The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-03-25 00:00:00, page 4

he dependent upon the people, both would be cautions
not to ne^led or oppose the public welfare. If any divi
' fions flwuld take place, they; could not be lading ; bee life
the people would have it in their power, at the next elec
tion to remove, the offenders.
It is not propof d that there should be, as there were in
Rome, and as there are in Venice another Ariftecratic
Stages,' two distinct orders of men, one of them
~y'fefhn r peculiar powers and privileges not depending
% th^mthoriy of the people-Such an eftabliihment
world be equally dif^reeable and equally pernicious to
v's audio you. We dxavow the injurious impulsion :
is replete with malice And slander. May merit and the
unbiased voic of the people be the only titles to difnncri
on, ever known in Pennfyivania.
In all the mod celebrated rie Governments of antique
tv'+he Legislatures were composed of different branches.
In ail the mer American Stated excepting Georgia, the
Leriflatures cdnfift of diffing.bodies of men. Whence
teen the clamour of novelty, whit b has been raffed and
p-^-~ated with so much ignorance, or so much difho-
F A single Legislature is the novelty:And the ex
ample of Fennfylvania wi I serve as a i%cn, rather than
T^ecedent. Fbr while the other St ites enjoy happiness
and tranquility under their governments, Pennsylvania
e"hfyts mournful feenes of weakness ano diffraction.
The mode in which the Courts of Jufti^ are eftabliffi
e 4 is another part of the Constitution to rihich we have
weighty objections. The Judges hold their ^ffi^es, and,
enjoy their salaries, upon too precarious a foot/ug. That
Judges were not appointed during good behaviour, has
oral long the. fubjed of well-grounded complain,} not
only in Pennsylvania, but in every other part of America.
It is truly aftoniflhng that the foundation of this complect
was not removed, when we had such a favourable oppor
tunity of removing it. NoStafe cln enjoy internal peace
and security, unless the administration of jeflice is able
and impartial; and unless the Judges are placed in a situ
ation to maintain dignified ana independent characters.
Rut how can we expert dignity and independence in
sod ges, who are liable to be tolled about by every veering
gale'cf'politics; and who can be laved from destruction
only by swimming along with every fuceffive torrent of
p rty.' The decisions of courts will cease to be the voice
of law and justice, and will become the echo of faction
and violen e. This is a fsbjed which mod nearly con
cerns every one, who sets the least value upon his own
Gfety, or that of his posterity. Your fortunes, and liyes,
and liberties, are ail liable to be affected by the judgments
of the Courts. How distressing and melancholy must the
reflection be, that, while Judges have their fabries only
at pleasure, and their commissions only for the tern of a
few years, your liberties, and fortunes, and lives, may be
facrificed tea party, though you hake done nothing to
forfeit them to the law.
What (hall we lay of the Council of Censors ? Here in
deed is a novelty ; and a novelty of the mos tdangerous
andala^ Ing kind. Our Constitution-makers, not fatif
fied wTn the habitual despotism of a single and uncon
trouled Legislature, have appointed Rated seasons for ex
traordinary efforts of lawless power. They have infii
tutecßa jubilee of tyranny, to be celebrated at the end of
every seven years. Glorious period! When the founda
tions of government fliall be torn up! When anarchy and
licentiotrfnefs and force shall roam unawed and unrestrain
ed ! When there 111 JI be no fixed laws, to which you can
appeil for the juftification of your conduct! When there
shill be no Courts, to which you can have recourse for
protection ! When trials by jury, thole odious obftru'fi
ens that lie in the way of tyrants, Rial! be happily remov
ed I Are you pkfafed with the profpeft ? If you with not to
feel it realized by direful experience, lay hold eagerly up
on the present opportunity which is offered you of prevent
ing it, by voting for a new Convention to abolish this
part of the Constitution.
After what we have already mentioned with regard to
the foregoing parts of the Constitution, you will be at no
loss to difeover our sentiments concerning that part of it,
which requires from every one, in any office, an oath
“ not to do or fay anything, directly or indirectly, that
" fliall be prejudicial or injurious to the Constitution as
“ established by the Convention." This we confider as a
mod daring invasion upon the inherent, the unalienable
and the indefeafible right ofevery freeman to judge and
2& for hiaifelf. This oath is not only required of all of
ficers, by the Constitution ; but, by a faarate ordinance
'wfyich the Convention had no au hority to make, it was
exported from all the citizens of Pennsylvania, before they
could exercise the firft right of Freemen- that of choosing
their Legislators, A sett of men, chosen by not a tenth
part of the inhabitants of the state, met at Philadelphia,
and called tLemfelves Representatives of the Freemen of
Pennsylvania. Confeious that they did not ft'and upon
the broad and firm basis of the affections of the people,
but determined to continue their ill-founded power as
longes possible, they and their successors have pursued,
and still pursue, every measure calculated to weaken and
divide the whig interest of the state. Their emissaries are
busy through the country, representing every one in op
position to their government as opp®fed to the welfare of
the public, and attached either to the cause of&reat-
Britain, or that of the Proprietary family. The authors
of thole calumnies know them to be falfe ; but thy serve
a temporary purpose. Ttey deceive and mislead those,
who are not acquainted with the true state of things, or
the real characters of men. Judge impartially of men and
things; and then your own good sense will tell you what
part to take. Placemen will talk to you loudly and warm
ly against a Convention. The charms of Power may be
witch them ; but they ought not to blind you..The sweets
of office produce surprising effects upon some minds. Ma
ny officers under the government once thought with us;
and some of them were as vehement,both in public and pri
vate, as those who now address you. What change, and
whether any, may have been wrought upon them by the
high places of trust to which they,ave since been rajfed,
let their own conduct determine. We doubt not but each
of you, in your neighbourhood, can point to men, who,
some time ago, were zealous and aCtive against the Con
stitution, but have lately been foftened, by the infinuatin*
operations of places and salaries and perquifities, into
tameness and acquiescence, and even approbation. What
PHILADELPHIA: Printed and Sold by JOHN DUNL AP, in Marta-street.
CA M Eto the plantation whereon the sub
scriber now lives, in Haverford township, Chester,
county, feme time last August, a dark red COW, low
in fleth. The owner is desired to come, prove his pro
perty, p a y charges and take her away.
RICHARD GORMAN.
Every expedient will beufrd to turn your eyes from
th grert o^j a, on eliich they ought to be fixed. But'
bt not d ceive!. The important question, now in agita-
Jion, involves in it ycur neared and deleft interests.
NSW i^ the time to confider it with all the anxious atten
tion ti < -it deferves.You have an opportunity now before
y:u of avd.'^mg those dangers with which you are threat
ened. If you do net embrace it, the blame will be upon 1
yourselves; b nt the consequences will reach and affect us
all. We repe'twhat we have already mentioned, that
those who fable doe this address, have no common in
ter: ft with one ^nether, but that which they have also
-rib you. Infinuauocs and fly whifoers, that we wish to
edabl sh an interest Operate from that of the state, are
futiltand groundless. Read over the lift of the fubferi
beis ; enquire ihto one occupations and profeffione, and
different wJks ot 'ife, and you will be convinced that
the imputation contains in it the ,rect ft absurdity. Are
cue ad deJiro a of becoming Lords ? But let us tell you one
tring; and reme n.ber that we now tell it to you. If
there are any among ris, in wh fe bre Rs the Feds of an
a nbition to tyran izeover their fellow citizenslie latent
th y wi I be cherished and cultivated by continuing the
p fcit Constitution. We bare: already seen how easy
ih^ aik is for any cbaraßer to r'G uato power and conic
quells under ;. And there are rt'eieof us, who think
n >t so meanly of ourselves, as to dread any rivalfhi, from
th de who ar- iow in office. Truitts Ms—trull no
mao—:ruft no body of men with uncontroutek' power.
L any of tnof, who address you, should become, at
some future perio , debauched by power under the
feat C mftituti.m, and use it for their own aggrandife
ment, infte#. I of the public good, you will then reculh&
but the recollection may be then too late, that we have
now given you an honed, and a most solemn warning
against them. °
dependence can be „t in the Drafters Ind principles ®f
such men, we leave you to judge.
Some of them, perhaps win not be so barefaced as to
deny, in dire& terms, wbat they have formerly asserted:
But they will endeavour to accompiifh the fame purpose
by indirect and more artful methods. The, will not tell
you, that there Ihould be no alterations made in the Con-
Ritution ; but they will fay, that this is not the proper
time for making tuem. So placemen, and the minions
cf placemen, taike I at the beginning of the present con
troversy with G cat Britain, They did not pretend to
fay, that the claimsand conduct of the British Parliament
were not unjult and oppr^ffive ; but they insinuated that
ri Was improper, at that time, to contend againft\them.
O hers will alledge you have not frit oppression yet ; and
it is soon enough o guard against it, 'when it comes to
your door. Those who wished to prevent the union of
America told you, in, the fame manner, when the port
of Boston was shut, and the charter of Massachusetts-
Bay violated, wait tillj^r ports are (hut up, and jour
c arter broken, end then indeed it will be time to britr
f,.,urfrives. Had yu listened to the 'infidious advice,
what would hav* become of the liberties of America ?
Experiments of slavery are dangerous: They are such
as freemen will be ever unwilling to mzke.
A third cßfs will apparently admitthe jufticr of the
meifure; but wi'l find fault with t3e manner of carrying
it on. When the Aflembly fecm disposed to promote if,
tuy will fy th tit Ihould originate by petitions from
the people. Warn petitions are handed about among
the people, they will fay, you should wait till your re
presentatives in Affembiy lignify their sense upon the
fubj^a.
RICHARD BACHE, Chairman.
Samuel Morris, juth James White,
Samuel Meredith, jofoua Humphreys, jun.
Thomas ii^fonons, Benjamin Rufo,
John Wilcocks, Jacob Rufo,
John CaTwalader, Thomas Learning, jun ,
George Corner, Thomas Franklyn,
John Nixon, John Meafa
Jfepb C9av,ertb.u'&it, Feter Scull,
Benjamin G. Eyre, Robert Morris,
James Caldwell, Thomas Mifflin,
George Rtfs, Isaac Melcher,
'James Wtlfon, Jonathan Mifflin, jun.
John Murray Peter Z Lloyd,
Wiliam Albbone, William Gray,
Thomas Peters, J o bn Chaloner,
Jofepb Moulder, fa ob HUtzbe.mer,
Whilehead Humphreys, John Benezet
Jacob Shalius, J.M. Nefoitt,
E. Biddle, ' Henry H.U,
Sharp De any, Samuel Howell, jun.
George Meade, Lewis Weiss,
Francis C. Hafencle-ver, George Words,
James Meafe, John Colbown,
Nathaniel Falconer, Bernard Dougherty,
Wiliam Von Pbul, Philip Meager,
Peter Baynton, Lambert Cadwalader,
Mark Bird, George Campbell,‘
Thomas Smith, James Crawford,
William Airicks, Samuel Caldwell,
Stephen Chambers, James Read,
Alexander NeJbitt, John Brawn,
G. Noartb, John Baker,
John Patton, Alexander Foster,
John Shee, John White,
Samuel Nicholas, Thomas Forest,
Andrew Bunner, Francis Hopkinfon,
John Donnaldfon, James Craig, jun.
John Lardner, John Parke,
Robert Roberts, Samuel Miles,
Charles Thompfen, Ephraim Blaine,
William Govett,
,° ''^°" ° 4 J^^C Vendue,
At the Cofye-aouf, on Saturday the twenty.feventh
irftant, at Six o'clock in the even.n%
A LARGE frame STABLE, fituate'r^r the
Aft corner of Cneffo-ftr^t. in Sixth-faet, on a let
,M^gmg to the ' Vidos ^ h; the ft ft ;, <ort
, feet by twerty-fix, we!! boarded mo nib;!ed ; the
fr^me is excellent tinker, ere&ed but a few .nd
is in good order - T- loft will contain upward
tons of hay, is we^ floored with pbnk, ar' ri'
for 22 horses ; iy may be remov.
pararein two, parts ; formerly!^
declared. The leari of the lot
but may be rented f" ter year
feet front and fevery feet dee• 'he oe
cart-way to a back ftahle mu/ e ref-ri 1 .hich Ita.
is to hr rented, For furoer p. rticular> or private fa
enquire of Plunket Flevson, in UhefnutTheet.
A CLOSE WAGGON, ned with
4 1 cloth, to he SOLD. It is fin.fh- with Aiding
fries, hanging doors, &c. and may seen at Mi"
Quarrirr's, Coach-maker, next dO: to the Indian
Queen, in Fourth street.
To be SOLD by Public Vendue,
01 Saturday the twenty-seventh instant, ' at the Coffee-'
house, in two LOTS adjoining each ether,
_ VALUABLE Tra& of LAN D, confiding of
tl fix hundred and twenty-Aven acres, (^ith an 'al
lowance of fix acres per hundred for roads, &c.) fitu
at: th : township of Munsey, in the county of North
umbeJ^nd. The land is exceeding good and well tim
bered, and watered with several springs and a fine creek
of water running through the whole, abounding with
trout and other fifli:
Let 1. containing „g acres, with allowance.
Los 2. containing 313 acres, with allowance.
F^r particulars apply to John Wigglesworth, in
Second street, Philadelphia, where a plan of the estate
and title deeds may bp ften.
N. B # There arc ample conveniences on the premises
for erecting saw or grist mills, upon a constant stream
of water, with plenty of lime and greet done near at
hand for the compleafing of such v.o,ks.
BY virtue of an order of Orphan's Court will be ex
pefed to rile by Public Vendue, cn the premises,
on Wednesday the thirty firft day ofMarch instant, a
certain trust or piece of land, situate in Gwinedd town
lhip, Philadelphia county, containing about fifty-two
acres, be the fame more or left, with a (mail tenement
or dwelling home thereon: Late the estate of Chriftopber
Jacoby, deceased, and to be fold by
EVE MARIA JACOBY, Administratrix.
ADAM SNEIDER, Administrator.
Philadelphia, March 6.
TO B E S O L D,
On Saturday the third n r April next, at the Ceffee-houfe,
at fix o'clock in the evening,
Q NE undivided fourth part of Martick Forge, and a
" like proportion of twelve hundred and fifty acres
of good land belonging thereto, situate in Marticktown
ftS, and within ten miles cf the borough of Lancaster;
The ic'w ? is inpylied by that never-failing stream Pequca:
The house is built of stone, has four fires and two ham
mers, and in the hear: of a fine country for timber as
well as ever, other necessary: As the works have not
been carried ^n for feme years past, the timber on the
land is new well grow.:, and judged to be fufficient for
the fopport of the rind and work 3 for many years. The
advantageous situation of the works are very obvious,
having the advantage of both the Philadelphia and Bal
timore markets for the iron, a'd conveniently situate for
obtaining pigg®. A good title will be given, axd attend
ance at the time of sale by the present owners. 8.
T O E S 1)7
AN elegant Chariot with harness for four horfa.
Enquire of Alexander Quarrier, Coachmaker,
near the Indian Queen, in Fourth street.
W A N T E D,
AMAN capable of taking care of a pair of horses,
who can be well recommended. Enquire of the
Printer.
"JAMES N E\V irtrt? T, Diftilter,
Within the next gate-way below the Bunch of Grapes
tavern, in Third-street, (being the Distillery for
merly occupied by Mr. Samuel Burge) has for Sale,
NEAT plain BRANDY,
RASBERRY ditto,
GENEVA,
ANISEED WATER,
SPIRITS of WINE, (proper for railing low proof
liquors.) 1
N. B. He informs his customers that he keeps a con
stant supply of the above articles, which may at ail
times be depended on as excellent in quality; and at
the ioweft rates possible, 24 t.
TO BE SOLD BY
JOHN MAR I E,
In Norris's Alley, the firft door upon the right hand
going in from Second-street,
BEST Coniac Brandy, by the quarter-calk or gal
lon ; Bourdeaux Claret of the firft quality, by the
tierce or dozen; Port Wine by the tierce or dozen;
White Wine Vinegar, by the gallon; Florence Oil of
the best quality, in cases ; Green and Souchong Tea in
canaifters ; fuperfine black, parsons grey and drab co
loured broadcloths; 6-4. wide naps, coatings and bear
skins ; a few pairs of the best kind of silk stockings, also
milled werfted ditto.
N. B. Twelve Shillings per dozen will be given for
empty Wine Bottles.