The Connecticut courant and Hartford weekly intelligencer — Hartford, Conn., 1775-01-30 00:00:00, page 4

Commerce has been burthened with many useless
and oppressive reftritlions.
By several Acts of Parliament made in the fourth,
•fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth years of your Majes
ty's reign, duties are impeded on us, for the purpose
of railing a revenue; and the powers of Admiralty
and Vice Admiralty Courts arc extended beyond
their ancient limits, whereby our property is taken
from us without our consent, the trial by jury in
many civil cases is abolished, enormous forfeitures
are incurred for flight offences, vexatious informers
are exempted from paying damages to which they
arejuhly liable, and oppressive security is required
from owners, before they are allowed to defend their
right.
Both Houses of Parliament have resolved, that
Colonies may be tried in England for offences al
ledged to have been committed in America, by vir
tue of a statute passed in the thirty-fifth year of
Henry the eighth ; and in confequcnce thereof at
tempts have been made to enforce that statute.
A statute was passed in the twelfth year of your
M ijefty's reign, directing, that persons charged with
committing any offence therein described, in any
place out of the realm, may be indicted and tried for
the fame in any fliire or county within the realm,
whereby inhabitants of these colonies may, in sundry
cases by that statute made capital, be deprived of a
trial by their peers of the vicinage.
In the last fehion of Parliament, an Aft was pass
ed for blocking up the harbour of Boston; ano
ther, empowering the Governor of the Massachusetts
Bay, to fend persons indited for murder in that
province to another colony, or even to Great-Britain
for trial, whereby such offenders may escape legal
punishment ; a third, for altering the chartered con
ititution of government in that province; and a
fourth, for extending the limits of Quebec, abolish
ing the English and reftdring the French laws, where
by great numbers of British freemen are fubjeded
to the latter, and eftablifhtng an absolute govern
ment and the Roman Catholic Religion throughout
those vast regions, that border on the westerly and
northerly boundaries of the free protestant English
fettlemtn ts; and a fifth for the better providing suita
ble quarters for officers and soldiers in his Majesty's
service in North-America.
To afovercign, who " glories in the name of Bri
ton," the bare recital of these aCts must we'prefume,
juftify the loyal fubjeds who fly to the foot of his
throne and implore his clemency for protection a
gainst them.
From this definitive system of colony administra
tion, adopted since the conclusion of the late war,
have followed those distresses, dangers, fears, andjea
loufies, that overwhelm your Majesty's dutiful colo
nies with affliction ; and we defyour most subtle and
inveterate enemies to trace the unhappy differences
between Great-Britain and these colonies, from an
earlier period, or from other causes than we have
affignel; had they proceeded on our part from a
reliefs levity of temper, unjust impulses of ambiti
on, or artful suggestion, of seditious persons, we
ihouhl merit the opprobious terms frequently be
ftowel on us by those who we revere. But, so far
from promoting innovations, we have only oppose d
The following is the PETITION of the
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS,
To the KIN G's Most Excellent MAJESTY.
Most Gracious Sovereign,
WE your Majesty's faithful fubjeds of the Co
lonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts
Bay, Rhode Iflarid and Providence Plantations,
Connecticut, New-York,New-Jerfey, Pennsylvania,
the Counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex on
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina,
and South-Carolina, in behalf of burfelves, and the
inhabitants of those Colonies; who have deputed us
to represent them in general Congress, by this our
humble Petition, beg leave to lay our grievances
before the Throne.
A handing army has been kept in these Colonies,
ever since the conclusion of the fate war, without the
consent of our Assemblies ; and this army, with a
considerable naval armament, has been employed to
enforce the collection of taxes.
The authority of the Commander in Chief, and
under him of the Brigadiers General has, in time of
peace, been rendered fuprerae in all the civil go
vernments in America.
The Commander in Chief of all your Majesty's
forces in North America has, in time of peace, been
apppointed Governor ofa Colony.'
'The charges of usual offices have been greatly in-
Creased ; and new, cxpenfive and oppressive offices
have been multiplied.
The Judges of Admiralty and Vice Admiralty
Courts are empowered to receive their falaries.and
fees, from the effects condemned by themfclves.
Theofficers of the customs are empowered to break
open and enter houses, without the authority cfany
civil Magistrate founded on legal information.
The Judges of courts of common law have been
made entirely dependent on one part of the legisla
ture for their falarier, as well as for the duration of
their commissions.
Councillors, holding their commissions during
pleasure, exercise legislative authority.
Humble and reasonable petitions from the repre
sentatives of the people have been fruitlefs.
The agents of the people have been difeounte
nanced, and Governors have been intruded to pre
vent the payments of their Hilaries.
Assemblies have been repeatedly and injuriouily
dissolved.
them, and can be charged with no offence, unless it
be one to receive injuries and be sensible of them.
Had our Creator been pleased to give us exigence
in a land of slavery, the sense of our condition might
have been mitigated by ignorence and habit; but,
thanks be to his adorable goodness, we were born
the heirs of freedom, and ever enjoyed our rights
under the dufpices of your royal ancestors, whose fa
mily was seated on the British throne to rescue and
secure a pious and gallant nation from popery and
despotism ofa superstitious and inexoriable tyrant.
Your Majesty, we are confident, justly rejoices, that
your title to the crown is thus founded on the title
of the people to liberty ; and therefore we doubt
not but your royal wisdom must approve the sensibi
lity that teaches your fubjeds anxiously to guard the
blessings they received from divine providence, and
thereby to prove the performance of that compact
which elevated the illustrious house of Brunfwiek to
the imperial dignity it. now poffeffefs.
The apprehension of being degraded into a Rate
of servitude from the pre-eminant rank of English
freemen, while our minds retain the strongest love
of liberty, and clearly forefee the miseries preparing
for us and our posterity, excites emotions in our
hearts which, though we cannot deftribe, we ihould
not wish to conceal. Feeling as men, and think
ing as fubje&s, in the manner we do, silence would
be disloyalty. By giving this faithful information
we do all in our power to promote the gieat objects
of your royal cares, the tranquility of your govern
ment, and the welfare of your people.
Duty to your Majesty, and regard for the preser
vation of ourselves and our posterity, the primary
obligations of nature and of society, commnnd us to
entreat your royal attention, and, as your majesty
enjoys the signal diftintion of reigning over free
men, we apprehend the language of freemen cannot
be displeasing. Your royal indignation, we hope,
will rather fall on those designing and dangerous
men who daringly interposing themselves between
your royal person and your faithful fubjeCts, and for
several years past ihceffantly employed to dissolve
the bonds of society, by abusing your Majesty's au
thority, misrepresenting your American fubje&s,
and prosecuting the most defparate and irritating
projects of oppression, have at length compelled us
by the force of accumulated injuries, too Icvere to
be any longer tollerable, to dilturb your Majesty's
repose by our complaints.
These sentiments are extorted from hearts that
much more willingly would bleed in your Majesty's
service. Yet so greatly have we been misrepresen
ted, that a necessity has been alledged of taking our
property, from us, without our consent, " to defray
the charge of the administration of justice, the sup
port of civil government, and the defence, protecti
on, and security of the colonies." But we beg leave
to assure your Majesty, that such provision has been,
and will be made, for defraying the two firft articles
as has been, and fh^l be judged, by the legislatures
of the several Colonies, just and suitable to their re
fpedtive circumstances ; and for the defence, pro
tection, and security of the Colonies, the militia,'
if properly regulated, as they earnestly desire may
immediately be done, would be fully fufficient at
least in time of peace ; and in case of war, your
faithful Colonists will be ready and willing, as they
ever have been when constitutionally required, to de
monstrate their loyalty to your Majesty, by exerting
their most strenuous efforts in granting supplies and
faifing forces. Yielding to no British fubjets, in
affectionate attachment to your Majesty's person,
family and government, we too dearly prize that
privilege of expressing that attachment, by those
proofs which are honorable to the prince who re
ceives them, and to the people who give them, ever
to resign it to any body of men upon earth.
Had we been permitted to enjoy in quiet, the in
heritance left us by our forefathers, we should at
this time have been peaceably, chearfully, and ufe
fully employed in recommending ourselves by every
testimony of devotion to your Majesty, and of vene
ration tothe Rate from which we derive our origin.
But tho' now exposed to unexpected and unnatural
feenes of distress by a contention with that nation,
on whose parental guidance on all important affairs,
we have hitherto with filial reverence coriftantly
trusted, and therefore can derive no inftruCtion in
our present unhappy and perplexing circumstances
from any former experience ; yet we doubt not, the
purity of our intentionand the integrity ofour con
duct will juftify us at that grand tribunal before
which all mankind must submit to judgment.
We ask but for peace, liberty, and fafety. We
wish not a diminution of the prerogative, nor do we
solicit the grant of any new right in our favour.
Your royal authority over us, and our connection
with Great-Britain, we shall always carefully and
zealously endeavour to support and maintain.
Filled with sentiments of duty to your Majefy,
and of affection to our parent Rate, deeply imprefled
by our education, and strongly confirmed by our rea
son ; and anxious toevince the sincerity of those dis
positions, we present this petition only to obtain re
dress of grievances, and relief from fears and jcalou.
fies, occasioned by the fy item of Ratutes and regulati
ons adopted since the close of the late war, for railing
a revenue in America, extending the powers of courts
of admiralty, and vice-admiralty, trying persons in
Great-Britain for offences alledged to be committed
in America, affecting the province of Maflachufetts-
Bay, and altering the goverment, and extending the
limits of Quebec, by the abolition ofwhicb fyltem,
There have been lately several infantes of flagrant a
b^fe cfered by force of the officers of the army to the inha
bitants of this tows without any provocation.--- Afew
evenings ago, two young lads, fins of Mr. Richard
Hunnewell, going to their father's houje in Effex-freet,
feuth end, icere fired up on by an officer, from the window
of ahoufe where be was; but happily the foot with which
the niujket was charged, passed between the two lads
without hurting cither of them, and lodged in a neigb
fauringffr.ee:---And lafl Friday evening there was a
high-banded riot in King-street, occasioned as we are in
formed by a number of pfficers attempting to rescue a pri
soner out of the hands of the town-watcb,---As inquisi
tion has been made into this affair before a magistrate,
we fall defer the particulars till our next.—On Saturday
night las three officers flopped at the wateb-boufe in
King-freet, and infultedthe watch, threatening to have
their hearts blood before morning, iSc—Two of the fieri
men waited tin the governor the fame evening, to inform
him of the abuse.
the harmony between Great Britain and these Colo
nies, so necessary to the happiness of both, and so
ardently desired by the latter, and usual intercourse
will be immediately reflored.
In the magnanimity and justice of your Majesty
and Parliament, we confide for a redress ofour other
grievances, trading that when the causes of our ap
prehensions are moved, our future conduct will prove
us not unworthy of the regard we have been accus
tomed in our happier days to enjoy. For appealing
to that Being who thoroughly searches the hearts of
his creatures, we solemnly profeis, that our councils
have been influenced by no other motive than a dread
of impending deftrudion.
Permitus then, most gracious foyereign, in the
name of all your faithful people in America, with
the utmost humility to implore you, for the honour
of Almighty God, whose pure religion our enemies
are undermining, for your glory, which can be ad
vanced only by tendering your lubje&s happy, and
keeping them united; for the interest of your fami
ly depending on an adherance to the principles that
enthroned it, for the fafety and welfare of your
kingdoms and dominions, threatened with almost
unavoidable dangers and distresses : That your Ma
jesty, as the loving father of your whole people, con
nededby the fame bands of law, loyalty, faith and
blood, tho' dwelling in various countries, will not
fuffer the tranfeendent relation rotmed by these ties,
to be farther violated, in uncei tain expectation of ef
fects, that if ^ttaihedj never can compensate for the
calamities thro' which they must be gained.'
We therefore most earnestly beseech your Majesty,
thatjour royal authority and interposition may be
ufed for our relief, and that a gracious answer may
be given to this petition.
That your Majesty may enjoy every felicity, thro'
a long and glorious reign, over loyal and happy
fubjeCts, ard that your defeendants may inherit
your profterdy and dominions, till time shall be no
more, is, and always will be, our sincere and fervent
prayer.
AD VERTISEMEN T,
Addressed to the L A D I E S.
FAIR Ladies, 'tis not very arch,
To talk about tbe frft of Marc b,
That woful day, when each of ye,
Must leaveyour darling Ne^ar, TEA!
Tour China, which attraris the Eye,
Like Lumber, must negleried lie :
And dearest Tea-Kettle's harder Lot,
Must change him to a Porridge Pot.
But now, methinks I bear you fay,
Sufficient is the evil Day.
Then why should you, with Raven's Note,
Anticipate the fatal Vote,
That must deprive us of our Joy,
And all our future Peace destroy ?
Sweet Fair Ones, though I tell this Story,
Upon my Word, lam no Tory;
In Spigbt of all tyrannic Tools,
I mean to follow Virtue's Rules.
And now I pledge my Word, and fay,
The noble Congress I'll obey.
Who maugre Power, Pride or Skill,
Dare to be free and virtuous fill.
And you've a Month to make,our Plea,
Concerning this fame Idol, TEA.
Now, tbP I fend to let you know,
I have a hundred Weight, or so,
It is as good as e'er was tafed;
Then mus all this be loft and wafted?
If a Market I should miss oft.
Pray help me out, and buy a Dfh en't.
When March sets in, I vow at once,
A foe foan't purchase half an Ounce.
I'll lock, and barr, and jet a Spell en't.
Nor shall a Mortal ever smell en't.
Yet flop a Moment ! on my Life !
For now I think on't, I've a Wife!
And if fee proves of Eve the Daughter,
To have a Kind cf Hank'ring after
This noxious Herb, and when I o*gone,
With Ax or Hatchet, should lay on,
With Arm and Will, both bold and flow
Should find this potent Poison out :
This Thought bewilders all my Sense,
For what would be the Confequcnce ?
Then help us keep our virtue found,
And quickly purcbafe 'totber pound.
William 1
Wethersfield January 28th, 1775.
OAdvertifernnts, ^c. omitted will be it
BOSTON, January 26.