The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Monday the 17th of March, arrived at New-York, the Harriot Packet Boat, Captain Boulderon, which left Falmouth the 21st of January, and brought London Prints and Letters to the 18th, from which we have the following Advices, Viz.

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

His Majesty's SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament, Tuesday January 14, 1766.

My LORDS and GENTLEMEN,

When I met you last I acquainted you that matters of importance had happened in America, which would demand the most serious attention of Parliament. That no informations which could serve to direct your deliberations in so interesting a concern might be wanting, I have ordered all the papers that give any light into the origin, the progress, or the tendency of the disturbances which have of late prevailed in some of the northern Colonies, to be immediately laid before you.

No time has been lost. On the first advice of these disturbances, to issue orders to the Governors of my Provinces, and to the Commanders of my forces in America, for the exertion of all the powers of Government in the suppression of riots and tumults, and in the effectual support of lawful authority.

Whatever remains to be done on this occasion, I commit to your wisdom: not doubting but your zeal for the honor of my Crown, your attention to the just rights and authority of the British legislature, and affection and concern for the welfare and prosperity of all my people, will guide you to such sound and prudent resolutions, as may tend at once to preserve those constitutional rights over the Colonies, and to restore to them that harmony and tranquility, which have lately been interrupted by riots and disorders of the most dangerous nature.

If any alterations should be wanting in the commercial oeconomy of the Plantations, which may tend to enlarge and secure the mutual and beneficial intercourse of my Kingdoms and Colonies, they will deserve your most serious consideration.

In affecting purposes so worthy of your wisdom and public spirit, you may depend upon my most hearty concurrence and support. The present happy tranquillity, now subsisting in Europe, will enable you to pursue such objects of our interior policy with a more uninterrupted attention.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I have ordered the proper estimates for the current service of the year to be laid before you. Such supplies as you may grant shall be duly applied with the utmost fidelity, and shall be dispensed with the strictest oeconomy.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I earnestly recommend to you to proceed in your deliberations with temper and unanimity. The time requires, and I doubt not but your own inclinations will lead you to those salutary dispositions. I have nothing at heart but the assertion of legal authority, the preservation of the liberties of all my subjects, the equity and good order of my government, and the concord and prosperity of all parts of my dominions.

N E W-Y O R K. March 20.

Extracts of sundry Letters from London, by the Packet.--Letter 1st. dated the 16th of Jan. 1766.

I wrote on Saturday--to acquaint you our new Ministry were Friends to America, and that I hope for no less than a total Repeal of the oppressive Acts. which since have become more evident by the Debates of the House on Tuesday, when Mr. PITT appear'd openly in your Favour, and gave such Reasons, (not only for a Repeal, but asserted your privileges as Englishmen, backed with such Arguments) as silenced all Opposition: I am Witness to the good Disposition of the Ministry, as I am chosen special Agent on this Occasion for one of the Colonies.

Letter 2nd, Jan. 16.

Few imagin'd Mr. PITT would have been at the House, but I have the Pleasure to write you that he was--and made a most excellent Speech in Favour of the Colonies: He denied that they were represented in Parliament,--said it was unconstitutional to lay internal Taxes upon them,-- that as to the legal Part of the Act, he should reserve himself to answer such Gentlemen as were of the Law, at their next Debate on that Subject. That he was of Opinion that the Colonies ought to have as extended a Trade as we could possibly give them--In short he never made a Speech equal to this--it has given great Spirit to the American Cause, and will, I doubt not confirm many Members who totter'd in their Opinion.

Mr. Grenville was very warm against the Colonies, and is for enforcing the Act--Yesterday I attended the House again--A Motion had been made that all Advices to the Administration, from the Governors and others, should be laid before the House, and were accordingly laid on the Table: Then a Motion was made, that they should be printed: This occasioned many Speeches-- desiring that the Names of the Governors and others, might not be printed, nor the Places whence dated: for that such Persons would fall under the Resentment of the Americans, and perhaps their Lives and Properties be endangered: That some Governors were dependant on the People for their Salaries, which they might be depriv'd of for giving such Advice here,~for it seems some of them have wrote very severe Letters against the Colonies. Mr. Grenville, Nugent, and several others opposed the Suppression of any Names, and were for having the Whole printed--saying, that this Kingdom was able and would defend such Governors and others, for being loyal Subjects, and doing their Duty among a People who were in open Rebellion:--This Word Rebellion, was used by several others. It was at last resolved that the said Letters and Advices from America, should be printed, leaving out such Parts as might lead to a Discovery of the Persons who wrote them.--To-morrow the North American Merchants Petition will be presented--Mr. N. and I are ordered to attend the Committee: Many other Petitions are come to Town: that of Leeds and Halifax will be presented to morrow by L. G. Sackville, but I believe no more will be said or done, than to put down a Day to consider them. The 28th current, is set down for American affairs, then I think the American Remonstrance will be delivered. I shall constantly attend the House. There are 7 or 8 Persons among us who do not sign our Petition, among which Number I am, as we perhaps shall be called to the Bar of the House to be examined when we had better not be Petitioners. I have the Honour of many Letters from the Great, as well as frequent Conferences with many Members. I have just received a Letter from and have been with Col. BARRE about an Hour. He is our good Friend, and an able one, and seconds our Petition: In short the Merchants trading to America, spread a great Circle, and are now supported by Mr. PITT; which together with the good Disposition of the Ministry, has greatly confirmed our Hopes to obtain a Repeal of the impolitic Stamp-Act, and also an Enlargement of your Trade, as well as alterations in the

Vice-admiralty Courts--But don't be too much elated, we are not yet certain ;~--we have only Reason to hope and expect from present appearances.---I wish to God I may be able in my next to advise you of the Repeal ; every Thing material I shall from Time to Time let you know. which as a Lover of your Country will, I doubt not, be agreeable to you.

When the Address to the King on his Speech was read, a Mr. Harris stood up and said, that all that Part which related to America, was in too mild Expressions: for that they were in open Rebellion against the supreme legislative Authority of King, Lords and Commons.--But he had not one to second him, and therefore the Address passed, Nem. Con. &c.

Letter 3d, January 18.

On Tuesday last the Parliament met,--Immediately after the King's Speech, they proceeded upon American Affairs, and went farther into them than intended, as the Debate ought to have been confined to the Subject of the Address--Mr. PITT came to the House, and has declared firmly for the Repeal of the Stamp-Act: upon principle: he concludes that the Parliament have only a Right to impose Taxes in their representative Capacity, not in their legislative Capacity; and proves it by the Lords and King having no Pretence to grant Monies. Therefore as the Americans are not represented (which in my Opinion he prov'd likewise, for I was in the House) they cannot certainly be taxed by the Parliament of England tho' they (the Parliament) have in all Respects, a full Sovereignty over America.--However, the Affair is put off for a full Consideration of the House, till Wednesday Se'nnight.--My Opinion is now more confirmed of an absolute Repeal: and indeed before the House met, I had a full two Hours Conversation with Lord a.-- upon the Subject, and clearly, saw how inclined the Administration was to repeal it.

Many other Letters, from Members of Parliament, principal Merchants, and other Gentlemen; are to the same Purpose, and inform us, that Mr. PITT, having made a most noble Speech in our Favour, he was answer'd with much Acrimony by Mr. Grenville who inveigh'd bitterly against the Colonies, branding their Proceedings with the Name of Rebellion and other injurious Epithets; and show'd his Rage and Inveteracy, like another William Pym, or Pacificus. He was replied to, exposed and confuted by Mr. PITT, who with great Smartness and Judgment spoke for an Hour and a Quarter. In the course of his Speech, he declared the Stamp-Act to be the most impolitic, arbitrary, oppressive and unconstitutional Act that ever was passed--that it might naturally have been supposed it would give the greatest Uneasiness, and meet with the most violent Opposition among a People entitled to all the Rights and Privileges of natural born Subjects within the Realm of England. At the same Time he highly blamed the violent Disorders committed in America, and added, that if after the Removal of their just Causes of Complaint, they were wanting in Respect to the legal Authority of Great-Britain, he himself would be one of the first to offer himself to embark on board a Man of War to bring them to a right Sense of their Duty.

L O N D O N, January 19.

It is said the Right Hon. Lord Adam Gordon; will soon be appointed to embark for Lisbon, to' negociate a Treaty of great importance between the two Crowns.

The report of Mr. Wilkes's return is intirely without foundation.--The Room fitted up for him, is now converted into a Coffee-House.
The humble Address of the House of Lords, Jan. 15.

We, your Majesty's most loyal dutiful
Most Gracious Sovereign,

temporal in Parliament assembled, beg leave to return
our hearty and most unfeigned thanks to your
Majesty for your most gracious speech from the
throne.

We gratefully acknowledge your Majesty's
goodness and condescension, in ordering to be
immediately laid before us, all the materials of in-
formation, which may serve to direct our proceed-
ings upon the very important objects which your
Majesty has proposed to our consideration.

We cannot avoid expressing our satisfaction in
your Majesty's parental care and vigilance, in
losing no time to issue the necessary orders, for
exerting the several powers of government in the
suppression of riots and tumults, and the support
of order and legal authority. Concurring hearti-
ly with your Majesty's salutary intentions, we
will exert our utmost endeavours to assert and up-
port your Majesty's dignity and honor, and the
legislative authority of this kingdom over its co-
lonies; and will take into consideration the most
proper methods to provide for the restoration of
the tranquility of those colonies, which has been
disturbed by such violent and dangerous commo-
tions.

We congratulate your Majesty, that the state
of tranquility, so happily subsisting in Europe
leaves us at leisure to attend to the mutual com-
mercial concerns of your kingdoms and colonies.

Permit us, Sir, to condole with you on the
loss your Majesty, and your Royal Family has
sustained, by the premature death of his Royal
Highness Prince Frederick William: whose a-
miable qualities, and early attainments, afforded so
pleasing a prospect of happiness to your Majesty,
and of advantage to your kingdoms.

Our deliberations will, we trust, be conducted
with that prudence and temper which your Ma-
jesty so graciously recommends. You will find,
Sir, that our sentiments correspond with your
Majesty's gracious intentions towards all your sub-
jects; and that all things which may tend to re-
establish tranquility and order, and to cement the
several parts of the British dominions in a close
connection and constitutional dependence, shall
be the first objects of our attention; that such a
firm authority may be established, and such a ge-
neral satisfaction diffused over every part of your
extensive empire, as ought to distinguish the go-
vernment of so wise, so just, so beneficent a prince.

His Majesty's Answer.

My Lords,

Thank you for this dutiful and loyal address.—
Your firm and temperate resolution to support the
dignity of my crown, and the legislative authori-
ty of this kingdom over it's colonies; your care at the
same time, to re-establish order and tranquility in those
Colonies, and your regard to the prosperity and hap-
piness of all my people, show dispositions which are al-
together worthy of your wisdom, and which cannot
fail of producing the most salutary effects both at home
and abroad. You will find me unalterably fixed in
the same intentions. Your affectionate condolence on
the death of my brother affords me some consolation on
that melancholy occasion.

The Humble Address of the House of Commons
to the King.

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal
subjects, the Commons of Great-Britain
in Parliament assembled, return your Majesty our
most humble thanks for your most gracious speech
from the throne.

It is with the highest sense of your Majesty's
goodness we acknowledge that care for the wel-
fare of your people, and that confidence in the
loyalty and affection of your faithful Commons.
which your Majesty shows in the early commu-
nication, your Majesty has been pleased to order.
of the necessary informations relative to the dis-
turbances in America. Your reliance on the
wisdom and duty of your Parliament in a mat-
ter of so great importance, and the attention shown
by your Majesty in referring to our deliberation
and advice the joint concern of your Majesty's
royal authority, the rights of your Parliament,
and the happiness of your subjects, are at once
objects of our highest admiration and gratitude.

It is our duty, as it shall be our care, to imi-
tate that temper and equanimity which appear in
your Majesty's conduct, by mixing with our zeal
with our just regard for the dignity and authority
of Parliament, the utmost attention to the impor-
tant objects of the trade and navigation of these
kingdoms, and the tenderest concern for the unit-
ed interests of all your Majesty's people.

It is with inexpressive grief we are again cal-
led upon to condole with your Majesty, on the
death of another Prince of your Royal Family,
whose amiable disposition, and whose early virtues
in the first dawn of life, while they show him
worthy of the illustrious race he sprung from,
must now double our regret for his untimely loss.

The general state of peace and tranquility so
happily reigning in all parts of Europe, must give
the greatest satisfaction to every one, who has any
concern for the truest interest of this country, or
who feels for the general happiness of mankind.

Our assistance shall not be wanting to aid your
Majesty with our advice, and to strengthen your
authority for the continuation of that harmony,
so happily preserved by the wisdom of your Ma-
jesty's councils, and the influence of your mild
auspicious government.

We assure your Majesty that we shall, with
the greatest cheerfulness, grant your Majesty the
supplies necessary for the current service of the
year; having the firmest reliance on the promise
your Majesty is graciously pleased to make, of
seeing them duly applied, with that economy
which your own wisdom will direct, & which the
circumstances of this country so strongly demand.

The unanimity and dispatch, which your Ma-
jesty is pleased to recommend, we shall, from
motives both of duty and inclination, endeavour
to make the rule of our proceedings, being eni-
ble, that nothing can more immediately tend to
add weight to the deliberations of Parliament, or
efficacy to their resolutions.

And as the constant tenor of your Majesty's
conduct shows that the happiness and prosperity
of your people are the sole objects of your concern
we should be equally wanting in duty to our So-
vereign, and care for our own honour, did we a
moment neglect our part, in promoting all such wise
and salutary measures as may tend to reflect dig-
nity on your Majesty's government, and fix the
welfare of your people on the most solid foundation.

PORTSMOUTH, New-Hampshire, April 4.

Extract of a Letter, from a Gentleman of Character.
to his Friend in this Town, dated London, January 16, 1766.

Dear SIR,

Applied last Saturday to General Conway for
the Detention of this Packet, in Hopes the meeting
of Parliament yesterday, might mend the Aspect of
American affairs. It gives me the most sincere Plea-
sure that it has so happened—In short, Administra-
tion now have their candid benevolent Views and Wishes
for the gentle Adjustment of these unhappy Occurrences,
supported by the authoritative Opinion of Mr. PITT,
who spoke yesterday at different Times for Several Hours
—He blamed in general the Measures of the late Ad-
ministration—in particular he treated the Doctrine of
America's being represented by the Parliament of Great
Britain, as even ridiculous— He thought the Com-
mons of these Kingdoms could grant Taxes in no other
Capacity, than that of Representatives to the whole
People of Great-Britain, every one of whom he insisted
to be represented by them— and reserving the Right of
altering his Opinion if he should be convinced in the
Course of the Debates it was erroneous ; He gave it
at present for a full Repeal of the Stamp-Act.

By the KING's SPEECH you will find how strongly
a temperate Procedure in these Matters is recom-
mended— thus there remains little Doubt of an happy
Issue to these distressing Occurrences, and I hope the
Language and Demeanor of the Colonies will be affec-
tionate and grateful.

Next Friday the Merchants present their Petition,
which will be followed by a Number of others from
the Out-ports and manufacturing Towns.

I have also great Hopes that many Regulations in-
jurious to Trade will be rescinded—in particular, that
all the Regulations for Cutters and Custom-House De-
putations will be alter'd—the extended Power of the
Vice-Admiralty Courts again reduced—the Duty of
Molasses reduced to one Penny half Penny, perhaps
to one Penny only—that foreign American Producti-
ons will be admitted free of Duty, if for Exporta-
tion for Europe, and at a reasonably higher Duty than
the Productions of our Islands, if for your own Con-
sumption—In short, that the utmost Freedom will be
given to the Trade of North-America, except only in that
pernicious Branch to the manufacturing Countries of
good Man in America also wishes). may be guarded by
every possible Fence, as being in the most direct Line
destructive to the best Interests of this Country:—My
Idea reaches no farther than to the Ports of Europe
North of Cape Finisterre, excepting even from that
Line to the Ports of Spain, in the Bay of Biscay."

I hope Liberty will be granted to carry fairly and
openly Fruit and Wine from Spain, Portugal and Ita-
ly under easy Duties—should these or the most materi-
al of these Indulgences be granted, surely every honest
Man in America will join in expressing Gratitude to
this Country, and in extirpating every pernicious In-
tercourse with its Neighbours in Europe.

This Intelligence you will be so good as to communi-
cate to all Friends.

I am, &c.

B O S T O N. March 31.

The following is the Copy of a Letter from Colonel Isaac
BARRE, Member of Parliament, to James OTIS, Esq.
as Chairman of the Committee appointed to transmit
him the Thanks of the Inhabitants of this Metropolis.
for his Patriotic Speech at the last Session of Parlia-
ment in favor of the Colonies. [See the Vote of the
Town in the Evening Post of the 23d of Sept. last.]

SIR,

It is with the highest sense of the honor done me,
I acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Boston,
New England. Sept. the 25th, with the unanimous
resolution of the committee enclosed containing expres-
sions of approbation from the metropolis of his Ma-
jesty's ancient and loyal province of the Massachusetts
Bay. which are exceeding flattering to me.

During the last war, the course of my profession gave
me frequent and pleasing opportunities of observing
attentively the spirit, loyalty and attachment of his
Majesty's North American subjects, in support of a war
begun in defence of the limits of North America. and
continued to the honor and immortal glory of this na-
tion in every part of the world.

My natural attachment to this country, a regard to
it's most old interests, to it's improvement in time of
peace (which so greatly depends on the establishing our
late extended commerce upon those generous and easy
principles, which a happy experience and the informa-
tion of those most materially concern'd can suggest) and
to the uniting of our strength in case of any future
rupture, has and will ever make me desirous of pro-
moting every measure that may contribute to these
good effects, and of strongly deprecating those of a
contrary tendency.

My conduct in Parliament so obligingly referr'd to.
being the real sentiments of my heart, was the natural
result of these considerations. The terms in which
they were delivered. were such as the particular cir-
cumstances of time and place had suggested, and such
as I cannot possibly at this distance charge my memory
with. They were not premeditated, nor are they
perhaps worthy to be remembered. I must therefore
beg your mediation, Sir, with the respectable body
whose pen you hold, to excuse my troubling them with
an imperfect repetition of words in themselves of little
use in North America : but if there should be any call
for the like exertion in Europe, I beg leave thro' your
means to assure them that no consideration shall make
me forget my duty, whenever an occasion presents itself.
of promoting to the utmost of my abilities, the united
interest of Great Britain and her Colonies.

As long as the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay will
continue to regard the motives of my conduct, and not
the consequences, I do not despair of retaining, what
I shall ever esteem among the greatest rewards, their
approbation, of which I cannot have a more honorable.
or distinguishing mark than that contained in the last
part of their resolution. A flattering request which I
shall comply with as soon as possible.

My being abroad the whole Summer prevented me
from having the honor of receiving your letter sooner
than the end of December : This circumstance I beg
may be communicated to the gentlemen of the com-
mittee and to your other respectable fellow citizens.
At the same time you will accept, I hope, of my sincere
thanks, for your very polite manner of communicating
to me their sentiments to, and for the trouble you have
had on this Occasion.

I am, with the greatest respect and personal regard,
Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

London, Jan. 11, 1766.

ISAAC BARRE.
A Letter from Glasgow per Packet, dated the 6th January says, that Mess John Glassford, James M'Aulay and Archibald Henderson, were appointed Commissioners from that Town, to join London and other Towns in their Application to Parliament for the Repeal of the Stamp Act.

Extract of a Letter dated Arlington Street, St. James's 16th of January 1766.

OUR Country is happy at this Time, in having such great and popular Friends as Mr. P. and Lord T. the former nobly defended your Cause in the House of Commons Yesterday, and the latter no less in the House of Lords.-- It was unexpected that the Affair would carry be mentioned with the Lords ; but the Earl of S. just hinting the Thing, Lord T. got up and spoke nobly in your Cause for above an Hour : declared it his Opinion that the Act should be Repealed from Principle --That it was Unconstitutional, as well as illegal. -- Express'd his Abhorrence to the present licentious Proceedings of the Colonies :-That altho' he would have the Act immediately Repealed, yet at the same Time he would recommend it to the K-- to declare by his R-- Proclamation. That after the just Cause of the American Uneasiness was removed, that he would not fail to make a striking Example of the first instance of Disobedience in the Colonies :-Said much in Favour of encouraging the Trade of America under proper Regulations, and of strictly enquiring into all Causes of their Complaints.-He supported the whole with great strength and firmness ; and convinced many of the Lords who were before of different Sentiments.-

The Earls of S-, B-, H-, and two or three others stood-up, but I can't say to much purpose.--In short, your American Affairs has afforded another Opportunity for Lord T. and Mr. P's discovering their public Virtue and firm Attachment to the Constitution of England. -- It brought to mind the glorious Stand they made to the introducing Foreign Mercenaries in 1756-- to the Jew Act, &c. &c--Lord T. was seconded by that great & honest Lawyer, Lord C- J-- C--d-n. The 28th is the Day for a full Debate in the House of Lords, and soon after, 'tis probable Dispatches from the Ministry will be sent off. --Some very extraordinary Representations have been received from the Plantations--B--and W--were not at the House Yesterday, they will no doubt be there the 28th --Most or all the Scotch Members are in Town .--We shall have Sport this Session ---The two great Defenders of English Liberty (as they are Toasted) have been courted from all Sides to take the Lead in Power, -Their Answer is, NO !.. The Poison must first be removed from the --'s Ear.--When American Affairs are got thro', his Grace of B-- steps forward (Otium Cum Dignitate). French Informations-- Impeachments, &c.

Extract of a Letter from London, January 11.

The Manufactures in England begin already greatly to feel the effects of American resolutions not to import any goods from England, several shipwrights, caulkers, and every other branch in the shipping, down the river, not having employment even for their apprentices; and we are told that one considerable stocking manufacturer near the city has discharged no less than forty workmen within these few days.