The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette

NEW-YORK, July 18.

On Sunday afternoon a barge from the fleet, appeared in our bay, with a white flag, which was there met by the General's barge with several gentlemen of the army on board. The flag was sent from Lord Howe, with a letter to his Excellency General Washington. But as the letter was improperly directed, it was not received, though much solicited by the officer, who, we hear, said it contained nothing of a hostile nature—that Lord Howe came over possessed of unlimited power, and was much concerned he had not arrived a few days sooner, which would have effected a reconciliation, &c. However it seems his unlimited power did not extend even to the necessary preliminaries of a negotiation—an acknowledgment of the right of persons to whom he came, to treat with him.

Indeed the idea of coming over to propose a plan of reconciliation, is in every view absurd and ridiculous, for as the colonies never invaded the rights of Britain, and only defended their own, there was no occasion at all for negotiation. The moment Great-Britain receded from her unjust claims, the war was at an end.

The very proposition therefore, of a negotiation, was a proof that Great-Britain persisted in her encroachments on the rights of the colonies, and was in itself an act of a hostile nature.

On Tuesday another flag from the fleet appeared and was met as before, when a letter was again offered, but for the same reason as the former rejected.