The Virginia Gazette

HOUSE OF COMMONS, MARCH I.

Extracts from Lord North's speech.

He said, that though the war should be continued, we should still have the means of carrying it on with vigour, and be enabled to procure as much as we might want. If the terms of the loan were hard, our credit was good, and in high reputation; and though it might not be thought necessary or proper in the future prosecution of it to continue borrowing and funding, means might be devised for raising the necessary supplies within the year. Such a plan, he was satisfied, would be productive of many benefits, nay, singular advantages. It would tend to raise the value of the funds already in being; it would rouse the people at large to the most vigorous exertions; it would fully restore publick credit. He did not pretend to determine exactly, whether such a plan was, or was not practicable. He thought there was nothing very difficult in it, if there was a full confidence in government, accompanied with an approbation of their measures. He allowed, if confidence was wanting; if a diversity of opinions prevailed in that House, and among the people at large, that such a disposition would tend to throw almost insurmountable difficulties in the way. But he hoped that would not be the case; he hoped that the nation in general retained a proper sense of their own injuries, and of the perfidious conduct of France; and that as America was the original cause of all our calamities, the people see the necessity of prosecuting the war to an issue; and that, considering France and America as one enemy, an union would take place, sufficient to inspire us with the most vigorous and successful exertions. He said that he knew further, that Mr. Neckar did not approve of the present war, because of the real state of the finances; and so far from their credit being high in other countries, they could not procure a loan in Holland on the terms proposed by them, but were obliged to go without it. A great deal had been said of their turning their whole attention to their marine, and neglecting their military establishments. It might be true, but he could hardly believe it. Their situation was such as required a very great military force; the genius and inclination of the nation led that way; and he never could be persuaded, until the event proved it, that France meant to rival us as a maritime power. Such an attempt would be unnatural, when the genius of the people was considered; it would be impracticable, when her situation and views on the continent were taken into the account.