The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-07-10 00:00:00, page 2

In COMMITTED, Philadelphia, July 8, 1779.
RESOLVED,
That the following plan for railing money for the pur
pose of flopping the emissions, be published for the consider
ation of the community, and that the Printers in the fe^
veral States be requested to insert the famsin their papers.
To our FELLOW-CITIZENS.
Gen'tlfmen,
^ Ta General-Town Meeting held in the State House
A. Yard, the 25th of May laftrfor the laudable purpose
ofl®wering and regulating prices, and redeeming and sup
porting the credit of our currency, you were pleased to
inv^ft this Committee with discretionary powers to carry
your laid resolves into execution. We have to the utmost
of our power endeavoured to fulfil your expectations, and
earnestly pressed with an anxiety to render every real Ser
vice in our power, we beg leave to submit the following to
yuur judgment and Consideration, that you may be enab
led to give your opinion thereon at the next Town-Meet
ing...•
Should it meet with your approbation, ^e fcall then
think ourselves fufficiently authorised to present it in your
name to His Excellency the President and Council, who,
together with the Hoa House of Affcmbly, will, we are
pervaded, give to it every afEßance which the interest
and happiness of the State may require.
As Fellpw-Citizens we take the liberty of remarking,
that hitherto our currency has enab^ecTus to make head
against our enemies, and our efforts have been blessed with
extraordinary success. But the quantity is now become
too great for circulation, audio emit more is to add rum
to the whole. In this case either the pradice of emitting
must be ftopt, and the just value of the prefect quantity af
gertained, or the whole must be laid aside until the conclu
sion of the war, and new methods fallen on for carrying
it 011 .
We need not mention the impo^bility of prosecuting
the war without money, and fine- we have a fufficiency
for every good ptarpofe, we certainly do not want hearts
to part with it, or judgment to fee our true interests.—
The universal cry is, " Stop the ernffions." —But in order
to do this, some practicable and expeditious methods must
be fallen bn for collecting in a large and immediate supply,
to defray the necessary expences.
Taxation, in its prefect fiate, is to flow, and to borrow
loans on interest, is to load our shoulders with a debt an
nually multiplying, and which ourselves at last must pay,
or link beneath the weight of. Look on the condition of
countries burthened with debts on interest ; fee them con
tinually poor—for ever paying, yet for ever in debt ; and
learn by their example to Ihun ah evil at once dishonorable
and diftrudive.
To the spirit of liberty—to the love of glorious patriot -
ism, we firft owed our opposition to the tyrannyof Britain,
and became an independent people ; and tho' the contest
has been long apd the confliu severe, yet those fame prin
ciples which thus gave us being as a nation, are still able
to give success to our politicks, and triumph to cur arms.
—The coal, long oppressed and threatened with fuffocation,
is yet alive, and tho' checked in its luftre, will rekindle
with a touch. Remember the spirit that broke out at the
affair of Lexington—call to mind the times that are pafl,
when no felfifh thought engrossed our care, and every sor
did foul withdrew and trembled. Those, tho' recent, are
to us the days of our antiquity, and tho' chequered, with
misfortune, were periods of renown.
For once let us look back with virtuous envy, and en
deavour to recover the vigor we have loft.-- Our strength,
our wealth, bur honors are flaked upon it. It is the pal
ladium of our rights and liberties—the political " one
ib^g needful." Let us then wiffout hesitation or debate
expel from ourselves, from our councils and from our coun
try every thought and measure which tends to lessen or
dppofe it. Let us rekindle the flame of seventy fix, and
know no other ambition than to excel in public service, no
other avarice than for public good.
Much has been said and written on the date of our cur
rency. Scheme after scheme has been proposed in vain,
and moirtbs have been wafted without success. An unsea
sonable attention to private interest, or an unaccountable
inattention to public good, has hitherto fruftrated almost
every measure for relief, and led us blindly on to the edge
of national ruin. Emissions have been fuffered to encreafe
till they have exhausted their own abilities, and while we
are debating on the means of recoveay, the evil continues
to accumulate.
In this flage of the disease, something mufl be done, and
that fometbing must be sudden and effeaual. The greater
the danger the more glorious the redemption, and as there
is no Situation (0 alarming, no condition so threatening,
but the united efforts of a determined people are equal there
to, so in the present instance we have only to lay it shall
be done, and the buftnefs is half accomplished. Evils that
can be remedied by consent, are evils at command, and
the . firfl and principal thing wanting is a practicable line
to aft in.
Taxation, as we have already remarked, is not in the
present instance fufficiently expeditious, and to induce per
sons to lend money, by promises of exorbitant interest, is
not only to dishonor 4 virtuous cause by applying to our vices
for support, but is adding diflrefs to our country by feed
ing the disease which occasioned it. Yet money muji be
had that the emissions may he ftopt.
The scheme we have now to propose appears to be easy,
effectual and capable of being quickly executed, and if
heartily and immediately gone into, will remedy all the e
vils complained of, and that in a manner truly honorable,
and perfectly suited to the interest both of the country and
the individual,
First. That no money be emitted by Congress after the
)aft day of September next.
Secondly. That a revenue be railed by fubferiptions, to
be solicited from house to house, for the service of the U
nited States, for three years, on the following terms and
conditions.
First. Each fubferiber to enter his name and place, and
against it the sum fubferibed, to pay one third at the time
of fubferibing, and the remainder at two equal half yearly
payments.
Secondly. The fubfeription to bear no interest, but in
lieu thereof, the yearly amount of each fubferiber's taxes,
during the said three years, to be transmitted to the office
and placed opposite to the sum he shall have subscribed,
and if at the expiration of three years, his fubfeription
shall exceed the amount of all his taxes, the balance to be
paid to him within the space bf fix months, or bear interest
till it can be paid, or go on till his fucure ttxes he equal
thereto.
Thirdly. The name, place and sum of each fubcriber,
unless otherwise desired, to be copied off andengroffed on
books of vellum, and placed with the records of each State,
and remain there for ever.
Fourthly, Twenty five per cent, of the whole sum sub
scribed in each State, to be sent to Congress, on ch before
the firft day'of September.next, and each State toappoint
their own Treasury-Delegate, who, with others so nomi
,nated, shall be Tru fiees of the whole loan, and shall take
receipts of Congress, for the federal sums which Congress
shall draw upon them for, and transmit copies thereof to
each State together with printed quarterly accounts of all
expenditures, and the uses to which they shall be applied.
We conceit that, a plan of this kind Ruts itfeif to all
teaks and eirironftances of people, without producing in
convenience, to any. It agrees, with our situation, opr in
lereft and our principles, because we want the eßuffions
ftopt, the quantity of money reduced, the value of it sup
ported, and the patriotism of the cause maintained, ,
The defence of America has hitherto flood on honorable
grounds, and all the means for continuing that defence,
whether by railing men or money, mbft have some corre
spondence with the original cause. In contrasting plans
for railing money by loans, we must either confide, men
as fubferibing thereto fcr the fake of the interest or the ho
nor. An interest of fix per cent, is not,, in the prefect state
of things, a fufficient inducement to a meer monied man,
and as it carries with it an appearance of lucrative .tempta
tion, is not, on the other hand, fufficiently honorable to
the monied patriot; and thus being imperfeft both in the
temptation arid the reputation, is liable to fail in its appli
cation to both.
To offer high and exorbitant intcrefts, frequently crea
tes a dorirtfuhiefs of the security, and operates as effectual
ly against, borrowing from one cause, as very low interest
do from the other. But the plan we propose to your con
federation, is free of all these embavraffments, and mutu
ally (uits with our principles, our honor and our advantage.
An exemption from taxation ia the bes lfecurity a, man
can receive, because he becomes the holder of that security
himfelf. Our public and private irte-reft is likewise pro
mofed, because in raising a revenue by this means, the
country is not burtbened with new debts, and consequent
ly our future taxes will be fefs, and the value of our inde
pendance encreafed.
This plan will neither oppose or interfere with any other.
Those who chufe to fubferibe to the loans already proposed
by the Eon. Congress, may nevertheless be inclined to pro
mote an honorary one. . But we are persuaded there are
thaufands of our fellow-citizens, whom a plan of thia kind
may suit which 110 other will, and we think that every e
legible method ought now to be attempted, which may
enable us to put a flop to the ^miffions.
Could a prompt payment ot three years taxes be gener
ally made throughout the United States, the benefi^there
from would be great and numerous.
First. The emissions would be flopt, the quantity of
money reduced, and remainder would have the fame va
lue as the whole.,
Secondly. The prices of every article would naturally
be lowered.
Thirdly. The enemy feeing we were provided with a
three years supplies already in hand, would be beaten from
that frivolous hope they have so long dwelt upon-namely
—that of our failing from a want of means. We ourselves
Should be relieved from a variety of uneasy apprehensions,
refpe&ing the fiate of our currency, and the renewed life
which such a measure would inspire, together with the a
mity and friendfhip which such a hniverfal consent would
recreate, would give us the appearance of a new people, and
fix us on a new foundation, both of ftrerigth and con
cord.
Our fellow-citizens will please to accept this plan and
proposal from us, as naturally conrie&ed with the princi
pal object of our appointment, that of redeeming and lap
porting t.e credit of our currency,
Fublilhed by order of the Committee,
WILLIAM HENRY, Chairman.
Committee Room,
3*1) 8, 177^.
In COMMITTEE, July 8, 1779.
D ESOLCED, That no rum, tea, sugar, coffee or
" other imported goods, except in small quantities for
families use, be permitted out of this State, unless the per
fori applying brings a recommendation from the Conamit
tee of the place where he or the refidesj,.
And whereas the practice of monopolizing, so injurious
to the interest of the importer, the retailer and the public
has been long and loudly complained of; therefore,
Resolved, That this Committee, in order to prevent as
much as in them lie, such evils and their consequences,
and to confine the profits of the whoiefale trade to the im
porter only, will not, after this day, grant permits for a
py goods, unless the fame shall be purchased of an import
er of known and established character.
And whereas several disorderly persons have lately in
terrupted the markets of this city, and others have made
a practice to meet and flop persons coming to market, and
purchasing butter or other articles contrary to law. The
Committee hereby give notice to all such persons, and o
thers, w^orn it may concern, that Constables will attend
by order of his Excellency the President and Council, and
that the law of this State against Forefalling, will be put
in force against any person or persons, who shall buy or
fell butter, or any articles of provifiort, before the fame
shall be flailed in the public market.
WILLIAM HENRY, Chairman.
In COUNCIL, Philadelphia, July 8, 1779.
WHEREAS it is represented to this Board, that
divers irregularities and abuses have lately happen
ed in the public markets, highly difeouraging and injuri
ous to the good people of the country, and tending to pre
vent the usual and necessary supplies for the use of this ci
ty. And Whereas it also appears, that nothwithftand
ing the clerk of the market, divers constables, and many
well-disposed private citizens, have attempted to prevent
the abuses above mentioned, yet the fame were continued
on the last market-day, from which there is great reason
to believe, that many difaffeded and ill-defining persons
are endeavouring to diflrefs the city, and thereby excite
tumults and infurre^ons. Therefore,
to Mr. ARCHIBALD DICK.
IH AVE read a piece in Mr. John Dunlap's paper,
addressed to Mr. Spectator; but as you have not de
nied the charge, but held out a medley of stile, on the score
of your political creed,- so larded with virtue, morality and
religion, that 1 confefs pin foe to Lome fland how it might
be an fweied polite enough for your perusal.
I also confefs that it was not from the production of ma
lice or ,difappobitm&u that I ever wrote, but from a real
teal to my country's good, which has ever been truly sin
cere since the firft commencement of our present difficulties
The rcafon why I could not avoid mentioning the D„ Q.
M. G Aras because 1 knew he was informed by a worthy
gentieman of, this place previous to your getting into office
thatyou had taken the oath to the King of Great-Bri^m^
what method jou/ook-to fatisfy him about your cent .
I knew not, as you are so capable of flattery; but appt a
ed you. were.
I am glad to hear you make use of your virtuous ac
quaintance, but I am sure if they judge from your moral
qualifications of your extensive virtue and patriotic attach
tnemts, they are not as well acquainted with you as some
.who live near you.
lam convinced,of your capacity in performing the duty
arid making as much of the appointment as any one; but
whether there are not men as capable as you who have done
some real service without any great advantage, that are
• now under difficulties in living as gentlemen, or indeed
have but a bad propped of living ,at all. If this is right,
well; if not, it oVght rd be immediately remedied.
I am of epihion you were a good friend till after the
battle of Brandywine, though not by any extraordinary
actions that you ever performed; but when the feene of
that day turned out as it did, what a change was found ;
all was loft and gone to America in the opinon of the whole
of the men of property that feem'd any where contiguous to
the British . Army. Tl^s J know.
I observe the lafl paragraph of your piece contains feme
thing like threats { but I confefs I have felt no slavish fear,
though I have lately heard of some severe attacks made by
you on two old men, which I scarcely could havfethought
could by any means have extorted one blow from you, let
the provocation beed what it might.
If any performance fliould be likely to happen between
us, I am determined to do every thing J can unless private
ly disabled by some manoeuvre through the knowledge of
your military talents.
I shall now turn you ovr to both your and my supe
riors. If they should think proper to support such poffs
by men of your fiamp above recited, 1 shall beg I may en
jfy my own private opinion, and leave you intirely to
your moral and religious reflection without even a word or
thought about you.
A SPECTATOR.
Resolved, That the Jufiices, High Sheriff, and Con.
Cables, bedirefted to attend at the market, tor the pre.
fervation of the public peace, and the protection of such
p rfons as 'fhall txpofe commodities to sale, and that they
be directed to arrest and commit to goal all persons with
out favour or affection, who shall be found diflurbiog the
peace aid good order of the market, in order that they
may be dealt with according to law. And that it be also
recommended to the well-disposed and faithful citizens,
net.only to difco§enance such practices, but to give all
aid fad assistance to the officers of Jufiice, in the discharge
of their duty on this occalicn. It being the determined
resolution of this Board, fully and effectually to protect
and support the inhabitants of the country, in their inter
course with the city, And that this refoive be immediate
ly published in h^nd-bills, and that the Sheriff Cause it to
be proclaimed through the city on Friday next.
Extrafl from the Minutes,
T.. M ATLA C K, Secretary.
Chefler County, July x, 1779.
WHEREAS by an Aa of the General
Assembly ofthe Corn menwealth ofPennfviernia,
intiiled, " An Aft to compel certain persons intruded
With public money by or for the use of thia Coritniri^-
wealth to account for the expenditure of the fame, arid
to pay such parts thereof as they shall be chargeable
with into the State Treasury :”
WE the fubferiber^, being appointed Commiffionera
for the county of Chester to liquidate, audit, adjust and
fettle the accompts of the Commissioners of confiscated
estates, and also the accompts of the Lieutenant and Sub-
Lieutenants 0; said county, pursuant thereto hereby re
quest all the Commissioners, the Lieutenant and Sub-
Licuttnants, as well those who have been in office and
now are not as those now in office, that have not al
ready fettled their accompts, to meet us at the house. of
Elijah Weed, in Downing's Town, at Ten o'clock in
the forenoon of the twentieth day of July instant, with
their accompts prepared for settlement.
PERSIFOR FRAZER, 7
JOHN BEATON, fCommiffioners.
CALEB DAVIS, J
sTTTu E. L PETE R~S,
SCHOOL-MASTER, \
BEGS leave to inform the Public, That he has
opened School in Fountain-Yard, near Elbow-
Lane, in Philadelphia, where he purposes to teach Read
ing and Writing; common, vulgar, decimal, logarith
mical, negative and comparative Arithmetic; Menfu
raticn of Solids and Superficies ; Surveying, Ghaging,
and Dialling; Geometry, Trigonometry, and Naviga-.
tion; with the Extraction of all Powers, &c. He like
wise teaches the regular and perfe& Italian method at
Book-keeping by tiue listing Dr. and Cr. in all the ci,
cumrinnces of dealing, either for fell factorage or in
company. He will also attend in the evening for the
benefit of those ofriper years. The Did Peters being a
stranger in the a parts, he hopes by his constant care
and assiduity to mnit the approbation of those who may
please to favor him with the tuition of their children.
A PAIR of TEMPLE SPECTACLES was
A left or. Tuesday the 6th instant, in the ftoie of the
Printer hereof. The owner by calling for them may
have them again.