion of English blood (which we hope has not

been greater or other than necessity re- | quired and honour justified) we should most heartily congratulate his Majesty on any event leading to the great desirable end of settling a peace which might promise to last, by the restoration of the ancient affection which has happily subsisted in former times between this kingdom and its colonies; any other would necessarily require, even in case of a total conquest, an army to maintain, ruinous to the finances, and incompatible with the freedom of his Majesty's people; we should look with the utmost shame and horror on any events of what nature soever that should tend to break the spirit of any large part of the British nation, to bow them to an abject unconditional submission to any power whatsoever, to annihilate their liberties, and to subdue them to servile principles and passive habits, by the mere force of foreign mercenary arms; because, amidst the excesses and abuses which have happened, we must respect the spirit and principles operating in these commotions, our wish is to regulate, not to destroy them; for though differing in some circumstances, those very principles evident ly bear so exact an analogy with those which support the most valuable part of our own constitution, that it is impossible, with any appearance of justice, to think of wholly extirpating them by the sword in any part of his Majesty's dominions, without admitting consequences, and establishing precedents, the most dangerous to the liberties of this kingdom."

turn of wit and humour, which would not bear a serious interpretation. He spoke strongly of the falsehood of France, and the little reliance that was to be put on her professions, instancing a circumstance which happened while cardinal Mazarine was minister, when the Portuguese and Spaniards were at war together, and the latter had received repeated assurances of the pacific intentions of France, although that kingdom had actually lent Portugal troops, clothed them, paid them, and officered them. He said he did not entirely approve of the American Declaration of Independence, but affirmed that the Americans were driven to that measure by our rigorous persecution of them. We had hired foreign troops to fight against them, and they had no other way of putting themselves on a footing with us, than by throwing off the yoke, declaring themselves independent, and inviting foreign aid to defend them. They had taken every possible means to avoid such a measure; they had sent a most humble petition to government, praying relief, and couched their prayer in the strongest terms of duty and allegiance; government had rejected their petition. The mode of their declaring for independency was to be sure in some measure indefensible. The declaration of the New England government was exceedingly rude and illwritten; the language was more unmannerly and abusive than even worse treatment than what they had received would have justified; but then it must be considered as written merely to captivate the common people, and therefore a polished stile, and very scrupulous decency, were probably but trifling objects with the writer. He however as much condemned it, as he applauded that of the Pennsylvanians. He censured the late issuing of press-warrants, and declared that he was not only convinced a better mode of manning the navy might be found out, but that he was well informed the late press was carried on with great irregularity and cruelty.

Governor Johnstone in very severe terms arraigned the conduct of administration in commencing the war with America. He said the affair of Long Island was by no means a matter worthy of triumph. That island was a mere out-post to New York, as New York was an outpost to America, and it would have been folly and rasliness in the extreme, had the provincials attempted to maintain it. He paid general Howe and his brother very great compliments on their manoeuvres in the capture of the island. He complained of the defenceless state of the kingdom, Mr. Wombwell said, no press was better and urged the danger of a war with France conducted than the present. He approvand Spain. The minister's speech he de-ed of the Address, and disapproved of the clared to be an entire compound of hypo- Amendment. He censured the Americrisy. It talked of peace, at the very moment when not only all Europe, but this kingdom, gave the most evident appearances of preparation for war. That part of it which talked of giving the Americans law and liberty, he conceived to be a mere

cans as a bragging, cowardly banditti.

Mr. Wilkes. The hon. gentleman who spoke last endeavours to mislead the House. It is certain that no pressing has at this time been carried on in the city of London, or its liberties. No press-gangs