National Gazette

Extract of a letter from Liverpool. August 15.

"It is impossible that the Americans can much longer submit to the insults of the English on their trade. Every port in this part of the kingdom swarms with American vessels, taken and brought in by British cruisers. I have attended several trials at Doctors Commons, where I have been shocked to see the unaccountable conduct of both captors and judges. Bribes are frequently offered, from 50l. to 200l. to the captains and mates of the prizes, to swear against their ships; and, sorry I am to say, some of them have received the bribes, and on others the bribes have been proved, and the vessels still detained. No American vessel is allowed to pass to France with any cargo, except tobacco, nor is admitted from thence but in ballast. From what I see of the wretched state of this country, the Americans have the means of redress in their own hands, and by acting with a proper degree of spirit a war may be prevented. But if the Americans remain quiet, there is no doubt but this country will offer still greater insults, and they will at last be under the necessity of taking up arms. The best plan for the present, would be to come into a non-importation agreement of every article manufactured in Britain. The English and Scotch manufactories (already in the last stage of distress) would then be wholly at a stand, and the many thousands that now subsist by the American trade, would be reduced to the greatest extremities. Manchester has at this time upwards of twenty thousand of their work people maintained by subscription; and every manufacturing town in the country is in the same deplorable condition. One cloth manufactory discharged twelve hundred workmen in one day. The other day in Leeds market, upwards of 10,000 pieces of cloth were put up for sale, and not 30 sold. Should the United States stop the trade with Britain, there is no doubt but the inhabitants would instantly refuse any further submission to the folly of their tyrannic rulers, and would compel the minister to change his conduct towards the Americans. Thus would a war be prevented, which must otherwise soon involve both countries in ruin."