The Virginia Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, March 27.

In most of the letters from London by the packet something is said relating to the Stamp Act; but as the substance of them is pretty much the same, it would be needless (if it could be done) to insert them all. The following extracts are therefore given, which, with what is inserted under the New York head, it is thought, contain nearly the contents of the whole.

Extract of a letter from London, January 10, 1766.

"The Committee of North American merchants have got their petition ready to present to Parliament. We hear it will be opposed by Grenville and his tools, to the utmost of their power; but hope the great pains the Committee have taken to support it will be attended with the desired success, and that we shall have it in our power to give you a favourable account by the next opportunity."

Extract of a letter from London. January 11.

"I was in the House of Commons when the King's speech was read there, and heard, with much indignation, George Grenville make a long, confused, violent, inflammatory speech, highly censuring the behaviour of the colonies, in regard to the Stamp Act, calling it downright rebellion, and proposing to make use of very harsh expressions towards them, in their answer to the speech; but this was over-ruled, as it would appear to be condemning them unheard, Above twenty Members spoke, and almost all of them seemed to be for supporting and adhering to their legislative authority over the colonies, and their right to impose taxes upon them. But how they will act, when the whole affair with all the circumstances attending it is laid before them, I cannot pretend to say, I hope they will consider it coolly, and with the utmost impartiality; for no body can at present foresee all the consequences that may attend their final determination in this truly important matter. Various schemes are said to be laid before the Ministry to compose this difference, but I have not been able to learn any of them that seemed to deserve the least credit: and therefore I will not repeat them, This only I will say that I am quite certain the present Ministry wish to do you, all possible kindness, most of them having been strongly against the act, whilst it was under deliberation last year. And I heartily wish that before the Parliament breaks up not only this, but every possible difference which hereafter, as things are now circumstanced, might happen, will be removed, or prevented, and such a plan for an indissoluble union laid as must give pleasure to every lover of his country, and which indeed appears every day more and more to be absolutely necessary, in order to prevent the actual separation of the various branches of this most extensive empire."