Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1775-12-25 00:00:00, page 2

Est fl ikeimport wee of ar enquiry into the hu
man mind.
r P FI E fabric of the human mind is curious
I and wonderful, as well as that of the hu
mn body. The faculties of the one are with no
lels-wildom adapted to their feveiai ends, than
the organs of the other. Nay, it is reafpnable to
thick, that, as the mind is anobler work and of
a higher order than the body, even more of the
wisdom and iki I of the divine architect hath, been
employed in its ftru&ure ; it is a lubjeft highly
worthy of enquiry on its own account, bit still
more worthy on account of the extensive influence
whieh the knowledge of it hath over every other
branch of science,
In the arts and sciences, which have least con
nection with the mind, its faculties are the en
gines which wi mull employ; and, the better we
underhand their nature and tile, their defers and
di orders, the more fkilfully we shall apply them,
and viih greater laccefs. But, in the noblefl
a>ts, the mind is allo the subject upon which we
operate. The painter, the poet, the ador, the
orator, the morahft, and the statesman, attempt
to operate upon the mind in different ways, and
fordifferent ends; and they succeed, accordingly
as they todch properly the firings of the human
fr&me. Nor can their leveral arts stand on a solid
foundation, or rife to the dignity of science, un
til they are built on the princigles of the human
constitution.
Wife men now agree, orought to agree, in this,
that there is but ene way to the knowledge of na
ture's works, the way ofobfervation and experi
ment. By our constitution we have a strong pro
pensity to trace particular fads and observations
to general rules, and to apply such general rules
tv account for other effe&s, or to direct us in the
production of them. , This procedure of the un
derstanding is familiar to every human creature in
the common affairs of life, and it is the only one
by which any real difeorery in philofopby can be
made.
The man that firft discovered that cold freezes
water, and that heat turnsit into vapour, procee
ding on he fame general principles, and in the
fame method, by which Newton difeoirered the
law of gravitation and the properties of fright.
His " Regulse Philofophani" are maxims of com
mon fenk, and are praised every day in com
mon life ; and he who phil'ofophifes by ot^er rules,
either concerning the material system, or concern
ing the mind, mistakes his aim.
Conjectures and theories are the creatures of
men, and will always be found very unlike the
c^atures of Go.L If we should kno^the works
of God, we must consult ourselves with attenti
on and humility, without daring to add any thing
of ours to what they declare. A just interpreta
tion of nature is the only found and orthodox of
philofopby ; whatever we add of our own is apo
criphal,'and of no authority.
Al 1 that we know of the body is owing to ana
tomical difeftion and enervation ; and ir rnuft be
by an anatomy of the mind, 'thht we can difeover
its powers and principle's. 4
But it rnuft be acknowledged that this kind of
anatomy is much more difficult than the ot|er;
and the efoie it needs not seem ftrange,'that man
kind have make less progress in it—To attend
accurately to the operations of our minds and
make man the object of our thoughts is no easy
matter even to the contemplative, and to thelulk
of mankind is next to impoffibl'e. -
An anatomist who hath happy opportunities,
may have access to examine with his own eyes and
with equal accuracy bed-es of all the different
ages, sexes, and conditions : So that what is de
fe&ive, o'ofcure, or preternatural in one, may be
difeerned clearly, and in its most perfect slate in
another. But the anatomist of the mind cannot
have the fame advantage : It is his own mind only
that he can examine with any degree of accuracy
and diftiaanels. This is the only fubjed he car,
lock into: He may from outward signs colle& the
operation ofother minds ; but these Tigris are for
the moll part ambignoufe and rnuft be interpret
ed by what he perceives within bimfelf.
So that if a philosopher cou d delineate to u>
diftinffly and methodically all the operations of
the thinking principle - ithin him, which no man
was ever able to do, this would be only the ana
torry or cne particular fubje&, which would be
both deficient ^d erroneous, if applied to human
nature in gere; sot a little reflexion may fatis
fy us that the dilfc en&of minds is greater than
that of any other beings, which we conGder as of
the some Ipecies.
Of the various powers and faculties we possess
there are some which nature seems both to have
planted and reared, so as to have left nothing to
human industry. Such are the powers which we
have in common with the brutes, and which are
neceffaryto the preservation of the individual, or
the continuance of the kind.—There are other
powers of which nature hath only planted |he
feeds in our minds, but bath left the rearing to hu
man culture. It is by the proper cultureof these
that we are capable of all those improvements in
intellectuals, in taste and ; n morals, which exalt
and dignify human nature : While, on the other
hand, the neglect or perverfionof them makes it
degeneracy and corruption.
The two-legged animal that eats of nature's
dainties what his taste or appetite craves, and fa-,
tisics his thirst at the chryual fountain ; who pro
pagates bis kind as occasion and lust prompt, re
pels injuries, and takes alternate labour and re
pose; is, like a tree in the sorest, purely of na
ture's growth. Bu. this fame fivage bath within
him the feeds of the logician, the man of ta.he and
breeding, the orator, the statesman, the man of
virtue, and the faint : Which feeds, though plant
ed in his mind by nature, yet, through want of
culture and exercise, muff lie for ever buried, and
be hardly perceivable by himfelf or others.
The lowest degree of foeial life will bring to
fghtiome of those principles which lay hid in the
savage irate; and according to his training, andl
company, and manner of life, feme of them, ei
ther by their native vigour, or by the force of cal-|
tme, win ri rice and grew up to great perf.&on ;
others will be frangely perverted from their na
tural form, and others checked, or perhaps quite
eradicated.
This makes human nature so various and mul
tiform in the individuals that partake of it, that,
is point of morals and intellectual endowments, it
fills up all that gap which we conceive to be between
brutes and devils below, and the celestial orders
above ; and such a prodigious diversity of minds
rnuft make it extremely difficult to discover the
common principles ofthe species.
The language of philofopbers with regard to
the original faculties efthe mind, is so adapted to
the prevailing system, that it cannot fit anyother;
like a coat that fits the man for whom it was
made, and shews him to advantage, which yet
will fit very awkwardupon one of a different make,
although perhaps as haudfome and as well propor
tioned. It is hardly possible to make any innova
tion in our philosophy concerning the mind and its
operations, without using new words and phrases,
or giving a different meaning to those that are re
ceived ; a libelty which, even when necessary, cre
ates prejudice and mifeonftruaipn, and which rnuft
wait the sane-lion of time to authorife it. For in
novation in language, like those in religion and
g6yernment, are always fufpefted and disliked by
the many, ti!i use hath made them familiar, and
prescription hath given them a title.
If the original perceptions and notions of the
mind were to make their appearance fingla and un
mixed, as we tirft received them from the hand of
nature, one accustomed to reflexion would have
less difficulty in tracing them; but, before we are
capable of refle&ien, they are so mixed, com
pounded, by habits, associations, and ablradticos,
that it is hard to know what they were originally.
The mind may in this rtfpea be compared to an
apothecary or chymift ; whole materials indeed
are furnUhed by nature; but for the purposes of
his art, he mixes, compounds, dJdlves, evapo
rates, and sublimes them, till they put on a quite
different appearance; so that it were very differ
ent to know what they were at firft, and much
more to bring them back to their original and na
tural form. And this work of the mind is not
carried on by deliberate alls of mature reason,
which we might recoiled, but by means of in
ffinds, habits, afibciktions, and other principles,
which operate before we come to the use of reason;
Id that it is extremely difficult for the mind to re
turn upon its own footfteps, and trace back thofc
operations which h^ve employed it, since it Gift
"began to think and to aft.
.Could we obtain a diftioß and full history of
all that hath passed in the mind of a chjld from the
beginning of life ?nd sensation, till it grows up
to the use of reason ; how its infant faculties
began to woik, and how they brought forth and
ripened ail the various motions, opinions, and
sentiments, which we fird in'ouffelves when we
come to be capable of reflection; this would be a
treasure of natural history, whicl/wouldf^obably
give more light into the human facial, i%, than all
the systems of philosophers about tgem,-fince the
Beginning of the world, hit it is in vain to wifn
for what nature hAs not put within the reach of
our power. -Reflection, ? :he only instrument by ,
which we can-difeern t,e powers of the,mind,
c mes too late to observe the ptegrefs of nature in
railing them from their infanc,to perftaion.
It rnuft therefore require great caution, and a
great application of mind, for^ man that is grown
up in all the prejudices of education", fashion, and
philosophy, to unravel.hi; notions and opinions,
till he finds out thq simple ahd original principles
of his conftitutionfoof which no account can be.
given but the will of our Maker. This may be
truly called an analysis of the human faculties;
and, till this is performed, it is'in vain we expetit
any just system of the miftch; that is, 'an enumera^
tion of the original powers arid laws of our con
stitution, and an explication horn tera of the
various phenomena of human nature.-
Suedefs, in an enquiry of this kind, is not in
human power to command; but perhaps it is pof.
fible, by caution and humility, to avoid error and
dciufion. The labyrinth may be too intricate,
and the thread too fine, to be traced through all
its windings; but, if we flop where we can trace
it no further, and secure the ground we have gain
ed, there is co harm done; a quicker eye may in
time trace it further.'
It is genius, and not the want of it, that adul
terates philosophy, and fills it with error and falie
theory. A creative imagination disdains the mean
office of digging for a foundation, of removing
rubbish, and carrying materials: Leaving ihefe
servile employrr^ots to the drudges in science, it
plants a design, and railes a fabric. Invention
flipplies materials where they are wanting, and
fancy adds colouring, and every befitting orna
ment. The work pleases the eye, and wants no
thing but solidity and a good foundation. It seems
even to vie with the works of nature, till the en
vious blast of lome succeeding archit^d blows it
into rubbith, and builds as goodly a fabriek of his
Own in its place. Happily for the prefect age,
the pftle ~ builders employ themselves more in ro
mance than in philosophy. That is undoubtedly
their province, and in those regions the offspring
of fancy is legitimate, but in philosophy it is all
spurious.
MAXIMSmCTOTg J? A T R I 0 Til ^I.
By Dr. Berkley, //', learned EfbopofCicyne.
Ie 17 VERY man, by confuting his own
J 1 heart, may easily know whether he is, or
is not, a Patriot; but it is not id easy for the bye
ftanders.
2. Being loud and vehement, either against a
court or for a court, is no proof of Patriotism.
, A man, whose paCion for money runs high,
bids fair for being no Patriot. And he likewise,
whole appetite is keen for power.
4. A native than a foreigner, a married man
than a bachelor, a believer than an infidel, have a
better chance for being Patriots.
5. It is iupc^bk an Efehure fac^d be a Pa
triot.
6. It is impoffille a min, who is falfe to Iris
friends anh neighbours, should be tine to she
7. Every knave is a thorough knave, and ev^
ry thorough knave is a knave throughout.
8. A man who has „otfenje ojGod or conscience,
would you make luch ^ one a guardian to your
child ?—lf not, why a guardian to the Rate?
9. The love of piaife and edeem may do fome
thiog; but to make a true Patriot, there mult be
an inward sense of dot, and confeience.
10. Honesty, like other things, grows from its
proper feed, good principles, early laid in the
mind.
IT. To be a good Patriot, a man rnuft consider
his countrymen as God's creatures, and bimfeif
as accountable for his anting towards them.
12. A man rages, rails and races; I fufped
his Patriotism.
13. The faftiqus man is apt to mistake himfelf
for a Patriot.
An ENGLISH PATRIOT'S CREED.
Anno Domini, 1775.
I BELIEVE the English government, such as it
appears to have been, from the most; unques
tioned annals of our country, to be a free consti
tution, of a mixed and limited form; and that its
origin isto be fought for, and lies in the confect
of the people.
I believe a King cfEnfand has rot a claim to
absolute, uncontrolled dominion; that if the Eng
hfa government, in its administration, has, at
some seasons, been despotic, yet its genius hath at
all times been free ; and that the liberty of the
fubjed, founded upon ellabliShed laws, was essen
tial to every form under which it appeared.
I believe all political power to be derived ori
ginally from, and inveiled in rhe people; which
power, I believe, they m^y dispose of, for their
own use, in what hands, and under what condi
tions they please.
I believe a current of liberty has been gradua'ly
widening, as well as purifying, in proportion to
the distance from its source, a feudal ioflirution;
and that charters and laws have removed every
Scruple that might now crife about the recipro
cal rights and privileges of the King and Lis fub
jefis.
I believe the feudal system and absolute domi
nion, two things perfectly incompatible.
I believe the claim of the Norman Invader to
the crown wafaGt conquest but teftfimentary fuc
cession; that he renounced his conquest by a coro
nation oath, and, before he commenced tyrant,
confirmed the use of the Soxon laws.
I believe regal power to have no divine right,
but to be of human or popular institution; and
that the prefect reigning family's title to the crown,
is derived only from parliamentry resolutions,
to which revolutions principles alone gave birth.
I believe passive obedience was not demanded
even by Elizabeth or James; nor ^ven acknew
ledged, by the people, as a matter of right.
I believe legd lefilhnce and rebellion effcntially
different, and that they originate from quite oppo
site principles. By the Jaw of nature every man
has a right to defend himfelf agrinft tie abuse of
power, and by the Singular conft tution cf this
kingdom,when Kings and Mnfters, breakthrough
the bounds prescribed by the laws, the people's
right of lefiftance is enqueftionab'e.
I behove what is called the English conffturion
to be that cyftem of government which was firft
declared by the great charter of England; and,
after many Struggles between the crown and its
ikbje&s, was established at the fall glorious revo
lution.
, lAeKeve I am hound to maintain the Protest
ant fucceftion as eftablifbed by law, in the present
reigning family, and allo to Support th# Catholic
Church ft England, so long as it continues united
rfith the flag; and therefore I will use my at
meft endeavours to oppole the defigrrs of Pa,ills,
and every Pretender to the throne, as inveterate
enemies to both.•
I believe a Parliament to be a Ityffative body,
imtrufted by the people at large with delegated
power; intended as a balance between them and
the fovercing; and ele&d for the sole purpo'.-s
of pieferving their liberties, or defending their
lives and estates.
1 believe it is my duty to yield an implicit obe
dience to the laws of my country; that these are
a Standard of right for both .Prince and (übjc&; &
and that no Englishman ought to fi,ffer, in per
son or property, unless by the ^ncontrouled judg
ment of his Peers.
I believe I am under an indifpenfib!e obliga
tion to have an eye, in all my pursuits aid ac
tions, to peace, fafety, and good government;
I will, therefore, under God, endeavour to min
tain, at all times, true loyalty to my King, and
an unfeigned affection to the mag ftrate, propor
tioned to the wisdom and integrity, with which
they guard public freedom, and promote national
prosperity.
I believe I ought not, on any pretence, to sur
render that invaluable liberty, which has been 10-
lemnly confirmed to me, by the great tranfaciions
of farmer days; nor to renounce that pure religion
which my ancefiers Sealed with their blood; 1
will therefore be ready, at any moment, to rilque
my life in their defence; and so long as I intend
fairly and honestly, I trust Almighty God will
'defs i»y public t ho private c£ns to aubacce Lis
glory and my nation's welfare.
Spanish Folly, or the Ei/^ry of the toco Krrp.
fo HILI? the Third, King of Spain, being
j.I taken ill of a fever and Shivering in cold
Iweather, a brajier, or pan with burning coals,
I was brought into hs chamber, and placed neat
him, and by feme a& offarleffnefs was placed so
very close to him, as to Scorch him. A Noble,
wlo happened to be prefect, faidto one that flood
by him, " The King burns." The other arkwer
ed, “ It is true, but the page whose off •,it so to
bring and remove the braher i s not rue." The
CQnfequence of which was, that before the o.i^e
c uld be Ighul his Majeftt's le, and. face were
Ifo b: nt, that it cau.Q.^ L^ {;.cL~;cf e ° i
he died.
Philip the Fcu r *b, his ft;cfff>r, ffcfrc err
n<UCaitetter. Iliac 1 br,ce 0 o#g , 9 ;e day I tint—
i°g, was overtaken by a vinent rtre of rain z.i
hail ; and no man prelummg to lendjhe Ki r : %
I cloak, he was fa wet before the officer could be
found who carried his own, that he to k a col/,
which brought on a violent and dangerous fever
from which he escaped with great &dcd;
<, ,SQ-,-frfy+ ± .Q.<,..:-^Q.pQ,^^
N E W-Y OR K, Decevhr is.
A Letter from his Excellency William Tryon,Efq;
to his Worship the Mayor of this city.
" Ship Dutchfs offrordon, cf Neor-Yerk,
Decern!er
"SIR,
" T^°SE no time in tr^nfmitting toyou here-
A with, a letter I this morning received frond
Capt. Packer, of his Majegy's Ship Phoenix, com
municating certain in^u&iocs he has receive!
from Admiral Greaves for the rule of his conduct
on ths Nation, which letter you "will forthwith
make known to the corporation and citizens of
New-York; and I request that you will infest ic
in the public papers, to the end that the inhabi
tants of this province may have the COMFORT
of knowirg the protection that is afforded to rhe
friends of order and good government, and be
warned to avoid a continuation of measures that
will involve the country in misery, and bring dc
ftrudicn upon their families, and on their ou a
heads. I am, Sir, y^ur very humble servant,
WILLIAM TRY OX"
Whitehead Hicks, Ff;
Mayor oj the ci, of New-York.
“SI R,
“ BEING ordered by my inftrnflinns from
Vice-Admiral Greaves, Commander in Chief of
his Majesty's ships and vessels in No-th-America,
publicly to fignify, to all towns accefiible to his
Majesty's Grips, that in case any violences fhail
hereafter be offered to any of the officers cf the
crown, or other peaceable disposed fubjeßs of bis
Majesty, or if any bodies of men Ihall be raised
and armed in the said towns, or any military
works ereaed otherwise than by order of his Ma
jesty, or those a&irg under his autborty; or if
any attempts shall be made to seize or defttby aror
public magazine of arms, ammunition or floret,
in all or either of those cases, it will be my duty
to treat the Lid town, as in open rebellion agairdt
the King.
“ I am to request that your Excellency will be
pleased to let the above inftrufhens be publics
made known in the town of New-York, at th:
fame time you will assure them that I shall b:
happy in granting the town every protection iu
the power of his Majesty's ships under my com
mand. I am, Sir, your most obedient,
and most humble servant,
H. PARKER."
Phenix, at Nrw York, Dec. :S, 1775.
To his Excellency Governor Tryon.
PHILADELPHIA, December 2;.
“ Frede?ick County, Maryland, Nov. 2 177 $,
“S I R,
" TAM directed, by the Committee of this
county, to transmit to you copies of the ex
aminations of Alien Cameron, John Smrih, foL;>
Connelly, and a letter to one Gibson from Cot *
nelly, and Lord Dunmore's fpcech to White Eyes,
and proposals by Ccnndly to General Gage for
the railing an army for the deftruffion of the li
berties cf the colonies. Any orders relative to
the prisoners will be ftrihiy cbfetved, the Com
mittee and Inhabitants of this county being deter
mined to purfne every meaifye which the Congress
may recommend to them, as necessary for the pfe
fervation of-thefe colonies, at this time of immi
nent danger. lam very refpeßfully, Sir,
Your most humble servant,
JOHN HANSON, Jun. Chairman.**
The Honorable John Han.xk, Ff;
President of the Congress.
FREDERICK TOWN, MARYLAND.
In Committee Chamber, November 2% &.••.
Alien Cameron, Dr. John Smith, and John
Connelly, being taken into cufiody, were brought
before the Committee, and the foilowing exami
nations were taken.
Alien Cameron, a native of Second, whiei,
he left for an affair cl honor, arid clone to Virgi
nia, with aw intention to purcbafe back lands, a; 1
intended to go to Henderson for that pnrpcfe; Boe
finding it difficult to pais thr ugh the back coun
try, encouraged by Lord Dunmore ajid pro;rt : rf
of advancement, he agreed to accept a cbmmhli 1
as firft Lieutenant in the regiment to be railed hf
Col. Connelly.
Dr. John Smith, a native of Scotland, Jr^
Charles County, Maryland, for politico: <e ! h \
and intended to go to the Miflifippi, b/f 'hqz
impracticable, he returned to NexfoX arid >?%
induced by Lord Dunmore, with prouife cf pi
ferment, he accepted the apprintmert of Sur,c 1
to Col. Connelly's regiment.
John Connelly, a native of Lanc?ler remy ,
Peimlylvania, admits his letter to (fir on, 3 c^ /
beingthewn him. He went the c;th of |fy fret,
Fort Dunmore to Lod Dunmore, ard<'f^ed
him proposals in fubftarce the fore wi h tbet
found in his peflefien, and in his hand 1 rior,.
boat he was lent by L<id Danmore to Gene;l
Gage with letters, and iris promofils 'o Cage;
that he left Berten tee fourteenth sr fifteen h f
September, and re r uincu to Lord Dunmore 4
the middle of O^cher; thit he l^mpm infiu&.-
ons from General Gage to Lord Dunmore, chi
granted biri a commiffi^n of Lieurernft CJor t
Commandant of a regiment o be red lin t ? -
back parts and Canada, with p wtrs to nomin.^
officers, who were to be confirmed by Lord i)en
more; that he is rpw on his win to Detroit, *l.oe
he was to raeet his com-:; (on and hr''•tri ^ -,
that be left Lord l>umu -re domt reo days a».
who had with ba one fw 0 ^ zmro gu q• <4
another, of ^g.• m; that dm dr.,.^ which 1,0*4