Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-07-11 00:00:00, page 2

the (applies necessary to the payment of the inte
rest of the national debt (so wantonly incurred
by profligate minifter^) and for carrying on the
iniquitous practice of bribing your representatives
from your service to that of the Ministry, cannot
be longer raised in Britain; they now therefore
wilh to extend to America their intolerable im
posts, in order to enable them to continue their
oppressive tyranny over you.
The motive for this extension of taxes to Ame
rica every thinking man must deVelope, and must
abhor, well knowing that the design of Govern
ment is not to ease the British fubjed of his bur
then, but to place his American brother in a itate
of equal oppreflion ; I therefore hope the Ameri
cans will Readily oppose and refufe submission to
the present, and intended, arbitrary and uncOnfti
tutioral taxations about to be inipofed upon them ;
for, by refitting tyranny only can they preserve
their own freedom, and render America an happy
asylum for men desirous of enjoying that liberty
to which they are legally entitled, as to any other
valuable privilege, by birth-right.
I am, Sir, &c.
CASSIU S.
To one ofthe questions, quoted by dur author
" Can you /heiv there is any kind of difference be
tween external and internal taxes ?" the Doctor
replies, " % difference is very great; an external
tax is laid on commodities imported—if the people
do not like the price they refufe it, they are not obliged
to pay it." From this extras the Writer infers, that
" the opposition avowed b, Dr. Franklin to dutiable
arCc es is the refujing to purchase them;" and then
proceeds to declare, " that this was the general
language through America," and from thence inti
mates that the Parliament, in passing the Tea-aft,
did not break in upon the limits prescribed by the
Americans themselves— ^ fay intimates, because
the writer, guarding the Sentiment under a query,
does not expressly declare it.
Perhaps we cannot take a more colleftive view
of the " language of America," than from the Re
solves of the congress held at New-York, October
19, 1765 —The firft is, that his Majesty's fubjeßs
in these colonies owe the fame allegiance to the
crown of Great Britain that is owing from his
fubjeas born within the realm, and all due fub
ordmation to that august body the Parliament.
Secondly, that his Majesty's liege fubjeds in these
colonies are entitled to all the inherent rights and
I shall begin by denying that the Americans ever
fixed the Doctor's sentiments in that refpe&, " as
the ground on which they wifoed to fland." The de
fence he made in Parliament was certainly a noble
one, and what did him the greatest honour: I
know no man on the continent that could have
acquitted himfelf so well. But wherever we find
him granting too much to the power of Parliament,
great as bis abilities are, we must beg leave to dis
sent. If it should be asked, why did we not difent
before? it may be replied, that the Americans
were so much pleased with the general tenor of
his sentiments, that they fuffered some particular
exceptionable parts to pass unnoticed, or that they
had not taken so good and clear a view of the ar
gument at that time as they have done since: and
I am fully convinced if the Do&or was now to
publish his political creed, he would circumferibe
the power of regulating trade within much nar
rower bounds than he thought proper to avow at
the bar of the House.
Openly to avow a difference in sentiment with
so illustrious a character as the Dolor's, may pos
sibly fubjed a writer of ray poor abilities to the
dread severity of critical discipline— Not that I
fliall stand entirely alone, for if I do not mistake
the meaning of the author of the Political Re
flections, in his firft number, he intends to convey
some kind of difTent to the propriety of the wor
thy Dolor's opinion; why he touched so lightly
on the fubje& is best known to himfelf, but I should
have thought that the point of regulating trade by
afts of Parliament was full as important to the
present generation as providing a revenue for an
American monarch a thousand years hence, which,
with all due submission to the author, is somewhat
whimsical.
The freedom with which these matters are can
vassed, and the decency with which the gentlemen
treat each other, will probably tempt more writers
abroad than if they had supported their reasonings
with virulent personal inve&ives: and, indeed,
they have certainly judged right, for it is the
measures and not the men that deserve public at
tention ; therefore whenever a writer vindictively
enters the lifts, every good citizen will frown
with resentment on the folly of the attempt.
1 am not ashamed, Gentlemen, to avow myfelf
on the moderate fide of the question, but yet can
not be tied down implicitly to follow every mode
prescribed by your preachers of moderation.—l
have particularly “ in my eye" the last piece in
the Pennsylvania Packet, addressed to the Printer,
without title or signature. The author desires us
to " review the ground on which we formerly wifloed
to fund, and, to enable us to determine what
that "ground" was, gives us extracts from Doctor
Franklin's examination before the Houle of Com
mons.
One writer tells you, 'tis better to facrifice your
lives and fortunes than loose your liberties—-Ano
ther takes great pains to convince you, that though
your liberties are in danger you may preserve them
by moderate means without facrificiug either —A
third infills that your moderate men are the most
dangerous enemies to the community—A fourth,
without giving any sentiments of his own, refers
you to the opinion of two celebrated American
Patriots, Doctor Franklin and the Pennsylvania
Farmer.
THE inhabitants of these Colonies, though
generally blessed with good understandings
and quick difeernment, are many of them so closely
engaged with their immediate domestic cares and
concerns, that they do not fu fficiently advert to
the whole chain of politics; and are therefore lia
ble to be misled or mifinformed.
The B E A C O N. No. I.
(7^ be continued occasionally.)
Friday the Generals Lloyd, Clinton, and Charl
ton, Lord George Clinton, Mr. Fitzwilliams, and
several other Gentlemen, set forward,in company,
to join the Ruffian army on the banks of the Da
nube, to be present at the ensuing campaign. The
firft of these Gentlemen is honoured by the Em
press with the command of 16,000 of her troops,
the rest go as volunteers. They are to meet
their relpedive families at Peterfbuigh at Christ
mas next.
It is reported there are at this time no less than
5000 seamen in actual service on board his Ma
jesty's ships of war on the Weft-India and Ameri
can Rations.
The Robert, Grace, from Jamaica to Liver
pool, is totally loft near Milford; the crew were
saved.
April 28. We are informed that a general dis
content prevails all over Ireland on account ofthe
STAMP ACT; and it is expected that next
sessions there will be petitions from all parts of that
kingdom to Parliament, praying the ftamp-aft
might be repealed.
April 29. Nothing at the present conjuffure,
could be so h ppy for this nation as a foreign war,
which, by uniting us against the common enemy,
would (hew us the necessity of accommodating our
domestic broils.
May 2. A scheme is in agitation for eftabliffiing
a mint for silver coinage at New-York, in America,
for the better regulation of American currency,
which will shortly be executed.
The Premier has hinted his desire to a Great
Personage of retiring as soon as America is, by his
endeavours, brought to a Rate of tranquility. If
this is true, we are not likely to have a new Pre
mier for some years.
They write from Cadiz, that the Le Sereux and
the Don Philip, two Spanish Frigates, which had
on board 4000 file arms, and ammunition, bound
for the Havannah, are foundered at sea in a gale of
wind; all their crews perished.
May §. The bill for providing quarters for the
troops in North-America, was read yesterday a
second time in the lower assembly, and committed
for this day.
May 7, By the French mail which arrived yes
terday we received the following letter, dated
Versailles, May 1.
“ The 27th ult. his Majesty being at Trianon,
was seized with a shivering, which was followed
by a fever, violent pains in his head and loins,
and a tendency to vomit. The ordinary remedies
were immediately administered, and next day his
liberties of his natural born fubje&s within the
kingdom of Great-Britain. Thirdly, that it is
infeperably essential to the freedom of a people,
and the undoubted rights of Englishmen, that no
tax be imposed on them but with their own con
sent, given personally or by their representatives.
Lastly, that it is the indijjenfble duty of these co
lonies to the best of Sovereigns, to the Mother
Country and to themselves, to endeavour, by a
loyal and dutiful address to his Majesty, and hum
ble applications to both Houses of Parliament, to
procure the repeal of the ad for granting certain
Ramp duties—of ahl clauses of any other ad of
Parliament whereby the jurifdidion of the Admi
ralty is extended as aforefaid, and of other afisfor
the reflriftion of American commerce. —Here we
find that the language of America before the palling
the Tea-ad was, that no tax be imposed on them
but by their own consent, and that they deemed it
their indifpenfibk duty to solicit a repeal not only of
the Stamp-ad and all clauses for extending the ju
rifdidion of the Admiralty, but of other arts for
reflriflion of American commerce. Why then will
this writer declare, that Dodor Franklin's defini
tion of the difference between internal and external
taxeS was " the line which the Americans run at
that time, when their Resolves in congress express
ly declare " that it was their indifpenfible duty to
fo.icit the repeal of aAs reJirifling American com
merce.” Hence we may conclude the Parliament
could ndt be encouraged by the “ language of
America” to pass the Tea-a^, for, being a duty
to be collected in America, it could not be in
tended by them for any other purpose than estab
lishing a precedent for taxation. Be this as it
may, the fubjed is certainly now better underßood,
and I am sorry to find any American gentleman
attempting to reconcile the condud of Parliament
to our own supposed concessions; and I am fatis
fied Dodor Franklin will not conceive any favour
thereby conferred on him by the author.
Every day opens our eyes more and more re
fpeding our just rights, and the line beyond which
even Parliament itfelf cannot advance, though
formerly it was almost sacrilege to doubt their
power. If we look into the political disputes of
this province a few years ago, we shall find gentle
men looking up to Parliament for exertions which
at this day would make us tremble, inch as tests
for members of assembly, rights of voting to be
suspended, the press to be regulated, &c. &c.
Shall we from thence infer that these sentiments
are still retained—no—the very men who once
conceived them are now the foremoft in scruti
nizing and opposing that very power.
Precedents, though much insisted on in the courts
of law, too often puzzle the cause; but amongst
wife men, every decision will be formed on the
Arid independant principles of its own equity,
nor can a thousand determinations in favour of a
wrong thing give them a fandion in the eye of a
juftjudge; then let us not look back to the opinion
of former times, but found our claims on the
immutable “ ground" of justice and natural right.
$ *4^s%&,**%
By the Halifax Packet, Capt. Boulderson,
arrived at New-lork from Falmouth, we have
the following advices.
L O ND O N, April 26.
TH E Port Royal, Capt. Mattocks, a (hip be
longing to Carolina, is foundered at sea,
and the vessel and cargo totally loft. The crew,
17 in number, together with the Captain and his
wife, got into the long-boat, and were fix days and
five nights at sea, without cither victuals or a drop
of frelh water, when they were taken up by a
sloop, and carried into Bermudas.
And I do hereby ftridly enjoin and command
all Magistrates, and other officers, within the seve
ral counties in this province, that they take effec
tual care to apprehend and secure for trial, all and
every person who may hereafter presume to pub
lish, or offer to others to be signed, or shall them
selves sign the aforefaid, or a similar covenant; or
be in any wife aiding, abetting, advising, or aflifting
therein.
And the refpe&ive fheriffs of the several counties
within this province, are hereby required to cause
this proclamation forthwith to be posted up, in
some public place, in each town, within their ref
pedive diftrifts.
Given under my band at Salem, the 29th day of
June, 1774, in the fourteenth year of his Majesty's
reign. T. GAG E.
By his Excellency's command,
Tho's Flucker, Sec'ry.
GOD save the KIN G.
N EW-YO R K, ffy 7.
On Monday evening the Committee met, and
nominated five Gentlemen as delegates at the grand
congress on the firft of next September, who are
to be proposed to the citizens summoned to assem
ble this day at 12 o'clock, at the City-Hall, for
their approbation; or to nrake such alterations as
may be agreed upon.
Extract of a letter from London, dated May 4.
“ Sir George Saville, on the 2d of May, car
ried up to the House of Commons, a petition from
the natives of America, residing in London, against
the bills for regulating the government ofthe Mas
sachusetts-Bay, and for the impartial administra
tion of justice in that provinces It was received,
In observance therefore of my duty to the King;
in tenderness to the inhabitants of this province;
and to the end that none who may hereafter en
gage in such dangerous combinations, may plead
in excuse of their conduct, that they were igno
rant of the crime in which they were involving
themselves ; I have thought fit to issue this pro
clamation, hereby earnestly cautioning all persons
whatsoever within this province, against signing
the aforefaid, or a similar covenant, or in any man
ner entering into, or being concerned in such un
lawful, hostile, and traiterous combinations, as they
would avoid the pains and penalties due to such
aggravated and dangerous offences.
" I have just time to inform you, that within
thii hour Mr. Gordon, his Majesty's Consul at
Bruflels, landed dt this place from Calais, and
brings account that the post horses are flopped
throughout France ; on what occafiori it is not
known, but it is imagined the French King is either
dead; or dangerously iil. I am, Sir, yours, &c."
A private tetter from Hanover mentions, that
his Britannic Majesty has ordered the city of
Hamlen in that Electorate, to be fortified with
the utmost expedition.
They write from Schwerin, that 2 great discord
has of late taken place between the Nobility and
the Duke of Mecklenburgh Schwerin, which is
likely to be attended with a great revolution in
that Duchy.
The Ministry are dreadfully alarmed at the
late advices from France, and apprehend that the
King of France's death will bring on a war between
the two Crowns ; but the Gentlemen of the army
and navy are all alive at the expectation of his
death. Is it not flrange that the Ministry should
be affected as if they were going to fight, and the
Gentlemen of the sword in as high spirits as if they
were to come into the Ministry!
B O S T O N, June 30.
Province of the Massachusetts-Bay.
By the GOVERNOR.
A PROCLAMATION,
For difeouraging certain illegal combinations.
WHEREAS certain persons, calling
themselves a Committee of Correspon
dence for the town of Boston, have lately presum
ed to make or cause to be made, a certain unlaw
ful instrument, purporting to be Afolemn League
and Covenant, intended to be signed by the inha
bitants of this province ; whereby they are most
solemnly to covenant and engage, to suspend all
commercial intercourse with the island of Great-
Britain, until certain ads of the British Parlia
ment shall be repealed : and whereas printed co
pies of the laid unlawful printed instrument have
been transmitted by the aforefaid Committee of
Correspondence, so called, to the several towns in
this province, accompanied with a scandalous,
traiterous and seditious letter, calculated to inflame
the minds of the people, to disturb them with ill
grounded fears and jealousies, and to excite them
to enter into an unwarrantable, hostile and traite
rous combination, to distress the British nation, by
interrupting, obtruding, and destroying her trade
with the colonies, contrary to their allegiance due
to the King ; and to the form and effect of divers
statutes made for securing, encouraging, protecting,
and regulating the said trade, and deftrudive of
the lawful authority of the British Parliament, and
of the peace, good order, and fafety of the com
munity. And whereas the inhabitants of this pro
vince, not duly considering the criminality and
dangerous consequence to themselves of such
alarming and unprecedented combinations, may
incautiously be tempted to join in the aforefaid un
lawful league and covenant, and thereby expose
themselves to the fatal consequences of being con
sidered as the declared and open enemies of the
King, Parliament, and Kingdom of Great-Bri
tain.
Majesty determined to be brought to Versailles.
The 29th he was twice let blood, and in the even
ing the Infall-pox made its appearance. By the
help of an emetic which was immediately admi
nistered, the eruption was greatly facilitated, and
made great progress the following day. Ihe 30th
in the morning veficatories were applied to his
legs. And this morning the eruption appears to
advance favourably, and the blisters have had the
most desirable effect. His Majesty is as well as
can be expected in this dangerous illness. He is
in his fixty-fifth year.
'°F)' °f a Letter from Dover, dated May 4, 1774.
"S I R,
Ift. RESOLVE D, nem. con. That the fla
tute commonly called the Boston Port Ad, is op
pressive to the inhabitants of that town, unconsti
tutional in its principles, and dangerous to the
liberties of Britifli America; and, that therefore,
we confider our brethren at Boston, as now buf
fering in the common cause of these colonies.
2d. RESOLVED, nem. con. That any at
tack or attempt to abridge the liberties, or invade
the constitution of any of our lifter colonies, is
mediately an attack upon the liberties and consti
tution of all the British colonies.
3d. RESOLVE D, nem. con. That the Glut
ting up of any of the ports in America, with intent
to exaff from Americans, a fubmiffoi to Parlia
mentary taxations, or extort a reparation of pri
vate injuries, is highly unconstitutional, and fub
ve-five of the commercial rights of the inhabitants
of this continent.
4th. RESOLVED,„ffI. con. That itis the
opinion of this meeting, that if the principal colo
nies on this continent, shall come into a joint reso
lution, to stop all importation from, and exporta
tion to Great-Britain, til! the a 6 lof Parliament
for blocking up the harbour of Boston, be repeal
ed, the fame will prove the salvation of North-
America and her liberties, and that, on the other
hand, if they continue their exports and imports,
there is great reason to fear, that fraud, power,
and the most odious oppression, will rife triumphant
over right, justice, social happiness, and freedom:
Therefore
sth. RESOLVED,^, con. That the de
puties who fliall represent this colony in the con
gress of American deputies, to be held at Philadel
phia, about the firft of September next, are here
by inftru&ed, empowered, and directed to engage
with a majority of the principal colonies, to agree
for this city upona non importation from Great-
Britain, ^ of all goods, wares and merchandizes until
the aft for blocking up the harbour of Boston be re
pealed, and American grievances be redressed ; and
allo to agree to all such other measures as the con
gress shall in their wisdom, judge advancive ofthefe
great objects, and a general security ofthe rights
and privileges of America.
6th. RESOLVE D, nem. con. That this
meeting will abide by, obey, and observe all such
resolutions, determinations, and measures which
the congress aforefaid fliall come into, and direct
or recommend to be done, for obtaining and secur
ing the important ends mentioned in the foregoing
resolutions. And that an engagement to ths ef
fed be immediately entered into and sent to the
congress, to evince to them our readiness and de
termination to co-operate with our lifter colonies,
for the relief of our distressed brethren of Boston,
as well as for the security of our common rights
and privileges.
7th. RESOLVE D, rem. con. That it is the
opinion of this meeting, that it would be proper
for every county in the colony without delay to
fend two deputies, chosen by the people, or from
the Committees, chosen by them in each county,
to hold, in conjunction with deputes for this city
and county, a convention for the colony (on a day
to be appointed) in order to elect a proper number
of deputies, to represent the Colony in the general
congrcß: But, that if (he counties Aad cone A.
"In the American affairs, every thing was done
by petitions, and otherwise, that human invention
could suggest, to prevent the House of Commons
from palling the second and third Boston bills;
but all applications were ineffectual, as you will
perceive by the public papers. Many are our con
jedures upon the measures which you may adopt
in this fad situation of your country. May saga
city and true discretion govern your deliberations !
Should you act prudently, under this heavy afflic
tion of a lifter colony, the united voice and spirit
ofthe people, in this kingdom, will heartily con
cur in a support of your application, if any should
be preferred to the Majesty of Great-Britain, for
a remission of those grievances which cause the
present diffractions in his provinces. In the mean
time comfort your distressed neighbours; aid them
with your best counsel, and let not those inhabi
tants, who must become indigent and dispirited,
by the operation of the Boston port a&, want food,
cloathing, or any article of relief and consolation,
whilst it is to be found in any part of your capaci
ous, prosperous, and plentiful country."
At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants of the
city of New-York, convened in the Fields, by
public advertisement, on Wednesday the 6th
of July, 1774.
Mr. Alexander M'Douga 11, Chairman.
'T'' H E business of the meeting being fully ex
plained by the Chairman, and the danger
ous tendency of the numerous and vile arts used by
the enemies of America, to divide and distract her
councils, as well as the misrepresentations of the
virtuous intentions of the citizens of this metropo
lis, in this interesting and alarming Rate of the li
berties of America, the following resolutions were
twice read, and the question being separately put
on each of them, they were passed without one dif
fentient.
but had no effect; for they both palled the House
on the 7th. The Eail of Dartmouth on the fame
day presented to the Upper-House a bill for mak
ing effectual provision for the province of Quebec.
—A bill for providing quarters for the troops
serving in North-America, has been presented to,
and read in the Lower-House.—The Em; r fs es
Russia is preparing to besiege the strong city of
Oczachow, in the Crimea: it is to be attacked
by lea, whilst Prince Dolgoruwki carries on his
approaches to it by land. The new Turkilh Sul
tan has made the most vigorous preparations for
the ensuing campaign, and will have a more nu
merous army in the field than ever.—The Qua
kers have prepared a petiton to be presented to his
Majesty at St. James's, against the two blls de
pending in the House of Peers, refpeding the Bos
tonians, which is expected will have more effect:
than all the things yet written or said of America.
—A confirmation is hourly expected of a report
of the French King's death; and a complication
of the gout, the haemorrhoids, and a military fe
ver, is likely very soon to carry off the King of
Prussia.•