Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-07-25 00:00:00, page 2

L 0 ND ON, % 4.
fa fiE jsinaistie °cißion of federal natives of.lme- 1
rica, re.:.'cat in England, and which cuss pre
.jilted to r'a.Houfe of CovsMOHS on Monday by
r (icorge Savife, against the two bills degend
i;?o, relative to the dwericaas :
<< ' ^ 'HAT the petitioners are again conftrain>
ed to complain to the House of tw>
bills, which, if'erfri-d into execution, will be
fatJ 0 the rights, liberties, and peace of all
America ; and that the petitioners have already
seen, with equal alloniihment and grief, pro
ceedings adopted against them, which, in viola
tion of the firk principles of juttice and of the
laws of the land, inflici the fevereftpunifhments,
without hearing the accused: Upon the fame
principle of injustice, a bill is now brought in,
v hich, under the prof flion of better regulating
the government of the MuffachcCtts-Bay, is cal
culated to deprive a whole province, without
any form of trial, of its chartered rights, so
lemnly secured to it by mutual compact between
the crown and the people ; the petitioners are
well informed, that a charter so granted, was
never before altered, or resumed, but upon a
full and fair hearing ; that therefore the present
proceeding, is totally unconstitutional, and sets
an example which rende.severy charter in Great-
Britain and America utterly insecure ; the ap
pointment and removal of the judges at the plea
fare of the Governor, with Salaries payable by
the crown, puts the property, liberty, and life
of the fubjed, depending upon judicial integri
ty, in his power ; the petitioners perceive a sys
tem of judicial tyranny deliberately at this day
imposed upon them, which, from the bitter ex
perience ofits intolerable injuries, has been abo
fifhed in this country : Of the fame unexampled
and alarming nature is the bill, which, under
tie title of a more impartial admioiftration of
justice in the province ofthe Massachusetts Bay,
empowers the Governor to withdraw offenders
f n justice in the said province, holding out
to he fol fiery an exemption from legal profecu
t:on for murder, 'and, in effect, fubjeaing that
colony to military execution ; the petitioners
intreat the Houle to confider what mutt be the
consequence of fending troops, not really under
the controul of the civil power, and unamena
ble to the law, among a people whom they have
been indufrioufly taught, by the incendiary arts
of wicked men, to regard as deserving every
species of insult and abuse ; the insults and in
juries of a lawl. fs soldiery are such as no free
people can long endure ; and the petitioners
apprehend, in the consequences of this bill, the
horrid outrages of military oppression, followed
by the desolation- of civil commotions ; the dis
pensing power whih this bill intends to give to
the Governor, advanced as he is already above
the law, and not liable to any impeachment from
t e people he may oppress, must conftitnte him
an absolute tyrant; that the petitioners would
be utterly unworthy ofthe English ancestry which
is their claim and pride, if they did not feel a
virtuous indignation at the reproach of disaffec
tion and rebellion, with which they have been
cruelly afperfed ; they can with confidence fay,
no imputation was ever less deserved; they ap
peal to the experience of a century, in which
the glory, the honour, the prosperity of Eng
land, has been, in their estimation, their own ;
in wh ch they have not only borne the burthen of
provincial wars, but have shared with this country
in the dangers and expences of every national war;
their zeal for the service of the crown, and the
defence of the general empire, has prompted
them whenever it was required to vote fupplics of
men and money, to the utmost exertion of their
abilities; the Journals of the House will bear
witness to their extraordinary zeal and services
during the last ^ar, and that but a very ihort time
before it was refulved here to take from them the
right of giving and granting their own money ;
if disturbances have happened in the colonies,
they intreat the House toconfiderthe causes which
have produced them, among a people hitherto
remarkable for their loyalty to the crown, and
affection for this kingdom ; no hidory can shew,
nor will human nature admit of, an instance of
general discontent, but from a general sense of
oppression ; the petitioners conceived, that when
they h d acquired property under all the re
fira'nts this country thought necessary to im
pose upon their commerce, trade, and manu
factures, that property was sacred and sec ure ;
they felt a very material difference between be
ing retrained in the acquisition of property, and
b Iding it, when acquired under those restraints,
at the disposal of others; they underhand sub
ordination in the one, and slavery in the other;
the petitioners wish they could possibly perceive
any difference between the mod abjeft slavery,
and such entire Objection to a legislature, in
the constitution of which they have not a single
voice, nor the lead influence, and in which no
one is present on their behalf; they regard the
giving their property, by their own consent
alone, as the unalienable right of the fubjea
and the last sacred bulwark of constitutional li
berty ; if they are wrong in this, they have been
milled by the love of liberty, which is their dear
est birthright, by the most solemn statutes, and
the resolves of this House itfelf, declaratory of
the inherent right of the fubje&, by the autho
rity of all great constitutional writers, and by
the uninterrupted practice of Ireland and Ameri
ca, who have ever voted their own supplies to
the crown, all which combine to prove that the
property of an English fubjed, being a freeman
or a freeholder, cannot be taken from him but
by his own consent; to deprive the colonies
therefore of this right, is to reduce them to a
ft rte ofvaffalage, leaving them nothing they can
call their own, nor capable of any acquisition
bet fa the benefit of others ; it is with infinite
and ir.expreffible concern, that the petitioners
f e in these bills, and in the principles of them,
a direct tendency to reduce their countrymen to
the dreadful alternative of being totally ensla
ved, or competed into a conteftthe most Clock
ing and unnatural with the parent date, which
I sever been theobje^ of their veneration and
their love; they intreat the House to confider,
that t ie restraints which examples of such seve
rity and injufiice impose, are ever attended with
Fourth. Refolded. That vengeance separately
directed, has a more dangerous tendency, and is
more deftru&ive of the liberties of America, than
conjunctively ; and that therefore it is the indifpen
fible duty of all the colonies according to their dif
ferent circumstances, to afford every reasonable as
sistance to a filter colony in distress; especially when
that distress is evidently calculated to intimidate
others from contributing what may be in their pow
er, to procure the desired relief.
Fifth. Refolded. That the proposed congress
of Delegates from the different colonics, to consult
on the mode of procuring relief from our difficul
ties, is the most prudent measure that could have
been deviled at this alarming crisis.
Sixth. Refolded. That as the wisdom of the
colonies will, in all probability, be colle&ed at the
proposed congress, it would be premature in any
colony to anticipate their conduct, by resolving
what ought to be done ; but that it should be left to
their joint councils, to determine on themode which
mail appear most salutary and effectual to answer the
good purposes for which they are convened.
Seventh. Refolded. That nothing less than dire
necessity can jultify, or ought to induce the colo
nies to unite in any measure that might materially
injure our brethren the manufacturers, traders and
merchants in Great-Britain : But that the preserv
ation of our inestimable rights and liberties, as en
joyed and exercised, and handed down to us by our
ancettors, ought to fupercede all other considerati
ons; and that therefore we doubt nut the c^ol, dif
paflionate people ®f England, whole friendship on
former occasions we have experienced, will, on
mature consideration not only applaud our motives,
but co-operate with us in all constitutional measures,
for carrying these our virtuous resolutions into ex
ecution, in order to obtain the.defired and just re
dress of our grievances.
Eighth. Resolved. That if a non-importation
agreement of goods from Great-Britain should be
adopted by the Congress, it ought to be every gene
ral and faithfully adhered to ; and that a non im
portation partially pbferved like the las, would an
swer no good purpose; but on the contrary, only
serve to expose all the colonies to further injuries.
Ninth. Refolded therefore. That the Delegates
to the congress, ought to be so chosen, or inftruft
ed, that they may " be able not only tn speak the fen
" timents, but to pledge themfebues for the good conduct
" of tbe people of the colowes, they re/pe&ively repre
" sent."
Tenth. Refolded. That the tribute of our most
grateful thanks, is justly due to all the friends of
the colonies in Great-Britain, who are opposed to
the severe measures now exerting against them ; and
particularly to those illustrious patriots who so ably
distinguished themselves in both Houses of Parlia
ment, in opposing laws, which at the fame time
that they subvert the liberties of America, have a
manifest tendency to injure those of the mother
country, and may eventually entirely overthrow
their once excellent constitution.
The following motion was made by Mr. Jay, and
seconded by Mr. Laight,---That a Committee be
appointed to take the distresses of ttye poor of the
town of Boston, and ways and means for their re
lief, intc confederation ; and make their report with
the most dangerous hatit'd : tri a diiucfs of mind
which cannot be defcri bed, the petitioners con
jure the House not to convert that zeal and af
fedlion which have hitherto united every Ame
rican hand and heart in the interests of England,
into paflions the most painful and pernicious;
mod earnestly they beseech the House, not to
attempt reducing them to a state of slavery, which
the Englilh principles of liberty they inherit
from their mother country will render worse
than death ; and therefore praying the House
will not, by passing these biiis, overwhelm them
with affliction, and reduce their countrymen to
the mod abjeft state of misery and humiliation,
or drive them to the last resources of despair."
N E W - YO R K, JAy 2T.
Committee-Chamber, July 19, 1774.
Proceedings of the Committee of Correspondence,
TH E resolves proposed by this board to the in
habitants of this city, having been published
and dispersed through the town several days previ
ous to this meeting, and every person thereby fur
nithed with an opportunity of considering them with
due deliberation : And as only a final! proportion
of the citizens attended the meeting at the Coffee-
House to lignify their sense of the fame, and the sen
timents of the majority still remaining uncertain ;
therefore, to remove all doubts and uneasiness on
that head, it is ordered that certain amendments
be made to the said resolves, and that two or more
pei sons be appointed in each ward to take the sense
of the freeholders, freemen, and such others who
pay taxes, refpe&ing the said resolutions so amend
ed ; as also ofthe Delegates nominated by this Com
mittee to attend the congress.—But in the mean
time, although the said resolves cannot with cer
tainty be said to correspond with the sentiments of
the major part of the citizens, though in all pro
bability they do, yet, as they contain our sentiments,
it is further ordered, that they be immediately pub
lished as such ; leaving those who may dissent from
us, to declare their opinions in such other phrases or
modes of expreflion, as they (hail think proper.
First. Refolded. That his most sacred Majesty
GEORGE the third, King of Great-Britain, is our
liege, lawful and rightful Sovereign, and that it is
our inriifputable duty to the utmost of our power,
by all constitutional means to maintain and support
his crown and dignity. That it is our greatest hap
piness and glory to have been born British fubje&s ;
and, that we wish nothing more ardently than to
live and die such. That we are one people con
nected by the strongest ties of affection, duty, and
interest, and that we lament as the greatest misfor
tune, every occurrence which has the least tenden
cy to alienate ordifturb that mutual harmony and
confidence, which, if properly cultivated, could not
fail rendering the British empire the admiration and
envy of all tfe world. That we therefore view with
inexpressible concern and grief, some late acts of
the British Parliament, claiming rights and exerci
sing powers which we humbly conceive are replete
with deftruftion, and may be attended with the
molt fatal confidences to the colonies and their pa
rent state.
Second. Refolded. That all a&s of the British
Parliament imposing taxes on the colonies, are un
just and unconstitutional, and particularly that the
a& for blocking up the port of Boston is, in the
highest degree arbitrary in its principles, oppreflive
in its operation, unparalleled in its rigour, indefi
nite in its exactions, and subversive of every idea
of British liberty ; and therefore justly to be abhor
red and detested by all good men.
Third. Refolded. That the deftru&ion of the
tea at Boston was not the only motive for bringing
such unexampled distress on that people, because
the alternative of fuffering it, or paying for the tea,
had otherwise been left in their option; but we truly
lament that the enforcing the right of taxation over
the colonies seems to have been the main design of
the said a& of Parliament.
all convenient freed. Ordered, that Mr. Alsop,
Mr. Jay, Mr. Curtenius, Mr. Laight, Mr. Duye
kink, and Mr. Delancey, be a Committee for that
purpose. By order of tbe Committee,
ISAAC LOW, Chairman.
PHILADELPHIA,)^^.
A? ^ Provincial Meeting ^Deputies chosen
by the several Counties in Pennsylvania ; held at
Philadelphia, July 15, 1774, and continued by
adjournments from day to day.
PRESENT,
For the city and county ofP h1ladelphlA. Thomas
Willing, John Dickinson, Peter Chevalier
Edward Pennington, Thomas Wharton, John
Cox, Joseph Reed, Thomas Wharton, jun.
Samuel Erwin, Thomas Fitzfimons, Doctor
William Smith, Isaac Howell, Adam Hubley,
George SchlofTer, Samuel Miles,Thomas Mifflin,
Chriltopher Ludwic, Joseph Moulder, Anthony
Morris, jun. George Gray, John Nixon, Jacob
Barge, Thomas Penrofe, John M. Nefbit, Jona
than B. Smith, James Meafe, Thomas Barclay,
Benjamin Marlhall, Samuel Howell, William
Moulder, John Roberts, John Bayard, William
Rush, and Charles Thompson.
Bucks. John Kidd, Henry Wynkoop, Joseph
Kirkbride, John Wilkinson, and James Wallace.
Chester, Francis Richardson, Elisha Price,
John Hart, Anthony Waine, Hugh Lloyd, John
Sellers, Francis Johnson, and Richard Reiley.
Lancaster. George Ross, James Webb, Joseph
Ferree, Matthias Slough, Emanuel Carpenter,
William Atlee, Alexander Lowry, and Moses
Erwin.
York. James Smith, Joseph Donaldson, and
Thomas Hartley.
Cumberland. James Wilson, Robert Magaw,
and William Irvine.
Berks. Edward Biddle, Daniel Broadhead, Jo
nathan Potts, Thomas Dundas, and Christopher
Schultz.
Northampton. William Edmunds, Peter Kech
lein, John Okeley, and Jacob Arndt.
Northumberland. William Scull, and Samuel
Hunter.
Bedford. George Woods.
Wfstmoreland. Robert Hannah, James Cavett.
THOMAS WILLING was chosen Chairman.
Charles Thomson, Clerk.
Agreed that, in case of any difference in senti
ment, the queftioh be determited by the Deputies
voting by counties.
The letters from Boston of the 1 3th of May
were then read, and a short account given of the
steps taken in consequence thereof, and the mea
sures now pursuing in this and the Neighbouring
provinces; after which the following resolves were
passed.—
Unan. I. * H AT we acknowledge ourselves
A and the inhabitants of this pro
vince, liege fubje&s of his Majesty King George
the third, to whom they and we owe and will
bear true and faithful allegiance.
Unan. II That as the idea of an nnconftitutional
independance on the parent state is utterly ab
horrent to our principles, we view the unhappy
differences between Ureat-Britain and the Colonics
with the deepest distress and anxiety of mind, as
frutlefs to her, grievous to us, and deftrudive of
the best interests of both.
Unan. 111. That it is therefore our ardent desire,
that our anticat harmony with the mother-country
On Monday the 1 ith instant died, very Sud
denly, of a bilious cholic, at his feat at Jobofon-
Ha!l, that universally beloved and valuable per
sonage Sir William Johnson, Baronet. The
services he performed for this country, during the
last thirty seven years of his life, both in a civil
and military capacity, are far beyond the abilities
of a news-writer to do justice to, or for the pages
of his paper to contain. In 1737 he came from
Ireland, under the auspices ofhis uncle, Sir Peter
Warren, and lived many years in the Indians
country, where he learned their language, and
gained their affe&ion by his great generosity and
humanity. In 1755 he flood forth in the defence
of this province, then in the most imminent danger
from the rapid progress ofthe French arms, and
with a force, consisting entirely of provincials, to
tally routed the army ofßaron Diefkau; that vic
tory proved highly acceptable to his Sovereign,
who created him a Baronet ; and he was rewarded
by the Parliament of Great-Britain with a present
of five thousands pounds sterling. In 1758 he, by
an intimate acquaintance with the genius and tem
per of the Indiam tribes, who had been debauched
by France, from the interest of Great-Britain, ef
feded a reconciliation with 15 different nations of
that people, which paved the way for the future
success of our arms in Canada. In 1759 he de
feated the French army, destined for the relief of
Niagara, under M. D'Aubry, presently after which
the garrison surrendered that important post to the
besiegers. These glories were obtained by dint of
innate courage and natural sagacity, without the
help of a military education ; and what remarkably
enhances those endowments, is the circumstance of
his having taken in both actions the commanders of
the enemy. In 1760 he assisted at the taking of
Montreal, and the conquest of the French empire
in that part of the continent. Since which he has
acted at the head of the Indian department, over
whom he early acquired, and conftantl /maintained
a furprizing afeendency, by the influence and au
thority of his justice, benevolence and integrity.
In short, our gracious Sovereign never sustained a
heavier loss, in the demise of any fubjed, than of
Sir William Johnson, whose character was a com
bination of good qualities, and whose memory will
be highly revered to the end of time.
We hear that Sir William Johnson, Bart, about
three hours before his death, finifhed a negotiation
with upwards of two hundred Indians, and dis
missed them in perfect peace, after they had given
him the strongest assurance oftheir good dispositions
to the English nation. The Indians exhibited, on
the occasion of Sir William Johnson's death, the
most extraordinary shews of distress and sincere af
fliflion that ever were before observed among that
people.
should be restored, and a perpetual love and unicn
subsist between us, on the principles of the conili
tution, and an interchange of good offices, without
the lead infraction of our mutual rights.
Unan. IV. That the inhabitants of these colo
nies are entitled to the fame rights and liberties
within these colonics, that the fubjeßs born in
England are entitled to within that realm.
Unan. V. That the power affirmed by the Par
liament of Great-Britain to bind the people ofthefe
colonies, by statutes, “ in all cases whatso
ever,” is unconstitutional; and therefore the
source of these unhappy differences.
Unan. VI. That the ad of Parliament for flat
ting up the port of Boston is unconstitutional; op
pressive to the inhabitants of that town; dangerous
to the liberties of the British Colonies; and there
fore, that we confider our brethren at Boflon as
fuffering in the common caufe' ofthefe colonies.
Unan. VII. That the bill for altering the admi
nistration of justice in certain criminal cases within
the province of Massachusetts-Bay, if pafTed into
an ad of Parliament, will be as unconstitutional,
oppressive and dangerous as the a& abovementioned.
Unan. VIII. That the bill for changing the con
stitution of the province of Maffackufetts-Bay,
established by charter, and enjoyed since the grant
of that charter, if passed into an ac lof Parliament,
will be unconstitutional and dangerous in its conse
quences to the American Colonies.
Unan. IX. That there is an absolute neceflity,
that a congress of Deputies from the several colo
nies be immediately assembled, to consult together,
and form a general plan of conduct to be observed
by all the colonies, for the purposes of procuring
relief for our fuffering brethren, obtaining redress.
of our grievances, preventing future diffentions,
firmly establishing our rights, and restoring harmo
ny between Great Britain and her Colonies on a
constitutional foundation.
Unan. X. That, although a suspension of the
commerce of this large trading province, withGr^f-
Britain, would greatly distress multitudes of our
industrious inhabitants, yet that facrifice and a much
greater we are ready to offer for the preservation of
our liberties; but, in tenderness to the people of
Great-Britain, as well as of this country, and in
hopes that our just remonstrances will at length
reach the ears of our gracious Sovereign, and be
no longer treated with contempt by any of our
fellow fubje&s in England, it is our earnest desire
that the congress should firft try the gentler mode
of stating our grievances, and making a firm and
decent claim of redress.
Tbe COMMITTEE above named baling brou^bt
in a draught of INSTRUCTIONS, "tbe
fame were debated and amended, and being agreed
to, were ordered to be fgned by tbe Chairman.—
On tbe z\f the COMMITTEE in a body
waited on tbe ASSEMBLY, then fitting, and
prefente / tbe fame.
Gentlemen,
TH E di ffentions between Great- Britain
and her Colonies on this continent, com
mencing about ten years ago, tince continually
encreafing, and at length grown to such an excels
as to involve the latter in deep distress and danger,
have excited the good people of this province to
take into' their ferions confederation tire prefect
fixation of public affairs.
The inhabitants of the several counties qualified
to vote at elections, being assembled on due notice,
have appointed us their Deputies; and in conse
quence thereof, we being in Provincial Committee
met, esteem it our indifpehfible duty, in pursuance
XI. Resolved, by a great majority, That yet not
withstanding, as an unanimity of councils and mea
sures is indispensably necessary for the common wel
fare, if the congress shall judge agreements of
non-importation and non-exportation expedient,
the people of this province will join with the other
principal and neighbouring colonies, in such an
association of non-importation from and non-ex
portation to Great-Britain, as shall be agreed on
at the congress.
XII. Resolved, by a majority, That if any pro
ceedings of the Parliament, of which notice shall
be received on this continent, before or at the
general Congress, shall render it necessary in the
opinion of that Congress, for the colonies to
take farther steps than are mentioned in the
eleventh resolve ; in such case, the inhabitants of
this province shall adopt such farther steps, and do
all in their power to carry them into execution.
Unan. XIII. That the venders of merchandize
of every kind within this province, ought not to
take advantage of the resolves relating to non-im
portation in this province or elsewhere ; but that
they ought to fell their merchandize, which they
now have or may hereafter import, at the fame
rates they have been accustomed to do within three
months last past.
Unan. XIV. That the people of this province
will break off all trade, commerce and dealing,
and will have no trade, commerce or dealing of
any kind with any colony on this continent, or
with any city or town in such colony, or with any
individual in any such colony, city or town, which
shall refufe, decline or neglect to adopt and carry
into execution, such general plan as shall be agreed
to in Congress.
Unan. XV. That it is the duty of every member
of this Committee to promote, as much as he can,
the fubfeription set on foot in the several counties
of this province, for the relief of the diftrelTed in
habitants of Boston.
Unan. XVI. That this Committee give instruc
tions on the present situation of public affairs to
their representatives, who are to meet next week
in Assembly, and request them to appoint a pro
per number of perlons to attend a Congress of De
puties from the several colonies, at such time and
place as may be agreed on, to effed one general plan
of conduct, for attaining the great and important
ends mentioned in the ninth resolve.
That John Dickinson, Do&or William Smith,
Joseph Reed, John Kidd, Elisha Price, William
Atlee, James Smith, James Wilson, Daniel Broad
head, John Okely, and William Scull, be appoint
ed to prepare and bring in a draught of inftrd&i
ons.