we must
continue bleeding, for the credit of my book." The debate assumed a new
feature from a speech made by Governor Pownall, who argued, that
the production of the papers called for could answer no end. Pownall
declared that he was as uninfluenced by party spirit as he had been
nine years ago, when he predicted the precise progress of American
resistance. He added:--"I now tell the house and government, that
the Americans will never return to their subjection. Sovereignty is
abolished, and gone for ever: the Navigation Act is annihilated. Of what
use, then, are these papers?--of what import our debates? Disputation
and abuse may afford amusement; but neither America nor England can be
benefited by such discussions in the present crisis. Until the house
shall be disposed to treat with the United States as an independent,
sovereign people, schemes or plans of conciliation, whoever may suggest
them, will be found unimportant." This was speaking like a man of
business, and the arguments adduced were unanswerable. The papers were
refused, by a majority of one hundred and seventy-eight to eighty-nine.

ARMY AND NAVY ESTIMATES.

On the 26th of November the army and navy estimates were considered. The
number of seamen was fixed at 60,000, and the troops to be employed
in America at 55,000. But these votes were not passed without severe
strictures on the manner in which every branch of the service was
conducted.

INTELLIGENCE OF BURGOYNES DEFEAT

The hope that ministers had entertained of soon hearing of some glorious
victory in America, whereby the mouth of opposition might be stopped,
was at length swept away. On the 3rd of December Colonel Barre rose in
the house of commons, with a grave countenance, and asked Lord George
Germaine what had become of Burgoyne's army? and whether he had not
received intelligence from Quebec of their having surrendered to the
enemy? Lord George, in reply, confessed that he had received the unhappy
intelligence, by express, from Quebec; but as it was unauthenticated,
he could not declare it officially. He expressed a hope, therefore, that
the house would suspend their judgment; at the same time declaring, that
if he had committed a fault in drawing out the plan of the expedition,
he was ready to answer for it. He made this declaration in such a cold,
self-satisfied tone, that it drew down upon his head the most bitter
inventive from members of the opposition. Barre, Luttrell,