The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

BOSTON, February 27.

The attitude which the British King appears, in his late speech to his Parliament, must be very striking to every American. When we consider the part he has for many years acted towards us, and the manner in which he now speaks of us, what reflections crowd upon our minds! O Lust of Domination that can endure no restraint! O Pride, that can brook no opposition! Parents of Hatred and Revenge, of Homicide and Devastation! How often have you laid low the honor of Kings, and what enemies have you proved to the dignity of Princes, as well as to the prosperity and glory of states and empires!

The King begins by confessing his care and solicitude at the critical situation of his affairs,--and we believe him: He says, that he has ever adopted what he could collect to be the sense of his Parliament and people. Here, also we believe him. The Prince, the Parliament and the nation all concurred, some few excepted, in the mad measures that have been employed against America.--For a long time, we were loth to believe this: But we have seen and felt enough to convince us of the truth of it; and I dare say that neither House of Parliament, in their reply to the speech, will deny this, or consider it as a reproach to themselves or the nation. Even the British merchants that traded with us, and got their riches from us, were eager to promote these measures.

His Majesty proceeds to say, that he has offered to declare his former colonies, Free and Independent States, Thanks to the firmness and perseverance of America. Thanks, to our magnanimous ally, his Most Christian Majesty. Thanks, to the States of Holland, who have made an alliance with us: and to Spain, who has united her arms in the common cause. But no thanks to the humanity or generosity of the King of Great Britain, his Parliament, or the body of that nation. The King acknowledges that in this offer he has sacrificed every consideration of his own: and we know that necessity alone obliges his Parliament and people to adopt the measure as their own wish-We have never expected it on any other grounds,

But, considering the scenes that have been exhibited, can we who are destitute and suffering in America, who are not struck with the kind concern, and wary of all the blessings of monarchy: with the prayers he so devoutly offers up on our behalf, like another Moses interceding for Israel; and with the hopes he expresses, that language, interest and affections may still unite the two countries. For the sake of humanity, we consent to reasonable terms of peace? We consent to it with composure, not with transport. Peace ensures present elections. - Let the war cease: But affections--that word creates pause. We look to our towns wantonly burnt- to the precious blood that has purchased our independence-to that mountain of corpses mangled in the field, and emaciated unto death in prison ships and dungeons. We hear the cries of innumerable widows and orphans--We reflect, that great part of the miseries did not result from the common laws of war. With such sights in our view: with such sounds in our ears, there certainly must be some pause, between the cessation of hostilities and the return of affections.