The Virginia Gazette

In some of the London papers the following is said to be a genuine extract of
a letter from the Earl of CHATHAM, dated HAYES, March 9, 1776.

I have little hope of raising my weak voice, and of declaring my
poor opinion in Parliament. However, in answer to your very earnest
request, I am to inform you that my sentiments, respecting the present
state of America, happily coincide with those delivered by my brother
Temple.

Whilst America retained her allegiance, I was the friend of America;
whilst there was room for honourable accommodation, I was happy to
propose the terms. That era is past; it is now too late to negotiate.
You cannot treat with rebels whilst arms are in their hands. Your ho-
nour, your dignity, your authority, your interest, all forbid it. The
present state of things does not admit of relaxation or concession. All
conciliatory propositions are futile, nugatory, and deceitful; they origi-
nate in folly, and must terminate in disgrace.

The colonies have levied open war against the parent state; that war
must be prosecuted with vigour, with effect; every sinew, every nerve,
ought to be exerted.

The idea of expense is a mere bugbear, a phantom above all estimation. America must be brought back to her duty. Your
nation; grant that it may cost the nation fifty millions, national honour is
tom; grant that it may cost the nation fifty millions, national honour is
- rope demands it. America must submit to the constitutional authority
of Great Britain, and her submission must be absolute, unlimited, and
unconditional; then will be the time to temper justice with humanity.

I know I have often lamented their want of wisdom and vigour. But I
God forbid I should defend all the measures of Administration. You
Parcere subjectis, & debellare superbos.

will maintain it, the employing German Protestant troops, at this cri-
cal juncture, is a measure full of true wisdom and sound policy. The
ubstance.-I say, the present armament will restore the Americans to

deluded colonies running wildly after the shadow of liberty, have lost the
freedom, to that freedom which is enjoyed under a British constitution.
It will relieve them from the most degrading species of tyranny, repub-
lican tyranny. Every Briton must oppose the notion of republicanism. The
experiment has already been made, and fatal experience has shown it to
be totally incompatible with the magnitude and majesty of a great em-
pire. It is a little pitiful idea, fit only for the citizen of a little state. I
hold that monarchy (I would be understood limited monarchy) can alone
preserve liberty to the subject, and give energy to government.

When you have read this, forward it with the letter to E. S.

From the ST. JAMES's CHRONICLE of March 23, 1776.

We have authority to assure the public, that the extract of a printed
genuine letter from the Earl of CHATHAM, dated Hayes,
March 9th, 1776, printed in the Public Advertiser, and from thence re-
printed in the London Packet, Lloyd's Evening Post, and Baldwin's
London Journal, of Friday March 22d, is totally without foundation,
and in every respect a gross and scandalous imposition on the world.