The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1778-04-22 00:00:00, page 8

at Fort Edward, was franger than the enemy's
force. Parliament knew the force sent out as well
as the Minister. The Waiftry proraifed the army
should bd supplied; the army has been fuppked.
-Ministry premised to raise the money nectary for
the femices; the money has been raffed. The pub
lic therefore has been deceived by the event It
may be afted, what is likely to be the effect of this
proportion? The real effect I cannot lay, but it is
a right thing to endeavour to bring about a peace. £
do not fee that any other concession can be made
without admitting the complete independency of
America. But what would be the effea of that in
dependency^ I cannot fee into futurity; but it is
big with many possible evils. Independency with a
cordial love between us, is one thing; with an union
with our enemies, fatal. From their independency
a danger atifes from a great navxl power; a danger
also to our other possessions, I do not think we
should yield to it till our referees are much lower
ed. Independency is not beneficial to America; ffie
cannot be so happy, to easy; can,ot have such per
sonal liberty, as if flie remains dependent on us. If
independent, ihe mutt be loaded with heavy bur
thens, more heavy than she had; aer personal liber
ty will not be so great. Her present fixation, a s
compared with curs, is ten times mere grievous.
Her formers are ruined; when all the necessaries of
life fell at prices the most high, they are compelled
to fell the produce of their land at a final! price in
comparison. I was assured that, at Albany; tei, a
necessary article there, fold at sixteen dollars per
pound, and fait at thirty dollars per bushel. Think
ing that men in this situation, will be inclined to
peace upon jpft and reafon?ble terms, I move the
Hcufe for leave to bring in two bills, &c. &c.
This, gentle Reader, is the famous lord
North, who declared He would not treat till be
bad America at bis feet.— However, so far as a
sense of their own wretched fixation may make
them anxious for putting an end to the ^ar,
we ought to be thankful to the great disposer
of events, for so mercifully humbling and caft
in^ them down, and as to their filly and con
temptible rorifenfe about Acts of Parliament,
pardons, Governors, and the equally absurd
jargon of America conquering berfelf by refeind
ing her Independence, in order to be taken care
ofby those who cannot take care of themselves, must
all be imputed to that ignorance of mankind,
that corruption of heart, that frantic system of
politics, whigh have made Britain wretched,
and set her up as a laughing frock for the rest of
Europe. A good army in the field, will make
the Commissioners, when they come, have ve
ry different ideas to what they may at firft set
out with. Britain may be thankful for peace
with America at any rate, for without it, Bri
tain must be ruined.
In CONGRESS, April 22, 1778.
THE Committee to whom w?s referred the Gene
ral's letter of the iSth, containing a certain
printed paper sent from Philadelphia, purporting to
be the draught of a bill tor declaring the intentions of
the Parliament of Great-Britain, as to the exercise of
what they are p'eafed to term their right or imp sing
txes within these United States ; ?c also the draught
of a bill to enable the King or Great-Britain to ap
point Commissioners, wih powersto treat, consult
and agree upon the means of quieting certain disorders
within the laid States, b g leave to o^ferve,
That the said paper being indufn i^ufly circulated by
em ffrries of the enemy, in a partial nd feciet manner,
the fame ought to be forthwith printed for the public
information.
The Committee cannot afrertain whether the con
tents of the said paper have been framed in Philadel
phia or in Great-Britain, much less whether the fime
are really and truly intended to be brought into the
Parliament cf that kingdom, or whether the said Par
liament will confer thereon the u f ua! solemnities of
their laws. But are inclined to believe this will hap
pen, for the following reasons.
ift. Because their General hath made divers feeble
efforts to set on foot some kind of treaty during the last
winter, though, either from a jniftaken idea of his
own dignity and importance, the want of information,
or some other cause, he hath not made application to
those who are inverted with a proper authority.
2 dly. B,caufe they suppose that the fallacious idea of
a certation of hostilities will render these States remiss
in their preparations for war.
3<Uy. Because believing the Americans wearied with
war, they suppose we will accede to their terms for the
fake of peace.
[bly. Bgaufe they suppose that our negociations
may be Subject to a like corrupt influence with their
debates.
gthly. Becrufe they expert from this step the fame
effe&s they did from what one of their mmfters thought
proper to call his conciliator) motion, viz. that it will
prevent foreign powers from giving aid to these States;
that it will leal their own futy^&s to continue a little
longer the present war; and that it will detach some
weak men in America from the cauie of freedom and
Virtue.
6thly. Because their King, from his own shewing,
hrth reason to apprehend that his fleets and armies,
instead of being employed against the territories of
these States, will be necessary for the defence of hit
own dominions. And
ythly. Beciub the impra&icabilty of Subjugating
this country being every day more and more manifeft,
it is their interest to extricate themfelve? from the war
upon any terms.
The Committee beg leave further to observe, That,
upon a foppsfuion the matters contained in the said pa
per will really go into the British Statute Book, they
ierve to show, in a clear point of view, the weakness
and wickedness of the enemy. Their Weakness,
ift. Because they formerly declared, not only that
they had a right to bind the inhabitants of these States
in all cases whatsoever, but also that the said inhabi
tants Should abfoiutfy and unconditionally submit to the
exercise of that r.^ht. And this submission they have
endeavoured to ex^df by the sword. Receding from
this claim, therefore, under the present circumstances,
shews their inability to enforce it.
idly. Because their Prince hath heretofore rejected
the humbkft petitions of the Representatives of Ame
rica, praying to be considered as fubj^s, and protest
ed in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and Safety; and
hath waged a most cruel war against them, and em
ployed the Ravages to butcher innocent women and
children. But now the fame Prince pretends to treat
with those very Reprefent^tives, and grant to the arms
of America what he refufed to her prayers.
,diy, Because they have uniformly laboured to con
quer this continent, rejecting every 'idea of accommo
dation proposed to them, from a confidence in their
own strength. Wherefore it is evident, from the
change in theii mode of attack, that they have left
this confidence. And
q.thly. Be^ufe the constant language, Spoken not
oniy ^y their Mmilters, but by the mort public and
authentic a£ts of the nation, hath been, that it is incom
patible with their dignity to treat with the Americans
while they have arms in their hands. Notwithstanding
which, an offer is now about to made for treaty.
The wickednQ and infacerity of the enemy appear
from the following considerations,
irt. Either the Bills now to be passed contain a direct
or indire& cession of a part of their former claims, or
they do not. Ifthey do, then it is acknowledged that
they have Sacrificed many brave men in an unjuftqu rr
rel. If they do not, then they are calculated to de
ceive America into terms, to which neither argument
before the war, nor force since, could procure her as
sent.
idly. The firft of these Bills appears, from the title,
to be a declaration of the intentions of the British Par
liament concerning the exercise of the right of impojing
taxes within these States. Wherefore, should these
States treat under the said bill; the, oould indir &iy
acknowledge that right, to obtain which acknowledg
ment the prefect war hath been avowedly undertaken
and prosecuted on the part of Great Britain.
gdly. Should such pretended right be so acquiesced
in, then, ofcontequence, the. fame might be ex< rcifed
whenever the British Parliament fhcul 1 fiid thernfelves
in a different temper and difptfticn \ since it m^ft de
pend upon those, and such like contingencies, howfar
men wil a& according to their former intentions.
4thly. The said firitßll, in the body thereof, con
taineth no new matter, but is pr^ifely the fime with
the motion before-mentioned, rmi liable to all the ob
je&ions which lay against the laid motion, excepting
the following particular, viz, that b) the motion a&uul
taxation was to be fufpehded, so long ^s America
should give as inuch as the said Parliament might think
proper: Whereas, by the proposed bill, it is to be sus
pended, as long as future Parliaments continue of the
fame mind with the present.
gthly. From the second Bill it appears, that the Bri
tish King may, if he pleases, appoint Commissioners
to treat and agree with those, whom they please, about
a variety of things therein mentioned. But such trea
ties and agreements are to be of no validity without
the concurrence of the said Parliareent, except so far
as they relate to t\\e fufpenfanoi hoftdities, and of cer
tain of their a&s, the granting of pardons, and the
appointing of Governors to these foveeign, free and
independent States. Wherefore, the said Parliament
have reserved to thenafelves, in express words, the pow
er of setting aside aay such treaty, and taking the ad
vantage of any circumstances which may arile to fitte
je& this Continent to their usurpations.
6thly. The laid Bill, by holding forth a tender of
pardon, implies a criminality in our juftifiable resist
ance, and consequently, to treat under it would be an
implied acknowledgment that the inhabitants of these
States were, what Britain hath declared them to be,
Rebels.
ythly. The inhabitants of these States being claim
ed by them as fubje&s, they may infer; from the na
ture of the negociation now pretended to be set on
foot, that the said inhabitants would of right be after
wards bound by such laws as they ihould make.
Wherefore any agreement entered into on such nego
tiation might at any future time be repealed. And
Sthly. Because the said Bill purports, that the Com
missioners therein mentioned may treat with private
individuals; a meaiute highly derogatory to the dig
nity of national character.
From all which it appears evident to your Commit
tee, that the said Bills are intended to operate upon
the hopes and fears of the good people of thele States,
so as to create divifiona among them, and a defedion
from the common cauf?, now by the bl :fini { of Divide
Providence drawing near to a favourable if J, That
they are the feqiel of what infidlow? pl n which, from
the days of the Stampa& down to th- present time,
bath involved this country in contention and blood (he<h
And that, as in other dafes so in this, akhou^h cir
cumstances may force them at timed to icc^e f<om
their unjuftifiable cLimi, there can fe no doubt but
they will as heretofore, upon the fi ft favourable cc
carton, again display that luff of dorir, tion, which
bath rent in twain tte'mighty empire of Britain.
Upon the whol^ matter, & Committee b e g leave to
report it as their opinion, that as the Americans unit
ed in this arduous concert upon principles of common
interest, for the defence of common rights and privi
leges, which Union hath been cemented by common
calamities and by mutual good offices and affection, so
the great cause for which they contend,, and in which
all mankind are interested, must derive its fucceft from
the continuance of that union. Wherefore any man,
or body of men, who Giould presume to make any Se
parate or partial convention or agreement With Com
missioners under the crown of Grea>£ritain, or any
of them, ought to be considered and treated as open
and avowed enemies of these United Stu r s.
And further your Committee big he ve to report it
as then opinion, That these Uni^ " 'a^ cannot,
with propriety, hold any conference o> irmy with &ny
Commissioners on the part of Crea Butrin, unless
they fall, as a preliminary thereto, <u e withdraw
their fleets and armies, or else, in positive and exprefa
terms, acknowledge the Independence of the said
States.
And inasmuch as it appears to he the drfign f the
enemies of these States to lull them into a fatal lecmry
• —to the end that theymay a& with a becoming weight
and importFige, it is the opinion of your Committee,
That the federal States be called upon to the the most
ftrenuoue exertions to have thrir refye&ive quotas of
continer tai troops in th. field as fmn as portable, and
that all the militia of the frid States be held in readi
ness to aft as ocafion may require.
The report being read, and debited by paragraphs,
RtfAved unanimetfo, That Con,\fs approve <and
confit m the said report.
PubliJhcd by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
&^M^*^*^^±*^^^^*
March 20, 1778.
WA S sent from camp about the firft of
January lift, in care of one P, tu Copp, by
the subscriber, Lieutenant in the eleventh Penofylva
nia regiment, a chefn it bay HORS E, with a whits
face and black mane and tail, trots and paces, cat
bammed, his left ear fpht, about thirteen band. high.
Said Copp fays he was Prien at the sign of the Waggon,
on the great rqad leading from Philadelphia 10 Lan
caftcr, but is fufp^ed for felling him. Whoever t«ke#
up said horse, an^ the thief if stolen, shall Lave SIX
TEEN DOLLARS reward; but if fold, the purch-fer
returning said horse ovri have TEN DOLLARS, and
re.ubn.tble charg?, paid by William Wallace, m
Hnover Townihi,, Lancaster County, or by the tub
fcr.ber at camp.
-JAMES MACKE Y,_ Lieut
Cawp, PaUe, Forge, April ft, ,778 °
^ LL foldicu belonging to the nth
£l P^f-fyivania Regimen , that ^earirit by fur
ku,?i,are ordered to join the said rr;,m nt in carp,
in twenty dayt from rt.e abofe date • A dal! Pefertera
from said regim-nt who do rot furr.nder themfebes
hetore the firit of M^y, will, if tak^n, d t 1 ?ted with
he utmost fertrity. RICHARD HUMPTON,
Col mh Pans. Regt.
i%i Peanfarou:b Trarftip, March ~
W r H ER £AS the fubferibers, on the 20th
day of February 1 ft executed four Obligat ^.3
to Thomas Ewing, pf Weft Per, r.fborcugh towirthip,
Cumberland county, Tanner ; one for the payment of
Twerty^five Pounds, on the 20th day of Much, iuft,
another for the payment of Fifteen Pounds, ct the 20th
day of February, 1780; another for the pymait of
Twenty Pounds, on the zenh day of February, 1781;
And the other for the payment of Twenty Pounds, cn
the ieh day of February, 1752 : Which Obligations
the subscribers were compelled to give, by armed mtn,
and received no value.
Therefore all perfuns are hereby forbid to take any
alignment on said Obligations, or any of them, f or the
futefcribers will not pay them. GEORGE FRY.
CONR^ FRY,
OTOL E N from the subscriber, of
O Weft Caln in Charter county, tt^e of Pennsylva
nia, on the ijthof March, (inst.) enc movie-colored
HORSE, about 9 years old, hippvf-d about 14 hands
and an half high, strong and heavy bodied, paces and
trots, white feet, some white in hi* fare, his mane lays
on both sides his neck, and has a fwirch tsih —Alfc,
one FILLY, two years old this tyring, bouti+hands
3 inches high, three quarters Enfllfh blood, a bright
bay, bald face, one grils eye, one bind foot uhite, of
a gay and lofty carriage, and pibrps cfes neat a m:ke
and genteel appearance as any of her age to be found.
Whoever takes up the above berftt, so that the owner
may have them again, fha!l have SixPr rrds reward,
or Three Pounds for either, and Six Potrds;orthe
thief, if apprehended and brought to coy: ^hon, raid
by WILLIAM CLINGAN,
^^^^^xt^^j^^^
L A N C A S TE R,
Printed by J OHN DU 11 L A P,