The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

So many contradictory reports are every day circulated in regard to the proceedings of the ministry, that little or no dependence is to be placed upon the most probable since the very paper which to day raises our spirits, shall to morrow plunge us into the deepest abyss of despair, and ravish even the glimmering of hope from the eye of our most sanguine expectation. It is not but a few days ago that we were told, that the Manilla ransom was to be punctually paid in March; -we are now however, assured, that this report is wholly without foundation, and that matters are situated just as they were upon the accession of the ministry, utterly declining and utterly disregarded.

In a case of such palpable uncertainty, which side of the question shall we honour with a belief? In affairs, of consequence we must not decide upon mere conjecture; nor build the goodness of a ministry upon the surmises of speculation; facts, and facts only must determine us, and till these are produced, every thing else is emptiness and dirt.

Yet though the good people of Great Britain have foundation at present to judge of national affairs, it requires but little penetration to see what our ministers ought to do; and ask but an inconsiderable share of experience to point out that course which must be most advantageous to the publick; all the nations of Europe are sufficiently prepared to respect us, if we keep up but a proper degree of regard for ourselves, and we shall never be liable to insult so long as we manifest a proper spirit to resent.

Whether a peremptory demand has or has not been made of the Manilla ransom, I shall not take upon me to decide; thus far, I know however, that it is highly necessary to make that demand; the Spaniards know, therefore they play upon the easiness of our tempers; they know that when we are provoked we can easily make them tremble, but they are also sensible that it is a difficult matter to provoke us; hence though they secretly dread us, they nevertheless treat us with contempt, from a consciousness that when matters are carried to extremities, a just performance of treaties on their part, will in a moment get the better of our anger, and reduce us to an immediate state of the most placable tranquility. On these accounts therefore, nothing would be more proper in a minister, than a spirited conduct with regard to the people of Spain. A resolute behaviour may redress our wrongs, but cannot possibly increase them; the Spaniards know their own weakness too well, to think of contending with us seriously; so that the very instant they find us determined to be trifled with no longer, they will find it advisable to fulfil their engagements; and we may be certain of having our just dues immediately paid, whenever we can muster up a sufficient degree of courage to demand them.

There are few periods in the history of this kingdom, wherein the state was more distracted, than during the time of Oliver Cromwell; Nevertheless, our annals cannot boast of any period that reflected a greater glory upon the people of England: Detested as this wonderful man was by most parties, and suspected as he was by all, yet all cheerfully concurred in supporting him wherever he demanded satisfaction for an injury from his neighbours; they admired his spirit, tho' they hated or feared his principles; and for every impulse of resentment and suspicion, when set in opposition with the honour of their country: By this means the friendship of England was every where courted, her laws holden in universal reverence. and as Oliver himself, in the honest pride of his heart, very frequently boasted, by this means the name of an Englishman became as formidable through the world, as the name of a Roman in the most celebrated periods of antiquity: The same cause must always produce the same effects: we still have the courage of our ancestors, besides this capital circumstance in our favour, of having ten times their ability, to call our enemies to an account: In these days of unanimity, therefore, what have we to apprehend? We have given the world very recent proofs of our power and magnanimity; and we need only be seriously angry, to terrify the boldest of those nations who are now treating us with ridicule, into an instant acquiescence with the tenour of their engagements.