The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in London, February 9.

"It is with the greatest Difficulty an Admittance into either House of Parliament is obtained. I got in, however, the 7th of this Month, upon a Debate more general, and of greater Consequence, than any which it is likely will come on this Session. It was upon a Petition of about two Hundred and fifty of the Episcopal Clergy, some Gentlemen of Physick, and some of Law, praying that a Subscription to the thirty nine Articles for the future might be dispensed with. An Account of the whole Debate will be published in the Papers, so that it is needless to be particular. It is remarkable, however, that not one Member stood up in Defence of any of the controverted Articles, or scarcely of the Church itself, upon any other than mere political Grounds. Lord North even rose the second Time to explain himself, by saying he was misconceived if any One understood him to assert that the Articles could be defended from Scripture. In short, the Articles, Church, and Bishops, never had so Severe a Trimming. I sat myself very near four of the Bishops, during the whole Argument. Even the Solicitor General (Wedderburn) was for receiving the Petition. He said as handsome Things of a late Piece, called The Confessional, as Man could well utter; he said it was in his Opinion unanswerable, and that the Author seemed possessed of infinitely more Candour than the Gentleman who had endeavoured at ridiculing the Performance. And although the Petition was voted out, yet the Petitioners met with more Encouragement than they expected, and are determined to persevere every Session. It will at least keep their Bishops, &c. better employed than in thinking of an American Bishop, of which I think there is no Danger at present. The Presidents of New York and Virginia Colleges are both here, but I believe totally for different Purposes; and I have good Reason to think so. I am confident America must wait some considerable Time before the Means of her Deliverance arise, yet she unavoidably will be relieved. I think they have Nothing at present to do but to be careful to cultivate Harmony amongst themselves, and for each Colony to look upon her Neighbour as her Sister, and her Distress as her own. Such a Conduct appearing here will convince Administration that Nothing farther can be done with a Prospect of Effect against the Liberties of the Colonies, and Things may at length come nearly as they were. I hope I prophecy truly; and indeed Administration, if they did but know it, have their Hands full at home, without fishing in troubled Waters.

Our King must be in a very unhappy Situation: One Brother, at a Distance, in a very dangerous Way; another Brother wounding the Honour of his Family, at home; his Sister the Queen of Denmark, in close Confinement, under Suspicions of dishonourable Conduct; and his Mother now lying dead. Add to this the unsettled Minds of his Subjects, and he must be far from a happy Monarch. How is the Scene changed from the Day he ascended the Throne of his illustrious Grandfather! His State is not to be envied."