The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1779-09-18 00:00:00, page 3

the love of felf- government natural to man ; reflect. I fay,
en these things, and tell me whether it be probable that
the single principle of esteem should outweigh motives so
numerous and powerful. But whence these affur@nces of
cordiality and friendfhip? Either from persons not natives
of America, and not deeply interefled in its fortune, from
prisoners of war seeking an alleviation of their wretched
ness, or from inhabitants of t®wns fubjed to our troops,
and recommending themselves to favor and proteaion.
As to the second principle, that glory is necessary to our
welfare, it inc udes much fallacy and empty boasting.
The greatness alluded to, and by which our senses are cap
tivated, has no (olid foundation. Great Britain, indeed,
has extended her dominions to the continent of Europe,
ta&ia, Africa, and America. But by what means ? By
demons suited to her powers ? No, the efforts that have
procured us success Have induced a decline of our strength;
empire thus acquired may be compared to a fp^cious and
beautiful ftrudure, naifed on a contrasted and insecure
base. And is this the glory after which we anxiously
pant, and which we with to preserve at extreme hazard ?
For my own part, I fee nothing inviting in this empty
fiew, and I confefs I am yet to learn, either that a nati
on depends for happiness on extended dominion and public
fame, or that it has a right to choose its rank among the
powers of the earth, and to pursue that choice, even to
the loss of all its natural and proper enjoyments•
With refpeH to the last principle, the fecuqgg of our
remaining poffefftons by adhering to a hostile sy stem, the
truth of this must be extremely doubtful from the nature of
war in general, and from the many unprofperous events
we have experienced in the course of this contention in par
ticular. That these possessions are insecure, is certainly
true ; but of what is this a proof? Of the good policy of
continuing hostilities? No; it is a proof, among many
others, of the impolicy in having commenced them. War
always endangers property, it has endangered ours ; and
nothing can eflablifh our security but compleat victory on
our part, or measures of peace. The former, perhaps, is
not within the verge of probability, and the latter cannot
take place but with the joint consents of France and the
American States : and this leads me to confider, lastly,
The political ceconomy of Britain towards fifteen pow.
ers. The system of our policy towards France is hostile,
and no wonder, under the cover of neutrality, die has
supported o'nr revolting fellow fubjefts, and, under the
made of friendfhip, the has fought to advance herfelf upon
our ruin. That Rates, as well as individuals, should con
sult their own separate interest, is both natural and allow
able; but that they should do this, by violating every mo
ral and political obligation, is highly improper and unjust.
However, before we plunge deeper in difficulty, let us de
liberate on the situation of things. Much of ©ur blood and
treasure is already fpeat; France, on the contrary, comes
with unimpaired strength to the combat; the 'aufe of
Great-Britain, as far as it refpe^s the Colonies, will pre
vent support ; the cause of France, as far as it is conneHed
with the fame Colonies, will draw assistance. In a foreign
war we have nothing to gain, but, on the contrary, from
the probable inequality of the contest, have much that we
may lose. Can we reflect on these things and hesitate in
the choice of our system ? Peace with the Colonies, with
France," with Spain, with the world in general, seems both
the duty and interest of Great-Britain.
There is something, indeed, like animation and grace
ful ardour in exhorting to persevere in hostilities, and to
resist, as they shall successively arise, the various enemies
of our state. But surely, after what has been said, we may
be allowed to remark how vain, or rather how ruinous is
courage, untempered by prudence.
The politician, consulting the true interests of this coun
try, should afcqp,d the most elevated heights, and taking
a comprehensive view, form his plans by things that appear,
not by what he fondly wishes. We covet (and here lam
proud to own my avarice) the liberal subordination of
America to the Parent State. But of what avail is this
desire in changing the nature of things ? Will it bre k the
confederacy of the Colonies? Will it dissolve their union
with France? Will it make them forget their triumph over
a captive army? Will it efface from their minds the idea
of general success? It will produce none of these effeds, ye
know it will not.
The welfare of a community requires that individuals
should arise in succession, and exert their natural powers
in subservience to the law ®f the state. Perhaps the hap
piness of the world demands that new communities should
appear in like manner, and exercise these common powers,
unreftriined but by the law of nations.
In fine, there is fafety for Great-Britain in the measures
here recommended, and fafety, in our present situation
seems all that can be attained.
The Friend of Great- Britain.
PHILADELPHIA, September 18.
The following Petition was yesterday presented to the
Honorable House of General Assembly.
To the REPRESENTATIVES of the Freemen
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The REPRESENTATION and PETITION
of the COMMITTEE of the City of Philadelphia,
the Diftrid of Southwark, and the Northern Liberties,
Refpeflfully Sbeweth, <
TH A T the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia and
its adjoining diftriHs, being alarmed at the rapid
depreciation of Continental bills of credit, have had several
public meetings to determine on some mode of restraining
the effeds of that distressing evil, and have proposed a ge
neral regulation of prices, in which nbt only several of the
Counties of this State, but also divers of the United States
have exprefled their earned desire to concur and to ad in
the most decisive manner.
That the sentiments of the people, thus expressed, had
a very considerable effea in restraining for some time the
depreciation. That having gone into the consideration of
a plan of regulation of prices, which plan and tne prices
proposed shall be laid before this Honorable House, or their
Committee, when required, it clearly appear; to be njcef
fary in order to make any plan of regulations effectual
and 'practicable, that the produce of the country should be
fixed as the standard of the value of money, or, at lead,
the capital articles, such as wheat, Indian corn, cattie, &c.
That this Committee having no pretension of authority
'to regulate the prices of those articles through the State—
tibere being many difficulties at the prefect time m the
©ailing of a conference of Committees; and the Committee
being fully sensible of the extensive consequences of a re
gulation of those articles at any time, and more especially
so while we have an army in the service of the United States
to feed; and forefeeing, that if Maryland, New Jersey,
and the other States which produce grain for sale, do not
adopt similar regulations, but admita higher price to be
taken by their farmers, than the people of this State shall
consent to receive, this State will eventually furnifh much
more than a due proportion of supplies to the army, and at
a lower price, whereby the farmer will be injured, and that
furpluffage of flour which we must depend on for a supply
of imported articles, will be prevented from coming to the
hands of the merchants, who consequently will not be able
to supply the State with the merchandize which we expert
to receive thro' them. It therefore becomes our duty to
lay this important fubje& before this honorable House,
coufiding in the wisdom of the House, that every thing
which the nature of the case can admit of, will be done:
and beg leave to suggest, that if a mode can be devised of
furnifhing the army with provisions, by quotas from each
State in the Union, there may be ground to hope for some
advantages from a regulation of prices, even within our own
State, for a time at lead, until a more effectual and radical
cure of this evil can be applied.
Feeling the importance of the fubjed, and the very ma
ny difficulties attending the prosecution of the plan of re
gulations proposed by our fellow citizens, we are sensible,
that nothing less than the wisdom and authority of this ho
norable House can give effed to any plan for regulating
the prices of the produce of the country, by which the va
lue, in bills of credit, of all imported articles must be de
determined :—For, as there is not specie remaining among
us, fufficient for the purpose, they must ultimately be paid
for in the produce of the country. And we are further fa
tisfied, that it is become necessary to open a trade in arm
ed vessels, in the staple of the country, to enable the mer
chant to import some articles which are indifpennbly ne
cessary.
We pray this Honorable House will take into their con
sideration this pressing and deeply interesting fubjed, and
do therein as in their wisdom they shall judge to be for
the good of our common country.
And we further pray, that effectual provision be made
for restraining or punishing monopolizers, engroffers and
foreftallers of provisions, goods, wares or merchandize
of any kind, including also the huckflers in the market of
this city, whose conduct is become intolerable.
Signed by unanimous Revive of Committee,
JAMES HUTCHINSON, Chairman,
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY of Pennsylvania.
Thursday, September 16, 1779.
The Bill intitled, “ A Sup lement to an Aft for railing
of County Rates and Levies;" was read the second time,
and being again read and debated by paragraphs, was or
dered to be tranferibed for a third reading, and in the
mean time printed for public confederation.
Extract from the Minutes,
JOHN MORRIS, Jun.
Clerk of the General Assembly.
A Supplement to the Abi for railing of County Rates and Le
, vies.
WH EREAS it has been found by experience that
the said Aft is defective in sundry parts thereof, and
in order that it may fully answer the good p'urpofes for
which it was intended, requites to be amended in the fol
lowing particulars; that is to fay, WHEREAS it is en
acted in and by the said AH, That no assessment of Coun
ty Rates to be made by virtue of the said AH in any one
year, shall exceed the value of Th & Pence per Pound
and Nine Shillings per head on single men liable to be
taxed by the said Ad, and that the Proprietaries proper
estate should not be liable to be rated or aifeffed.
Be it therefore enabled, anditfs hereby enabled, by the Re
presentatives of the Freemen of rhe Commonwealth of Penn
fyfvania, in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the
fame, That from and after the publication of this Ad, in
stead of the said sum of Three- ,Pence per Pound and Nine
Shillings per head, there shall be assessed, levied, raised
and cofleHed, any sum or sums not Exceeding
per Pound in any one year, ,on all property made taxable
by the said Aft, and also on the Proprietaries proper
estate, and on all ground rents, and the tax on finglemen
shall be in the fame proportion to the tax on property, to
be railed by virtue of this Ad, as in the before-recited
AH, and to be assessed, levied, raised, collected and ap
plied according to the directions of the said Aft.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
the fees or allowance of the Commissioners, Assessors and
Collectors of the city of Philadelphia, and of the several
counties within this Commonwealth, for doing and per
formingJhe several services and giving the attendance re
quired of them by the said AH, or this Aft, shall be
times the sum and sums which they were respec
tively intitled to receive by the Aft to which this is a Sup
plement.,
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid. That
the Treasurer of the city of Philadelphia, and the Treasu
rer of each of the counties of this Commonwealth, shall
become bound to the Commissioners of the city and pro
per county, with one or more fufficient sureties, in
times the refpeCtive sums which, by the Laws of this Com
monwealth now in force, they are obliged to do conditi
oned for the true execution of the'r refpedive offices.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
the reward for killing wolves, foxes and crows, shall be
times the refpe&ive sums in the said AH, and the
Supplement thereto, mentioned and expressed to be paid
in the manner therein directed.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
all taxes to be assessed by virtue of the Aft to which this
is a supplement, or by this AH, on all lands houses and
lots, shall be paid by the person or persons possessing such
lands houses or lots and levied according to the directions
of the said Act.
And be it further enabled by the authority aforefaid, That
those who shall officiate as clerks in performing the duties
and services by them required to be performed by the said
Aft, shall be allowed for the said services and duties such
sum or sums of money as the Justices of the court of Ge
neral QuarterSeffions of the Peace, and the Commissioners
of th^ said city and counties refpeftively shall think just
and rcdfohable to be paid as by the said Aft is directed.
Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be deemed
or taken to difannul or make void the said recited Ad or
September 15, 1779.
One Hundred Dollars Reward.
11/ rADE their escape last night, out of the gaol of
Chester, Francis Quin, about five feet five inches
high, a well let fellow, brown hair, grey eyes, down
look ; had on when he went away, a calf skin jacket
with the hair on, a blue coat remarkably pieced in the
back and sleeves, linen trowfers, old Ihoes, and a round
half worn hat: He was in Philadelphia gaol some time
ago, broke out thereof, and was taken up in that city,
where it is thought he has confederates that will facet him
Roeert M'Donnal, taken up on suspicion of being ^
run away, and fays he is an indented servant to Willi
am Hay, of Lancaster county, made his escape at the
fame time ; he is about five feet five inches high, has a
doran look, brown h dr, a well set fellow, with a large
nose, pitted with the small-pox ; had on a white linen
coat, shirt and trowfers, old thoes and old hat. Who
ever takes up said runaways and secures them in any
gaol in this State, shall have the above reward, paid by
JOSHUA VAUGHAN, Gaoler at Chester.
any clause article matter or tiling therein contained except
what is hereby altered or'fupplied, but that the famearticle#
clauses matters and things not hereby altered or supplied
shall be and remain in full force and virtue.
Want of room obliges us to omit in this day's paper se
veral matters of consequence, which shall be attended to in
our next.
f*t The CONSTITUTIONAL SOCIETY will meet
this evening at Seven o'clock, onbufinefs of consequence.
CHARLES WILLSON PEALE, Chairman.
Che,er County, ff. ,
NOTICE is hereby given to those who
have fuffered by the inroads and depredations of
the enemy, That an Appeal will be held in the borough
of Chester on the 21st infant; at Dilworth's Tavern, in
the township of Birmingham, on the 2zd; and at Ker
lin's Tavern, in the township of Eatt-Whiteland, ou
tne 23d inftani; in order to make such allowances out
of the last year's State and Q^ota Taxes as the circum^
fiances may permit.
SKETCHLEY MORTON, 7
DAVID CLOYD, ^Commiffioners.
ANDREW BOYD,J
Sept. 8, 1779.
Philadelphia, August 19, 1779.
NOTICE is hereby given to the Militia
of the ciy of Philadelphia, the Northern Liber
ties, the diftrift of Southwark, and the town/hips of
Moyamenfing and Paffyunk, that they are to meet and
exercise in companies, under their refpeftive officers, on
the two last Mondays in the month of August, the two
last Mondays in the month of September, the third
Monday in the month of O&ober, and in battalion on
the fourth Monday in O^ober; And those who negleft
to perform this necessary duty may expeft to be fined as
the Militia Law dire&s.
WILLIAM MENRY, Lieutenant
of the city of Philadelphia, &c.
JOHN WALTER S,
In Chefnut street, between Fourth and Fifth-ftreets,
has for sale by the dozen,
MORAL Essays, in verse, called the World Up
side down; Primmers ; a variety of Childrens
Books ; Almanacks for the ensuing year; General
Washington's head in a watch-paper, coloured or plain,
all at the most reasonable rates ; the World Up-fide
down nine pounds per dozen. Those who have given
orders to the subscriber for the World Up-fide down are
requested to wait till the beginning of next week, when
they shall be supplied, the person with whom he was
connected in putlifhing the said book having in an art
ful manner got the whole of the engravings in his hands,
they being the joint property of him and the subscriber.
(for reasons whose absurdity can only be equalled by
their knavery) refuses to let the subscriber have the en &
gravings to compleat his books, which has obliged him
to engrave a new set, and has occasioned this small de
lay.
Engraving of all kinds, and Copper-plate Printing
done in the belt and most reasonable manner, by
JOHN WALTERS.
W ANTED IMMEDIATELY,
A WET NURSE, who can be well recommended.
Enquire of thl Printer.
Charlefawn, Ceecil County, Maryland, Sept. 10.
TH E Managers of the Charleftown Lottery
are sorry that the drawing of it cannot commence
at the time proposed in the scheme. Prior to this Lot
tery, two others were set on foot in the fame county
and for much the fame benevolent purpose. As one of
those Lotteries is drawn and the other drawing, the
Managers jxpea to compleat the sale of their Tickets
by the last of this month. The adventurers may rest,
assured that the drawing will commence in this town on
the eighteenth day of next Oftobcr.
N. B. Tickets to be had of any of the Managers.
To be SOLD at Private Sale,
THAT elegant HOUSE and LOT in Arch
ftreet, late the property of Mr. Samuel Shoemaker,
at present occupied by John Holker, Est; For further
particulars enquire of the Printer.
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
CTOLEN from the subscriber, in Heidelberg town
° drip, Lancaster county, on the 31st of August, a
chefnut MARE, going four years old, fifteen hands
high, trots only, and has a star on her forehead. Who
ever takes up said Mare and brings her to the subscriber
shall have the above reware, paid by
VALENTINE WRIG.