The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-10-07 00:00:00, page 2

1 0 ^ b 0 N.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Tuesday, Janezz.
COMMITTEE on Papers „efented b, Mr. DEGREY,
the sgtb of March last, pursuant to an Addrefo
Mr. MONTAGUE in tiie Chair.
JOSEPH GALLOWAY, Esq; called in and exa
mined by Lord George Germain.
Q mg have you lived in America?
H A. I have lived in America from my na
tivity to the month of October lad, about forty eight
years.
Q. In what part; and what public office have you
held?
A. I have lived in the province of Maryland, in the
Delaware counties, and in the province of Pennsylvania,
chiefly.in Philadelphia. My public profeffion was that
of the law, I pra^Ued in all the courts of Pennsylvania,
in those of tue Delaware counties, and in the Supreme
court of New-Jersey. I was member of the Assembly
of Pennsylvania eighteen years, Speaker of the house
twelve. I was appointed by toe Assembly of Pennsylva
nia to attend the American Congress which met the fifth
diy of Sept. 1774. During the last war, under an ap
pointment, I icas one of the commissioners for disposing of
the money granted to the crown, and have been Several
times a commissioner to treat with the Indians, by the
Assembly of Pennsylvania. And when Sir William
Howe took poffeffioo of Pinladelpnia, at his request I un
dertook the office of Superintendent of the police of Pai
ladepbia and its Suburbs, of the ports, and of the prohi
bited articles.
Q When did you comeover to the British army, and
how long did you continue with it ?
A. I came over to the royal army the beginning of
Dec. 1776, and continued with it until the evacuation of
Philadelphia, toe eighteenth of June last.
Q At me be. lining of the present rebellion, when
the inhabitants firft took up arms, had the people in ge
neral independance in view?
A. Ido not believe, from the best knowledge I have
of the state of the people at that time, that one fifth of
the people of America had independance in view. I
would with when 1 give an opinion, always to give my
reasons for it. The progress of the Spirit 01 independance
ws very gradual. So early as the year 1754, there were
men in America, I may fay in the towns of Boston,
New-York, Philadelphia, and William&rg, who had
independence in profoed, and who were determined to
leize my opportunity that offered, to promote it, by pro
curii? additional persons to their number. Those men,
when the flam? Act was paffd, madea ftaiking horse or
screen of the G ntlem&n of the law in every part of A
meuca, to cover their designs, and to found the trumpet
of opposition against government, but still avowed that
tkeir conduct was on the ground of obtaining redress of
American grievances, and not with a design to separate
the two countries.
Upon this ground, lam confident, the Gentlemen of the
law afted. When the Tea Aft passed, they made the
fame use of the merchants who were smugglers inAmerica,
as they had done of the Lawyers before, still declaring
they meant not indepeodance. So late as the fitting of
Congress in 1774; the fame men, when charged with it
in Congress, and whilst they held it tenaciously and religi
ously in their hearts, they almoil to a degree of profani
ty denied it with their tongues; and all this was done on
their knowledge that the great bulk of the people of North
America was averse to independance. If we look at the
resolves of Congress, down almost to the very period of
the declaration of independance, we shall find the fame
language, a pretence of obtaining a redress of grievances,
held out to the people ; and for the fame reason, at the
very time they declared independance, they gave out that
it was not with a view to Separate the two countries, but
from necessity; unless they declared independance, the
powers of Europe would not trade with them, and they
were in great distress; I mean the people, by the want
of a great many aeceffaries. So that from all these cir
cumltances, I am convinced that not one fifth part of the
people had independance in view.
Q If so largea proportion of the people of America
were so averse to independance, why have they fuffered
their present rulers to obtain such a power over them,/ as
to prevent any effectual exertion in support of thtir prin
ciples ?
A. The Congress have prevailed upon a part of the
people, a very small part of the people, to take up arms
under pretence of obtaining a redress of grievances, and
having an army composed of those people under their com
giand, and lubjeft to miliu ry discipline, they disarmed
or caused to be disarmed all persons whom they thought dif
affefted to their measures ; or w,ifhed to be united to this
country, contrary to their scheme of independance. I
have the resolves of Congress, dated Sept.' 2, 17,5, at
my house, to that purpose; they w nt so far as to dis
arm (by fending two battalions into Queen's county, in
the province of New York, forthat purpose) a large num
ber f the people of that diflrift, for no ether reason but
bee.mfr ".. y voted against fending a member to the Con
tinental Congress. They totally, as I may fay, disfranchised
them, they would not fuffer them to trade, or be
traded rich , thy Suffered them to be Sued, but would
Dot let them Ge in their courts of justice; they would
not Suffer them to pass out of their diftrift on any
account. By these means the well affected part of
America to this government .became disarmed and the
an were put into the hands of those on whom Con
g, could rely. A small part of the people, if we
le : cfnto the history of this Kingdom so early as the great
rt Ilion in 1640, we shill find the very fad alltided to in
the question, adually exiting in the Bate of this King
dom; we ihall find the people taking up arms in order,
as it is f id, to obtain a redress of grievances, we fh:11
find that a few people at that time, who had arms in their
hands, preventing the rest, numerous as they were, from
taking measures for their relief.
Q After the declaration of independence, when Lord
Howe and the General arrived at Staten-Island, did the
people at large in the country express a desire to treat with
the Commissioners ?
A. I believe in the middle Colonies, where! resided,
it was generally the with of the people to treat with the
Commissioners; and I have the best reason to believe that
it was in pursuance of the clamours of the people about
the Congress, in Philadelphia, that they sent three Com
missioners t® meet I,ord and Sir William Howe.
Q What proportion of the inhabitants of the States
of t?ie revolted Colonies, do you think, from principle and
choice, supported the present rebellion at any period?
A. I don't think that one fifth part have, from principle
and choice, supported the present rebellion; many of those
who have appeared in support of it, have by a variety of
means been co spelled; I would with to give reasons, and
not fatigue the Committee: The last delegation to Con
gress made by the Province of Pennsylvania, and the ap
pointment of all the officers of that State was made by less
than 200 voters, altho' they have at least 30,000 men in
titled to vote by the Laws of that Province. One inflance
more I beg leave to give, one of the Delegates from the
Province of New-York, (with whom I fat in Congress in
1774) representing a considerable diftrift in that Province,
was chosen by bimfelf and his Clerk, and that Clerk cer
tified to Congress, that he was u^animoufly appointed.
Q Was the perlon so chosen received by Congress ?
A° Yes, he was received by Congress on that return, I
mean the Continental Congress, in 1774.
Q Fr ^ your knowledge of the people of America,
wit proportion of the inhabitants do you think at this
time would prefer a reconciliation with Great-Britain ra
ther than assist in supporting American independence.
A. From the experience which the people have had of
the superlative and excessive tyranny of their new rulers,
from the distresses they have felt by the ravages of war,
the loss of their trade, and from an aversion which they
have to an attachment and connexion with France, which
they are fearful will terminate in the less of their liberties,
civil as well as religious ; and from the old attachment,
and, I believe, an earned desire to be united with this
country, I think I may venture to fay, that many more
than four fifths of the people would prefer a union with
Great Britain upon constitutional dependance. Many of
the people who firft took part in the opposition to govern
ment, an I were deluded by the Congress and its adherents,
have severely felt every degree of distress. From those
feelings they now reason, and that reason has prevailed on
them to compare their old happy situation with their pre
sent misery, and to prefer the former.
Q What effeft do. you think it would have in America,
if the people of that country thought an opinion prevailed
here that they were generally hoflile to Great-Britain ?
A. It would strike the friends of this country with dis
tress and resentment—with distress at the thought they
should conceive an idea so injurious to their principles, and
with resentment at the injustice of the idea.
Q Have the inhabitants of America shewn a willingness
to take up arms in the present contell ; and have the Con
gress found it easy to recruit their armies?
A. A very small part of the inhabitants of North A
merica (I would rather confine myfelf to the middle and
southern Colonies) have shewn a willingness to take up
arms, more especially since the declaration of independence.
The Congress have not found it easy to recruit their ar
mirs; they have made use of every means that art and
force could suggest for that purpose.
Q_What were the methods made use of by the Congress
to compel the inhabitants to take up arms?
A. Whea they found they could not recruit their army
if the ordinary way by recruiting, the Rebel States passed
laws for drafting their militia, compelling every person
drafted to enter into the military service, er to find a sub
stitute, or to be imprisoned or to be pushed into the field
by the bayonet (that was not part of the law) In Virgi
nia they passed a law for exempting every two persons who
should find a recruit, from all military fervice—for these
substitutes and for the recruits there has been from forty
to one hundred pounds given. In Virginia they passed a
law for manumitting every servant who would enter into
th: service. By these means, and their ordinary mode of
recruiting, the Congress railed their armies, and not from
the voluntary enlistment of the people.
Q Were great exertions made by theCongrefs and their
adherents to bring a numerous army into the field for the
campaign of 1776 ?
A. There certainly was very great, but at that time
they did not make use of compulsory measures which they
were obliged to do afterwards, when the people were fatis
fied that they meant independance.
_ (To be Continued.)
PHIL A D'E L P H I &
A farther SUPPLEMENT to the Test Laius of this
State.
\V HEREAS by virtue of that inherent and wn
queftionabie right, which every government hath
to exaft a ted of allegiance from all persons within in
at such times and in such manner, as the preservation of
the State shall require; several test laws have been suc
cessively passed at different periods by the Legislature of
this State, presenting oaths of allegiance to this Common
wealth :
AND WHEREAS many persons have omitted to take
and fubferibe the fame, as is reasonably apprehended from
difatteaion to our late glorious revolution :
AND WHEREAS it is unjust as well as impolitic to
admit to a common participation of the blessings of imde
pendance, those who refufe to share in common with the
good people of these States, the dangers and inconveni
encies of the present contest :
AND WHEREAS many person, inimical to the liber
ties of this country, despairing cf subverting the fam % by
open force, may be induced to aflame tue mask of friend
ship, and after insinuating themselves into favor and con
fidence, endeavour to betray those whom tiiey cannot con
quer :
AND WHEREAS to secure and establish the indepen
dence of this Commonwealth, as declared by Congress, is
a duty which we owe to ourfeives who now enjoy it, to
those brave men who have exposed their lives for this no
ble purpose, and 10 our posterity who will claim at ou r
hands, this the most valuable inheritance that could have
been left them. Therefore to attain this great object, to
make a proper and reasonable diftindion between those
who Hep forward in the hour of trial, and those who
would enjoy the rewards of viftory, without having con
trlb", towards it, and to guard against secret and de
ceitful designs:
Be it enaaed, and it is hereby enacted, by the Referfo.
tatroes tftbe rreemen oj the Commonwealth of Pennfvt<va
n%a, in General foblymet, and by the authority of the fame,
Tiiat all male white inhabitants of this State, above the
age of eighteen ye^r; who hare not hitherto taken the
oath or affirmation mentioned and appointed to be taken
in the AH of Assembly, intitled, “ An Aft obliging the
" Male White Inhabitants of this State, to give affuran
“ ces of Allegiance to the fame, and fcr other purpofea
" therein mentioned," enacted the thirteenth day of June,
One thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, within the
time and according to the terms prescribed in laid Aft,
and who have allo negle&ed and omitted to take and sub
scribe the oath or affirmation in said AR mentioned, with
in the further time indulged, and according to the terms
prescribed, by an AR, intitled, “ An Ail for the further
“ Security of the Government," and who have neglected
to take and fubferibe the oath'or affirmation appointed to
be taken and fubferibe! by an A&, intitled, ' • A further
“ Supplement to the Aft, intitled, An Aft for the further
" Security of Government," within the time limited, and
according to the terms prescribed, in said lad mentioned
AH; and who fhull refufe or negled to take and fubferibe
the oath or affirmation prescribed in said Aft, passed the
fifth day of December, One thousand (even hundred and
feventy-eigkt; if an inhabitant of the county of Cumber
land, Bedford, Northumberland or Weftmoreland, on or
before the firft day of December next; or if an inhabi
tant of the county of Lancaster, York, Berks or North
ampton, within thirty five days from the palling of this
AR; or if an inhabitant of the city of Philadelphia, or
of the county of Philadelphia, Bucks or Chester, within
twenty days after the passing thereof; such perlons
shall be, and are hereby declared to be, excluded from,
and incapable of, electing or being elected into, or hold
ing, any cffice or place of trust within this government,
or Serving on juries, or keeping schools except in private
houses. dreiided ahi ays, That this A& Ihall not extend
to exempt them from serving the offices of Supervisor of
thehighways, Collector of the public taxes, or Overseers
of the Poor.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefeid That
every such persons so refufing or neglecting to take the
said oaths or affirmations, within the time hereby limited
and appointed, Ihall he forever excluded from the fame,
and deprived of the privileges and benefits of a citizen or
citizens who shall have complied with this Aft.
fl ND WHER E'AS some doubts have arisen on the
conftruftion of the said Ads, whether officers and soldiers
in the Continental Army, who have not taken the oaths of
allegiance within the limes limited in the fame, are intitled
to the privileges of citizens : To remove such doubts,
Be it enacted by the authority ajorefaid, That al! officers,
both of the line and ftaff, attending the army, and all sol
diers who are now or were in the service of this or the U
nited States, on the said firft day of June, One thousand
seven hundred and feveirty-eight, shall have and are here
by declared to have all^he privileges of citizens of this
Commonwealth, altho' they have not taken the oaths afore
faid, within the time and according to the terms in the said
Afis limited and prescribed, as fully as if they had taken
the said oaths, as soon as they shall have taken the fame.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid, That
so much of the before-mentioned Aft of Assembly, inti
tuled "An Aft obliging the Male White Inhabitants of
“ this State, to giy assurances of Allegiance to the fame,
" and for other purposes therein mentioned," enabled the
thirteenth day of June, One thousand seven hundred and
seventy-seven, and of the Aft, intitled " An A& for the
" further security of the Government," and of the Sup
plement thereto, as are hereby altered or supplied, shall be
repealed and become null and void; and that all other parts
of the fame Afts which are now in force, shall remain,
continue and be in as full force and effeft as if this Aft had
never been made.
JOHN BAYARD, Speaker.
Enaßed into a Law at Philadelphia, on Friday
the firft day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand seven hundred andfeventy-nine,
JOHN MORRIS, Jun.
Clerk of the General Assembly.
Be it therefore enabled, and it is hereby enabled, by the Re
presentatives of the Freemen of the Commonwealth of Penn
sylvania, in General Assembly met; and by the authority of
Th " fr ° m and after the publication of this
Aft, instead of the said sum of Three Pence per Pound,
and Nine Shillings per head, there shall be assessed, levi
n'’ 'oct?"' collected, any sum or sums not exceeding
Five Shillings per Pound, in any one year, on all proper
ty made taxable by the said Aft, and also on the Propri
etaries proper estate, and on all ground-rents; and the tax
on single men shall be in the fame proportion to the tax on
property to be. raised by virtue of this Aft, as in the be
fore recited Aft, and to be assessed, levied, raised, collect
ed and applied according to the directions of the said A&.
."^ ''" further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
the Treasurer of the city of Philadelphia, and the Treasu
rer of each of the counties of this Commonwealth, shall
become bound ,to the Commissioners of the city and pro
pei county, with one or more fufficient sureties, in Five
Thousand Pounds, conditioned for the true execution of
their refpeCtive offices.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
the reward for killing a full grown dog or bitch wolf fliali
be fifteen Pounds ; and for every wolf puppy or whelp
rQ rev ,l to be P aid in the manner directed by the
said Aft and supplement thereto.'
And be it further enacted by the authority aforefaid. That
all taxes to be assessed by virtue of the Aft to which this
I'? S % P ?, ent , or b y this Aft, on all lands, houses and
lots, shall be paid by the person or persons possessing s uc h
ons'of th° e U fiid°Aa"' a ' d levied " c ° rdi °' '° th ° d " e&i ~
Provided that nothing herein contained shall be deemed
•r taken to difannul or make void the said recited Aft, or
W HEREAS it has been f ^und by experience that
'v the said Aft is defeftive in sundry parts thereof, and
in order that it may fully answer the good purposes for
which it was intended, requires to be amended in the fol
lowing particulars; that is to fay,
WHEREAS it is enabled in and by the said Aft
that no assessment of county rates, to be made by virtue
of the said Aft, in any one year, shall exceed the value
°f Three Pence per Pound and Nine Shillings per head
on single men liable to be taxed by the said Aft ; and that
the Proprietaries proper estate should not be liable to be
rated or assessed :
A Supplement to the Afi for raifag of County Rates ana
Levies.