Dunlap's Pennsylvania packet , The general advertiser — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-10-15 00:00:00, page 1

O R
GENERAL
Ar ADDRESS delivered a: the opening of the Elec
tion is Dover, for the choice of Members ofCoN
VENTION. Augufi !,, 1776.
Countrymen, Friends of Liberty !
WQ % $^ AVING A few things to mention to
, \,:% & you, previous to your entering upon
^fefy,'^'^,,.^; the principal Vufinefs of the day ; —
#M H T* without making any formal apclogy
_ .A^ for so doing, u/hich you would deem
^ ^{^ ^ vn^reflary, for I know yourerndour,
^j^*'^^ 1 on 'y CT^ l y° ur favourable attention
a little while.
Wherem^afures relating to the Paone arc founded on
mt,, liberal, and upright principles, they who take f.n
eft^ prt in them, being properly qualified for the
talk, cannot but peffefs a conscious firmnefs, a noble felf
comi latency ; whi e they, who in the more retired walks
of life, observe and feel the salutary cTefb of those me:i
farcs, live little more to do than give their app<r ati
c, and to fit down in quiet: They earncftly w im and
hop- for their country's fafety, fhofald that remain yet
d&uhtfvl ; a0(1 will heartily rejoice therein, when it be
comes established.
Of this latter number I account myb^ Git? many
ethers, peaceably, yet very ardently, afo I looking ter
the complete propitious ihue of American °pfe'"' e ",-
forts: And tho' there be manifold dangers th f ; to excite
apprehension, and difficulties net a few to be encounter
ed, yet have we canfe to thank a gracious^ revidence,
that, thus far, our affairs are tolerably fuccesful. Pub
lic men, and public operations, throughout there riling
States, will, with very few exceptions, I really believe,
ft d on the Americanmame, conspicuous, laftin;; honor.
In the course of human events, there happen in every
country, at one period or another, certain cidinguifhed
occurrences, upon which a great deal depends with re
fyd to the fubfrqw:t fortune of Qe people. The refo
ludoos taken on these capital occatiors, and the plans
ado; ted, do usually produce effect, either wholesome or
malignant, that must require considerable time, perhaps
some ages, before their strength can be exhausted and
theh influence front.„..
A very fcn^l ^ra in the political affairs of this Con
tinent, we are like!** to fee fixed in our day.
The Englifli Colortitfs, who, from their earned settle
ment till the present year, invariably acknowledged
their dependence upon the Parent State, and boated of
it as their proteaion and glory—have, a good while
past, found, th^t British claims are growing so exorbi
tant, an uncon^itutional domination of both King and
Parliament is gaining ground so rapidly upon them, en
forced by all the fury and desolation of war,—that, in
order to save them selves and their posterity from impend
ing min, they could not but dissolve the bend of their
ancient urion, and become henceforth independan,.
This, their Delegates veßed with competent authori
ty, exercising all the precaution, wifdont, and fagfcij,
which the magnitude of the case demanded, have finally
refoldedos axd declared in Gereral Congress.
In perfect confiitency with this great plan, that Ho
nourable Body have recommended to the federal States,
the forming such constitutions, and rew modelling their
internal police, in Inch maliner as may best suit the ge
nius and circumstances of each refreaivelv, and conduce
most to make the people happy ; being ftri&ly attentive
withal to the important interests of the Continental Union.
On, the present day, therefore, in consequence of re
gular appointment, the Frecnien of the Delaware State
have assembled, to ele^ their Representatives tor the
express purpose *f establishing a system or charter of go
vernment, deriving its spirit and virtue from the People's
authority.
It may be laid down, indeed, as a firft principle (and 1
presume we have the best writers on government to sup
port us) that a'l power resides, originally, in the Peo
ple. Seme have talked, and written too, of a divine
right, upon a very different principle ;< but, never yet
could ihev render their positions even plaufib'e. It ap
pears much more reubnable to suppose, that the Ruler
<f the universe hath lodged the divine right in the hands
of the governed.
By wnomfoever 'he reins of government are held ; whe-'
ther it's forms be funple, or compound ; whether the de
partment! be few, or many, in the State ; it is the Peo
ple's authority that is depefited with each; and to them
the constituted powers are, beyond adoubt, accountable.
The general welfare— he People's happineh, being
the end or main o^^ of all, they are to jadge,—for they
candifrern an feel, —howfir that eno is an wered ; and,
in their collective capacity, to luff as exigencies may rr
quire:—but ever, thro' the med um of prudence and
found difereticn.
Had not the Rufrrs of Great. Brita % to whom w^fo
lon^ with plea(u r e acknowledged ourfe>ves fuboidinate,
infringed upon onr liberties, and broke dorm the bar
riers of public feminity ; had they net made light of the
mot famed compbis and given repeated wounds to the
good old comlormn, at least as far as Americiis con
cern?;, we would BY NO MEANS have taken triofc Herr,
that of necessity we mult now pursue.—A fondnefs for
V.
UESDA Y, OCTOBER 15th, 1776.
D UN L A P's
innovation we have never fliewh. Oppefition to confitwi
o%al authority we have never given. All we have been ask
ing for, and all we now wifn to attain, is " peace, liberty
and fafety;" and, if we cannot enjoy these blaffings in one
fryftem, we must try another. This is the footing on
whit h we stand ; here is the ground on which we proceed ;
and, we trust in God, it is firm enough to bear us.
You mil ft be sensible then, my refps^ted Countrymen,
of the high privilege long fine? clearly recognized, fully
ascertained to you ; —the privilege, the right, of govern
ing yourselves ; a circumftar.ee abfblutely essential to
Civil Liberty.
But as this can only be efitted by de'egati^n, it be
ing utterly inconvenient and impracticable for the whole
People, personally (for instance, in fpch a body as at
tends here to day, or one a vast deal larger) to be pre
fect at the passing of every ordinance and. law, it is in
cumbent on them to be exceeding careful vchcm they
appoint to aft in their behalf. Want of proper circuin
fpe&ion in this particular is highly culpable ; I scarce
know any thing that can excuse it : And whether such in
fidelity to themselves arid to th dr country proceeds from
people's indolence of temper ; from a supine indifference
about the matter—who, cr what kind ©f men are ap
pointed ; or whether it fpringS from venal corrupt views ;
or hilly, from fa&ion and the manoeuvres of party bu
siness, the evils accruing to society are much the fame ;
the consequences in the end may prove fatal.
Now, brethren convened on this occasion, you are
well acquainted with the purpose of your meeting; you
know trie importance of it. There never was, perhaps,
an cle&ion held in this county, er this government, half
lo interesting ?s the present. Be very cautious; oe ra
tional ; be dispassionate ; be prudent ; be just to your
selves and to your children. ,
What you have to do is to chufe suitable men ; men"
who hive (kill and integrity equal to the business you
are fending them upom The Congress hath pronounced
you independent and free; it will rest with your Con
vention, by their judicious management, to secure to
you the bappinefs and fafety that may refalt from that
declaration : For a State may be free and independent
• with refpea to the impofitioni of any foreign power, and
nevertheless, thro' the vices_of its own policy, or the ar
bitrary disposition of its own rulers, the people of it be
saves, or at best, have a very precarious security, and a
defective enjoyment of their privileges.
Bare gnod meaning in your Reprefentarives, without
capacity, is insufficient; so is capacity without an bereft
heart. You can find men among you poffeffertof both ;
men, I trust, unbiaffed by prejudice, not warped by
pafii.n, above the narrowness and illiberality of injuring
the general welfare out of private resentment, or for
private interest. They alfo,°in particular, who have al
ready conduced themselves well in the Iphere of public
ufefulnefs, ought not to be overlooked now by a grate
ful, fugacious people.
Be npou ycur guard against a party-spirit, cr you will
be milled. Beware of those who would increase fubfift
igg jeatoufies, and exafpefate you against each other.
Tno' fach flipporters of the common cause, —be they of
what diftirdion or fide they plenfe, it matters not, —do
affeme a patriotic semblance, or may address you under
jignatures no left than of Roman dignity, listen not to
their Rory with attention over-credulous; think for
yourselves; judge for yourselves: “ Ibey zealcujly af
fefl you, bat not voell." Their ways and means are quite in
competent to beneficial ends..—The spirit of Patriotic is
no headlong, noisy effervefcence, nor angry ebullition of
the mind; it delights not in tumult, revenge, or outrage :
It is a pure, manly flame, luperior to the mists of fa&i
on ; regarding no party names; exalting the foul to
deeds of dififive virtue : It is allied so close to the spirit
of chriftianity, as to claim these as its predominant qua
lities—an undismayed firmnefs, a generous expansive
benevolence, with real wisdom and ciearnefs of under
handing; for it too, is “ a spirit of piuer, and of love,
and of a found mind."
Permit me, then, to charge you with an afleaicnate
fclicitude,—to entreat you, as a brother and fellow-in
habitant, whole hopes and interests are one with yours,
to lay divisions and animosities intirely aside; they will,
unless relinquished, diftraft our councils ; enervate, re
tard, and disfigure our most ufeful proceedings at home,
and utterly diferedit us abroad. Let us be united and
at peace, by all means, among ourselves. If ever una
nimity was a virtue, it muff be one at the present junc
ture ; and a pre-eminent virtue it is in a worthy cause.
It is more than probable, that in the procels of this
day there will be diverffy cf opinions amongst you, and
a contrariety of endeavours ; there will be planning, 1,0
doubt, and counter-plan ring. This may arifefrom the
nature cf the bniiee 1 :, for aright I know, and pofiimy,
in it(elf, may not be cen untie in trie least, or buufil
to the bond of peace, provided men act from an upright
motive, conducing their plans cr their oppofitjon, if
they mult oppose one another, with humanity, good
sense, and decency; Ant " hi+t^nefs, and nvratb, and
c'amour, and evil fpcalin, and malice,"~O fy! fy on
them ! they are to ne daffed wita things mod " rank
and foul in nature."
re=c^TT^^<lXW#3E#3|
^^&^^^W«^;^o^^
6W< <f^^ (n)^®A^^
ADVERTISER.
, At an election, it is implied, that certain persons, ei
ther upon tv e ir own motirn or proposed by some or
other of the eledors, do stand candidates for an appoint
ment, whatever it is. Here, then, the ele&ors or con
fot^ents have a right to exercise their own judgment;
and people will differ sometimes in opinion : They have
the privilege of chufing for themselves, and they m ?y
differ in their choice. But still, it is every one's'indii
pci fible duty to inform his judgment as well as poflible,
and to use his privilege so as not to abuse it. The fare
way is, to conduft yourselves clear of prejudice and un
due influence.
I ftrp rot forward as an advocate for tests ; on ocerfi
ons of this fort especially: Yet perhaps if every one who
sets up at an election, and every voter, laying his hand
upon bis heart, were virtually to put some such test to
himfeif as the following—Do 1 solemnly think that lam
a suitable person for the place, or trust lam soliciting,
Or, do I solemnly believe that the person or persons' I
vote for, and whose interest I am pushing, are duly qua
lified ? and is my opposition to others grounded on prin
ciple ?—'t would tend to preserve both civil and moral
liberty.
rhe mention of this test brings to^my mind another;
I mean that which the Honourable House of Assembly
have impow^red the judges of this election to put, as
they may tkink fit, to all or any of the voters : What I
would observe on it (and I do it with great deference) is
no more than this.—-If it was only meant as a restraint
upon those who may be difaffeded to the American
cause, it was meant vce\l: but, if it fliould prove a bar
to any tender or scrupulous confidences, so that a corfi
derable class of men, otherwise good friends to their
country, are with-held from their right—it is a pity.
However, you, Gentlemen, Infpeftors and Judges, have
a dirttitiondry power in the matter, I apprehend; and
we need not doubt your exercising it in a manner deli
cate and unexceptionable.
Now I conclude; wifliing this county foccefs in the
event of this interesting day—and desiring for the fifter
counties a fimdar felicity. May we and they always hive
a fact ffion of able, good men, to manage our political
concerns ; incorruptible guardians of the rights of free
men; the horeft Representatives of an honest People.
Like another Sparta, may this little Spte be wife, and
brave, ard great ; —great in strength, but greater still in
virtue ; holding its rank with unimpaired dignity in the
scale of AMERICAN EMPIRE. °'
Q^T^,^#,^^,^-,-,.,^^,^,^^^^
To the Freemen of the County of CHESTER.
Gentlemen,
IT is with gratitude I reflect on the repeated marks of
your confidence ard esteem, maoifefted by ycur
cuoofing me one of your Representatives in Assembly for
many years pad, and I have no doubt of your continuing
the fame, as I am not con feious that 1 have forfeited
your goed opinion ; but as I am grown old in your service,
and of course attended with many infirmities, which, with
the necessary application to my own dorreftic affairs,
added to tie fatisfa&iori t aprivate life affords, induces
me to request you, not to choose me into any public of
fice at the ensuing election, as I can no longer lerveyo*.
As this is the only request I ever made you, except of
the fame kind, I hope you will grant it. I am, and I
trust ever (hall remain, •
Wef.Whiteland, Yours ah ' ray country's real friend,
0^.8,1776. 1 JOHN JACOBS.
WefhWhiteland, Oct. 8, 1776.
PURSUANT to the last will and testament
of David Evans, of Weft Whiteland, in Chester
county, will be exposed to sale, on Sixth-cay, the Bth
of November next, at one o'clock in the afternoon, on
the premises, a plantation and trad of land, containing
1?., acres, of which about half is cleared and within good
fence, feme thereof limed : There is on laid plantation
two tearing orchards of excellent fruit, which seldom
fails bearing, and has now a considerable quantity cf ap
ples thereon ; a quantity of meadow, excellent water, a
dwelling -house, barn, (tables, &c. &c. it is about ore
mile from the sign of the White Horse, on Lancafttr
Road, and about 27 miles from Philadelphia. The tit e
good, and vid be shewn bn application any time before
t'he day of sale, and then if required! Attendance and
credit will be given, by
§ DAVID JO HN, .
JOHN JACOBS, ] TruftCT
r "F' H E Contributors for promoting the culture
of SIL K, ar? desired to meet at the house of
Benjamin Davids, on Friday, the firft day of Novem
ber next, at Three 0 clock in the afternoon, to chufe
twelve Managers, and a Treasurer, for the ensuing
year.+
11^7 AS FOU N 1) tome time ago, a bundle
VV cf MONE Y. Whoever has loft the fame
may heaf of it by applying to LOOK BAKER,
at the Lower Ferry at Trenton.l
NU MB. 260.