Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-06-06 00:00:00, page 2

4 meant no other than as a temporary one to be solely
dependent on its operation on the eventual con
duct of the Bostonians; for he willed and hoped,
there would be no occasion for enforcing it; that
tho'it was asserted, with some degree of confidence,
that there were letters received from Boston, of
good credit, which said that the town was ready
to make reparation to the East-India Company for
the losses they had sustained; be was lorry to in
form the House, that there was authentic informa
tion received yesterday, that on the last day of
February, or a day or twoin the month of March,
the Fortune had arrived in the port of Boston with
tea on board, and that the mob had a/Rmbled in
a tumultuous manner, gone on board this ihip, and
dettroyed the cargo.
Lord Beauchamp said, that without some such
jaw as the present, the soldiery would be rendered
entirely useless, and their situation must be terri
ble indeed; if they refufe to perform their duty or
obey their lapcriors on onehand, or execute them
on the other, they would be, on all probability,
equally liable to fuffcr.
Previous to the question being delivered to the
Chairman, Lord North explained the intentions
of the bill, traced its several out-lines, and obvia
ted many of the probable objections that might be
made toit; said, in particular, that he proposed
that offenders should be removed for trial to other
colonies, or, if government thought that justice
could not be had there, that in that case, they
fliould be brought to Great-Britain, the expence
to be p^id by the public. He informed the Com
mittee, that it was intended to fend four regiments
of foot to Boston; that General Gage was to be
inverted with the civil and military command of
the province; and io conformity to this arrange-
Tiier.t, Governor Hutchinfun had already taken
his passage for Europe.
Colonel Barre spoke very strongly against the
motion, condemning it with all imaginable free
dom, spirit, and ability. He said he well knew
the temper of the people there; that they would
not be drove, but might be easily led; that they
were tenacious of their liberties, would not be
dragooned out of them, and scorned to be slaves;
that if the General must go, he should carry the
sword in one hand, and the olive branch in the
other; but for his part, he thought it extremely
improper to remove the present Governor, who,
in his opinion, was a very capable and experi
enced man.
Mr. Solicitor General observed, that the ob
je£lion raised to the mode of trial would come to
nothing when properly considered ; that it was an
eftablilhed ancient mode of proceeding, well war
ranted in reason, policy and justice; that in a re
cent instance, the case of the Saflex smugglers it
had been found necessary; and that their crimes
and that of the Bostonians were in a great manner
similar.
Captain Phipps expatiated largely on the me
rits of General Gage. He urged many powerful
reasons against bringing the offenders to be tried
in Great-Britain; dealt pretty freely with the
character of Governor Hutchinson, as a governor,
a politician, and a man ; and said, the public were
1 ry little indebted to him at either fide of the
Atlantic.
Mr. T. Townfhend agreed with Capt. Phipps
in all he advanced, except relative to the personal
character of Governor Hutchinson, on whom he
bestowed very high encomiums.
Mr. Dowdefwell contended warmly against the
motion, and took it in several lights, with great
ability, and evinced, if words could evince, its
pernicious tendency. He by no means thought
with the Captain relative to either the integrity or
abilities of Hutchinson. He meant not, he said, to
refled on Gen. Gage, whom he looked upon to be
an experienced officer; but since he was to go, he
wished he had been feat with the fleet, not before it.
I, O NDO N, a,rti 1^
.%//^c PROCEEDING^ British
Parliament.
MR. Rose Fuller made a motion, that a com
mittee be appointed to enquire into the
duty on tea imported into America, in order to
fee whether a repeal of that act will not be ne
ceGoy before the second Boston bill pa/fes. He
prefaced his motion with a long speech in favour
of repealing the ad.
He was answered by Mr. Cornwall, who spoke
a Couhderable time againlt the motion.
The other speakers were Lord Beauchamp,
Lord North, Colonel Barre, Mr. E. Burke, So
licitor General, Mr. C. lox, Mr. Dowdefwell, &c.
The chief arguments uftd in favour of the mo
tion were, that a repeal of the tea duty would
cuiet all the diftufbances in America.
The arguments on the other fide were, that it
was not proper time now, neither did they think
that the repeal of the tax would answer the end
proposed.
After a warm debate, the House divided
between ii and 12 o'clock, when the members
were, 49 for the motion, 182 against it.
'I he gallery doors, both at top and bottom,
were locked all day and no Granger admitted.
Hpril 21.] Lord North presented to the Speaker
several extract's of letters, and the third Boston
bill, “ for the impartial administration of justice
in the cases of persons questioned for any ads done
by them in the execution of the law, or for the
suppression of riots and tumults, in the province
of Maffachufett's Bay." The bill was read a firft
time; upon which Mr. Sawbridge arose, and ob
served, that it breathed nothing but a spirit
of defpotilm throughout; that it was but a part of
that tyrannic system which accompanied the whole
of our conduct towards the Americans; that they
deserved every aft of injustice administration had
hitherto devised to inflict on them, if they were
such creatures, such mean, abjeft wretches, such
fame, millingfa-ces, to submit to the present bill;
that the proposed mode of trial was the mod extra
oidinary that was ever heard of; for who were the
persons who could be prevailed on to come to Eng
land to give evidence of a fad which was committed
at Boston; and sure to force them to make such a
voyage, would be cruelty in the extreme.
Lord North said, that the propped bill was
Hon. Mr. Montagu was violent in favour of
the bill, .and was by no means sparing of fimilies
suited to as university education, but whether on
the banks of the Cam, the Isis, or the neighbour
hood of Leith, we will not pretend to determine.
General Conway was not totally against the
bill, but wished that tender conciliating measures
might be adopted, and said, that although the no
ble Lord had given notice of his intentions, he was
still far from being fufficiently prepared to decide
with certainty upon a question offo much delicacy,
and so great a magnitude, and concluded by hop
ing that further time might be given.
Mr. Van contended, that to adopt lenient mea
sures would be the summit of folly, it not pufrlla
nimity ; that the inhabitants of Boston were in a
state of adual rebellion, and deserved punishment
suited to the enormity of their crimes.
The bill is to be read a second time on Monday
next, and to be printed for the use of the mem
bers.
" We his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal fub
jells, the late representatives of the good people
of this country, having been deprived by the sud
den interposition of the executive part of this go
vernment, from giving our countrymen the advice
we wished to convey to them in a legislative capa
city, find ourfelvcs under the hard neceflity of
adopting this, the only method we have left, of
pointing out to our countrymen such merfures as
in our opinion, arc belt fitted to secure our dearest
rights and liberties from deftruftion, by the heavy
hand of power now lifted against North America.
With much grief we find that our dutiful applica
cations to Great-Britain for security of our just,
ancient, and constitutional rights, have been not on
ly disregarded, but that a determined system is
formed, and preflid, for reducing the inhabitants of
British America to slavery, by fubjeding them to
the payment of taxes,inlpofed without the consent
of the people or their representatives ; and that,
in pursuit of this sy stem, we find an aft of the Brr
tifh parliament, lately passed, for the flopping the
harbour and commerce of the town of Buffon, in
our sister colony of Maffachufett's Bay, until the
people there submit to the payment of such uncon
flitutional taxes, and which all most violently and
arbitrarily deprives them of their property, in
wharves ereded by private persons, at their own
great and proper expence ; which act is, in our opi
nion, a most dangerous attempt to destroy the con
stitutional liberty and rights of all North America.
It is further our opinion, that as TEA,on its im
portation into America, is charged with a duty,im
pofed by parliament for the purpose of railing a
revenue, without the consent of the people, it ought
not to be used by any person who wishes well to
the constitutional rights and liberties of British
America. And whereas the India Company have
ungenerously attempted the ruiu of America, by
fending many ships loaded with tea into the colo
nies, thereby intending to fix a precedent in favour
WILLI AMSB U R G, (Virginia) May 26.
ON Tuesday laid the Hon. the House of Bur
gesses came to the following resolution,
which was td be forthwith printed and published :
“ This House being deeply impressed with appre
-66 henfion of the great dangers to be derived to
“ British America from the hostile invasion of the
“ city of Boston, in our lifter colony of Maflachu
“ sett's-Bay, whose commerce and harbour are, on
“ the Ift day of June next, to be rtopped by an arm
“ ed force, deem it highly necessary that the said
“ Ift day of June be let apart by the members of
“ this house as a day of falling, humiliation, and
" prayer, devoutly to implore the divine interpo
" fition fur averting the heavy calamity which
" threatens deftrudion to our civil rights, and the
" evils of civil war ; to give us one heart and one
" mind, firmly to oppose, by all just and proper
" means, every injury to American rights; and
" that the minds of his Majesty and his Parlia
" ment, may be inspired from above with wisdom,
" moderation, and justice, to remove from theloyal
" people of America ail cause of danger from a
" continued pursuit of measures pregnant with
" their ruin.
“ Ordered, therefore, that the members of this
“ House do attend in their places at the hour of ten
" in the forenoon, on the said ill day of June
“ next, in order to proceed with the Speaker and
“ the mace to the church in this city for the pur
" pose aforefaid ; and that the Rev. Mr. Price
“ be appointed to read prayers, and the Rev. Mr.
" Gawtkin to preach a fermion suitable to the oc
" calion."
Upon the Rev. Mr. Gawtkin's petitioning to be
excused from complying with this appointment, the
Rev. Mr. Price, chaplain to the House, was di
rected to preach in his stead.
Friday, May 27. Yesterday, between three and
four o'clock P. M. the Right Hon. the Earl of
Dunmore sent a message to the Hon. the House
of Burgesses, by the clerk of the council, requiring
their immediate attendance in the Council Chamber,
when his Excellency spoke to them as follows :
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of
Bur<efa,
" I have in my hand a paper publilhed, by or
der of your House, conceived in such terms as
refled highly upon his Majesty and the Parliament
of Great-Britain; which makes it neceflary for
me to dissolve you, and you are difTolvcd accord
ingly-”
And this day, at ten o'clock, the Hon. Mem
bers of the late House of Burgesses met, by agree
ment, at the long room in the Raleigh tavern, in
this city, called the Apollo, when the following
agreement was unanimously entered into by that
patriotic assembly, in support of the constitutional
liberties of AME RI CA, againftthe late oppres
sive act of the British parliament refpeding the
town of Boston, which, in the end, must affect all
the other colonies.
At four o'clock the order for the second reading
of the bill for regulating the government of Maf
fachufet's Bay came on, which produced a warm
debate that continued till almost seven o'clock ;
when a motion being made for committing the
said bill, it parted in ths affirmative without a di
vision.
of arbitrary taxation, we deem it highly proper,
and do accordingly recommend it strongly to our
countrymen, not to purchase or use any kind of East
India commodity whatsoever, except faltpetre and
spices, until the grievances of America are redrert
cd. We are farther clearly of opinion, that an
attack made on one of our lifter colonies, to com
pel submission to arbitrary taxes, is an attack made
on all British America, and threatens ruin to the
rights ofall, unless the united wisdom of the whole
be applied. And for this purpofeit is recommend
ed to the Committee of Correspondence, that they
communicate w ith their several correspondent com
mittees, on the expediency of appointing deputies
from the several colonies of British America, to
meet in general congress, at such place annually as
{hall be thoughtmoft convenient ; there to delibe
rate on those general measures which the united in
terests of America may from time to time require.
“ A tender regard for the interest of our fellow
fubjeAs, the merchants and manufacturers of
Great-Britain, prevents us from going further at
this time; most earnestly hoping, that the consti
tutional principle of taxing the colonies without
their consent will not be persisted in, thereby to
compel us, against our wills, to avoid all com
mercial intercouife with Britain. Wishing them
and our people free and happy, we are their affec
tionate fi iends the late Representatives of Virginia."
The above was immediately signed by the Ho
nourable the Speaker and all the members of the
late House of Burgertes, as well as by a number
of Clergymen and other inhabitants of the colony,
who, after having maturely considered the con
tents of the association, did most cordially approve
and accede thereto.
" There is a persuasion here that America will
fee, without any interposition, the ruin of Boston.
It is of the lad importance to the general cause
that your conduct fliould prove the opinion errone
°ous. If once it is perceived that you may be at
tacked and destroyed piecemeal, it is certain that
every part, in turn, will feel the vengeance which
it would not unite to repel, and a general slavery
must ensue. The colonies should never forget
Lord North's declaration in the House of Com
mons, that he would not listen to the complaint of
America till flie was at his feet. The character of
Lord North, and a confederation of what surpri
sing things he has effected towards enslaving this
country, makes me own that I tremble for yours.
Plausible, deep, and treacherous, he has no paf
iions to divert him, no pursuits of pleasure to with
draw him, from the accursed design of deliberately
destroying the liberty of his country. A perfect
adept in the arts of cori uption, and indefatigable
in the application of them, he effects great ends by
means almost magical; bccaule they are unseen.
In four years he has overcome the most formida
ble opposition in this country, from which the
Duke of Grafton fled with terror. At the fame
time, he has effectually enslaved the East-India
Company, and made the vast revenue and territory
of India, in effed, a royal patronage. Fluflicd
with theft fuccefles, he now attacks America; and
certainly, if we are not both firm, united, and
wife, he will triumph in the fame manner over us.
In my opinion, a general resolution of the colonies
to break off all commercial intercourse with this
country, till they arc secured in their liberties, is
the only advisable and sure mode of defence."
QUEEN ANN's COUNTY, {Maryland.)
at a meeting, oj a confderail? number of tie Magif
trates and other mos refreshable inhabitants of
Queen Ann's County, at Queen's Town, on the
goth da, of May, 1774, in order to deliberate upon
she tendency and cfcfl of the All of Parliament
for blocking up the port and harbour ofßofton.
DULY considering, and deeply affeded with the
profpeft of the unhappy situation of Great-
Britain, and British America, under any kind of
disunion; this meeting think thcmfelves obliged, by
all the ties which ever ought to preserve a firm union
amongst Americans, as speedily as poflible, to make
known their sentiments to their distressed brethren
of Boston—And therefore, publish to the world,
THAT they look upon the cause of Boston, in
its confluences, to be the common cause of Ame
rica.
That the act of parliament for blocking up the
port and harbour of Boston, appears to them, a cruel
and oppre^ve invasion of their natural rights as
men, and constitutional rights as English fubjeds,
and, if not repealed, will be a foundation for the
utter deftrudion of American freedom.
That all legal and constitutional means ought to
be used by ail America, for procuring a repeal of
the said aft of parliament.
That the only cfßdual means for obtaining such
a repeal, they are at present of opinion is, an asso
ciation, under the strongest ties, for breaking off all
commercial connexions with Great-Britain, until
the said aft of parliament be repealed, and the
tight efumed by parliament of taxing America, in
all cases whatsoever, be given up, and American
freedom afeertained and fettled upon a permanent
constitutional foundation.
'1 hat the most practicable mode of forming such
an effedual association, they conceive to be, a
general meeting of the gentlemen, who are already,
or shall be appointed Committees to form an Ame
rican intercourse and correfpqadence upon this
most interesting occasion.
That in the mean time, they will form such par
ticular associations, as to them ihall seem effectual,
yet profeffing themselves ready tojoir . in any reason
able general one, that may be devised as aforefaid.
That these sentiments be immediately for ward
ed to be printed in the next Maryland and Penn
sylvania Gazettes.
That Edward Tilghman, Soloman Wright,
Turbut Wright, John Browne, Richard Tilgh
man Earle, James Holliday, Thomas Wright,
William Hemfley, Adam Gray, Clement Sewell,
Prichard Tilghman, James Kent, John Kerr,
James Boardly, and William Bruff, be a commit
tee of correspondence and intercourse, until some
alteration is made in this appointment, by a more
general meeting. Attested by
James Earle, Clerk of the Committee.
Extract of a letter from London.
Since our last Capt. Christopher Whipple ar
rived here from the river Miffilippi, via South-
Carolina. He informs, that while he lay at anchor,
about three miles from New-Orleans, a number
, of armed Spaniards came on board his veffcl, took
pofTeffion, and carried her to the town, where he,
with the crew, and Joseph Nash, Esq; of this
place were committed to gaol, no cause whatever
being aligned by the Spaniards for this very ex
traordinary procedure. Two thousand dollars in
cash, and goods to the value of about four thousand
dollars, were on board the veffcl when seized.
The goods and vessel were soon after fold at ven
due, and Capt. Whipple set at liberty; and the
hands with Mr. Nash, being detained in gaol.—
Qyery. As the Spaniards have frequently seized
our vessels, confifcated our property, and confined
great numbers of Britilh fubjeds in their gaols,
on the most frivolous pretences, in direct violation
of treaty, is not the honour of the English nation
concerned to'check the insolence ofthofe haughty
Dons? And would not the wisdom of a British
senate be as honourably directed in obtaining fa
tisfadion for such flagrant alts of injustice, as by
persisting in their vain endeavours to enslave three
millions of loyal Americans?
Voted, That we will unite with the other colo
nies in all reasonable and proper measures, to
procure the establishment of the rights of the co
lonies upon a just and permanent foundation; and
particularly, in case the other colonies shall, upon
this alarming occasion, put a flop to their trade to
Great-Britain and the Weft Indies, that we will
heartily join with them in the measure.
Voted, That the Committee of Colre fpondence
for this town, immediately transmit a copv of the'e
resolutions to the Committee of Correspondence
fur the town of Boston.
Voted, That we have the deepest sense of the
injuries done to the town of Boston, by the alt of
parliament lately passed for putting an end to their
trade, and destroying the port: And that we con
fider this attack upon them as utterly subversive of
American liberty; for the fame power may at
pleasure destroy the trade and (hut up the portsof
every colony in its turn; so that there will be a
total end of all property.
At a town meeting called and held at New-Port,
in the colony of Rhode liland, the 20th day
of May, 1774.
HENRY WARD, Esq; Moderator.
Yesterday according to charter, the great and
general Court or Assembly of the province met at
the State House, and after the gentlemen who
had been returned Representatives, were sworn in
and had fubferibed, they chose for their Speaker
the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq; who being
approved by the Governor, they chose for their
Clerk, Mr. Samuel Adams, after which, with
the Governor and Council of la4l year, they pro
ceeded to the old Brick Meeting-House and heard
an excellent sermon on the 2d verse of the 19th
chap, of Proverbs, When ike righteous are in authori
ty, ike people rejoice ; but zeken tke^icked bear rule,
the people mourn.
After an elegant entertainment, (at which were
present with his Excellency, the gentlemen of the
council, the House of Representatives, the Clergy,
the officers (civil and military, and several other
gentlemen) many loyal toasts were drank, and
guns fired from the several batteries.
We are informed that Governor Gage's corn
million requires of the Council, before sworn in,
that they declare their assent to the extension of
the statute of Henry VIII. for transporting be
yond sea, for trial, persons accused of certain
crimes.
In the afternoon the Honourable Commons
House of Representatives, met and chose in 27
gentlemen Counfellors for the year ensuing.
Next day his Excellency, according to his pri
vilege by charter, rejected the following 1^ of
the number, viz. the Hon. James Bowdoin, Sa
muel Dexter, John Winthrop, Timothy Daniel
son, Benjamin Austin, William Phillips, Michael
Farley, James Prefcot, John Adams, Norton
Quincy, Jerethmael Bowers, Enoch Freeman and
Jedediah Foster, Efqrs.
This day his Excellency was plcafed to make
the following SPEECH to both Houses.
Gentlemen of tie Council and Gentlemen of the
General /Ifembly,
HIS Majesty having been pleased to appoint
me Governor and Captain General of his
province of the Massachusetts Bay, and my com
missions having been read and publilhed, I have
met you for the eleAion of Counfellors for the en
suing year; on which business you have been con
vened agreeable to your charter. And as that
work is finifhed, you will proceed as you shall
judge fit, to the confederation of Inch other mat
ters as may properly come before you, and that
you judge ought to be entered upon previous to
the firft of next month. And you will be as
sured that I shall with pleasure concur with you
to the utmost of my power in all matters that tend
to the welfare and jnofperity of the province.
The honour of my appointment to the com
mand of this government being so lately conferred,
and the time since I took it upon me so very fhoit,
I have not at present any matter to lay before you,
farther than to acquaint you, that the Provincial
Treasurer having informed me, that fufficient
provision is made for the redemption of the go
vernment securities that are now, and will be
come due in June 1775, you will have no other
burden upon you but to supply the Tr^afury for
the support of government for the ensuing year.
I make mention of the firft of next month, be
cause I have the King's particular commands for
holding the General Court at Salem, from that
day, until his Majesty shall have fignified his
royal will and pleasure for holding it again at
Boston.
T. G A G E.
Council Chamber, May 26, 1774.
N E WPO R T, May 2 3 .
PROVIDENC E, %2i.
B OST O N, Asa, 26.