Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-08-01 00:00:00, page 2

From the M ASSACHUSETTS Spy.
I A M verging towards ferenry years of age, and
front my earliest youth have been taught to
Ine my country : —To defend its rights, whene
ver they are invaded:—And, if poflible, to trans
mit them as fafely to my posterity, as they were
handed down to me by my venerable ancestors. —
I am, therefore, penetrated with resentment, and
fired with indignation, when I reflet, that, with
out any breach of faith and allegiance to their So
vereign, or any violation of the laws of their coun
try ; his Majesty's American fubje&s are reduced
to the dreadful alternative, either, to fubrriit to the
arbitrary jurifdißion of a demotic power, or to be
immediate) deprived of their civil, and doubtless,
hereafter, of their religious rights and privileges,
by force of arms.
That these sanguinary measures are, the result
of the deliberations of the British Parliament, no
other proof is necessary, than, the act of that le
gislative body, for difeontinuing the commerce of
the town of Bolton : —An act, replete with enor
mous pains and penalties annexed to the breach of
it :—An act, that in its operation mull stab the
very vitals of American liberty :—An act, which,
to add to the terrors of it, is enforced with a for
midarde fleet and army, under the direction of a
chief magistrate, invoiced with both military and
civil authority.
AMERICANS! fuffer me for a moment
to arrest your attention, and BEHOLD! what
is, successively, to be the DESTIN Y of all the
principal cities and towns upon this Continent :—
For, as all refufed, though they did not destroy the
baneful weed, for which, the capital of this province
is now Suffering the unrelenting vengeance of par
liamentary indignation ; they will,furely, be con
sidered as equally guilty of rendering the ministeri
al lcheme of American taxation abortive, and will,
therefore, doubtless, be punished with the fame se
verity.
Tire terms and conditions to be complied with,
before the commerce cf Boston can be restored to
its former state, are so many, and encumbered with
such insuperable difficulties, as render a compliance
impossible, were the people inclined :—Befides,
they are so difgracefully humiliating, as no society
of men, who have any sense of freedom, the least
spark of virtue, or any power ofrefiftance, would
cver submit to: Their commerce, therefore, is not
as let forth in the preamble of the ad, disconti
nued, it is really and absolutely de^royed :—And
that part of the inhabitants, whole livelihood de
pended upon it, as far as mere power can be exert
ed, are deprived of LIF E.—For, certainly, he
who having it in his power, deprives another of the
means of living, would, if he had power lufficient,
deprive him of life:—Their virtue and their va
lour, therefore, supported by that of their fellow
citizens through the continent, are, under GOD,
their idle dependance.
The chara&eriftics of a brave, virtuous and free
people, are strongly delineated, not only in the spi
rited resolves of most of the towns, and of the two
Houles of Assembly in this government ; but there
is a striking resemblance, in those of all the other
governments upon the continent, who are at liber
ty to express their sentiments. In the natne,
therefore, of every thing great and good ! —with
Inch a glorious profped beforeus of an indi/Tolu
ble U NION, shall we faint under our bur
dens, or fuffer ourselves to difpair of our Ameri
can common wealths? N O,furely.
Although we are falfely and maliciously repre
sented to our Sovereign, as rogues and rebels :—
Although for want of better information, he has
been prevailed upon to view us, undeservedly, in
that odious light; and has not only withdrawn
fiom us his favour and protection, but given the
royal hIA I to laws evidently calculated to ruin
and enslave us : —Yet we know, and are sure, our
fellow fubje^s in Britain, are utterly averse to
such violent measures ; have repeatedly and strong
ly remonstrated against them:—They view us in
a very different light ; and confider us as fellow
fuffereis with themselves in one common cause ;
in defence of that liberty they are in danger of
losing as well as we:—They feel themselves wound
ed through our sides :—They fear, that the cruel
ty added to injustice and oppreflion, begun in
America will end in Britain, and ultimately be their
lot as well as ours:—They know and have re
peatedly told us, though against their interest,
that our salvation depends upon suspending A L L
CO M ME RC E with them, till our burdens
= into plow ffiarcs, cur Fpears into pruning boots,
16 —when nation iba'il not Tit @p sword against
" nation, neither ffiall they learn war any more."
One observation more I beg leave to make be
fore I close this paper. By the resolves of a
neighbouring colony just published, they recom
mend both a non importation and non consumption
agreement. New with fabmiffion to the Gentle
men of that Committee, I conceive that a distinc
tion in that case, was absolutely necessary.—ls a
non importation had been rejected, from an ap
piehention that the merchants would not comply
with facia a requisition, then I should think it a ve
ry proper expedient, to determine against the con
sumption of all goods imported after the agree
ment was entered into : but wheie there appears
a general disposition, amongst the merchants and
traders, to enter into the association, I can't per
ceive the necetiity, or propriety, of entering into a
non-consumption agreement. —Surely it can't be
thereby meant, to decline the purchase of goods,
already amongst us, and imported on the honest
confidence of a probable Die, and many of them
absolutely paid for :—this would be committing an
injury which wetannot intend.
It is not without much pain, that I have so fre
quently objected to the measures, which have been
proposed; and would an honest conscience, have
fuffered me to be silent, I fliould gladly have re
mained a folemo fpedator, and watched with anxi
ous eye; the commotions of the continent. When
profpeiity flattered, I should have rejoiced in pri
vate, with a few bosom fiends, and when distrac
tion appeared in our councils, I should have stolen
into some Silent retreat, and bemoaned with ach
ing heart, the distresses of my country.
arc removed, and our grievances redrefled :—Af
ter receiving such Llutary and difinterefled ad
\ice, can Americans be, any longer at a loss, what
measures they ought to pursue ?—ls not their path
made plain before them ?—Are not the means in
their hands, if they will have but virtue enough to
improve them ?—What, besides non-iniportation
and non-consumption agreements, immediately,
absolutely, and Solemnly engaged in, and firmly ad
hered to, by every individual who loves his coun
try, and is concerned for its welfare and security,
can preserve Americans from impending ruin !
But perhapsit will be said, indeed it lias been
said, that the mercantile part of any community
never have been, nor never will be virtuous enough
to cease importing; though the commodities im
ported were fatal to the public interest, so long
as there were those to be found, who would buy
and confume:—And that the late conduft of the
Tea Confgnecs is an inconteftible proof of it : —For
the honour of the human species, it were devoutly
to be wished, that the reflection was as falfe and
malicious, as it is true and disgraceful, of all the
characters concerned in that infamously political
manoeuvre :—But let not a f w such apofate mem
bers, hastily determine our judgment, without dis
crimination, of such a refpe&able body of men,
any more than we would condemn a sturdy well
spread oak, for a few rotten branches, or a well
conftrutted ship for a few defective timbers :—
However, let us suppose the worst, that avarice, like
Aaron's rod, had (wallowed up every virtue:—
That merchants will trade, though the country is
ruined :—ls it necessary, that every body else
should buy and consume ?—Will the husbandman
and tax farmer fit dill, and fee the locusts that are
preying upon the vitals of our commerce, Spread
themselves over the whole land, to devour the
fruits of their labour and indafry? —Will they not
unite and persevere in a firm resolution to refrain
from buying or consuming 'till they are so impo
verished by taxes and tax-gatherers, as Shall put
it out oftheir power to do either ?—Will they fuf
fer British gewgaws and Superfluities, to come in
competition with the salvation of their country ?
—Shall we profefs to be actuated by a Spirit of
patriotism in our public affembiies, and not mani
feft it by a correspondent practice, as individuals?
Surely, if we do not, it requires no great sagacity
to forefee, that our freedom is loft, and our bon
dage inevitable.
Will it be said, it has been said, that if trade
is Suspended, the Surplus of our produce will perilh,
upon our hands : — She objection Seems plausible,
but, when duly examined, will prove groundless
and futile :—The surplus of our produce is not so
great, but if wifely applied to the increase and
improvement of those manufactures, for which
such Surplus has heretofore been lent abroad;
though some inconveniences might attend the mea
sure at firft, yet by a prudent management they
would be easily overcome: A Supply of all the ne
cessaries, and most of the conveniences of life,
would Soon follow : Manufacturers would flow to
us, from every part of the world: Manufactures
of every kind would be gradually established: Ge
nius would conduct the labours of industry, and
instead of our being dependant upon others, they
would become dependant upon us:—And may we
not add, with truth on our fide, that as formidable
as the above objection may appear to some, there
is, perhaps, no one thing, except providing for
favourites and Servile dependants, which more
powerfully influenced administration to their past
and present violent measures, than the apprehen
sion of our becoming, by the increase of our trade
and manufactures their rivals in both : Ought
not their fears, therefore, to be our hopes :—Muft
not the burthens imposed, and imposing upon our
commerce necefTarily operate, as so many premi
ums, to improve our manufactures? Will not those
who are lent here to suppress them, be perpetually
adding to the number of our manufacturers?—
How many ufeful mechanics are Scattered over
this wide extended continent, who, a few vears
since, were mcafuring their steps, to the found of
a fife and drum; but are now eating the bread of
industry, and living with their families in peace
and plenty? Indeed, what man of sense is there,
who would be content to live on fix pence a day,
when by his art and industry he can earn half a
crown to five Killings a day:—The profeffion of
Soldiers, it is true, is war and bloodshed; but not
withstanding it is hardly conceivable, they should
be So loft to the feelings of humanity, as, unpro
voked, to stain their Swords, and imbrue their
hands in the blood of their innocent fellow fubjeds,
whose only guilt is, the ardour qf their zeal, in
defence of freedom from that bondage, in which,
perhaps, many of them were unwarily captivated:
—Fellow fubjeds ! who would gladly embrace
them in the arms of a cordial friendship, and could
a regular difeharge, from their profeffion be effect
ed, would give them lands to cultivate; assist them
in building houses to live in; provide them with
rough materials to manufacture; and with pleasure,
would render their condition as happy as our own:
—These are objects worthy of their attention;
whilst it becomes us to avoid, if possible, all con
tention with them :—To conciliate their friendship
by treating them with civility and kindness; tho'
at the fame time we abhor and curse the Minister,
who could so abuse the trust his Matter reposed in
him, as to fend them upon such an infamoufly in
humane errand: These seem to be proper ob
jects of our attention; and duly regarded, would
perhaps contribute to our real Security, more than
any thing that has hitherto been deviled: For
those who love us will never willingly hurt us ;
and those, on whom we are willing to bellow the
greatest benefits will not wantonly do us an injury.
An OLD MAN.
From my Hermitage near Falmouth, Case-Fay,
June, 1774.
CHARLESTOWN, (South-Carolina) June 20.
LETTERS from the southern parts of
North-Carolina assure us, that the inhabi
tants there will go as far in defence of American
liberty as can be expeded; and recommend, if a
congress Ihoald be deemed the firft step necessary
to be taken, that Subscriptions or rather collecti
ons, be Set on foot throughout the continent, to
raise and remit a Sum of money to the Communi
ty in Boston, for the relief of the most distressed
of our Suffering brethren there, who must stand in
equal need of such assistance, as if their town had
been destroyed by fire.—And we have the pleasure
to learn, that the inhabitants of this province,
generally, seem ready to contribute their mite, as
soon as proper perfoms are named to receive what
their benevolent heats Shall induce them to offer.
[A Committee have Since been appointed.]
B OSTO N, July 21.
We hear that the inhabitants of the Weft Indies,
are equally alarmed with us in the colonies, in
regard to the late ads of Parliament; and that the
principal gentlemen in al! the English islands, are
of opinion, that it is expedient for the Northern
Colonies to flop all trade as well to the Weft-Indies,
as to Great-Britain.
A correspondent observes, that if the bills should
pass for altering the government of MafTachufetts-
Bay. it cannot be supposed that any man of cha
racter will accept of, or ad in any affair contrary
to the e tiblilhed laws and chartered rights of the
people; ifany persons should be found so abandoned
as to aft against the liberty and the voice of this
country they must be esteemed the vilef tenemies of
freedom, and the basest wretches above ground.
The Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, the Hon. Wiliam S.
Johnson, Erasmus Wolfcot, Silas Deane, and
Richard Law, Elqrs. ate chosen, authorized and
empowered as a Committee on the part of the co
lony of Connecticut, to meet the general Congress
with the commissioners of the sister colonies, to
consult measures for the best good and happiness
of America.
A correspondent observes, that it is highly pro
bable there will be war between France and Eng
land in a few months, and that the King of France
will offer very great advantages to the American
colonies, on condition that they preserve a neu
trality. The present quarrel between Britain
and America will facilitate such a measure; andin
case of a war 'us likely the colonies will imitate
the Dutch.
We hear that Col. Williard Knowles, ofEaft
ham, has lately made such concessions and acknow
ledgments to that town, relative to his trading in
and purchdfing of tea imported in Capt. Loring's
Brig, which was cart ashore at Cape-Cod last winter,
as that at a meeting held there the sth inst. they
voted to be Satisfactory, and that he be ag^in re
instated in their favour; also that the censures up
on his former conduct be erased from the records
of the town.
The iirmnefs and unanimity of the people to de
fend their invaluable rights, notwithstanding the
restlessness of a little felfilh faction, does this pro
vince honour. At a meeting of sixty gentlemen,
Deputies of the Several towns in the county of
Berkshire, a number of judicious, Spirited resolves
were passed, and a non-consumption agreement
agreed upon, to encourage our own manufactures,
and a fubfeription for the Boston Sufferers by the
Port-ad. The accounts from Connecticut are the
most encouraging, and the firmnefs, activity and
generosity of the other colonies is astonishing to
the enemies of American freedom—Courage, Ame
cans, and with the help of God, the Slavery in
tended us may be warded off, and our tranquility
established.
We are obliged to the worthy Carolinians, for
their Spirited, judicious observations on the late
detested bills, as much as for their bounty.
The learned and ingenious Dr. Stiles of New
port found that in 1760 there were in New-England
530 congregational churches, viz.
in Massachusetts — 306
Connecticut — 170
New-Hampffiire — 43
Rhode-Bland — 11
. .. 53°
Since then the number is prodigiously increased,
at least to 700. He also computed that those
four New England governments at that time con
tained somewhat more than 500,000 fouls, and
that as we double our numbers in 25 years, in
1785 they will amount to a million; and in the
present year 1774, the number at the fame rate
must be 737,135, of whom more than 100,000 are
effective men able to bear arms. The rateable
polls in the province of MafTachufetts-Bay only,
amounted in 1773 to between 70 and 80,000.
The Dodor fays that our importations of goods
from Great-Britain doubled from '744 to 1754,
and more than doubled from 1748 to 1758 ; and
that for the year 1760 the value amounted to two
millions to the continental colonies only. After
hinting that burdens on agriculture or the Ame
rican commerce will unavoidably and very greatly
affed the national interest; he concludes with
these words:—" Plantations may be made with
encouragement, but cannot fuccefsfully be forced.
Free policy,free reli 3 ion, free property, and matrimony
will soon populate a fertile country in a good cli
mate. These have been the basis of our increase."
N EW - YO R K, Z, 28.
Last Thursday the Corporation of this city met
and agreed to Mr. Christopher Colles's proposal,
for supplying this city with freffi water by means
of a Steam Engine Reservoir, and conduit pipes;
and in order to carry the said ufeful and laudable
design into immediate execution; they resolved to
issue promiflary notes as the work shall advance.
According to this design, the water will be con
veyed through every street and lane in this city,
with a perpendicular conduit pipe at every hun
dred yards, at which water may be drawn at any
time of the day or night, and in case of fire each
conduit pipe will be so contrived as to communi
cate with the extinguishing fire engines, whereby
a speedy and plentiful supply of water maybe had
in that calamitous situation.
NEWPORT, (Rhode-Ifland) /for.
A gentleman who brought his vessel to this
place to fit out, has called her the Savage Port
Bill.
PHIL A DELPHI A, %f „
On Wednesday the 20th tilt. Several hundreds
of the principal inhabitants of Kent county, on
Delaware, assembled at the Court-house in Dover,
to confider what steps it might be requisite to take
within their diflrifl, in relation to the present
alarming state of public affairs. The business was
introduced by a Speech delivered by the Rev.
Samuel Magaw. He pointed out some of the
distinguishing excellencies of the English constitu
tion, and its expansion to America. He traced
the origin of the Colonies; the nature of their
compact with Great-Britain ; the indefcafible
rights and immunities secured to them by their
charters ; their amazing growth and importance.
He took notice of the grand profped that opens to
the mind, on viewing a parent country communi
cating her constitutional privileges, without im
pairing them; perpetuating bappinefs to millions
of her own children, and incorporating with them
as Sharers of the fame freedom and sweet equality,
strangers from almost every kingdom, and of every
language under Heaven. He mentioned the unpro
pitious influence that sundry Ministerial measures.
and decrees of Parliament, adopted within ten
years past, are likely to have upon the liberties of
North-America. He shewed the deftrudive ten
dency of the Boston Port Bill in particular, and
of some < ther Bills depending. He recommended
earnestly to the people, at this very interesting
criss, a prudent, firm, difpaffi nate behaviour; a
confident, unanimous co-operation with the neigh
bouring counties, and the provinces in general, in
the most peaceable, legal endeavours for obtaining
relief. He concluded with enforcing an affection
ate, unshaken loyalty to the King; an invariable
attachment to teligion aid virtue ; together witli
patience and unrelaxing ceconomy.
Then William Killen and Richard Basset, Es
quires, gave a summary view of ^/vrFand confti
tutiona rights, entered into a difenffion of thechar
ter privileges of die colonies ; and confirmed their
doftrine by very fatisfaflory illustrations fr< ms me
of the most approved civilian ; fiom dia?i.a Char
ta—the Bill of Rights and other eftablill.ed authori
ties.
Immediately the freeholders, Gentlemen and
others qualified to vote for representatives, with a
Solemnity and readiness greatly to their honor,
elected a committee for the county, and entered in
to a number of Spirited re dves consonant to those
which are taking place throughout all the provin
ces.
At a general Meeting of the Freeholders and other
Inhabitants of the count) of 3 uffex on Delaware, at
the Court-house in Lemis- Town, on Saturday, the
23 d °f7uly, 1774.
'HIS Assembly taking into their very ferions
I consideration, the present critical Situation
of American affairs, of the exclusive right of the
colonies of imposing taxes up n themselves, ofthe
invasion of that right by the Qatute ofthe 6 Geo.
111. C. 12, by which Statute arid Sundry others,
the Parliament of Great Britain have affirmed the
power of making laws to bind the colonics, without
their cenfent, either by them selves, or Reptefenta
tives; a recent instance whereof is exhibited in
the late statute, commonly called the Boston Port
Bill. Therefore in order to col e& the voice and
fentiments'of this Assembly, the following articles
were proposed, voted, and agreed to.
I. That the inhabitants of this county do owe,
and will pay due allegiance to his Majesty King
GEORGE the Third.
11. That it is the inherent right of British fub
jeds, to be taxed by their own consent, or by
representatives chosen by themselves only, and
that every ad of the British Parliament, refpeding
the internal police of North-America is unconsti
tutional, and an invasion of our just rights a id pri
vileges.
111. That the late ad of Parliament, inflicting
pains and penalties on the town of Boston, by
blocking up their harbour, is a precedent justly
alarming to the British colonies in America, and
entirely inconfiflent with, and subversive of their
conftitutionaljights and liberties.
IV. That a congress of deputies from the seve
ral colonies in North-America, is the most proba
ble and proper mode for obtaining a redress of
American grievances, securing our rights and li
berties, and re-establishing peace and harmony be
tween Great Britain and these Colonies, on a
constitutional foundation.
V. That the inhabitants of this county will
adopt and carry into execution, all and singular
such peaceable and constitutional measures as shall
be agreed on by a majority of the colonies, by
their deputies at the intended Congress.
VI. That the Speaker ofthe Honourable House
of Assembly of this government, be desired to
write to the several members in this county re
questing them to convene at New-Castle on or be
fore the firft day of August next, to appoint depu
ties to attend at a General Congress for the Colo
nies, at such time and place, as Ihall be generally
agreed on.
VII. That it is our opinion, that it would con
duce to the restoration of rhe liberties of America,
should the colonies enter into a joint agreement,
not to import any article of British manufactory,
or carry on any branch of trade, unless under such
reftriaions as may be agreed upon by the Congress.
VIII. That the committee herein after ap
pointed, are hereby desired to receive the fub
fcriptionr of such charitable persons in this coun
ty, who sh ril incline to contribute towards the dis
tressed and fuffering inhabitants of the town of
Boston, and that the money railed by such sub
scriptions, b? difpefed of by the said committee,
for the use of the said inhabitants whom we con
fider as fuffering in the common cause of America.
XI. That the Committee now to be chosen
consist of thirteen persons, viz. 1 homas Robinlon,
Levin Crapper, Boaz Manlove, Benjamin Burton,
and John Wiltbank, Esquires, and Stephen Town
send, Gentleman, the Representatives of this
county, and David 'lall, Esq ; the Rev. Matthew
Wilson, Jacob Moore, Esq; Mr. John Clowes,
Daniel Nunez, Esq; John Rodney, Esq; and Hr.
William Peery, who, or any seven of them, feeing
dulv notified, are to meet, and correspond with the