The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

The following Pieces are collected from the St. James's Chronicle and British Evening-Post, &c. for October and November last.

To the PRINTER of the St. JAMES's CHRONICLE.

SIR,

To see with one's own Eyes, is perhaps the worst Direction a Man can go by in the political World, as he is pretty sure of travelling alone by that Means, and may possibly hit his Nose against a Post into the Bargain. Notwithstanding which, I cannot but be so singular as to feel with Indignation on the outrageous Violence of Party Scribblers, on both Sides, for many Months past: Of Scribblers, I say, for I am far from imagining the Leading Men, in general, of either Side, are disposed to give their Sanction to the Abuse that is so liberally bestowed on their Opponents. It is a well known Fact, that Mr. Pitt never condescended to look into a Single political Pamphlet, except the 45th N. British; and that merely because he perceived it likely to become an Object of parliamentary Debate. Now I mention that Gentleman, I must take the Liberty of saying, that I believe him to be the most able, upright, and spirited Minister, that ever graced the Annals of our Country, and that the very Sound of his Name Has struck more Terror to the Soul of France Than could the Substance of ten thousand Soldiers, All arm'd in Proof, and led by-- But at the same Time, to keep up the Character of Impartiality, I must firmly believe that his Spirit, on some Occasions, went too far; and that had his expensive Administration continued the War some Time longer, we might have cried out with King Pyrrhus, "Such another Victory, and we are undone!" Let us even suppose, that by refusing the Terms on which the late Peace was concluded, we might, after fighting two Years more, have reduced our Enemies so low,that they would have acquiesced in our keeping the two Sugar Islands. It appears, to a Demonstration, that the necessary Expence of continuing the War on the old Plan for that Time, would have amounted to more than the Fee-Simple of the Sugar Islands put together. This, perhaps, may be considering the Matter too much in a Counting-House Light, for the Taste of a great Minister, but is not a Jot the less true on that Score. A Point, where the whole is at Stake, cannot be examined in too many Views. Even our Tinkers, Taylors and Cobblers are Politicians, and the first to roar for War; as they would be the first to roar against the additional Halfpenny on their Pot of Porter, when that War had made the levying it necessary. It may be affirmed therefore, though by refusing the offered Terms we might possibly have made a more brilliant Treaty, it would not have been so durable as it is now likely to prove; and, in our Situation, the latter is by far the more essential of the two. I hope we may conclude, notwithstanding the Assertions of our Politic-mongers to the contrary, that the French are by no Means disposed to break with us; and I think every Man who wishes a Rupture ('till our Circumstances are better able to support it) an Enemy to his Country in the worst Degree. In short, Mr. Baldwin, I can only perceive one Advantage that can accrue from those outrageous Exclamations: that the French, conscious of a strong Party here, ready to take all Advantages to alarm us upon any Infractions of the Peace, may possibly be more cautious how they give Occasion for Complaint; for I am firmly persuaded, that Court is in itself not disposed to quarrel with us. Whatever Ill-blood there may be in another Quarter, it is to be hoped, they, who have more Interest in that Ministry than Ourselves, will, for their own Sakes, prevent its breaking out. I am, Sir, Your constant Reader. O. Y.