Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1773-11-15 00:00:00, page 2

To the Arbiter of the Pennsylvania Packet.
SI R,
" but proJefe Dolan', ant deleßdre comad:;
“ Aut Jimul etjacunda, et id'onia dicere like.
IC O,U L D not kip takin % notice of a piece in
your htt paper, signed Philadelphus, wherein
the author has in a particular manner, traduced
and maltreated the American Company of Come
dians, at present in this city.' After pending the
ancient code of laws of this government, he un
dertakes to prove three inferences. I ft, f hat
the Players are vagrants and sturdy beggars. 2d,
That the Play-House in this city is a public nui
sance. 3d, That a licence or protection granted
to the Players is void, being without, and con
trary to Law.—As to the aft made at Upland,
alias Cheder, against riotous sports and practices,
as Plays, &c. I am ignorant, being an inhabitant
of another government, fubjeX to other laws, yet
this is a general and known maxim, that Leges
pferiores priores abrogant; this act was paired in
the infancy of the colony, at a time when the to
leration of a Theatre would have been an abso
lute detriment to the personal property of indivi
duals : Moreover their estates were not then capa
ble of supporting a Theatre properly; and enact
ed also at a time when the legislature were not
the most learned of men, ctherwife they would
not have affimulated riotous sports, practices, &c.
with Plays: it is not their pleasure or authority
that can alter the acceptation of words, or the na-,
tore of things. Perhaps he will fay there has
b-en no subsequent law to annul that old ad, and
to support the Theatre ; —I am ignorant, whether
or not, but it has been a custom in this, as well
as our neighbouring colonies, to licence these and
other itinerant Comedians, to entertain and edify
the public. Philadelphus (if he be a limb of the
law) will perhaps faf, thishas not been an imme
morial custom ; and therefore not equal to a law:
But what is it that creates a custom ? It is where
an ad once or twice done, if agreeable to the in
clinations of the people is adopted into use, till
by frequent iterations and multiplication time out
of mind, it obtains the force and authority of a
law; and we all know that a custom must be new
before it can be old. This licence to Players has
been in use these twenty or thirty years past, why
then was it not taken into consideration by the
legislative as well as executive body of this go
vernment, before this day ? Was it owing to the
ignorance or inattention of our former rulers ? To
neither, I presume was agreeable to the peo
ple, the constituents of this legislature, and there
fore authorized by each Governor's special licence
and permission.
Why should Pennsylvania enjoy more immuni
ties and franchifes than her sister colonies, or the
Mother Country? Are the inhabitants in every
refped superior to their neighbours? I answer
in the manner of Philadelphus, though in the ne
gative, I believe they are not. Is it then just, that
one male-content should rife up to afperfe a com
pany of men authorized by the universal consent
of British America to gain a living among them,
by amusing as well as intruding the minds of the
people? Tis illiberal, 'tis felhfh. Do they pro
pagate vice and immorality ? I deny it, alta Voce,
What are Theatrical representations, but the pic
ture of real life in miniature, cireumferibed to the
limits of a few hours: and can real life be truly
and judly represented, but by contrafling virtue
with vice. Here is an alternative; if youths are so
depraved as to reduce to practice, what is shewn
upon the ffage, for the purpose of ridicule, the
crime is their own, nor the Adors. If mankind
were so perfed as to need no reproof; it would have
saved the fatyrids a world of trouble, and depri
ved our dramatic writers of that fame they now so
justly merit; the Rage might then answer the
purpose of the pulpit, and men be flattered into a
belief of felf-fufficient holiness, independent of
any superior agent ; the scriptures might be chang
ed into dramas, as Milton and the Bishop of Of
fery long since have done. Does the immorality
of a Play consist in the apposition of virtue and vice?
Entirely the contrary : It is the very offence of
the stage to ridicule the reigning follies of the
times, and men are of such mulish natures, that
theatrical raillery is of more efficacy than all the
threats of future pains and torments denounced
from the mouth of a preacher; it is not the pulpit
alone that compleats a reformation of manners.
Will any Chrifeian cavil at the writings of St.
Paul,? and yet we find that St. Paul himfelf Was
indebted to Euripides and Eratus for some of those
sacred truths mentioned in his Epiftics. Let Phi
ladelphus peruse the excellent Tragedy of Cato,
and acknowledge his error; he will find that the
sentiments of Addfa, are pregnant with tiuth and
rectitude, and that vice and immorality are not the 4
ingredients of a Play: I mention this instance
as one of many others equally as good. But
allow me this remark of my Lord Coke. Sunt
quidam feftidiefo qui nejci® quo maloaffeßu oderunt
/rtes antequarn pernoverunt. This I apprehend is
the case of our C'enfor, he is incapable either from
ignorance or bigotry of taking the fatisfaXion arising
from a good reprefentatiop. because it is either con
trary to the tenets of his Church (whatever it is)
or too refined for the circle of his ideas. Hence the
Poet,
“ A little learning is a dangerous thing,
" Brink deep, ortafe not the Pierian Spring.”
If time would permit, I could support against
any person, who is not ignorantly malicious, by
proofs clear and demonstrative, and by arguments
Joculent and irrefragable, that theaXing of Plays
was originally a ryoral inftitufion, and continues so
yet, when not impaired by extra-contingencies.
Asto the-authorities of law advanced in sup
port of h:s mifinformed opinion, I pass by moil of
them, as nugatory. Hawkins in his Crown Pleas,
Se&: 7, fallows that " a common Play-honfe may
“ be a nuisance, (with this reservation) if it draw
“ together inch numbers of coaches or people,&c.
“ as prove generally inconvenient to the places
“ adjacent: and Terns to be a proper diftirdtion bc
“ tween Play-boules and the nuisances mentioned
“ in the 6th or foregoing feXion, (quoted by
'< Philadelphus; though foreign to his purpose)
“ thatPlay-houfes having been originally instituted
^ with a laudable design of recommending virtue
“ to the imitation of the people, and expohng
“ vice and folly; are not nuisances in their own
" nature, but may only become such by accident,
Thus far HaWkios in point, for the support of
Theatres.
This writer endeavours to include the Players
under the words vagrants and sturdy beggars,
mentioned inthe aX of 10th Geo: 2d, C. 28. But
they cannot come under that acceptation, a va
grantbeing an idle disorderly person, wandering
from place to place, without any viable means of
procuring a livelihood, and may in time become
burthenfome to the public. These itinerant
Comedians are authorized in every government
where they go. Stage-playing is the visible means
of their living, which cannot be considered as a
state of idleness; and while they can reimburse
individuals for their necessary expences, have a
legal settlement any where. Their proceedings
are like the rest of mankind, and therefore excul
pate them from the stigma of sturdy beggars;
they publish their bills; every one fees them, and
any one may come who chooses, paying the anex
ed prices—this is neither eompulfion or begging;
it is a tacit contraX between the parties—paying
the stated fum—admifion to the Theatre. Is not
this the custom among all trades and profeffions?
The merchant exposes to the public an inventory
of all his vendibles, soliciting their friendship and
interest; the lawyer receives a fee, and a large
one too, before he opens his lips in your behalf;
yet his reward is indefinite; the others fixed and
stated; in this the latter have the preference.
The opinion of this or the other great roan
is not of force enough to validate the apprehenfons
and beliefs of this anti-theatric writer. William
Penn's feleX works are not to stand as authorities
in Law, for his opinion may be erroneous as well
as our authors.
As to the second conclusive head. The Play
house in this city is no nuisance, even in the ftriX
eft acceptation of Hawkins; that it draws together
a large concourse of coaches, people, &c. is evi
dent, but to the disturbance of the neighbourhood,
denied. The prudent Manager of the Company
wifely foreseeing this inconvenience, erected the
Theatre in the suburbs of this city, were but very
few, and those of the worst fort resided, that no
nuisances might arise therefrom.
If the Play-ho'ufe be a school of vice and de
bauchery, what may those numerous brothels of
lewdness and obscenity be called, so deftruXive to
the youth ofthis city in general- This lover of
mankind fhouldhave levelled the fire of his pen
against those infernal institutions. I shall fay no
thing of divers other enormities openly pradtifed
in this city and its suburbs, with impunity.
The third conclusive head is an affection with
outany proof; I shall therefore pass it by, until
the author can support it more firmly, than by
his own ipse dixit. —l am not a Player, though I
argue for them, but only a weJl-wifher to the
stage, as far as it conduces to the refinement, edi
fication and amusement of mankind. And, as
Hawkins fays, the nuisance of plays consists in the
abuse ofthem, so may we add of all arts, sciences,
profeffions and denominations. Has any thing
been conducive of greater evils among men, than
disputes in religion? Yet we must not infer from
thence, that all religion should be abolished, be
cause it has been productive of feuds, schisms,
and bloodshed.
I am Sir, yours, &c.
PHILALETHES.
cfofo^c^^o'c^c^ccfoc^focfcc^^^
P A RI S, 7^23.
AN ordinance is lately issued here, to clear up
the doubts which had lately arisen, whether
cotton velvets, and other cotton ftutrs, coming from
other foreign countries betides England, as also
foreign fluffs, fabricated with any other materials,
were to be obliged to pass the offices of Calais and
St. Valery, and pay the ditty of thirty per cent,
made payable on all velvets, cottons and other
fluffs entering the Ports of Calais and St. Valery,
where they ate to be sealed with a leal as prescri
bed by an arret dated February 17, 1688, and to
pay thirty per cent, oftheir value.—This new ordi
nance declares, that all velvets and cotton fluffs
that shall be found in the kingdom with mt the
seal on them and the mark of the manufacturer,
prescribed by an arret of February 17, 1688,
fliall be seized and confifeated, and a fine of three
thousand livres levied on the person in whole cus
tody they shall be found, pursuant to two arrets
of July 3, 1692, and March 27, 1731. And
further this new edid declares, that all English
velvets and cotton fluffs, as well as all other fluffs
of the manufacture ofthis country, shall be prohi
bited from admission into France, under the penal
ty of seizure of the goods and fine of 3000 livres.
Vienna, Vug. 12. No situation can be more cri
tical than that of the Czarina's forces Under Mar
shal Romanzow; the check they lately met witli
from the Turks near Siliftria, may be succeeded
by very extraordinary events ; the Ruffians ever
accustomed to conquer since the days of Peter
the Great, must, in their turn let us fee how this
repaffage of the Danube, after the a&ion in the
vicinity of Siliftria, will operate upon their own
spirits. We shall now observe if they can bear
that defeat with nrmnefs ; the Turk like a man of
admirable fortitude and forefight,wifely rejected the
difirefling, the humiliating terms of peace, offered
by Monfr. Gbrefcow at Bucharest ; trusting per
haps in the equity of his cause, and much more in
the natural strength of the country through which
the Mufebvites must pass before they enjoy a view
of Constantinople ; hitherto he has acted with
found policy and exemplary constancy. The Sul
tan Muftapha, ,npw the Czarina's forces have
been repelled, has resources which his adversary
is at present in great distress to obtain ; the flower
of the Ruffian soldiery is greatly diminished, and the
Emprefles finances so much reduced as to be inca
pable of negotiating a loan in any of the moriiea
towns of Germany and Holland, These circu rn
ftances lead us to conclude that she will, somewhat
like her predecessor the Czar Peter very much
against her inclination, consent to a pacification
and abandon her favourite object, a free navigati
on of the Black Sea into the Mediterranean. Be
the terms what they may, the Emperor of Germa
ny, who is not yet returned hither from his late
ftcret expedition, will, on the conclusion of a
peace between these powers, recover a considera
ble part of the Austrian territories, that have been
formerly conquered by the Ottomans, and they
will be ceded to him by the Grand Signiur.
LONDO N, Augufi 3.
A malcontent was lamenting the other day, that
the patriot Mr. Cornwall was now penlioned and
gone over to the Court, and he did not doubt,
he said, of feeing shortly the name of every patriot
left in the Irish or English liftof pensioners. How
unreasonable are your complaints ! fays a by-stand
er ; the other day you were in the dumps because
the patriots were proscribed at Court, as you cal
led it, and now you are half disposed to talk trea
son, because the King is likely to have none but
patriots about his throne.
It is said that five pound bank notes are to be if
fuedin some degree to remedy the present distress
about the gold coin.
The revolution lately in Sweden was founded
on the States neglecting the means to prevent the
exorbitant price of provisions. The Senate was
deaf to the cries of the people, and so loft the power
they misused.
Vug. 12. The Court of Spain, we are informed,
have a private, though not a public Ambassador,
now resident in London, which they find answers
their purpose very well. This is a species of art
hitherto never made use of in times of peace ; but
perhaps they do not confider themselves at peace
with Great-Britain, and therefore do right in
planting spies to advantage.
They write from Paris, that two eminent ma
nufa&urers in the woollen branch were lately areft
ed by an exempt, and lodged in the common pri
son, on an information that both were engaged in
the service of the King of Denmark, and speedily
intended to embark for Copenhagen, and carry
with them some of the best workmen out of the
kingdom.
The Pope has refufed to consecrate a Banner
under which the Spaniards are to march to utter
ly extirpate the brave Chilifiass.
Prince Ernst of Mecklenburgh, brother to the
Queen, it is said is once more on the point of vi
siting England, from whence it is actually fettled
that his Highness shall convey one of the fineft
heifeffes in this country to enrich the principality
of Mecklenburg Strelitz.
At length the patriotic wishes of Sir Robert
Fletcher, one of the commanders of the East-India
forces, are complied with. He is difmifled from
his office, And succeeded by Thomas Smith, Esq;
Sir Robert complained, that by his too great at
tention to the affairs of the East India Company,
he was prevented from doing his duty to his coun
try in Parliament. Mr.Duprez, willing to restore
so great an orator and patriot to the House of
Commons, has now given him full leisure to exert
all his abilities in St. Stephen's Chapel.
'Tis to be hoped his country will confider the
great facrifice Sir Robert has made, and reward
a man who has facrificed an annual income of
20,0001. to manifeft a conduct so noble and dis
interested.
It is computed there are upwards of 120© mas
ter watchmakers and journeymen in the parish of#
Clefkenwell, 600 of whom are now out of em
ployment.
Vug. 20. It is said that the French have decla
red war against the Tunisians.
Commodore M'Kenzie is not to have the com
mand in India, as it has been reported.—That
worthy officer had the promise of the King, but
the refufal of Lord Sandwich.
BOSTO N, Nov .„
It is positively averted, said to be from good
authority, that barracks would be built, on the
foundation for barracks, laid on Fort-Hill, before
July next. [Fort-Hill is an eminence that mould
command inoft of the town.]}
We hear that on Monday night last, some per
son or persons went to the houses of the gentlemen
to whom it was reported the tea from the East-
India company is to be consigned, having called
up some of the family informed them they had
just come to town, and brought a letter that they
promised to deliver from a person in Rhode-Ifland
or some other place, as soon as they got into town,
let it be of what hour soever—and then left the
letter under the door: Upon opening the letter
the contents were found to be, that they were
required to attend at Liberty Tree on the Wed
nesday following, at noon, to resign their office,
and to fail at their peril. On the fame morning
hand bills were found stuck up in all parts of the
town, directed to the freemen through the province,
containing in substance what was in the bills stuck
up the next morning, which was as follows, viz.
“ To the Freemen of this and the neighbouring
towns.
“ Gentlemen,
cc You are desired to meet at Liberty-Tree, this
day, at twelve o'clock at noon; then and thereto
hear the persons to whom the tea, Dipped by the
East-India company is consigned, make a public
resignation of their office as configners upon oath.
And also swear they will re 4hip any teas that may
;'be consigned to them by laid company by the firft
yeffel failing for London.
J Boston, Nov. 3, 1773. O. C. Secry.
^fl Shew us the man that dare take down this."
The fame morning' a large ' flag was hung out
on the pole at Liberty-Tree, and at eleven o'clock
the bells in the meeting-houses were rang and con
tinued ringing till twelve o'clock, which collected
cabput §OO people under Liberty tree ; the whole
body proceeded into King-ftrcet, where the gen
tlemen were, in a fibre accompanied by some
others, one or two of the committee informed them
oftheir bbfinefs, and then proposed to adjourn
back to Liberty-Tree, but havingtarfied in King
ftreet a short time, every pne returned to his own
home#
It having been repotted, that Messieurs Clark,
and Son, the two Messieurs Hutchinfons, and Fa
neuil, were the perform to whom the Tea, expect
ed from the East-India, Company, was to be con
signed, on Monday night, theist inst. a letter
was sent them, requiring their attendance at Li
berty Tree, on the Wednesday following, at
noon, in order to make a public declaration on
oath, that, if the Tea should arrive, consigned
to them, they would reship it by the firft vessels
bound to London; at the time appointed, upwards
of goo people of the town, and from the country
assembled at Liberty Tree; but the supposed com
missioners, not attending, a Committee was sent
with a message to them, which they treated with
haughtinels and contempt, whereat the people be
ing greatly irritated, soon after dispersed, intend
ing to have another meeting loon in order to bring
the matter to a conclusion.
NEWPORT, (Rhode-Ifand) Nov. 1.
Last Wednesday the Honourable the General
Assembly of this colony met at South Kingstown,
and on Thursday a warrant was granted by the
Speaker of the House of Deputies, for bringing
Mr. George Rome before the House, on account
of a certain letter some time since returned from
England, signed G. Rome ; and Saturday after
noon being brought before the House, and re
turning evasive answers to the questions put to him,
the House deemed his condud a contempt, and he
was, in consequence thereof, committed to his
Majesty's gaol in South Kingstown, where he re
mained until the House rose, which was between
eight and nine o'clock in the evening of the lam,
day.
We hear that, in answer to a petition from the
Massachusetts Assembly, refpe&ing the appoint
ment of Judges, &c. his Majesty declared his in
tentions of supporting the supreme authority and
right of the British Parliament to make laws bind
ing on the colonies; and expressed his great dis
pleasure that principles repugnant to this right
should be held forth in the petition.
NEW-YORK, Nov. 11.
The following were left early yesterday morning,
at she printer's house.
Mr. Rivington,
Let the inclofed be published in your next pa
per. In this fail not at your peril. Messrs
Gaine, Parker and Anderson are also desired to
publish from your paper; or they may rest allured
they shall not pass with impunity.
Nov. io. Legion.
On Friday, the sth of this instant, about noon,
the following hand-bill was circulated through
this city.
New-York, Nov. 5, 1773.
To the Friends of Liberty and Commerce.
Gentlemen.
IT must be strongly marked on your minds,
that the end of the last non importation agree
ment, was to obtain a repeal of the tyrannical a&
bfParliament, that imposed a duty cn glass, paint
ers colours, paper, tea, &c. which was designed
to raise a revenue from you, without your consent.
You know, that so much of this ad, as imposed
the duty on Tea, is yet unrepealed. Your honour
is, therefore, bound to maintain the non-import
ation agreement, until this ad is repealed. And
several resolutions, and other ads, of the inhabi
tants of this city, declare, that “ Whoever jbo.il
aid, or abet, the importation of any article, fubjec?
to a duty, by act of Parliament, for the purpose of
racing a revenue upon you, or otherwise asst in the
execution of any such aft, foall be deemed an enemy
to the liberties of America.
When a worthy gentleman, late of this city,
was applied to by the East-India Company to take
the consignment of part of the tea they intend
to fend this colony, to enslave you, his answer
was, “ That he would not have any concern with
it, as it would be disagreeable to his countrymen ;
nor would he insure against the tea's being burnt,
for 25 per cent. For he knew his countrymen ab
horred it, and were as much opposed to the receiv
ing ofit, as the detestable stamp-papers, until the
a& of Parliament, that imposed a duty on tea,
imported into America, should be repealed." —But
William Kelley, late of this place, where he got
the means of his present importance, in order to
get the commissions of the sale of the tea, said,
“ That there was no danger of the resentment of
the people of New-York, if it should be as high as
it was in the time of the Stamp-ad. That, then,
they had an old man (Mr. Colden) to deal with,
but now they have Governor Tryon (a military
man) who had suppressed the infurredion in North-
Carolina; and he would cram the tea down their
throats," or words to this import. But, we can
not believe he had any authority for this assertion.
This infamous, sordid, and paralitica! declaration
of William Kelley, has emboldened the Company
to determine to fend the tea to America : He is for
this, by the resolutions above-mentioned, an enemy
to his country; therefore, he, and whosoever fliall
aid, or abet, or in any manner countenance the
execution of that diabolical projed, should be treat
accordingly, But, in doing this, avoid national
reflexions. By order of the Legion's Committee.
CASSIU S.
The friends of liberty and commerce, consider
ing the above declarations of William Kelley, as
inimical to the liberties of America, and encou
raging the Ministry to persevere in their diabolical
project of enslaving this country; prepared an effi
gy of him, and suspended it hanging with a halter
on the middle of a gallows, fixed on a cart, with
his hands pinioned. On the right fide of the gal
lows Was fixed a horrid representation of the Devil,
with the left arm over the gallows, the body in
clining forward, and a harpoon in its light band,
direXed to Kelley's breast, looking him full in the
face with a farcaftical grin. The gallows was il
luminated with three large lanthorns, in order to
shew the effigies ; on Kelley's breast was fixed a
label with these words: “ The just reward of ?hat
black and horrid crime ingratitude." On his back
was another, with the words, " a disgrace to my
country."—Between his hands was fixed a tea ca-