Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-03-11 00:00:00, page 2

ft W PEOPLE ofPE^NSYt^NIA
ILETTER 11.
AS I propose to take my fubje&s as they
rife out of the times, I hiail leave to my
hext letter the further defence of our Aflembly,
to give redo for a matter of very great import
ance, agreeable to what was hinted in the conoxu
iion of my firft letter.
The account which we hive already received
of Commissioners being appointed in England, and
ready to embark for America, io drder to nego
ciate a fetrlcraent of the prefeot unhappy differen
ces, has engaged the attention, and exetCifed the
{peculations of many among us. The powers
with which they are to be inverted, the manner
in which they are to be received, how they are to
be treated with, or whether they are to be treat
ed with at all, have been canvassed agreeably to
the different veins or judgments of individuals.
Among others, a writer under the signature of
Cassandra, in the Wennfylvania Evening Port of
daft Saturday week? has held forth sentiments
which I conceive highly disgraceful to America,
and pernicious to society in general. He pretends
to have fatjsfied him elf (but upon what grounds
1 know not) that the sole view of Administration
in this commifiion, is to amuse and deceive, to
bribe and corrupt us. And beeaufe he luppofes
all ofus so very corruptible, he proposes, by way
of prevention, to seize the Commiffiooers upon
their firft letting foot on shore, and bring them
immediately, under a ftong guard, to the Cong-efs.
I have too good an opinion of the virtue and good
sense of my countrymen, to think they will nay
any other regard to this advice, than to coufid.r
the author as an enthusiast or madman.
1 he contest in w ich we are engaged is faided
on the most noble and virtuous principles which
can animate the mind of man. We are contend
ing, ar the risk of our lives and fortunes, againff
an arbitrary ministry, for the rights of English
men. The eyes of all Europe are upon us and
every generous bosom, in wh : ch the pulse of liber
ty yet beats, fympa r hizes with us, rind is interested
ie our ucce's. Our cause, therefore, being the
cause of virtue, it wil be expected that all our
steps should be guided by it, and that where the
flock is so fair, the fruit will he proportionably
perfeifl. Let us not difaopoint these 'anguine ex
pedations by the smallest deviation from those li
beral and enlarged sentiments, which should mark
the conduct of freemen ; and when the faithful
historic page (ball record the events of this
glorious struggle, may not a tingle line in
the bright annals be fta ned by the recital of a
disgraceful affim, war future Americans have
cause to blush for tbt failings of their ancestors.
I trust that there is not fuel )another barbarian
among us as Caflandra. lam sure there are none
such among our savage neighbours. To what is
it that he would persuade us? To receive with
contempt, and treat with insult, men commissioned
to negociate with us about matters of the highest
concern to America, and at least proofing pgsee—
Persons eloathed with the charader of Ambassa
dors, which has been uniformly esteemed sacred
by every nation and in every age !
Can a precedent be produced in any country or
at any period which could be proposed for bur
imitation, or give countenance to such a proceed
ing? Let this writer turn over the volumes which
eftablilh the principles of the Law of Nations.
Let him search the history of every date both an
cieot and modern, civilized and uncivilized • ,he
will find none so fierce and rude as not to reverence
the rights of Ambafladors, and confider any insult
of their persons as the grossest outrage that could
be committed. Nay, let him enquire among the
numerous tribes of Indians that lurround our
frontiers, for feme example to countenance him in
his proposal! These untutored savages would
AUrtle at the question, and wondef that there
could bea person so ignorant as not to know that
public mefengers, with the Calumet in their
ha^s, ate entitled to audience, refped and hos
pitality. And ihall Americans, glorying in their
attachment to (he rights of humanity, be the firft
to violate obligations which have been thus uni
verfally held sacred? No! Let us never give
that advantage to those who have been striving
to excite the indignation of mankind agautt us
as farthlefs people, ferocious, barbarous, and
uninfluenced by those humane fentimeuts and
finer feelings which, in modern tunes, have,
in fume measure, foftened the horrors of war.
We know that such a charge is as malicious
as it is groundless Instances enough might
be produced to refute it, since this c rnteft was
carried on be nrms; and I trust no future ones
\vi ; l be found which might have a tendency to sup
pert it.
As we have long profefled an ardent desire of
peace, let us meet thole who bringthe terms, with
that virtuous confidence, which is inseparable from
an upright condud. Let us hear their proposals
with patience, and coofider them with candor;
remembering how deeply the happiness of milli
ons may Be concerned in theiftue. If what they
offer be such as freemen ought to accept, my voice
Hull be for ah immediate reconciliation ; as I
know of no object so worthy of a patriot as the
healing our wounds, and the restoring of peace,
if it has Grits basis an ffli%4/'fecurity for the
liberties of America. If on the contrary, the
terms, which maybe offered, mould be such as
we cannot accept, we have only to fay so, and the
negociation will be at an end.
But ths writer is greatly concerned for cur
virtue, left we fliould be cajoled, deceived, and
corrupted. 1 confefs these feats appear to me
so groundless, that I fufpe& their reality. Is it
polbble, in good earnest, to entertain so ill an opi
nion of those, who have flaked their lives and for
tunes on this coriteri, as to believe that they will
fuffer themselves to be flattered out of their liber
ties, or induced to fell their birthright for a mess
ts pottage?
When I coofidsr that this treaty is to be mana
ged, on the part of America, by men delegated
for their integrity arid abilities by the voice of
their country, I feel myfelf quite easy on that
Icore. if the fchemexrf the minillry be to try the
arts of corruption, where their arms cannot pre
vail, there are other and lets fulpicious ways of
carrying it intoexecution, than by Commissioners,
in the face of America ; when they will have the
eyes of all fixed upon them, and the r coadu& di
ligently watched anti fevereiy scrutinized.
Upon the whole, it appears that this writer is
m>re an enemy to the business on which the Com
missioners are to be sent, than really apprehensive
for our viittfe. He seems to have daE deep of
the cap of in :ejendenc\ ; to be inimical to whate
ver carries the appearance of peace; and too Viidy
to facrifice the happiness of a great continent to
his favourite plan. Among such v riters I pretend
not to elafs myfelf; for I am bold to declare, and
hope yet to make it evident to every horeft man,
that the true interest of Americages in reconcilia
tion with Great Britain, upon conf it Mortal prin
fifties, and I can truly fay, I wilh it upon no other
terms.
Why the many publications in favor of inde
pendency, With which our presses have lately groan
ed, have palled hitherto unnoticed, I am not able
to determine. But there are certainly times wrei
public affairs become so interesting, that every
mai becomes a deptor to the community for hs
opinions, either in (peaking or writing. Perhaps
it was thought best, where az appeal was pretend
ed to be mide to the Common Sense oi this
country, to leave the people for a while to the
free exe r cise of that good unde ftmdirg which
they are known tupoffeis. ThAe who made the
appeal have little cause totriumuh in its furcefs.
Ofthis they <eem fentible ; and, like true quacks,
are constantly pestering ns with their additions
doles, till the floinachs oftheir patients beginwhoHy
to revolt. If little notice has yet been taken of the
publications concerning independence, it is nei
(her owing tothe popularity of the do&rine, the
unanswerable nature of the arguments, nor the
fear ofopoofing them, as the %a ity of the au
thors would suggest. I am co indent that nine
tenths of the people of Pennsylvania yet abhor the
doffrje
If we look hack to the origin of the present con
troversy, it will appear that some among us at
least, have been conftan-ly enlarging their views,
and ftretebing them beyond their firft bounds till
at length tin y have wholly changed their ground.
From the c aim of Parliament to tax us sprung
the firft refinance on our part. Before that un
jui chim was set on foot, not an individual, not
one of ail the profound legislators with which this
country abounds, ever held out the idea of inde
pendence Weconfidered our connection with
Great-Britain as our chief happiness —-we flou
rifhed, grew rich, and populous, to a degree not
to be paralleled in history. Let us then ad the
part of fkillful physicians, and wifely adapt the
remedy to the eril.
Possibly some men may have harboured the idea
of independence from the beginning of this con'
troveriy. Indeed it was strongly fufpeded there
were individuals whose views tended that way ;
hut as the scheme was not fufficienly ripened, it
was reckoned slanderous, inimical to America,
and what not, to intimate the least fufpieion of
this kird.
Nor have many weeks yet elapsed since the firft
open proportion for independance was pubfifhed
to the world.—By what men of coolequence this
scheme is Supported, or whether by any, may pof
fib'y be the fubjeCt of future enquiry—Certainly
it has no countenance from the Con^refs, to whose
fentim^nts we look up with reverence. On the
contrary, it is dire&ly repugnant to every decla
ration of that refpedable body. It would be need
lets to quote particular passages in prows of this,
as they are to be met with in almost every page of
their proceedings. I will refer to a few Only,
viz. their Resolves, March §, 177$ —their De
claration, July 6—their Address to the King, July
B—their Letter to the Lord Mayor of London—
and more especially their Declaration for a Fast,
June 12, in which wi h the deepest marks of sin
cerity they call upon all America to join with them
in addressing the great cvernor of the World—
“ humbly beseeching him to avert the desolating
“ judgments with ^hich we are threatened, to
“ bless our rightful sovereign, &^—that so Arne
“ rica may loon behold a gracious interpefirUn of
“ Heaven for the rdrefs of her many grievances,
“ the restoration of her invaded rights, and recon
“ citiariob with the parent state, on terms con
“ ftitutional and honorable to both " Will any
one be so hardy as to fay, that either the appoint
ment or observation of this solemn day was a mere
mockery of Heaven a^d Earth, or even that any
American joined in it, who was not fineere? I
trust not But if multiplying authorities wete of
any u'e, I might add the ft ntiments of our own
Representatives in Amenably, expressed i the in
ftruAioos to their Delegates; the fentimeros o'
Maryland in Similar inftrudtons; rhe Re olves of
New Jersey and New-Hampshire ; nor shall the
much injured province of Massachusetts Bay be
left out of the catalogue; whose Provincial Con
gress, while yet bleeding with rhe wounds receiv
ed at Lexington, thus addressed the inhabitants of
Great-Britain—" These are marks of ministerial
66 vengeance against this Colony, but they have
" not yet detached us from our royal Sovereign,
“ &e. truftihg that in a confiitutional connexion
“ with the mother country, we Shall soon be a free
“ and happy people." These were the sentiments
of the Colony of the Massachusetts, figried by
that great Martyr to Liberty, Dr. Warren,
and soon after sealed with his blood.
The sentiments of sundry other Colonies might
be shewn to have corresponded with these —^
Bat this letter has already reached its full length.
I shall take some future opportunity to examine
the arguments which have been offered to induce
a change of these sentiments; and upon the whole
I doubt not to make it appear that independence
is not the cause in which America is noiv engaged,
and is only the idol of those who wish to Subvert
all order among us, and rife on the ruins of their
country! C AT O.
WILLIAMSBURG, February 26.
WE are informed, that on Monday last, the
Hon. Richard Corbin, Elq; came to this
city, and the next day, with the en ire approbation
oft)eCommittee of Safety, continued his journey
to Norfolk, wth intention to go on board the
Dunmqre, to have a con'erence with Lord Dun
more, on the fubjett of a letter his Lordship had
Written to Col. Corbin, containing iome propofi
tn ns to negotiate an accommodation with Gre'at-
Brita n; and to receive letters which had come
from London, and were to be delivered into bis
own h,nds..
T he Mercury frigate, Capt. Graham, (formerly
Macartney, whois gone to England) having Gen.
Clinton and Lord Percy on board', and two trans
ports, with between 3 and 400 troops, chiefly
light infantry of 4th and 44th regiments, and a
number of officers belonging to the 16th and 40th,
besides some engineers, are arrived at Hampton
Road from Boston; since which they have been
joined by the Kingfifher, and four or five tenders,
who now lie off Hampton, and it is supposed are
bound up Potowmack, or for North Carolina,
wf©e some disturbances have broke out an ong
the people who lately styled themselves Regulators.
Commodoie Hammond las given orders to all
the navy officers to cease firing in out sentinels or
Small parties, on pain of being broke.
It is laid that the tro ps with Lord Dunmore,
to the amount of 500, are entrenched at Ports
mouth and that a considerable number of our
people are intrenching some little distance below
them.
By Mr. Hancock Lee, lately from Kentucky,
we are informed, that the Indians have scalped two
or three white, people on the Ohio, and that the
commanding officer at Detroit offers them 101. for
every ±alp. Captain Neaville, at Fort Pitt, writes
his fred in Frederick to the fame purpose, but
ft)S the rewad is 501. a icalp.
I he gentlemen of Alexandria have got down
the cannon fiem Winchester, and are putting their
town in a posture of defence.
WORCESTER,
We are told a gentleman who came out of
Boston last Friday reports, that the enemy have
taken away their mortars from Bunker's Hill,
and carried them to Boston; that a council of
war had been held in Boston for Several days ;
that General Howe had advised the Mandamus
Counlellois to go to England, and the tories to
leave the town; that all the vessels in the har
bour that were not in the King's service, were
taken up to transport the tories and their efL&s;
and that it was surmised in Borton, that should
another battle ensue, and the regulars be defeat
ed, they would set fire to the town, and remove
to some other part of the continent.
It is a prevailing opinion, that fbmething ex
traordinary will turn up in the couife of a few
dd;S.
N E W-YO R K, March 6.
We are informed by a Captain of a vessel from
Rhode Bland, that last week Capt. Wallace land
ed bis marines on Conanicut in the evening, and
began to barn the buildings, but being difeovered
by one of the centinels, a number of our people
concealed themselves behind the walls and fences
until they eame near them; but the commander
thinking it unfair to fire on them without giving
them notice, called out, " Who comes there,"
when he heard Wallace order his men to make
ready, upon which our p%rty instantly fired among
them, and killed and wounded 30 of Wallace's
people, among the fl^in was an officer of marines,
and the drummer, who was killed by Wallace's
fide, which was plainly seen by the light of the
houses on fire. 1 hose th;t were not wounded of
Wallace's party retreated on board the ships with
greater haste than they landed.
Wednesday last Wallace and his fleet went
down the bay to Rhode-Iflaad, on which ;bey
gave him a cannonading as he passed, and on Sa
tu day he returned again, when they paid him the
f ame compliment.
Extraid of a letter front Montreal, Feb. 19, 1776.
" Cipt. Graham of the Second battalion is just
arrived from Qe ec— nothing very material, but
tha* the blockade is kept up completely, and fre
quent desertions frora the town: I am told they
have been seen to break up the vessels in the har
bour for fire wood: This absolutely does great
honor to Gen. Arnold and his little party, how
ever they will now get eale, as troops are coming
in pretty faft; one company of Pennsylvania
troops arrived yesterday with forme American ma
nufaauied gun powder, and many of the New-
England volunteers. We now have, I imagine,
about 1500 men before Quebec, but before the
reinforcement arrived, the blockade was kept up
with about 500 men, exclusive of a few Canadi
an . in whom little or no dependance could nt that
time be put, nor indeed at any time, without a
greater force of Continental troops."
We hear by a gentleman from Rhode-Ifland,
that the Macaroni privateer had taken a trahfpott
frip from London; it is said that there were found
on board orders for Gen. Howe only to a& cm the
defenfive, till further orders.
We bear a number of troops are evacuating
Boston, and embarking on board the transports ;
and it is thought they intend to visit New-York
verv shortly.
We are just informed that our army at Roxbu
ry had regained pofleffion of Dorchester Neck, and
had brought with them some mortars and batter
ing cannon.
pHILADELPHI A, March 11.
In CONGRE S S, Marchg, 1776.
RESOLVED, That no oath by wav of
tert, be ithpofed upon§ exacted or required
of any of the inhabitants of these Colonies, by
any Military Officer.
Exirafl from the Minutes.
PubHfloed by order of Congrt/j,
"CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary,
By an exptefs wliich arrived here last fifurday
from Baltimore, which place he left on Friday
morning, we learn, that the Roebuck, of 44 guns,
a id two tenders, were seen off Swan's Point, (about
30 miles from Baltimore) and that they were ex
pefled up on Friday.
COMMITTEE CHAMBER, March 6.
TH E fevefal diftria Committees having re
turned their Reports relating to the enrol
ling Salt, Rum, Sugar, Spice, Peffer, Mo'afes,
Cocoa, and Coffee, it clearly appears that the fear
city of those articles are ’artificial, and that feve
lal persons whose names are returned to this Com
mittee (but from tenderness to their families are
not published) have formed a cruel design to add
to thediftrefics of their fuftering fellow citizens
and country, by collecting great quantities of and
exating exorbitant prices for, the above articles—
A conduct at any time fhameful, but ata period of
publiccalamity most barbarous and oppressive, more
elpecialiy on the poor and middling ranks of life.
Refotved therefore, That this Committee art
bound in duty and justice to the inhabitants of
this city and province, to give an immediate check
to such bale and mercenary pra&ices, and for that
purpole have fixed the undermentioned prices as
just, realizable, and generous, refped being had
to the public, as well ah the feller of such goods;
and if any persons shall be so loft to virtue, honor,
and the public good, as to demand greater prices
for the above articled (now imported) than are
herein after limited, or shall refuse to fell such ar
ticles trader fade pretences of exportation, pre
engagementj or otherwise, in order to avail them
selves of the scarcity of such goods, and enhance
the price, this Committee do declare, That the,
will expose such persons by name to publie view,
as sordid vultures, who are preying on the vitals
of their Country in a time of general distress, the
Committee therefore, do request all persons of
whom dema ids are made above the prices limited
or who shall be refufed to purchase as above, im
mediately to make their case known to some of
the Committee, when such offender being convift
ed Le'ore a general meeting of th^ Committee,
will soon experience what are the feelings and re
sentment of an injured and insulted People.
Common Ifef-lndia Rum, 4/6 per gallon, by
the hogshead or greater quantity.
Molasses, 2/ per gallon, by the hogshead.
Coffee, lid. per pound by the bag or bale.•
Cocoa, five pounds per hundred.
Chocolate, sixteen pence per pound.
Pepper, 5/ per pound, by the bag or bale.
Loaf Sugar, single, fourteen pence per pound.
Lump Do. one Filling.
Mujeovado Do. firft quality, 6gf. per hundred,
and other qualities in proportion.
Sa t Lisbon, qf: per single bufliel, or greater
quantity.
Liverpool Blond De. five (hillings, do.
Jamaica Spirits, of common quality, 5/6 per
gallon
Ihe prices of goods, hereafter imported, will
be put on a proper footing by the Committee, ac,
cording to the circumstances of such importation.
Ordered to be published by the Committee of In
freftion and Observation for the City and Li
lefties of Philadelphia.
J. B. SMI T H, Secretary.
Copy of a letter written by the Committee for the
City and Liberties of Pl iladelphia, to the several
County Committees ot this Province.
Philadelphia, March 5, 1776.
(C fUE Committee Jor tbe City and Liberties ofPbfc
lade pbia ba^e always been attentive to tie im
portant duty enjoined upon them by the resolution pt the
late Provincial Convention, to call another Con^ftiwa
luben they may judge it necessary But though many
circumstances have occurred, which seemed to invite
to a general conference, yet the Committee have been
willing to hope shut fccurity againfl every impending
evil would have been procured without fubje&eng tie
provin eto the trouble and expence, at this uncomfort
able fea/on oj the year, o f appointing deputies, and
a tending 7; Convention, 'they would have been hap
py comd they havefund their expectation so fully an
fveered as the exigence oj the times required. On a
review oj the proceedings of the late frffions of Affewi
') ? J rom a preftea of the very vigorous measures re
solved upon by the Britif administration, which tie
latefl accounts afure us may every day be expected to
take place •,a armed at the appearance of intrigue by
the appointment oj Commfoners (as it is given out)
to treat with the Colonies, though cue have reason to
believe they are in iefled only with an infu/tmg power
t? pardn (yerbaps to corrupt and divide) the Com
mettee judged they could not acquit themselves to their
own conferences, to,on, and to the American intertf,
bad they not given the Province an immediate oppor
tunity of a conference, in which they might freak the
unrefrained language oj determined freemen, and aa
with that vigor which bus ever been the cbarafieriftic
of Pennsylvania, when free from the influence of par
tial councils. The Committee were of opinion, at a
late meeting, that a Provincial Convention ought tg
be called.
Among other so bj efts, which they proposed for
confderation, the, had the following in view.
" As the opposition given to the present meetfree
arises chiefly from the members repsefenting the three
interior counties, who confitute a majority of the
House, though two of them are inferior tofeve # 'alcihr
oj the counties, which have not half their number of
members, the proceedings oj the Afcmbly might mvz
property be said to be the proceedings ofthoe three
counties than oj the province in general; to concept
medjures therefore §j efcaing a more full end eq al
repiejentation, the Committee thought an obiectworth,
your immediate attention ; conducive to the t'ro,tb
and dignity of the H v uje of Afimbly ; and efcvady
Htcefary to the faje, oj this Province in pariicuiur,
and the United Colonies in general.
" As the present unequal reprefestation L the gr,,„M
oj every ot r er complaint, the (.ommiitee had thispfn
cipall, in view. There are others which eve attends
ed with immediate aan^er ; and we tbu^ht r,QLir,4
immediate remedy, ho name them will b& juficieit.
" Our military afociotion labors under the imper.
feaions and injustice oj the " Rules and Articles,''
though almost a,tar bus been employed in jraming and
correcting them.
" The providing of arms, ^c. has been firft intron,
ed, andjince continued, nitwitbfladding rrmonft?arc. >,
-'' 'perfons who have in jome infauces so far ?ifglt&ed
the duty, as that the, have it yet atmt, to begin,
" The military meafuris of the Province ff u id/r
the direction oj a Committee oj Safat}, man) oj ibe
members not having the authority &/ the people; not
wuhflanding a power oj jo great imf 01tance oui he sat
to bteintruded lo othersib*m their id.msu&te rs,.
tarivee.