The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

It has happened as we have foreseen. The Court of London, with all its changes, is not so intent upon a fair and speedy peace as appearances would have made us believe. Our latest advices from Europe confirm the apprehensions of many, that our enemies are too much elated with their late advantage in the West-Indies (though more owing to good fortune than superior bravery or skill) to allow a pacification upon admissible terms; they have relied too much upon the inattention of these States, on our divisions, and, above all, on our infamous trade with them, not to hope for some future advantage against us. Their intelligencers in the States have doubtless aggravated every thing among us that tended to raise their hopes; and Britain may soon repent her not embracing so fair an opportunity of giving repose to herself and to the world, upon a reasonable and broad basis.

The late capture of Admiral Hughes, with four ships of the line, in the East-Indies, by the French, considered in all its circumstances; in a quarter of the world so important to the British commerce, together with the late decided part taken by the Dutch, and their present awakened spirit against Britain, is infinitely more than a balance to the success of Rodney. The fleets of France and Spain, now abroad, are masters of the Channel, and the Dutch of the North Seas. The trade and navy of Britain may suffer greatly before the season closes: already, besides the stroke in the East-Indies, 22 of their Quebec and Newfoundland fleet have been taken at a blow. The people of France are in high spirits for prosecuting the war, and the Ministry are making prodigious exertions, without distressing the people, for augmenting the navy. There is the same favorable appearance in Holland.

The spirit of the people in American States is the same it ever was since this important dispute began. They are determined to have a general and safe peace upon the footing of absolute independence, or none; and are more ready to pay taxes for such a purpose, than our enemies imagine: prospect of peace, as is natural, may too soon relax them, but new efforts of the enemy will most certainly rouse and invigorate them. The spirit of the people every where rises against the horrid trade with the enemy practiced by too many for the sake of infamous private gain. The town of Boston, in a late meeting, have already chosen a respectable committee to consider in what manner this spirit may be most effectually directed. And as this execrable trade is the chief instrument which our enemies now have to employ against us, every motive of honor and public interest calls upon us to wrest it out of their hands.