Chapter III: Part 3

Having guarded the privileges of local legislature, I would next secure to the colonies a fair and unbiassed judicature; for which purpose, Sir, I propose the following resolution: “That, from the time when the general assembly or general court of any colony or plantation in North America, shall have appointed by act of assembly, duly confirmed, a settled salary to the offices of the chief justice and other judges of the superior court, it may be proper that the said chief justice and other judges of the superior courts of such colony, shall hold his and their office and offices during their good behaviour; and shall not be removed therefrom, but when the said removal shall be adjudged by his Majesty in council, upon a hearing on complaint from the general assembly, or on a complaint from the governor, or council, or the house of representatives severally, or of the colony in which the said chief justice and other judges have exercised the said offices.”

The next resolution relates to the courts of admiralty.

It is this:--“That it may be proper to regulate the courts of admiralty, or vice-admiralty, authorized by the fifteenth chapter of the fourth of George the Third, in such a manner as to make the same more commodious to those who sue, or are sued, in the said courts, and to provide for the more decent maintenance of the judges in the same.”

These courts I do not wish to take away; they are in themselves proper establishments. This court is one of the capital securities of the act of navigation. The extent of its jurisdiction, indeed, has been increased; but this is altogether as proper, and is indeed on many accounts more eligible, where new powers were wanted, than a court absolutely new. But courts incommodiously situated, in effect, deny justice; and a court, partaking in the fruits of its own condemnation, is a robber. The congress complain, and complain justly, of this grievance.[7]

These are the three consequential propositions. I have thought of two or three more; but they come rather too near detail, and to the province of executive government; which I wish parliament always to superintend, never to assume. If the first six are granted, congruity will carry the latter three. If not, the things that remain unrepealed will be, I hope, rather unseemly encumbrances on the building, than very materially detrimental to its strength and stability.

THE ARMIES UNDER HOWE AND CLINTON (1777).

=Source.=--_Gentleman’s Magazine._ Vol. xlvii. (1777), pp. 573 _et seq._

_An Historical Account of the Proceedings of the Armies under General Howe and Maj. Gen. Clinton, extracted from the Gazette Extraordinary, dated Tuesday, December 2._

These advices were brought by Maj. Cuyler, first aide-de-camp to General Sir William Howe, and are dated German Town, Oct. 10, 1777.

On the 30th of August the army under Gen. Howe landed on the West side of Elk river, and divided into two columns; one under the command of Lord Cornwallis, the other commanded by Lieut. Gen. Knyphausen.

On Sept. 3 (Major-General Grant, with six battalions, remaining at the head of Elk to preserve the communication with the fleet) the two columns joined on the road to Christien bridge. The Hessian and Anspach chasseurs defeated on their march a chosen corps of one thousand men from the enemy’s army, with the loss of only 2 officers wounded, 3 men killed, and 19 wounded, when that of the enemy was not less than 50 killed, and many more wounded.

On the 6th Major-General Grant joined the army.

The whole marched on the 8th by Newark, and encamped that evening within four miles of the enemy, who moved early in the night, taking post on the heights on the eastern side of Brandywine creek.

On the 9th Lieut. Gen. Knyphausen marched with the left, as did Lord Cornwallis with the right, and both joined the next morning at Kennett’s-square.

On the 11th the army advanced in two columns, that under Gen. Knyphausen to Chad’s Ford, and arrived in front of the enemy about 10 o’clock; while the other column, under Lord Cornwallis &c., having marched 12 miles round to the forks of the Brandywine, crossed both branches, taking from thence the road to Dilworth in order to turn the enemy’s right at Chad’s Ford.

Gen. Washington, having intelligence of this movement, detached Gen. Sullivan to his right, with near 10,000 men, who took a strong position, with his left near to the Brandywine, both flanks being covered by very thick woods, and his artillery advantageously disposed.

About 4 o’clock the King’s troops advanced, and Ld. Cornwallis having formed the line, the light infantry and chasseurs began the attack; the guards and grenadiers instantly advanced from the right, the whole under a heavy fire of artillery and musquetry: but they pushed on with an impetuosity not to be sustained by the enemy, who falling back into the woods in their rear, the King’s troops entered with them, and pursued closely for near two miles.

After this success, a part of the enemy’s right took a second position in a wood, from whence the 2d light infantry and chasseurs soon dislodged them; and from this time they did not rally again in force.

The 2d light infantry, 2d grenadiers and 4th brigade, moved forward a mile beyond Dilworth, where they attacked a corps of the enemy, strongly posted to cover the retreat of their army, which corps not being forced until after it was dark, the enemy’s army escaped a total overthrow.

From the most correct accounts, the strength of the enemy’s army was not less than 15,000 men, a part of which retired to Chester, and remained there that night; but the greater body did not stop until they reached Philadelphia. They had about 300 men killed, 600 wounded, and near 400 made prisoners.

The loss on the side of his Majesty’s troops amounted to about 100 killed, and 488 wounded. Eight pieces of cannon, and a great quantity of military stores were taken from the enemy.

The army lay this night on the field of battle, and on the 12th Maj. Gen. Grant, with the first and second brigades, marched to Concord. Lord Cornwallis, with the light infantry and British grenadiers, joined him next day, and proceeded to Ash-Town within five miles of Chester.

On the same day Major M’Donell made Mr. McKinley, the new appointed President of the Lower Counties on Delaware, his prisoner.

Lieut. Col. Loos, with the combined battalion of Rhall’s brigade, escorted the wounded and sick to Wilmington on the 14th.

On the 16th intelligence being received that the enemy were advancing on the Lancaster road, it was immediately determined to push forward and attack them; but a most violent fall of rain setting in, the intended attack became impracticable.

The enemy, apprised of the approach of the army, marched the whole night, and got to Yellow Springs, having, as is since known, all their small ammunition damaged by the rain. In their retreat they lost about 18 men killed, and some wounded.

On the 18th a detachment of light infantry was sent to the Valley Forge upon Schuylkill, where the enemy had a variety of stores, and a considerable magazine of flour, and were joined on the 20th by the guards.

Upon intelligence that Gen. Wayne was lying in the woods with a corps of 1,500 men, and four pieces of cannon, Maj. Gen. Grey was detached on the 20th to surprize him; and having, by the bayonet only, forced his pickets, he rushed in upon his encampment, killed and wounded not less than 300 on the spot, taking between 70 and 80 prisoners, including officers, their arms, and eight waggons loaded with baggage and stores. One captain of light infantry and three men were killed in the attack, and four men wounded. Gallantry in the troops, and good conduct in the General, were fully manifested upon this critical service.

On the 22d the army crossed the Schuylkill, at Fat Land Ford, without opposition; and on the 25th marched in two columns to German Town. Lord Cornwallis, with the British grenadiers, and two battalions of Hessian grenadiers, took possession of Philadelphia the next morning.

In the evening of the 26th, three batteries were begun, to act against the enemy’s shipping that might approach the town. These batteries were unfinished when they were attacked by a number of gallies, gondolas, and other armed vessels; and the largest frigate, the _Delaware_, mounting 30 guns, anchored within 500 yards of the town. About ten in the morning they began a heavy cannonade; but the tide falling, the _Delaware_ grounded, and was taken possession of by the marine company of grenadiers, commanded by Capt. Averne.

The smaller frigates and armed vessels were forced (except a schooner that was driven on shore) to return under the protection of a fort, where there were two floating batteries, with three range of sunken machines, to obstruct the passage of the river, the lowest row being three miles below the fort.

The enemy had a redoubt upon the Jersey shore at Billing’s Point, with heavy guns in it, to prevent these machines from being weighed up, which 300 men posted there evacuated on the 1st of October; and Capt. Hammond immediately opened the navigation at that place, by removing a part of the chevaux de frize.

The enemy having received a reinforcement of 1,500 men from Peek’s Kill, and 1,000 from Virginia, and presuming on the army being much weakened by the detachments to Philadelphia and Jersey, thought it a favourable time for them to risk an action. They accordingly marched at six in the evening of the 3d from their camp near Skippach-creek to German-Town, (about 16 miles,) where the bulk of the army was posted.

At three in the morning of the 4th the patrols discovered the enemy’s approach, and the army was immediately ordered under arms.

About break of day the enemy began their attack; but the light infantry, being well supported, sustained the same with such determined bravery, that they could not make the least impression on them; and Major-Gen. Grant advancing with the right wing, the enemy’s left gave way, and was pursued through a strong country between four and five miles: but such was the expedition with which they fled, that it was not possible to overtake them.

The enemy retired near twenty miles by several roads to Perkiomy-creek, and encamped upon Skippach-creek.

They saved all their cannon by withdrawing them early in the day.

By the best accounts, their loss was between two and three hundred killed, about 600 wounded, and upwards of 400 taken. Among the killed was Gen. Nash, with many other officers of all ranks, and 54 officers among the prisoners.

Since the battle of Brandywine 72 of their officers have been taken, exclusive of 10 belonging to the _Delaware_ frigate.

On the 19th the army removed from German-Town to Philadelphia, as a more convenient situation for the reduction of Fort Island, which at present is an obstruction to the passage of the river, as the upper chevaux de frize cannot be removed until we have possession of that post; near which the enemy having intrenched about 800 men upon the Jersey shore, Col. Donop, with three battalions of Hessian grenadiers, the regiment of Mirback, and the infantry chasseurs, crossed the Delaware on the 21st instant, with directions to proceed to the attack of that post. Col. Donop led on the troops in the most gallant manner to the assault. They carried an extensive out-work, from whence the enemy were driven into an interior intrenchment, which could not be forced without ladders. The detachment, in moving up and returning from the attack, was much galled by the enemy’s gallies and floating batteries.

Col. Donop and Lieut. Col. Minningerode being both wounded, the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. Linsing, who, after collecting all the wounded that could be brought off, returned with the detachment to camp.

There were several brave officers lost upon this occasion, in which the utmost ardour and courage were displayed by both officers and soldiers.

On the 23d, the _Augusta_, in coming up the river with some other ships of war, to engage the enemy’s gallies near the fort, got aground, and, by some accident taking fire in the action, was unavoidably consumed. The _Merlin_ sloop also grounded, and the other ships being obliged to remove to a distance from the explosion of the _Augusta_, it became expedient to evacuate and burn her also.

His Excellency concludes his letters with requesting additional cloathing for 5,000 Provincials, which, by including the new levies expected to be raised in that and the neighbouring countries, will certainly be wanting.

While these important services were transacting in Pennsylvania, Lieut. Gen. Clinton meditated an incursion into Jersey: his principal motive was to attempt a stroke against any detached corps of the enemy, if one offered; or, if not, to collect a considerable number of cattle, which would at the same time prove a seasonable refreshment to the troops, and deprive the enemy of resources which they much depended on.

The result of this expedition, after a little skirmishing with small parties of the enemy, was the collecting about 400 head of cattle, including 20 milch cows for the use of the hospital, 400 sheep, and a few horses, with the loss of about 40 men, killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing.

By a letter from Brig.-Gen. Campbell to Sir Henry Clinton, dated Staten Island, Aug. 23, it appears, that the enemy effected almost a total surprize of two battalions of the Jersey Provincials on that island; but that they had suffered severely for their temerity in making the descent, Col. Dongan having come up with their rear at the very instant when the rebels were using the greatest diligence in transporting their troops to the Jersey shore; and being joined by Brig.-Gen. Campbell with cannon, who took them in flank, about 150 surrendered themselves prisoners of war; and the remainder, of nearly the same number, retreating towards the extremity of the island, found means to cross over near Amboy.

Col. Buskirk’s battalion being ordered to attack a party left to cover the enemy’s boats, they did it with charge of bayonet, and obliged the party to retreat to the Jersey shore.

It further appears, that this descent was carried on by select and chosen troops, formed from three brigades, Sullivan’s, Smallwood’s, and De Bore’s, and headed by their respective Generals, besides Drayton’s and Ogden’s battalions. There were taken in all 259 prisoners, among whom are 1 Lieut.-Colonel, 3 Majors, 2 Captains, and 15 inferior officers. Their loss in killed cannot be ascertained, but must have been considerable.[8]

In a letter from Lieut.-Gen. Sir Henry Clinton to Gen. Sir William Howe, dated Fort Montgomery, Oct. 9, an account is given of an attack upon Fort Clinton, Montgomery, &c. which reflects the greatest military honour on the conquerors.

The difficulties of the march over mountains, every natural obstruction, and all that art could invent to add to them, being surmounted, General Vaughan’s corps was ordered to begin the attack on Fort Clinton, and dislodge, if possible, the enemy from their advanced station behind a stone breastwork, having in front, for half a mile, a most impenetrable abbatis. This the General, by his good disposition, obliged the enemy to quit, tho’ supported by cannon, got possession of the wall, and there waited till Lieut.-Col. Campbell began his attack. The Colonel waited a favourable moment to attack Fort Clinton, which was a circular height, defended by a line for musquetry, with a barbet battery of three guns in the center, and flanked by two redoubts; the approaches to it thro’ a continued abbatis of 400 yards, defensive every inch, and exposed to the fire of ten pieces of cannon. A brisk attack on the Montgomery side; the gallies with their oars approaching, firing, and even striking the fort; the men of war that moment appearing; the extreme ardour of the troops; in short, all determined the General to order the attack: Gen. Vaughan’s spirited behaviour and good conduct did the rest. Having no time to lose, he particularly ordered that not a shot should be fired; in this he was strictly obeyed, and both redoubts &c. were stormed. Gen. Tryon advanced with one battalion to support Gen. Vaughan in case it might be necessary, and he arrived in time to join the cry of Victory!

A summons was sent to Fort Constitution; but the flag meeting with an insolent reception, unknown in any war, the General determined to chastise, and therefore an embarkation was ordered; but they found the fort evacuated in the greatest confusion, the storehouses burnt, but the cannon left unspiked.

Major-Gen. Tryon was detached to destroy the rebel settlement called the Continental Village, who burnt barracks for 1,500 men, several storehouses, and loaded waggons, this being the only establishment of the rebels in that part of the highlands, and the place from whence any neighbouring body of troops drew their supplies.

Sir James Wallace was ordered up the river at the same time, to find a passage through the chevaux de frize between Polypus Island and the Main, having under his protection a large detachment from the army, headed by Major Gen. Vaughan, from whose report, dated on board the _Friendship_ off Esopus, Oct. 17, Gen. Howe takes occasion to applaud a very spirited piece of service performed by those two officers, who attacked the batteries, drove the rebels from their works, spiked and destroyed their guns; and Esopus “being a nursery for almost every villain in the country,” the General landed and reduced every house to ashes, while Sir James Wallace burnt their shipping and small craft.

_Return of Cannon, Stores, Ammunition, etc., taken and destroyed on this Expedition._

Cannon 67, from six to two pounders. Two frigates built for 30 and 36 guns were burnt by the rebels on the forts being taken. The guns aboard them, and two gallies, which were likewise burnt, amounted to above 30. One sloop with 10 guns fell into our hands. The whole loss above 100 pieces.

Powder, cartridges fitted, cannon and musquet shot, immense quantities.

Every article belonging to the laboratory in the greatest perfection. Other stores, such as portfires, match, harness, spare gun-carriages, tools, instruments, &c. &c. in great plenty. A large quantity of provisions. The boom and chain which ran across the river from Fort Montgomery to St. Anthony’s Nose is supposed to have cost 70,000_l._ Another boom which was destroyed near Fort Constitution must likewise have cost the rebels much money and labour. Barracks for 1,500 men were destroyed by Major-Gen. Tryon at Continental Village, besides several storehouses and loaded waggons, of the articles contained in which no accounts could be taken.

CHATHAM’S LAST LETTER AND SPEECH (1778).

=Source.=--_Correspondence of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham._ Vol. iv., pp. 518 _et seq._

[From a draught in the handwriting of Lord Pitt.]

_The Earl of Chatham to the Duke of Richmond, April 6, 1778._

Lord Chatham presents his respects to the Duke of Richmond, and desires to express his best thanks for the great honour of the communication of the motion intended by his Grace on Tuesday.

It is an unspeakable concern to him, to find himself under so very wide a difference with the Duke of Richmond, as between the _sovereignty_ and _allegiance_ of America, that he despairs of bringing about successfully any honourable issue. He is inclined to try it, before _this bad_ grows worse. Some weakness still continues in his hands; but he hopes to be in town to-morrow.[9]

[_Report of the Earl of Chatham’s Last Speech, from the “London Magazine.”_]

The Earl of Chatham followed Lord Weymouth.--

He appeared to be extremely feeble, and spoke with that difficulty of utterance which is the characteristic of severe indisposition. His Lordship began with declaring that his ill health had for some time obliged him to absent himself from the performance of his parliamentary duty; he rejoiced, however, that he was yet alive to give his vote against so impolitic, so inglorious a measure as the acknowledgment of the independency of America; and declared he would much rather be in his grave than see the lustre of the British throne tarnished, the dignity of the empire disgraced, the glory of the nation sunk to such a degree as it must be, when the dependency of America on the sovereignty of Great Britain was given up. The Earl next adverted to the conduct of the court of France, and observed, that at a crisis like the present, he would openly speak his sentiments, although they might turn out to be dangerous. As a reason for throwing off reserve, he said he did not approve of halting between two opinions, when there was no middle path; that it was necessary absolutely to declare either for peace or war, and when the former could not be preserved with honour, the latter ought to be declared without hesitation. Having made this remark, he asked, where was the ancient spirit of the nation, that a foreign power was suffered to bargain for that commerce which was her natural right, and enter into a treaty with her own subjects, without instantly resenting it? Could it be possible that we were the same people who but fifteen years ago were the envy and admiration of all the world? How were we altered! and what had made the alteration? He feared there was something in the dark, something lurking near the throne, which gave motion to administration--something unseen, which caused such pusillanimous, such timid, such dastardly councils. What! were we to sit down in an ignominious tameness? to say, “Take from us what you will, but in God’s name let us be at peace?” Were we blinded by despair? Could we forget that we were Englishmen? Could we forget that the nation had stood the Danish irruptions? had stood the irruptions of other nations! had stood the inroads of the Scotch! had stood the Norman conquests! had stood the threatened invasion by the famous Spanish armada, and the various efforts of the Bourbon compacts! Why, then, should we now give up all, without endeavouring to prevent our losses, without a blow, without an attempt to resent the insults offered us? If France and Spain were for war, why not try an issue with them? If we fell afterwards, we should fall decently, and like men.

Having spoken with some enthusiasm upon these points, his Lordship said he waged war against no set of men, neither did he wish for any of their employments: he then reverted to the subject of American independency; and after recalling the attention of their lordships to the extent and revenue of the estate of the crown of England, when the present King came into the possession of it, asked what right the Houses of Parliament had to deprive the Prince of Wales, the Bishop of Osnaburgh, and the other rising hopes of the beloved royal family, of the inheritance of the thirteen American provinces? Sooner than consent to take away from any of the heirs of the Princess Sophia what they had a legal and natural right to expect to possess, he declared he would see the Prince of Wales, the Bishop of Osnaburgh, and the rest of the young princes, brought down to the committee, and hear them consent to lose their inheritance. The Earl declared he was exceedingly ill; but as long as he could crawl down to that House, and had strength to raise himself on his crutches, or to lift his hand, he would vote against the giving up the dependency of America on the sovereignty of Great Britain; and if no other lord was of opinion with him, he would singly protest against the measure.

With regard to our power to carry on the war, or commence a new one with France, there were, he said, means, though he knew not what; if, however, he was called upon to give his advice, he would give it honestly; and though, from his exceeding ill state of health, he feared he had not abilities to insure to the execution of his measures the wished-for success, he would make some amends by his sincerity.

KING GEORGE’S MESSAGE AND THE SPANISH MANIFESTO (1779).

=Source.=--_Gentleman’s Magazine._ Vol. xlix., pp. 324 _et seq._

Ld. Weymouth, principal secretary of state for the southern departments, presented the following message from his Majesty to the H. of Lords. At the same time Ld. North laid the same message before the H. of C.

COPY OF THE KING’S MESSAGE.

“_George R._

“The ambassador of the King of Spain having delivered a paper to Lord Viscount Weymouth, and signified that he has received orders from his court immediately to withdraw from this country; his Majesty has judged it necessary to direct a copy of that paper to be laid before the House of Commons as a matter of the highest importance to the crown and people; and his Majesty acquaints them, at the same time, that he has found himself obliged, in consequence of this hostile declaration, to recal his ambassador from Madrid.

“His Majesty declares, in the most solemn manner, that his desire to preserve and to cultivate peace and friendly intercourse with the court of Spain has been uniform and sincere; and that his conduct towards that power has been guided by no other motives or principles than those of good faith, honour, and justice; and his Majesty sees with the greatest surprize the pretences on which this declaration is grounded, as some of the grievances enumerated in that paper have _never_ come to the knowledge of his Majesty, either by representation on the part of the Catholic King, or by intelligence from any other quarter; and in all those cases where applications have been received, the matter of complaint has been treated with the _utmost attention_, and put into a course of _enquiry_ and _redress_.

“His Majesty has the firmest confidence that his faithful Commons will, with that zeal and public spirit which he has so often experienced, support his Majesty in his resolution to exert all the power and the resources of the Nation, to resist and repel any hostile attempts of the court of Spain; and that, by the blessing of God on the rectitude of his intentions, and the equity of his cause, his Majesty will be able to withstand and defeat the _unjust_ and _dangerous_ enterprizes of his enemies, against the honour of his crown, and the Commerce, the Rights, and the common interests, of all his subjects.”

* * * * *

The manifesto above alluded to, which the Spanish ambassador presented to Ld. Weymouth, was as follows:

COPY OF THE SPANISH MANIFESTO.

“All the world has been witness to the noble impartiality of the King in the midst of the disputes of the court of London with its American Colonies and with France. Besides which his Majesty, having learned that his powerful mediation was desired, generously made an offer of it, which was accepted by the Belligerent Powers, and for this motive only a ship of war was sent on the part of his Britannic Majesty to one of the ports of Spain. The King has taken the most energetic steps, and such as ought to have produced the most happy effect, to bring those powers to an accommodation equally honourable to both parties; proposing for this end wise expedients for smoothing difficulties, and preventing the calamities of war. But although his Majesty’s propositions, and particularly those of his _ultimatum_, have been conformable to those which at other times the court of London itself had appeared to judge proper for an accommodation, and which were also quite as moderate, they have been rejected in a manner that fully proves the little desire which the British cabinet has to restore peace to Europe, and to preserve the King’s Friendship. In effect, the conduct of that cabinet, with regard to his Majesty, during the whole course of the negociation, has had for its object, to prolong it for more than eight months, either by vain pretences, or by answers which could not be more inconclusive; whilst, in this interval, the insults on the Spanish flag, and the violation of the King’s Territories, were carried on to an incredible excess; prizes have been made, ships have been searched and plundered, and a great number of them have been fired upon, which have been obliged to defend themselves; the registers have been opened and torn in pieces, and even the packets of the court found on board the King’s packet boats.

“The dominions of the crown in America have been threatened, and they have gone to the dreadful extremity of raising the Indian nations called the Chatcas, Cheroquies, and Chicachas, against the innocent inhabitants of Louisiana, who would have been the victims of the rage of these barbarians, if the Chatcas themselves had not repented and revealed all that the seduction of the English had planned. The sovereignty of his Majesty in the province of Darien, and on the coast of St. Blas, has been usurped; the governor of Jamaica having granted to a rebel Indian the commission of Captain-General of those Provinces.

“In short the territory of the Bay of Honduras has been recently violated by exercising acts of hostility, and other excesses against the Spaniards, who have been imprisoned and whose houses have been invaded; besides which, the court of London has hitherto neglected to accomplish what the 16th article of the last Treaty of Paris stipulated relative to that Coast.

“Grievances so numerous, so weighty, and recent, have been at different times the object of complaints made in the King’s name, and stated in memorials which were delivered either to the British ministers at London, or transmitted to them through the channel of the English ambassador at Madrid; but although the answers which were received have been friendly, his Majesty has hitherto obtained no other satisfaction than to see the insults repeated, which lately have amounted to the number of one hundred.

“The King, proceeding with the sincerity and candour which characterize him, has formally declared to the court of London, from the commencement of its disputes with France, that the court of England should be the rule of that which Spain would hold.

“His Majesty likewise declared to that court, that at the time their differences with that of Paris might be accommodated, it would be absolutely necessary to regulate those which had arisen, or might still arise, with Spain; and with the plan of mediation which was sent to the underwritten ambassador the 28th of last September, and which was by him delivered to the British ministry in the beginning of October, a plan of which Lord Grantham was apprized, and of which he received a copy, his Majesty declared in positive terms to the Belligerent Powers, that in consideration of the insults which his subjects and dominions had suffered, and likewise of the attempts levelled against his rights, he should be under the necessity of taking his part, in case the negociation, instead of being continued with sincerity, should be broken off, or should produce no effect.

“The causes of complaint given by the court of London not having ceased, and that court shewing no disposition to give reparation for them, the King has resolved, and orders his ambassador to declare, that the honour of his crown, the protection which he owes to his subjects, and his own personal dignity, do not permit him to suffer their insults to continue, and to neglect any longer the reparation of those already received; and that in this view, notwithstanding the pacific disposition of his Majesty, and even the particular inclination he has always had and expressed for cultivating the friendship of his Britannick Majesty, he finds himself under the disagreeable necessity of making use of all the means which the Almighty has intrusted him with to obtain that justice which he has solicited by so many ways without being able to acquire: in confiding on the justice of his cause, his Majesty hopes that the consequences of this resolution will not be imputed to him before God or man; and that other nations will form a suitable idea of this resolution, by comparing it to the conduct which they themselves have experienced on the part of the British ministry.

“Signed LE MARQUIS D’ALMODOVAR.

“LONDON, _16 June, 1779_.”

These important papers being read, Lord Weymouth moved, That an humble address be presented to his Majesty (and Lord North moved the same in the House of Commons), to assure his Majesty of support, &c. This event, though not unexpected, occasioned warm debates in both houses. All were for agreeing to the address; but the Lords and gentlemen in opposition were for adding a condition, “provided his Majesty would discard from his councils the present ministry.” After much altercation, and many severe charges of maladministration, the condition was rejected, and the addresses, as originally moved, passed by a great majority in both houses.

SOCIETY AT BRIGHTHELMSTON (BRIGHTON) IN 1779.

=Source.=--Diarists quoted in _History of Brighthelmston_. John Ackerson Erredge. Brighton, 1862.

(A.) THE LIBRARIES.

There is a sort of rivalry between the two Librarians on the Steyne, as to their subscription books; which shall most justly deserve the title of the book of Numbers.--There is a constant struggle between them, which shall be most courteous; and the effects are those usually consequent upon an opposition. Sir Christopher Caustic, this morning was turning over the leaves, at Bowen’s, which contain the names of the subscribers. Mr. Bowen bowed _a la Novarre_ or _Gallini_, and with offered pen and ink, craved the honour of--an additional name: this being his first season, and having been purposely misinformed by some would-be-witty wag; “Sir,” said Mr. Bowen, displaying, all the time, two irregular rows of remarkably white teeth, “yours will stand immediately after that of the Honourable Charles James Fox, Esq., and before that of Mrs. Franco, the rich Jew’s lady. Esquire W----d’s was to have been on the medium line, but, poor gentleman, he is unfortunately _detained_ near London, on _emergent_ business.” To what a degree was the dealer in stationery let down, when he was afterwards regularly rectified; when by explanatory notes, and critical commentations, he came to be fully informed that the individual Mr. Fox in question was not the celebrated senator of that name, but an Irish _Jontleman_, who condescends in winter to keep a chop house at the corner of the play-house passage, in Bow Street, Covent Garden; and every autumnal season, has frequent opportunities of storming and swearing at the ladies who may have the good fortune to belong to the Brighthelmstone company of Comedians, he being sole manager thereof. And such management!--_Scarrons Rancour_, who filled all the characters in a play by himself, was a fool to him....

Mr. Thomas, the other librarian, must be noticed in turn. He hath been years enough practising small talk with the ladies and gentlemen upon the Steyne, and hath arrived at a surprising degree of precision in pronouncing French-English. He is now reading the newspaper to some of his subscribers, with an audible voice, and repeatedly calls a detached body of troops a _corpse_; a _tour_ he improves into a _tower_; and delivers his words in a _promiscas_ manner. It is near seven in the evening, and the widow Fussic has just waddled into his shop, with a parasol in her right, and a spying-glass in her left hand. Thomas offers her a _General Advertiser_. “Lord bless me!” says she, “Mr. Thomas, how damp this paper is, tho’ it has come so far, and must have been printed so long since! What reason can you give for it?”--Mr. Thomas observes, considers and explains, in a most explicit manner, the cause and the effect, to the inquisitive lady, naturally speaking, as a body may say; proving to a demonstration, according to Candide, that there can be no effect without a cause; and that of course, damp papers, closely compressed, will continue damp a considerable time. In the interim, Miss Fanny Fussic stares and whispers to her brother Bobby, while he is subscribing to a raffle, that Mr. Thomas must be a most prodigious man monstrously intelligent, and withal, that he is amazingly communicative: “He knows but every-thing,” says she, “and tells but every-thing he knows.”

(B.) THE RAFFLES.

Every article of convenience, every trinket of luxury, is transferred by this uncertain, quick mode of conveyance. Not a shop without its rattle-trap,--rattle, rattle, rattle, morning and evening. Here may be seen,--walk in and see,--an abridgement of the wisdom of this world;--the pomps and vanities are at large, varying like yonder evanescent clouds. Observe the fond parent initiating her forward offspring in the use of the dice-box, and herself setting the example; yet may she wonder, at some future day, and think her throw in life’s raffle extremely severe, that a propensity to that and similar habits should continue and increase.

THE GORDON NO-POPERY RIOTS (1780).

=Source.=--_Letters of Horace Walpole._

_To Rev. William Cole, Strawberry Hill, June 15, 1780._

You may like to know one is alive, dear sir, after a massacre and the conflagration of a capital. I was in it, both on the Friday, and on the Black Wednesday; the most horrible sight I ever beheld, and which, for six hours together, I expected to end in half the town being reduced to ashes. I can give you little account of the original of this shocking affair; negligence was certainly its nurse, and religion only its godmother. The ostensible author is in the Tower. Twelve or fourteen thousand men have quelled all tumults; and as no bad account is come from the country, except for a moment at Bath, and as eight days have passed--nay, more, since the commencement--I flatter myself the whole nation is shocked at the scene; and that, if plan there was, it was laid only in and for the metropolis. The lowest and most villainous people, and to no great amount, were almost the sole actors.

I hope your electioneering riotry has not, nor will mix in these tumults. It would be most absurd; for lord Rockingham, the duke of Richmond, Sir George Saville, and Mr. Burke, the patrons of toleration, were devoted to destruction as much as the ministers. The rails torn from Sir George’s house were the chief weapons and instruments of the mob. For the honour of the nation I should be glad to have it proved that the French were the engineers. You and I have lived too long for comfort--shall we close our eyes in peace? I will not trouble you more about the arms I sent you: I should like that they were those of the family of Boleyn; and since I cannot be sure they were not, why should not I fancy them so? I revert to the prayer for peace. You and I, that can amuse ourselves with our books and papers, feel as much indignation at the turbulent as they have scorn for us. It is hard at least that they who disturb nobody can have no asylum in which to pursue their innoxious indolence! Who is secure against Jack Straw and a whirlwind? How I abominate Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, who routed the poor Otaheitans out of the centre of the ocean, and carried our abominable passions amongst them! not even that poor little speck could escape European restlessness. Well, I have seen many tempestuous scenes, and outlived them! the present prospect is too thick to see through--it is well hope never forsakes us. Adieu!

Yours most sincerely.

SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS (1781).

=Source.=--_Gentleman’s Magazine._ Vol. li., p. 539.

_Whitehall._--By Sir H. Clinton’s letter to Lord G. Germaine, dated off Chesapeak, October 29, and brought by the _Rattlesnake_ sloop, capt. Melcombe, it appears that “the fleet and army, which sailed from the Hook on the 19th, arrived off Cape Charles on the 24th, when they had the mortification to hear that lord Cornwallis had proposed terms of capitulation to the enemy on the 18th. This intelligence was brought by the pilot of the _Charon_, and some other persons who came off from the shore, and said they had made their escape from York on the 18th, and had not heard any firing there since the day before. The _Nymph_ frigate also arriving from New-York, says the General, brought me a letter from his lordship, dated the 15th, the desponding tenor of which gives me the most alarming apprehensions of its truth.

Since then we have been plying off the Capes, with variable and hard gales of wind, to the present hour, without being able to procure any further information, except from two men taken in a Canoe, whose report exactly corresponds with the former.

Comparing, therefore, the intelligence given by those people, and several others since come in, with the purport of lord Cornwallis’s letter, a copy of which I have the honour to inclose for your lordship’s information; we cannot entertain the least doubt of his lordship’s having capitulated, and that we are unfortunately too late to relieve him; which being the only object of the expedition, the admiral has determined upon returning with his fleet to Sandy Hook.

I beg leave to mention to your lordship, that the army is under the greatest obligations to the admirals, the captains, and the officers of the king’s ships, for the cheerfulness with which they submitted to many and great inconveniences for our accommodation on this service.”

The Dispatches from admiral Graves were to the same effect as the above from Sir H. Clinton.

The terms of capitulation have not yet officially been received.

PRELIMINARIES OF EUROPEAN PEACE (1783).

=Source.=--_Gentleman’s Magazine._ Vol. liii., p. 91.

SUBSTANCE OF THE PRELIMINARY ARTICLES OF PEACE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE, SPAIN, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

_Between Great Britain and France._

Peace to take place in all parts of the world as soon as the preliminaries are ratified. Newfoundland to remain to England as before the war; and, to prevent disputes about boundaries, the French fishery shall commence from Cape St. John on the eastern side, and, going round by the north, shall have for its boundary Cape Ray on the western side.

The islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon to be ceded to the French, with liberty to fish in the Gulph of St. Laurence.

The French to have St. Lucia and Tobago.

The English to have Granada and the Grenadines, St. Vincent’s, Dominica, St. Kitt’s, Nevis, and Montserrat; the subjects of the French King that choose to leave these islands, to be allowed 18 months to settle their affairs and dispose of their effects.

In Africa, the river Senegal and its forts to be ceded to France, and the island of Goree to be restored.

Fort St. James and Gambia to remain to England. The gum trade to remain as before the war.

All the establishments formerly belonging to the French in India, to be put on the same footing as before the war, and the freedom of trade on the coasts of Orixa, Coromandel, and Malabar, to be free to the French either as private traders, or as a company.

Pondicherry, Kerical to be restored to the French with the districts of Valanour and Bahour, and the four contiguous Magans, Mahé, and the Comptoir at Surat, to the French.

The allies of France and England in India, to be invited to accede to the present pacification, and four months allowed them to make their decision. In case of refusal no assistance to be given the allies on either side.

Great Britain renounces every claim whatsoever relative to Dunkirk.

Commissioners to be appointed to agree upon new arrangements of trade on the footing of reciprocity and mutual convenience.

All conquests on either side not included in those articles to be restored.

The rest of the treaty between France and England respects the time when the cessions are to be made, the prisoners released, the captures to cease, and the treaty ratified, which is fixed for one month or sooner, if it may be.

_Between Great Britain and Spain._

Minorca to be ceded to Spain, and East and West Florida.

The English to have liberty to cut and carry away logwood, in a district that shall be allotted them.

Spain to restore to Great Britain the islands of Providence, and the Bahamas without exception.

All other conquests of what kind soever to be mutually restored; and all other treaties not herein mentioned to be in full force as heretofore.

The other part of the treaty exactly the same with France.

_Between Great Britain and the United States of America._

His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the United States to be free, sovereign, and independent States, treats with them as such, and relinquishes all claim whatever to the lands and territories included within certain boundaries, which boundaries shall be described and delineated in a future Magazine.

The people of the United States shall continue to enjoy their fishery, in as ample a manner, as heretofore, on the coasts wherever British fishermen use; but not to dry their fish where settlements are actually made, or may hereafter be made, without previous agreement.

That creditors on either side shall meet with no lawful impediments, to recover their debts heretofore contracted.

That Congress shall earnestly recommend to their respective legislatures, to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights and properties belonging to real British subjects, or such as were resident in districts in the possession of his Majesty’s arms, and who have not borne arms against the United States. And that persons of any other description shall have free liberty to remain in any part of any of the Thirteen United States for the term of twelve months unmolested in their endeavours for the recovery of their estates, &c. And that Congress shall recommend to the several States a revision of all acts regarding the premises, and to render the said laws consistent, not only with justice and equity, but with that spirit of reconciliation which, on the return of the blessings of peace, should universally prevail; so that the estates of persons of the above description may have their said estates restored, they refunding for the same the bona fide purchase money to the present possessors; nor shall persons having any interest in such confiscated lands, either by debts, marriage settlements, or otherwise, meet with any lawful impediment in the prosecution for the same.

That there shall be no farther confiscations made, nor prosecutions commenced against any persons for or on account of the part they may have taken in the present war.

That there shall be a perpetual peace between the contracting parties, and all hostilities both by sea and land shall forthwith cease; that the troops of his Britannic Majesty shall be immediately withdrawn, and that all American artillery shall remain in the forts and places that shall be evacuated.

The navigation of the Mississippi, from its source to the Ocean, to be free to the subjects of both States.

A VIOLENT ELECTION CONTEST (1784).

=Source.=--_Cowper’s Letters._ Thomas Wright. London: Hodder and Stoughton. 1904. Vol. ii., pp. 194-197.

_To Rev. John Newton, April 26, 1784._

... The candidates for this county have set an example of economy, which other candidates would do well to follow having come to an agreement on both sides to defray the expenses of their voters, but to open no houses for the entertainment of the rabble; a reform, however, which the rabble did not at all approve of, and testified their dislike of it by a riot. A stage was built, from which the orators had designed to harangue the electors. This became the first victim of their fury. Having very little curiosity to hear what gentlemen could say who would give them nothing better than words, they broke it in pieces, and threw the fragments upon the hustings. The sheriff, the members, the lawyers, the voters, were instantly put to flight. They rallied, but were again routed by a second assault, like the former. They then proceeded to break the windows of the inn to which they had fled; and a fear prevailing that at night they would fire the town, a proposal was made by the freeholders to face about and endeavour to secure them. At that instant a rioter, dressed in a merry-andrew’s jacket, stepped forward, and challenged the best man among them. Olney sent the hero to the field, who made him repent of his presumption. Mr. Ashburner was he. Seizing him by the throat, he shook him,--he threw him to the earth, he made the hollowness of his skull resound by the application of his fists, and dragged him into custody without the least damage to his person. Animated by this example, the other freeholders followed it: and in five minutes twenty-eight out of thirty ragamuffins were safely lodged in gaol....

THE COUNTRY POST (1785).

=Source.=--William Cowper, _The Task._ Book iv.

Hark! ’tis the twanging horn! O’er yonder bridge,
That with its wearisome but needful length
Bestrides the wintry flood, in which the moon
Sees her unwrinkled face reflected bright,
He comes, the herald of a noisy world,
With spattered boots, strapped waist, and frozen locks,
News from all nations lumbering at his back.
True to his charge, the close-packed load behind,
Yet careless what he brings, his one concern
Is to conduct it to the destined inn,
And having dropped the expected bag--pass on.
He whistles as he goes, light-hearted wretch,
Cold and yet cheerful: messenger of grief
Perhaps to thousands, and of joy to some,
To him indifferent whether grief or joy.
Houses in ashes, and the fall of stocks,
Births, deaths, and marriages, epistles wet
With tears that trickled down the writer’s cheeks
Fast as the periods from his fluent quill,
Or charged with amorous sighs of absent swains,
Or nymphs responsive, equally affect
His horse and him, unconscious of them all.
But oh the important budget! ushered in
With such heart-shaking music, who can say
What are its tidings? have our troops awaked?
Or do they still, as if with opium drugged,
Snore to the murmurs of the Atlantic wave?
Is India free? and does she wear her plumed
And jewelled turban with a smile of peace,
Or do we grind her still? The grand debate,
The popular harangue, the tart reply,
The logic, and the wisdom, and the wit,
And the loud laugh--I long to know them all;
I burn to set the imprisoned wranglers free,
And give them voice and utterance once again.

HIS MAJESTY’S SPEECH (1787).

=Source.=--_Annual Register._ Vol. xxix., pp. 268 _et seq._ of _State Papers_.

HIS MAJESTY’S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, ON THE OPENING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE SIXTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN, ON TUESDAY THE 23D OF JANUARY, 1787.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

“I have particular satisfaction in acquainting you, that since I last met you in parliament, the tranquillity of Europe has remained uninterrupted, and that all foreign powers continue to express their friendly disposition to this country.

“I have concluded a treaty of navigation and commerce with the Most Christian king, a copy of which shall be laid before you. I must recommend it to you to take such measures as you shall judge proper for carrying it into effect; and I trust you will find that the provisions contained in it are calculated for the encouragement of industry and the extension of lawful commerce in both countries, and by promoting a beneficial intercourse between our respective subjects, appear likely to give additional permanence to the blessings of peace. I shall keep the same salutary objects in view in the commercial arrangements which I am negociating with other powers.

“I have also given directions for laying before you a copy of a convention agreed upon between me and the Catholic king, for carrying into effect the sixth article of the last treaty of peace.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

“I have ordered the estimates for the present year to be laid before you; and I have the fullest reliance on your readiness to make due provision for the several branches of the public service.

“The state of the revenue will, I am persuaded, continue to engage your constant attention, as being essentially connected with the national credit, and the prosperity and safety of my dominions.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

“A plan has been formed, by my direction, for transporting a number of convicts, in order to remove the inconvenience which arose from the crowded state of the gaols in different parts of the kingdom; and you will, I doubt not, take such further measures as may be necessary for this purpose.

“I trust you will be able this session to carry into effect regulations for the ease of the merchants, and for simplifying the public accounts in the various branches of the revenue; and rely upon the uniform continuance of your exertions in pursuit of such objects as may tend still further to improve the national resources, and to promote and confirm the welfare and happiness of my people.”

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY (1788).

=Source.=--_Speech in the Impeachment of Warren Hastings, Esq._ Edmund Burke. Vol. vii. of his Collected Works. London: G. Bell and Sons. 1911.