The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

LONDON, September 23.

To the Printer of the Public Ledger.

Was one of many to my knowledge, who started greatly at several of the contents of extract of a very sensible Letter from North-America, that was inserted in your paper in the 10th instant, and which was written with great information, and had all the appearance of being a genuine representation of the state of affairs on that continent.

I, for my part, require no better intelligence than I thereby received, to be convinced of the impropriety of the proceedings of the late Ministry with respect to that continent, and of their wanting right information, or right judgment, for an able discharge of their duty to the State in the stations which they then possessed: but I hope their successors will lose no time in applying adequate remedies for the removal of those grievances, as the prosperity of our Commerce must greatly depend on their so doing.

One circumstance that appeared glaring, was the partiality shewn to the interests of our West India Islands, particularly in the meditated scheme, which I have since seen mentioned in all the papers, for suppressing the Distilleries in North-America; which will sensibly affect all their Fisheries, and much of their Traffic with the savage Tribes on that continent, &c. For it must be of infinite importance to their trade and ours, that they should have their Molasses at the cheapest rate: and as to Corn Distilleries, they do not at all interfere with our landed interest, who have so many uses for our grain of all kinds at home, and so many markets to supply with whatever of it we can spare; and I am sure the consumption of Rum and Sugar in this kingdom, and the prices which they bear, plainly shew that our Sugar-Islands have no need of a power to oppress our Colonists in North-America. What is said, likewise, concerning the Paper currency Act, I think plainly shews, that our national interests must require its being new modelled, if not entirely repealed.

But the Vice-Admiralty Court is an institution that should astonish and alarm us; it being such an one as in its nature must prove destructive to commerce, and appears inconsistent with freedom. Trade never did, nor ever will, effectually flourish but in Countries of legal liberty, and with the strongest protection. To think, therefore, of subjecting the Trading property of a Country to marine Jurisdiction, and the Judgment of Arbitrary Courts is a measure that would stagger credibility, if the truth of it could be doubted: and yet we find it a hardship to which two millions of British subjects have become actually subjected.

The North American Industry cannot be checked, or its Commerce impaired, without England's severely feeling the effects thereof in both instances: and therefore, if we are wise, we shall consult our own best advantage, in encouraging the Industry, and protecting the Trade of our fellow-subjects, in North America. I am, your's,

&c.

Merchant.