The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

The American patriot will recur in times of danger to the instruments which inspired the fathers of our country in the glorious period of the American Revolution. When lord Howe arrived on the coast of America, he wrote a letter to Dr. Franklin, dated 20th June, 1776. In the answer, dated 30th July, 1776, are the following remarks which arrest attention. After pointing out the conciliatory measures of Great Britain, which would recover regard, "and the greatest share of our growing commerce with all the advantages of that additional strength to be derived from a friendship with us," he adds: "Yet I know too well her abounding pride and deficient wisdom, to believe she will ever take such salutary measures. Her fondness for conquest, as a warlike nation; her lust of dominion as an ambitious one: and her thirst for a gainful monopoly, as a commercial one, (none of them legitimate causes of war) will all join to hide from her eyes every view of her true interest." Afterwards, considering the cause of the war, the great ground of which, as described in his lordship's letter, was "the necessity of preventing the American trade from passing into foreign channels," he remarks: "To me it seems, that neither the obtaining or retaining any trade, how valuable soever; is an object for which men may justly spill each other's blood: that the true and sure means of extending and securing commerce, are the goodness, & cheapness of commodities; and that the profits of no trade can ever be equal to the expence of compelling it; and holding it, by fleets and armies."