The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

On Friday during the debates on the necessity of augmenting the Navy, in a certain great assembly, there was the most spirited speaking known a great while, particularly by Lord S—k and the E. of C—m.

This last nobleman observed in the support of the measure, "What a lamentable state this oppressed nation was reduced to; that its internal rights were not only openly violated, and trampled on, but her consequence in the connection stood to Europe, suffered to droop and languish—that consequence, which a few years ago gave her the authority of dictating to the Belligerent powers of the world. We are now, says he, debating an affair of so constitutional a texture, of such self-evident policy, that only considering our situation merely as an island, it is amazing how the utility of an augmentation can be contested; but when we add the many recent inducements we have had besides; such as the reduction of Corsica by the French, the increase of their marine, and the general reform made in all their military departments; it becomes a perfect phænomenon." He concluded his oration, which lasted above an hour, in the following remarkable words:

"And though this affair, my Lords, seems to be so unsettled amongst us, as to become a subject of debate, whether we shall put on the armour of defence or not, (a question, at worst, if carried in the affirmative, which cannot be considered but as an act of prudence) I do pledge myself to this Right Hon. H—e, for the truth of what I am going to assert, that, at this very hour that we are sitting together, there has been a blow of hostility struck against us, by our old inveterate enemies the French, in some one part of the world."