The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-07-13 00:00:00, page 2

" When parliament examined the grounds of the late
popular clamour, it was found that no single charge,
urged by the petitioning proteftantsagainft the catho
lics, was true. They had made no unfair use of the
indulgence that had been granted them. They had
opened no new schools, built no additional chapels,
nor made any new profelites. They had lived in the
fame quiet, unoffending manner, as for many years
had been their practice. The rumour was groundless,
that they were opening schools in all parts of the
kingdom, in order to pervert the rising generation of
protestants to popery The real fad i°, we have net
opened one new school since 1778; the whole^f those
we have, is, I think, but three; one in Hertfordfhire,
one near Birmingham, and a third near Wolverhamp
ton-. In London, are some few day-schools, and else
where some li tie e ftabbfhmentr, where an old woman
gives le^ures on the horn-book and the art of spelling.
A her lessons convey no treason or sedition, what anxie
ty should they give to government.
" The indulgence which they lately obtained, was a
small favour. The new bill repealed only some parts
of the ad of the 12th, William 111. those which related
to the apprehending <f popifh bishops, and fubjefted
them, and persons keeping school, to perpetual impri
sonment: likewise the clause which disabled them from
purchasing lands; but even of this, they are not to be
nefit, unless within a limitted time they have taken an
oath, in itfelf fufficiently humiliating, which was pre
pared for them. The rest of the afl, with the whole
code of severe and sanguinary laws, remain in full force
against them."
On the fubje& of political sentiments he fays," It
is falfe that the catholics are friends to arbitrary power;
they smart too severely under the rod of oppression to
wish to give it additional strength in the hands of a
tyrant. Why, even, as it is often asserted, should
they, from any previous principle, be more inclined to ,
monarchy than toany other form of government? At ,
this day there are catholic republics and catholic Bates
of every description. In the annals of this nation do
you find flouter champions for liberty than the ancient
Baron ? Magna charta is of catholic growth ; nor do
J know that the boafling protestant champions of this
present hour would have afted, at Runnimede, with
moremanly firmnefs."
By this time our readers will properly apprehend the
nature and extent of the indulgences lately granted to
the members of the Roman church in England, for
Scotland made such a stir on this occasion; that the
bill was not extended to her. The people of North-
Britain extravagantly asserted, that any relief to the
persecuted catholics, would be an infringement of their
liberties and privileges.
In Ireland, things have taken a very different turn.
The protestants of that kingdom are convinced, that the
The numbers and influence of the popifh clergy, ac
cording to this writer, are very inconsiderable. “ Four
bishops, with revenues not equal to 1001. per annum
each, and about 360 priests, comprize the whole. Twen
ty pounds per annum, is thought a very handsome sala
ry for a gentleman's chaplain. If a country curate
has, 401. he is well provided. From men, thus bro
ken by penury, dependent on lordly patrons, or on
popular contributions, what has government to fear.
Surely the established church ought not to envy their
condition, or to tremble left the heirarchy be subvert
ed
'ffie garrison to sustain them in retreat. Their lot's is,
40 dragoon horles, a few of which are killed, the others
in out possession ; twenty prisoners, as many put to the
sword and bayonet; among the firft a colonel of the
British mi'itia, and among the latter 'feveral officers
and volunteers of family. Cur less is four continentals
killed. This affair has totally put a flop to their ex
curfory operations, from which the inhabitants have
fuffered hitherto. Iris reduced to a certainty, that an
evacuation is determined, and the period for its tak
ing place is nor far diftant?'
teen baronets and about one hundred and fifty gen
tlemen of landed property. Among these the duke
of Norfolk, earl of Shrewsbury, and the lordsArundel
and Petre, possess large landed estates; but lord Sur
ry, eldest and only son of the duke, having lately c^n
formed to the eflablifhed church, the large possessions
of that ancient and noble family will soon leave them.
Lord Teypnam's eldest son has also left the religion of
his father. Arnone the baronets are only three grpat
estates : and of these, fir Tiiomas Gafcoigne has this
year taken the oaths. We have loft within a year, by
the above-mentioned detentions, more than we gained
by profelites since the revolution.
" It is a singular circumstance, atifing from the
growth of deism, that in proportion as a man loses all
sense of religion, and becomes immoral, he fees before
him, a better profpea of enjoying all the privileges of
the established church. It is manifeft, that conviction
ha^ little (hare in these conversions: they become pro
tenants in name, as soon as they cease to be chrifti
ans."
entituled, “ 1 he flare and behaviour of the English Ca
" tholics, from the reformation till the year 1780;
" with a view of their present numbers, wealth, cha
" rafter, &c " As our readers muff doubtless have
seen, withadonifhment, the wretched effects of biggot
try and illiberality lately displayed in England and
Scotland, in consequence of some relaxations of the
absurd penal fixtures against popery , we have iftip
pofed that a few extracts from this publication, would
inform the public in America, of the real ground upon
which lord George Gordon was .ble to collea 50,000
protestant petitioners at the door of parliament, cla
mooring for the re^eßabbfhment of these impolitic and
unjust laws.
This writer lets the collective number of the catho
lics in England, at this day, at less than 60,000 fouls,
and asks, what are they in cemparifon with the great
bdy of the people, whiih includes fix or (even milli
ons. “ The catholics" he observes " are precluded
from the army, the navy, die church, the bar, and
from every place oftruft and profit. They have at
this time in their communion, but eight peers, nine
ABOUT theTrpnning of the year 1781, a pamphlet
, appeared in England, printed in oTavo, price 2s.
For a late very ufeful difeovery in medicine, many
of the inhabitants of this western continent are much
indebted to the industry and application of Doctor
Hugh Martin: by means of this valuable difeo
very, that obstinate disorder, the cancer, that has been
so dißrefling and fatal to many individuals, has been
greatly checked in its worst stages, and perfectly cured,
-in inftauces too numerous to be related.
The subscriber, who has been one of Dr. Martin's
patients under the abovementioned disorder, thinks it
his duty, both for the benefit of his fellow citizens, in
similar disorders, and in gatitude to his benefactor, to
inform the public, that he has had a cancerous com
plaint upwards of twenty years. Its sirs lappear
ance was a small rising, of a bluish cast, near the extre
mity of the left eye, on the fide of the nose, attended
with frequent itchings ; its increase was flow for fede
ral years; at length, as its magnitude increased, it began
to (hoot and dart, and at times was attended wit s con
siderable pain. About seven or eight years ago it was
much checked by the application of doflor Guy's pow
der, under the direaion of a noted physician in this ci
ty. It was then Tinned over, and there were hopeful
appearance? of a cure; but not long after the disagree.
A capacity of doing good to mankind, especially of
relieving the miserable, will, when properly exercised,
gratify the feelings of benevolent minds, as well as ad
minister consolation to the distressed.
This, to the unwearied application of the benevolent
physicians, who have with great industry and critical
accuracy examined the natural qualities of almost all
nature's productions, that multitudes are indebted to
(under the providence of God) for the invaluable bles
sings of life and health.
Philade'phia, July 2, 1782.
AS a spirit of industry and application is deferved
iy reckoned among the choicest gifts which the
Great Author of Nature beflows upon an individual of
our species ; so it ought always to be countenanced,
both for the encouragement of the individual and the
benefit of the public.
penal hw< against popery, instead of attaining their
end, or answering any good purpose, have been used
as an engine by Britain to divide and oppress the Irish.
The volunteers of Ulfier, who met las lFebruary
at Dungannon, though largely composed of presbyteri
an-, speak with high approbation, and that unanimous
ly, of the late repeals in favour of the catholics of Ire
land. It will not be the fault of the body-of these
proteflants, if this opprobrious and baneful wall of fe
p^ration b~ not levelled ft is remarkable, that the
associated corps of volunteers in that country are com
posed of gentlemen of all persuasions; of prote slants and
catholics, without any fymtoms of difeord or even jea
tow'y.
The time will probably come, when it will appear
Brange, that they were ever denied to any. May
God, in his mercy to mankind fend it soon, and to
every people upon earth.
The compilers of the Critical Review, for January,
178 b give the following character of the pamphlet
from which we have drawn the foregoing extra&s.
« This writer has pleaded the cause of the English
catholics in a very able manner. His representations of
their present numbers, wealth and character, seem to
be just and impartial He censures theirconduft in ma
ny in stances very freely. In others he may probably
incur the animadversions of his protestant readers. His
performance, however, deserves an attentive perdfal;
and every man of a candid and liberal disposition, will
thank him for a publication which is calculated to in
spire sentiments of benevolence and chriftian charity.
" The general inference from the whole is this, that
the catholics of England are entituled to the common
rights of toleration."
The emperor of Germany has just set a noble exam
ple of true policy as well as justice, in granting a full
toleration to the proteflants of his dominions. Heat
lows them churches, ministers, schools and school
masters. He goes further; to banish all uneaGnefs
fr-m the minds of these dissenting fubjefts, he puts
them on an equal foorting with hit catholic fubjeds,
in refped to offices and favours. It is evident, that if
the prejudices of his conforming fubjeds would bear
it, l e would extend this toleration to every persuasion
and mode of religion. If the proteflants within his
Bates be an imbittered fadion, as perhaps may be the
case, a steady execution of his late edids must soon al
ter their temper; at ieafl, it will fully operate on their
children. It is observable, that the ease given, after
the revolution, to the English dissenters, though nar
rowed by many exceptions and difablities, has ar length
broken the tie of political union among these people,
which ^verity and persecution had cemented. In na
tional and party divisions, upon political fubjeds, at
this day, the English dissenters are never found toge
tiier; they divide as others. Having Ipß the dread
and even the idea of ill-usage on the score of religion,
they follow the fafhion in this as in other refpeds; and
from the ioweft of motives, many of those whole fore
fathers renounced th- eflablifhment, in the view of fuf
ferings, return to it yearly.
How happily have we, in Pennsylvania, established
our commonwealth in regard to religious liberty !
Here equal privileges to all chriftians, prom ; fe great
peace on this fubjed ; for to efia lifhments of one fed
above others, must we ascribe all the perfecu ing laws
which have plagued the world since the days of Constan
tine. T >e effects are nearly the fame under every bie
rarchy.The intolerant claims made at Rome,Vienna and
Edinburgh, are all from the fame source. In the Bate
of New-York, indeed, they have gone farther ; the con
vention of our sister slate has established equal lib.
erty to all Mankind • but with us, none who de
ny that the old and new testaments were given by di
vine inspiration, can take a feat in our legislature. Dr.
Price, who had seen more liberality in the firft draught
of the Pennfyivanian constitution, imputes this alterati
on to the necessity of yielding to the prejudices of the
lower people: he was mifiaken—to their shame be it
spoken, it was the doing of men who knew better, but
who artfully and disingenuously raised a noise on this
opprobrious ground, to prevent the forming of any
constitution whatever.
To Blew that these observations are just and well
grounded, I think it necessary to inform you of some
facts which have happened within my immediate notice,
and to put you in mind of others which you cannot
deny, I was myfelf present at the time when captain
Aborn and dodor Bowen (who were permitted by ad
miral Digby to come out and represent their situation,
and folifit the exchange of naval for land prisoners)
waited on his excellency general Washington, and
know perfectly well the abfwer hj^ excellency gave to
that application • he informed them in the firft place,
that he was not direftly or indirectly invefled with any
power or interference ref pelting the exchange of naval
prisoners, that this business was formerly under the di
rection of the board of admiralty, that upon the anni
hilation of that board, cougrefs had committed to the fi
nancier (who had in charge allour naval prisoners) and
he to the secretary at war ; that he (the general) was
notwith flanding disposed to do every thing in his pow
er for their assistance and fe'ief that as exchanging sea
men for soldiers was contrary to the original, agreement
for the exchange of prisoners, which fpecified, that of
ficers should be exchanged for officers, soldiers for sol
diers, citizens for citizens and seamen for fe.imen, as
The principles and policy which appear to aduate
your superiors in their conduH towards the American
seamen, who unfortunately fall into their power, are
too aparent to admit of a doubt or misapprehension. I
am sorry to observe, fir, that notwithßanding the af
fe&ion of candor and fairnefs on your part, from the
universal tenor of behaviour on your fide of the lines
it is obvious, that the design of the British is, by mis
representing the Bate of fads with regard to exchanges,
to excite jealousy in the minds of our unfortunate sea
men, that they are negle&ed by their countrymen, and
by attempting to make them believe, that all the mise
ries they are now fuftring in consequence of a pestilen
tial sickness, arise from want of inclination in general
Washington to exchange them when he has it in his pow
er to do it ; in hopes of being able by this insinuation,
and by the unrelenting severity you make use of in con
fining them in the holds of prison-ships, to compel them,
in order to avoid the dreadful alternative of almost inevi.
table death, to enter the service of the king of Great-
Britain.
I DO hereby certify, that I have been effedually
cured of a confirmed cancer by Dr. H. Martin, which
I had these seventeen years past. Given under my hand
at Philadelphia, this 22d of June, 1782.
JOHN COCHRAN.
AGREEABLY to the request of my friend, Dr.
Way, I recommended John Cochran, the person re
ferred to in his letter to Dr. Martin, who undertook to
cure him of a fore on his nose, with which he told me
he had been affiiAed for seventeen years, and for which
he had used many remedies without effeft. A few days
ago the above named John Cochran called upon me
and (hewed me his nose, which appeared to be perfectly
healed, though with some loss of its fubfiance.
BENJAMIN RUSH, M. D.
July 2, 1782.
My Dear Sir,
I HAVE the pleasure to tell you, that by the bless
ing of God on the means you have used for the cureing
the cancer on Mrs. Carmichael's face, foe is now entire
ly well. JOHN CARMICHAEL.
Doftor Martin.
Brandywine, June 7, 1782.
[The different Printers in the united Bates, are re
queued to insert the above in their refpedive Papers -
and thereby afford an opportunity to those unhappy*
persons who are afflißed with the CANCER, of know
ing that there is a Cure for that diforder.]
THE bearer has been mentioned to me as a man of
good charaHer, affiided with a cancer in his nose- he
is on his way from the place of his residence, near Not
tingham, to Philadelphia, and intends to apply to Dr.
Martin: I am informed, as he has a family of small
children and in very narrow circumstances, he will be
able to make the Doctor little or no recompence for his
trouble ; though I have no acquaintance with this gen
tleman, yet I flatter myfelf, those feelings, which I be
lieve produce more fruits of humanity in our proleffi
on than any other, will induce him to attempt the relief
of this poor man.
I am fatisfied you will be happy to encourage this
business, so intere fling to the poor man, in such a way
as you may think proper; either by speaking to Dr.
Martin, or directing the bearer to let him fee this let
ter with some addition of your own. With the most
perfect refped, and good wishes for the happiness of the
family, I am, with very great regard,
Your Friend,
. NICHOLAS WAY.
Wilmington, March 28, 1782.
To Doctor Rush.
F I S H-K I L L, July 4.
To DAVID SPROAT, Esquire,
CommiiTary-general for naval prisoners, New York.
Camp, Highlands, June 24, 1782.
S I R,
AS I perceive by a New-York paper of the 12th
instant, the last letters which passed between us on
the fubjeH of naval prisoners, have been committed to
print ; I must request the fame be done with this, which
is intended to contain fame animadversions on those
publications.
able symptoms returned and began to increase with con
fiderable rapidity, attended with painful sensations, and
to appearance near to ulcerating. But by applying
Dodor Martin's medicine for the space of eight or
ten weeks moderately, it seems entirely removed and a
complete cure effected —no itchings, shootings, pain or
any colledion of matter have since been perceived; se
veral of the most approved physicians in the city have
examined it, and one foreigner of the medical order,
who all have given it as their opinion that a cure is
compleated. J. SPROAT, D. D.
, in Philadelphia.
My Dear Friend,