Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1775-01-23 00:00:00, page 1

Tbe following is the PETITION of the
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
To the KING'S Most Excellent Majesty.
Aloft Gracious Sovereign,
,<>-/%, «,&,△ E ybur Majesty's faithful fubje^s
4 ^ ■ ,of the colonies of New-Hampshire,
4?'W ™ b ' Mafl'achuletts-Bay, Rhode-lfland
£[t- J^)* and Providence Plantations, Con
-4 k.^' > neflicut, New-York, New-Jersey,
-ct^*'^ ^^ Pennsylvania, the Counties of
New-Cadle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Ma
ryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-
Carolina, io behalf of ourselves and the inhabi
tants of those colonies, who have deputed us to
represent them in General Corgrefs, by this our
humble petition, beg leave to lay our grievances
before the throne.
A standing army has been kept in these colonies,
ever since the conclusion of the late war, without
the consent of our Assemblies ; and this army,
with a confidcrable naval armament, has been em
ployed to enforce the collection of taxes.
The authority of the Commander in Chief, and,
under him, of the Brigadiers General, has, in time
of peace, been rendered supreme in all the civil
Governments in America
The Commander in Chief of all your Majes
ty's forces in North-America has, in time of peace,
been appointed Governor of a Colony.
The charges of usual offices have been greatly
encreafed, and new, expensive, and oppressive, of
fices have been multiplied.
The Judges of Admiralty and Vice Admiralty
Courts are empowered to receive their salaries and
fees from the effects condemned by themselves.
The Officers of the Customs are impowered to
break open and enter houses, without the autho
rity of any civil Magistrate, founded on legal in
formation.
The Judges of Courts of Common Law have
been made intirely dependant on one part of the
Legislature for their salaries, as well as for the du
ration of their commissions.
Counfellors, holding their commissions during
pleasure, exercise legislative authority.
Humble and reasonable Petitions from the Re
prefentativts of the people have been fruitleft.
The Agents of the people have been difcounte
ranced, and Governors have been inftruded to
prevent the payment of their salaries.
Assemblies have been frequently and injuriously
dissolved, and Commerce burthened with many
wfelefs and oppressive reftridions.
By several ads of Parliament made in the fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth years of your Ma
jesty's Reign, duties are imposed on us, for the
purpose of railing 2 revenue, and the powers of
Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty Courts are extend
ed beyond their ancient limits, whereby our pro
perty is taken from us without our consent; the
trial by jury, in many civil cases, is abolished ;
enormous forfeitures are incurred for flight offen
ces; vexatious informers are exempted from pay
ing damages to which they are justly liable, and
oppressive security is required from owners before
they are allowed to defend their rights.
Both Houses of Parliament; have resolved, that
the Coloniffs may be tried in England for offences
alleged to have been committed in America, by
virtue of a Statute passed in the thirty-fifth year
of Henry the Eighth; andin consequence thereof
attempts have been made to enforce that Statute.
A Statute was palled in the twelfth year of
your Majesty's reign, directing that persons
charged with committing any offence therein des
cribed, in any place out of the realm, may be in
clined and tried for the fame in any shire or coun
ty within the realm, whereby inhabitants of these
colonies may, in sundry cases by that Statute
made capital, be deprived of a trial by their peers
of the vicinage-
In the last session of Parliament, an a& was
passed for blocking up the harbour of Boston, ano
ther impowering the Governor of the Massachu
setts-Bay to fend persons indited for murder in
that province to another colony, or even to Great-
Britain, for trial, whereby such offenders may
efcap® legal punishment; a third for altering the
chartered constitution of government in that pro
vince; and a fourth, for extending the limits of
(Quebec, abolishing the English and restoring the
French Laws, whereby great numbers of British
freemen are fubjed lto the latter, and establishing
an absolute government and the Roman Catholic
Religion throughout those vast regions that bor
der on the westerly and northerly boundaries of the
free protestant EnnJifh settlements; and a fifth
for the better providing suitable quarters for offi
cers and soldiers in his Majesty's fervfce in North-
America.
To a Sovereign who '• glories in the name of
Brilon," the bare recital of these a&s must, we
presume, juftify the loyal fubjeds who fly to the
foot of his throne, and implore his clemency for
protection against them.
From this deftru&ive system of colony admini
ftiation, adopted since the copctufion of the late
O R,
GENERAL
VOL. IV.
MONDA Y,
war, have flowed those distresses, dangers, fears,
and jealousies, that overwhelm your Majesty's
dutiful Colonists with affliction; and we defy our
most subtle and inveterate enemies to trace the un
happy differences between Great-Britain and these
Colonies; from an earlier period, or from other
causes than We have assigned; had they proceeded
on our part from a restless levity of temper, un
just impulses of ambition, or artful suggestions
of seditious persons, we should merit the appro
brious terms frequently bestowed on us by those
we revere. But, so far from promoting innova
tions, we have only opposed them, and can be
charged with no offence, unless it be one to re
ceive injuries and be sensible of them. <-
Had our Creator been pleased to give us exist
ence in a land of slavery, the sense of our condi
tion might have been mitigated by ignorance and
habit; but, thanks be to his adorable goodness,
we were born the heirs of freedom, and ever en
joyed our rights under the auspices of your royal
ancestors, whole family was seated on the British
throne to refeue and secure a pious and gallant
nation from the popery and despotism of a super
stitious and inexorable tyrant. Your Majesty,
we are confident, justly rejoices, that your title to
the Crown is thus founded on the title of your
people to liberty; and therefore we doubt not but
your royal wisdom must approve the sensibility
that teaches your fubjeds anxiously to guard the
blessing they received from divine providence, and
thereby to prove the performance of that compa&
which elevated the illustrious house of Brunswick
to the imperial dignity it now possesses.
The apprehension of being degraded into a state
of servitude from the pre-eminent rank of English
freemen, while our minds retain the strongest love
of liberty, and clearly forefee the miseries prepa
ring for us and our posterity, excites emotions in
our hearts, which, though we cannot describe, we
should not wish to conceal. Feeling as men, and
thinking as fubjeds in the manner we do, silence
would be disloyalty. By giving this faithful in
formation we do all in our power to promote the
great objeds of your royal cares, the tranquility
of your government, and the welfare of your peo
ple.
Duty to your Majesty, and regard for the pre
servation of ourselves and our posterity, the pri-1
mary obligations of nature and of society, com
mand us to entreat your royal attention, and, as
your Majesty enjoys the signal diftindion of reign
ing over freemen we apprehend the language of
freemen cannot be displeasing. Yourroyal indig
nation, we hope, will rather fall on those design
ing and dangerous men who, daringly interpo
sing themselves between your royal person and
your faithful fubjeds, and for several years past
incessantly employed to dissolve the bonds of so
ciety, by abating your Majesty's authority, misre
presenting your American fubjeds, and prosecut
ing the most desperate and irritating projects of
oppreflion, have at length compelled us, by the
force of accumulated injuries, too severe to be any
longer tolerable, to disturb your Majesty's repose
by our complaints.
These sentiments are extorted from hearts that
much more willingly would bleed in your Majes
ty's service. Yet so greatly have we been misre
presented, that a neceflity has been alledged of
taking our property from us without our consent
" to defray the charge of the administration of
justice, the support of civil government, and the
defence, protection, and security of the colonies."
But we beg leave to assure your Majesty, that such
provision has been and will be made for defray
ing the two firft articles, as has been and shall be
judged, by the legislatures of the several colonies,
just and suitable to their refpedive circumstances;
and for the defence, protection, and security of
the colonies, their militias, if properly regulated,
as they earnestly desire may be immediately done,
would be fully fufficient at least in time of peace ;
and in case of war, your faithful colonists will
be ready and willing, as they ever have been when
constitutionally required, to demonstrate their
loyalty to your Majesty, by exerting their most
strenuous efforts in granting supplies, and railing
forces. Yielding to no British fubjeds, in affec
tionate attachment to your Majesty's person, fa
mily and government, we too dearly prize that pri
vilege of expressing that attachment, by those
proofs which are honourable to the Prince who
receives them, and to the people who give
tnem, ever to resign it to any body of men upon
earth.
Had we been permitted to enjoy in quiet, the
inheritance left us by our forefathers, we should
at this time have been peaceably, cbearfully, and
ufefally employed in recommending ourselves by
every testimony of devotion to your Majesty, and
of veneration to the state from which we derive
our origin. But though now exposed tounexped
ed and unnatural feenes of distress by a contenti
on with that nation, on whose parental guidance
on all important affairs, we have hitherto with fi
lial reverence conftantfy trusted, and therefore
can derive noinfltaction io our prefect unhappy
D U N L A P's
1 «i&&!^^
and perplexing circumstances from any former ex
perience ; yer we doubt not, the purity of our in
tention and the integrity ofour conduct will juftify
us at that grand tribunal before which all mankind
must submit to judgment. 1.
" We ask but for peace, liberty, and fafety. We
with not a diminution ofthe prerogative, nor do
we solicit the grant of any new right in our fa
vour. Your royal authority over us, and our
connexion with Great-Britain, we shall always
carefully and zealously endeavour to support and
maintain. ;,.
r Filled with sentiments of duty to your Majes
ty, and of affedion to our parent state, deeply
imprefled by our education, and strongly confirm
ed by our reason ; and anxious to evince the sin
cerity of these dispositions, we present this peti
tion, only toobtain red refs of grievances, and relief
from, fears and jealousies, occasioned by the system
of statutes and regulations adopted since the close
of the late war, for railing a revenue in America,
extending the powers of courts of admiralty, and
vice admiralty, trying persons in Great-Britain
for offences alledged to be committed in Ame
rica, affecting the province of Maffachufett's Bay,
and altering the government, and extending the
limits of Quebec, by the abolition of which system,
the harmony between Great-Britain and these co
lonies, so necessary to the happiness of both, and
so ardently desired by the latter, and usual inter
courses will be immediately restored. #
In the magnanimity and justice of your Majesty
and Parliament, we conhde fora redress of our
other grievances, trusting, that when the causes
of our apprehensions are removed, our future con
du& will prove us not unworthy of the regard we
have been accuftomfed in our happier days to en
joy. For appealing to that Being who thorough
ly searches the hearts of his creatures, we solemn
ly profefs, that our councils have been influenced
by no other motive than a dread of impending de
ftrudion.
Permit us then, most gracious Sovereign, in the
name of all your faithful people in America, with
the utmost humility to implore you, for the ho
nour of Almighty God, whose pure religion our
enemies are undermining, for your glory, which
can be advanced only by rendering your fubje&s
happy, and keeping them united; for the interest
of your family depending on an adherence to the
principles that enthroned it, for the fafety and
welfare of your kingdoms ^nd dominions, threat
ened with almost unavoidabledangers and distresses.
That your Majesty, as the loving father of your
whole people, connected by the fame bands of law,
loyalty, faith and blood, though dwelling in va
rious countries, will not fuffer the transcendent
relation formed by these ties, to be farther viola
ted, in uncertain expectation of effects, that, if at
tained, never can compensate for the calamities
through which they must be gained.
We therefore most earnestly beseech your Ma
jesty, that your royal authority and interposition
may be used for our relief, and that a gracious
answer may be given to this petition.
That your Majesty may enjoy every felicity,
through a long and glorious reign, over loyal and
happy fubje&s, and that your descendants may in
herit your prosperity and dominions, till time shall
be no more, is, and always will be, our sincere
and fervent prayer.
4^ +¥^+ss+4ot4+-t6s*
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 12.
By the Committee for Anne-Arundel County, and
City of Annapolis, December 24., 1774.
ALETTE R from the Committee of Philadel
phia, with one from Thomas Charles Willi
ams to that, and another to this Committee, were
read and confidgred, and thereupon it is resolved,
that the concessions of the said Thomas Charles
Williams, contained in his said letters, are not pre
cise or full, and therefore not fatisfa&ory.
Resolved, That upon an acknowledgment be
ing made in writing by the said Thomas Charles
Williams, and inserted in the Maryland Gazette,
that after he had knowledge of the resolutions of
this county and city, and after the Merchants of
this province had declined to import Tea, he, with
design to avail himfelf of an advantage from an
expected scarcity of that article, imported Tea in
to this province, and that he thereby, as far as
such example would influence, supported the as
sumed power of Parliament to tax America, and
endangered the rights and liberties of America :—
That he is sincerely sorry for his offence, that he
will not commit the least infringement of the Con
tinental Allociation, or any resolution of this pro
vince, but will contribute his affittance to the sup
port of the American opposition; it is the opinion
of this Committee, that no further proceedings
ought to be had against him.
Test. true Copy. John Duckett, Cl. Com.
Thomas French, Jun.
John Purviance.
I, the above named Thomas C. Williams, do
hereby certify, that the above relolve is publilhed
at my desire, and as a proof of my acquielcence
therein, I do hereby give my assent to the several
engagements therein required of me; witness my
hand, this second day of January, 1775.
THOMAS C. WILLIAMS.
T HE
ADVERTISER.
J AN UA R Y23d, !775°
N E W- Y O R K, %„. x 6.
Tuesday last the General Assembly of this pro
vince met here, agreeable to his Honour the Lieut.
Governor's proclamation, but a fufficiency of Mem
bers not appearing to make a House, they adjourn
ed from day to day until Friday, when his Honour
was pleased to open the sixth leflion with the fol
lowing SPEECH, viz. ,
Gentlemen *f the Council, and General Assembly,
I THINK it unnecessary atthis time particular.
ly to recommend to your attention the ordinary
business of the Legislature; whatever may be found
conducive to the dignity of his Majesty's govern
ment, or the happiness of his people in this colony,
I shall chearfully promote. 3
Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
Fhe support of his Majesty's government, and
other allowances for his service, I doubt not you
will readily provide for.
Gentlemen of the General Assembly,
? We cannot Sufficiently lament the present disor
dered state of rhe Colonies. The dispute between
Great-Britain and her American dominions, is now
brought to the molt alarming crisis, and fills euery
humane breast with the deepest affiiftion. It is to
you, Gentlemen, in this anxious moment, that
your country looks up for council ; and on you it,
in a great measure, depends to refeue her from
evils of the most ruinous tendency. Exert your
selves then with the firmnefs becoming your
important office. If your constituents are discon
tented and apprehensive, examine their complaints
with calmness and deliberation, and determine up
on them with an honest impartiality. If you find
them to be well grounded, pursue the means of
redress which the constitution has pointed out :
Supplicate the Throne, and our most gracious So
vereign will hear and relieve you with paternal ten
derness. But I entreat you, as you regard the
happiness of your country, to difeountenance every
measure which may increase our distress; And
anxious for the re-eftabli/hment of harmony, with
that power with which you are conneded by the
ties of blood, religion, interest and duty, prove
yourselves, by your conduction this occasion, ear
nestly solicitous for a cordial and permanent recon
ciliation.
Gentlemen cf tbe Conned, and General Assembly,
In the absence of our most worthy Governor in
chief, no left distinguished by his extenfire abili
ties than his zeal for the honour of the Crown and
his affection for the people of this province, and at
so critical a conjun&ure, it gives me great consola
tion that I can repose the utmost confidence in your
wisdom, your attachment to the constitution, and
your regard for the interest of the British empire.
And you may be assured that my most strenuous
efforts shall be exerted to co-operate with you, in
restoring that tranquility which must be the ardent
desire of every wife, virtuous and loyal fubjea.
CADWALLADER COLDER
PHILADELPHIA, % 23.
The Speech of bis Excellency Governor Franklin, to
both Houses, at the opening of the Seffox of the Ge
neral Assembly of Nem^Jerfey, at Perth-Amboy, on
the 13th of January, 1775.
Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the As
sembly,
ALTHOUGH not more than ten months have
elapsed since your last meeting in General
Assembly, yet as there are feyeral matters of im
portance which require the particular attention of
the legislature, I have thought it proper to give you
as early an opportunity of tranfa&ing the publick
business as was confident with your conveniency.
Gentlemen of the Assembly,
The support of government having been expired
ever since the firft of O&ober, I must recommend
that matter to your early consideration.
The Barrack Master's accounts for the expendi
ture of the money granted last year for the supply
ofthe King's troops shall be laid before you at
soon as they can be prepared.
Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the As
sembly.
It would argue not only a great want of duty to
his Majesty, but of regard to the good people of
this province, were I, on this occasion, to pass over
in silence the late alarming tranfa&ions in this and
the neighbouring colonies, or not endeavour to pre
vail on you to exert yourselves in preventing those
mifehiefs to this country, which, without youg
timely interposition, will, in all probability be the
consequence.
It is not for me to decide on the particular merits
of the dispute between Great-Britain and her Co
lonies, nor do I mean to censure those who conceive
themselves aggrieved for aiming at a redress ®f their
grievances. It is a duty they owe themselves, their
country, and their posterity.
All that I would wish to guard you against, is the
giving any countenance or encouragement to that
deftru&ive mode of proceeding which has been un
happily adopted in part by some of the inhabitants
in this colony, and has been carried so far in others
as totally to subvert their former constitution. It
has already struck at the authority of qn, of the
branches of the legislature in a particular manner.
And, if you, Gentlemen of the Affeml ly, ffionld
give your approbation to tranfa&ions of this nature,
you will do as much as lies in your power to de-
Itroy that form of government of which you are an
important part, and which it is your duty by all
lawful means to preserve. To you, your constitu
ents have intruded a peculiar guardianship of their
rights and privileges. You are their legal Repre
sentatives, and you cannot, without a manifeft
breach of your trust, fuffer any body of men in this
or any of the other provinces, to usurp and exercise
any of the powers vested in you by the constitution.
It behoves you particularly, who must be constitu
tionally fuppoied to Ipelk the sense Of the people
NUMB. 170.