The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-03-17 00:00:00, page 1

IT is not above twenty years since this kingdom
was the envy of the world.' Great in commerce, in
arts, in arms, in liberty; universally revered, and
held up as a model to surrounding nations: but now
alas! ow great the change ! funk into poverty, weak
ness and universal contempt !
Grea Britain happily united with America, and sup
ported by her inexhaustible fiores, commercial and na
val, was a match for the world: but by an impolitic
and iniquitious attempt to make those faithful fellow
fubjefts pay double taxes, through the monopoly of
their extensive and profitable commerce: and by a di
red imposition of extorted contributions, contrary to
the firfl principles of equity and the English conßitu
tion—this glorious connexion was dissolved.
This unjud behaviour to our American brethren ;
the obstinate perfeveraoce in this unrighteous quarrel,
is theonly ca use of the present war ; and the fruitlefs
source of alm ft all our calamities Through this
egregious folly thirteen great, populous, improving
colonies have been loft forever: and now our good al
lies the Ruffians, and all the petty Rates of Europe,
despise or insult us.
But though the fabjea is unpleasant, and a true
Bri,ton cannot without horror enumerate the shocking
particulars ; —yet our interest and our salvation re
quire that we should look alittle more minutely into
the Ra'e of our affairs; that we may be convinced of
the necessity of exerting ourselves, and contrive a way
to retrieve them.
Let us fit down seriously and contemplate the mourn
ful lift of our obligations to a wicked administration
and a corrupt parliament.'
Political meditations on the present date of our affairs.
1. Thirteen colonies, the vast continent of America,
that furnifhed inexhauflible aid in ships, seamen, na
val stores, raw materials for commerce and manu
faaures, &c. and which purchafcd of our commodi
ties to the amount of four millions a year, not only
loft to us,but gone over to increase the power of our
most formidable rivals and enemies ! !!
2. The empire of the sea, the largcft and most com
plete ever enjoyed by any power ; and the guardian
of our commerce and possessions in every quarter of
the globe, likewise in all probability, irrecoverably
loft.
3. Some of our valuable Weft-lndia inlands taken,
and the rest in imminent danger.
4. France, Spain, and America combined against ns;
and almost every other power in Europe aiding and
affixing them.
5. Our export-trade, efiim^ted at about sixteen mil
lions pr annum, funk more than one third.
6. Our import-trade for luxuries constantly wafting
, the remainder of our wealth.
7. Our debts become enormous ; our profits extreme
ly diminished ; and at the fame time our expences
constantly increasing, with a rapidity that must
soon put a tragical end to our mad career.
2. The lands, which had been gradually rising for
many years, funk back to the price they were at a
century ago.
9. The treasure and credit of the nation being great
ly exhausted, money risen as much in value, as
land has fallen.
10. Our chimerical property in the funds funk about
one third ; and approaching infallibly to its intrinsic
value.
11. The country in general weakened bylofs of trade;
by a diflant unfuccefsful war, and various impolitic
modes of depopulation, particularly by the great
deftrufbon of cottages; so that in many parts of the
kingdom the game has been infinitely better pre
served and provided for, than the lower class of in
duflriqus and ufeful inhabitants.
12. During the perpetration of all this mifchief, and
much more that I have not bifure to take notice of,
the Influence of the Crown, by the disposal of
the amount of our enormous taxes, has increased
to a degree hitherto unknown, and totally incon
fiflent with the fafety of the people, and the balance
of the confiitution.
These are some of the many evils that have proceed
ed from a wicked system of administration, supported
for many years by a corrupt majority of our late re
presentatives in parliament, who infamoufly betrayed
, the ficred trust imprudently reposed in men destitute
of virtue.
An ANGLO SAXON.
TO BE SOL D,
^handsome Photon, with
good HARNESS. Enquire of Mr. J. Httzheimer.
From the LONDON COURANT, of Oslo. 6. 1780
SATURDAY,
VOL. X. 1
^gß^ititn) ftihtttdx^^ (if fntt
O R, THE
GENERAL ADVERTISER.
Published every TUESDAY and SATURDAY.
On Friday Evening, the 23 f of February, at the Col
age during the Play.
A large cocked Beaver Hat,
To be Sold, separate or together,
An elegant Bay HORSE, five years old tns Ipring,
14 hands and an inch high: Also, a Bay MAKE, fix
years old this fprmg, 14 and a half hands high. They
are both excellent Saddle HORSES; they have been
drove together in a Phaeton, but being too light, the
owner, from that confederation, is induced to part with
them : they are to be seen at Mrs. Plumfted's Stables,
in Union-street, between Front and Setond-ftreets, and
by enquiring next door above the ftahle the terms may
be known. M^rch it.
abm ft new, lage deep crown, lined with white linen.
Whoever has found the fame, and will deliver it to
ISAAC PARRISH, hatter, opposite Christ-church, Se
cond-street ( ho made it) fliali receive TWO HUN
DRED DOLLARS Reward, or more if required:
To ALL whom it may concern.
XTOTICE is hereby given, that a Court of Admiral
ty will be held, at the Admiralty.office in Arch
Street, between Third and Fourth ftre^ts, on the gift
day o' March, instant, for the Trial of the Brigantine
ELIZABETH, her Tackle, Apparel, Furniture and
Prorifions, lately commanded by John Goodwin, and
libelled against as Prize by JOHN PRINGLE and
BERTLES SHEE. To the Intent that the Owner or
Owners, or any Persons concerned therein, may appear
and Shew cause, if any they have, why a Decree Should
not pass pursuant to the Prayer of the Libel, &c.
By order of the Judge, \
ANDREW ROBESON, Register.
A valuable piece of Upland and
Meades GROUN D, Situate in Paflyunk townihip,
containing 54 acres, 23 of it good meadow and 31 up
land, with a young orchard on it. Also, a piece of 8
acresof LAND, in Paffyunk, fronting the road lead
ing the five mile round. Also, a small piece of one
acre and too perches of LAND, situate on Hickory
lane, about a mile from the city. Also, a two story
Bick HOUSE, on the weft fide of Third-ftreety above
Race-street. For terns of sale apply to ABRAHAM
SHOEMAKER, at his Office in Fourth-street, below
Spiuce street, Philadelphia; who has a great number
of other Estates for sale; and where Deeds and other
Writings are drawn, as usual.
One Thoujand Dollars Reward.
Philadelphia, March 12, 17^1.
Eloped from her Service,
since the 10th of January last, from the fubferiber,
living on the north-east fide.of Arbwckle-Row, a Cer
tain LEAH HARMAN, alias PEPPER, rough built,
about 21 years of age, pretty tall in stature, fw rthy
complexion, large black eyes, white teeth, ffiort black
hair, and pitted with the fmall-pex. Had on and fe
lonioufly took with her, one black single fattin bon
net, full trimmed with white lining in the front part,
one black ditto much wore, a black silk cloak, lined
with black fhalloon, one cloth coloured ditto, much
worne, a light coloured chintz gown, with a small
running branch of flowers, bordered in the fk rt with
light calico, one ditto heme-spun linen and worsted
cross-barred, much worn, one white co ded linen pet
ticoat, a coloured linen short gown and petticoat, ma
nufi&und in imitation of brocade, with red, green,
and blue flowers, as if work'd in, a ditto lin fey petti
coat, a Holland apron, a check ditto, a lawn cap,
with small sprigs of needle-work, one muslin ditto,
two pairs of mitts, one linen and the other cotton, a
Holland fhift, one pair ot Holland sleeves, with cam
brick robbins, a single black flag handkerchief, four
white linen ditto, four pair of flockings, one pair of
high heeled pumps, a pair of mens shoes, a pair of
silver thee buckles, French fafhion, marked E. H. a
silver sett comb, a replace coral heeds and locket, and
several other valuable articles, too tedious to enume
rate. She obtained 2 pass in a clandestine manner to
go to Sno^-Hill. Whoever takes up and secures said
girl, so that she may be had and the goods recover
ed, shall have the above reward, ard reafonahle charges,'
paid by JOHN HUNT,
FOR SA L E,
WAS LOS T.
THE
JAN U S, N° ; VI.
" This war, on the part of Great- Britain, cam
" have no other obj ft, th^n he extension of
*' power." Price's Obfervationt.
WE have traced the war through some of its molt
brilliant periods. In its events, and bur con
duß, we have illustrated our military and national chit
r-&rr. We have fe<n that we are a separate people,
diftir.ft from Great-Brit in, as well in sentiment as
fixation 1 . We have lightly touched upon some of our
misfortunes, and ventured to suggest their remedy §
while we have, every where, endeavoured to render
the review productive, by recalling our minds to such
obj-sh as were calculated to inspire us with proper
ideas of ourselves.
The knowledge of ourselves is an indifpenfible know
ledge ; but this will be incomplete, unless we add to
it, a knowledge of the different causes that disposed
foreign courts to our interest and fuccour. Without
this ne ma, be deceived; and conclude, either too
r^fhly, too highly; or too humbly of ourselves. That
England should be left, like the hair in the fable of
one of her poets, is a Political p'cenomenon, in the
solution of which we are peculiarly interested. But at
so great a distance from the secrets of courts, we shall
find this no easy ditcuffion. It is not the lot of ma
ny to penetrate their eabinets ; and even of those
whose fortune it is, how very few return freighted
with truth. Here every paper is not to be cenfidered
as a voucher, nor the pretext always to be admitted
for the indention. In this case we must have recourse
to the known principles which conned their councils.
These will serve as so many fare lines of intelligences
To these we Will attempt to confine our inquiry.
His mind must be strangely averse from reflection;
that will not acknowledge the force of what we our.
felveshave done. It was in the very nature of our
efforts, to call up the various emotions of the heart,
and to estrange it from the councils of Great- Britain#
Sometimes to claim from foreign nations, companion
and assistance ; again, to excite admiration ard aston
ishment ; and, for a series of years, to regulate the
feelings of Europe. But it would therefore be a vain
presumption to suppose, that we owe all to ourselves.
A coincidence of circumstances ; the effects of long
operating causes ; gave to our endeavours energy and
success. Theft had produced throughout Europe a
favourable temper, that like a musical instrument, in
perfect order, only waited the touch of some fkillful
hand, to yield the fineft expressions of found.
If we confider Europe at this time, we shall find,
that the dreams of former days had in a great measure
difappeaied, or were succeeded by vi6ons of a more
placid tendency. A; if in pity to a fuffering world,
ambition had changed its obje&g. The interests of
kingdoms were difeover ed to be the riches and felicity
of their fubjefy ; and the glory of princes, the great,
nefs of their people. Religion appeared less fettered
by prieft-craft/ Trade entered into the systems of
ministers, and most schemes for aggrandifement had
this for their bafis.* Whether so happy a revolution
arose from the power of imitation, the experience of
past measures, Or the workings of necessity, the ope
ration was general. The different nations of Europe
applied themfeives to the works of industry. Each
attempted to rival the commerce or manufactures of
his neighbour ; or where this could not be done, to
live as independent of their labours as possible. Arte
and manufactures were seen arising in the defarts of
Russia. The sciences and fine arts were improved at
Peterfburgh. Industry and manufactures increased in
Denmark and Sweden. Even Poland began to fee
their utility^ The king of Prussia folicittd^hem to
his dominions, and gave them a particular patronage.
Spain too turned herfelf to them, as the most durable
source of wealth and prosperity. We need net men
tion other nations; they are known to almost every
one, by their having long rivalled the English in their
grand staple manufacture, and by underfeliing them
in a vast variety of others,
Such was the situation of Europe, at the commence
ment of this war ; a period, perhaps, the most en
lightened of the world.
Under these circumstances, the nival superiority of
Great-Britain was an evil that every power had reason
to fear. Her success in the last war had left her no
rival on the sea ; and this made her, if possible, more
assuming in her manneis, and lets politic at foreign
courts. The insolence also, and overbearing pride of
her seamen, in every quarter of the globe was another
cause for general apprehenfiun. She was now ~ ffie
pleased, the patron or tyrant of commerce ; the pro
* Trade was never esteemed an affair of ffate, till
the last century. Hume< Essay on civil liberty.
MARCH 17, 1781,
[ NUMB; 716.