The New Hampshire Gazette

Copy of the Thanks of the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City of London, to the Right Hon. Mr. PITT, October 22, 1761.

RESOLVED,

That the thanks of this court be given to the Right Hon. William Pitt, for the many great and eminent services rendered this nation during the time he so ably filled the high and important office of one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and to perpetuate their grateful sense of his merits, whereby the vigour of his mind had not only roused the ancient spirit of this nation, from the pusillanimous state to which it had been reduced; but, by his integrity and steadiness uniting us at home, had carried its reputation in arms and commerce to a height unknown before, by our trade accompanying our conquests in every quarter of the globe.

Therefore the city of London, ever steadfast in their loyalty to their King, and attentive to the honour and prosperity of their country, cannot but lament the national loss of so able, so faithful, a Minister, at this critical conjuncture.

Copy of the Thanks to the Right Honorable William Pitt, from the City of York, Nov. 6.

RESOLVED,

That the thanks of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Commons of the city of York, in Common Council assembled, be presented to the Right Honourable William Pitt, for the signal advantages this nation has derived from his upright, wise and vigorous administration; to which, under Providence, we owe the revival of the ancient British spirit, the acquisition of the most valuable and important conquests, and the abolition of party distinctions. The loss of so able, so disinterested a Statesman, who so happily united the characters of the great Minister and the true Patriot, cannot but be deeply regretted at this critical conjuncture; by every well-wisher to his King and Country.

LONDON, Oct. 17.

To be defeated at so unexpected and critical a time by a minister, to whom the Parliament had so cheerfully granted every thing he could ask, and of whose conduct the public so entirely approved, was an event, that doubtless surprised and grieved every well-wisher to their country; yet we can by no means think that, with his office he has deserted his principles of integrity and patriotism, or that he has in the least forfeited the esteem and good opinion of the public.

Report says upon the motion in council; that if Spain should refuse to give a categorical answer; as to their intentions in a late treaty with France, we should immediately come to a rupture with them; that he found himself seconded by but few, the rest not approving so precipitate a conduct; and that he had resigned the seals, rather than be the acting instrument in executing measures he did not approve.

If this was the case, surely Mr. P. can never incur blame, for giving up his trust at such a juncture, when he found his opinions were not to be followed, and his measures rejected. Would it have been prudent in him, or was it reasonable to expect, that he should adopt plans laid down by others, and in carrying them into execution, run the risque in case of miscarriage? or (if in his power) ought he to have embroiled his country in a war with so potent an enemy entirely on his own opinion, of believing it would be advantageous for it: It is a risk which we believe few of his well wishers would desire he should run. To resign then was the only method left him, and he has done it at a glorious period (more so indeed it would have been, had he happily effected an advantageous peace) but he has done it, after retrieving the honour of the British name from ignominy, and the contempt of all Europe, and carrying it to the highest pitch of glory it perhaps ever arrived at.

Nor do we think that blame can deservedly light any where. Every man at council ought strictly to give his own opinion, or their intent is destroyed; and if so many were repugnant to Mr. P--. presumption favours their being right. In short Mr. P - may be the man of honour and integrity, and the ministers the wise and faithful counsellors they have hitherto approved themselves. As to the reflections thrown on him for accepting a pension, they can surely merit nothing but contempt. It must be granted to be far inadequate to his services; and it may be reckoned among his greatest honors, that he has retired in want of it.

From the Chronicles in October.

The resignation of a late minister, who hath so ably and so successfully managed the extensive war in which we are engaged, before that war is concluded, fills every one with astonishment. Various reasons are assigned for it. His Friends say, that being frequently opposed and thwarted in those measures which he thought most conducive to the carrying on the war with vigour, and obtaining an honourable peace, his councils became impertinent, and his services were rendered useless. Others say, that every step which he proposed, and every expedition which he planned, were implicitly adopted; that the only measure in which he was opposed (and in which, they say, he was singular in his opinion) was the immediately breaking with Spain; by which precipitate step, in the manner he proposed, we should have been considered by all Europe as a nation of pirates; that under his administration we embarked much deeper than ever in the affairs of the continent. where the war has been carried on at the expence altogether unprecedented, and almost incredible; that sensible of the little importance of some of our conquests (Belleisle for instance) compared with the blood and treasure they have cost us, and apprized of the extreme difficulty of concluding the war to the general satisfaction of the nation; he has thought fit to withdraw when his abilities were most wanted, and leave to his successors in power the odium that may attend our future operations. All applaud his Majesty's princely goodness and generosity in so nobly rewarding his past services; but all think the minister had acted more consistent with the high character he has for some years so well supported, had he refused the reward till he had completed his work,