The Virginia Gazette

We hear that the merchants and manufacturers are determined to petition Parliament for redress to our fellow subjects in America, to prevent the dreadful consequences of a civil war, and the total loss of their most valuable commerce.

The terms which the American Congress demand, is a repeal of the acts imposing duties upon them without their consent, which take from them the trial by jury, those which infringe their charters, enact martial law upon them without a hearing, and establish Popery and slavery over half the continent of America; they do not question the supreme legislative power of this country, nor the acts of trade and navigation.

It is an alarming fact, that the number of effective men, besides those in garrison in Scotland, now in Great Britain, not including officers commissioned and non-commissioned, does not amount to quite 30,000; while, on the other hand, France is known to have at this instant 25,000 besides a formidable and well provided train of artillery.

Dec. 26. House of Commons. Yesterday the House went into a committee of ways and means for raising a supply granted to his Majesty, when a land tax of 3 s. in the pound was agreed to, for the year 1775.

Yesterday morning a Council was held on American affairs, at the Cockpit.

The express of very great importance arrived yesterday morning from Sir Joseph Yorke, at the Hague. They were immediately carried to Lord North, who waited on his Majesty with them, and had a conference.

The number of expresses from the continent, and the frequent and long consultations of the Cabinet Council, give room for serious conjectures. That the American affairs are in great disorder cannot admit of a doubt, and that some black and intricate intrigues are discovered to be carrying on by some of our very neighbours and pretended friends on the continent seems to be no less certain; that, in all probability, the peace of Europe will soon be disturbed by a very general war.

It is reported a neighbouring power has offered the Americans assistance by sea and land, in case of a rupture with Great Britain, on certain advantageous conditions.

It is now said that some in the Ministry are ready to listen if reasonable concessions offered on the part of America, whilst others of them only lament that nothing of that kind has yet been offered.

It is now evident, from the most favourable computations, that our going to war with America will not be less to us, computing what we must spend, and what we must lose, than 14 millions per annum.

A correspondent desires to know, if we sit still and see the people of America deprived of their liberties by a military force, what security we shall have that the same force will not then be employed to enslave us.