The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1780-08-12 00:00:00, page 4

The scenes lately prorated to our view, and the prof
pea befr, e us, we are tenfibk, are very distressing and
discouraging ; and though we lament that such amicable
measures, as have been proposed, both here and in Eng
mu, tor the adjustment of the unhappy contests fubtift
ing, have not yet been effeaual ; netatnelefs, we Should
rejoice to observe the continuance of mutual peaceable
endeavours for effeaing a reconciliation; having geunds
to hue(hat thedivme favour and blessing will attend them.
* It hath ever been our judgment and principle, since
' we w^re called to profefs the light of Christ Jesus, m'a
' nifefled in our consciences unto this day, that the fet
' ting up, and putting down Kings and governments, is
' God's peculiar prerogative ; for cable# best known to
'himfelf ; and th^t it is net our buGnefs to have any hand
' or contrivance therein ; nor to be busy bodies above
' our Ration much lets to plot and contrive the ruin, or
' overturn of any of them, but to pray for the King, and
'fafety of our nation,and good of all men ; that we may
' live a peaceable and quiet life, in all godliness and ho
' nefly ; under the government which God is pleased to
' Set over us.' Ancient Testimony, 1696, in Sewell's
Hiftoty.
May we therefore firmly unrein the abhorrence of all
fu h writings, and measures, as evidence a desire and de
sign to break off the happy connection we have heretofore
enjoyed with the kingdom of Great-Eritam, and ourj.R
and necessary Subordination to theKmg> and those who
are I wfully placed in authority under im ; that thus the
repeated fo ! emn declarations, made on this fubjed, in
the a idreffesfent to theKing, on behalf of rhe people of
America in general, may be confirmed, a d remain to be
cur firm and lincere intentions to observe and fulfil
Signed in and on behalf of a meeting of the bepre
fentatives of our Religious -Society, in P nnfylva
nia and New Jersey ; held at Philadelphia, the
20th day of rae nrlt moath, 1776.
JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk.
To our Friends and Brethren in religious profeffion, in
these and tire ad jaceot Provinces.
Dearly helped Friends and Brethren,
OU R minds being renewediy impreff^d with a fervent
religions concern for your (piritual welfare, and pre
servation, in the love and fellowship of the gospel of bur
Lord Jesus Curifl the Prince of Peace, by theconftrain
ings offois love, we are engaged to Salute you in this time
of deep exercise, affliction and difficulty ; earnestly desi
ring, that we may by fieady circumfpe&ion and care,
in every part of our conduct and conversation, evidence,
that under the Close trials, which are and may be permit
ted to attend us out faith and reliance is fixed on him a
lone for proteaion and deliverance, remembering his gra
cious promise to his faithful followers, “ Lo, lam with
you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew
xxviii. to.
And ' as it became him for whom are all things, and
' by whom are all things, in bringing many Sons unto
' glory, to make the captain of their Salvation perfect
' through Sufferings.' Heb ii. 10. Let us not be dif
mayed> if we are now led in the fame path.
A^e keep in the Lord's power and peaceable truth,
which is over all, and therein feck the good of all, neither
outward Sufferings, persecutions, nor any outward thing
that is below, will hinder or break our heavenly fellowship
in the light and Spirit of CinP. G. Fox's Epifl. 1685.
Thus we may with drift'an firmnefs.aad fortitude,
withstand apd refufe to Submit to the arbitrary injunctions
and ordinances of men, who assume to themselves the pow
er of comp: Ring others, either in person or by other assist
ance, to r>o m carrying on war, and of prescribing modes
of determining concerning our religions principles, by
impofiog eftsne? warranted by the precepts of Christ, cr
the I WM of the happy conflitut on, under which we and
others, lon yen joyed tranquility and peace.
We there ore, in the abounding^ of that love, which
wifheth the Spiritual and temporal prosperity of all men,
exhort, admonish nd caution all who make religious pro
feffioD wto us, and efpecislly our beloved youth, to
R 'nd fafl in that liberty, wherewith through the mani
fold Surf rugs rs our predecessors, we have been favoured,
and Readily to bear our testimony against every attempt
to deprive u c of it.
And dear Friends, you who have known the truth, and
the powerful operations thereof in your minds, adhere
faithfully Thereto, and by your good examples and Ra ri
lity, labour to Rrengrhen die weak, confirm the waver
ing, and warh and caution the unweary aganft being be
guil d by fee Shares o' tire adversaries of truth and right
eoufnef^. Let not the fear of m^rmg, either in perlon
or property, prevail on any to join with or promote any
work or preparation for war.
Qu: proleffion and principles are found'd on that Spirit
Which is contrary to, and will in time put an end to ail
wars, and bring in everiafting r'ghteoufnels ; and by our
constantly abiding under the direction and mftruaion of
that spirit, we may be endued with that ' wifdem irom
c above, which is firft pure, then peaceable, gentle and
' easy to be entreated, full of mercy andgood fruits,
< without partiality, and without hypocrify.' James
iii. 17. That this may be our happy experience, is our
fervent desire and prayer.
Signed in and on behalf of the Meeting for Sufferings,
held in Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New-
Jersey, the 20th day of the twelfth month, 1776.
JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk.
Minute of the Quarterly Meeting held in Philadelphia,
Bth month 4th, 1777.
r p HE account from the Several meetings in Philadel
' phia reflating to the Subject of Sufferings being read,
their care and attention to the direction of the Yearly
Meeting is approved of, and their further attention on
such cases as may arise is desired ; and as it may be ufe
ful for these now brought to be communicated to the
Meeting for Sufferings for further confederation, the
Clerk is directed to lay them before that meeting.
Copied from the Minuses of (aid Meeting,
JOHN PEMBERTON, Clerk.
Ata Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia, held on the 25th
and gift days 7th month, and ift Bth month, 1777.
' A COMMITTEE being appointed, agreeable
tothe recommendation of our last Yearly Meeting, to
adviLand assist any of eur friends who have been brought
under fufferings on account of our Chriftiah Testimony;
and to preserve a record of such fufferings, have acquaint
ed this meeting in writing, that they have Several times
met and freely conferred on the Subject, and although a
number of our brethren have Suffered on various occafi
-01)8 under the prevailing tumults and confufions which
,have attended, yet no account of particular cases hath
been f& collected as to enable them to make a full report
thereon; we have therefore continued the fame Commit
tee, and desire their further attention to the service, that
the intention of the Yearly Meeting may be fulfilled.
At a Monthly Meeting of Friends in Philadelphia for
the Southern Diftria, held the 30th 7th month, 1777,
by adjournment.
THE Committee appointed by this meeting, to ad
vise and assist such of our members who might be Subject
ed to Suffering for the Testimony of Truth, and to kefy
a record thereof, agreeable to the direction oflaft Yearly
Meeting, brought in a report in writing, a copy of which
is herewith Sent :.
6 To the Monthly Meeting of Friends in Philadelphia,
for the Southern DiftriCt.
'WE the Committee appointed to advise and assist
' such of our members who might be Subjected to fuffer
' ing for the teftimeny of tfuth, hnd to keep a record
' thereof, agreeable to the direction of last Yearly Meet
' ing, do report, that we have kept this matter under
' our care, in order that we might give our assistance
' when neceffry. And although there were Some oc
' currences previous to our appointment, wherein some
' were Subjected to Suffering; no cases have fallen out
' of late which required our particular care. Neverthe
' less we may observe that some Friends have been in
' jured i their property, by having had blankets taken
' from them on account of their non-compliance with a
' requisition that was made for a number of blankets,
' for the purpose of equipping soldiers going to war.—
' Some also whd followed their lawful vocations on the
' days appointed by those in authority, to be observed as
' public fafts, have been molested, and their shops violent
'iy Shut by the rabble.
' And likewise on the evening of a day lately appoint
' ed by the prefen: powers, for public rejoicing, divers
' Friends pad their windows broke by a licentious mob,
' because they could not join with the multitude in illu
' mihating their windows. But no account has been
' brought in by any Friend, of the loss or damage they
' have fufiained,
'Signed at the request and on behalf of the Committee,
• By JOHN REVNELL?
Philadelphia, 28th 7th month, 1777.
The Monthly Meeting for the Northern Diftrift ha
ving had a Committee appointed to the like service, pro
duced to that meeting the following report.
'IN ab much as divers of our members have been
' fubjeCtec tto various loffe-, oppreffious and impofitio^s,
' under the prefect commotions and tumults, the Com
-6 mutee appointed in the 12th mouth last to preserve a
' record 01 the fufferings of our brethern for a faithful
' adherence to rhe cause and testimony of truth, think it
' right to Submit to the consideration of the Monthly
' Meeting a general view of the Several matters in which
' toe Committee nave been excercifed, to encourage and
' promote faithfulness and a conduct confident with our
' religions proeffion, as also by a brotherly sympathy
' ana labour, to endeavour to relieve, assist and Rreogtn
' en Some of our opp'reffed brethren
' Many of our houses have been flripped of the leaden
' weights used for the hanging of windows, by order
' of tnofe who have in thete tumultuous times assumed
' the rule
' la like manner have a considerable number of blan
' kets been forcibly taken and carried away from many
' Friends, declared to be for fitting out men to go to
' war Tae being compelled into a contribution for such
' a purpose has been grievous to noneft mentis And
' tome have had their dock of tris necefory article so
' reduced, as to be likely to want the needful covering
' in a cooler season; So far as have come to our know
' ledge, we have reason to believe Friends have mostly
' lettered in this, and the rest indan.e, with a good de
' gree of p tience and meekness, and have generally
' Shewn a disapprobation of such exactions.
' The honied of Several Friends have been wantonly
6 abused, and them windows broke and destroyed by a
' rude rabble, :or not joining with the present rulers in
6 tneir pretended afts of devotion, and conforming to
'their ordinances m making a ihew ot that fort in fhut
' ting up our houses and Ihups, profeffedly to observe a
6 day of humiliation, and to crave a blessing on their
' public proceedings but evidently tending to Spread
' toe Spirit of ftrife and contention.
' lhe like abuses and wanton ueßruamn of our pro
' petty hath lately been repeated, because Friends could
' not illuminate their houses, and conform to such vain
' practices, and outward marxs of rejoicing, to com
' numerate the time of these peoples withdrawing them
' Selves from all fubjectiop to the English government,
' and from our excellent ,conftuution, under which we
' long enjoyed peace and prosperity.
' Some of our members nave also had soldiers forced
' into their houses and kept there for feme time, by
' which families have been much incommoded, and our
' peaceable testimony disregarded by the authors of thia
3 imposition.
' Edward Wells was Seized in the Street by a number
' of armed men, and for refufing 0 bear arms, or to
6 aid and assist in warlike Services, was commit ed to the
* New Prison in this city, and confined there about three
' days, by order of General Putnam.
4 Aad for the bke refufal, Thomas Mafterman, Wil
' liam Brown, and William Wayne, were taken from
' their dwellings by an armed company of men, and
' with drum and mufit paraded through the Meets for
' a coafiderable time before they were permitted to re
' turn to their habitations.
6 Samuel Shaw having been appointed under the pre
' sent rulers to aft in conjunction with their Magiflrate#
' as an Overseer of the Poor, after a deliberate confider
' ation of the matter, concluded to decline the office,
' believing it to be inconsistent with his own peace of
' mind, and the Solid advice of Friends at our last Year
'ly Meeting. He was fined for refufiog to serve, Twen
' ty Pounds, and had his goods diftraiaed and taken
6 from him to the value of Twenty-eight Pounds.
' William Compton's case will close the report we
' have to make, which is set forth in the two following
' Minutes of cur Monthly Meeting, except that of his
' having been kept close prisoner near fix weeks, debar
' red from the conversation and advice of his Friends,
' and thereby prevented from minifefting bis innocence
' of the charge brought against him, at a time when he
' was threatened with very severe usage, even to the en.
' dangering of hislife, altho' from aught that has ap
e peared, the authors of this injurious and cruel treat
' ment had not the least grounds therefor.
sth Month 27th, 1777. ' The Committee appointed
' to afford their advice and assistance to such of our
' brethren at might be brought under Suffering, having
' had divers meetings with the Overseers and Several other
' Friend, and taken into (heir consideration the situation,
' of William Compton, one of our members, who was
' committed to the New Prison in this city on the 18th
< day of last month, by a written order signed by Phi
' lip Schuyler, ading in the charafter of a General and
c commander of the military forces in this city, and
' though repeated appli ations have been made to him,
' and his promise obtained, that William should be en
' larged, having informed Friends that So far as had
<come to his knowledge, nothing criminal in the view of
< those who now exercise authority in this place, had
« upon examination been found against him ; yet he is
< fti'll continued in Confinement, and thereappears frefh
< occasion for an exercise of brotherly care and chriftian
<Sympathy in his cafe.—Afer a solid deliberation there
«en in this meeting, our Friends John Hunt, Charles
6 Weft, John Parrish, Samuel Smith, William Cowper,
< William Fisher, Joshua Howell, Isaac Catbrall, and
s Henry Drinker, were appointed to take the fame un
c der their immediate and religious care, and desired to
< afford such assistance and help therein as our said friend's
< situation may appear to require, and Should they appre
<hend it necessary, they are at liberty to lay the fame
' before our Meeting for Sufferings, for their advice in
'this matter, in which our Society now is, and may be
' deeply icterefted.
6th Month 24th, 1777° ' The Committee nominated
' last month, having Several times met together with Some
' of our brethren in this city, on the day of their appoint.
' ment, and the Succeeding day and seriously considered
' the alarming flretch of power which had been, and the
' Severity which was proposed to be exercised in the case
' of William Compton, they concluded it right to de
' monftrate against, and endeavour to prevent feme very
'arbitrary proceedings, with which be was then threat
c ned, and after diligently purfwing the matter, and per
' Tonally attending an examination which be was fubjed
' ed to, adi charge from his confinement was obtained,
' with a certificate that there did not appear the leaf!
' grounds for the charge brought igainft him.':
Philadelphia, 7th muntin 2otit, 1777.
To the Monthly Meeting of Friends of the Northern
Diftrid of Philadelphia, to be held by adjournment this
day.
Samuel smith,
WILLIAM COWPER,
CHARLES WEST,
JOHN PARRISH,
HENRY DRINKER.
The foregoing report was read, and considered, in our
said Meeting, and committed to the care of the Repre
sentatives, to be by them laid before oir Quarterly
Meeting.
HENRYDRINKER,CIerks
The amount of Friends Sufferings brought up from our
Several Monthly Meetings, chiefly for not bearing arms
and paying taxes for Supporting a war against the Govern
ment this year, is Four Hundred and Sixteeen Pounds
Five Shillings, Pennsylvania currency.
Divers Friends were imprisoned ; Some Soon discharged;
three continued primers upwards ofthree months, were
fined by the Court, but not yet levied, and their perlons
difenarged from imprisonment.
Extracted from the Minutes of our Quarterly Meeting,
held in Rahway, the 18th Bth month, 1777.
By JOHN SHOTWELL, Clerk.
Extract of a letter from General SULLIVAN to
CONGRESS, dated Hanover, August 25, 1777.
'Among the baggage takem on Staten Inland the i2d
instant, I find a number ofimpoitant papers; a copy of
three I inclofe for the perusal of Congress. The one
from the Yearly Meeting at Spank town, held the 19th
inflant, I think worthy the attention of Coogrefs.'
No. I. Where is Washington, what number of men or
cannon ?
N 0.2. Where is Sterling, what number ofmen and can
non ?
No. 3. Wfiere is Sullivan ? &c.
No. 4. Where is Dayton and Ogden, what number ?
No. 5< Whether there bean, troops pairing or re-passing?
No. 6. Intelligence from Albany.
No. 7. Intelligence from Philadelphia.
No. 8. Be very particular about time and place.
Information from JERSEY, 19th August, 1777-
It is laid General Howe landed near the head of Chefa
peak Bay, but cannot learn the particular spot nor when.
Wallington lays in Pennsylvania, abouf twelve miles
from Coryell's Ferry.
Sullivan lays about fix miles northward of Morris-
Town, with about two thousand men.
Spank town Yearly Meeting.
Intelligence from JERSEY, Sunday, July zt
I saw on their full march severe miles from Morris-
Town, on the road to Delaware, General Wafnington,
General Mulenburgh, General Weeden, with four
thousand men, and General Knox with bis train of ar
tillery, confining of fourteen field pieces, and one how
itz, seventy nine ammunition waggons, and one hundred
and thirty baggage waggons ; and then proceeding on the
road from Hackett's Town to Eafton, there saw on their
full march to Delaware, General Stevens and General
Scott with four thousand men and light field pieces, and
on the road met twenty-nine flat-bottomed boats; and
proceeded down to Quibble-Town, where I saw General
Stirling and Generaf Conway with three thousand men,
and no field pieces. lam informed that General Sulli
van has crossed the North-River, and is bringing up the
rear. As to the truth of that, I hope I shall be able to
inform you in two or three days.
Received August 1, 1777.
Publiflied by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Philadelphia : Printed by John Dunlap.