Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Letter to Editor
July 24, 1761
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A London correspondent speculates on stalled peace negotiations during the war, citing diplomatic dispatches involving General Yorke, Count d'Affry, and a Russian resident, and suggests delays due to parliamentary supplies and French strategy on retaking Minorca. Postscript queries the fate of neutral ports Ostend and Nieuport.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
LONDON. April 16.
To the PRINTER.
SEEING the subject of peace pretty much handled in the papers, I hope it will not be thought impertinent, if I throw in my mite of conjecture on a general topic.
The last accounts which the papers have given us concerning peace, have contradicted all the pleasing hopes we had entertained of one being near at hand.
How far these last accounts are true is a hard matter to determine: but, that at first there were some grounds for the report of an approaching peace, all public, and many private affairs, bear a strong testimony. I will forbear taking notice of private ones, and only hint at a public one, notorious to all Europe. It is hardly to be believed, that General Yorke left the Hague for no other reason than to take care of his election in England:-- Is it not more than probable, that the same reason which called the Count d'Affry to Paris and a new Russian Resident to London.
Though peace may not be made so soon as is wished, yet that it has been offered by some of the belligerant powers, I think scarce will be doubted. I will admit, that the present campaign may elapse before the conclusion of a peace, during which, the enemy will doubtless make some bold efforts on the continent, but at sea they may possibly suffer us to retake Minorca. This latter operation will be a piece of French policy; for as they are said to have proposed to exchange it for Guadaloupe, they will first let us retake it at the expence of half a million in specie, and the lives of a few hundreds of our people, then, at a peace, they will guarantee it to us......till the next war. Another reason may be given why peace will not be concluded this summer; and that is, the non existence of our parliament, which, till it meets, cannot grant the supplies for the ensuing year; a measure some people may think extremely necessary for winding up the bottom.
Yours, &c.
Q.
P. S. Quere. Among all the places that are to be ceded or restored, who are to have Ostend and Nieuport? they seem to be forgot to have been neutral ports!
To the PRINTER.
SEEING the subject of peace pretty much handled in the papers, I hope it will not be thought impertinent, if I throw in my mite of conjecture on a general topic.
The last accounts which the papers have given us concerning peace, have contradicted all the pleasing hopes we had entertained of one being near at hand.
How far these last accounts are true is a hard matter to determine: but, that at first there were some grounds for the report of an approaching peace, all public, and many private affairs, bear a strong testimony. I will forbear taking notice of private ones, and only hint at a public one, notorious to all Europe. It is hardly to be believed, that General Yorke left the Hague for no other reason than to take care of his election in England:-- Is it not more than probable, that the same reason which called the Count d'Affry to Paris and a new Russian Resident to London.
Though peace may not be made so soon as is wished, yet that it has been offered by some of the belligerant powers, I think scarce will be doubted. I will admit, that the present campaign may elapse before the conclusion of a peace, during which, the enemy will doubtless make some bold efforts on the continent, but at sea they may possibly suffer us to retake Minorca. This latter operation will be a piece of French policy; for as they are said to have proposed to exchange it for Guadaloupe, they will first let us retake it at the expence of half a million in specie, and the lives of a few hundreds of our people, then, at a peace, they will guarantee it to us......till the next war. Another reason may be given why peace will not be concluded this summer; and that is, the non existence of our parliament, which, till it meets, cannot grant the supplies for the ensuing year; a measure some people may think extremely necessary for winding up the bottom.
Yours, &c.
Q.
P. S. Quere. Among all the places that are to be ceded or restored, who are to have Ostend and Nieuport? they seem to be forgot to have been neutral ports!
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
Informative
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Peace Negotiations
Seven Years War
Minorca Retake
French Policy
Parliament Supplies
Ostend Nieuport
What entities or persons were involved?
Q.
To The Printer.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Q.
Recipient
To The Printer.
Main Argument
peace negotiations have been offered but are delayed by parliamentary supply issues and french strategic concessions like allowing britain to retake minorca at great cost before guaranteeing it temporarily.
Notable Details
General Yorke Leaving The Hague
Count D'affry To Paris
New Russian Resident To London
Retaking Minorca For Exchange With Guadaloupe
Parliament Grants Supplies
Ostend And Nieuport As Neutral Ports