The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON. Feb 20.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman, of public Character, who has been indefatigable in his Endeavours to obtain Relief for the Colonies, under their present Burdens and Difficulties.

"London, Dec. 27, 1765."

"HAVING been all Day at the other End of the Town in your Provincial Service, I have only Time to acknowledge yours, &c. and don't at all wonder at the Alarm your Country has taken at your new Laws; we are equally alarmed here, and the Consequences that must attend both America and England, if they are not repealed. City and Country are in a Motion to assist you in obtaining a Repeal. The Merchants have chose a Committee to petition and attend Parliament.; the numerous Sea Ports, and Manufacturing Towns, and your Friends will not be inactive; and I have the Pleasure to inform you, hitherto Things look with a favourable Aspect."

From an eminent Manufacturer residing in this City of London, Dec. 18.

"You will by this Opportunity, if not sooner, have heard of the Meeting of Parliament, and also have seen the King's Speech--what will be the Consequence no one can tell: I believe the great Difficulty lies how they can relieve you, and yet keep up the Authority of Government. The Parliament thinks it a bad Example and Precedent to repeal that Act, because the People murmurs at it; and they rather fear the Consequences in case they insist upon its being put in Force."

Divers sentiments seem to be contained in the last private Letters from England, respecting the Repeal or Suspension of the Stamp-Act; Some (and yet those whose Wishes are no ways inimical to America) are dubious, or rather chuse to suspend their Opinion about it, till the Meeting of a full Parliament, (the Number of Members at their last Meeting not very far exceeding 100, whereas in a full Parliament, the Number may exceed 200)--Others remark, that in the Parishes of Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford, Keighley, Halifax, Huthersfield, Rochdale, and a few of the nearest Country Towns, there's above Five hundred Thousand Men, Women and Children, all engaged in one Branch or other of the Woollen Manufacture; a Prevention of the Export of which, must prove greatly detrimental to them, should the Colonies persist in Manufacturing their own Cloth; and therefore doubt not the Act will be repealed--especially, say they, as the present Ministry seem greatly disposed to interest themselves in the Welfare of the Nation--and the Mercantile Part of it very studious to improve every Advantage for this desirable End --But however, seeing that all future Events are uncertain, we can only submit it to the two most powerful Arbitrators, perhaps, that the World can produce, viz. Time and the British Parliament.

Extract of a Letter from London, dated Dec. 26. 1765.

"Parliament.--If the Trade to your Parts cannot be redressed, there is an End to it.--Mr. Greenville was very warm at the opening of the House, but God be praised he could not carry his Point of fixing the Word REBELLION, on the late riotous Proceedings in your Parts.--It is generally thought if the Stamp Act is not repeal'd, it will be suspended at least for three Years, at which Time the present Parliament will be dissolved--and then we flatter ourselves a new Parliament will have the Interest of our Colonies so much at Heart, as not to take up the Business again,--Had the Merchants of your Place come to the same Resolutions as those of New York and Philadelphia, to have ordered no Goods to be ship'd till the Stamp Act is Repeal'd--excepting what might have been wanted for the fitting out your Navigation and carrying on the Fisheries, it would have had a good Effect."