Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-07-25 00:00:00, page 1

I^S^Wmß
N U MBE R TV.
Asa POLITICAL REFLECTIONS,
fJmitted to the confderation of the British
Colonies. Ry a Citizen ofPhiladelphia.
Brethren,
^^ y-^s^ HE N our dearest rights are at
q/ JV^ ^ ftake, and the happinels of future
W "^ thousands is involved in the de
^g ») bates of the ptefent day, to be fu
✓ ^^^ $ pinely silent, were justly to merit
fy^^ the virtuous indignation of each
Ton of liberty. Though the writer of these Re
flexions, for reasons which he then, thought fuffi
cient, brought them to a close in his last paper,
yet fired with the grateful idea of serving his
country, and holding up his hand, against the en
gines of opprefiien; he ventures with lubmiffive de
ference to resume his pen: Nor shall the envenom d
fhafts, of malicious insinuations, deter him from
declaring to his countrymen, the sentiments of his
heart. In the honefly of his intentions, he rests
his defence; and shielded by the armour of a virtue
ous cause, he braves the deep barbed darts, of in
sidious attacks.
When impending ruin, awaits an ill judged step;
and to retreatis worse than to advance, is it to
be esteemed culpable, or strange, that the man of
caution, and prudence, should move with delibe
ration, and pronounce with diftruft?—With many
such I have met: but yet have never dared to de
clare them difaHe&ed to the cause, or traitors to
their country. They know it is a dreadful game
—their all is at stake; and onefalfe move may b.ing
on lading confufion—l hefe men of cautious fore
fight will tell you, that we ought carefully to avoid
attempting, more than we can perfect; and the
observation is undoubtedly just: But then it re
mains to be determined, what are those things, in
,which the danger lies ; fame of them will fay, that
the Colonies cannot subsist, without their annual
imports from Great-Britain; therefore, ifwe should
agree to a general non-importation, and the Par
liament should resolutely hold out, we mufi fink in
the conflict as soon as our stock in hand is exhausted,
and be reduced to sue for peace on their own terms.
Humiliating thought indeed ! —But 1 trust, my
Brethren, these fears are groundless. —Grunt me
but one point, and that by no means an impraßica
ble one, to a resolute and virtuous people, and I
think a mode may be struck out, which will enable
us to stand the parliamentary siege, though seven
times longer than the siege of Troy — I he point 1 beg
you to grant me is, tat you 'trill content yourfetves,
with the absolute necejaries, for the mere fopport of
the body; and I cannot persuade myfeif to doubt
the manly resolution of the Americans, in spurning
at the idea of foreign luxuries, when set in compe
tition with “ efemial liberty." —Shall slavery, with
all her direful train, be Suffered to Surround our
dwellings, and imprison us, with chains, and bolts,
of our own forging?—Shall the independant spirit
of a free American, that would brave the fierceft
enemy, fink prostrate at the unworthy feet of lux
ury, and surrender up our dearest rights, for the
paultry pomp and pageantry, of unmanly tinsel.—
How think ye, were, your brave forefathers drefTed,
when with truly British fouls, they withstood the
storms ofinvading neighbours, and bared their
brawny muscles to advance on the daring foe ?—
Did they wanton think you, in the flowery silks
of Persia, and tarnidi their growing glory, with
embellished veils? Did the sparkling gems of
India, or the Gaining glare of Peruvian oie, employ
the emboldened minds of your martial ancestors ?
—No.—But we will not search deep, into the
records of antiquity, for instances of Hern manly
virtue. 1 trust the true feeds of British honour,
are implanted in the breast of every British son;
and when called forth, by the enlivening rays, of
the glorious fun ofliberty, they will blofTom with
fragrance, and bear in abundance. —1 call you
then, my Brethren, I entreat you with ardor, to
remove every obftru^hon, that impedes your road,
and your childrens road, to the temple of happiness.
Let us, my Brethren, confider what are the real
and absolute necefaries of life. —W e ihall find taem
presently reduced to the two simple points, of pro
visions for the fopport of our natures, and coverings
from the inclemencies of the weather. The former
an all gracious Providence, has amply and gene
roudy provided us; a provision for which my heart
with reverential gratituude, bows at his Almighty
throne, and thankfully accepts, for me and mine,
my humble share; and may every depending
foul, unite with me in humiliating wonder, and
amazement, at the merciful continuation of his
blefling, to a people, too much estranged from hie
ways. What do we stand in need of, which the
various climes of this extensive continent, will not
indulge? If the spices of India are withheld from
•ur tables, perhaps we may experience in their
Head, the fragrance of health. But to provide
for the heats, and the colds, and the decency of
dress, may require a more earnest attention.
Every necessary, for /belter from the Leather, we
have amongst ourselves; and the means of procu
ring every necefcry implement, of labour and huf
ba^dry. Stone, clay, lime, timber, iron, oil and
GENERAL
vo L. in.
M O N D A Y,
O R,
paints, abound in our land: We have also lead;
and if we will content ourselves, with the simple
idea, of filter from the weather, the workmen we
have amongst us, will effectually supply our wants.
Glass for windows can be made amongst us; and
if encouraged, will grow in quantity; and
though we can't immediately be supplied with all
we want, yet when our necessity, calls on our
virtue for support, we shall find that final! rooms,
and few of them, will not be absolute sudden dis
solution, to the foft framed Lady, or fine formed
Beau.—Let us but take a view through the coun
try, and we Ihall find many a healthy happy pair,
surrounded by a numerous offspring, beneath the
scanty roof, of one single room.—Let us look round
the walls of their homely cot, and then when we
return to our plenteous cities, we may cry with
the Athenian Philosopher, “ how many things are
" here, which Ido not want." —But to return to
the principal, and most important objeft, our
clothes. Many parts of the continent, are so well
adapted to she railing offlax, that it might become
a staple article, and in others a little further to the
southward, hemp might be improved to good ad
vantage, on ground not naturally very rich: and
cotton we know will come to good perfection in
the Carolinas and Georgia; these when wrought
up, will provide us very amply, with summer
wear; for I assure you, Brethren, it is very possi
ble, for the fairef Lady, and fnefl Gentleman, to
exist, at lead four months of the twelve, with these
American productions, though rough and coarse.
But the greatest difficulty, is to provide for the
winter blasts, in our northern colonies. The
wool r^ifed on the continent, is yearly consumed
amongst us: Therefore for the amount of woollens,
formerly imported from England, we muff now
think of a substitute in America, if Parliament
should hold out the siege, till our stores are ex
hausted, and our clothes are in rags; which some
think they will certainly attempt. —In part to re
medy this evil, it might be well, immediately to
revive the resolution, formerly taken, to encreafe
the breed of our sheep, by preferring the lambs,
to as great a number, as the farms can profitably
support : though this lam sensible, will not furnifh
us a fufficient supply, for many years to come.-
The Neutrals formerly fettled on our Commons,
being reduced to great want, picked their old
clothes to pieces, and new spun them up: an ex
ample not Unworthy of imitation.
A full suit of clothes for a common fil'd man,
will take about seven pounds of wool, and perhaps
more for a woman; which I believe will require
on an average, at lead three sheep: Therefore if
every farm consists of 5 persons, as lome will be
women, and some children, we may suppose it to
require ///^ sheep, to supply the family in clothes ;
a number not very considerable, and yet perhaps
more by one fourth, than our farms, one with
another support; and then, as a considerable part
of the inhabitants in each province, dwell in towns
and villages, the number of sheep must Hill be
further encreafed, before they can be supplied:
and tfter all, we have made no allowance, for
stockings, or coverings to our beds, which articles
alone, will at present consume all the wool on the
continent. Thus we might be reduced at last, by
an obstinate persevering Minister, to an absolute
fubmiffionr, if we had no other resource. A fear
of this, I am persuaded, discourages many from
joining heartily, in a non-importation agreement.
But happily for us, we have that resource. A re
source which cannot fail us, if our pride dont stand
in the way.—What think you, my Brethren, of
Leathern Doublets—do you start at the
thought with indignation, or will you facrifice
your fancy for gentility, to the saving of your
country. —The Deer ficins annually (hipped from
America, if immediately flopped exporting, will
amount to a quantity, Jufficient to cloath the whole
of our inhabitants, by the time our dock of woollens
is exhausted. I Knew a labouring man who had
a buckficin vest, which Lifted Mnifeventeen winters
and is still in wear.—The Beau may keep up the
sprightly buff, the farmer may tinge them russet
grey, and the bench, the bar, and the pulpit may
Hill put on the fable dye; nor would a Lady's
fleirts, be disgraced by the ficin of a Doe—-What
nation thinly ye, would dare attempt enslaving,
the : e men in leathern jerkins ? — Firm, flout, and
independent, tliey might defy the malice of their
enemies, whilst their fields found them bread, and
their woods wrought their clothes.—Tis not a
visionary scheme, it is both practicable and prudent;
and if any ten gentlemen in this city, will order
a full suit of buckficin, against the fall, the Poli
tical Rtfeflor will heartily join the number. —I
know they will be warm, and I am sure they will
be strong; nor would I except stockings, I have had
them made of Doe ficin, dyed black, and much
resembled silk. Should this scheme generally take
place, our sheep might have time to encreafe, and
our stocks of English woollen might last the longer.
The gain hereby to the continent would be im
mense; for if we suppose only one million of men,
who wear a compleat suit of clothes each, there
will be at least three millions feyen hundred and
D U NL A P's
All 1
Another fubjeCl I would beg leave to remark
on. We are now on every hand preparing for a
congress from the several colonies ; and much will
depend on the wisdom and unanimity of our coun
cils: It is a sentiment that cannot he too much in
filled on. Various arc the conjectures of the mode
which should be adopted by them, when met ; all
agree in the necessity of an earnest and spirited ad
dress, but many contend, that till the effect of the
address is known, no other step should be taken.
I must acknowledge though I esteem an address
absolutely necefTary, as a piece of decent and re
fpeClful decorum, and as a proof of our hearty dis
position to renew our former union and good under
standing, yet I dme no: flatter myfelf with the
expectation of much redress, from that only. If
we deny their power, they may refufe us a hear
ing; nor indeed can they confflentlj listen to our
claims, whilst the act remains in full force, by
which they declare thcii "right to bind us in all cases
whatever:" That aC tmuft be repealed, before they
will consent to treat with us; and year after year
may Aide away in the negociation ; therefore I con
ceive that our resolutions of withholding from them
the benefit of our custom, should take place at
some certain time, to be fixed at the congress. It
will probably be then too late to flop the import
ation of this Fall's goods, but before the next
Spring orders could be complied with, we might
be certain of their receiving or sejeßing our ad
dress. They may possibly at firft treat our ad
vances with contempt, but they will find it a seri
ous business; and that we arc cuffomers not to be
trilled with. They must at last be reduced to
treat with us, and to treat with us on the footing
of friends ; friends who would with to renew in
their bosoms, the pleasing connexions which for
merly subsisted; connexions which have contribu
ted to make both them and us a great and happy
people. Matters are now reduced to such a cri
sis, that it becomes absolutely necessary to form a
charter of connexions. The repeated exertions of
Parliamentary power, over one of our lifter colo
nies, must justly alarm every province on the con
tinent. If no bounds are to be prescribed to their
wills, if penal laws are to be made from time to
time, by a British Senate, for the punishment of
pad supposed offences, without even calling on the
delinquents to make their defence, I contend that
the vassals of an eastern Monarch, are er free and
as hap, as the fubjeds in America. But perhaps
the eyes of England may be opened, and they will
difeover the neceftJ of giving us a Bill of Rights—
if so—with whom Ihall they treat? is it probable
they will enter into so important a negociation,
with the Members of the ensuing congrels? It is
with submission, I declare my belief, that they will
object to that body, as not being the legal repre
sentatives of the people.—For if Great-Britain
were inclined to fix the terms of our future con
nexion, and should demand from the Members of
the congress their credential, and whether they
thought themselves fully empowered by the voice
of the people, to fettle the folcmn boundaries of
power, think you, my Brethren, they would ven
ture on the arduous and mighty talk.
It is filming to be silent, where so much is de
pending; and the man who holds his peace, when
the fate of nations is at stake, deserves neither
the proteaion of civil government, nor the blef-
Gngs of liberty.—d cannot be fileot—l must declare
that though the present congress, is a necessary
step, and the mode of appointing it the only way
left in our power, yet when we and our posterity,
aru to be bound by the line of the ptefent day, if
government at home should now call on us to run
that line —l must contend, that the men to whom
this solemn charge is committed, should receive
the full and united voice of the continent. When
once the boundaries are established, and the lad
ing way-marks of future ages, engrossed on the
important parchment, it may not be easy to get
them removed or crazed: Much then does it Lc-
fifty thousand yards of broadcloth consumed,
which on an average, at eight shillings sterling per
yard, amounts to one million five hundred thousand
pounds Sterling ; and suppose our patriot suit, to last
us only few; years, before we cast it off for our
servants, there would be a laving, in the exporta
tion to Great-Britain, often millions five hundred
thousand sterling: From which perhaps we ought
to dedu&, three millions five hundred thousand
for the aClual cost of the skins to the Indians; which
would be a large allowance. Thus we should save
a mi lion ferling a year for the seven years, besides
the eloathing of our servants a year or two more ;
for I wont suppose them all to be such good ceco
nomifts, as the labourer abovementioned. I beg,
Brethren, you will consider this point wJI. The
summer's fun now shines with all its force, and the
scorching heats of a southern climate, almost an
nihilate the remembrance, of the shivering blasts
of a northern wind, but fa/zthey will be with you,
and trust me, Brethren, you will find a buckficin
suit, a faithful friend, in a winter's day. Then
instantly let us ag r ee, to flop the exportation of
Deer ficins; and encourage our skinners to fall to
work.
ADVERT! SER.
J U L Y 25th, 1,74.
If we lift into the motions of empires, and the
wary results of deep held councils, we shall find
the whole proceeds from frgle Jentiment: of man by
man; Ihall then a fear of being singular in opinion
suppress the riling thought and stifle a conception
at its birth ? Or shall we not rather proclaim widi
social toleration, " He that hath a dream, let him
tell his dream." Then with refpetlful deference
to my countrymen, I would beg leave to propose,
that in the address to be presented to his Majelly by
the congress— they firould pray, that he would be
pleafcd to give inftrudions to all his Governors on
the continent, to give their assent to a law, to be
presented them by the several AfTemblies, for the
appointing two, or more persons from each pro
vince to join in a great continental council, fi r the
purpose of determining the grand fubjed of an
American Bill of Rights; which grand council,
should by the several bills, have full power given
them, to proceed to London, and to enter upon
the negociation with the legislature of Great-Bri
tain ; and when finally adjusted, be reciprocally
binding on Great-Britain and the colonies. This
would be a legal and firm contrad; and as it would
be determined on and agreed to, by men appoint
ed by assemblies cbofen by the people, no possible
objection could arise on the part of the Americans.
The necessity of such a legal congress cannot be
too much infixed on, and were every letter wrote
home to our friends in England, to convey the
sentiment, I know nothing more likely to affect it.
The diftuibances that have already arisen, and
which must be expe&ed frill to arise, from time to
time, must enforce the necessity of determining the
point of power ; where it is to lye, and how far it
is to extend.
hove us, to set out confitutionally, and regularly oa
this grand design.
When an individual ihall dare to step forth with
his private opinion, and offer it to public notice,
on affairs of the utmost moment to his country,
much does he rifque in the attempt. Whilst some
will impute it to the busy promptness of imperti
nent zeal, others with suspicious anger, will charge
on his guilty head, the barbarous designs of a mis
chievous incendiary.—Hard is the middle path to
find. To preserve the due equilibrium of an up
right cenfience, and the desirable reputation of an
honest citizen, requires both dexterity and virtue
in a greater degree, than generally falls to our
fliare. But let not the way faring man, hereby
be dismayed ; let him boldly difeharge his con
feious duty, and leave to the grand disposer of
events, the reward of his labours.
Every difference between the Colonies and Eng
land, will be grateful news to our natural enemies,
and nothing can be more definable by them, than
an open quarrel. How far Frenchgold may con
tribute to widen the breach, and four up a reign
ing minister, to enlarge in his claims, may be dif
ficult to unveil; but the history of courts, gives
us too many fatal proofs, of the bafentfs of cor
ruption to leave us without fear. If the present
Ministry are from under the influence, we have no
time to loose.
But to return —Some may probably conceive,
that the members of the present congress, are vest
ed with full powers, if the people of England
were disposed to enter on the bufmefs ; but we have
already supposed they would not undertake it.
The modes of appointing them have been so vari
ous, and in some cases through necessity so quickly
determined on, that it is much to be doubted,
whether a line run by tbem, would be eftcemed
by their constituents fu fficiently authentic.
In the several interior concerns of our private
policy, we carefully attend to the legal choice of
men, who are to tranfa& our affairs :—How much
more essential then is it, toeftablilh on its proper
basis, so important a fupcrftru&ure as is no\v to be
reared. There never was a treaty hnce creation
began, so extensive in its consequence, and io nice
to difeufs. 'Tis offerdive, defensive, conne&ed,
independent, rivals and friends, the greater fob
ordinate to the lesser, and yet all bound together
by one common interest and affcAion. 'I he men
with whom we repose this awful power, should
unite the nifdorn of foges and the i:rtue of ftinfs ;
and such I trust we have amongst us: Men who will
hand down their names in American story, as the
glorious directors of a vaftand virtuous compact ;
men, on whom succeeding generations (ball look
back with wonder, and with grateful ardor for apes
to coroe, hold their exalted characters in joyful
remembrance.
+4^-*#s*^^^X^*^^^*^
•JOURNEYMAN PRINTER will
meet with Employment for a confderr.ble
time, by rpp'ving to S I'EVVARd HERBERT,
Printer, in Lancaster.
TO.~M 6 R R O W,
At O N E o'clock in the afternoon, A T
J () H N 14 A R T's
V ENDUE - ST 0 R E,
At the corner of South and FKo > T-STr £ets,
Will begin the SALE of a neat affcrt merit <d
M E RC HAN D 1 Z E
T 11 E
N ITVT? ,
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