The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

From the Public Advertiser, of Nov. 7.

To the Printer of the Public Advertiser.

SIR,

At a Time when every little Committee of Friends and Neighbours, as well as Clubs of Politicians, are debating the Point of War or No War, permit me by your Paper to submit a few candid Remarks to their Consideration, and to ask the Advocates for War, why they are so urgent for a War with Spain, the first Kingdom on Earth with whom it is our true Interest to be in Amity and Friendship with? If they answer me it is their Interest prompts them to war with the Views of Jobs, Contracts, Plunder, Places, Commissions, high Insurances, and a long Train of such Concomitants. I will say they are right on the Principle of Self Interest and narrow Views: But if they tell me they urge for War on the Principles of Honour, Justice, Patriotism or National Interest: I will deny the Facts and argue the Points with them. With regard to Honor and Justice, is it consistent with either that we go to war with Spain on account of the Falkland Islands, when by the Treaty of Utrecht we ceded them with all the American Territories South of the Tropic of Capricorn, and confirmed the Cession by the Treaties of Aix-le-Chapelle and Paris? If this be the Case, and for Proofs I refer to the Treaty, are not we the Aggressors and was not Spain actuated with Lenity in not punishing with greater Severity those they found there? and should not we treat as Pirates and Buccaneers any Spaniards who would take Possession of Guernsey or the Isle of Man? Are we then to urge a War because we were the Aggressors? Is As to the Patriotism and National Interest, is it consistent with either to imbrue our Hands in Blood for an Island whence no one useful Thing is produced, not so much Wood as to make a Handle to a Hatchet? For a Port where it blows a Hurricane for eight months in the Year; and to which Place you must send even the Coals wherewith to boil your Kettles? Absurd Politics! And By a Continuance of such we have alienated the Affections of a People the best suited on Earth to be our Friends and Allies, and thrown them into the Arms of France, whose interest it is to keep up the Enmity in order to bring into their Coffers those hard Dollars which would otherwise center in England. In a Word, Britain allied with Spain might brave the World: The Stately Pride of the Spaniards is so well suited to the Industry of the British Manufacturer, that it is surprising they should ever be at Enmity! Spain has all that Britain wants; Britain has all that Spain wants. Spain can exchange her Wines, Oils, Silks, Honey, Fruits, Silver and Gold for British Corn, Woollens, Linens, Butter, Cheese, Tin, Copper, Jewellery, Hard-ware, Fish, and an hundred other Commodities to supply her vast Tract of rich Colonies abounding in Riches and Luxury. It is not the Custom of English Artisans to be Enemies to their best Customers; who then is inveterate against Spain? nor is it the Nature of the People of Spain to bear Enmity against the English; but on the contrary their Proverb is; "Peace with England, and War with all the World be our fide." From whence then arises that false Policy that Keeps us at Enmity? We are either duped by French Politics, or misled by party Cabals; who care not who trouble the Water so they can fish: I have experienced Spanish Fidelity. I have made my Fortune easy by Commerce, and am not a Stranger to my Country's Interest nor am I circumscribed in any Point of my Ambition but that of doing Good. I have no private Views nor End to answer, but boldly say, could my Powers reconcile the jarring Politics of these two Nations by Nature made for each other; my Blood should flow as freely as my Ink, and nothing would give me more Pleasure than to see some abler Pen join me in so desirable a Task: and I hope by these my weak Endeavours to open the Eyes of my Countrymen, and spirit up some able Minister to undertake the arduous Task before it be too late--before the dreadful Mandate issues, that bids Britains cut their best Friends Throats. I own there are some Points I wish to see properly settled between the two Kingdoms; mean the Affairs of the Manilla Ransom and Antigallican Privateer: and I am confident, were they properly discussed by able Persons, the generous Spaniards would not refuse a Recoupence for such Injuries as were made appear to deserve it. But we are not to suppose that their Sense of Insult, of proper National Pride is less than our own, nor that a haughty Demand of categorical Answers are the Way to win their Friendship, nor command their Justice. It is by a reasonable and not a capricious Behaviour we are to expect the desired Event. Their Honor is as dear to them as ours to us; and they have yet here an Ambassador of Parts equal to the Task I recommend of rendering happy in mutual Friendship two powerful, rich, and brave Kingdoms, equalled by few, and surpassed by none on Earth: in which may he have the Assistance of good Men, as he has the good Wishes, and shall always have the best Endeavours of.

A FRIEND TO BOTH KINGDOMS.