The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1782-12-07 00:00:00, page 2

A HINT to the Author of Common Sense.
I ''ROM the many and great embarrassments, under
' which our public finances have laboured, the fuf
ftrings of-the army have been many, tedious and al
rooft intolerable , and I believe, they would absolute
ly have been so to any men of less virtue than those
who at present compete it:— At prefect I fay, for
many, not wrthßandmg their long continuance in the
field of honour and ghry, could not persevere Yet
1 will not attribute it to a want of as much virtue in
SOME of those, as in many perhaps who continue.
Congress, in 1780, finding that the pay and sup
plies, afforded the army were inadequate to their ne
cessities ; fudging, from the resignations of various
officers of different grades, that their patience and
virtue had been put to the utmost trial, and appre
hending (iNDEt d very justly) that, if some exerti
on was not made to relieve them, or some propped giv
en them of future affi fiance,they would very soon have
f w officers in the field, solemnly resolved, that
all officers who should continue in service to the end
of the war, should be.entitled to the half pay of their
refpe&ive grades during life. The officers relying on
this, ready to bear some proportion of the embarraff
menr of their country, notwithftauding they were in
the field, hazarding their lives for its fafety ; and might
from this, argue their claim to full and regular pay ; and
judging, as of right they might, that their country was
willing to be grateful, have continued to this day, with
receiving very little, if any more than one twelfth part
of it. Now there is a profpeft of the war being near a
conclusion, what is the condud of several of the slates ;
some have absolutely resolved they will not give half
pay to their officers ; others, who have been applied
to, evade an answer, or fay congress have not recom
mendedit to them ; and others as yet, are willing to
fay nothing on the fubjed.
Congress have r ? solved it—it is true. Eut I have
been informed, and I believe truly, that there has been
a motion intat august body to re< onfider that resolve,
and it was nearly carried. But, supposed this motion
should not be renewed, and the resolve hands as it is,
have congress any money of their own ? Have they the
power of laying and levying continental taxes ? Or, are
Mr. PRINTER,
»*4pHE author of a publication on the five per
4 cent, duty printed in the Freeman's Journal
of the 4th of this month, makes use of the following
expreflions:—" France, Spain and Denmark, w re
" once limited monarchies, and the inhabitants of the
" united Netherlands a free people, but the former
“ now live under despotic governments, and the lat
" ter under cne, if p I ffible, more degrading. The
" la'ften y<ars were peculiarly fit^l to the Cause of
" public liberty in Europe, while victorious in our
" wefltrn wor'd. The perjured sovereign of Sweden,
" by the affi dance of the military, enslaved his people
" and made himfelf t'e absolute tyrant of one of the
" fr efl and mod limited monarchies in the world, in
" which he was born and educated, and whose con
" ftitution he was sworn to preserve." ft is not my
province to treat the question of the five per cent. duty.
Jam a Granger and not able to judge whether the au
thor int nds to hurt or to serve his country ; but it is
to >e willed that pe had been as r eserved, with refpe&
to Sweden, France, Spain, Denmark and the Nether
fends, as I am with regard to this country. Let him
ask all the Swedes whom choice may throw into his
way; they will tell him, that after having groan'd a
song time under the influence of foreign powers, their
ni fier has procured them a truly n.tional independence:
he is the father of his fubjeds, and it is importable,
witbou' throwing the most outrageous abuse upon
the mod (hiring royal virtues, to call hima tyrant
and 8 perjured fovereign,as toe author has been pleas
ed to fthe him. He quotes a history published by Mr.
Sheridan, of the revolution in Sweden: he might as
well refer to the publications of Rivington, to prove
that the Americans are rebels. The whole world
knows that England supported at that time Russia
in her endeavours to enslave Sweden Mr. Sheridan,
who was at Stockholm, and who had the mortification
to fee all the manoeuvres of his court miscarry, (peaks
of it with that bitterness that would distinguish the
language of a secretary to general Howe or to fir Hen
ry Clinton, if he undertook to write the history of the
American revolution. The Swedes are happy under
Ihrir present government ; they are rot a fflided by inte
rior divisions ; a few ambitious men do no longer tear
the enipire to pieces,and do not oppose measures calcu
luted for 'he general welfare. The author is very
fligbtly informed, or very ill meaning, if he intends
to rive to the people of the united Bates such falfe im
pfaffy, ref peeing the Sovereigns of Europe. He a
bufrs at once five refpe&able powers, four of which
have (hewn to the Americans me filtered attachment
in a manner I think effedoah The Swedes art not al
lied t'o Spain, D^um^rk or the u ed prov oces, and
I mail not take notice of theautho, s afp'rfions against
those powers; but 1 cannot torbe.tr obf~rving, that
iu try journey through France, I attended a LIT DE
jutiC , where I heard the advocate general of one
of the thirteen parliaments of the kingdom, address
his sovereign and tell him, with a firm and free voice,
<< you execute the fun iameatal laws of the kingd m,
'' and you order them to be executed, but you have
“ no power to alter thofeiaws." Is this the language
of a 11.vu to a despot? Do the Frenchmen you have
seen in this country behave like the slaves of a def
pot ? Do their converfatione, their writings, their
&aioos, wear the marks of a submission that makes
humanity blurts If the author has had an opportu
nity to Rudy the charafter of that nation, he ought
to have discovered, they entertain the (entiments of
rtfpe& dim to their king, as chief of a powerful empire,
of submission to the laws, of attachment to govern
ment, but in the fame time, such elevated feelings
of generofiry and honour, as do not agree with his
friuitoub and iilib rai fupppfitions.
A Swedish Officer fighting
for American Independence.
is it expedient, in any government, that the su
preme executive power hold the revenue independ
ent of the pople? To have this question soberly
and fenfi >ly discussed, is a matter of some consequence,
at any time and in any place; it taking place of right
among the molt important principle of civil gov r n
ment: but at this time is, in this country, peculiarly
iutcrefling—it applying home closely upon every indi
vidual who is capable of forming a judgment upon the
effects which a queftiom, so ra^i.al in the constitution,
may have upon us and our poflerity.
A matter which might have affeßed him elf, or his
countrymen, in an ordinary 01 temporary manner,
would not have induced the author to take up his pen.
at a time of life when he had thought to nave laid
aside political matters; especially, difftnting from
the prevailing sense of government, which without the
retraining hand of providence will doubtless be car
r^d into execution. —To treat a queffion of importance
soberly and refpeafully, as to those placed in autho
r ty, is in the power of any'one ; and lie who dos rot
attend thereto, oug t no: to be regarded! but now
far I shill be able to do juflice to the argument I must
leave to th° iffue.—Glome who have treated this fubjeft
in a florid Bile of declamation, as it were by th^ fki^s,
who have seemed to fear to take hold of its fubHantiaf
eloathing, leaf! they should fare like the young eagle,
who fixed his talons in the fleece of the rim, rave
thrown out one thing which may b proper firfl to re
move; and that is, that this scruple, in refpefl to the
powers of Congress, is founded in an undue jealousy
of their integrity and virtue; their services having
been fufficient to remove every thing of th t kuid.
To which I observe, admitting their services to beever
so great, that such are the only times in which the
jealousy of the people is mos idangerously aflep ; and
which will be the only way in which p^r. is of fu:ure
ages will be able to account for the present measure
of Congrefg, if carried into execution.
Whoever reads the history of pad ages with fnitable
attention, will find, that the feeds of tyranny have been
sown, and the foundation of arbitrary rule, in all flues
once free, has been fad during foch ndminifl r a:ionc of
government, as, in other refped, have been most ac
ceptable to the people.
The foundation of that intollerable tyranny, which
wan afterwards exercifeb by the kings of Rome, was
laid in the reign of Numa Pompdius ; wnofe ferrets
had been so great, and his attention to the present in
terests of the Roman people so u uweried, that they
gave ail up into his hands without reserve, nay and en
rolled him among their deities after his death.
But the power and prerogative of so go d a prince
were not eafiiy recovered from ids fucctflors, however
vile, and were recovered at last by the de(p rate means
of assassinating the kir^, and a revolution in the empire.
By means similar, probably this country miy reco
ver privileges now given up; but thei, wounds are
too frtih toefteem a revolution a flight tiring, even up
on the most juififr.ble motives.
Some ages aft r, fluring one of the heft adminiflrm
ons of the Roman senate, the common people by their
representatives consented, from meer necessity as they
deemed, to give into the hands of the senate, which
was the supreme executive council, those unlimited
powers, which afterwards in the hands of their di&ator
laid waste that flourishing empire in blood, and intro
duced a monarchial government, more arbitrary, ly
rannical and cruel than the firft
I should but copy the sentiments of the bed hiflori*
ans, was I to trace this position through the corrobo
rating experience of every rr 4& de of government down
Ted hints are fugge"ed to you, fir, in hopes that
you will take them up, enlarge upon them and im
press the necessity of Something being done "y congress,
emer by eftabliihing a fund for this purpose, if in
their power, or by recommending it to the several
Rates, to take tie matter up separately for t^eir re
fpecb.ve officers —that the officers in general may be
allured on what footing they fiand; and if they find
therokives to have beenreceived in their expectation,
th y roy continue no longer in their deception ; but
r. : y :.ike measures, caving the service of an migrate
fui cojutiy, to relieve themselves, before too late,
from an old age of want and wretchedness. Tned
hopes in you, fir, ar& grounded upon principles, I
bebe-e, repeatedly and recently advanced by you,
that a country to be happy ought to be just; tuat to
b: reflected abroad, they should be confided in at
home. For furcly, that man who will not be just in
hi« engagements with his servant, who has hazarded
his life for his prosperity, and made him what he is,
cannot with confidence be treated with by a Grang
er. You , have said, fir, that " (he (America)
wants an opportunity of Shewing to the world,
that the holds her honour as dear and sacred as
her independence, anl that she will in no situation
forfake those, whom no negociarions could in
duce to fordkeher." I ask, what opportunity can she
wdh for better to (hew her jufiice and her honour, than
in com plying with her prymifes to the army, and
convincing the world,' th< gratitude, that heaven born
affection, is in such measure an inmate of her bosom,
that the nev.r will forfake those who have forfaken eve
ry species of domestic happiness and enjoyment to pro
more her felicity, and whom no difireffes cr reverse of
fortune coaid induce to forfake her.
they not obliged to call upon the several Rates for their
respective quotas of supply to the public treasury?
And have not the slates their option to pay taxes or
not, for tills or that particular purpose? Will they
not demand, and have they not a right to an estimate
of t^e expences, and t e particular purposes, to which
the morny called lor is to be applied? And will they
give any for half pay, contrary to the determination
already made?
The following is inferred by particular delire.
From the PROVIDENCE GAZETTE.
A& OFFICER.
so latter ages. But the limits of my present intention
circumferibe me. And I proceed to some of later date,
which apply not only to the necessity of this jealousy
in the people over their rights in general, but to the
present subj-R in particular ; that of borrowing large
turns upon credit, and granting perpetual imports to
government to defray the fame, uncontroulable by
and independent of the people.
The British con flitution, apart from the coruptions
of mal-adminiftration, 'ere the supreme executive pow
er bad grasped the revenue, no longer the free gift of
the people, was, in the judgment of the mofteminent
foreigners, as Montesquieu, Bactria, &c. a free and
well poized government. I would be understood ac
cording to the true principles of the revolution, upon
which William the third came to the crown. The peo
ple then looking up to him and thoe about him,as their
deliverers from impending thraldom ; —be had yet a
powerful enemy to contend with, supported by fo
rti;n powers. Under such circumflances, necessity
cal d for large funis of money —they were borrowed.
Toe peoples hearts were open to him, and they
granted funds by way of imposts or duties, proporti
oned thereto, as sureties, and to defray the interest
thereof. The'e monies were collected, or at lead all
that cov'd be coliea<d ; but the necessities of the times
w-re very great, and neither debt nor interest were
p?d. Tais demonstrated the necessity of further
grants of the fame nature being made— they were made;
which soon put into the hands of the minirtry a plen-'
tiful flream of ready ca(h, wherewith they could dife
patch business in their own way, without the disa
greeable necessity of alking the people for it from time
to time.
They of course counted upon so much certain, and
caculated their difhurfement* accordingly. And when
ever any extraordinary expence accrued, as in time of
war, they then requeued further (applies of the com
mons. But with the increase of the duties, the pub-'
lie debt increased ; and by this time, whoever had the
command of the keys, was master of fufficient means,
in a general way, to procure such votes as best suited
him. Thus their liberality, which they cannot recall,
has become the means of extorting that which they
would have gladly withheld. It is true they have the
power of choosing their representatives periodically,
and sometimes by clamouring to remove the ministry ;
but alas! they have only the fatisfaaien to have a set
of lean, hungry men to feed, in lieu of those who are
well fatted. They having uncontroulably set up a
system, which teems to have the fafeinating power of
turning all things into the old channel
Theft truths the people of this country are no Grang
ers to hey have been too clearly demonstrated, during
these ten years past, to admit of doubt. And they have
taken measures in consequence there f, too ferioua and
important co pnf.y them a' tni, time Shall we then
from the necessity of the time's, so often founded in our
ears, and which according to tee poet “ Is Till the ty
rant's plea,'' I fay, fhallw be induced, with our eyes
open, to adopt a measure which has nearly proved the
ruin of a people once fr e and happy, which has ren
dered arbitrary a constitution once mild and well poiz
ed, in the judgment of the greatert men of neighbour
ing nations? If we exped that we shall have the like
passions to guard agaiert in our rulers, as those have
had who have gon~ before us, now i& the time to place
the guard. Away then with this killing complaint,
" that the people are too jealous"—the never ceasing
song of mucous to those in power. A late advocate
for the import seems so liberal in exploding this system
in the parent state, as he terms it, that one would be
induced to think he argued by the rule of contraries.
As it was a v-ry wicked thing, and could by no means
be submitted to under them—rther' fore it will be a wife
measure, and chearfully submitted to, under the pre
sent government.
For my part I freely confefs if I must be compelled
to maintain he idleness, pride or luxury, of one, I
have but little ch ice whether it be the parent or the
present Bate; and both the one and the other I erteem
but the natural consequence of a revenue, upon the
plan in quftion. If I must have my money taken to
Support a set of idle, luxurious drones, it will be no
fatisfaftion that they are my friends, my neighbours,
or my countrymen; I shall only feel an additional
pain in their ofs to society.
(To be continued.)
L ONDO N, ORober 7.
Wagers are now depending, that the combined
squadrons would leave the bay of Gibraltar as soon as
they had positive information of the force and failing
of lord Howe's fleet, which by naval men, is reckoned
one of the bed equipped that ever left England.
Governor loraidone, we hear from good authority,
will not long remain out of employment, but it is not
yet fettled in what line of business he will be employed
The following is a complete return of the forces at
Gibraltar, on the 24th of July idft, fit for duty.
Officers. Privates
12th regiment of foot - 23 642
39th do. 18 597
56th do. . - - 27 872
58th do. - - 25 goo
72d do. - - 17 7 3 0
73 d do. - 3 9 816
Cor'icsr corps - - 5 237
Hanoverian Hardenbergs - 31 716
Ditto La Motte's - - 22 649
Ditto La Ruyden's - - 25 463
Artillery company - - - 29 612
251 7234
The fubabtrns are included in the number of pri
vates, a f^ere is nj Giftm&ion under an ensign in the
general leturn,
Tfe r ar . many irflances of finale ships running to,
and from Gibraltar in nine or ten days, the distance
of that garrison not being more than 1300 miles ; con
sequently difpitches from lord Howe may be expected
on the winds fhifting from the east, fiom whence it
has long prevailed.