EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED JULY 10, 1775.

The present struggle between this Country and North America, I have heard old people, fifty years ago, predict. It is in the nature of things that the greater will not longer obey the lesser than when an opportunity presents to exert itself, which period seems now to be come. I have always been of opinion, that the measures pursued here since 1763, were mistaken and unjust. This Country should have been content to take the wealth of America by trade, and not by revenue acts imposed on a people unrepresented. The Assemblies of the Colonies only have a right to give and grant when they think proper to the Crown, and not an assembly of people here. This reasoning, I think, is in the law of nature and this Constitution; and so says Mr. Locke.

But the last reasoning of Kings has now taken place, and the Americans have appealed to Heaven, that is, their sword. I hope you will do your duty to your Country, and always remember your allegiance and constitutional duty to your King; no other can or ought to be required.

The men that I think are the evil counsellors in the present mistaken measures are, Lords Bute, Mansfield, Rockford, Sandwich, North, and many of inferiour rank. The greatest part of the Nation wish well to America, and detest the present politicks; so that it is a war of Administration only. As to Parliament, that House is very civil and polite to the Minister; a very few members there sometimes oppose him, only because they are out of place, or have no pension; but when a question is put, he carries it as he pleases, and often ten or twenty to one. However, the Ministry, I think, are sick of the war in America; yet I see not the least trace of their relaxing, except that I hear of no preparation to send more Troops, but probably they will cover the coast with ships-of-war, and suffer no trade; and truly I think that would be a blessing to America instead of a curse.

The eyes of Government are fixed on the Congress and their resolutions, and perhaps on their proposals; for it is said that Administration cannot yield, as being contrary to the dignity of the Crown. I answer, then change the Ministers; another set could with a good grace withdraw the present measures. But, in short, I think the rupture will be much greater before the wound is healed. Some more blood must be drawn, and then they, when cooled, will hear, and perhaps agree for some time; but whenever settled, I imagine America will carry some points towards the establishment of their liberties.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN IN MARYLAND, DATED JULY 10, 1775.

I need not tell you that the account of the Lexington skirmish alarmed the people on this side the water extremely. They did not imagine the Provincials would fight, and they had certainly entertained a notion, that a handful of Regulars might overcome the whole Country, and frighten the Americans into compliance. They have been most miserably mistaken; and the authors of this mischief are now execrated by every friend to his Country. On the other hand, the bravery, moderation, as well as determined firmness of the Americans, have gained them many friends here, even among those who were originally their enemies. I believe the Ministry wish they were well rid of this business; however, it is not certainly known what they intend to do.

SOUTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY.

The Speech of his Excellency the Right Honourable Lord WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Captain-General, Governour-in-Chief, &c., &c., in and over his Majesty’s Province of SOUTH-CAROLINA, to the General Assembly of the said Province, at CHARLESTOWN, on MONDAY, JULY 10, 1775.

Honourable Gentlemen of his Majesty’s Council, Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly:

His Majesty’s instructions, my own inclination; and the very alarming and critical situation of the Province, have induced me to meet you in General Assembly, as soon as was consistent with that attention necessary to be paid to your own private affairs at this season.

My appointment to the Government of this Province, entitled, on every account, to my warmest wishes and endeavours for its welfare and happiness, was to me a most pleasing mark of his Majesty’s favour, as I flattered myself that, with your assistance and advice, I should have been able to prosecute such schemes, and concur in such measures, as would have contributed to increase that prosperity to which I saw it so rapidly advancing when I was last in the Province.

Filled with these sentiments, and elated by these hopes, it is not easy to conceive my grief and disappointment at finding the Province in the distracted state it is now in: the legal administration of justice obstructed; Government in a manner annihilated; the most dangerous measures adopted; and acts of the most outrageous and illegal nature committed publickly with impunity.

It is by no means either my duty or inclination to enter into a discussion of the disputes that at present unhappily subsist between Great Britain and her Colonies in America; but I think myself indispensably bound to warn you of the danger you are in, and inform you that if there are any grievances that you apprehend the people of this Province now labour under, the measures at present adopted are by no means calculated to remove them; but, on the contrary, cannot fail of drawing down inevitable ruin on this flourishing Colony. Let me, therefore, gentlemen, most earnestly entreat you, as the only legal representatives of the people in. this Province, the only constitutional guardians of its welfare, and who are so deeply interested in the event of the measures now carrying on, to deliberate and resolve with that coolness, temper, and moderation, the important instant demands; and to reflect that the happiness or misery of generations yet unborn, will depend on your determinations.

These sentiments flow from a heart filled with a fervent zeal for the real interest and happiness of this Province. You may be assured, if ever it is in ray power to be in any degree instrumental to restoring that harmony, cordiality, confidence, and affection, which ought to subsist between Great Britain and her Colonies, I shall esteem those moments the happiest and most fortunate of my life.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL.

Council Chamber, July 10, 1775.

Address of the Upper House of Assembly to his Excellency the Right Honourable Lord WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Captain-General, Governour and Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty’s Province of SOUTH-CAROLINA:

The humble Address of the Upper House of Assembly:

May it please your Excellency:

We, his Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Council of this Province, met in general Assembly, beg leave humbly to address your Excellency, and most cordially to congratulate you on your safe arrival in this Colony.

Satisfied that this Province is entitled to your Excellency’s warmest wishes and endeavours for its welfare and happiness, we felt the sincerest pleasure on your appointment to the government of it.

Strongly attached to the interests of this Country, and filled with the warmest wishes for its prosperity and happiness, we most heartily join with your Excellency in lamenting the distracted and unhappy state in which you now find it.

Your Excellency having, as we conceive, with great propriety declined entering into a discussion of the disputes that at present unhappily subsist between Great Britain and her Colonies, it would Be highly unbecoming us to take up a subject of so delicate a nature; but we entirely coincide with your Excellency in opinion, that the violent measures at present adopted do not seem well calculated to remove any real grievances, but may, we fear, produce contrary effects.

We, however, have the happiness to reflect, that this House had no share in the measures your Excellency so pathetically describes: and we beg leave to assure your Excellency, that with hearts overflowing with loyalty and duty to the King, and perfectly devoted to the interest