Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-04-22 00:00:00, page 2

t^ THE PENNSYLVAN 1 A PACKET.
} f ^ " E N 'mectin my walks'wiA angry disputants,
\ r r and behold the burits of rage which some men
uouappur give way to, I often repeat to myfeif that
beautiful exclamation of the inimitable Sterne, " What
“ is there in this world's goods, that can so sharpen
" our minds against each other, and make so many
" kind hearted brethren amongst us fall out so cruelly
'" by the way !" What indeed is there in the narrow
ii nits of time, that should induce us to rifque opr future
peace to a momentary gratification of palhon and re
sentment, and embitter the few fleeting hours of cur
pre:ent exigence : —Whenever . I view contending par
t es treating each other with envenomed afpetity, my
very foul throbs with pain for their feelings ; and fain
would I exeit every nerve within me, to reconcile their
jarring interests, and retime that happy harmony, for
toe perfect enjoyment of which we are by our nature
lo amply fitted. When I meet with that wild ambition
which would deluge the world with human gore, for the
exteofion of empire, oreftablifhing some fa vorite views, I
lament with truly heartful woe, the miserable bosom that
contains it; and breathe out a fupplicatiog wish, that
the great Author of Nature may confine within narrow
bounds their fatal efL&s. That mankind should differ
in kndmtnt is of infinite importance to society, but
that they should support that difference, with the viru
fence of anger, is a misfortune of the deepest dye:—•
When paffiori once pofleffes the mind, it becomes blind
to reason, and throws the whole system of things into
confufion ; the fubje& becomes loft in the dispute, and
instead of sober argument they substitute intolerable
abuse.—l have been led into these reflexions by a re
view of the several publications which have lately ap
peared on the grand political question of Indepen
dence; a dodrine of so important a nature, that it
ought to be lifted to the bottbm.—l can readily allow
toe Utmost indulgence to those Gentlemen who have
Charted the thought, and most heartily admit an unli
'Knitted freedom to support their arguments ; but on the
other hand, I should expert a grant of equal indul
gence from their fide; —the fubjed is a grand fub
jeft—the thought was great, and has proceeded from
no littlemind; but then, Gentlemen, it is new; and you
ought to grant a free and uninterrupted difeuffion of a
qubftion, in which so many millions are concerned.
That the oppofers of the novelty may not be thought
unfriendly to the American Cause, and to shew the ne
cessity there is of sober and cool argument, to convince
' a great number of well meaning men, I will take the
liberty of ihewing the thoughts of several public Bodies
on the occasion, leaf! feme should ignorantly run away
with the opinion, which has been too hastily adopted by
a few of the independent writers, that those who hefaate
to embrace an immediate Independency have sinister
views, and would facrifice their country for the fake of a
Re union with Great Britain—that this is not the case,
and that it is not the malevolent party view of a trifling
contemptible jxnto, seeking to serve themselves at the
expence of their brethren—l think may be fairly and ho
nelfly inferred from the several following quotations —
I shall give the firft place to the sentiments which I
find published in the Proceedings of the Honorable
Continental Congress, excluding every thing which was
transacted before the fatal 19th of April, when hofti
lir.es firft commenced o'n the part of Great Britain;
from whence we shall discover, that an idea of total
reparation by no means took place on' that unhappy
event; but that a restoration of the beneficial connex
ion, that had before egifted, was the principal objed in
view; therefore if the writers in opposition to this new
doctrine should not be convinced of the propriety of ab
juring England so speedily as the Independants desire,
they ought not to be surprised; & much less ought they
to get angry on the occasion; Christianity itfelf has
been upwards of 1700 years in the world, and yet mil
lions of its inhabitants are still to be convinced of the
excellence of the Christian Religion—and even amongst
the profeffors of Christianity themselves, how slowly
has the Reformation advanced ! Men must be convinced
before they become converted. Why then this impatient
earnestness for a whole Continent to assent to a doctrine
the tidings of which have scarcely reached beyond the
limits of the middle Provinces? If any single man, or
fqt of men, should doubt the propriety of the measure,
they have an undoubted right to speak their minds, 1 and
ought to be heard, without being charged with senti
ments inimical to America; but I shall proceed to pro
duce ^y authorities. Whilst bleeding with the wounds
received at the battle of Lexington, when every passion
of rage and resentment must be supposed to have beeA
at its gieateft height, we find the Provincial Congress
of Massachusetts Bay thus expressing themselves in their
address to the inhabitants of Great Britain; after re
citing the ravages committed by the Soldiery, they add,
“ * These, Brethren, are marks of ministerial ven
“ geance, against this Colopy, for refufing with her
" Sifter Colonies a submission to slavery; but they have
“ not yet detached us from our Royal Sovereign: We
" profefs to be his loyal and dutiful fubjeXs, and so
" hardly dealt with as we have been, are still ready
“ with our lives and fortunes, to defend his person,
" family, crown and dignity." A little further they
add “ § We sincerely hope that the Great Sovereign
" of the Universe, who hath so often appeared for the
" English Nation, will support you in every rational,
*?• 45°' Journal f Congress. §p. 59.
" manly exertion, with these Colonies, for fading it
" from ruin, and that in a confitutional connexion with
“ the mother country we shall soon be a free and happy
“ people." On intelligence being brought to Congress
of the taking Ticonderoga, they resolve (amongst other
things) “ 11 That an exad inventory be taken of all
“ such cannon and stores, in order that they may be
" fafely returned when the reforation of the former bar
" mony between Great-Britain and these Colonies, 'fo
'' ardently wifoed for by the latter, shall render it prudent
" and confident with the over-ruling law of felf-prefer
" vation." The Congress being resolved into a Com
mittee of the whole, to take into confederation the Rate
of America, agreed to an unanimous Resolve, in which
we find the following words, " That these Colonies be
" immediately put into a state of defence. But as we most
" ardently wish for a relocation of that harmony formely
" subsisting between our mother country and these Co
" lonies, the interruption of which must, at ail events,
" be exceedingly injurious to both countries, that with
" a sincere design of contributing by all the means in
" our power, not incompatible with a just regard for
" the undoubted rights and true interests of these Co
" l®nies, to the promotion of this most deferable recon
" citation,- an humble and dutiful petition to be pre
" fented to his Majefty/'—ln the Resolution for & Fast
to be kept the 20th July last, it is recommended,
amongst other things, to offer up {applications 10 the
Almighty*, “ that all America may soon behold
gracious interpefition ©f Heaven for the redress of hea
many grievances, the refioration of her invaded rights,
a reconciliation with the parent state, on terms consti
tutional and honorable to both." In their declaration
published after the battle of Bunker's Hill, amongst
other things they fay, ' 6 Left this declaration should
disquiet the minds of our friends and fellow fubjeds in
any part of the empire, we assure them that me mean
not to difoive that union which has so long and so happi
ly subsisted between us, which we sincerely wish to fee
restored. We have not raised armies with ambitious
designs of separating from Great-Britain and establish
ing independent states." —They finifh their declaration
with an admirable Solemnity in these words, " With
an humble confidence in the mercies of the supreme
and impartial Judge and Ruler of the universe, we most
devoutly implore his divine goodness, to protest us
happily through this great conflict, to dispose ouradver
faries to reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby
to relieve the empire from the calamities of civil war."
In their petition to his Majesty we find them thus ex
pressing themselves, p. 55, “ Attached to your Ma
jesty's person, family and government with all devoti
on that principle and affection can inspire, connected
with Great-Britain by the frongefl ties that can unite
societies and deploring every event that tends in any degree
to weaken them, we folemnl, assure your Majesty, that
we not only most ardently desire the former harmony be
tween her and these Colonies may be reflored, but that
a concord may be established between them, upon so
firm a basis, as to perpetuate its blessings uninterrupted
by any future difTentions, to succeeding generations in
both countries." “ We beg leave farther to assure
your Majesty, that notwithstanding the fufferings of
your loyal Colonists during the course of this present
controversy, our breads retain too tender a regard for
the kingdom from which we derive our origin, to fe
queft such a reconciliation as might in any manner be
inconsistent with her dignity or her welfare: These
(related as we are to her) honor and duty, as well as
inclination, induce us to support and advance; and the
apprehensions that now oppress our hearts with un
speakable grief, being once removed, your Majesty mill
find your faithful fubjeds on this Continent, ready and
willing at all time's (as they have ever been) with their
lives and fortunes, to aflert and maintain the rights and
interests of your Majesty and of our Mother Country."
In their address to the people of England, p. 163,
they fay, “ We are accused of aiming at Independence,
" but how is this accusation supported? By theallega
“ tions ofydur Ministers, not by our aaion<." —A little
further they add, “ Even under these circumstances,
“ what measures have we taken that betray a desire of
“ Independence." After speaking of the taking posses
sion of Ticonderoga and Crown-Point, they fay, p. 165,
" Yet give us leave most solemnly to affine you, that
“ we have not yet loft fight of the objed me have ever
" had in view, a reconciliation with you on confitution
" al principles and a restoration of that friendly inter
" course, which to the advantage of both, we till lately
« maintained. Page 166, they add, “ It has been
“ said that we refufe to Submit to the reftri&ions on
“ our commerce ; from whence is this inference dtawn?
“ Not from our words, we having repeatedly declared
“ the contrary, and we again profefs our submission to
“ the several ads of trade and navigation, passed be
“ fore the year 1763; trusting nevertheless in the
“ equity and justice of Parliament, that such of them
“ as upon Cool and impartial confederation shall appear
" to have imposed unnecessary or grievous reftridions,
“ will at.fome happier period be reftrifted or altered."
In their letter to the Lord Mayor and Corporation
of London, sent home by Governor Penn, p. 172, they
fay, " North-America, my Lord, mifhes most ardent
ly for a laflirg connexion with Great Britain, on terms
of just and equal liberty, less than which generous minds
will not offer, nor brave and free ones be willing to re
ceive. A cruel war has at length been opened against
us, and whilst we prepare to defend ourselves, like the
defeendants of Britons, we still hope that the mediati
on of wife and good citizens, will at length prevail over
despotism and refore harmony and peace, on permanent
principles, to an pppreffed and divided Empire." In
the talk drawn up to be held with the Indians, after
reciting to them the happy connexion that had subsist
ed for ab@ve ico years with Britain, and informing
them of the present ; cause of our quarrel, they fay,
p. 182, “ Brothers and friends of the Six Nations at
tend, We upon this island (meaning America) have
often spoke and entreated the King and his fertants,
the Counfellors, that peace and harmony might still con
tinue between us; that we cannot pari with, or Idofe
our hold of the old covenant chain which united our fa
thers and theirs; that we want to brighten this chain,
and keep the way open, as our fathers did; that we
want to live with them as brothers, labour, trade, travel
abroad, eat and drink in peace. We have often asked
them to love us, and live in friendflrip with us, as their
fathers did with ours." Page TB6 they tell them,
“ We do not take up the hatchet and struggle for ho
nor or conquest, but to maintain our civil constitution
and religious principles, the very fame for which our
forefathers left their native land and came to this
country." In addressing the people oflreland, p. 221,
after most pathetically describing the ravages of the
ministerial army, the burning of Charleftown, and the
deplorable situation of the town of Boston, they de
clare, " Though vilified as wanting spirit, we are de
termined to behave like men—-though insulted and
abused, we wish for reconciliation —though defamed as
seditious, we are ready to obey the laws—and though
charged with rebellion, will chearfully bleed in de
fence of our sovereign in a righteous Cause, what more
can we fay, what more can we offer ?"
Thus we find the Congress, through the whole of
their proceedings, till the time of their adjournment,
umformfy holding up the idea of reconciliation. If we
look for the sentiments of whole provinces of a much
later date, we shall find them still anting upon the fame
principles. The inftruffions from the representatives
of the people of Penafylvahia (who form one eighth of
the whole continent) expressly diredfs their Delegates
in Congress, to keep up a steady opposition to every
proposal of separation from Great-Britain. The Pro
vince of Maryland, in Convention met the seventh day
of last December, unanimously resolved, that being
deeply affected with the suspicion entertained by his
Majesty of these colonies designing to establish an in
dependant empire, declare that they are " desirous to
ec remove from the mind of the King, an opinion
“ which we feel to be highly injurious to the people of
“ this province," and in order to" manifeft to his Ma
" jefty, to the Parliament, the people of Great Britain,
" and to the whole world, the reditude and purity
" of cur intentions in the present opposition to the
" measures of the British Ministry and Parliament, do
cc declare, That the people of this province, strongly
" attached to the English coaftitution, and truly fen
" fble of the blessing they have derived from it, warm
" ly impressed with sentiments of affection for and loy
" alty to the House of Hanover, conneded nvish the
" British nation by the ties of blood and interests
" and being thorougly convinced, that to befa sub
" je&s of the King of Great-Britain, with ad its con~
" sequences, is to bethe freeft members of any civil
"Society in the known world, never did, nor do en
" tertain, any views or defres of independency. That
“ as they confider their union with the mother conn
" try, upon terms that may infare to them a perma
" nent freedom, as their highest felicity, so would
" they view the fatal necessity of Separating from her,.
“ as a misfortune next to the greats that can befal
" them." In the votes and proceedings of the As
sembly of New Jersey, held last November, we find,
that sundry petitions against independency were present
ed to the House, that several of the signers were fhm
moned to attend, who it seems had signed the petition
on the report that " some men affected independency"
on reading the petitions a second time, the House came
to the following resolves, " that reports of independ^
" ency in the apprehension of this House, are ground
" less, that it be recommended to the Delegates of
" the Colony, to use their utmost endeavours for the
" obtaining a redress of American grievances, and for
" restoring the union between the Colonies and Great
“ Britain, upon constitutional principles. That the
“ said Delegates be direfled not to give their assent to,
" but utterly rejefl any proportions, if such should be
" made, that mayfeparate this Colony from the Mo
“ ther country, or change the form of government
" thereof." On examining;he votes a little further,
it should seem that one of the petitioners who had been
summoned before the House, had charged one of the
Members with supporting the doßrine of independence,
in consequence of which we find the following para
graph, page 20. " Mr. ******** attending putfuant
to the order of the forenoon, and being examined as
to the words fpeken by him of the Member, informed
the House, that he neither intended any offence or in
sult to the House, or any Member of it, and that he
is sorry any member of the House should take it as an
insult upon him; with which this House being fatisfied,
and being of opinion that it appears Mr. ^#** really
misapprehended the words of the Member, and that
the fame Member is not juf) chargeable with such ofc