The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-04-20 00:00:00, page 2

St. Accents, Dominico, and our other valuable fettle
ihents in that part of the world, which it was the glo
ry of the last war to acquire. To prevent the inter
ference of France with our dominion in America was
one of its firft objects. It has unfortunately answered
all the ends it wasintended to prevent. It has eftab^
lifhed the power of France in America, and brought
us into that melancholy situation, which it has been
the endeavour of every king of France, till now, with
out eßed to attempt. He then described our glori
ous successes, when lord Chatham had the direction of
affairs, and contrasted his with the present admini
stration. The dignity of this nation, he said, was in
that time railed to a degree of fupenor consideration ;
never was the British name exalted to such a pitch of
pre-eminence ;'till now the purposes of the crown of
France were never effedually answered. When the
gold of Lewis XIV. had an influence in English coun
cils, the crown of France had never been so effectu
ally served as at the present time. In no age, in no
reign, was political refinement carried to such excess
as now. The policy of France has turned all our mea
sures to its advantage ; the refinement of its schemes
hat turned our own means against ourfelyes. In Lew
is XlVth's. time, it was the custom to bribe the mini
sters with the money of France ; but now the crown of
France bribes them with the money of England. The
burthens under which the people groan, the taxes
which they pay, bribe the ministry to concur with all
the views of France ; the deftru&ion of our power in
America ; the loft of our islands in the Weft-Indies ;
the arming Englishmen against Englishmen in Ameri
ca.; and the arming Englishmen against Dutchmen,
their only natural allies in Europe. Thus has the
crown of France been gratified in all its wishes ; it has
seen the dominion of England annihilated in Ameri
ca; it has despoiled her of her most valuable islands
in the Weft-Indies. And to crown all, the link of
protestant confederacy in Europe has been fevered by
our war with the Dutch. His duty as a member of
parliament, his anxiety for the liberties of his coun
try, and his attention to the interest of his constitu
ents, to whom he owed every grateful acknowledg
ment, called for his most ftrenous exertions ; and he
i pledged pimfelf ever to be devoted to preserve his
country's rights and liberties inviolate. He recom
mended to them to think on the unhappy consequen
ces of a late petition, which had nearly involved this
metropolis in deftruHion. He cautioned them to be
have with decency, propriety and firmnefs, but toa
void every kind of excess ; and he explained to them
that firmnefs which their present situation required.
Their petition, he said, should be conduded with a
proper decorum in its way to the throne ; he made
no doubt but his majesty would receive, and lend a
gracious ear to their remonstrance. A prince who ow
ed his title to the crown, to that right which his peo
ple have of granting it 1 a prince who reigns over a
free people, a prince of the house of Brunswick, un
der whbfe illustrious family England arrived to the
greatest pitch of glory; and who knows, and must
feel this power to be inherent in his people, will ne
ver refufe to hear their complaints in a petition, urg
ed with coolness, a remonstrance, offered with decen
cy, and an address breathing at once the temper,and
spirit of his people. It would be unjust in him, as a
fubje&, to suppose his majefly would refufe their pe
tition, deny their address, or negle&their remon
strance. If, however, it should so happen, which he
did not believe to be poffibie, it became their duty to
reiterate, nor to cease until they effeded their pur
pose.
The behaviour of the assembly was remarkably qui
et, and the whole business of the meeting was carri
ed on with a decency highly honourable to so numer
ous an assembly.
On Saturday morning a very refpedable and numer
ous meeting of the electors of the borough of South
wark, was convened by public advertisement in the
Town-hall of the borough, to take into their serious
consideration the present alarming state of public af
fairs. At twelve o'clock fir Richard Hotham, knight,
was unanimously voted into the chair, and the business
was opened by Richard Carpenter Smith, esquire,
who avowed himfelf, with several others of the most re
fpe^ab'e inhabitants, to have been the authors of the
fummoHS by which that meeting was assembled. Mr.
Polhill, member for the borough, then addressed his
constituents in a very pathetic speech, lamenting the
distresses of his country ; but observing, that they
were too severely felt by every individual in that meet
ing, to render a description of them rieceffary ; but if
there ever had been a period which juftified their ap
proaching the throne, with reproach and discontent,
it was the present, when our armies were captured,
our navy skulking from the enemy, our islands in the
Weft-Indies become the property of our natural foes,
our funds decreased above a third in their value, com
merce alrnoft annihilated, landed property severely af
feded, and, what was dearer to us than all rhe rest,
our American colonies wrested from us for ever. It
now becomes our duty, fays the patriot, to approach
the throne with boldness and truth; this is no time
for flattery, when our only remaining liberties and
property are at flake. 'This impolitic and unnatural
war, if persisted in, must end in the total ruin of this
once happy and glorious empire, and the only chance
we have of preventing it, is by warning the sovereign
of his danger. Mr. Polhill then moved, that an ad
dress, petition and remonstrance, expressive of their
disapprobation of the present measures, should be pre
sented to the king. This motion was seconded by a
bove twenty people at the fame moment of time, and
being put, was carried unanimously. Mr. Carpenter
Smith then produced a remonstrance, which being read
by the chairman, was unanimously approved.
It was then moved, that the said remonstrance be
presented to the king, by fir Richard Hotham, and
Edward Polhill, esquires, the two members for the bo
rough, attended by five of the principal inhabitants of
each refpeDive parish; this motion was also carried
unanimously.
SOUTHWARK MEETING, December to.
First. T HAT each and every person who shall here
-1 after become a member of the society, fhall
pay into the hands of the treasurer, any sum of money
not less than five pounds specie, or the value thereof ;
and Ihall also further contribute and pay the sum of
twelve Shillings specie, er the value thereof, yearly,
in manner following, that is to fay, the sum of three
shillings like money aforefaid shall be paid to the trea
surer at each general meeting in Jan. April, Julyand Oc
tober, makeing in the whole twelve shillings annually
as aforefaid. And if any member shall neglect to pay
to the treasurer the sum of three shillings specie, or the
value thereof, at each and every general meeting as
aforefaid, for and during the space of twelve calender
months, he shall forfeit and lose all his interfl, right,
title, claim and demand in, to, of, from and upon all
the capital flock, cash, goods and chattels belonging
to the society, and all and every part thereof, and
shall no longer be deemed a member.
Second. That each and every member of the socie
ty who shall negleft or refufe to pay in his quarterly
contributions for nine calender months, shall be served
with a written notice by one of the managers, to be
appointed by their own body, which notice shall be
either delivered to the said delinquent member, or left
at his usual place of abode, and shall be to the follow
ingpurpart : You are hereby noticed, that you Hand
indebted to the society for the relief of poor and dis
tressed masters of fllips, their widows and childern, in
the sum of specie, in their books, which sum if
you negleftto pay to the treasurer of the said society,
at or before their next general meeting, on the day
of next ensuing the date hereof, you will be exclu
ded the said society, and no longer deemed a member
thereof.
Third. That at every general and special meeting of
the society, the members present shall choose a presi
dent for the day, by holding up of hands, and after
the said president has taken the chair, tlelaws and rules
shall be read by the clerk, or such other member as the
president shall appoint; and after silence is ordered
from the chair, whatever member shall offend against
any order,rule or bye-law of the fociety,after being once
reprimanded by the president, shall pay the sum of two
shillings and fix-peace specie, or the value thereof to
the treasurer.
Charity not only desires the happiness of mankind,
rejoices at their prosperity, and grieves at their adver
sity, but being an adive virtue, it prompts the mind to
form with prudence, and execute with vigor, that plan
that bids faireft for a happy attainment of the most
generous and benevolent ends. To relieve our fellow
creatures in distress, and promote their welfare, is a
most beneficent wprk, but few even of the most dis
tinguished abilities can all in this ref pelt beyond the li
mits of a narrow fpbere : Numerous wantsare neither
readily mor easily Supplied; hence individuals unequal of
themfrlves apart to the noble talk, combine together
in foeieties, gain Rrength by their adherence, and
flretch the hand of charity to a more extended- distance.
To be thus ufeful was the design of rhe society, called
the charitable captains of ships club, in their earliest as
sociation; a society composed of a few men, not the
rich and opulent.
By the most trivial contributions, and under the in
fluence of the following plain and £mple rules, have now
accumulated a flock of I. and which is daily en
creafing for the best of purposes. Surely a design thus
formed and improved, a design to prop a falling
brother, to save a finking family, and prove a fafher
to the helpless orphan, cannot fail of the wished for
success.
INTRODUCTIO N.
The thanks of the meeting was then unanimously
voted to those upright representatives, for their inde
pendent, and truly conflitutional conduit in parliament:
after which the meeting was dissolved.
Whereas by an all of general assembly of the com
monwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the 4th day of
March, 1780, the society for the relief of poor and
distressed masters of ships, their widows and children,
are declared to be a body politic and corporate in law,
to all intents and purposes, and are impowered to make
and ordain all such rules, orders and byelaws, as
shall appear ufeful and necessary for the prudent ma
nagement and good order thereof; provided such bye
laws, rules and orders be not repugnant to the laws of
this commonwealth, and shall be agreed to by a majo
rity of the contributors present, at any general or spe
cial meeting of the said society ; all which bye laws,
rules and orders made as aforefaid, shall be inviolably
observed by all concerned.
By virtue therefore, of the powers above recited,
the society for the relief of poor and distressed masters
of ships, their widows and children, do hereby make
and ordain the following bye-laws, rules and orders,
that is to fay :
Mr. CLAYPOOLE,
You will much oblige the " Society for the Relief
of dißreffed Maßers of Ships, them Widows and Child
ren," by publishing the following in your next Paper.
April 18, 1782.
Rules of the society for the relief of poor and distressed
masters of ships, their widows and children; estab
lished at Philadelphia, tbe seventh day of Odober,
one thousand seven hundred and sixty five, and in
corporated by an @a of general assembly of the state
of Peonfylvania, passed the fourth day of March,
one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and in the
fifth year of American independency.
The P REFAC E.
Fourth. That any member speaking on business,
shall aired his difeourfe to the president, who, after
the debates, shall sum up the substance thereof, and
propose the fame to the members then met, for their
vote pro or con, in all which matters a majority shall
prevail, except in the choice of managers and treasurer,
which is otherwise ordered by the all of incorporation.
Fifth. That if any manager of the society die, or
depart the state, or by sickness, negled or any other
means, be rendered incapable of executing the office of
U L E
Sixth. That if any treasurer to the society happens
to die, or absents himfelf from his office for the space
of thirty days, or be rendered incapable of executing
his said office, in the opinion of a majority of the ma
nagers, such majority may displace such treasurer, and
appoint another suitable member in his fiead ; (provid
ed always that such member be not one of their own
body) who shall all as treasurer, until another be cho
sen in his room, fubjeft nevertheless to the ad of in
corporation, in the fame manner as if he had been cho
sen agreeable thereto.
Seventh. That every member residing in this city or
its suburbs who fbdl be absent from any general or spe
cial meeting of the society, shall be entered on the mi
nutes of the day as an absentee and if at the next gene
ral meeting he does not render a fufficient excuse for
such his absence, to the fatisfa&ion of the members then
present, he shall pay the sum of two Killings and six
pence specie, or the value thereof, tot he treasurer, and
ifany such absentee as aforefaid do hold any affice in and
under the society, or the managers thereof, he shall
pay five shillings like money, or the value thereof, as
aforefaid.
Eighth. That any person desirous of becoming a
member of the society, may apply to any member there
of to be proposed as such at their next general or spe
cial meeting, who, on such proposal, shall be balloted
for at the said meeting, and if chosen and his contribu
tion money paid to the treasurer, he shall receive a cer
tificate signed by the president, and attested by the
clerk, which certificate shall be in the following words:
These certify, that was legally admitted a mem
ber of the society for the relief of poor and distressed
makers of ships, their widows *nd children, at a
meeting thereof, held at Philadelphia, the day of
in the year of our Lord Given under my hand
and the feat of the society, this day of 178
Attested, B. C. president-
A. B. clerk.
Ninth. That the managers or a majority of them,
shall have the appointment of one or more clerks as
shall appear to them to be necessary, for whose fidelity
to the society they shall be accountable: They shall al
so appoint the time and place of meeting of the society,
and cause a written notice thereof to be sent to each
member's place of abode, at least twenty-four hours be
fore the time of meeting ; paying due regard to the aft
of incorporation in these and all other their tranfa&i
ons as managers, more especially to the 7th, 9th, nth,
12th and 14th feftions thereof. And their clerk shall
provide the said managers such books for their use, a#
they shall judge necessary, in which books they shall
cause to be entered in a fair hand writing, a true copy
of the aft of in corporation of the society, all the bye
laws, rules, and orders that are and shall be hereafter
made by them ; and also the name and names of each
and every member thereof, together with the time of
his admission, the contribution mon-y he paid there
on, and the time of his decease ; and also a true copy
of all petitions addressed to themselves or the society,
and all orders that they shall draw on the treasurer.
Tenth. That the treasurer, at the expence of the
society, shall provide himfelf with such books as he
shall judge necessary for the use of his office, and also
with a strong box, well secured with a good lock and
key thereto : in which box he shall keep all the cash,
deeds, securities, books and papers belonging to his
said office, and also the seal of society, and blank cer
tificates, together, also with all such books, accounts
and papers belonging to the society, as the managers
from time to time shall think fit to lodge therein.
Eleventh. That if the fob of a Beceafed member,
who has been entered seven years on the society's books,
shall be proposed to becomea member there f, he shall
be balloted for, and if chosen, shall receive a certifi
cate thereof, on contributing the sum of forty shillings
specie, or the value thereof, and also paying all the
arrearages due by his father, if any there be, to the
treasurer, and shall sign the rules of the society.
manager, the rest of the managers, by their majority,
may nominate some suitable member in his head, or
otherwise they shall proceed in their duty without
one.
Twelfth. That there shall be two Rewards chosen
quarterly by ballot, at each general meeting, whose
business it ftiall be to procure wood and candles, and
to provide some fit person to make the fires, and light
the candles, and attend on the society at all their gene
ral and special meetings ; they shall attend at all funerals
of deceased members,and shall marshal those who are pre
sent thereat, according to their flations, next after the
mourners ; after which they shall fall into the rear of the
society, and walk with their slaves in mourning, carri
ed on their shoulders. And if the said Rewards or ei
ther of them shall be absent from, or neglect or refufe
to perform the several duties required of them, as
above-mentioned, he and they shall forfeit and pay the
sum of five shillings specie, or the value thereof, to the
treasurer (for every such absence or negle&)at or be
fore the next general meeting of the society ; sickness
or being out of the city and liberties thereof, except
ed.
Thirteenth. That in case of the death of any mem
ber of the society,. the surviving members shall be in
vited to attend at his funeral, by force person appoint
ed by the Rewards for that purpose, and to whom the
clerk, on application to him made, shall give a lift of
the names of the members of the society, which mem
bers,fo invited,and not attending at the said funeral,fhall
each one forfeit and pay two shillings and fix-pence
specie, or the value thereof, to the treasurer at or be
fore the next general meeting, unless be or they render
fatisfaftory reasons at the said general meeting for such
absence ; and the Rewards are hereby enjoyned to make
a true return at the said meeting,, of each and every
such absentee, under the penalty of five shillings like
money aforefaid. And if it shall so happen, that the
deceased member aforefaid, shall have died in such in
digent circumflances, that his estate and effects are not
fufficient to procure him a decent interment, the mana
gers, or a majority of them, are hereby empowered to
order all necessaries for the said funeral, in as frugal
a manner as poffibie, and to draw an the Society's trea
surer for payment thereof.