Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1774-05-30 00:00:00, page 2

Fromthe Lon don Gazetteer, of Apr.ll.
TT"E disputes between Great Britain, as mo-
JL ther, and her colonies, as offspring, have
now arrived to a most critical, delicate, and im
portant critis. To judge of cither, to draw the
Jine of rectitude between both, or to fix with any
degreeof certainty upon a true political medium,
that may restore the one to maternal affection,
and the otherto filial duty, is a tafl< that certain
ly requires very great abilities, an extensive know
ledge of the joint and separate interests of both,
the keenest penetration, and I may add, the ftrief
eft impartiality. Being convinced of this, Mr.
Printer, it is not without indignation that I per
ceive all the public prints are daily crammed
with absurdities on such a fubje&, as there can be
nothing more mortifying to a thinking mind than
to fee the maudlin catchpenny fcribblcrs ofanhour,
hacking, mangling, murdering every idea retained
by men of common ferife ®r common honesty. 1 o
prognosticate efteds from causes that do not, nor
ever did exist; to draw conclusions from premiles
as void of truth and reason as the whipt syllabub of
their own brain; and to catch the futile, momenta
ry approbation of creatures as ill-informed as
themselves, is the only merit, yea the pride and ex
ultation, of these reptiles. Any attempt to pervade
that mills of lies, misrepresentations, and illiberal
abuse, which has been raised on the occasion of our
unhappy disputes, or to enter into any refutation in
detail, would be an endless, and, I am afraid, a
very useless talk. Fools will always abide by the
decisions of ignorance, if once adopted, through
obstinacy; wife men, when in doubt on serious
points, look not to a news-paper for information.
If, however, any of the scribblers are yet corri
gible, or any of the talkers can bear a pause of a
few minutes, I would earnestly recommend the
following queries to their most serious attention;
and until they can honestly and without felf-con
ceit answer them all in the affirmative, refrain
from oppressing his Majesty's fubje^s by vague,
extraneous, and ridiculous opinions, on a subject
much out of their reach.
1. Considering Great Britain and the colonies
as the two parties, am I intimately acquainted,
with the constitution, the laws, and interests of
these parties, considered both in their united and
separate state, as forming the great whole of avail
empire, yet enjoying laws, customs, rights, and
privileges, local, separate, and peculiar to each?
2d. Have Twith care and impartiality perused
the most authentic acc runts ofthe firft Settlement,
rhe, progress, and present situation of the different
colonies, so as to judge what share of their fuccels
may bejuftly attributed to th© indefatigable in
dudry, the steady perseverance and patient fuffer
ance es the greatest hardships on the fide of the
children, and what we may ascribe to the foder
ing indulgence, affiftar.ee, and protection of the
mother?
3d. Am I well acquainted with the different
charters of these colonies, their original Compads
with the mother country, and with the sundry a<H
of parliament since past, which any way relate to
them, so as tojudge of any future law, whether it
is repugnant to, or compatible with, these former
lawsand charters?
4th. Am I able to determine by these laws and
charters, whether an inhabitant of the colonies is
entitled to the privileges of a British fubjed or not ?
„b. If not, can I inform the world in what
cLfs of beings he ought properly to be ranked?
Or can I chalk out the precise line where his free
dom ceases, where his privileges difeontinue their
operation, and where dependance and submission
must take place? For if he is not entirely a slave,
he must be a composition of freedom and depen
dency; and in that case dependence must com
mence at some certain barrier, which freedom can
not pass.
6th. Am I intimately acquainted with the com
merce of the mother country and her children; not
only that between themselves, but with other
countries ? Do I know the value and species of the
British exportation to the colonies? Am I ac
quainted with the particular commodities that form
the returns, their quantity, their value, and the
immense advantage accruing to Britain from freight,
insurance, commission, brokerage, and a hundred
other charges?
7th. Have I found out by any authentic, un
doubted and unfufpeded accounts, either from
history, travels, or any other channel of informa
tion (our journals of scandal here accepted) that
the colonists were ever difaffeded, didoyal, impa
tient of regal restraint, or backward in Submitting
to every thing that has been reasonably and law
fully demanded of them ?
Bth. Do I know the many preclufive reftriaiors
in favour of Britain, which clog almost every ar
ticle of their commerce?
9th. Am [acquainted with the expences of their
internal government, the taxes they pay to its sup
port, and how far these bear a proportion to the
fame in Britain?
loth. If I have been so ingenious as to find out
that the parliament of England have a right to tax
them without their own consent, or that of repre
fentatires, can I tell if this right is limited or dis
cretionary, bounded by any salutary reftridion,
or left open to all the wanton extortions of power,
avarice, and tyranny? In the former case where
Jies the ne pint ultra ? in the latter, wherelies ho
nour, humanity, and justice?
When any of your laborious writers about it an I
about it shall let me know that they can with truth
put th© little monofjllable jef to each ofthe above
queries, I have half a hundred more at their ser
vice; and to those who have modesty enough to
find themselves deficient, I beg leave to recom
mend my motto Nefetor ultra Crepidam.
*>*±-^**^o^ 0
PETERSBURG H, March 8.
ON Sunday last in the evening the nuptials of
the'D'uke of Courland with the Princess
Youffoupow were performedin the Imperial Chapel,
and this evening his Highness gives a magnificent
ball and supper.
Rome, March 9. The AmbaiTauor from the
Republic of Venice, cn Friday last, sent a messen
ger extraordinary to the Senate with some letters
which he had received from the Venetian army at
Corfou.
Madrid, March 15. They write from Cadiz,
that the frigate la Sainta Rosalia, eommanded by
Don Juan de Langora, is fitting out there; and
said to be defined for a voyage round Cape
Horn, to try to make some difeoveries in the South-
Sea, and afterwards to proceed to the islands lately
visited by the French and English. The court
hath permitted the Sibur Langora, to nominate
his own officers and to choose his Ihip.
LONDO N, Aprils
Extract of a letter front Vienna, dated March Ifo
" Last Friday morning arrived here, the com
mon courier from Con ftantinople: the advices he
brought from that quarter are not yet publicly
known, as he was not admitted to appear, nor to
speak to any body until his dispatches were peru
sed and forwarded to different courts. The pri
vate letters which he brought with him for se
veral merchants of this place, from their corres
pondents at Constantinople, are flopped, and will
not be delivered till Friday next; nay, even the
dispatches which he brought for several foreign
ministers ffiared the fame fate; but on particular
and repeated request of some foreign ministers,
they obtained leave to have their dispatches deli
vered to-morrow; a circumstance whichis notlefs
suspicious than remarkable."
April 6. They write from Stockholm, that
within these three months their army has been aug
mented by 20,000 men, and about 25 large ships of
war are upon the stocks, and nearly fioifhed.
By private letters from Holland we learn, that
the States General have it in contemplation shortly
to put their marine upon a more refpedable footing
than it Las been since the peace of Utrecht,
in 17>3-
April 7. Administration, it is faid,have relax
ed in their proposed measures towards the Bosto
nians, and it is now whispered that the regulating
bill will be withdrawn, if they pay obedience to
the Boston Port Bill, and the latter be likewise ne
ver enforced on certain implied conditions.
Besides the accounts received from the South of
France relative to the naval armament fitting out
at Toulon, we learn that the French are extremely
busy in building and repairing ships of war at Brest,
Rochford, and Rochelle; two new ships of 80
guns, and three of seventy four, being so forward
as to be expected to be launched at the former port
in the course ofthe enfuiug autumn.
ripril 8. A correspondent fays, should France
and Spain find seamen Efficient to man their ref
pe&ive navies, Great-Britain, should a rupture
take place, would find herfelf in a very critical si
tuation; as taking her strength, according to
Capt. Phipps's account, it will not amount to more
than 80 men of war of the line, at the conclusion
ofthe currentyear ; whereas France and Spain,
united, have at least 110 men of war ofthe line
for actual service at their refpedive Rations, or
ready to proceed to sea at three months warning.
A Correspondent remarks, that the crude
ill digested opinions of these theoretical writers
who have for some weeks past made the press
fiveat again on American affairs, brings into his
recollection the well known story of Turenne and
his brother officer: " Here, Sir (fays the latter)
you may pass the river (pointing to a certain spot
in a chart which he h^d in his hand) “ Very
true (replied Turenne) if your finger was a
bridge." So reason all the garretteers and mi
nisterial tools, in the public prints. One genius
averts, that America is represented in England,
as it was conquered in Germany. Another talks
of the supremacy of the state, as if he had been do
cumented in the inmeft secrets ofthe conclave and
the rights ofthe sovereign Pontiff; a third talks of
the ingratitude; a fourth, of the cowardice ; a
fifth, of the temerity ; a sixth, of the power; a
seventh, of the weakness, &c. of the rebellious,
fanatical, hypocritical, Americans. These are
but a short fleetch of the rights of the Mother
Country, and the offences of her rebellious chil
dren. What, then, are the prescriptions of those
ill informed, meddling, political quacks? Tax
them, (but them out from the ocean, put them un
der military execution. Will this answer the
ends proposed? No ! no! whatever ends the Le
giilature intend to establish in that country, it
must, at least, bear the external appearance 'of that
constitution from which it is supposed to originate.
Be the the Administration what it may, let the
Americans be plundered and oppressed to the ut
most extent that art andvillainy can devise; this
plunder, and this oppression, to procure submissi
on, must be executed under the shadowy forms of
the Constitution, and in the pretended exercise of
pretexting the long departed rights of English
men—the Americans mult still retain the name of
Freemen, though they be actually as arrant Slaves
as the majority of those who would now endea
vour to make them so.
A correspondent remarks, that the preamble of
the Boston Port bill supposes the most extraordi
nary supposition that ever entered into the con
templation of a deliberative body, by taking it for
granted that no other method of putting a flop to
the disturbances and commotions at BoOon re
mained, but to prevent goods, merchandize, and
wares, being landed there, or fllipped from thence.
Cne of the enacting clauses, no less curious than
the preamble, fubjefts the unfortunate to heavy
and severe penalties, for not in some instances re
vering the general order of nature, by command
ing the winds, the water and the weather ; and
another of the fame impression has transferred the
omnipotence of Parliament, and lodged it in the
firft magistrate, empowering him to create and ap
point any number of officers he pleafcs, for the
collection of the parliamentary revenues ; that is
to fay, ten, a hundred thousand, or a million.
A great deal has been said to prove the politi
cal supremacy of the Mother Country over the
Colonies, but scarcely a syllable to shew that in
the execution of the power so justly contended
for, it should be precisely and fpecifically retrain
CHARLESTOWN, in South-Carolina, May 13.
Thomas Fee, who murdered the Creek Indian
named the Mad Turkey, at Augusta, for the appre
hending of whom considerable rewards were offered
by the Governor of Georgia, the Lieutenant-Go
vernor, of this province, and the Superintendant of
Indian affairs, was taken up and committed to the
goal at Ninety-Six ; and on Saturday April 30th,
a number of armed men came to the goal and de
manded the keys of the goaler, threatning him
with inflant death if he did not comply with their
commands, but he absolutely refuting to give up
the keys, they broke open the dcors of the goal,
took out Thomas Fee, .freed him from his irons,
mounted him on a horse and carried him clear off.
We are sorry to learn that this daring breach of
' the laws meets with the approbation of many peo
ple in that part ofthe country, notwithstanding the
very fatal consequences which, in all probability,
will result from it.
BOSTO N, % 16.
On Friday last there was a numerous and ref
pe&able meeting of the freeholders and other in
habitants of this town, legally warned and assem
bled in Faneuil-Hall, to confider an Edict lately
passed by the British parliament Cutting up the
harbour and otherwise punishing the inhabitants,
and to determine upon proper measures to be ta
by the town thereon.
After making choice of Mr. Samuel Adams
moderator of the meeting, the edi& was diftin&ly
read by the clerk ; and the nature and tendency as
well as the design of it being explained in the ob
servations of several gentlemen upon it, the town
came into the following vote. Nem. Con. [ln
ferted in our last paper.]
ed to certain modes of acting for the good of the
whole, as well as its several constituent parts.
Npril 9. Yesterday an express arrived at the
India-House, with an account of the plague which
rages at Persia, by which one million of people
have died ; as likewise two hundred thousand at
Boson.
St. GEORG E's, in Grenada, March 26.
A number of the most considerable factors, mer
chants and traders in Barbadoes, lately entered in
to an agreement not to fell or receive bills of ex
change on London, at more than 30 per cent, nor
to buy or receive for debt, any rum at a greater
price than 22 pence per gallon, which, at the above
exchange makes about two Killings and three
pence, Grenada currency.
Letters received this morning from Tobago,
mention, that the infurredion among the slaves in
that island, was entirely suppressed; almost all of
them having been killed or taken, or had surren
dered.
Then it was moved for confderation, what
measures were proper for the town to take on the
present emergency; whereupon several judicious,
spirited and manly proposals were made; which
being debated with candour, moderation and firm
riefs of mind becoming a people resolved to preserve
their liberty, it was voted that the Moderator
with John Roose, Esq; Mr. Thomas Boy '/lon,
IVil iam Phillips, Esq; Dodor Joseph Warren,
John Adams, Esq; Jofah Quincy, Esq; Thomas
Cajhing, Esq ; Mr. Henderfen Inches, Mr. Wil'iam
Mollineux, and Mr. Nathaniel App'eton, be a com
mittee to take the feveralpropofals that have been,
and others that may be made, into consideration,
and report to the town as soon as may be.
After which the town made choice of Mr.
Oliver Wendell, Isaac Smith, Mr. W'i liam Dennie,
Mr. WEiam Pooled, and Mr. John Pitts to repair
immediately to the towns rf 'alem and Marblehead,
to c mrounicate the sentiments of this Metropolis
to the gentlemen there, consult with them, and
make report to t >e adjournment.
Then the meeting was adjourned till Wednes
day next at ten ofthe clock in the Fo enoon. The
meeting was opened with an excellent prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Couper.
ROSEAU, in Dominica April 9.
We hear that Colonel Thomas Shirelv, late go
vernor ofthe Bahama islands, is appointed governor
of Dominica.
St. J O H N's, in Antigua, April 6.
On Saturday night last, we had several shocks
of an earthquake and about two o'clock on Sunday
morning, were felt two smart shocks, the vibrati
ons of which lifted for several seconds, but no
harm was sustained by either.
April 13. The petition of the council and as
sembly of this island for making St. John's and
Parham free ports, was preferred to the House of
Commons on the 18th of February last, and or
dered to,lie upon the table.
Entraß of a Letter from St. Vincents, March 15.
“ The General has ^een here some time, and
by his orders, the Carrib huts on the land ceded to
us by the late peace, have been burnt and de
stroyed. They are allowed two months to take
their crop off, when they totally evacuate that
part ofthe island and retire to Grand Sable, from
whence the troops are to withdraw. I imagine
it will not be long before the land is fold, as it is
already surveyed ; and, I dare fay will fell at an
extraordinary price, on account of its goodness,
in short the people seem determited to have it at
any rate.
“ We have certain account ofthe petition of
the officers ofthe army who were on the expedition
succeeding, and are sure of having some of the
lands granted them.''
NEWBERN, in North-Carolina, April 8.
On the firft instant, at night, came on here a
severe gale of wind at E. N. E. which soon (Lift
ed to W. N. W. and has done considerable da
mage at Ocracock bar. Fifteen fail ofveffels were
drove on fbore, a brig Which put in in distress,
from Maryland, Capt. Waugh, loaded with flax
feed, wheat, and flour, is entirely loft. A brig
from St. Euftatia, Capt. Walton, vessel and cargo
loft. Two Schooners, names unknown, ashore,
and full of water.
“ That we will, in case the other provinces on
the continent shall join the measure, or even if all
the other sea port towns in this province will come
into it, lay up all our vessels (as they come in) after
the 14th of June next; and that we will neither
import or export any one article of merchandize
or produce to the southward of South Carolina,
more especially that we will break off all trade to
and from the Weft-Indies, or any part of Great-
Britain or Ireland, and that this resolution we will
continue in till the town and port of Boffin is
again open and free to go in and out of, or till the
disputes between this continent and Great-Britain
are fettled upon such a basis as that we and our
children may enjoy all those privileges we are con
tending, and reasonable men ought to contend for !
May 19. It is said Col. Leiflie is to be Lieu
tenant Governor of this province.
The four regiments expeded, are, it is laid, to
be quartered at Castle William, Salem, and Mar
blehead.
Several capital towns, in and near this pro
vince, are determinedto stand by their brethren in
Boston.
Letters from London advise that the Hon. John
Adams, Esq; Mr. Samuel Adams, and Dr. War
ren are chosen members of the society of the Bill
of Rights, London.
It is reported that a tea (hip from London to
Halifax, was loft on the isle of Sable, and every
foul perished.
We hear that the town of Salem, in a remark
able full meeting, have unanimously resolved to
concur with the town of Boston.
Also that the colony of Connecticut are deter
mined to stand by their brethren in Bofton—lt is
reported that the assembly postponing all other
business, have taken this matter into confederation
—and it is said proposals are made for railing
20,000 pound there for the relief of the dinreffed
in Boston—one gentleman of that colony has of
fered to fend a sloop load ofwheat gratis.
On Tuesday the 17th his Excellency General
Gage, landed at the long wharf, where several of
his Majesty's Council of the House of Represen
tatives, and many ofthe principal gentlemen of the
town, together with the Cadet's Company under
arms, waited his arrival, and escorted him to the
Council Chamber. The troop of Horse, the Com
pany of Artillery, the company of Grenadiers,
and the several companies of militia under arms,
saluted him as he passed. His commission was
read, and after the usual ceremonies he was sworn
in Governor and Vice Admiral of the Province.
His proclamation for continuing all officers, &c. in
their place till further orders, was then read by
the high Sheriff, which was answered by three
huzzas, firing the cannon from the battery and ar
tillery company, and 3 vollies of small arms. Af
ter receiving the complements, &c. and reviewing
the militia, he was escorted to Faneuil-Hall, whet e
an elegant entertainment was provided at the ex
pence of the province. After dinner, and drinking
several loyal toasts, his Excellency went to the
Province-House, where we hear he is to reside—•
a few days at least.
Cn Wednesday the freeholders and other inha
bitants met at Faneuil-Hall, and the committee
that had been appointed to receive and confider
the proposals for the support and employment of
such as will be fufferers by the cruel edid of the
British Parliament, reported that several judicious
proposals had been made, and that they conceive
ways and means may be found for the relief of such
inhabitants in time of distress.—They recommend
patience, fortitude, and a truftin God ; define fur
ther time to make a report, and exped encourag
ing news from the sister colonies. Previous to the
adjournment, the town thought it their duty to
pass the following votes, viz. ift, that the trade
of the town of Boston has been ore essential link
in that vast chain of commerce, which, in th& course
of a few ages, has raised New-England to be what
it is, the southern provinces to be what they arc,
the Weft-Indies to their wealth, and the British
empire to that height of opulence at which it now
stands. 2d. that the impolicy, &c. of the act a
forefaid, exceed our powers of expreflion, and
therefore we leave it to the censure of others, and
appeal to God and the world.
The town of Providence have voted, that th°y
confider themselves, and all the cos nies as equally
fufferers with Boston, and will rd accordingly,
with the greatest firmnefs, as for n as a plan shall
be agreed on-v They prepofe an entire stoppage
ofall trade with Great-Britain, Ireland, the Weft-
Indies, and Africa.
A correspondent observes that there was never
more unanimity than appeared in Faneuil Hall last
Friday; and he adds, that it was as perfed as hu
man society can admit of.
It is an inexpreflible grief that Mr, Hancock's
ill state of health would not permit his attendance
in Faneuil Hall on Friday la*. We pray God he
may be able to attend the General Affcmbly a:
the approaching session.
By letters from Marblehead and Salem, we are
assured that a number of the capital merchants in
those towns are resolved to haul up their vessels
till the harbour of Boston shall be free.
The patriotic merchants of Newberry port have
exhibited a noble exemple in the following spirited
refolntion, viz.
A MER I C A NS!
1 R ANNY Without a covering now flares
4 you all in the face ! —Without the le<t
shadow of justice your estates, your sacred liber
ties, are demanded by the voice of cannon, art
with the fwcrd pointed at ycur breafts!—You mod
ALL unite to guard your rights, or you will ALL
be slaves !-—lt is not the rights of Boften only, btt
of all America which are now struck at !—•
Not the merchant only but the farmer, and every
order of men who inhabit this n< b'e continent. I
can fee contained in this infernal plan of cranny,
flan, afir,—lead taxes, —reverse a&s without
number—and all the evils and calamities that wick
ed spirits ever invented, or human beings erer
Differed since tie curse of tyranny has ravaged the
world ! —! —! —! Q Brulers! let our hea.ts Ie
knit together Aron^er than death—cur interest is