The Virginia Gazette

BALTIMORE, APRIL 21.

Extract of a letter from Wilmington, April 18.

GOVERNOR MARTIN is just come into town, on parole. He informs us, that the British troops are in high spirits, in hopes of their being recalled, and peace restored, and that the Tories are quite chopfallen on the occasion. He brings us a bill (pacific and conciliatory) brought into Parliament by Lord North, with his Lordship's speech in the House of Commons. Such a speech, and such sentiments, I never imagined could have fallen from that noble Lord at the present period. I cannot possibly send you the whole of the speech, but I have transcribed some broken sentences, which will give you some idea of the part of it. General Howe is certainly recalled, and will shortly sail for England. Sir Henry Clinton is to command in his stead. By the best accounts, there is no probability of the enemy shortly performing any great manoeuvre out of Philadelphia.

Extracts from Lord North's speech, mentioned in the above letter.

"I said this, thinking that the victory gained by General Howe was more decisive than it really was, and ignorant, at the time, of the disaster which had fallen on General Burgoyne. When the news of that melancholy event arrived, I was struck. 'The campaign has ended, and nothing decisive has happened. The forces of General Washington are still sufficient to carry on his defensive plan. Our army is great, our navy great, our men in health, in spirits, and well supplied; but the resistance of America is greater, and the war has lasted longer than was at first apprehended, and much longer than any friend to this country could wish, and I don't think it will end in the next campaign.'

To carry on the war, on the present plan, and strengthen our force, will be attended with too great an expense of men and money, an expense which conquest itself could not balance.

Misfortune, misconduct, or a greater natural force in America than was imagined, and which no man could foresee, have carried on the war to its present length."