The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 05
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 05
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
"I observe, with satisfaction, that you think like me, that liberty is
the tie which preserves the union of Great Britain and Ireland. We are
attached to Great Britain, but not to its yoke. Common privileges
formed originally our connexion with Great Britain; these same
privileges will render this connexion indissoluble. If Ireland
acknowledged as a slave the supremacy of the British Parliament, she
would be the enemy of British liberty, because in that case she would
league herself with the Ministers to annihilate the system of
government, and precipitate all the subjects of his Majesty into a
state of equality.
"I regard the liberty of Ireland as adding to the safety of that of
Great Britain, which, instead of protestations of loyalty extorted
from a Province devoted to pillage, will actually receive a tribute of
affection sensibly felt on the part of a free people. As a friend of
the constitutions of the two kingdoms, as desirous of an honorable and
permanent union, I esteem myself happy to see myself enrolled among
men, who have your courage and your principles."
On the 13th of April, the British frigate the Hyæna, Captain Thompson,
arrived at Gibraltar at midnight, having escaped the fire of three
batteries, three chebecs of twentyeight guns each, and a frigate of
thirtytwo. Don Barcelo, in the Spanish Admiral, pursued him in a fifty
gun ship. The Don's squadron consists of six ships of the line, one
frigate of thirtytwo guns, three chebecs of twentyeight guns each, and
a number of fire-ships and gallies, which intercept all which pass the
Gut, and completely blockade Gibraltar, and the squadron of Commodore
Elliot, reduced to the Panther, the Enterprise, and three smaller
vessels. The garrison is said to be in good spirits, although a
malignant fever brought in by the Spanish prisoners has carried off a
great many men, particularly in the regiment of Highlanders. The wants
of the garrison, however, will soon be very great, particularly of
fuel. Captain Thompson carried the news, that they are soon to have a
powerful succor from Admiral Graves. It is very probable, that the
Ministry may send Graves to attempt to act over again the part of
Admiral Rodney, and after throwing assistance into Gibraltar, pass on
to America. It is to be hoped, that Graves will not have Rodney's
luck. It is pretty certain he has not all his dexterity. Yet I cannot
but think the Spaniards are imprudently exposed in that part. The
English have filled all the newspapers of Europe for three weeks, with
lists of ships of the line to compose the grand fleet in the channel,
which they have made amount to forty. But at last comes out a frank
and honest confession in the Courier de l'Europe, that they can muster
but twenty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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