It is the fixed resolution of the Cabinet to carry on the war against America with the utmost vigour; and to begin the next campaign as early as possible in the spring. The outlines of the plan to be pursued, are, an army of eighteen thousand men to be employed in New-England, and another army of twelve thousand men are to act in Virginia and the middle Provinces. Two fleets are to co-operate with these armies; one commanded by Admiral Shuldham (vice Graves) and the other by Admiral Byron.
It is not necessary to make many observations on this resolution, and this plan. The American towns will, of course, be destroyed; carnage, plunder, rapine, and murder, will be the constant spectacle every where; and when the coast, and the country, are laid waste by fire and sword, what is to become of our trade? And what is the honour, or the profit of this mighty conquest, if it can be achieved? Can the landed interest alone support the enormous expence of this ruinous war? And of what benefit are the Colonies, when they are desolated? But suppose, what is not quite improbable, that the armies are defeated, and the fleets are burned, will not the Colonies hereafter abhor us, for this attempt to destroy them? Either way the trade to America is lost. And Great-Britain, if not literally ruined by the separation and expence, will however be so essentially injured and impoverished, she cannot support herself as she has hitherto done. She will indeed exist, but it will be in a languishing state. Yet the Ministers, indifferent to every thing but their salaries, are incessantly flattering and cajoling the country gentlemen with a parcel of crude, idle, visionary tales and expectations, of an American revenue, in order to obtain their votes in Parliament; for they well know, that their date in office depends upon their carrying on this American war.
The African trade has felt the blow already. The West India trade staggers, and is doomed to fall the next. No trade can long stand the present unwise contest. The loss of the American commerce is a lasting evil; the substitute for it, in the flush which the Russian peace and the Spanish armament have caused, is contingent, casual, inadequate.
